There is something magical about Paris, maybe because its the city of love or maybe its the gigantic Eiffel Tower with is lace like trimmings. Whatever it is , its the most absorbing city on earth, with all its grandeur and the best tasting croissants in the world this city is infectious, the energy it gives off is addictive and it slowly creeps inside of you. There is something wonderful to notice at every turn.
There are so anythings to do and not enough time. If you are doing a Paris crash course these are my recommendations to make your trip memorable and fun in 36 hours.
Take a selfie at the Eiffel tower
Marking the centenary of the Revolution in spectacular fashion, engineer Gustave Eiffel’s iron tower began being built in 1887. Take the ride up to the 3 rd level to get breath taking views of the city up to 70kms away on a clear day. There are 1652 steps to climb but the lift is a much better option. For best views of the tower go to Trocadero Station, day or night its beautiful. The little models of the tower sold as souvenirs at the base are the single most popular souvenir of the city.
Moulin Rouge
The most famous cabaret in the city. It opened in 1889 by Charles Zidler and Joseph Oller and is still going strong.The original house burnt down in 1915. Side streets are brimming with clubs and ladies of the night. There is something here for everyone. Dont expect to be able to film or take photos inside the Moulin Rouge, its even forbidden in the foyer. The ticket office next to the main entrance is open all day long, it is said that around 600,000 people visit the Moulin Rouge every year.
Ride a tuktuk
For a cool, quick, breezy trip around the city every tourist should ride one at least once. Found in the touristy parts they can fit up to 4 people comfortably. Not the cheapest , but if its the experience you want and some good music, its recommended. By the end of the day when your feet are killing you the price is irrelevant. Definitely one of the most enjoyable and unforgettable ways to see the city.
Watch the sunset
One of the most romantic activities in the city is to watch the sunset over the River Seine. There is nothing more beautiful than the view of the last sun rays touching upon the roof tops of Paris and the pink skies illuminating the Eiffel Tower. There are many ways to enjoy a Parisian sunset , like going on river cruise, from one of the many bridges, the Eiffel Tower itself and for the perfect shot head to the Trocadero Gardens , up the hill you will find the Palais de Chaillot, its free to visit and you will get perfect shots of the Eiffel Tower as well as the roof tops basking in the last rays of sun. Buskers are performing around the Gardens and I even enjoyed the dance classes that were taking place, just imagine learning learning to waltz and tango while the sun sets over one of the beautiful cities in the world.
Eat a nutella crepe
Carousels or merry-go-rounds are in several tourist places in Paris, but the most beautiful must be the one at the Eiffel Tower. Not because the lights twinkle more , or it plays a better tune but because its back drop is the Eiffel Tower. Another very important point to note is the delicious street food store that sells the best crepes ever filled with nutella, and banana and ice cream and basically what ever your heart desires. Bon appetit 🙂
Admire the Arc de Triomphe
Commissioned by Napoleon in 1806 , Chalgrin designed the Roman – Style structure. A must see even at midnight, as the city never sleeps. In the heart of Paris lies this beautiful monument built as a symbol of Frances battles, victories and freedom. Beneath it lies the tomb of the unknown soldier, the arch is inscribed with the names of 660 generals and 128 battles of the Empire. It is located where 8 of the main streets merge. Luckily the island in the middle help tourists dodge cars to get the perfect shot.
Tour Palais de Justice
Today they Gothic style building is one of the oldest and most prestigious official buildings in Paris.Built on the site of the former royal residence , there is also the Sainte-Chapelle, King Louis IX’s private chapel in the courtyard. The medieval prison overlooks the river on the Northern Side ,tragically Queen Marie-Antoinette and many other unfortunate prisoners were sentenced to death here during the French Revolution.
Absorb the beauty of the Notre Dame
One of the grandest churches in the world, the magnificent cathedral was closed to the public because of the fire that took place on the 15 April 2019. The Gothic masterpiece is the culmination of numerous temples to pagan Cernunnos, guardian of the underworld, Roman Jupiter and several Christian churches. Built between 1163 and 1330, one can climb the 387 steps to the North Tower to see the bells , roofs , gargoyles and superb views of Paris. There are three rose windows, sadly I couldn’t go inside because of renovations but I did enjoy the beautiful pink roses in the garden outside. One of the largest organs in the world is found inside with 7800 pipes, one can only imagine what it sounds like when playing during mass.
Visit the Louve
Not only one of the greatest art galleries, but also the largest royal palace in the world. Give yourself plenty of time with comfy shoes when you attempt this sightseeing marathon. The Mona Lisa is found here. Leonardo da Vinci brought it to the city himself. The modern glass pyramid built in 1991 is the new main entrance to the museum. Attempting to get the perfect photo is quite a skill and its recommend that you arrive early in the morning before the crowds.
Ride the metro
As a lover of trains this is always something I want to do when I enter a new city. The Paris Metro is known for its uniform architecture and unique entrances influenced by Art Nouveau. It runs mostly underground and is 211 kilometres long.There is a total of 380 Paris Metro stations on 14 lines. The Metro began operation in June 1900, and now has around 700 trains. It is the second largest subway system in Europe. The fastest way to get around a Paris I couldn’t resist riding the trains a couple of times at times thankful for the seats and vending machines selling a section of drinks after a busy day of walking.
