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There are so many places that you need to see in Paris. It’s difficult to have a set list of all the things you can’t miss. That being said, here is a list of some of my favorite things to do in Paris.

Eiffel Tower Lights

The lights of the Eiffel Tower cannot be missed. I love watching the Tower light up each night. I will never get tired of hearing everyone gasp at its beauty when the lights turn on. It is one of the most beautiful things I’ve ever seen. I especially love sitting near the Seine underneath a bridge near-by and watching it sparkle.

Musée d’Orsay

While everyone tries to go to the Louvre, I personally love the Musée d’Orsay. The collection of paintings is not quite as expansive as the Louvre’s, but there are hundreds of impressionist paintings which I usually enjoy the most. Check out the museum to see some of Monet, Degas, and Van Gogh’s most famous pieces.

Montmartre

This area is especially beautiful. Sacre Coeur is placed at the top of a very large hill in Montmartre and has one of the best views of Paris. The inside of the church is especially pretty and you will be astonished by its size. You can pay 7 euros to climb to the top of the dome where you will get the most beautiful panoramic view of the city. After, you must explore the area for great food. I had escargot for the first time in Montmartre, and it was absolutely delicious!

Tuileries Gardens

Whether you go in the Louvre or just look at it from the outside, it is an amazing building to behold. The sheer size of the museum is enough to overwhelm you, but you’ll never truly understand just how many works of art are located in the Louvre until you try to see the entire collection in one day. Spoiler alert: it can’t be done. You will definitely need more than one day if you are attempting to see the museum in its entirety. After seeing the Louvre, you have to walk through the Tuileries Gardens. The fountains, flowers, and statues scattered through the park are so beautiful. It is a great place to sit down with a good book and relax for a little while.

Versailles and Giverny

If you can fit a few day trips into your busy schedule, I would definitely suggest going to see Versailles and the gardens of Monet in Giverny. These destinations are on different scales, but both incredible. Versailles is a lavish palace that would make anyone wish they were a King. Giverny, on the other hand, is a modest village where Monet spent year of his life painting his beautiful garden. Both places were some of my favorite places that I have been to during my time in Paris.

Parc des Buttes-Chaumont

If you’re looking for a relaxing walk through a gorgeous park, make your way to the 19^th arrondissement. This park is one of the largest in Paris and is a great place to go for a Saturday morning picnic. Sit by the little lake and watch as the ducklings swim to the waterfall for the first time. The park is so big you could spend half the day just walking through it.

Arc de Triomphe and Champs-Élysées 

Climbing to the top of the Arc de Triomphe is also a great way to see a beautiful view of the city. There are also reading materials to understand the history of the Arc, which is interesting to read when you go to visit. After going to the top, spend some time walking down the Champs-Élysées  to window shop (or shop shop). Take a break and stop at Ladurée to eat a few of their famous macarons!

The Markets

You can’t miss the markets if you are coming to Paris. The fresh produce is absolutely delicious and the flea markets are filled with interesting antiques and cool trinkets. Head to the north of Paris to Les Puces de Saint Ouen to explore the largest flea market in Paris. You are bound to find something special to bring home from your vacation.

Although Paris cannot be fully seen in one weekend, it is better to get to experience some of Paris rather than not seeing any Paris. There are a few places that you must go if you will only be in Paris for a short time. Here is an idea of what you could do to accomplish as much as possible in two days in Paris.

First Day

Morning – Rise and shine. Try to get up as early as possible to get a full day in Paris. The sunrise is absolutely beautiful in the city as it reflects off of the Seine and the light hugs the soft corners of the beautiful buildings and the monuments. Waking up early will be worth it, to see the city in all its glory before the majority of the people in the city are awake. Next, you will have to find a nearby market. Fresh fruits and vegetables are everywhere throughout the city, and purchasing produce from these local stands is the best possible decision. Many markets will also have vendors that are selling fresh bakery goods which would be a great start to your day.

