The Parisian Diaries

Are you planning to visit the most romantic city in the world and looking for tips to make the best of your trip? I guess we are all crazy about Paris and rightly so- it always lives up to expectation of being this amazing CITY OF LOVE. Not only is it a heaven for romantics but also equally known for its cultural richness and of course top-quality gastronomy.

As Janice Macleod said, "Though you may leave Paris, Paris never really leaves you."

In this post, get to know about the perfect 3-day itinerary for your dream trip to Paris.

1.Scratch the map

Honestly, the capital of France needs no introduction!! Located in northern central France along the river Seine, Paris is one of the most visited cities in the world!! Surprisingly, it never fails to charm its visitors and people just keep coming back for more……

2.How to reach

Charles de Gaulle (CDG) is the main international airport of Paris with connections to almost every corner of the world. We travelled from Stuttgart to Paris via flight and the journey time was around 1.5 hours. There are also multiple train connections available from different cities in Europe to Paris.

3. Our Tour Highlights

3.a Eiffel Tower visit (day time)

A trip to Paris is surely incomplete without visiting the world-famous Eiffel Tower built by Gustave Eiffel. Initially being criticized for its design, it has now become the most iconic landmark of Paris and one of the main reasons for attracting so many visitors every year. There are three levels (1^st level, 2^nd level and Summit) which can be accessed in Eiffel Tower. From the 2^nd and the 3^rd levels, one can view the entire city from open-air observation decks. In my opinion, the view from 2^nd level is already mind-blowing and it requires much lesser waiting time for the elevator compared to reaching the summit. We had to wait for almost 2 hours in the queue to get into the lift for the summit from the 2^nd floor. However, I felt that the views from the top were more or less similar to the 2^nd level. If you want to save time, just go up to the 2^nd level and I can assure that you will get really good pictures of all the famous landmarks of the city from there.

3.b Eiffel Tower visit (evening)

If you have enough spare time, then I would also recommend going up at night to get a completely different view of the city compared to daytime. With lights glittering all around, it is indeed an amazing feeling to be at the top of the tower!

3.c Seine cruise

An evening cruise along Seine River is the best way to learn about the famous landmarks of Paris and get to know the history of this city. There are many companies offering such tours in Paris. Do check the cruise timetables to match your timings although they are available at frequent intervals. Generally, the boats have an open deck at the top for unrestricted views – hence they are more crowded. The lower deck is more peaceful and has a lot of seats. If you are travelling with senior citizens, that’s definitely a better option. The lower deck also has some accessible balconies from where you can take some nice pictures. If you are up for it, you can also book a dinner cruise to enjoy a special experience on the River Seine.

3.d Palace of Versailles

This is one of the most visited palaces in Europe and rightly so given its beautiful extravagant design, sheer massive size and obviously the renowned Hall of Mirrors. Located in the city of Versailles, this former French royal residence was built by King Louis XIV. The magnificent garden at Versailles is spread over an area of around 30,000 acres of land which took almost 40 years to be completed!! Reserve atleast 3-4 hours to tour this beautiful work of art and get ready to be lost in the most stunning room of this palace- among the 357 mirrors in the Hall of Mirrors!!

3.e Louvre museum

On one hand while you can’t afford to miss the iconic Eiffel Tower, similarly you can’t skip visiting the world’s largest art museum Louvre hosting the world-famous portrait of Mona Lisa! Although it’s humanly impossible to cover the entire museum in one visit, don’t forget to see the most famous masterpieces of Mona Lisa, The Wedding at Cana, The Coronation of Napolean, The Venice de Milo, The Dying Slave (well this list can also go on!!!)......and then go back again and again to admire the innumerable beautiful artworks of Louvre whenever you visit Paris.

4. Useful Tips

• Number of days: You will need atleast 3-4 days in Paris to cover the main attractions in the city

• Exercise caution: Be careful with your belongings (especially phones, money, passport) when you are travelling in Paris

• Tickets: Remember to buy entry tickets to the Tower or museums in advance to save time from queuing at the ticket counters because these attractions are perenially crowded.

5. Personal Recommendations

• Ladurée: If you want to satisfy your craving for pastries, don’t forget to try the amazing macarons of this bakery. For an authentic French experience, you can visit the Ladurée tea-rooms in Paris and enjoy a lovely breakfast.

• French Brasserie: These are typical French restaurants with outdoor seating arrangements serving local cuisine and drinks. Experience the French way of life while sipping a glass of red wine with the famous Boeuf Bourguignon (Beef Burgundy) for dinner.

6. Goodbye Notes

Paris is a city full of surprises- so whatever you plan to fit in your itinerary of Paris, always spare some time to simply walk along the streets of city, enjoy the vibes and you will not be disappointed. A trip to Paris is all about gathering new experiences and making fond memories of a lifetime!!