Paris is one of the most beautiful and romantic cities in the world. I've been to Paris twice; the first time was with my friends and the second time was with my love. I have to say, going to Paris with your significant other is an entirely different experience than going with friends. The city is made for lovers..from the food to the architecture to the atmosphere. My husband and I spent three days in Paris and was able to maximize on what the city had to offer.
Tips & Recommendations:
- Public transportation is the easiest way to get around Paris. The metro is extremely easy to use.
- If you are interested in going to the love bridge, FYI - there are two (one original, one copycat)! Make sure you are going to the real one (the one with more locks). We took a pedicab there so the driver took us to the right bridge.
- When speaking with Parisians, attempt to speak a little French first instead of assuming that the person speaks English. Respect the culture by respecting the language.
- Eiffel Tower is the most popular attraction in Paris, book your ticket (months) in advance to skip the LONG LONG line. For our first day, we booked a Paris bus tour that included tickets to the Eiffel Tower. The tour only took a around an hour but it was a great way to get a quick overview of the city and its attractions.
Day 1
STOP ONE - Kayser Bakery
We arrived in Paris before hotel check-in time, so we went to Kayser Bakery located on 8 Rue Monge. The small bakery was full of amazing desserts and pastries. It was a great way to start our Paris adventure. After the bakery, we grabbed lunch at a small restaurant close by with outdoor seating. There is nothing better than enjoying coffee and a baguette on the streets of Paris. After lunch, we went back to the hotel to check in and took a very quick nap to rejuvenate for a big day.
STOP TWO - Paris Bus Tour
We wanted to get a quick overview of the city's attractions so we took a bus tour around Paris. The tour also included elevator tickets to go up the Eiffel Tower which was great because walking up those endless flights of stairs is no easy feat.
STOP THREE - Eiffel Tower
The last stop of the tour was the Eiffel Tower. Because we were already ticket holders, we were able to bypass the line and take the elevator straight to the top. The view was magnificent.
STOP FOUR - Love Bridge
After being blown away by the beautiful views from the Eiffel Tower, we took a pedicab to the Love Bridge. The Love Bridge is on la seine where lovers would go and put a lock on the bridge while throwing away the key into the water. The ritual symbolizes unbreakable love.
STOP FIVE - Louvre
Since the Love Bridge was close to the Louvre, we walked to the Louvre. By this time, the sun was setting and the scenery at the Louvre was breathtaking...with the sunset light hitting the glass pyramid.
STOP SIX - Chez Papa
We went to dinner at Chez Papa after an eventful day. This small and intimate restaurant is a phenomenal place to go if you love duck. They have every kind of foie gras you can possibly think of and more. The interior makes you feel like you are eating in a wood cabin/inn somewhere on the outskirts of France.
Day 2
STOP ONE - Cafe de Flore
Cafe de Flore is one of the most iconic cafes in Paris and is definitely a must go if you want to enjoy your coffee on the beautiful Boulevard Saint Germain. This art deco cafe was a go-to place for many famous writers and thinkers.
STOP TWO - La Seine
After brunch, we decided to take a romantic stroll along the seine. Along the way, we saw so many things that make Paris the city it is such as street musicians, small cheese shops, rustic wine stores and tons of street vendors.
STOP THREE - Notre Dame
From La Seine, we walked to Notre Dame. The gothic cathedral was a sight for sore eyes and full of people. It is definitely a must see when in Paris.
STOP FOUR - Arc de Triomphe
Arc de Triomphe is one of the most famous structures in Paris and honors those who fought and died for France in the French Revolutionary and the Napoleonic wars. We wanted to start our tour of Champs Elysees from the iconic structure.
STOP FIVE - Champs Elysees
Champs Elysees is an amazing street to walk in Paris. It's famous for its theaters, cafes and luxury shops. It was a great way to take a break from all our cultural activities and do some shopping!
STOP SIX - Le Chateaubriand
We heard amazing reviews about Le Chateaubriand so we made a dinner reservation before we went to Paris. The restaurant requires that you make a reservation a month in advance and they only take reservations via the phone during a certain time on a certain day of the week so be sure to call in advance to get the information! We did the tasting menu and it was absolutely delicious. Below are a few of the dishes.
Day 3
STOP ONE - Le Jardin des Tuileries
Le Jardin des Tuileries is a beautiful garden near the Louvre and the big ferris wheel. We thought it would be a great place to have a quick breakfast picnic since it's full of flowers, trees, grass and benches. We picked up a couple of baguette sandwiches and latte, and had a romantic picnic breakfast in the park before we headed to Versailles.
STOP TWO - Versailles
Versailles is about an hour away by train and is definitely worth the trip. There's a train that goes directly to Versailles from Paris, so be sure the ask your hotel concierge for the information. The train to Versailles is an experience in itself. The interior of the train decor has a Marie Antoinette inspiration. We started the day early so we could go to Versailles, come back and still have time to explore the remainder of Paris.
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| Be sure to take a selfie in the hall of mirrors! |
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| The garden is big so rent a golf cart! |
STOP THREE - Sacred Heart Basilica of Montmartre
After our half day trip to Versailles, we came back to Paris and visited the Sacred Heart Basilica of Montmarte. The church is located at the summit of the butte Montmartre, the highest point in the city. The views were spectacular. We took the trolley up the to the church and walked down.
STOP FOUR - Moulin Rouge
The last attraction on our trip was the Moulin Rouge. I've been fascinated with this place ever since the musical came out. It was a easy and scenic walk from the basilica to Mouline Rouge. We passed by many cute little restaurants and shops along the way.
NOTES:
Great Places to eat that were not mentioned:
- Les Cocottes (dinner) - 135 Rue Saint Dominique
- Restaurant Le Voltaire (lunch/dinner) - 27 Quai Voltaire
- Angelina (breakfast) - 266 Rue de Rivoli
- Pierre Herme (dessert) - 39 Avenue de l'Opera
- La Ferme Saint Aubin (cheese) 76 Rue Saint-Louis En I'ile
Nightlife not mentioned:
- La Cavaeau de la Huchette (jazz club) - 5 Rue de la Huchnette
- Social Club Paris (bar/club) - 142 Rue Montmarte
Attractions not mentioned:
- Musee du Louvre (to see the Mona Lisa) - 2 Place du Carrousel
- Village St. Paul (walk around) - 26 Rue Saint Paul
- Place des Vosges (walk around)
- Musee d'Orsay (art) - 62 Rue de Lille
