Quick Guide To A Week In Paris | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Lifestyle

Quick Guide To A Week In Paris

Everything you need to see in the city of lights.

25
Quick Guide To A Week In Paris
The Huffington Post

Paris is always a good idea. A quick guide to a week in the City of Lights.

Paris has a certain romance to it. There is something about strolling through the cobblestone streets, eyeing the beautiful couture in the windows and sipping away at a cafe au lait in a corner cafe that is poetic and enchanting.

What To Do?

  • The Eiffel Tower (Of Course)- An obvious must. There are a couple of ways to experience this worldly monument.
    • The first is to climb to the top. You can see ALL of Paris. The view is breathtaking. I've never walked up the stairs, but I doubt it is that fatiguing. For the less athletic type, there is an elevator.
    • A second option, if you've already done the first, or have a slight fear of heights, is to admire this art piece from a distance. Le Trocadero, walk to the other side of the river, up the stairs of the building (behind the fountain) this is a great sport for great pictures!
    • Lastly, is to picnic in the garden area in front of the tower! Pack a bag with a nice bottle of wine, a fresh baguette and some cheese and ham. If you prefer a more convenient option, there is a service called Picnic Paris which prepares you a picnic that you can enjoy anywhere in Paris!
  • The Louvre- Even for those less interested in art, the Louvre is a great time. They have updated, interactive, 3D digital guides on Nintendo DS devices. You can wander around this GIANT museum and learn about whichever pieces or collections you like best. My personal favorites would have to be the Spanish paintings by El Greco and Goya, as well as the Greek and Roman sculptures and the Napoleon III Apartment. Make sure to reserve about three hours for this trip.
  • Versailles- This beautiful French palace is a short train ride away from Paris. To really learn and absorb the wealth of history in the walls of Versailles, I recommend taking a tour, but from a purely aesthetic point, you can have a great time admiring the art and architecture of the palace. One thing is for sure, you have to explore the gardens and breathtaking fountains.
  • Champs Elysees- This is the largest avenue in Paris. There are great cafes to sit down for lunch but the obvious highlight of this attraction is the shopping. This street is known for its abundance of stores. Ranging from H&M to Louis Vuitton, the selection of shopping experiences on the Champs Elysees is sure to appeal to everyone.
  • Arc de Triomphe- I am including this monument directly after the Champs Elysees because it is located right at the end of the avenue. After relaxing after long day of shopping with a nice cafe au lait, you might want to consider climbing the stairs at the Arc de Triomphe for a beautiful Parisian view. If climbing stairs isn't your cup of tea, you can also admire the Arc from all along the Champs Elysees.
  • Notre-Dame Cathedral- Another great piece of French history, the Notre- Dame will blow your mind. Grand stained glass windows and classic French gothic architecture is sure to wow you.
  • Le Pont Alexandre III- This is the most beautiful bridge in Paris. It has an amazing view of Esplanade des Invalides, the garden that looks over the building Invalides (gold roof), where Napoleon is buried.
  • Montmartre- This is a large hill in Paris. The area on the hill is awesome for seeing street art and finding cute little restaurants. If you climb to the top you will find the Sacre Coeur Basilica and the best view of Paris imaginable.


Where To Eat?

  • Pierre Herme- Recently voted the best pastry chef in the world, his ispahan and macarons are out of this world.
  • Laduree- One of the best macaron experiences I have ever had. The restaurant on the Champs Elysees is a different world. The decor is royal and the service is superb.
  • Les Deux Magots- This cafe was about a ten minute walk from my hotel and had the best croque madame I have ever had. Great place for brunch on a sunday.
  • Le Petit Cler- We ate lunch here on Father's Day with my dad and the staff was super friendly and pleasant. The raspberry tarte I had blew my mind.
  • La Fontaine de Mars- Great traditional French Cuisine. This is also where Obama dined on his last visit to Paris.
  • Le Saint Regis- Just the thought of the beef tartare here makes my mouth water. Walking distance from the Notre-Dame makes it a great stop for lunch before or after you visit the cathedral.
  • Le Georges- An absolute must. If you were in Paris for just one night I would recommend eating here. It is located on the roof of the museum Centre Georges Pompidou. The view is beautiful and while we ate dinner we watched the sunset over Paris and the Eiffel Tower light up. It was a dream. The decor is trendy and modern and they have a great indoor dining space as well.

This is only a short list of my favorite places to eat in the city, but if you wander the streets of Paris and walk into any cute corner cafe, you will rarely be disappointed. Be adventurous and remember, google reviews is a great tool also.

Comments:

  • Beware of pickpockets. They love hanging around tourist spots and they will get you and you won't notice for hours. Keep your purse in front of you and never flash abundant amounts of cash in public.
  • I may have a different style of travel, but I found that the best way to experience Paris is slow and relaxed. If you are tired, sit down for a tarte at the nearest cafe. If you did a lot of walking that day, set a later dinner reservation and take a bubble bath. Paris isn't going anywhere, you can always come back if you miss something.
  • If possible, visit paris on the 21st of June. This is the national holiday for dancing in France. Everyone spends the day and night dancing in the streets. There are stages with bands and entertainers set up all around the city. This was one of the happiest and most energetic experiences I have ever had. I especially recommend exploring the Saint-Germain area on this evening.
Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Chalk drawing of scales weighing "good" and "bad" on a blackboard.
WP content

Being a good person does not depend on your religion or status in life, your race or skin color, political views or culture. It depends on how good you treat others.

We are all born to do something great. Whether that be to grow up and become a doctor and save the lives of thousands of people, run a marathon, win the Noble Peace Prize, or be the greatest mother or father for your own future children one day. Regardless, we are all born with a purpose. But in between birth and death lies a path that life paves for us; a path that we must fill with something that gives our lives meaning.

Keep Reading...Show less
Health and Wellness

10 Hygiene Tips For All College Athletes

College athletes, it's time we talk about sports hygiene.

6309
Woman doing pull-ups on bars with sun shining behind her.

I got a request to talk about college athletes hygiene so here it is.

College athletes, I get it, you are busy! From class, to morning workouts, to study table, to practice, and more. But that does not excuse the fact that your hygiene comes first! Here are some tips when it comes to taking care of your self.

Keep Reading...Show less
Jenna Pizzi and her mom smiling by a waterfront with a historic ship in the background.
Jenna Pizzi

There is always a time in the semester when you have about three papers, four tests, five assignments and two projects due within the same time period. Isn't that just the best?

It's almost as if the professors all plot against you just to make college even more stressful than it already is. No matter how many people try to make you feel better, no one ever compares to your mom. Moms always know exactly what to say.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

7 Jobs Your Roommate Has

She's got your back with everything that college throws at you.

3917
Cristina Yang and Meredith Grey in scrubs sit against a wall, smiling and enjoying a break.

If you are anything like my roommate and I, you have a friendship with your roomie. You’re lucky to have gotten a roommate that is easy to get along with and more importantly cool to live with. Whether you found her on Facebook or went random, a roommate is a big part of life in college. This list goes through some of the jobs that a roommate has that help you get through college.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

35 Things I Wish I Learned In My Freshman Year Of College

Just some relatable college student advice! Yes, you aren’t the only one!

3120
Towson University
YouTube

Freshman year can either be the greatest year, or the roughest year. It depends on your transition and how you adjust. For me, freshman year in college was one of the best years of my life. However, looking back, there are a few things that I wish I learned.

Now that I am a sophomore, I can finally do things a little differently. Here are a few things that I wish I learned my freshman year of college!

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments