Must dos in Paris

Note: This is a subjective perspective on my time in Paris, and the below list will obviously differ from person to person. I also only went to Versailles outside the Paris city areas, so take this into account as well. Links go to Trip Advisor pages.

Must dos in Paris

• Eiffel Tower (both during the day and night): The Eiffel Tower is famous for a reason, and after visiting, I know why. It is not only a feat of impressive architecture with its unique double-arched, steel-grey structure, it offers amazing brilliant views of nearly all areas of Paris. It is a great place to simply stand and enjoy the view of Paris and be in awe of what you are witnessing. There is access via an elevator and a cheaper fee for access via a set of stairs. I recommend the stairs to save money and also for the exercise! The elevator access goes to a third, higher floor than stair access (which only goes to the 1^st and 2^nd floors), however the views are the best from the second floor so you are not really missing out on anything by taking the stairs. The Eiffel Tower and Paris is like The Great Wall in China – you can’t not go if you visit. I’ve heard the views at night are amazing (unfortunately I missed out this time around) and it is something you won’t easily forget.
  
  
  The Eiffel Tower


• The Louvre – Another world-famous Paris attraction, The Louvre simply has to be seen. It is an unbelievably large and expansive museum containing multiple levels of sculptures, paintings, relics, artifacts and of course the famous Mona Lisa. Even if you don’t like museums as I do, you’ll find something to enjoy at The Louvre. And if you really don’t want to pay, entry is free after 6pm on Friday until its closure at 9:45pm.


• Versailles: For reasons talked about at length previously, Versailles is a triple threat of history, nature and architecture. Can’t get better than that. Make a day of it and just soak in everything.


• Luxembourg Gardens: This stunning garden in the 3^rd arrondisement is Paris’s most famous park, and it’s easy to see why. It contains beautiful fountains, pretty flora and great photo opportunities for nature lovers everywhere. There’s also often free music playing in the park as I found on the occasion I went.
  
  
  The magnificent Luxmbourg Gardens

• People-watching at a café: Parisians love to sit back over some food and just watch the world go by. I mean it – people-watching is a It is initially strange to comprehend from an outsider’s perspective but after trying it, it is strangely peaceful and enjoyable. Paris is bustling enough that it never gets boring, and you will enjoy seeing a variety of characters move about their daily lives for your amusement. Be sure to choose a place on a corner for an unrestricted view of the street.


• Eat cake and sweets! Paris also excels in this department and is a veritable sweettooth’s paradise. There is simply too much to eat even if you ate sweets for every meal so pick and choose to your heart’s content. Try the bakeries (“boulangeries”), specialty chocolatiers and macaron shops, and you can’t go wrong. When in Paris, eat cake, ice cream…and tarts…and macarons…and chocolate…and…palmiers…
  
  
  Delicious ice cream from the Ile-St-Louis (1st arrondisement)


• Have a picnic in a park: Paris has so many parks and wide open spaces, they are something of a favourite haunt to while away the afternoon. Parisians are frequently seen sporting bread, cheese, meats and wine (which can be bought at your local grocer in Paris!) in parks and picknicking with gusto. You should too. Aside from Luxembourg Gardens, the Place des Vogues near Victor Hugo’s house is another popular spot, Pont Neuf near the Notre Dame is nice and intimate and somewhere along the Seine can never go astray.


• Boulevard St Germain and The Latin Quarter – The former, a lovely winding boulevard, is full of nice shops and restaurants, and is home to its very own Melbourne-style laneway, the Andre St Commerce. The second, is the beating student centre of Paris, home to many of its universities and full of restaurants that won’t break the bank.


• The Marais – This quirky area, spanning both the 3^rd and 4^th arrondisements, is another one for those looking for something off the beaten track. It is at once the Jewish epicentre of Paris with many great felafel shops, and the gay-friendly neighbourhood of the city. Restaurants prices are generally affordable here too.


• Take a walk around the city at night – The city is a beautiful gem at night and people stay out much later than they do in Australia. So there is a very lively atmosphere to Paris, almost as if the city doesn’t sleep. Certain areas of the city come alive at night so it’s worth taking the time to discover them.

The Montmarte area near the Sacre Coeur church at night

What do you think the must dos in Paris are? Let me know in the comments below!