Travel Guide for Paris, France: Top 5 Must See
Travel Guide for Paris, France
While in London visiting a college friend, I was able to hop a quick flight over to Paris and explore the city for 36 hours. I had often romanticized the city of Paris in my mind – hard not to! Yet, I’d heard from some friends that it wasn’t all they’d hoped for, so I was worried it might be a disappointment.
However, this was not at all the case. Paris was exactly the magical, romantic, charming place I had dreamed of, and so much more. I strolled up and down the banks of the Seine all day, enjoyed a cappuccino with a view of the Notre Dame, and marveled at the Eiffel Tower lit up at night – while eating a Nutella crepe, of course. I hope to return very soon, but for now, here are my top recommendations for visiting Paris in 36 hours or longer…
What to Do in Paris
There is so much to do and see in Paris. I opted for walking around the city to really take it all in. Luckily, many of the main attractions in Paris are centrally located on the banks of the Seine so you can see a ton while just walking, eating, and enjoying!
Top 5 Things to Do in Paris:
1. The Eiffel Tower
Of course, the #1 must see spot in Paris is the Eiffel Tower. During my brief time in the city, I visited the Eiffel Tower twice – once during the day and once at night. Both have their merits but I loved to see the tower lit up at night. I'd recommend grabbing a pastry or crepe at one of the many carts nearby and strolling the Champ de Mars Park in the afternoon.
2. The Louvre
Housing some of the worlds most famous art, The Louvre is the perfect museum to visit on your Paris trip. However, if you want to get in, just be sure to book in advance online! Admission tickets to the Louvre cost 17 Euro online in advance, but are free for those under 18. After exploring the museum, stroll around the Tuileries Gardens outside and see a beautiful historic merry-go round, sip a coffee from the café there, and enjoy the beautifully maintained gardens.
3. Notre-Dame Cathedral
If you walk along the Seine river east to west, you can see all the main Parisian attractions in one day. Notre-Dame is a great place to start that walk with its majestic towers and beautiful gardens. While the Notre-Dame won’t be open for tours again until 2024 (following the disastrous fire in 2019), it is still a wonder to see from the banks of the Seine.
4. Arc de Triomphe
A bit of a walk from the main drag of attractions along the Seine, the Arc de Triomphe is another must see in Paris. Encircled by one of the most dangerous traffic roundabouts in the world, it's the perfect spot to sit and people watch (by which I mean traffic-watch).
5. Pont Alexandre III
All the bridges in this section of Paris are beautiful, but the Pont Alexandre III bridge was my favorite. Lit at night by Art-Nouveau street lamps, and located right near Napoleon's Tomb, it's a sight to see day or night. I’d recommend walking back and forth across all the bridges as you make you way through to get a full sense of the city.
Where to Stay in Paris
If you’re visiting Paris to see places like The Eiffel Tour, Notre-Dame, and the Arc de Triomphe, you’ll want to stay right in the heart of the city so everything is easily walkable. I opted to stay at Hotel La Lanterne and it was perfectly situated for walking the city.
1. Hotel La Lanterne
A great location for walking the city with comfortable rooms, a Turkish Bath, and friendly staff! Book Here!
2. Hôtel d'Orsay
Another excellent choice, is the Hôtel d'Orsay – a historic Left Bank hotel, opposite the Musée d'Orsay. Steeped in history with lovely rooms and a great location. Book Here!
3. Try a Hostel
If you’re traveling solo or would rather spend your money on crepes than a hotel, you could check out a hostel! You can search through many different options on Hostel World and just look at the map view to weigh the price against the location and reviews. Book here!
Where to Eat in Paris
In my brief 36 hours in Paris, I didn’t get to experience much of the amazing culinary options available in this historic food city. That said, I still really enjoyed some classic french cuisine while strolling around, and found these to be great places for a bite:
1. Le Depart
Try a La Croque-Madame while people watching right in the heart of Paris.
2. Café Kléber
Located right near the Eiffel Tower, this it the perfect spot to try a delicious crepe and enjoy a hot drink with a view!
3. Au Vieux Paris d'Arcole
Classic French dishes served in a 16th-century townhouse with authentic touches like antiques and stained glass.
Visiting Paris
If you’re thinking about booking a trip to Paris, do it. This historic city has something for everyone – the foodie, the art buff, the wine connoisseur... the list goes on. My only recommendation before you go would be to watch Midnight in Paris to re-inspire your romanticism of the city (I love that movie). I’m hoping to get back to Paris very soon so, maybe I’ll see you there!