Hello, Beautiful Souls!
Paris, the City of Lights, is truly a dream destination, and I was lucky enough to spend three wonderful days there with my mum. It was a perfect mix of sightseeing, quality time, and indulging in Parisian cuisine. Here’s a little recap of our adventure, along with some tips that might be helpful if you’re planning your trip!
Day 1: Arriving in Paris and Exploring Le Marais
We stayed at a simple but clean hotel [Hôtel Angleterre] near Gare du Nord, just a 15-minute walk from Montmartre. Our nearest metro station was Barbès-Rochechouart. To make public transport hassle-free, we downloaded the IDF Mobilités app. It allowed us to buy day passes or single tickets online with a credit card, so we didn’t have to deal with ticket machines or risk running into the scammers Paris is known for.
After settling in, we spent our first day wandering around the charming streets of Le Marais, one of Paris’ trendiest districts. We made our way to the Notre Dame Cathedral, which, although still under renovation and not open to the public (summer 2024), was beautiful to see from the outside. From there, we headed to Père-Lachaise Cemetery [a bit out of central], home to the graves of many famous figures, including Jim Morrison.
Finding Jim Morrison’s tomb was challenging, and unfortunately, we couldn’t locate it. But despite that, the cemetery was a peaceful and reflective place to walk around, especially on a sunny day. The ambience was serene, and I found myself appreciating the calmness amidst the city’s bustle.
When it came to food, we found that some of the restaurants recommended online were either full or hard to access. So, we decided to go with the flow and ended up in a cosy spot in Le Marais for cocktails and charcuterie, followed by dinner at a nearby [busy] Chinese restaurant. Sometimes, spontaneity leads to the best meals!
Day 2: A Guided Tour of the Louvre and More Sightseeing
On our second day, we dived into Parisian culture with a 3-hour guided tour of the Louvre. I had booked this in advance, and it was worth it. If you love art and history like I do, having a guide makes all the difference. We got to see all the iconic pieces, and the stories behind them were fascinating.
After the Louvre, we embraced the Parisian way of life and had lunch around noon. Parisian lunch hours are typically between 12 pm and 3 pm, so we made sure to fit in with the local schedule. We then strolled around the city, enjoying the sights, and made another attempt to find Jim Morrison’s tomb at Père-Lachaise Cemetery. This time, we were successful, and we did manage to see Chopin’s tomb as well, which was equally special.
Later, we visited the Arc de Triomphe, where I had pre-purchased tickets via GetYourGuide. The view from the top was stunning—a 360-degree panorama of Paris with the Eiffel Tower in the distance. After a full day of walking (we hit 20,000 steps!), we were ready for dinner. We discovered a charming restaurant called La Mascotte, where we tried escargot and beef tartare for the first time. Both were delicious, and I highly recommend trying them if you’re feeling adventurous!
One thing that pleasantly surprised us during this trip was how friendly and welcoming the Parisians were. I had prepared a bit of French before the trip and always greeted people in French, but everyone we encountered was kind enough to switch to English when needed. It made the experience all the more enjoyable.
Day 3: Exploring Montmartre and Departure
On our final day, we focused on exploring Montmartre, the neighbourhood where our hotel was located. We started the day early at Sacré-Cœur Basilica, and I’m so glad we did! There were no lines, and we were able to take some beautiful photos without the usual crowds. Montmartre has such a unique, artistic charm, and walking through its narrow streets was a delightful way to spend our last morning in Paris.
We also made a quick stop at the Moulin Rouge [definitely want to see a show next time we are in Paris] and checked out some souvenir shops before heading to lunch. Our final meal in Paris was at Bouillon Pigalle, a popular spot for affordable and authentic French cuisine. It was the perfect way to end our trip.
Final Thoughts and Tips
Paris is a city full of endless possibilities, and three days barely scratched the surface. But this trip was a perfect introduction, and I’m already planning my next visit. If you’re heading to Paris, here are a few tips that helped us:
Download IDF Mobilités: This app makes navigating public transport in Paris a breeze. No more worrying about tickets at the station!
Pre-book popular attractions: Booking in advance for places like the Louvre and Arc de Triomphe saves time and hassle.
Be aware of scams: Watching YouTube videos about common scams in Paris and knowing which stations to avoid helped us feel more prepared and relaxed.
Paris was everything we hoped it would be, and spending this time with my mum made it even more special. If you’re planning a trip to Paris, I hope this itinerary gives you some ideas, and don’t forget to leave room for spontaneous adventures!
Bisous,
