Paris, France: Strolling Through the City of Lights
Bonjour! 🗼 Is Paris on your bucket list? That is great to hear! Honestly, it was not at the top of mine... but don't get me wrong. I have always wanted to see the Louvre Museum after watching "The Da Vinci Code" movie and, of course, those stunning Haussmannian buildings. 😍
Even though Paris was not on the top of my list, it turned out to be the first European city I visited! 😄 And I was so grateful for that experience!
Paris is one of the most visited cities in the world, and it’s no surprise given all it has to offer—from the iconic Eiffel Tower to authentic French pastries like croissants. So, if you are dreaming of a Parisian escapade, let me give you a quick rundown of how I spent my time in the “City of Lights.”
I spent 5 days in Paris staying at a friend's house. Since I wanted a relaxed holiday, I did not overload my days with a packed itinerary.
Day 1: A (Supposedly) Flavourful Arrival
Enduring bad jet lag and sweltering heat (despite it supposedly being autumn), I spent most of Day 1 at home eating and chatting. Later, we went out for dinner.
- Rue Montorgueil - A bustling street filled with bars, restaurants, cafés, bakeries, produce and fish stores, and other types of shops. It is a lively pedestrian area that looks charming with its surrounding buildings—a real delight to explore on foot. Unfortunately, I was not feeling well, so we did not wander around much.
- Bistro - Maybe a glass of wine will relieve the jet lag? Yes, please! Nah, I am just kidding.. 😄 We did grab a glass of wine, but my headache was worsening. 😵
- Crepe for Dinner - Next, we went to a restaurant famous for its crêpe dishes. I’ve totally forgotten the name, but maybe I’ll remember it if I return. 😄 We indulged in these thin, buttery delights topped with our preferred toppings. My friend recommended the one with lettuce and beef, so I tried that. We also ordered another popular variety. While they looked delicious, my tastebuds were off, so I could not fully appreciate the food. 😭 I feel bad about it. 😢
Skipping day 2 since it was a wedding day.
Day 3: The Great Seine Adventure
On day 3, I was feeling a bit better, so I was able to start exploring some of Paris's must-see places. As mentioned, the itinerary was just relaxed, so we did not start until after lunch. 😄 Surprisingly, many attractions are located near the Seine River, so we just moved from one spot to another by following the river.
Louvre to Eiffel Tower—On Foot!
- Louvre Museum - We started at the Louvre Museum but we decided not to go inside due to the crowds. I was not in the mood to brave the lines at the iconic glass pyramid, so we stayed away and still managed to capture some great shots from afar. So, quick snaps and a dash of Louvre magic—check! 😄
- Scenic Garden - A short distance from the Louvre is a massive garden where locals and tourists alike soak up the sun. Before heading to the Seine River, I first explored the garden, walking past the Arc de Triomphe du Carrousel and the Jardin du Carrousel. From here, you can capture a fantastic shot of the École du Louvre or use it as a backdrop.
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| Tuileries Garden |
Afterwards, I wandered through most of the Tuileries Garden and then headed back to the Jardin du Carrousel to meet up with friends. We began our journey to the Eiffel Tower, passing by the Porte des Lions, crossing the river, and following our route.
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| École du Louvre |
- Stroll Under the Sun - It was scorching hot, but that did not stop us from strolling towards our destination. 😄 Along the way, we passed the Musée d'Orsay, the Assemblée Nationale, and the stunning Pont Alexandre III (I can’t remember the others). About an hour later, we finally arrived at the Eiffel Tower.
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| Musée d'Orsay Pont Alexandre III |
Eiffel Tower Extravaganza
- Photo Shoot - Although we did not stay long in the area, we managed to snap some charming photos from an alley with the tower in the background. The Eiffel Tower looked as majestic as ever, as expected, it was a bit crowded.
- Panoramic View - From the Eiffel Tower, we headed to the Trocadéro Gardens and then made our way up to the Palais de Chaillot. Yes, I said "up" because we had to climb stairs to reach the famous Trocadéro Square, which overlooks the Eiffel Tower.
