Paris Travel Diaries: 10 Things To Do

Dress – Zara // Boots – Valentino // Bag – Louis Vuitton // Hat – Zara

I still can’t believe that I was able to go to Paris twice this year! And now I’m already back in France, except this time I’m in Nice. France has quickly grown on me and it might just soon overtake Portugal as my favourite European destination! That being said, I’ve probably put together almost 11 days worth of exploring Paris to be able to say that I already know some of my favourite things to do there. Some places I loved so much that we ventured back for a second time, while others I only had to go to once to know already know that it would be one of my favourites. Regardless, if Paris is on your mind, or you’ve already booked a trip there and are in the process of putting together your itinerary, here are my top 10 personal favourite things to do in the beautiful city of love!

Sunrise at the Trocadéro

This is such a magical moment and definitely worth it for the early riser. If your goal is to get the perfect Instagram shot, or to even memorialize your experience at the Trocadéro for future memories, I would highly, highly, recommend that you make the trek out to there as soon as the sun rises. I guarantee you that there will already be other tourists and photographers there before you even arrive, and if you decide to risk going later, you’ll end up battling all of the tour groups for a spot to take a photo!

While sitting on the edge of the staircases to get a beautiful diagonal shot is easy, sitting off the corner of the high ledges is definitely another feat of its own. The first time that we went back in May, there were several gates blocking the edge of the ledge to prevent any jumpers or intoxicated individuals from leaping off the side. I was able to wiggle my way in between the gates to hoist myself up to the ledge for the photo, but be careful if you do this! The ledge is quite high up and the fall can be treacherous!

Mel and I ventured back to the ledge this time around and found it hard to climb up since security was patrolling the perimeter. We arrived a little later this time compared to the last (the sun rises closer to 7:30 AM in the fall, as opposed to 5:00 AM in the summer), so I’m quite sure that if you get there before 8 AM, you’ll be able to snag a photo before security arrives on site. While I didn’t get the photo that I wanted on the ledge this time, I’m still happy with the pictures that we shot last time around.

Picnic at Parc du Champs de Mars

This is a must in the summer time! Pack a box or bag with some snacks, drinks, a blanket, and a book and then march over to Parc du Champs de Mars for a picnic under the Eiffel Tower. Just remember to keep an eye out for pickpockets and you’ll have such a lovely time!

Dress – Alice & Olivia // Cardigan – Uniqlo // Bag – Poppy & Peonies // Hat – Maska Mode // Boots – Valentino

Crack open a bottle of wine along the Seine River

If you love your wine, then you’ll love consuming a bottle while sitting alongside the Seine. The river doesn’t smell as bad as it’s rumored to, so don’t worry about any scent spoiling your experience. For a romantic and casual date night that won’t cost you too much, pop into any convenience store and pick up a bottle of wine along with some cheese, baguette, and cold cuts to pair. Walk along the Seine until you’ve found somewhere that you like and spend the next few hours drinking as the sun sets. Trust me, this will be magical moment that you won’t regret.

While this isn’t something that I had the pleasure of experience, while walking along the Seine with Mel and seeing all of the couples snuggling up together over a bottle of wine, I couldn’t help but with that Peter was there with me to do just that!

Walk around 5e and 6e arrondissement de Paris

These two borough have to be by-far my absolute favourite borough in all of Paris. There’s something about its history and atmosphere that really calls out to me. I love meandering around the local market as well as popping into restaurants for a quick snack or meal. There are so many amazing souvenir shops that you’ll definitely find something to take home with you!

Mel and I spent the majority of our evenings here for the entire week that we were in Paris. We would go back each and every night for dinner (which often included escargots) and then crêpes for dinner!

Eat all of the escargot and crêpes

Speaking of escargot and crepes, you absolutely HAVE to try them while you’re in Paris. Nothing rivals an authentic French crêpe or escargot. I’m literally drooling as I’m writing this post and remembering all of the delicious meals that we had while there! Take your time looking for crêpe vendors as they can range anywhere from €9 to €2. Both prices will render your crepe tasting the exact same nonetheless, so go for the cheaper option whenever you can. My favourite order is the basic sugar and butter. Simple but delicious!

If you like to walk on the edge, definitely indulge in as many escargots as you can. While the dish may seem pricey in North America, it is extremely affordable and delicious in France! If only I had a dish of them in front of me right now!

