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Ah, Paris, the City of Lights, how we adore you.
I have previously mentioned in other posts that some places in the world require more than one visit. A prime example of this is France; it is a destination I return to again and again, and each time, I make it a point to linger for a couple days before exploring a different region of the country. If you have a week to spend just in Paris, here are just some of our top recommendations depending on your interests.
Say Yes to an Eiffel Tower Tour
Yes, this is touristy, but you are a tourist. I have done this many times, and each tour has been insightful and interesting depending on the guide’s focus. The last time I booked an excursion, it was a WWII-based tour that was spectacular. As a history buff, I learned so much I never knew about Nazi-occupied France. Take a look at all of the Eiffel Tower tours on Viator. Make sure to skip the line and purchase your ticket in advance; you also want to see every level of the structure. Photo tip: to get the best picture of the Eiffel Tower, go to Place du Trocadero or do a Seine River Boat Cruise.
Cruise the River Seine
For only 12 euro, you get a one-hour tour and the best pictures you could want. I did a day and a night tour, and both were spectacular. My favorite company is Vedettes du Pont Neuf.
Take a Medieval history tour of Notre Dame Island with a guide
I am a history buff, so this killed two birds with one stone. I was able to see the incredible structure but also learn its history and how it was constructed. Viator has this amazing tour.
Go to the Louvre, if only for an hour
Even if you are not a fan of art, the Louvre is worth your time to see some of the greatest masterpieces on the planet. The museum is one of the finest in the world, and you could spend all day there depending on your interest level.
Do a Food Tour or Cooking Class
Paris does food very well, and some would say the absolute BEST in the world. Here is the place to take a cooking class or a food walking tour. I have done both and LOVED each.
Visit Montmartre and the Sacré–Cœur Basilica
Take the Metro line 2 to Anvers and make your way here for the best view of the entire city.
Shop at Le Bon Marché and Galeries Lafayette
These two shopping meccas are worth exploring. I especially like Le Bon Marché for its foodie finds; we always buy salt and Christine Ferber jam, the best jam you will ever eat. I have also shopped there for picnic items and have made my own lunch on a bench by the Seine.
Have Afternoon Tea at a Fancy Hotel
One thing we love is afternoon tea. It serves as a late lunch, and some of the hotels in Paris have the best tea service. We enjoyed Hôtel de Crillon so much for its elegance and superb sandwiches and pastries.
Go to Normandy
Normandy is a poignant experience. You can watch movies or documentaries and read about the largest amphibious invasion in the history of warfare, but it is not the same as seeing it with your own eyes and walking the beaches to get the scope of what the Allies were up against. It is simply incredulous and one of the most important places I have ever visited. Pay your respects to those who served and had fallen at the cemetery overlooking Omaha Beach. Visit Viator to look for a tour that fits your needs. We went on an all-day small group tour and also toured the amazing museum in Caen.
Other day trips from Paris
Day trips from Paris are easy and allow you to cover more ground, sight-wise, but you have the comfort of staying in one location as your home base. I feel like we have done them all. You cannot go wrong with any of these choices if you have the time: Bruges, Brussels, Versailles, Mont Saint Michele, and the Loire Valley. One of my favorites was Brussels for a day and of course the Champagne tour in Reims.
The Avenue des Champs-Élysées and Arc de Triomphe
Paris is the quintessential walkable city. We always walk and admire, but sometimes we use the handy Metro system which is so easy and practical. Make sure to navigate to the most famous shopping street in the world for a lovely stroll.
This is just a small sampling of what awaits you in Paris. There are so many other options, too. Use this list as a starting point, but most of all, enjoy the City of Lights!