Paris is my favourite European city break destination so far, as it manages to maintain it's stunning, intricately detailed, historic architechture yet remain completely up-to-date, modern and accessible.I fell in love with how Paris managed to radiate n old fashioned charm while also appearing effortlessly cool. Paris is broken up into 20 arrondissments, each unique in it's attractions,views and atmosphere.We arrived in Beavuvais airport, meaning we had to travel by bus to Porte Maillot in the 17th arrondissment and despite no major attractions being in the immediate area, within a minute of our taxi ride we had seen the Arc Di Triomphe and Champs Elysees.Paris is so compact that you can see several attractions within a short space of time. However, every individual sight is so impressive that it's worthwhile actually dedicating time to making sure you visit and explore each properly.Here's my Girly Guide to Paris:
Must See Sights
1. Eiffel Tower-Instantly reognisable as Paris' most famous landmark, the Eiffel Tower (or Tour Eiffel when in Paris) stands at 324m tall and is in the Champs de Mars area in the 7
th arrondissment. It's impossible to return from a visit to Paris and not have someone ask you "did you go up the Eiffel Tower?" .Its worthwhile going up for the stunning views of Sacre Coeur, the Seine and Arc Di Triomphe. I have visited the Eiffel Tower on all 3 of my visits to Paris because I love the views and it' also worth a visit at night when the tower is lit up.It costs about 8.20eur to go to the 2nd floor and 13.20 eur to the 3rd floor by elevator. You can take the stairs (to the 2nd floor only) for 4.50eur. Under 24s get a discounted rate so bring ID. Queues are notoriously long for the Eiffel Tower (up to a few hours), so book your tickets online and arrive for it opening, if possible. Also, several Seine Cruises depart from the Seine just across the road from the north pillar so it's a good idea to combine the two in your itinerary.
th arrondissment. It's impossible to return from a visit to Paris and not have someone ask you "did you go up the Eiffel Tower?" .Its worthwhile going up for the stunning views of Sacre Coeur, the Seine and Arc Di Triomphe. I have visited the Eiffel Tower on all 3 of my visits to Paris because I love the views and it' also worth a visit at night when the tower is lit up.It costs about 8.20eur to go to the 2nd floor and 13.20 eur to the 3rd floor by elevator. You can take the stairs (to the 2nd floor only) for 4.50eur. Under 24s get a discounted rate so bring ID. Queues are notoriously long for the Eiffel Tower (up to a few hours), so book your tickets online and arrive for it opening, if possible. Also, several Seine Cruises depart from the Seine just across the road from the north pillar so it's a good idea to combine the two in your itinerary. Nearest Metro- Bir Hakeim or Champs de Mars Tour Eiffel
2. Arc Di Triomphe- An arched monument that stands at the western end of Champ
s-Elysees, the Arc Di Triomphe is 160ft tall and stands on the historical axis of Paris which runs between the Louvre Museum and Arche de la Defense. Visitors can also go to the top of the Arc for views of Paris including Champs Elysees and Sacre Coeur. If you want to visit the actual monument and not just photograph it from Champs Elysees you have to take one of the underpasses as crossing the road is too dangerous and not allowed.Make this part of your itinerary by incoprorating it with a shopping visit to Champs Elysees or if you are going to see Le Lido cabaret.
s-Elysees, the Arc Di Triomphe is 160ft tall and stands on the historical axis of Paris which runs between the Louvre Museum and Arche de la Defense. Visitors can also go to the top of the Arc for views of Paris including Champs Elysees and Sacre Coeur. If you want to visit the actual monument and not just photograph it from Champs Elysees you have to take one of the underpasses as crossing the road is too dangerous and not allowed.Make this part of your itinerary by incoprorating it with a shopping visit to Champs Elysees or if you are going to see Le Lido cabaret.Nearest Metro- Charles de Gaulle Etoile
3.Notre Dame Cathed
ral- A stunning cathedral on the east side of Paris, Notre Dame stands on Ile de la Cite in the 4th arrondissment. It is widely considered as one of France's best examples of Gothic architecture and is worth visiting whether you intend to go inside of not as both building itself and the views from the top are equally breathtaking. The cathedral was made further famed by Victor Hugo's the Hunchback of Notre Dame which has been made into countless films and even a Disney adaptation. And for those of you familiar with the story, yes you can go and see the bell tower :) Notre Dame is near the Latin Quarter which is a great shopping area so plan your trip around the two. Again, prepare to queue so arrive early, if you decide to climb the tower and be sure to photograph the tower's gargoyles.
ral- A stunning cathedral on the east side of Paris, Notre Dame stands on Ile de la Cite in the 4th arrondissment. It is widely considered as one of France's best examples of Gothic architecture and is worth visiting whether you intend to go inside of not as both building itself and the views from the top are equally breathtaking. The cathedral was made further famed by Victor Hugo's the Hunchback of Notre Dame which has been made into countless films and even a Disney adaptation. And for those of you familiar with the story, yes you can go and see the bell tower :) Notre Dame is near the Latin Quarter which is a great shopping area so plan your trip around the two. Again, prepare to queue so arrive early, if you decide to climb the tower and be sure to photograph the tower's gargoyles. Nearest Metro- St Michel, Cite
4.Louvre Museum- Make famous by the Da Vinci Code, the Mona Lisa and the glass and metal pyramids, the Louvre is the world's most visited museum.It is also one of the worl
d's largest museums. Must do's on your visit include visiting the Mona Lisa, the Winged Victory and Venus de Milo. Also, visit the pyramid in the courtyard and the inverted pyramid on the inside of the Louvre.You can pre-book your tickets online to avoid queuing which is recommended.Under 18s can go free with ID. Inside the Louvre, there is also a shopping centre- Carrousel du Louvre-which has various shops including Virgin Megastore, Swarovski, Sephora and L'Occitane en Provence as well as several restraunts.If you exit to Rue de Rivoli there are even more shops from gift shops to art shops to clothing shops and more restaurants and cafes.
d's largest museums. Must do's on your visit include visiting the Mona Lisa, the Winged Victory and Venus de Milo. Also, visit the pyramid in the courtyard and the inverted pyramid on the inside of the Louvre.You can pre-book your tickets online to avoid queuing which is recommended.Under 18s can go free with ID. Inside the Louvre, there is also a shopping centre- Carrousel du Louvre-which has various shops including Virgin Megastore, Swarovski, Sephora and L'Occitane en Provence as well as several restraunts.If you exit to Rue de Rivoli there are even more shops from gift shops to art shops to clothing shops and more restaurants and cafes. Nearest Metro- Louvre Rivoli, Palais Royal-Musee du Louvre.
I missed out Sacre Coeur even although it's a beautiful building and the views are amazing purely becuase of safety issues and this is a Girly Guide to Travel. There are hordes of men at the bottom of the stairs who are notorious for grabbing visitors and doing the "friendship bracelet scam" where they quickly slip a string bracelet over your hand then become abusive when you dont pay the 100eur or whatever they demand. Tripadvisor has several posts relating to it and it seems to go on all day every day. It can actually be very intimidating and I wouldnt recommend visiting this sight alone or with just a few people in your group. If you do go, remain aware of the gangs-you can't really miss them- and keep your arms folded and keep walking ahead.If they do attempt to accost you just keeping saying NO or ignore them and keep walking, we did this an they were still quite abusive but not physically.
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