Ah Paris, the city of love!
By the time you’re reading this post I will be in Paris for my second trip this year. I visited for the first time back in February, however, I felt that I didn’t get anywhere near as many of the city done as I wanted to, so here we are – going back for round two!
We covered a lot of ground when we were there and I’ve already got my list ready for my current trip, so I thought I’d share with a list of my top 10 things to do in Paris based on my experiences and future plans.
So, here goes…
Visit the Eiffel Tower
I think if you’re going to Paris this is the one thing you HAVE to do. It’s like going to London and not seeing Big Ben, right?
A visit to the Eifel Tower is well worth it, there is nothing greater than feeling of first seeing it in all its glory. For a ‘surprise reveal,’ I’d recommend getting off at Trocadero station as you have to turn a corner before you actually see the tower.
Spend time to taking lots of selfies, walking down to the tower and potentially taking a trip up to the top, if you’re brave enough.
Climb the Arc De Triomphe
If you want to get an incredible view of the city, the Arc De Triomphe is one of the best places for it. Although going to the top of the Eifel Tower is the dream, one of the main things you want to see in the skyline is the tower itself and the Arc De Triomphe has the best views.
It’s a long, winding climb to the top but it’s so worth it for the views and photo opportunities. On one side you can see the Champs Elysees and on the other, you can see the business district (La Défense) and the new, Grande Arche.
Try The Worlds Best Hot Chocolate at Angelina
If you’re a real foodie like me, visiting Angelina for a hot chocolate is a MUST. You may have to wait to get in as it’s super popular, but by the time you get in and get a table the smell of chocolate will have you dying to try.
The hot chocolate in Paris is a lot thicker to what we’re used to in England and oh my god, it’s incredible. If you have a sweet tooth I would recommend getting the White Chocolate Hot Chocolate – it’s delicious!
Shop until your heart’s content on Champs Elysees
I love shopping and when I first heard about Champs Elysees it went straight to the top of my list of places to visit in Paris. Located at the bottom of the Arc De Triomphe, this long strip of shops is any shopaholics dream (especially as they have one of the biggest Sephora stores in Europe).
There are lots of restaurants in this area if you want to take a break to sit and watch the world go by.
Relive your childhood at Disneyland Paris
I could talk non-stop about Disneyland, but to cut a long story short – if you’re visiting Paris for a few days then it’s worth seeing if you can squeeze in a visit.
We went for a day on our last visit and we managed to get quite a bit done, but this time we’re going back for four days and staying in the park.
I’ve seen lots of people get as much as you possibly can into one day and considering it’s an hour away from the city and a park ticket is around the same price as a ticket to Thorpe Park, I can’t think of a reason for you not to go!
Climb the Steps at Sacre Coeur
This is one I haven’t done yet but it’s top of the list for my upcoming trips. I’ve seen so many people talk about the Sacre Coeur and the beautiful Montmartre, so I can’t wait to climb those steps and see a different side to Paris than what I’m used to.
Eat delicious Macarons at Laudaree
If you went to Paris and didn’t eat a Macaron, did you even go to Paris at all?
Laudaree is a favourite for Macarons in Paris and although they’re a little pricey, I’d recommend going for the novelty. There are plenty of them dotted around where you can either sit in to eat or take a box away with you. I did the latter and waited until I got back to my hotel to enjoy them!
See the Famous Mona Lisa at the Louvre
You can’t go to Paris without paying a little visit to Mona Lisa, can you? Located at the heart of the Louvre Museum and Art Gallery, the Mona Lisa is a VERY popular tourist attraction.
I’d recommend going early as the queues are horrendous during peak hours.
Take a Boat Ride Along the Seine
Again, this is something else I haven’t done yet. When we visited last time the weather was too bad to take a trip along the river, but I have heard it’s one of the best ways to see all of Paris stunning buildings that line the SIene.
Just think of the Instagram potential…
Place a Love Lock at Pont Neuf
You may have heard that the love locks at Pont Des Arts were moved due to the weight of them causing damage to the bridge but don’t fear, they’ve been moved just down the road!
The next bridge along, Pont Neuf, is now where all of the love locks are stored and if you’re the kind that likes to leave their mark in lock form the definitely pop along! You can buy love locks by the bridge, but it’s probably a lot cheaper to buy them beforehand and take it with you.
So, there you have it. My top 10 things to do in Paris. I probably could have carried on until I hit 50, but I thought I’d reign myself in. For more information on things to do while visiting the city of love, visit the Paris Pass website.
What is your favourite thing to do in Paris?
Kirsty Leanne
xoxo