Paris has more famous sights than you could possibly see in a short break in France’s capital. However this lively city has so much more to offer than a collection of wonderful monuments, museums and churches.
Just step off the beaten track to discover the bustling street life, cosmopolitan cafés and tranquil little squares and parks which help to make up the true Paris.
If you’re planning to travel to Paris and are strapped for time, Davin Jurgensen is here to tell you that it’s not impossible to see almost everything you want to in a short city break.
What to Know Before Visiting Paris
In just one of my days in Paris you can see a lot of the main attractions which are all located close together.
I toured a bit of The Louvre and saw the famous Mona Lisa, ate an exquisite lunch and enjoyed a bottle of wine with my friend at Restaurant Paul near Pont Neuf and saw the fountain actress Anne Hathaway throws her phone into in the movie “The Devil wears Prada” on the Place de la Concorde.
I also took a moment of silence at Princess Diana’s memorial flame above the bridge where she took her last breath, went on a hunt for macarons and passed Champs de Elysse, and ended the day in the quaint Montmartre neighborhood for a bite to eat and some people watching.
While I’m exhausted just reading that, it was such a memorable experience I wouldn’t choose to have done it any different. I might have been sweating from the late June heat in the not air-conditioned metro and walking more miles than planned because I took a wrong turn, but it was impossible to be anything but excited while in Paris.
How to Maximise Your Time in Paris
Here are a few tips to make your short stay easier, quicker, and most likely more enjoyable.
1. Learn the Metro
You may be familiar with subway travel if you live in a larger city like New York or Boston, or have traveled to a location that heavily relies on this system of transportation.
Well in Paris, the metro system is a life saver AND time saver if you need to hop around to different parts of the city in a limited amount of time. Tickets are reasonably priced, especially if you buy a ticket with “a book of 10”, which will allow you (just as it says) 10 trips. You can purchase these at the ticket offices or machines in the metro stations.
Make sure you know which station is closest to your hotel or hostel, and check your local map to see which route(s) you need to take to get to your destination! Also, these tickets are very sensitive, so keep your cell phones away from them as it affects the strip reader on the ticket.
You may want to keep it in your pocket for easy reach, or in a secure spot in your purse as you will need it to enter and exit the station. These tickets are about the length and width of a human thumb, so be careful not to lose it!
2. Be Spontaneous
I mentioned earlier how I found myself lost in Paris. However, I would describe it as more of finding an unexpected area of the city to enamor.
There was not one part of Paris that wasn’t a pleasure to witness. From the beautiful architecture and the elegant balconies, to the colors and aromas of the local cafes – all I could say was: Oui!
The point I’m trying to make is if you find yourself in an area not on your “list”, take a moment and look around. Grab a bite to eat if a cafe looks good. Take a seat if you see a bench and people watch. I remember walking around the 4th arrondissement (4th district) where the Notre Dame Cathedral is located, just taking in the sites when I stumbled upon a cobblestone road lined with creperies.
I ordered a chocolate and strawberry hand-held crepe, took one bite, and my tastebuds were elated! The crepe was so soft and the strawberries so fresh. The only downside was the chocolate making a home around my mouth on my face. There was no eating that daintily.
So while you need to have a plan for what you’d like to see around the city, don’t be upset if you take a wrong turn. Embrace the unknown!
3. Do Not Skimp on the Boulangeries
What the heck is a boulangerie, you ask? A boulangerie…a pâtisserie, are just some of the French words that mean “Come here for the best pastries and bread of your life”.
These bakeries are located every so often in Paris and you’re sure to come across one in your travels. I recommend stopping at least once in your short time in the city because I am highly confident you’ll never find baked goods as excellent as they are in Paris.
If you’ve seen the Disney Pixar animated film “Ratatouille”, there’s a scene in which the woman chef is describing to the main character how crisp and fresh the bread is. She twists the bread and gawks at the sounds it makes.
Well, I bought a baguette and twisted the bread. Sure enough, I heard the crisp sounds of the bread breaking. It was so fresh that I tried to save some for the next day and it went stale.
I tasted the city’s ever-famous croissants and the Pain au chocolat, which is so light and flaky with just the right amount of chocolate inside. I also had a piece of what we would describe as apple crumb cake, and there was such a difference in flavor than what I’m used to. The crumbles were so light and airy and the sweetness was not overwhelming.
This is an experience your tastebuds will never forget, and I’m sure they’ll remind you about it when you bite into an American croissant from a grocery store. You will be forever changed, but in the best way possible.
Best Attractions to See in Paris
‘La Ville Lumière (The City of Light) is home to the some of the most famous and most visited tourism attractions in Europe and the world.
The Louvre, as well as the Musée d’Orsay, noted for its collection of French Impressionist art, and the Musée National d’Art Moderne, a museum of modern and contemporary art. The architecture and landmarks of Paris include Notre Dame Cathedral the Eiffel Tower and Sacré-Cœur in Montmartre need no introduction.
You can navigate Paris by its monuments – like the Eiffel Tower and the Sacré Coeur, the Centre Pompidou or the Monparnasse Tower that dot the city. Using a map, the city splits into Right and Left Bank, north and south of the River Seine (with the Ile de la Cité and Ile St-Louis in the river), then the 20 arrondissements turn clockwise from the centre.
Parisians identify themselves by the village districts: right in the centre is the Right Bank, the Louvre, heart of former royal Paris and boulevards west from the Tuileries up the Champs-Elysées to the Arc de Triomphe.
