paris travel diary

May 3, 2023 / Paris

The Ultimate Paris Itinerary: 8 Days of Sightseeing, Food and Fun

Some say that Paris is overrated but we beg to disagree. In fact, one week wasn't even enough for us to see everything the city has to offer, and we wished we could have stayed longer. During our 8 days in Paris, we discovered that this vibrant city has something for everyone, whether you're a fan of history, art, food, or just strolling around beautiful neighborhoods.

Check out our daily itinerary with awesome photos by @jpphotography

• 1 .1 Day 1: Stroll in the Latin Quarter and the Pantheon
• 1 .2 Day 2: Free and Paid Walking Tours
• 1 .3 Day 3: A Magical Day at Disneyland
• 1 .4 Day 4: Relax and Marvel at the Eiffel Tower
• 1 .5 Day 5: A Full Day at the Louvre Museum
• 1 .6 Day 6: Day Trip to Versailles
• 1 .7 Day 7: Fine Dining and Sightseeing
• 1 .8 Day 8: Walk around St. Germain and Enjoy Crepes
• 2 Where to Stay
• 3 Useful Travel Tips

8 Days Itinerary

Day 1: stroll in the latin quarter and the pantheon.

After arriving in Paris from Manila, we took a nap at our cute boutique hotel and then headed out to explore the Latin Quarter.  It was easy because the hotel was just right next to the metro which you will be using a lot while in Paris.

The Latin Quarter's lively neighborhood is known for its narrow streets, colorful buildings, and bohemian vibe. We had an hour to visit the Pantheon, but unfortunately we were too late to climb to the top for a breathtaking view of the city.

Day 2: Free and Paid Walking Tours

We started our second day in Paris with a free walking tour with SANDEMANs. These tours are a great way to discover the city and learn about its history and culture from knowledgeable local guides. It's a free tour, but it's always appreciated if you can tip your guide to help sustain the service.

In the afternoon, we took their paid walking tour of Montmartre, the famous hilltop neighborhood known for its bohemian history and stunning views of the city. We ended the day with dinner at Le Moulin de la Galette , a popular restaurant in Montmartre due to its old windmill.

Alternative: If you want a more unique experience while also indulging in the local cuisine, I recommend the Paris Food Walking tour by Secret Food Tours . You can choose to either explore and eat at Montmartre or Notre Dame neighborhood

Day 3: A Magical Day at Disneyland

We spent an entire day at Disneyland. You need an entire day at least, some people even buy multi-day tickets to really try every attraction. The theme park located just outside Paris but is easily accessible by metro. With its rides, shows, and characters, Disneyland is a perfect destination for kids and adults alike.

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Tip: Buy ticket online to save time queuing. They only sell tickets when the park opens so it doesn't matter how early you get. And people are already there hours before opening time!

Day 4: Relax and Marvel at the Eiffel Tower

On our fourth day in Paris, we took it easy and walked around the Eiffel Tower. In the evening, we had dinner at Le Bistrot du Peintre  (google maps), a local restaurant recommended to us by some friends.

Good to know: The Eiffel tower sparkles at the start of each hour for 5 minutes at night and the tower is lit until before midnight (this was in May). Time may change depending on season.

Day 5: A Full Day at the Louvre Museum

On day 5, we spent a full 7 hours inside the Louvre Museum, one of the world's most famous art museums. With its vast collection of paintings, sculptures, and other works of art, the Louvre is a must-see for any art and history lover visiting Paris. 

Most tourists only stop by to see the Mona Lisa but there's much to see in this huge museum. And if you're a museum lover, you can easily spend the whole day inside the Louvre. It's not just the collection but the glamorous interiors will also get your attention.

If you want to make the most of your time and learn more then you can join this highly rated 2-hour guided tour that already includes the ticket .

After the Louvre, we took advantage of the "Museum Night" event and visited the Fondation Louis Vuitton for free.

Day 6: Day Trip to Versailles

On day 6, we took a day trip to Versailles, the magnificent palace and gardens located just outside Paris. The palace is a testament to the opulence and grandeur of the French monarchy, and the gardens are a stunning example of French landscape design. We spent the entire day exploring the palace and gardens, and it was well worth the trip. You need a full day here.

Day 7: Fine Dining and Sightseeing

On our seventh day in Paris, we tried our luck at reserving a table at a one-star Michelin restaurant in the country where the guide originated. All the restaurants were fully booked, but we were able to secure a table at PavYllon. 

