There’s nothing quite like inhaling the familiar smell of stale cigarettes when touching down in Paris, France. Something about the wine, the cheese, the art, the joie de vivre…those are all reason enough to take a trip, right?
If you’re normal, you’ve had at least one Parisian fantasy in your life. While most dreamers regard the city of love with romance and marvel, I’m quite content with the idea of stuffing my face with croissants and champagne. There will be no calorie-counting on this vacation.
I am blessed to have had the opportunity to visit La Ville Lumière several times in my life, but each stay takes my breath away. For the next 30 days, I get to call a little apartment on Rue de Rennes my home away from home. These next few weeks will be filled with adventure and admiration as I refine my French language skills among newfound friends.
If you’re an organized traveler (like me), you’ll set up lists and Pinterest boards of places to visit, foods to eat, and (of course) Instagram photos to take. But if you’re the particular type of traveler that I am, you’ll spend hours planning only to wander aimlessly around the city with no itinerary at all. Naturally, I pinned numerous articles written by seasoned Paris-tourists who recommend certain places to eat or see. But, while I find their advise helpful, I’d much rather create my own unique memories apart from every other vacationer.
Based on my previous experiences, I’ve created a list of must-do’s in Paris for first time visitors. This list, while intentionally short, is constructed of activities I believe are essential to say you truly saw Paris.
1 The Eiffel Tower. Obviously. See it, go up it, walk the little 360º view tower at the top of it. Imagine going to Washington D.C and not seeing the White House. What? Don’t pretend you’re too good for it, go see it.
2 The Louvre. It’s an undeniable staple of Paris, though the glass pyramids were a little controversial at first. Inside, one can observe priceless artifacts and paintings, such as the Mona Lisa. It’s a large museum, so make sure to plan for spending a good chunk of time here.
3 Notre-Dame. Especially now. Already, the number of visitors per-day was limited due to the fragility of the cathedral. But now, after the fire that consumed most of the beautiful church, people are not allowed inside or even near the buildings. Walk by the area to take in as much of the sight as you can, while you can.
4 Arc de Triomphe. A classic, beautiful Roman structure in the middle of an insanely busy area. From the top, one can view the entire city, including the Eiffel Tower and the Champs Elysées. The view is extraordinarily beautiful during the sunset.
5 Gardens of Luxembourg. Covering over 61 acres of land, the Luxembourg Gardens are a lovely area to have a quiet picnic and relax. Here, one can enjoy a banana-nutella crêpe and a glass of wine while reading a book, catching up with friends, or simply taking an afternoon stroll.
6 Montmartre. This is the artist district of Paris, where the culture is more colorful, ambiguous, alive. While you absolutely must keep an eye on your belongings, it’s a definite must-see whilst visiting Paris.
In my opinion, nothing will make you feel more Parisian than the simple ritual of sitting on a rooftop terrace with a glass of wine and a croissant. Over the next 30 days, my friends and I will explore the above mentioned must-see’s of France, and many more! I’m excited about the many opportunities for new memories with new friends. If any of you have any suggestions, let me know!
♡ Abigail Reagan Ebb
