It’s easy to overlook a city break in Paris but now it has become more accessible from the UK, there are even more reasons to visit over a long weekend. If you are not keen to fly or would like a break from the liquid and food travel restrictions imposed with airport security, then I would recommend the ease of the Eurostar from London. What better way to start your Parisian experience whilst having a glass of bubbly overlooking the French countryside. Tickets during peak hours and on direct routes can be booked for £29 each way.
There are cheaper options for getting into St Pancras such as National Express buses to London Victoria. By booking in advance I manage to find tickets for £5 each way. Don’t forget to use your contactless card on the Underground. This will now charge the same amount as an Oyster and is much cheaper than purchasing a single ticket.
Metro tickets or a travel pass can be purchased in advance on Eurostar trains but do not be tempted as prices are inflated. I have traveled on a few train systems around the world and can confidently say that this is one of the easiest metro systems to master. The ticket machines at any Metro station are very clear and easy to use. The first option they give you is to choose English and then select a pack of seven tickets. You will need to use a single paper ticket for each journey which will see you through a couple of days. When exiting the metro station there is no requirement to put your ticket back in the machine.
I adore visiting Paris as each time my experiences vary. My advice would be to plan the sites you would like to see in advance and try and group them together in specific areas. Paris always feels like one of the biggest tourist cities in the world, but I am sure this is down to the distance it takes to walk around attractions. Pack a pair of memory foam shoes, avoid the visiting during the soaring summer heat and you are all set to explore!
Paris is a city where staying out the main tourist areas is essential. Not only is it cheaper but with the sights spread far apart, you are going to have to travel around on the metro anyway. Another advantage of staying further out if the cafés and restaurants and a lot more local and you will undoubtedly have a true Parisian experience.
My Paris itinerary covers history, art and culture for the first-time visitor to the city. You could easily spend a week here exploring many of the museums and still need more time! I had less than three days to fit everything in but there is so much to pack in with a bit of planning ahead.
First stop was to the Louvre in the 1sr Arrondissement district (Metro: Louvre – Rivoli). You could easily spend three days here, but a full morning will suffice to see the key masterpieces such as the Mona Lisa and Liberty Leading the People. This is undoubtedly the busiest place you will visit in Paris, so the key is to get in line at least half an hour before opening to guarantee making the most of your day.
On leaving the Louvre, walk up through the Jardin des Tuileries to escape the crowds and enjoy some of the central Parisian park space. My favourite stop off is Laduree on Rue de Castiglione to buy (in my opinion) the world’s best French macarons… another French cliché ticked off the list!
Head an hour or so walking eastbound along Rue do Rivoli to spend the afternoon in the Le Marais area of the city. There are plenty of cafés to stop at along the way to grab a drink or a light lunch. Le Marais is my favorite cultural area of Paris, home to Centre Pompadou and some very trendy shops and street markets surrounding.
Centre Pompidou is free if you only wish to view the main areas of the gallery. Head straight for the escalators on the left of the entrance and this will take you to the main escalators you can see from the front of the building. About six floors up will take you to galleries hosting exhibits by more familiar artists such as Picasso and Andy Warhol. A couple of hours here is more than enough time to take in all the weird and wonderful art.
On feeling completely cultured in Parisian art, venture around the streets of Les Marais behind the Centre Pompadou where you will find lots of independent boutiques and mainstream French brands. If time allows visit the smaller museums such as Musee National Picasso or Musee Cognacq-Jay. There are many small gardens if alternatively, you need to take some time out.
After a long time on foot, it’s a good idea to head back to your hotel for a little rest before the evening adventure. I recommend visiting Montmartre for a meal and drinks on your first night in Paris. It’s a little expensive but worth the experience of venturing up for some of the best city views. Start at Moulin Rouge (Metro: Blanche) before walking up through the cobbled stone back streets of Montmartre, towards the Sacre-Coeur. It is likely that you will find a quiet spot for dinner and drinks before been greeted with the mass of tourists and the top.
After a packed introductory day in Paris, plan to visit some of the tourist attractions to the west of the city. From my hotel (Splendor Eysees) the Arc de Triophe is only a 20-minute walk. The Arc de Triophe is in the centre of a busy roundabout and accessible via underpass from all sides of the main roads. I would simply recommend taking some photographs from the corner of Avenue Marceau to achieve the best artistic angles.
The Eiffel Tower is centred in an area with lots of surrounding attractions. From the Arc de Triophe take the road southwest to the Palais de Chaillot for some of the most iconic photography opportunities (and an amazing fresh crepe – another cliché ticketed off the list!). Once upon a time a visitor could walk with ease across the bridge and under the steel grandness however, in recent years the area is undergoing a mass transformation and a security fence now surrounds the sight. Access is via high level security and entrance, channelled through an area to the left if you are standing on the bridge. It is free to gain access into the newly created ‘grounds’ of the Tour Eiffel and once inside you can make the decisions to join the long queues to the lift or stairs for the most spectacular views. I find the experience of just standing underneath is enough to appreciate the grandeur of this iconic monument.
The park area behind the Eiffel Tower is a quieter place to take photographs. It is full of bloggers and fashion models searching for that perfect iconic shot. There are no cafes or restaurants in the park, so take one of the side roads to the left for a quiet lunch spot before exploring Les Invalides.
The grandeur of Napoleon’s tomb at Les Invalides, brings back memories of school trips to Paris. It is worthwhile visiting as you gain a sense of his importance in French history. For around 12 euros, access to the military museums provides a variation to the city break, from the art culture of the previous day. General a quiet place to visit and ideal for escaping the heat of a roasting hot summer day.
Without realising, visiting these few sights alone has contributed to an increase in step count on the pedometer. Before venturing on an early evening out around the Nortre Dame quarter, a change back at the hotel is advisable as there is much more walking yet to be done! Walking along the south bank of the river Seine from metro stop Invalides is a perfect way to spend a summers evening. This area has a new South Bank vibe, filled with bars and party boats such as Food Breizh. At the end of all the river side life, you will reach the Norte Dame for a new photo opportunity.
Every time I visit Paris, I deeply regret not exploring the Latin Quarter. In greater depth This remains on my wish list for next time but to enjoy the highlights of this area, there are many bars and cafes close to Saint-Michel-Notre-Dame metro station.
My last day in Paris was essentially only half a day left to explore and feeling like I need to escape the city (and the heat) so I headed to Versailles for the morning. It is possible to visit in just the morning if you plan the transport route and leave plenty of time for rush hour commuters. Take a metro from any location in Paris to join the main yellow C line, south of the river Seine. You will need to ensure you purchase an additional metro ticket for this journey as it falls outside the standard metro system.
The key to visiting Versailles is to arrive early. Thanks to popularity following Kimye’s wedding held here, you will need to queue, even if a ticket is booked in advance! The palace inside is very unimpressive as most of the interiors were looted during the revolution. It is however, worth visiting for the iconic Hall of Mirrors. The outside spaces are spectacular, the grounds are just as over the top as all that gold on the palace. There are a few planned walks to take around the gardens, outbuildings and incredible fountains.
Before heading back for a late Eurostar departure, take the metro back from Versailles to Pyramides area of the city and walk up the Avenue de L’Opera to the Opera at the top. By this point you can be assured that within the last three days a whistle stop tour of Paris has been achieved and your feet will be feeling it at least!
LG x
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