“Everyone in Paris is so put-together it feels like anyone you pass by could be a celebrity. This city also has the best pastries I’ve ever had in my life.”
Excerpt From 3/14/19
Paris has always been on my bucket list of places to visit. As if I wasn’t already excited enough, I also unknowingly booked my trip during Paris Fashion Week.
The city is like a magazine brought to life. I wouldn’t consider myself a fashion guru by any means, but my friend traveling with me definitely was. It was so fun walking around and observing the impeccable street style. She’d point out different jackets and purses and tell me what designer it was and how much it was worth. I wish I had longer than a weekend there, but keep reading to see all the places I was able to fit in during my three-day trip!
Places
Eiffel Tower
It’s almost impossible to visit Paris without seeing the Eiffel Tower. My friend and I arrived right when it opened, but there was already a line. Luckily we only had to wait about twenty minutes, but I recommend buying tickets ahead of time if you can. It was drizzling lightly, but by the time we arrived to the top, the rain had thankfully stopped and the fog was slowly lifting.
From the top of the Eiffel Tower, you can literally see the ENTIRE city of Paris. I honestly had no idea Paris was so big until seeing it all from that high up.
We also returned later that night to see the Eiffel Tower all lit up. At 10:00 p.m. the lights on the tower start sparkling for five minutes. All I can say is it was the definition of magical.
Arc de Triomphe
The Arc de Triomphe towers above a bustling street. It is conveniently situated near lots of stores and restaurants, and there are surrounding sidewalks that are perfect for posing for some cool photos.
Notre Dame Cathedral
It’s hard to believe at the time I am publishing this that the Notre Dame no longer looks like it does in these photos. Less than a month after I visited, this gorgeous church caught fire. I’m so grateful I was able to experience it in its full glory, and I sincerely hope it is restored in the future so people can continue experiencing its breathtaking beauty.
Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Paris
This towering basilica sits upon a steep hill and has amazing views. It’s a bit of a trek to get up there, but I promise it’s worth it. It’s also a short walk from La Maison Rose, which is a cute pink cafe that’s all over Pinterest and Instagram.
Galeries Lafayette
The Galeries Lafayette is essentially the Harrods of Paris. It can be described as elegant, posh, and oh-so-luxurious. I didn’t do any actual shopping here, but I did enjoy walking around and exploring all the different levels.
I’m not sure if many people know this but there’s also a rooftop with a viewing deck on the top floor that’s completely free. There’s a stunning view of the Eiffel Tower in the distance. If you can, make the effort to go up during golden hour. I promise it’ll be worth it.
Museums
Louvre
I wish I could have spent a whole day inside this museum. It is huge and there’s so many different exhibits to explore. I was also able to get free admission because I was a student, so definitely keep that in the back of your mind if you plan to visit while studying abroad in Europe.
As many people know, the Louvre is home to the Mona Lisa by Leonardo da Vinci. Although the portrait may be small in size, it has a whole room to itself. I know a lot of people have trouble figuring out what makes this painting so famous, but I personally appreciate it. I love the personality that shines forth from the mischievous smile on her face, almost like a smirk.
Musée Rodin
Walking around this museum is a bit like exploring a giant mansion. It is filled almost entirely with the work of Auguste Rodin, a French sculptor. There’s also an outdoor element to the museum with a luscious courtyard displaying even more statues. Admission to this museum was also free for study abroad students.
Palais de Tokyo
The Palais de Tokyo is a modern and contemporary art museum. It has some amazing interactive exhibits, and my favorite part was getting to participate in a virtual reality experience. One of the other awesome things about this museum is it’s open until midnight!
Food
No trip is complete without trying new food! Here is a glimpse into some cuisine I was able to eat while in France.
Ratatouille
Creme Brûlée
Croque Monsieur
Crepes
Duck & Potatoes
Memories
- Meeting Tamara Kalinic…
While walking to the Eiffel Tower, my friend an I ran into Tamara Kalinic, a YouTuber and fashion icon. I didn’t know who she was at the time, but she was one of my friend’s favorite influencers. She was so sweet and chatted with us for a few minutes before continuing about her Paris Fashion Week activities.
- Trying new pastries…
I ate an embarrassing amount of pastries in the three days I was in Paris including a chocolate eclair, coffee eclair, millefeuille vanille, and an assortment of macarons. Needless to say, my sweet tooth was satisfied for quite some time.
CHECK OUT MY PODCAST EPISODE ABOUT THIS TRIP:
