Three Days in …. Paris

Ah Paris, the capital of haute couture, sophistication, and the downright chic. If you find yourself with a few days to spare in the French capital, then you’ll probably be wondering where to start with getting around, deciding what to see, and figuring out what’s best avoided. Cities can be confusing when you first arrive, but thankfully Paris is relatively easy to navigate, and it is entirely possible to get around on foot or by bicycle; having said that, the Metro will save your feet!

Here are a few activities you might like to consider during a three day visit to Paris, to try and get the best from this glamorous city.

Day 1

This may sound like a rather typically cheesy suggestion, but bear with me, because the reasoning behind it will save your feet for the remainder of your time in Paris. The hop on/hop off L’Open Bus Tour is the best way to see all the major sights, without giving yourself blisters or having to figure out the Metro, eating into your precious time. Think about it, this frees you up to see other things during the remainder of your visit. The good thing about this particular bus is that there are a few routes to choose from, and you an easily switch routes if you find yourself on the wrong one. The green line is the most popular, and it’s possible to simply hop on and off once you have paid for your ticket.

Once you’ve got your bearings and you have seen an overview of the city, why not go around again and explore the bits you fancy a bit more? Champs Elysees, the Arc de Triomphe, The Eiffel Tower – you’ll see them all.

I would highly suggest you stop off at two points, if you don’t stop at any others – the Arc de Triomphe, and of course the Eiffel Tower.

The Arc de Triomphe is as old as the hills, built back in 1806 by order of Napoleon 1. The views from the top are stunning. Of course we then have the Eiffel Tower, and as touristy as it is, you can’t visit Paris and not give it a go. It’s advisable to book your tickets online if possible, because this saves queueing. The first two levels are accessed by stairs or lift, however the third and highest level is lift only, so again be prepared for a queue.

Day 2

More sightseeing greets you on your second day in Paris, and the first stop should be a visit to The Louvre. You don’t have to be a major gallery lover to enjoy this, as the outside of it is stunning enough, built in an old Parisian Palace. The Louvre holds almost 400,000 items so it’s certainly going to take you at least a few hours to explore it all. (If you’ve been to the Louvre before or you have extra time then I highly recommend visiting the Musee D’Orsay which I adore. It is my favourite museum in Paris and has fantastic paintings and sculptures. It’s also not as big as the Louvre so it’s more manageable to see it all in less time).

To break up your sightseeing for the day, which you should certainly be getting up early for, then head a few blocks away and do some designer window shopping at Louvre-Tuileries and Faubourg Saint-Honore. This is seriously chic fashion, with Versace, Yves Saint Laurent etc all on offer.

Window shopping done, it’s time to head to the Sacre-Coeur, which is best accessed by the Metro. There are countless steps leading up to this famous monument, right at the top of the hill of Montmartre, so save your feet! Do be aware of pickpockets around this area however.

Your final sightseeing for the day should be the Notre Dame Cathedral. This is world famous Gothic architecture, and should not be missed.

Your feet will no doubt be throbbing, but your evening’s entertainment will put a smile on your face. Head to the iconic Moulin Rouge for a dinner show to finish off your evening. Built in a 19th century windmill, the Moulin Rouge has been entertaining guests since 1900, so book your ticket in advance and enjoy!

Day 3
Okay, so you’ve seen all the most of the major sights in Paris so it’s time to have some serious child-like fun. Disneyland Paris is only a short distance away from the city, and is easily accessed by train. Jump on the RER line to the attraction and enjoy a full day exploring the two parks, with rides, parades, shows, and character fun. Have your evening meal in Disney Village at one of the big name restaurants, before jumping on the train back to Paris to pack up ready for your departure.

Exhausting? Yes, but well worth it!

Photo Credit: JAc82 under Creative Commons.