From museums to food Paris has it all for a memorable trip
Bonjour! Paris is a beautiful city that has a unique magical feel to as you walk around its cobblestone lanes. And, if you are a foodie lover, you can eat your way through the town. A shopping lover? You will have no problem finding unique food, unique clothes, or a cool antique book. Before you go learn some essential French phrases. When you’re in another country and use their languages, it makes you come off as a considerate world traveler. It is rude to assume everyone speaks English. Plus, French is just plain fancy! So, why not learn those key phrases. Also, I didn’t add it, but if you never been YES go to that landmark called The Eiffel Tower at least once in your life!
1.Go Grocery Shopping in Paris
France has amazing food! If you have an apartment while in Paris or are staying at one of those apartment hotels, then I would recommend picking up some goods at the local grocery store( popular grocery store chains are Franprix or Monoprix). I love seeing what grocery stores are like in other countries. Even if you don’t have a fridge go to one of the many outdoor food markets and pick up bread, meats, and cheeses to take on a picnic. I do love shopping at one of the open-air markets. I eat out every day when I travel. But, when you’re in a rush it’s nice to have a couple of breakfast items to eat in your fridge. Plus, it makes you feel like a local. Two markets I recommend are:
–Rue Cler Market Street (Eiffel Tower area 7th Arrod ): There are pastry shops, meat shops, fish shops, and cheese shops. The street is a close walk by the Eiffel Tower, so if you want a picnic, you can pick up food here and take it by the Eiffel.
– Marche des Enfants Rouges( Le Marais area, 3rd Arrod): It’s one of the oldest and has the regular fruits/veggies and meats. Therefore, there are many food stalls have crepes to Japanese foods. I think this is mostly a great place to stop by for lunch or to-go items.
2. Take A Boat Cruise On The River Seine
Besides by foot the other best way to experience Paris is by boat! You get to pass by all the major attractions on a relaxing boat. In addition, many boat companies offer breakfast/dinner specials if you want to have a meal on the Seine.
3. Visit One of The Many Covered Passages
Who doesn’t love a good old fashion shopping arcade? Covered Passages are my favorite places to walk through; especially on rainy days. There are around 20 covered passages that date back to the olden days. Each covered passages has their own unique stores of all varieties whether you like art, clothing, food, or simply want a cup of tea at a cafe. It’s fun walking around these covered passages with their glass rooftops. One of my favorites I remember visiting is Galerie Vivienne which was built back in 1823. I think it is perhaps the fanciest and look at those floors! The architecture of Galerie Vivienne is breathtaking. If you close your eyes, you can imagine the ladies of the late 1800s in their big puffy dresses shopping in these passages while their husbands are carrying their shopping boxes stacked high above their heads.
4. Go to the Louvre
Spend the whole day! It is one of the biggest museums in the world, and it would probably take three months to see everything in it. Try going early in the morning before the lines get packed. This museum has everything from the Mona Lisa to the Venus de Milo. If you have time definitely try to visit Napoleon III’s apartments section of the museum. Although, it is best not to try to see everything in one day!
5. Go To One of The Many Parks/Gardens
The French know how to landscape their parks/gardens. Nothing is better than having a picnic and laying out on the lawn of a park in Paris on a beautiful summer day. Two of my favorite parks are:.
–Jardin du Luxembourg: The grounds during the summer are lush, and there are beautiful sculptures and fountains inside the garden.
–Jardin des Tuileries: one of the oldest and next to the Louvre. In the summer’s they have a section of the park that has the summer carnival, and during the winter they hold a Christmas market. It is fun strolling around this park seeing people walking their cute dogs, and kids playing by the fountain. Across the street of one of the entrances is the famous Angelina’s tearoom. So, you can go into Angelina’s and get one of their world famous hot chocolates to go and sit in the park to drink it.
6. Day Trip to the Palace of Versailles
About a 25-minute train ride away from Paris you have the beauty known as Versailles. As of yet, there is no palace I have visited in Europe that I love as much as Versailles. So far I have only been there twice and still want to explore every inch of it. It is truly majestic in every way. Go early in the morning and spend the whole day exploring every inch of this beautiful place. You take the RER C line train and from the train stop its just a ten- minute walk to the palace. In the summer months, they have their nightly fireworks. So, make sure to buy a full passport passes which will allow you to visit the gardens and all the residences on the estate. Check out my Guide to Versailles post at https://ceciliasluxelife.comday-trip-to-versailles-guide-palace-of-versailles-part-1/
7. Eat Pastries Everyday in Paris
Listen, I love eating healthy but as a rule when I travel I eat whatever I want. So, when your traveling in a country that has the highest quality pastries as Paris you eat a pastry everyday! That’s just a well known rule. Well, at least a well known rule in my book.
8. Go to the Cathédrale Notre Dame de Paris
You don’t go all the way to Paris without seeing France’s oldest cathedral. At this cathedral you get to see the best representation of gothic architecture. Notre Dame is beautiful from the inside to the outside. The construction of this cathedral started back in 1163! That’s over 860 years ago. Also, I would suggest buying one of those audio guided tours when you enter the cathedral.
9. Get Lost in One of The Many Neighborhoods in Paris
Sometimes having a whole day planned out can take the excitement out of exploring a new city. Usually, I am the type that researches where I am having every meal while traveling. But, in Paris part of the charm is just walking around the city with no particular plan of where to go. Why? Because, that is when you will discover some amazing places you did not find on any blog or guidebook. My favorite neighborhoods to walk around are: St. Germain des Pres, Montemarte, and Marais.
