My heart skips a beat every time I see a picture of this beauty. Even though Paris is so much beyond La Tour Eiffel, it is but nothing without it.
With unlimited views of this beauty I got to soak it in literally for 2 days straight and nothing changed. It gives me all kinds of fuzzies, and if you ask a local, they will tell you the same. The twinkling lights are especially awesome on the hour once the sun starts going down.
2. French food
Arguably some of the top food in the world, no one does fancy food quite like the French. You can lunch at the dreamy Maison Blanche with a view of the Parisian skyline while indulging in velvety Foie gras, soufflés, rich meat courses and endless glasses of champagne. You may also derive the same excitement standing in line outside the renowned Le Relais de l’Entrecôte for a hearty meal of Steak frites.
3. People watching, Street side cafes and patisseries
Macarons, baguettes, buttery flakey croissants, pain au chocolat, choux, eclairs and lemon tarts, need I say more. There is no better way to soak in the city than a coffee, some pastries and people watching.
4. Shopping
‘Le Grands Magasins’ or Paris’s iconic departmental stores Bon Marché, Au Printemps and Galleries Lafayette have got you covered for everything under the sun.
For individual boutiques and an outdoor street vibe Avenue Montaigne is gorgeous and not too crazy crowd-wise. Champs-Elysées is still my favourite even though it is infested with hordes of tourists, there is something about the Arc de Triomph in the distance and any excuse for quick macaron at Ladurée will do.
5. Christmas markets
Oh-so-dreamy to sip on mulled wine and walk around aimlessly along lit up street markets buying everything from baby smocking dresses to ornaments, pastries and cuddly scarves. Give Paris a chance during Christmas and you will not be disappointed. Squares full of Christmas trees, every street ornately decorated and the Christmas spirit in the air.
6. History
French history is full of action, wars, revolutions, Napolean and this is where my historical knowledge ends.
Paris is dotted with monuments, palaces, bridges and structures with rich historical significance. My favourite way to discover a place is a walking tour as it really gives you the best perspective. Not very far from the city is Versailles with its scandalous stories and anecdotes that get even better if you are lucky to have a fun guide.
7. Art
I am the worst informed about art and history but my obsession with a 20-year-old print of Starry night took me on a very cool walking tour about Montmartre. Listening to a very enthusiastic guide talk about the mad genius of one of the first artists (Vincent Van Gogh) I ever heard of was just such a great experience. Added to that the gorgeous Sacré-Cœur towering above and the square full of artists selling some beautiful works.
The Louvre, was a maze of way too much art for me to handle and its tiny, almost disappointing sized Monalisa mixed with hunger had me out the door in under a few hours. Museums and I are not so great together. Try the truffle ravioli with a view of the Louvre at Le Café Marly, ridiculously pricey but ridiculously good.
8. Because it’s PARIS
Just spend the day walking about Paris, walk by the Seine. Explore every little street, discover your own gems, watch the locals walk about with their little dressed up doggies or the crazy tourists set up wedding shoots. Watch the vivid colours of the skies change through day and just lap up everything this city of love has to give.
