Top 5 Things to Do in Paris
1) Evening Boat Tour
I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again, take an evening boat tour down the Seine. This way you have a different perspective on the monuments within the city, you get to learn a little bit about everything, and you get to watch the Eiffel Tour glitter against the night sky. We did this through Bateaux Parisiens in 2007, and met at the base of the Eiffel Tour. I cannot recommend an evening boat tour on the Seine, enough. Remember to bring a jacket and your camera, but don’t forget to take in the experience without your camera as well.
2) Climb the Eiffel Tour
My favorite thing in any city is to find a church or building from which you can find a bird’s eye perspective of the city. The Eiffel Tour is your building to do this in. It’s the most iconic monument in France so take advantage and climb to the top (well, I think you have to take an elevator at some point). The views you’ll get are astounding and it’s always fun to look around and see what you can identify. You can see the Champs-Élysées, the Arc de Triomphe, the Notre Dame and more!
3) Visit Giverny
Do everything you can to see Claude Monet’s Gardens at the Fondation Claude Monet in Giverny. It is the most beautiful place I have ever been. We went in June, and everything was so green and lush. The flowers were blooming and all the different types of water lilies floating in the pond were so dreamy. I loved walking across the bridges, taking a picture of the same thing, but from multiple angles.
4) Visit Versailles
This château is one of the most magnificent that I have ever been to. Everything about it screams decadence and royalty. The details in the ceilings, paintings, furniture, and of course Hall of Mirrors is beyond beautiful. It’s easy to see why the starving French hated Marie Antoinette. And even more beautiful than the castle, are the gardens, statues, and fountains found beyond the walls.
5) Explore the Louvre
If at all possible, do not visit the Louvre on your first day in Paris, as you will be exhausted. This is a museum that truly requires attention and energy to wander among all the culture and art. The Mona Lisa is on display here as are precious objects from the Middle Ages, the Renaissance, Asia, Greece, and Rome. The outside of the museum displays I.M. Pei’s glass pyramid which provides a sharp contrast with the architecture of the 13th century Louvre building.
Looking for a sample itinerary in visiting France? Check out my 11 Day Sample France Itinerary here!
What is your favorite thing to do in Paris?
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