To the east is the beautifully preserved Marais; to the north, Montmartre. In poorer north-east Paris, the Père Lachaise cemetery. On the Left Bank, the Latin Quarter host medieval churches. Further west are St-Germain with its cafés and fashion boutiques, the Faubourg St-Germain,Les Invalides and the Eiffel Tower.
Be sure to see these popular landmarks that Paris is known for:
The Eiffel Tower
The Eiffel Tower is considered to be among the most recognizable structures in the world. It is also the global icon that stands for Paris. You can see the Eiffel Tower from any point in Paris, but the view from the top of the Tower is something you should not miss.
The Arc de Triomphe
The Arc is another monument that is considered iconic of Paris. It stands on the Place de l’Etoile at the eastern end of Champs-Élysées, serving to commemorate the soldiers of France who died in its wars. You can climb to the top of the Arc and enjoy a panoramic view of Paris.
The Louvre Museum
The Louvre is the world’s most visited museum, and it houses some of the best artworks that man has ever produced. However, it would be very foolish to see the entire Louvre in just one day. The best time to go there is on a slow weekday.
The Notre Dame de Paris
The Notre Dame de Paris is one of the most beautiful examples of Gothic architecture in the world. It is also a treasure trove of medieval sculptures and stained glass windows. The Cathedral has been featured in many books, films and even video games, most notably The Hunchback of Notre Dame.
Art & Culture
For centuries Paris has been a flourishing European cultural centre. Hundreds of museums, galleries and churches grace nearly every part of the city. Paris is particularly known for its art galleries.
From the old masters in the Louvre to the modern exhibits at the Pompidou Centre, there is something for everyone.
The Musée d’Orsay, on the left bank of the River Seine, is housed in a former railway station and has the largest collection of impressionist and post-impressionist masterpieces in the world.
Discover Off the Beaten Track
The Père Lachaise cemetery covers 44 hectares in the heart of the city and contains 70,000 ornate tombs of the rich and famous, ranging from Oscar Wilde to Chopin and the playwright Molière to the artist Picasso.
Also in the city centre, on the Île de la Cité right by Notre Dame Cathedral, is La Conciergerie, a beautiful gothic building which was formerly a royal palace and then a prison where people, including Marie Antoinette, were held before being taken away for execution.
Eat and Drink
Paris is home to some of the world’s finest – and priciest – restaurants, but it is also possible to eat well in Paris on a budget. Top restaurants often offer a cheaper menu at lunch times than in the evenings.
Whether you’re looking for haute-cuisine or just a relaxed bistro, café or wine bar, you’ll find something to suit you in Paris, but it’s always worth checking the menu and price list before you enter.
At night perhaps enjoy a dinner cruise on the River Seine and gasp as you take in the wonder of Paris by night with all the monuments illuminated.
Most restaurants in Paris include a 15 per cent service tax (service compris), however most French people will tip an extra €2 if the service has been tres bon.
FUN FACT: the word for ‘tip’ in France is ‘pourboire’, which translates to ‘for drinking’. So the pourboire you leave means your waiter will have enough in her or his pocket for a little post-work wine. We’ll drink to that.
Shopping
For upmarket shopping visit Galeries Lafayette, whose flagship department store is on the Boulevard Haussman.
Paris has a wonderful mix of large stores, markets and boutiques specialising in everything from elegant designer apparel to fine art and antiques.
Head to the Latin Quarter for cheap and cheerful bookshops and boutiques.
Places to Visit Near Paris
A visit to the Chateau of Versailles is an unforgettable experience. Lying just 12 miles south-west of the capital and set amid magnificently landscaped formal gardens, this splendid palace was built in the mid-17th century during the reign of Louis XIV – the Sun King.
The château has undergone relatively few alterations since its construction, though almost all the interior furnishings disappeared during the Revolution.
One of the highlights of the Chateau is the Hall of Mirrors, a 75m-long ballroom with 17 huge mirrors on one side and, on the other, an equal number of windows looking out over the gardens.
The vast gardens, laid out nearest the palace in formal French style, are famed for their geometrically designed flowerbeds, tree-lined paths, ponds and fountains.
The Chateau of Versailles can be reached by catching an RER train from central Paris.
At a Glance
Weather
Warm, pleasant summers, mild spring and autumns & cool winters which rarely dip below freezing but be prepared for sudden heavy showers at any time of year.
When to Go
Paris is worth visiting at any time of year. It’s a particularly beautiful city in the spring but November to March and July & August will often offer you the best value. The Paris Christmas markets are also popular.
Goes Well With
Brussels & Bruges if you fancy giving the airport a miss and taking the Eurostar and local trains. It also combines well with Nice as a twin centre holiday, travelling by rail between the cities. View our tips for travelling by train in Europe.
Go Home
Wanting to return again to this very special city as soon as possible
Plan a Trip to Paris
There you have it. You can experience Paris in as little as three days with comfortable walking shoes, a map, a flexible plan, and a metro ticket.
Take advantage of the long days and fit in as much as possible. All of your senses will be utilized in the city. From the smells of the fresh, warm bread to the sights of the beautiful architecture, it’ll have you wanting to go back for more.
Whether you are looking for a city break or are keen to study French in Paris, get ready for city life in another country, and if you’re tired, just remember: You’re in Europe! You can sleep on the plane back to your hometown.
Au Revoir!
