Let’s take a trip down memory lane, to my trip to Paris in 2019. Since I’m writing this post three years after my visit, I’ll only share the things that have really stuck with me throughout these years. So, here’s all the places I’ve visited and food I’ve dreamed of since then and I hope that you’ll get to enjoy them just as much as I did.
I visited Paris in the last week of October and from what I remembered, it was chilly and wet during that time. Paris was my very first international flight and took a majority of the day to travel from the States to Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport. You should definitely take this into account when planning your trip or you can take a red-eye flight, like me, which leaves you with most of the day to explore the city. However, this option also left me with really bad jet lag after a few hours of landing, but nothing a cup of cappuccino couldn’t fix.
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Preparing for Your Trip
Staying Connected
Some things to consider prior to your trip is WiFi/Internet connection, transportation, and where to stay. I opted to rent a WiFi box with TravelWiFi to be able to view maps, do quick searches, and post on my social media. This is a great option when traveling in groups because you can connect up to 5 devices per Wi-Fi box, and starts at $5/day to rent. Another option is to get data coverage with your cell phone provider; this is usually faster Internet service and will cost you about $10/day.
Transportation
Paris has an excellent Metro system that is convenient and cheap, costing about 1.5 euros per ride. You can purchase tickets at the counter or at one of the machines, but each ticket is only good for one ride. I chose to commute with the train throughout my entire trip, which I had a great experience with. But beware for pickpocketers!! Be sure to keep your belongings in front of you at busy streets and on the train. I overheard one visitor telling the story of how he got pickpocketed waiting for the Metro. Also, the train gets very busy during peak times. I felt like a sardine during my morning and evening rides when most people are commuting to and from work. If you can, wait for the next train, it’s usually less people on it but you may be waiting an additional 10-15 mins for it to arrive. If public transportation isn’t your thing, you could also Uber around the city, but this will be very costly. I only Uber to and from the airport since I was traveling with family and it was more convenient with our 300 bags of luggage that we brought with us; and each ride cost 50 euros to get to and from the airport. Definitely wasn’t the cheapest option, but was worth it for us to not have the headache of traveling 45 mins with a child and suitcases on a train. TIP: Wear comfortable shoes; I walked an average of 12 miles a day.
Where to Stay
There are several options for stay in Paris like hostels, hotels, and rental homes. Since I was traveling with my family of 13 at the time, we stayed at an Airbnb in Île-de-France.
Sweets & Pastries in Paris
Y’all already know, your girl was hitting up all the bakeries on her trip. I mean, how could you not? The desserts are superb in Paris, with its picture perfect pastries and a whole lot of deliciousness. Seriously, I haven’t been the same after trying an authentic French croissant.
One of the best bakery that I visited was Du Pain et des Idees. It’s a cute corner pastry shop, selling an array of French classics. They are known for their pistachio escargot (don’t worry, it’s not actually snails) and croissants, and let me tell you, it did not disappoint. The croissant was so buttery and flakey, that if you didn’t leave with flakes sprinkled all over yourself, you didn’t do it right. I still dream of this croissant, with the first bite just shooting me straight to heaven. Honestly, my biggest regret from this trip was not going back for more.
Another great spot to get a croissant is at Stohrer, the oldest patisserie in Paris, which was built in 1730. Stohrer also offers a variety of other pastries and sweets to try like macarons, eclairs, cakes, and gelatos. I personally thought that Du Pain et des Idees’ croissants were better but you can’t actually go wrong with these anywhere in Paris.
You cannot go to Paris without trying a macaron, it’s a must. If you’ve read any of my other posts, you know the love I have for Ladurée, which all started in Paris. You could even purchase these to-go as gifts but will have to pay a little extra for it to be set in a box. These boxes are pretty protective and the macarons stayed intact when I traveled back to the U.S. with them. I also tried macarons from Pierre Herme Paris. I didn’t like these too much because the macarons had more of a perfume taste to them. But if you love these kind of unique flavors, like rose or lavender, you will probably enjoy these a lot more than I did.
If you’re looking for something sweet to warm your belly, stop by Angelina Paris for a thick and rich cup of hot chocolate. This very decadent drink will make you feel like you’re drinking a melted chocolate bar and is definitely something that should be shared. Angelina Paris also offers beautiful pasties such as macaron and eclairs, and even has a dining area for lunch and dinners. I didn’t have the opportunity to experience the dining, so I can’t offer my opinion on it, but if you have, please let me know how it was! TIP: Be sure to wait in the right line; I made the mistake of waiting in the long dine/pastry line instead of the line that leads to a to-go window just for the hot chocolate.
Must Try Food Places
Try a French stable at Le Relais de l’Entrecôte, where you’ll be served unlimited fries and steak. Seriously, it was so good. You can even opt to get the gravy over your steak which really brought the whole dish together. There’s usually a wait to get a table, so I suggest going early.
If you’re looking for a modern and vibrant atmosphere, you need to stop by Pink Mamma for lunch or dinner. I had reservations to dine in for dinner and the aesthetic was absolutely breathtaking. Pink Mamma is a few stories high (I think maybe 4-5 floors) with each level having a different decor and ambience. I shared a tomahawk steak with my brother, which was HUGE and pretty good. My table also ordered some pastas and pizzas which were just okay. I would not suggest this to my budget or foodie travelers, however, with the super energetic and fun aura, I think this is better suited for my Instagram lovers. TIP: Get reservations ahead of time, which you can do online, or you will be waiting a long time for a table.
