The next stop on our 16 day Euro trip was Paris. To get there we took a train from Belgium and it was about a 3 1/2 hour ride. We also booked our room through Airbnb which was super easy. If you are going on a trip out of the country I highly suggest booking through Airbnb, it’s so easy and super affordable and the owners are normally pretty accommodating.
We arrived in Paris on Sunday, and PSA everything is closed in Paris on Sundays… like everything. So we ended up taking this day to walk around and do a lot of sightseeing. We also rented bikes so we could cover more grounds since we were going to be there for a short period time. There’s seriously so many beautiful places and things to do in Paris, I personally wish we had more time there. Here are just a few things I recommend doing:
Of course seeing the Eiffel Tower is a must, the day we went to go see it, it was pouring down rain and the line to go up it was about 3 hours long, so buy your tickets beforehand. They will be a little more expensive but totally worth it to skip the line. Also, try to go see it at night time, starting at 10 PM it sparkles for 5 minutes on the hour until 2 AM.
Stop by the Cathédrale Notre-Dame, you might have to wait in line but it’s free to get in and you can also buy a ticket to climb to the top. We were blown away by all the small details and carvings.
Go see the Louvre, which is the most famous and biggest museum in the world. There is so much beautiful artwork there including the Mona Lisa but be prepared for it to be packed with people. Again, buy your ticket in advance so you don’t have to wait in line.
The food in Paris is amazing, especially the French onion soup, but only say onion soup when you order it 😉 The city is full with so many amazing restaurants that you will have plenty of options to choose from… all at different price points. One night we totally splurged and went to a fancy high-end dinner… I mean you’re in Paris, why not?
For breakfast, skip a restaurant and go to a supermarket to get some baguettes, jam, croissants or a Parisian espresso. They have supermarkets everywhere so you won’t have to look too far. We did this every morning on our way out for the day and tried a different market each time. Also, Macarons are a must! I think I bought one from every shop we saw that had one… Again, you’re in Paris…why not?
If you have extra time in Paris I would highly suggest just walking around with no plans or places to go. Everything about Paris is absolutely beautiful. We honestly needed more time in Paris and it was cold and rainy so I felt like we didn’t get to see and do everything I wanted. I would suggest spending 2-3 full days in Paris to make sure you have time to see almost everything… and try not to go on a Sunday as your first day.
Xoxo,
Holly dawn
