Before coming here, I never understood the hype. Yeah, the Eiffel Tower is iconic, and the Louvre is amazing, but is that all, the City of Love has to offer? When the airplane tickets were cheaper than usual, I decided to find out. Quickly upon landing I discovered why French cuisine is considered one of the greatest, found beautiful architecture everywhere, and witnessed amazing works of art in all of its forms. If you have a long weekend in Paris, here is what I recommend and to be honest I did not even scratch the surface.
Day One:
1. Boulangerie/ Cafe
As soon as you get off the plane, find a cafe or boulangerie to indulge in. A boulangerie is a bakery that serves a variety of fresh breads while a cafe is perfect for a coffee, a book, and people watching.
2. Visit Sainte Chapelle
I am literally a stained-glass fiend, and this served my fix. The chapel is a sight to behold and will overwhelm at first glance. There are 1,113 biblical scenes depicted on 15 stained glass windows. The windows date back from the 13th century and around 70% are still the originals. Some scenes depicted are the Bible books of Genesis, Exodus, Judges, John the Baptist, Esther, and Kings.
3. Notre Dame
Since the catastrophic fire from 2019, the inside remains closed to the public, but you can still take in the marvelous Gothic cathedral from the outside. They are trying to renovate it before the 2024 Olympics in Paris.
4. Shakespeare and Co.
Touristy, yes, but I thought it was worth it. Tucked into the Latin Quarter lies this English bookstore that used to be the hang out for the likes of Hemingway and James Joyce. It was originally opened up by George Whitman in 1951, and the small space inside holds a variety of books waiting to be purchased. Don’t miss out on the upstairs section where you can take a book from the long, wooden shelves and cozy up on a chair to read for hours. Perfect for a rainy day.
5. Baking with Mamie or Croissant Making Class
Enjoy an authentic experience with a French grandmother in her home. She will teach you how to bake classic French desserts such as a sweet, buttery apple tarte tatin and dainty, fluffy madeleines. Her bright, funny personality is what really makes the experience special though. Mamie is sure to make you laugh.
When you think of France, the first thing that may pop in your head is fresh, buttery croissants. After all, that is one of the country’s most recognizable foods and the best way to appreciate their taste, is to bake them yourself. The process takes time with lots of butter and folding. The end result is worth every minute and the instructor provides the recipes and recommendations for the best restaurants and patisseries in town.
Learn to bake the French Croissant w/ a chef – Airbnb
6. See the Eiffel Tower Sparkle
Walk along the Seine to view local art and then at night, watch as the Eiffel tower shines. At the start of each hour for around 5 minutes, the tower will sparkle, and it will dawn on you why the city is known for love.
Day Two:
The Louvre
This iconic site used to be a palace but now it’s turned into a hub brimming with art and culture from hundreds of years ago. Not only does it have 35,000 pieces of art to admire, but it houses over 380,000 objects which include ancient artifacts from many areas of the world such as Greece, Egypt, and Turkey. I spent around four hours here and did not even cover half of what there was to explore. The major attractions are the Mona Lisa, Venus de Milo, Winged Victory of Samothrace, and the Coronation of Napoleon. One of my personal favorites was Psyche Revived by Cupid’s Kiss.
Arc de Triomphe & Champs Elysees
Many choose to go to the top of the Arc de Triomphe to get the perfect Parisian view, and views there are. The monument was originally created to celebrate military accomplishments in France. After checking it out, stroll the Champs Elysees known for its high-end shopping and pretty streets.
Day Three:
Day trip to Versailles
I decided to take a tour once there so I could absorb as much information as possible. If you want to see the gardens in their most optimal condition, I recommend going in the warmer months. I went in November, so therefore it was very rainy and chilly. The palace was achingly beautiful though full of colorful portraits of the royals, the famed mirror hall where grand dances took place, and ceilings covered in vibrant, detailed art.
Afterwards, you can take a break at Angelina’s and try their famous hot chocolate.
Day Four:
Palais Garnier
Start your morning off, exploring the eloquent Palais Garnier. They also sell tickets here for the opera if you want to see a showing.
Catacombs
Step down into the dark underground to discover the largest ossuary in the world. Look upon the skeletal remains of millions of Parisians from times past, men, women, children, rich, and poor, but it’s hard to identify who is who. It’s a grim reminder of our own mortality, but it is worth the exploration.
Check out Crazy Horse
A crazy, sensual cabaret show that is not for you if you are uncomfortable with nudity. It is artfully done with a tasteful soundtrack and well-placed lighting effects. I recommend getting a bottle of champagne with your ticket. The show lasts for 90 minutes, and the atmosphere feels more intimate than larger shows such as the Moulin Rouge.
If you have more time:
Museums
- Musee d’Orsay
- Musee de l’Orangerie
- Musee Rodin
- YSL Museum
- Musee Picasso
More sites:
- Sacre Coeur/ Montmartre neighborhood
- Tuileries Garden
- Pere Lachaise Cemetery
- Petit Palais
- Place des Vosges
I can confidently say that the city has drawn me in, and I will be a repeat visitor! I hope you enjoy your long weekend in Paris.