PARIS- the city of lights, the city of love, the city of the most exquisite streets! Traveling to Paris is a dream of so many, including mine. This city fascinated me for some reason and I had always wanted to go there. Paris is more than just the majestic Eiffel Tower, iconic Mona Lisa or luxurious high-end fashion brands – it is also home to cute corner cafes, music on the streets, lovely Seine river, cozy book shops and so much more.
And now that I have finally got the chance to travel to Paris, here I am to spill the deets on how to make the most of your trip. Although you can never get enough of this gorgeous city, you can pretty much cover up the majority of attractions and popular spots in 4 nights.
Before we begin with a detailed itinerary for 4 nights, here are certain things you should know before traveling to Paris.
What is the best time to travel to Paris?
Our trip was in the month of April which I felt was an ideal time to visit Paris – cherry blossoms everywhere, slightly chilly breeze & less crowds. Majority of the tourists start coming to Paris in the month of May and then the numbers just increase from there till August. June to August is summer in Paris, so lots of sunshine and lots of tourists too. And, same goes with the spring season of September & October.
April worked for us in every way, although there was a little drizzle every now and then but it never messed up our plans. Plus, it is less expensive. From May, the prices of everything go sky-high in Paris and it continues till September.
Where to stay in Paris?
Well, needless to say, nothing beats staying near Eiffel or even better with the view of Eiffel. But, doing that can burn a really deep hole in your pocket. It is too expensive. Moreover, the streets near Eiffel or the restaurants and cafes near it are equally pricey.
The best part is, you can stay anywhere you want in Paris as their metro connectivity is super amazing. Wherever you are, you can reach anywhere in just minutes. But, still there are few areas which are bustling and quite popular :
- Le Marais
- Montmartre
- Any Single Digit Arrondissement (7th, 8th, etc.)
- St. Germain
- Champs Elysees
- Bastille
How to commute in Paris?
Getting around Paris is as easy as it can get owing to their extensive Metro network. All you need to do is buy a ticket which you can get inside the metro terminal itself. One metro ticket cost us around 2.10 Euros irrespective of the distance we traveled. Although some ticket machines do accept cash, I would advise you to keep some coins handy. There is also a weekly or monthly Navigo pass which you can take if you are staying in Paris for a longer duration, but for 4 nights we preferred buying metro tickets as and when needed.
Another mode of travel is of course Uber which is a little on the expensive side. We used Uber only for our Airport transfers.
What scams to watch out for when traveling to Paris?
Right before our trip began, we were warned by so many people about the pick-pockets and the scams in Paris. So, we were all alert and wary of our belongings the moment we landed. Surprisingly, we did not find scamsters anywhere on our entire trip. No one tried to rip us off – no bracelets, nothing.
But, pick-pocketing can happen. So, we were quite cautious of our belongings, especially when traveling in the Metro. And, this is exactly what one is supposed to do. Just take care of your phone, wallet and other important belongings. Do not leave your phone on the table, do not carry much cash, & only keep a photocopy of your passport with you. Keep everything in a bag or a pouch that you can tie around your waist. There is nothing major to worry about if you are a tad alert.
Traveling to Paris for the first time? – Other important tips you should know!
- Be it any month, you should always carry 1 or 2 jackets when traveling to Paris. It can be slightly chilly.
- Be prepared to walk a lot as Metros can only drop you to a certain spot and taking an Uber every time can get expensive.
- Always buy wines from the departmental stores and croissants from the local bakery (the boulangerie as the French call it). They are much much cheaper than what you would get in restaurants.
- Be cautious of your belongings, especially near major tourist spots. Also, never ask anyone to click your photo from your phone; better safe than sorry!
EXPLORING PARIS- DAY 1
The first day in any city is about breathing in the vibe of the place, especially when it is a city like Paris.
And, to get the feel that you are in the city of love and lights, what is the first thing you would do? Visit Eiffel!!
Eiffel Tower- Trocadero Gardens
Our hotel was merely 2-3 km away from the Eiffel Tower, so we decided to take a walk. A city walk is the best way to explore a place at its best.
We went to the Trocadero first. It gives an amazing view of Eiffel Tower. You can sit on the stairs and enjoy the majestic beauty in its full glory. Walk down the stairs, and there are such lush gardens with cherry blossom trees everywhere. Sit there, relax, maybe have a picnic while admiring one of the most beautiful wonders of the world.
You can also buy a ticket and go to the top of the Eiffel Tower if you want. We skipped that part as it is usually too crowded and you have to stand in line for hours to get your ticket.
Seine River Cruise
The next stop for us was Seine River Cruise. It is a 30-45 minute cruise, and it is so worth every penny. This cruise starts just at the base of the Eiffel Tower, so it had to be the next thing to do on our list. You can instantly get tickets there as the ferry goes every 30 minutes. There are also small eateries surrounding the port, so you can relish on some Parisian delights while you wait for your ferry.
Pont Alexandre III
This bridge is the perfect spot to watch the sunset with a gorgeous view of the Eiffel. You will see this bridge on your river cruise, as well. It is a beautifully built bridge, so ornate and with massive sculptors – a must visit, for sure. Moreover, it has many beautiful gardens nearby where you can take a stroll, sit and enjoy some quality time.