Afternoon – After roaming the markets, you’ll want to head to a museum for when it opens. I recommend heading to Musée D’Orsay to view Monet’s collection and artwork from Degas and Van Gogh. Musée D’Orsay is not as large as the Louvre, and it is easier to appreciate the museum’s collections in an hour or two rather than a whole day. Following your museum visit, you can catch a quick lunch in the Latin Quarter, which is a famous neighborhood in Paris with many cafes. After lunch, check out the famous Shakespeare and Company bookstore before heading to Sainte Chapelle and Notre Dame to view beautiful stain glassed windows and gothic architecture.

Night – At night, a Seine River Cruise is a must. Travel up and down the river as the sunsets is such a beautiful and peaceful experience. Most cruises also have food and drinks. It is also possible to plan a dinner cruise in the Seine for the full experience. After the boat ride, head to the Eiffel Tower to watch the monument light up every hour on the hour . It is so beautiful. I love hearing the collective gasp that happens when it first lights up.

Second Day

Morning – On the second day, you can sleep in a little bit since the day before was so busy. When you wake up though, grab a few bakery goods and fruits and head to a nearby park. Whether you go to Tuileries Gardens near the Louvre or Parc des Buttes-Chaumont in the 19^th arrondissement, you will be pleased with the beautiful greenery and flowers.

Afternoon – After breakfast, schedule a bike tour to explore the city even further. A tour guide will be able to tell you all kinds of insightful facts about the city that will stay with you for a lifetime. I remember my first bike tour in Paris when I was 12, and it is still one of my favorite memories of Paris.

Night – After the bike tour, find a nice sit-down restaurant to eat some delicious French food. A yummy crepe or macron for dessert could be the perfect way to end your trip to Paris. However, if you feel awake enough, you can never see the Eiffel Tower light up too many times. Go to the Champs de Mars once last time to see the beauty of the city come alive one last time.

For help booking this wonderful weekend, contact the expert travel agents at ParisByM who will help you with all your vacation needs.

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While museums are amazing, they can sometimes be a little bit stuffy. You can’t spend your ENTIRE vacation indoors. Everyone needs some Vitamin C. Luckily, Paris is one of the most beautiful cities especially during the summer. Here are some ideas of outdoor activities in Paris for when you need to escape.

Explore Paris

The great thing about Paris is the outdoors are just as packed with art and history as the museums. The statues and monuments that are scattered through the city are innumerable and the natural beauty of the city in the summer time is unbeatable. Paris is by far the best city for romantic strolls. Take a walk along the Seine and stop to get a drink by the river or explore the exquisite grounds of the parks. During my time in Paris, I have personally found that walking is the best way to see and understand the layout of city. With the confusing and winding streets, it is very easy to get lost, but as you walk the entirety of the city, you will be able to get a better idea of where everything is. Paris is such a large city that you will never be at a loss for a place to take a nice walk and discover areas that you have never come across before. Did you know the perimeter of Paris is 35 miles? Try walking all of that and get back to us on how long it took you! We’d love to know.

Take a Dip

In the hot summer sun, you may feel overheated as your walking through the city streets. Thankfully, there are plenty of pools scattered throughout the city. Outdoor swimming pools may be able to help you cool down and enjoy the warm weather while indoor pools are able to give you a break from the intense rays from the sun. These pools are a great way to let your family cool off while also admiring the city. You can also bring your younger kids to splash playgrounds around the city. The other day, I even saw a bunch of bouncy house water slides in the 19^th arrondissement where toddlers escaped the current heat wave. And just across the park, teens and young adults were jumping into the Canal de l’Ourcq. Some were even jumping from the bridge that hovered over the canal.

Roam through the Markets

If you came to Paris to shop, les puces are a must-do. Les Puces de Saint-Ouen is the largest flea market in Paris. From small trinkets to fur coats, you can find hundreds of different souvenirs here to take home for your friends and for yourself. If you are looking for expensive brands, the flea markets are the place to go to try and fetch a bargain. Since there is such a variety, you will need to rummage through somethings to find your diamond in the rough. It will all be worth it when you find that treasure that you can bring home to remember Paris forever.

These are just a few ideas of what is possible to do in Paris outside. However, there are so many things that you and those who you are traveling with are able to do when you come to Paris. If you need more ideas for your trip to Paris, contact us to help you plan your itinerary perfectly tailored to your interests.

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