Paris, France

     Paris truly has my heart! There's just a special feeling you get when you're there. It's hard to describe the feeling, so for lack of a better term I'll just say it's magical. I don't know if it's the laid-back nature of the people or the history in every building or the societal teaching that it's the "City of Love," but I just can't get enough! I hope you use the following tips to feel that same feeling. 

 

EIFFEL TOWER

 

Without a doubt my favorite part of Paris is the Eiffel Tower. I know, I know how basic can I be? But did you know there's more to the tower than just amazing views? Inside the tower is a full restaurant, a cafe, shops, bars and of course amazing views of the city! You can truly spend a full day exploring the ins and outs of the Eiffel Tower. If you don't like heights or simply don't want to spend the money to go inside the tower, I'd suggest picking up a meal from a local cafe and creating your own picnic in the park. There are massive lawns right below the tower that provide the perfect scenic backdrop for a romantic meal or a memorable lunch with family or friends. 

 

OTHER THINGS TO DO

Although the Eiffel Tower is the most popular attraction in Paris, there are plenty of other sights to see in the city as well! Here are some other suggestions to consider:

  • Louvre Museum: This is where you'll find the famous 'Mona Lisa' painting. Beyond the Mona Lisa, this museum is home to thousands of paintings and cultural artifacts that are fascinating to see. It is definitely another popular attraction, so be ready for crowds, but the art that you will see is well worth it. One thing to note before your visit is that the museum is HUGE! I'm talking 4-5 hours to view everything is being very generous, so plan accordingly. I will admit we were worn out after 2.5 hours and decided we had had enough of the museum for one day. Depending on your commitment to the arts, I'd suggest seeing the main attractions, grabbing some food in one of the cafes, then leaving to explore the rest of Paris.

         (Extra Tid Bit: My personal favorite painting is the "Wedding Feast" and it is a giant painting on the back wall in the "Mona Lisa" room. Make sure you turn around so you don't miss it!)

  • River Cruise: There are so many river cruise options that will take you around the city and point out all of the main sights. There are hop on, hop off boats that allow you to come and go as you please, or there are full dinner cruises that provide a 3-5 course meal while you enjoy the views. We selected a dinner cruise and I would book it again in a heartbeat. The food was delicious and the boat route provides a unique view of Paris that you just can't get on land. Majority, if not all, of the boat tours have rooftop decks that make the experience ten times better. The only caution I would advise is "Watch your head!" The bridges that the boat goes under are extremely low, so if you're standing you will need to duck or sit down when the boat approaches each bridge. Other than that, this is an unforgettable experience!
  • Walk the Streets: Paris is filled with stunning architecture around every corner, so why not enjoy the free views? If you want a more laid back approach to the city, I'd say start with a walk — or a ride on the subway. We spent one day just randomly exploring the city and it was one of our favorite days. We hopped on the subway near our hotel, chose a destination spot, and just explored the surroundings. We did that a few times throughout the day and discovered cafes and shops that we never would have seen if we just stayed around our hotel. The subway system is extremely easy to use, it wasn't too crowded, and I felt safe the entire time (we did only use it during the day though, so be careful at night). The only drawback to the underground system is that there are a lot of stairs going into and coming out of the subway, so be prepared to walk up and down frequently. Some exits have elevators, but I wouldn't bank on every stop having one. 

 

    WHERE TO EAT

    Our hotel concierge recommended a nearby French restaurant and it did not disappoint! The restaurant is called La Cantine Du Troquet Dupleix (about a 10-15 minute walk from the Eiffel Tower). We started with the goat curd appetizer (goat cheese and bread) and it was so good that we ordered a second helping! This might have been the best thing I ate during our entire two weeks in Europe; it was that good! I followed this up with the 'Onglet de boeuf, servi saignant, sauce vin rouge' which is basically a really nice steak, and it was melt in your mouth good! My husband ordered a fish with mashed potatoes (I can't find the exact name in French) and to quote him, he said, "Oh that was fire!" So needless to say, but he loved the meal too! I'm sure there are plenty of great French restaurants in Paris, but if you want one that is guaranteed to deliver, this is the spot!

     

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