First time in Paris - Things to see and do
Sunday, June 27, 2021
LOOK – I've complained about not liking Paris approximately 75,000 times now. My instastories were full of annoyance when in Paris. But something about looking through these photographs and reflecting on our itinerary has made me remember the good more than the bad. I partly blame this change of heart on Covid-19 and the lack of travel but I also think reminiscing on all the things we did there made me appreciate that it’s a city for everyone.
When we landed in Paris, I was gobsmacked by a few things: how insanely rude the taxi drivers were, the coldness of the people on the streets and the absolute sh*tshow that the city is to navigate logistically on first arrival.
But what Paris may lack in softness, it makes up for in the ample offerings it has. Cafes, restaurants, art, nightlife, beautiful architecture, and delicious dessert are all found in abundance in just about every corner.
Here is what we got up to during our 5 days stay:
Explore Montmartre: Montmartre is one of the most beautiful areas in Paris. On every corner is a photo op. I had always fantasised about this part of Paris because of my love of all thing’s artistic. So, when looking to book somewhere to stay, we chose an apartment in this part of town, with the hopes of walking the same streets as the great French artists one day. After a little more research but sadly too close to our trip, we discovered it might not have been the best idea which gave me cold feet. But having stayed there, I think the area was fine. Yes, you have to watch out for pickpockets, but I’d argue that applies for most of Paris, and a lot of Europe or any touristy site for that part.
We started the morning with some coffee from a local cafe and then proceeded to explore Sacre Coeur – a beautiful church in the area, which offers a superb view of the city. To get the perfect photo of the Sacre Coeur itself, walk to Square Marcel-Bleustein-Blanchet . You'll find the church beautifully surrounded by nature to get that perfect instagram picture.
Some of the other notable sites to check out are La Maison Rose, the cute pink cafe which now has a sign requesting tourists to not crowd the area trying to get that perfect, fanstastical shot and Le Consulat, another cafe famous for being frequented by the artist Vincent Van Gogh. Infact both these cafes boast of artists such as Picasso, Salvador Dali, etc having visited there. Ofcourse we stopped by to get a coffee at Le Consulat too. There were some print shops right in front of Le Consulat where we ended up buying some prints for our house as mementos but you can also walk to Place du Tertre where you'll find artists selling their work or even get one made for yourself on the spot.
Watch a show of the Moulin Rouge: You can’t come to Paris and not see the Moulin Rouge. That’s what the travel guides said and I’m glad I listened. The show was so much fun and seeing the area light-up and completely transform at night was magical. We felt like we were in another world as dapperly dressed staff escorted us to the show, with plenty of “Bonjour mademoiselle” thrown in. The show itself was worth every dollar, with incredible dancers, acrobatics, and magicians. Ofcourse you will be told there are much better shows in Paris and I do not doubt that, but if you do want that iconic experience, do not get discouraged by the popularity of it all because you will definitely enjoy every minute of it!
Spend hours at Louvre: As an art lover, I’ve always wanted to go to the Louvre and I’m very glad we spent hours at this gallery because there is plenty to see. We did the guided tour which took us through the different time phases of European art. My favourite artwork was a sculpture by Italian artist Antonio Canova, titled Psyche Revived by Cupid’s Kiss. One thing that did disappoint though, was the Mona Lisa. We stood in queue for EVER, got pushed around some very rude tourists, and all this only to get a fleeting look at the tiny painting, and I wish I spent those hours looking at the other works. Disappointing. 
Arc de Triompe and Champs-Elysees: Another beautiful icon of Paris, we saw the Arc De Triomphe close to sunset and it did not disappoint. You can also climb the building like I did for a panoramic view of the city. Stroll along Champs-Elysees, the most famous street of Paris, a total shopper's paradise.
Stroll the streets of Le Marais and Latin Quarter - Both these areas are perfect to explore on foot and filled with sites and chic eateries. Both areas are located on the Seine River. Le Maris is on the right bank, with some medieval sites to boast as well as cafes like L'eclair de genie where we got some delicious eclairs and Chez Hanna, another famous israeli restaurant where we got some falafels. Latin quarter is on the left bank, again full of sandstone buildings, cobbled lanes, Luxembourg Gardens. Cross from one neighbourhood to the other through the famous Pont Neuf bridge and make this the day of walking and eating.
Walk along the Rue Montogueil Food Market - A tiny pedestrian street that is a foodie haven. Having become tired of eating restaurant food, we got some fresh fruit from a grocer. We also got macaroons from Laduree. Quick tip, this Laduree hardly had any crowds. Most tourists beeline for the Champs-Elysees branch.
Visit the Catacombs: Never in my wildest dreams did I think that instead of the cafes and rivers and beautiful galleries, my favourite sight in Paris would be a giant underground space filled with human skulls – but it was so. We stood in line for one hour in the July heat to get inside the Catacombs of Paris, but it was definitely worth it. We did a guided tour which talked us through the history of the place making the experience more informative than spooky. I loved it!
Day Trips - Paris has a lot to offer including the day trips. We visited Versailles and Saint Mont Michel(a really long one but doable) which will be covered in their own posts.
All in all, Paris has a lot to offer and your enjoyment of it would likely depend on how much of Europe you have visited. Being our third visit to Europe, we were a lot more critical of places having already seen such beauty. But its hard to deny the cultural and historical importance of the city.
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