Does the spot ring a bell or look familiar? Well, it is one of the filming locations for the movie "John Wick 4". We spent some time at the Palais de Chaillot enjoying the bird’s-eye view of the Eiffel Tower and snapping more photos. Oh yes, the panoramic view was absolutely worth the climb! 😂
With the hot weather and more than an hour of walking from Louvre to Eiffel Tower, we needed to reward ourselves. 😄 We strolled over to Bistro Regent for a sumptuous meal—their steak comes highly recommended. 🤤 It was still a bit early for dinner, but who’s counting when the food is good, right?
We made our way to the Galeries Lafayette. I initially thought it would be just like other luxury malls I have visited, but I was pleasantly surprised. The building itself is an iconic symbol of Parisian sophistication with its Haussmann-style architecture. Its intricately designed glass dome and balconies are breathtaking. 😍Day 4: Chill Vibes and Shopping
Like the previous day, we took it easy and didn’t rush. We started our activities past noon.
- Galeries Lafayette - Our itinerary began with a leisurely walk to Galeries Lafayette. Just across from the luxury mall is the back of the opulent 19th-century Palais Garnier (Opera House). Its architectural structure is majestic—truly a masterpiece that has made it one of the most prestigious and famous opera houses in the world. The Palais Garnier is renowned for its magnificent interior designs and, of course, the performances on its stage.
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| Palais Garnier |
- Architectural Wonders - We meandered through different Parisian streets, entering one shop to another, while admiring the fabulous architecture of the surrounding buildings.
- Wall of "I Love You" - We had a quick stop at the Wall of "I Love You" which offered some heartfelt vibes, and we enjoyed a bit of street performance by local buskers.
Montmartre Magic
Our next stop was Montmartre, a popular destination among tourists for several reasons. The Basilique du Sacré-Cœur de Montmartre is located at the summit of the butte Montmartre. Before heading up, though, we decided to do a bit of shopping first.
- Souvenirs Shopping - At the bottom of the hill where the basilica stands, there are numerous souvenir shops selling a variety of items, from the usual keychains and fridge magnets to different types of apparel. We explored some alleys, bought a few things, and then stopped by an Asian grocery store.
- Basilica of Sacré-Cœur - After souvenir shopping, we took the funicular from the foot of the hill to the summit, avoiding the 197 steps. 😂 The view from the Basilica was nothing short of breathtaking, and many people were sitting on the steps, enjoying the view of the city. I managed to go inside and admire the church’s interior, which was equally stunning—a true architectural gem!
- Café La Bohème Montmartre - Aside from the basilica, another highlight of the day's itinerary was La Bohème Montmartre. I had seen it on postcards and online and was captivated by its charming appearance. It’s no wonder the café has become popular with both locals and tourists.
Day 5: Rainy Day Adventures
The next day was a lazy one because of the rain. 😴Arg, I just wanted to stay in bed, but I had to go out to buy something.
Paris in the Rain
- Arc de Triomphe - Our day started with a visit to the Arc de Triomphe (Arc de Triomphe de l'Étoile). I was excited to see this famous Parisian monument and witness its Neoclassical beauty, and it did not disappoint. Even from afar, you can admire its intricate details. This iconic national symbol was built to honor the glory of all French armies.
Though the rain wasn’t heavy, we decided to take some photos and then move on as the crowd continued to grow.
Trivia: The massive car fight scene in John Wick 4 was filmed at Arc de Triomphe.😉
- Champs-Élysées Stroll: Still drizzling, we wandered down the famous Champs-Élysées Avenue. The Arc de Triomphe is located at the top of the Champs-Élysées, making it easy to navigate between the two landmarks.
- Eiffel Tower at Night: Before heading back home, we concluded our evening with a quick visit to a nearby garden (I have forgotten the name) to watch the Eiffel Tower light up. Unfortunately, an event obstructed our view, but we still managed to catch a glimpse.
How was the overall experience?
The trip was a perfect mix of relaxation, exploration, and indulgence. We tried to avoid rushing from one place to another to fully immerse in the moment. And that is what I love about this holiday. Did I see everything Paris has to offer? Not quite, but that is the perfect excuse for another visit. 😉
Paris (and France in general), with its endless charm and allure, will definitely see me again. À bientôt, Paris!
8-13 Sep '23