Beginners Guide to Paris

Where do I even begin with Paris. Paris is a city that will make you fall in love with art, crepes, croissants and overall life. Whether you are there on a romantic getaway or simply strolling the city with friends you will have an unforgettable time. I have had the pleasure of exploring this amazing city twice…once with my family and once with my friends when I was studying abroad. The city got more charming the second time I went and I hope to return soon.

Things To Do In Paris:

The Louvre Museum:

The Louvre is a HUGE museum – if you only have a few hours to spend exploring (instead of days which you would need to see the entire museum) I recommend at least checking out the following:

• Mona Lisa (smaller than you probably imagine)
• Venus de Milo
• Eugène Delacroix’s Liberty Leading the People

Tuileries Garden

Tuileries is a beautiful garden right in front of the Louvre. I recommend walking through the park until you reach the Av Des Champs Elysées street. You can follow this street all the way to the Arc de Triomphe (a little over a 2 mile walk from the Louvre to the Arc) and being Paris, there is of course amazing shopping and cafe’s along the way.

Arc de Triomphe

You can pay to go up to the top of the Arc de Triomphe (if you brave the traffic to get across the street). I did not do this and instead went to the top of the Eiffel Tower but I’m sure there are great views from this as well. It’s about a mile and a half walk to get to the Eiffel tower from here.

Eiffel Tower

When most people think of Paris they think of the Eiffel tower and let me tell you it is as breathtaking as you would imagine! I think it is worth paying to go to the top to see amazing views of the whole city and going back at night to see it lit up (and sneak a bottle of wine on the grass).

Pont Alexandre III Bridge

Great view of the Eiffel tower from here!

Pont des Arts Bridge

Pedestrian bridge in Paris which crosses the River Seine. It is known as the lovers bridge and is filled with padlocks people have written their names on, attached to the bridge and then thrown the keys into the river. The saying “take my heart and throw away the key” must have come from this, or at least I would like to think it did. The locks might have been taken down since I was there because they were weighing down the bridge, so I apologize in advance if you visit and there are no padlocks.

Notre Dame Cathedral

Gothic Architecture which began construction in the 12th Century. It is located right on the Île de la Cité and is surrounded by lots of little shops on the canal – fun area to walk around on a nice day.

Moulin Rouge

I did not go to a show at Moulin Rouge but it was still fun to explore the area. I will note that it is a little sketchier than other places in Paris, but you can’t go to Paris and not at least check out the Moulin Rouge building.

Where I Stayed:

Saint Christopher’s Inn Hostel: Saint Christopher’s is a decent hostel in a good location. I would obviously recommend staying in a hotel if that is in your budget.. but if it’s not (it wasn’t in mine while I was studying aboard) this wasn’t a bad place to stay.

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Thanks for stopping by!

XOXO,