Dine at the oldest restaurant – Le Procope

If food is your thing, then you’ll definitely want to dine in the oldest restaurant in all of Paris – Le Procope. I can also confirm without a doubt that their escargot there is miles ahead in the department of deliciousness compared to all of the other places that I’ve been to while in Paris, and the price is well worth it! Yes, it is pricier than other restaurants, but it’s 100% worth it.

As a lover of French Onion Soup (the most simple French appetizer that you can order), Mel completely agrees with me. After all, the restaurant must be doing something right in order to be able to stick around for all of these years!

I’ve also heard through the grapevine that they’re most well known for their mille-feulle, so make sure to give that a go if you pop in for dinner! Since we were there for lunch, we didn’t quite the opportunity to indulge in any dessert.

Walk to Basilique du Sacré-Cœur and explore Montmartre

And after you’ve consumed all of that food, along with the croissants, baguettes, and other sweets, you’ll want to burn off all of those calories! A walk up to Sacré-Cœur will do just that for you! Trust me when I say that you’ll be getting both your steps and daily workout in by the time that you get to the top! Those who aren’t a fan of walking up several flights of stairs can always opt to take the little train-ride to the top.

Once you’ve summited Sacré-Cœur, take your time to explore the beautiful borough of Montmartre. While Saint-Germain-des-Prés is my area place in Paris, Sacré-Cœur gets Mel’s vote. This romantic little area is where artists and performers both frequented in the past and still do to this day! If you wander the streets, you’ll see many painters selling their wares and creating new works of art as well! This adorable little place is ripe with culture and art and is definitely not to be missed!

Go up the Arc de Triomphe

Although both times that I’ve been to Paris I haven’t been able to do this, it’s definitely still on my bucket list for the next time that I go back! After speaking to so many friends and colleagues who have traveled to Paris, they’ve all voiced the same opinion—that the view from the top of the Eiffel Tower isn’t worth it. Most people go to Paris to see the Eiffel Tower, so if you’re up there… what exactly are you going to see? Instead, go up the Arc de Triomphe to get a beautiful view of the city and the Eiffel Tower! If you want to make your visit to the top worthwhile, plan it to coincide around sunset for the most beautiful view that you’ve ever witnessed!

Watch the Eiffel Tower twinkle

And while you’re at it, if it’s dark enough, stay and watch the Eiffle Tower twinkle. Or you don’t have to, the choice is yours. You can essential witness this beautiful experience anywhere in the city, but it’s worth the watch. If you’ve traveled all of the way to Paris to see the tower, you might as well see it in both night and day. The twinkles are one of the most romantic representations of the tower and I can’t help but stop and stare for a few minutes every time that I see the tower light up. The view never gets boring!

Double check to see what time the twinkles begin at because it felt like it started later in the fall than it did in the summer. They also don’t remain twinkling during the entire evening, so remember to time yourself so that you can catch the magic without having to wait around for a second round of twinkles!

Visit Château de Versailles

A trip to the Château de Versailles is an absolute must. Though Paris may already be full of beautiful structures that display some of the most utmost opulence you may have ever witnessed, you won’t fully understand the vastness of the French’s wealth until you step foot inside of Château de Versailles. Each room upon room is decorated in the most insane levels of detail, gold is literally on everything, and you can’t help but describe the entire palace as extravanagant. And if the interiors don’t wow you, then the gardens most definitely will.

I would recommend setting aside an entire day to explore Château de Versailles since there’s so much to see and do there. If the palace does make its way into your itinerary, here are some suggestions that you should definitely consider:

Take an uber there instead of booking a trip with a bus or shuttle service. Not only will you get to control the times of which you arrive and leave, but it will cost you significantly less than a ticket for a shuttle bus. I believe it only costed us about €25 to get there, and €15 to get back. With 4 people in a car, that was the most cost efficient option that we could find.

You’ll also want to arrive as early as possible. And by early, I mean arrive right as the palace is opening. Soon after opening hours (literally within 30 minutes), the entire place will be swarmed with tourists getting off of their respective bus tours, and the line ups to enter the property itself will snake its way through the front parking lot.

Purchase your tickets ahead of time online in order to cut down on time spent waiting in line at the palace. Tickets are also time specific to entry, so make sure that you’re there on time to be admitted in.

And there you have it! Those are my top 10 things that you have to do the next time that you’re in Paris! Just writing this post already has me excited to eventually go back, and I can’t help but envision myself going back at least once a year just to explore new places and to also do many of these activities all over again!

If you’ve already been to Paris, I’d love to know what some of your favourite things to do are. And if you’ve never been, but plan on going, let me know what you’re looking forward to do the most!

Photography Credits: Mel Inspired