Paris – it's the crown jewel of France, the City of Light, and one of the world's greatest places to visit. There is truly something for everyone, with incredible cuisine, fascinating history, world-class museums, shopping galore, and beautiful architecture. In fact, Paris can oftentimes feel overwhelming; even seasoned visitors may feel unprepared to tackle the city's daunting list of highlights. That's where this list comes in handy.
As travel professionals, we have been lucky enough to spend a fair amount of time in Paris and can offer some tips to help you plan your next trip here. Of course, no trip to Paris would be complete without a visit to the Louvre, a view of the Eiffel Tower, and a soft, flaky croissant. But with the below suggestions, we hope to lead you off the beaten path, so you can make your own unique Parisian memories.
Paris sprawls over an area of 41 square miles and is broken down into 20 arrondissements, or municipal districts. Though you can enjoy yourself immensely by walking or taking a taxi, it's worth it to secure a Navigo Pass. For about 30 euros, these passes grant unlimited rides on the metro, regional commuter trains, and buses for up to a week. Be sure to keep these cards or your individual ride ticket handy; you'll likely be met by a ticket inspector on public transportation or upon leaving a station and you will need to produce your pass/ticket or pay a fine.
The view of the Eiffel Tower from Printemps Department Store
Though there may be no way to measure this, it's a safe bet that the Eiffel Tower is one of the most photographed buildings on Earth. For a unique look at this famed structure, head to these two locations for alternative, and beautiful, views.
The lovely Printemps
The first: Printemps Department Store. This multilevel shopping experience offers almost everything you could ever need, including all the major French fashion brands, home goods, French delicacies, and several restaurants. The windows on the very top floor offer beautiful city and Eiffel Tower views, and there's even an outdoor terrace!
The view from Trocadero
Second: The Trocadero neighborhood, located across the Seine from the tower, may not be quite as much of a hidden gem, but does offer lovely views of the tower at both day and nighttime. Plus, there are a number of excellent restaurants to enjoy in the area.
Flowers at the Marché Bastille
The header and photo say it all: this is the one outdoor market you need to visit while in Paris. It stretches from the Bastille to the Richard Lenoir metro station, is open on Thursday and Sunday, and features fruit, veggies, meat, fish, shellfish, cheese, and seasonal specials, along with clothing, leather, wallets, and more.
Local shellfish are on offer...
...as are other food items, including fresh asparagus.
The world-class stained glass of Saint-Chapelle
In a city known for its gorgeous chapels, the Saint-Chapelle may just offer the most beautiful interior of them all. This small church sits on the same island in the Seine as the recently burned Notre Dame Cathedral and was built by Louis IX in the mid-1200s to hold his collection of Passion relics, including the Crown of Thorns. The architecture, interior decoration, and, particularly, its stained glass are all immensely impressive.
More of the gorgeous interior
The selection of sweets at Ladurée
One of Paris's oldest patisseries, Ladurée is best known for their macaroons but offers a wide variety of delectable sweets right along the famed Champs-Élysées.
The famed Shakespeare and Company bookstore
If you have a free afternoon and a desire to venture away from the more high-traffic areas of Paris, visit the Latin Quarter. This atmospheric neighborhood is home to a number of universities (and their students), many great little shops, and innumerable cafes and restaurants. It's also home to the Shakespeare and Company Bookstore, a delightful English-language bookseller built inside an old monastery.
Speaking of repurposed buildings, the fascinating Musée d'Orsay is located inside of an old train station on the Left Bank of the Seine and offers a superb museum-going experience. Typically less crowded and more manageable in size than the Louvre, the museum offers the world's largest collection of Impressionist and Post-Impressionist paintings, including priceless works by Monet, Manet, Degas, Renoir, Cezanne, and more. Compared to the hustle and bustle of the Louvre, you may find the Musee d'Orsay more enjoyable.
Paris offers so many riches that it's impossible to go wrong, but we hope these tips help with your next trip to the City of Light.
To explore Paris with Odysseys, check out the following tours: Burgundy Barging, Discovering Provence, Essential France: Provence to Paris, European Tapestry, and Provincial French Countryside.
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