Get lost in the bustle of Gare Du Nord
Officially known as Paris Nord it is the busiest station in Europe and indeed the busiest in the world outside Japan. First opened in 1846 the original station building proved too small and was moved to Lille where you can see it as the Gare de Lille Flandres. The current Gare Du Noord was built between 1861 and 1864. Tourist information proved very helpful inside and so did the Starbucks when needing a quick coffee fix. Tourists and locals alike mingle outside the building. There is an electric energy inside as passengers wait on platforms to board and others scurry around buying tickets.
Look for the love locks
Dotted around the city you will come across clusters of the shiny or bright coloured locks engraved with messages to lovers, friends or family, one of the main locations was Pont Des Arts where tourists would attach a lock then throw the key into the River Seine below. However in June 2015, the city started removing the locks that were used to display symbolic signs of affection due to parts of the bridge’s railing collapsing under the weight.The city cut off around one million locks weighing 45 tons and auctioned them off to raise money for refugee charities. It is illegal to place locks on the historic bridges, but sadly people have little respect for these century old structures.
Sit at the St Michel fountains
Holding a commanding position this lavish fountain is one of the major landmarks in the Latin Quarter. Constructed in 1858 – 1860 during the French Second Empire it has been listed since 1926 as a monument historic by the French Ministry of Culture. It depicts and ArchAngel Michael vanquishing the Devil, evoking thoughts of the battle between good and evil. There was no water in the fountain when I was there but that does little to deter from the beauty of this elaborate fountain.
Eat macaron’s
Dont leave Paris without eating a macaron or two. For a true scent of Paris do some research before embarking on this taste trip. The pastry is very complex to cook and this is what makes them rather expensive. It is said the best are the little ones , if there are many on display they should all be the same size. The top of the macaron should not have bubbles or be broken. This star of French pastries has become a type of luxurious dessert that everyone wants. The most famous brand is the Laduree.I couldn’t resist trying one their exotic chocolate coated ones, it melted in my mouth as I paired it with a cup of Starbucks coffee. If you don’t want to eat them immediately, keep them in the fridge and take them out an hour or so before eating them. They shouldn’t be stored for longer than a week.
Drive in a Ferrari
Dreams do come true. If your pocket allows for it, you can rent a Ferrari or Lamborghini in the magical city. All you need to do is show your drivers license flash some bills (from around 89Euros ) and you get to live your dream for 20 minutes. #driveme89 will have one of their drivers accompany you while you rev the engine of a dream machine and lap up the sunshine. Its expensive, but who cares ? you get to drive a supercar in Paris and feel like a billionaire.
Stay at the Ibis
There is no such thing as cheap accommodation in Paris, but then again what did yu expect when you decided on Paris as a destination ? I stayed at the Hotel Ibis Paris Grands Boulevard. A great location withy good sized rooms, fresh and modern decor and staff who spoke english perfectly. This 3 star hotel with free wi-fi is perfect for those wanting to see a city and not lay around their room all day.
Uber around town
Now I know there are other options to get from the airport but as an avid Uber supporter I decided it was the easiest option after long hours of travelling. With free wifi in the airport it was easy to order the Uber that has a designated collection point at exit 12. I also used Uber in the city centre, one instant I was really glad I did was when I order one to the Eiffel Tower, he dropped us off at the perfect location for photos 🙂 so yes, very expensive from the airport but when you don’t want to think and stress its worth the price in my opinion.
Eat local and enjoy people watching
Now if there is one thing Parisian’s enjoy its people watching. I noticed it from our first breakfast cafe ( which of course included a croissant ) all street cafes have the chairs in lines, like you are in a theatre i presume this is to watch the people. Yes they do start off being around tables but quite rapidly become soldiers on the pavement. There are no subtleties or pretences here, its normal to stare straight at the bra less women walking with their noses up in the air. They have every right to, after all French women are known for being the epitome of elegance, they age gracefully and they always look effortlessly gorgeous. Think of style icon Mademoiselle Coco Chanel who redefined the modern women. We owe it to her, so if you find yourself sitting at a sidewalk cafe drinking coffee and chatting enjoy how the ordinary suddenly look extraordinary.
Scoot around Paris
Discover the city in a fun way. Renting an electric scooter is the new craze to take over, launched in 2018 by Lime Scooters, the easy to spot bright green motors are nippy with a maximum speed of 24km an hour. You locate the nearest one with the use of an app on your phone and turn it on by scanning the QR code on the handlebars. At this point you are charged 1Euro then 15cents for every minute of ride time. These light weight scooters are fun and easy to use. However they are adding to the clutter on pavements and government is now looking at ways to regulate the use of them.
Enjoy the chain spots like Hard Rock Cafe and Starbucks
For those comfort travellers you can hunt out the local Starbucks, Hard Rock Cafe Paris , Burger King and so forth. You probably want the comfort of knowing what you order but for the price you pay I believe in always supporting local when I travel. So buy local goods and eat local food. Its the easiest and quickest way to get a taste of a local culture. However let me add that the Hard Rock Cafe was fabulous, two floors of fun and entertainment so don’t just walk by, pop in and have a look at the wall hanging and local memorabilia.
Everyone should celebrate lasting love in Paris, be it with a partner or falling in love with the city itself. I have visited Paris many times in my imagination and even once sat at the airport for a few hours, on my way to Italy, but now when I finally got to experience it in reality I was totally overwhelmed. The French add style to everything, everywhere I went in Paris I found myself smiling. The sun set over Paris as I made my way to the airport, giving a best friend a hug good bye I knew I would be returning to this romantic country to get more of its chaotic passions that we find irresistible and the beautiful cityscape.