Louvre Museum
The other spot we covered on our first day was The Louvre. Built quite uniquely, this museum is a delight for the eyes. It houses the famous Mona Lisa, so going inside the museum is certainly worth it. But, it might take you really long to get the tickets and enter the museum. Make sure you have plenty of time at your disposal whenever you plan your visit to the Louvre.
EXPLORING PARIS – DAY 2
The second day began with a visit to one of the most beautiful areas of Paris- Montmartre.
Sacre Coeur
The first place we visited as soon as we reached Montmartre was the famous Sacre Coeur Basilica. This church is at a slightly higher level, so as like other European cities, you would have to walk a little bit. It is a beautiful sight, and you can sit on the stairs outside the church and enjoy the view of the gorgeous Paris city for hours. Plus, they have such talented dancers and musicians to entertain you right at the foot of the stairs. Sacre Coeur and the area surrounding it undoubtedly has an amazing vibe.
And, the most striking aspect of this spot is- there are stairs surrounding the four sides of the church leading to the bustling & happening streets of the Montmartre.
Montmartre Street
So, our next stop is going to be Montmartre street is a no brainer. And, it is one spot in Paris you would not want to miss. An out of the world vibe coupled with Parisian culture at its best- you would see artists sketching on the street, aesthetic cafes lined up, musicians playing the most heart-warming tunes and the iconic Moulin Rouge. You can spend an entire day just exploring this street.
Also, the most popular ‘Wall Of Love’ is in this part of Paris. Although it is a bit crowded, it is worth visiting; finding ‘I Love You’ written in your mother tongue can be one of those feel-good moments for some.
Jardin du Luxembourg
Getting around Paris is supremely convenient owing to its extensive Metro network. So, we got to the Luxembourg gardens within minutes after exploring Montmartre. After so many hours of walking, sitting and relaxing in the gorgeous Luxembourg gardens was exactly what we needed. It was serene, quiet and simply beautiful- we thoroughly enjoyed doing nothing in this gorgeous lush green spot.
Pantheon
Pantheon was our last stop of Day 2. Every monument in Paris exudes a different kind of beauty and charm and this century old building was no exception. Pantheon was a church earlier but is now a Mausoleum having the ashes of revered French citizens.
And just behind this monument is the famous ‘Emily in Paris’ spot where there was Gabriel’s cafe and the building where she stayed. If you had an interest in this series, then you might want to visit this place.
EXPLORING PARIS – DAY 3
Arc De Triomphe & Champs-Élysées
We reserved our third day in Paris for the magnificent Arc De Triomphe & the street lined with the most high-end brands- Champs-Élysées.
Arc De Triomphe marks the beginning of the Champs-Elysees. It is a must-visit place in Paris after the Eiffel Tower. The sight and presence of this monument in the middle of one of the busiest streets of Paris is one of its kind. Visiting Arc De Triomphe was quite an overwhelming experience for us.
And the vibe of Champs-Elysees is like no other. Adorned with the most exquisite showrooms of Dior, Louis Vuitton, Gucci and others, it is actually fun to just roam around and explore it, even if you do not intend to buy anything or even visit a store.
Galeries Lafayette
Our next visit was to the magnificent and the most artistic mall of Paris, the Galeries Lafayette. It is huge, marvelously built and houses almost every brand there is. Needless to say, you can get lost in this mall for hours and it is a paradise for shopping buffs, especially if you are into high end shopping.
Palais Garnier or the Opera Paris is also nearby Lafayette. We skipped it due to time crunch, but if you can then do visit this ancient yet beautiful monument.
Love Lock Bridge
We viewed the sunset from the very famous Love Lock bridge in Paris. You can buy a lock and put it on the bridge with a message for your loved one. This bridge indeed offers a gorgeous view of the Eiffel Tower.
- Night Food Market, Eiffel Tower
When walking from the Love Lock bridge towards Eiffel, we landed at a night market sort of and it was undoubtedly a beautiful surprise for us. It is literally at the foot of the Eiffel Tower and has some food shops, stalls with benches. We really enjoyed it here and also saw the iconic lighting up of Eiffel before calling it a night.
EXPLORING PARIS – DAY 4
La Vallee Village, Paris
The last day in Paris was all about exploring the outskirts of Paris. I heard about the famous outlet village in Paris, La Vallee, and I thought of going there and shopping for some luxury bags. It is in Serris, France. And it is just a 15-20 minute ride by the Metro. Then you can easily walk to the village or even take a cab.
This village has outlet stores of many major luxury brands including Gucci, Tory Burch, YSL, Burberry, Balenciaga and more. Although they are expensive but much cheaper when you compare them to their respective retail stores. So, if you like high-end brands, then a visit to this village is a must.
Plus, the village has some nice cafes where you can enjoy some French delicacies whenever you get tired of shopping!
Tip : Disneyland, Paris is also in Serris, France. It is quite close to La Vallee Village. That is something you can do if you do not wish to go for outlet shopping. Disneyland is an experience of its own. And, you can spend an entire day here quite conveniently. Some people spend even more than a day in Disneyland to explore it fully, that is when you have time.
TRAVELING TO PARIS- THE FINAL ADIEU
We bid goodbye to Paris sitting in the gardens near Eiffel and enjoying the mesmerizing view while enjoying the Parisian wine.
Paris is a memory that can never fade. It is a city that will always be very much vivid in my mind even after years. And if I get a chance, I would certainly love to visit again!