Here’s a quick guide to some must-see and do attractions in Paris, whether it’s your first time in the city or your tenth.
As cliché as it is, you simply must go up the Eiffel Tower. It provides a fantastic bird’s eye view of the city, making for great photo opportunities. Once you’ve been up the Eiffel Tower, head to the Trocadéro for an incredible view of the tower. The best time to go for a magical view and stunning photo opportunity is sunset.
Didn’t get your fix of bird’s eye views of Paris? Try the Montparnasse Tower. It’s a 210 metre office skyscraper which allows visitors access to its roof, providing a panoramic view of Paris – including the Eiffel Tower. When I went to the tower it was at night, and the lights of the city and the Eiffel Tower were breath taking. With tickets priced at 15 euros for an undated (can be used once at any time within a year of purchasing) ticket, I would highly recommend this experience.
Fancy a culture fix while in Paris? The Louvre museum is, of course, a must see. However, the Musee D’Orsay was my favourite museum that I visited in Paris. Not only is it a great museum, but it was originally constructed as a train museum for the 1900 World Fair. As a result, the museum has a very unique feature – a large clock which looks out over the city.
If you have the time, I would highly recommend taking a river cruise. A cruise down the Seine River provides a really interesting way to see the city, and allows you to relax and take the weight off your feet. A city break in Paris normally involves a lot of walking, so a river cruise can break up the trip nicely.
A picnic in the park is a must if the weather is decent. Whether you’re running out of money towards the end of your trip or simply needing to fill a couple of hours, head to a bakery or small supermarket and pack a picnic, then make your way to one of Paris’ beautiful parks. Lying on the grass or sitting on a bench eating lunch gives you the opportunity to people watch and soak up the Parisian culture.
Many museums in Paris offer free entry on certain days, and there are many festivals and events which occur through the year. Have a quick check online to see if there is anything happening while you’re there before you go.
Of course if you have children with you, or you just love Disney, a trip to Disneyland Paris is a must! It takes around 40 minutes by train from central Paris, so you don’t need to stay at one of the park’s hotels. I visited the park with my family as a child, and again during a school trip to Paris – I can confirm it’s well worth a visit!
Until next time, Dani x