Last week I finally took to Paris, the city of lights, to explore and get a feel for the Parisian culture that is so greatly acclaimed.
I've wanted to visit to Paris since I was young, having grown up with some of my favourite films set in France, such as Monte Carlo, LOL, Moulin Rouge and Ratatouille (yeah, the one where the talking rat can cook. Does anyone else remember playing the game or was that just me?). Not to mention, it's all over social media. I don't think I've ever been on Pinterest and not come across a photo of a travel or fashion blogger having a picnic by the Eiffel Tower. They never fail to make it look so dreamy.
Whilst I was searching for an excuse to leave the country, I came across £50 return flights with EasyJet from London, Luton to Charles De Gaulle Airport, so as you can imagine, I snapped two tickets up without a second thought and took my friend along with me, to celebrate a late Galentines with a two day city break.
We set off on Tuesday Afternoon, catching the flight straight after work, and arriving in France around 9pm. CDG Airport is about an hour away from the city, so saving money we took the Metro which is €10 per person, but you can get an Uber for a set price of €50 if you'd prefer. We'd planned to go straight to the Eiffel Tower so we could watch it Twinkle on the hour, and kick start our adventure with an incredible sight. Unfortunately though, we had a travel nightmare which involved a run in with some pick pockets, so we headed straight to our hotel for some much needed sleep.
We stayed at The Eiffel Villa Garibaldi, a lovely hotel that I'd highly recommend. It's about a fifteen minute walk from the Eiffel Tower, of which you can also see from the rooms on the top floor. They offer a continental breakfast for a very cheap price and the staff are so friendly too.
Day One
Mid - Morning
After re-evaluating our plans in the morning, and deciding to not let a couple of thieves ruin the magic of Paris, we headed to the Eiffel Tower in the morning and got our tickets with access to the very top (taking the lift of course, I don't think I would've been able to appreciate the stunning views whilst struggling to breathe). We ventured to the top floor first where we looked down on Paris from the clouds, and the views were absolutely incredible! If it was a little bit warmer, I definitely could've stood there all day, and stayed to watch the sunset, however, standing 980ft in minus temperatures was a challenge, so we made our way down to the first floor and stood inside to warm ourselves up.
On the first floor, there's a lovely café, seating area and gift shop, so we ate brunch whilst looking out onto the city. Not too shabby. (The café serves the best hot choc i've actually ever had, so try it if you're there!)
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| Looking over Paris from the clouds! |
Afternoon
After coming down from the Iron Lady, we explored the surrounding streets and walked down to the river, which is a great photo op!
Past the river bridge is the Trocadéro Gardens, a lovely view point to look back at the Tower and stunning architecture that surrounds. By the time we got to the gardens, clouds had filled the sky so our view wasn't very clear, although still beautiful.
As well as the clouds, the temperate also dropped in the afternoon and we weren't dressed for this weather so we walked back to our hotel to wrap up with layers of tights, jumpers and hats, looking chunky. Still couldn't feel my feet after 2 pairs of tights and 2 pairs socks on top.
Evening
We left our hotel and got an uber to the Arc De Triomphe, one of Paris' most famous monuments which stands at the end of the Champs-Élysées, the gorgeous road that leads you to the Musée du Louvre. The Arc De Triomphe sits in the centre of a busy roundabout, and is a memorial for the French Revolutionary Wars. Here also lives an eternal flame, burning for the unidentified victims of both World Wars. If you're into your history, this is definitely one for you as it's filled with historical pieces inside and decorated with historical architecture.
The top of the Arc has gorgeous views, and much to our surprise is totally free for EU residents under the age of 26. To get to the top, the only way up is to climb 40 stairs, and you get to see amazing views of the Eiffel Tower. We went in the evening to see it all lit up, and to watch it twinkle on the hour. It was such a magical sight, and great that it's free! I'd recommend taking advantage of this and going to the top during the daytime and to see the tower light up in the evening.
The Champs-Élysées is also home to a great shopping spot with a mix of designer heaven, and high street stores (with about 3 Zara's, woo!), as well as lots of restaurants and Cafés including Ladurée where we stopped off for desert before dinner.
Ladurée is famous for their macarons, and you'll see many pop ups on your way around, but we opted for a pastry which we indulged in, in the tea rooms.
After eating too much pastry, followed by too much spaghetti, we got an Uber to the Eiffel Tower so we could watch it twinkle again for the last time. We stood directly underneath the tower and waited until it hit 11pm. This has got to be up there with one of the most beautiful sights i've had the privilege of seeing. It was one of those overwhelming moments that makes you put down your phone and camera and just appreciate where you are.
Day Two
Morning
On our second day we were lucky to have beautifully clear blue skies, (deceptively still below freezing though) whilst we toured Paris on TheBigBusTour.
Jumping on back at the Eiffel Tower, we payed €30 each for a hop-on/hop-off ticket so we could see as much of the city as we could before catching our flight back to London. (this is also a great way to avoid the Metro where the thieves work)
Our first stop was the Louvre Museum, the biggest in the world! You could spend the entire day here and still not cover half of the treasures inside. Even better though it's
Free entry for EU residents under 26!
The Glass Pyramid outside the Louvre has become one of the most recognisable monuments of Paris, and standing next to what used to be a royal palace, it 's an amazing mix of architecture.
I've seen photos of it lit up in the evening that looks amazing, so if you've got the time, i'd definitely visit in the dark.
There's so many interesting pieces inside this museum, it's split into eight wings, from the Egyptians to royal paintings. Best of all, Leonardo De Vinci's The Mona Lisa resides here.
Crowds of people were stood around admiring the painting, taking photos and reading the history (meanwhile we were busy trying to put snapchats filters on her, it's art).
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| Almost got it, but not quite. |
Afternoon
Outside the gates of the Louvre is the Pont des Arts bridge, the most romantic spot in Paris. This is what used to be the 'Lock Bridge' where thousands of friends or couples would come to place a lock on the rails, and throw the key into the river. Although the locks had to be taken down in 2015, some still remain on the posts. (I'd love to know how may keys are at the bottom of the river).
We then jumped back on our bus, and got off at the Notre Dame.
If you're looking for places to eat, there's so many around this area. We got some lunch at a really cute bar/restaurant about 5 minutes from the Cathedral. I don't actually remember the name of it because I was way to hungry to even look, but I can tell you they serve the best veggie burgers (quite hard to find in Paris).
Entrance to the Cathedral is completely free for everyone during opening hours, and if you go when the sun is just starting to set, it shines through the stained glass windows and lights up the inside.(We didn't actually spend too long in here because churches actually creep me out a lot, although I can still appreciate the building).
Finishing our afternoon in Paris we got on our bus and sat on the top deck so we could sight see our way back to the Hotel. The Big Bus Tour is a great way to get around the city and see as much as you can if you only have the day. You also get a pair of headphones that you can plug in and listen to facts about each monument as you drive round.
The evening was time to head home, so we picked up our luggage from the hotel and Uber'd our way to the airport. The journey takes about an hour, and me being me, I fell asleep as soon as we got into the car, and then again on our plane.
I loved exploring Paris, and I hope to go back at some point one summer, to relive it all in the sunshine. If you haven't got round to doing it like I hadn't, then I'd say just bite the bullet and book yourselves some tickets! It really is a gorgeous city, and the Eiffel Tower is a bucket list must!
Au Revoir &
Bon Voyage!
Lots of Love,
Katie
x
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