I Visited Paris, and it was Fantastic!
Paris is arguably the most beautiful city in the world and one of the oldest! It's got something to offer everyone: art, entertainment, food, culture, history, and so much more! In this article, I will share my personal experience visiting Paris and what makes it such a fantastic place to visit.
The flight
As we arrived at the airport, a car pulled up to collect us. The driver had a sign with our names on it. We grabbed our luggage and went off for about a 30-minute drive into the city. At first, I saw many farms and an occasional windmill or silo next to one. It reminded me of when I visited Ohio for the first time on this same trip, except that they also grew wine grapes here. I can't say enough about how beautiful the countryside is here in France, rolling hills with rows upon rows of grape vines stretching as far as you can see in every direction. And then finally, after about half an hour, we were entering the outskirts of Paris. Here, everything changes: There are narrow streets lined with shops selling cheese and bread and restaurants featuring all sorts of cuisines from around the world, including Indian, Chinese, and Mexican restaurants. I noticed many more people walking around than in any other European city I'd been to; people were always milling around cafes along the street, drinking coffee or beer. People are playing music everywhere you go and children run by holding hands while their parents watch over them protectively (children under 13 years old aren't allowed out alone). I could feel the energy of Paris pulsating through my veins.
This morning, we headed out to Versailles Palace, which is only 10 minutes away from where we're staying in Paris. After waiting in line for 20 minutes, another five minutes before security, and just two minutes before actually getting onto the grounds of Versailles Palace itself (it's so crowded!), I'm now standing in front of what must be one of the most well-known sites in France. Wow...people come from all over the world to see this place! A long row of trees leads up to three rows (the middle being the longest) of fountains before you reach the palace itself and its gardens.
The city itself
Paris is a beautiful city with great food, wonderful people, and bustling culture. If you love art, as I do, then you will be in heaven walking the streets of this fairytale town. On our walk to Notre Dame, we could see the Eiffel Tower off in the distance like a beacon of light, signaling that there is so much more to see and experience in Paris. The most impressive part of our trip came after we got back from dinner. We climbed up to one of my favorite views, Montmartre. I know people rave about the beauty of Sacre Coeur basilica at night. Still, there is something special about seeing the city lights twinkle against the backdrop of old-style Parisian architecture as if straight out of a painting by Monet or Renoir. It is these little moments that make traveling worth it. The next day, we visited the Louvre Museum, which houses some of the world's greatest paintings. After strolling through this incredible building, we went to get lunch on the Champs-Élysées - arguably one of the most famous avenues in all of France. Then it was time for our last stop: The Arc de Triomphe de l'Étoile, which towers over all other buildings within sight.
We saw everything we wanted and more on this vacation - even though it only lasted two days. There are so many other things to explore in Paris, but unfortunately, we didn't have enough time. When you go to Paris, don't forget your camera!
A few places to eat
French cuisine is synonymous with butter, cream, and cheese, so if you are on a diet or have dietary restrictions, we recommend finding a meal with less guilt elsewhere. The restaurant Rue des Rosiers has dishes for vegetarians and traditional French fare. A little ways away from the touristy restaurants at Place du Trocadero near the Eiffel Tower is Le Grand Colbert. They offer all-day brunch, which includes things like eggs benedict to something called l'oeuf raclette, which you can prepare by taking an egg out of a pot of melted cheese until it's the desired level of gooey-ness (perfect use for two pieces of toast). If cheese isn't your thing, they also offer crepes and waffles made in front of you. Be sure to order one with Nutella sauce too! These dishes will give you plenty of energy for sightseeing in a city that never sleeps. If sweets are more your style, be sure to check out Chocolat Duchêne, a chocolate shop that offers milk and dark chocolate, ice cream sandwiches, macarons, and other delightful pastries. It is located next door to Laduree-- another famous french pastry spot. For more information about what other food stands may be in Paris, read our blog post: Where Can I Find My Favorite Food Places in Paris?
Above anything else, when planning your itinerary, allow time to see critical landmarks. After all, there's no point in being in Paris unless you get some fantastic photos as keepsakes and souvenirs of your travels. Some of my favorites include Arc de Triomphe, Notre Dame Cathedral, Eiffel Tower (not just because it's free but mainly because its structure seems almost magical), Sainte Chapelle, Musee d'Orsay, and Napoleon's Tomb. Of course, these are only a handful, but each one is worth seeing whether you're familiar with their history or not. But how do you plan around seeing everything without getting utterly exhausted? One of the best parts of Paris is the metro. You'll want to buy a pass, either the 1-day, 3-day, or weekly. This pass gives you access to the entire metro system and is valid for unlimited rides. Buy this pass before you head off and ride your way through the most beautiful cities in France!