When I think about my trip to Paris, L’As du Fallafel is one of the memories that pops in my head. It was the best falafel and chicken wrap (sandwich pita) that I have ever had and whenever I try a falafel now, I compare it to this place in Paris. Be prepared to wait for a table, as this is a well known spot around the city and I can definitely see why. The service was quick and the people were nice, who even gave us some falafel to snack on while we waited for a table. If you don’t have time to wait, you can order from their to-go window too. This is a great spot for all type of foodies and is really budget friendly. Don’t forget to try their mint lemonade… it was absolutely delicious.
Things to Do
One of the first stop for all tourists is the Eiffel Tower. Stop by to take some photos, have a small picnic at the near by park, or even go to the top of the tower. If you’re visiting this landmark during the evening, be sure to stop and watch the tower twinkle with lights at the top of the hour beginning from dusk to 1 am. Truly a beautiful sight to be seen and it felt like you can see the Eiffel Tower all over the city. Once you’re done at the Eiffel Tower, you can take a short walk over to the Carousel of the Eiffel Tower to bring out your inner child or just for a great photo. Be aware of your surroundings when you’re in this area, it is heavy with pick-pocketers and scammers. Also, be prepared to be approached by vendors selling souvenirs, that was the only downside of visiting this monument.
Another must visit is the Arc de Triomphe and be sure to purchase a ticket to the museum and go atop the Arc. Be prepared to walk up a long and small spiral staircase to make it to the top though. It is definitely a workout but once you get up there, you will find that it was totally worth it. The view was spectacular, where you can watch the cars move around the Arc and the city, and you even a great view of the Eiffel Tower. This is definitely one of my favorite views ever.
Be sure to block out a majority of your day if you plan to stop by the Louvre. Already a breathtaking sight on the outside, this museum holds the most popular and beautiful art pieces in the world. It is where you can see the Mona Lisa in person, but not up close and personal, since it has a glass protector over it and a rail to stand behind to view. I spent over 5 hours here, walking into different exhibits and viewing the different art pieces and sculptures. It’s definitely worth a visit to see the masterpieces in person and is especially worth it for all my art and museum lovers out there. TIP: It is cheaper to purchase tickets at the counter than online and each ticket requires a time slot to enter. Also, keep in mind that the Louvre is closed on Tuesdays when making your itinerary.
Another great art and sculpture museum to visit is the Musée d’Orsay. At the time of my visit, they had a whole exhibit with paintings from Vincent Van Gogh. It was really cool to see his artwork in person and the museum itself was so beautiful. I spent a few hours here at Musée d’Orsay and you can surely walk through this museum within 2-3 hours. Don’t forget to stop by their massive clock, this is also a great photo opt.
If you can fit the Palace of Versailles into your schedule, do it! This massive estate will take over an hour train ride to get to and will take up the whole day to tour. My family and I went first thing in the morning and still had to wait over an hour in line to get a ticket and to enter. Like I said, the Palace of Versailles is huge!! I kid you not, we were there until sundown exploring the whole estate. I definitely believe this was a super cool place to visit. You’ll get to walk through the hallways of this royal mansion, viewing beautiful paintings on the walls and ceiling, explore their extravagant gardens, and even visit Marie Antoinette’s estate. TIP: Be sure to wear your most comfortable shoes if you plan to explore the whole grounds.
If you’re a big shopper or looking to purchase a luxury item, stop by Avenue Montaigne. The whole street is filled with luxury brand stores and if you’re planning on stopping by Louis Vuitton, be prepared to wait in line. I mentioned in my Greece blog the benefits of purchasing an expensive item on your trip compared to purchasing the same item in the States, so be sure to check that out!
Take a dinner cruise along the Seine River. My family and I did this on one of our last nights in Paris. The boat offered a 4 course meal, which was just okay, but you got the opportunity to view the whole city in the boat. Not a must do in my opinion but a great option if you’re looking for a fancier and laid back evening.
If you have extra time, visit a near by country. Since you’ll be in France, flights to another European country are generally cheaper. I did a day trip to London, which in my opinion was not worth it because It just didn’t feel like it was enough time. So, if you plan to do so, I think 2 days minimum should be considered.
Overall
Paris will hold a special place in my heart because it was my first international flight that I’ve ever taken. I will forever be in awe of their architecture, culture, French pastries and of course their impeccable cappuccinos. Seriously, I would go back just to have another cup and a buttered croissant. With that being said, I also have to mention that this isn’t one of my top places to revisit, only because I tried everything I wanted to. But, if I ever went back to France, it would be a different part of it; I heard the country side was nice. Regardless, Paris is a beautiful city. The site alone is enough to take your breath away and I believe that Paris is a city that you should visit at least once in your lifetime, if you can. Overall, I had a great time and an everlasting memory of my time in Paris. I hope that you get the opportunity to so too and that your trip is everything you hope that it will be and more.
As always, thanks for being here!!
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Lena The Rover 