Paris Travel Guide

 Hi loves!  One thing you might not know about me is that I LOVE to travel.  I studied abroad when I was in college and lived in Rome for six months.  While there, I had the pleasure of traveling to different cities and countries almost every weekend.  A quick flight or train ride could land you in a completely different country, how amazing is that?  If only it were that easy in the US!

It is more difficult for me to travel now since I have a full time job, but I still try to take a few trips per year.  My best friend and I plan one Euro trip every year, whether it’s just for a weekend or for an extended time.  Our most recent trip was this past September to Paris.  I have been to Paris three times now and it gets better and better every time.  I truly believe that the older I get the more I appreciate European culture and cities.

We stayed in Paris for 4 days and walked almost the entire city.  Rather than spending our days in museums, we prefer to explore the streets, get a little lost and stumble upon hidden gems.  With that being said, below are my top five picks, and the best places we saw, on a trip to Paris:

1. The Louvre (obviously).  Not only do they have the original Mona Lisa, but they also have some of the most amazing art in the world.  The Louvre is massive so plan on spending almost an entire day there (depending on how much you want to see).  I went to the Louvre a few years ago with my mom and sister, so this time around my friend and I went to the Louvre…but didn’t actually go inside ?.  Instead, we walked around the outdoor area of the Louvre, took some pics and found the cutest cafe to sit and people watch.  Although the Aperol Spritz were extremely overpriced, this was one of our favorite parts of the trip.  The views were amazing and the people watching never disappoints.

2. The Eiffel Tower.  I have actually never gone to the top of the Eiffel Tower, but just seeing it from a distance is all you need.  Make sure you go at night so that you get to see it sparkle.  If you’re up for it, you can go to the top to see amazing views of Paris.  I am very content with just staring at this beauty from a distance.

3. Le Marais.  Another favorite of mine.  We asked a local for some of the best places to visit while we were in town.  Le Marais was one of them and I am so glad we took his advice.  The second you enter this “district,” you feel alive and energetic.  The streets are bustling with locals and tourists, there are lines at every falafel/kabob stand and the shops are adorable.  There isn’t necessarily one specific thing to see in the Le Marais district, it is more about walking around and enjoying the culture.  There are a ton of cute boutiques and restaurants lining the cobble stone streets.  One of my favorite things about pretty much any European city is the hidden alleyways and cobble stone streets that undoubtedly lead to a perfect piazza or the quaint little cafe you’ve been searching for.  I definitely recommend adding Le Marais to your travel schedule.

4. Avenue Montaigne and Champs-Elysees.  If you are ready to shop, then you must visit Avenue Montaigne.  Located just off the Champs-Elysees, you will find a quiet street lined with the most fabulous stores.  While Champs-Elysees is also a must see, if you want something quieter, head on over to Avenue Montaigne.  Now I have to warn you, prepare to drool your way down the street.  And if you don’t want to be tempted to spend all of your savings, then maybe don’t meander over to Montaigne, just stick to the Champs-Elysees.  I, on the other hand, did want to be tempted to spend all of my savings.  On this gorgeous street, you will find every high end boutique you can dream of.  I always told myself I would buy my Celine bag in Paris – and I did just that.

5. Luxembourg Gardens.  After our stroll through Le Marais, we decided to walk to the Champs-Elysees to do some shopping.  Not knowing exactly how to get there (and not having our maps to rely on), we began the journey based on our directional senses.  Surprisingly enough, we were headed in the right direction and stumbled upon the Luxembourg Garden on our way.  What a beauty!  The city bustle suddenly stops and you are surrounded by greenery for blocks.  People are sun bathing, picnicking and just enjoying the scenery.  This is the perfect escape from the busy city life.  You don’t need much time for this spot, but I would try to take a walk through here on your way to something else.

I know these picks are not all of the top spots for a tourist in Paris, but I prefer to walk the city rather than spend my time indoors.  There are a ton of other amazing museums and churches to see while there. Definitely check out the Notre-Dame Cathredal and the Arc De Triomphe.

OH and don’t forget to sit outside at multiple cafes and drink Aperol Spritz while you are there!  They are so delicious and the perfect cocktail to sip on at any French cafe.

In terms of hotels, there is every luxury brand you could imagine, but there are also some amazing boutique hotels that are not nearly as expensive.  If you are planning your trip in advance, then I would definitely check out Airbnb.  You can find an entire apartment for a fraction of the price of a hotel.  My friend and I stayed in Arrondissement 8, just blocks away from the Champs-Elysees, at a cute little boutique hotel that we found on Hotwire.  This is a great location and central to a lot of sites.  However, if I were to go back, I would likely want to stay in the Le Marais district.

I hope you all have the chance to visit Paris one day!  If you are planning a trip there, I would love to hear about it!  And if you need any suggestions or have any questions, please reach out to me!!

xoxo,

❤️Whit