They call Paris the City of Love, and after being there I question if they mean fall in love with the person you go to Paris with, or simply fall in love with the city itself. This city truly has a lot to fall in love with. Its a difficult list to narrow down, but after being there for 5 days, here are what I consider to be the highlights:
Montmartre is a lovely hill district in Paris’ 18th arrondissement. Easy to reach by subway (though you have to walk up a lot of stairs to exit the subway….) and definitely worth the trip. Romantic quiet streets, cafes and restaurants make this a truly picturesque delight. This was one of my favourite areas in Paris, as it has great views due to its elevation and is also home to the amazing Sacre-Coeur Basilica.
This stunning cathedral perched atop the hill, offers great views from the lawn and walkway in front, and gorgeous architecture inside. Free admission also doesn’t hurt! However, keep going behind the basilica to the little village. Honestly, of all the areas in Paris, this was definitely the cutest and felt the most European. Little creperies with open windows highlighting their craft, and artisans painting in the square. I had the best crepe of my life here. I still dream about it! Continue on walking down the windy romantic streets, and simply take in the view…or some instagram worthy moments!
Île de la Cité – this is one of two islands in the centre of Paris and hosts the Notre Dame Cathedral. I was lucky enough to explore Notre Dame before the fire in late 2018, and honestly it took my breath away. The scale and beauty are something I will never forget. And though you might not be religious, one can argue that you can truly feel the presence of God in this space. I also love this island because its in the middle of the river, and allows you to see a great perspective of Paris unencumbered by buildings. Also taking pictures from bridges always gives a great perspective!
Tip: Walk over to the adjacent island of Saint Louis to check out the oldest ice cream shop in Paris (and most say the best!), Berthillon Glacier. Definitely with the walk.
Eiffel Tower – This one is completely obvious, however it is a definitely must-see. Grab a bottle of wine, some cheese, salami and a baguette and spend the afternoon on the lawn just taking it all in. I actually did not go up to the viewing deck, as the line was long, as I figured that if I am inside the Eiffel Tower, then I am not outside enjoying it, so I decided to skip that. Save yourself the line and just enjoy the outdoor space!
Scootering around the City – Though scooters only go around 50km, its a great way to actually see the city, and stop at cute little cafes along the way. Parking is a breeze and depending on the time of day, is a great way to get around. It is also a lovely way to get to the tasty cafes!
However, a cautionary notes from my own experience:
**Don’t rent with Cooltra. They didn’t have the scooter available after I paid in store, as they had incorrect inventory on file. And they refused to give me a refund. Do yourself a favour and use a different scooter company, but ensure they have a scooter in stock before you pay!!
These are just a few of my highlights from Paris. This a city to walkabout, taking in the sites and enjoying the food and drink along the way. There truly is something to discover around every corner.
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