Getting around town
-The metro is the best way to get around. It's easy to use (even if you can't read French), affordable, and you'll want to get a little map at each station to ensure you're getting off at the right stop. -The Mona Lisa is located in the Louvre museum, which was also an awe-inspiring experience. -We also saw Pompidou Center, Notre Dame Cathedral, Arc de Triomphe, Sacre Coeur Basilica, and Jardin des Tuileries-it's hard to see all these things in one day, but we did our best to try.
-While walking on any street in this lovely city, I felt like I could have been the happiest person on earth. The people were so friendly and helpful that when my friend dropped her phone on the ground, someone picked it up for her before she knew what had happened. -You'll want to buy some macaroons while you're there because they are delicious. We bought ours from Laduree and walked down Champs Elysees until we got tired. -This might sound weird, but after eating the macaroons, I swear that the ground had turned into marshmallow squares because everything seemed soft and fluffy with a sweet vanilla taste in my mouth!
Where to sleep
One of the most extraordinary things I did while in Paris was to visit the Louvre. It's one of the largest museums in the world, but we timed our visit so that we would be there right before they closed, which means that we were only there for a few minutes before all of us got kicked out. The first thing I noticed when walking into the museum is that they have two large urns on either side with these towering sculptures, statues, or art pieces from different civilizations. - I'm not sure what you call them - but you can tell how old these sculptures are because it seems like they're painted all white, and yet their chipping away like you can't make out what color they are anymore. There's also this massive sculpture near the entrance, and as soon as I saw it, I had to take a photo of it because I knew people back home would want to see this fantastic piece of art. The funny thing about this whole experience is that when my sister took my picture, she made me pose next to this giant lion sculpture and didn't tell me until later that it looked like I was hugging him (which, by the way, felt pretty lovely).
A few little gems
- The Metro trains are speedy and efficient. If you can't find your stop, the screens on the train will show you how to get there. - Food is fabulous, too. I highly recommend Le Chateaubriand for a casual but delicious meal on Rue Balzac or Gallet restaurant if you want something a little more upscale, also on Rue Balzac. - Getting around wasn't too difficult even though I don't speak French and relied on an English map to guide me through town. The map's directions were spot-on and valuable! I found my way without a hitch, helped by friendly locals who pointed me in the right direction when I got lost. And boy, did I get lost! When using public transportation, please pay attention to where the station exit is located before exiting because sometimes it isn't apparent at first glance which direction you need to go from that point. (Ask someone to be safe!) The metro stations have maps inside of them, so you'll know what side of the tracks is yours. But wait, there's another piece of advice: always carry some change because not all stations take credit cards (which Americans often rely on). It would be terrible to come all this way and not be able to buy tickets!
It sounds like getting around Paris wasn't very hard at all--I wish I could visit one day too! There are many different options for food in Paris, and there are a lot of restaurants near each other as well. That makes eating out much more accessible since most people don't want to walk too far after walking around all day. Of course, I love the food back home too--it's so different than here! And since people may not be used to speaking English when visiting, it was nice to see that people were still willing to help me find my way. I'm glad they didn't give up easily on helping me!
And for us, the most important part: The Louvre
As much as I wanted to see all the sites, we avoided one of the busiest places in Paris, the Louvre. This decision turned out great for us because of all the museums we went to in its place. If you are looking for a museum-trip this summer then I recommend any of these top five: Palais de Tokyo, Musée Rodin, Musée Carnavalet, Musée Picasso or Musée de la Marine. All worth your time.
It's always best to do some research before traveling, but even if you're not an avid traveler like me, plenty of resources will give you all the information you need to plan your next trip. That's what makes travel so exciting!
Paris was my favorite destination on our list, and I would love to visit again someday soon. Who knows? Maybe someday I'll be writing about my next vacation there. But until then, I'm off to finish watching Beauty and the Beast!
Conclusion
Paris was everything I had ever dreamed of. The city, the culture, and the sights; were all breathtaking. As impressive as my time in France has been, I can't wait to spend more time there with my friends and family. Everything about this trip has been excellent, but I'm looking forward to exploring more of this magnificent city on my next trip with some of my closest loved ones by my side. The sound of a plane landing made me look out the window. We were descending into Charles de Gaulle Airport, home to one of the world's most beautiful cities: Paris. After three hours of airtime, we finally touched on Terminal 2E (my original flight landed at Terminal 1E). After going through customs and reclaiming my luggage, I set off for Gare du Nord station, where I would catch a train to Giverny, where Monet's house is located. Gare du Nord was enormous, with hundreds upon hundreds of people shuffling about making their way towards their trains or platforms, trying to find theirs.