However, my opinion about this restaurant has changed after trying other Michelin star and Michelin guide restaurants in other parts of France (especially Dijon!) and other parts of Europe. I would say that this is my least favorite Michelin star restaurant. It wasn't bad but you would find better for their price range (€150 per person). You may just have to book ahead especially in Paris.

After lunch, we walked around the Champs-Élysées and visited the Arc de Triomphe. The top of the arch has really good views of the city and you can also see the Eiffel tower from here.

Extra: We also passed by the Louvre museum and it was less crowded than the area near the Eiffel. It looks more romantic at night. And from this area, you can see the Eiffel tower too. And of course, we waited for the Eiffel tower sparkle!

Day 8: Walk around St. Germain and Enjoy Crepes

On our final day in Paris, we spent some time strolling around the neighborhood of St. Germain, which is known for its art galleries and a less touristy atmosphere.

We also discovered a great creperie called Creperie Little Breizh , where we had some delicious galettes (savory crepes made with buckwheat flour) and crepes (sweet crepes made with wheat flour). It was a nice way to end our trip to Paris and enjoy some of the city's famous culinary delights.

Where to Stay

During our stay in Paris, we had the pleasure of staying at La Belle Ville , a charming mid-range hotel located in the heart of the city. It was newly opened when we were there in May 2022. At €130 per night, the hotel is definitely a great value by Paris standards.

The room was spacious and modern, and we loved the high-quality toiletries provided by the brand Respire. The hotel also provided a variety of snacks, coffee, and tea, which was a nice touch.

One of the things we appreciated most about La Belle Ville was its convenient location – it's just steps away from a metro station, which was very useful for us as we relied on the metro to get around Paris. The staff at La Belle Ville were also incredibly friendly and helpful, and they went above and beyond to make sure we had a comfortable and memorable stay. If you're planning a trip to Paris and want a comfortable and convenient base for exploring the city, we highly recommend checking out La Belle Ville – we think you'll love it as much as we did!

Useful Travel Tips

• To save money and time, consider getting a one week metro pass. The pass costs €22 + €5 for the card, and it allows you unlimited rides on the metro. Just be sure to bring a 3.5x2.5cm photo to attach to the pass.
• To avoid long queues at popular attractions, book tickets online at the official sites (such as the Louvre, Versailles, and Disneyland). Avoid booking through blog sites, as some of them are sold through agencies at higher prices.
• If you're an EU national under 26 years old, you may be eligible for discounts (such as at Versailles) or free admission to museums and monuments in France.
• Keep in mind that restaurants in Paris are usually closed between 2pm and 5pm (times may vary). Some restaurants are open all day, but they may only serve drinks during the day. If you get hungry during these hours and missed lunch, you can find some good baguette sandwiches at bakeries.
• Consider learning some basic French before your trip to Paris. While most people who work in the tourism industry do speak English, making an effort to communicate in French can be appreciated and help you get the most out of your trip. Even a few key phrases can go a long way in helping you navigate the city and connect with locals.
• As with any big city, take precautions to protect your belongings against pickpockets. This is just a reminder to be vigilant. We felt very safe the entire time.
• If you're looking for a mid-range hotel in Paris, we recommend La Belle Ville . It's a newly opened hotel that is very clean and cute, and it's located next to a metro station. The price is €130 per night, but be aware that prices can vary depending on the season. This price was in May 2022 before the summer peak season.

I hope these revised tips are helpful for your readers planning a trip to Paris. Bon voyage!

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Travel Diaries

Perfecting a weekend in paris.

There is so much truth to that popular Audrey Hepburn quote, “Paris is always a good idea.” For those planning a stopover in Paris as part of a larger European trip or maybe just a long weekend, the question is, what do you do if you only have 48 hours? My family and I did just this and planned out a perfect two-day Paris travel diary.

With each visit I make here, I fall more in love with the city. One of my favorite things about being here is that you don’t need to plan every minute of every day, rather you can simply wander around, get a bit lost and discover a new part of the city just a beautiful and charming as the parts you’ve already visited. Seriously, Paris, how do you do it? But I have my favourites, and this is how I chose to spend my 48 hours.

For this trip, we wanted a hotel with a central location and chose the boutique hotel, Maison Albar Paris Hotel Celine. As soon as we landed at CDG, we took the metro to the Châtelet – Les Halles stop. It’s about a 40-minute ride with a 10-minute walk to the hotel—super easy! The Maison Albar Paris Hotel Celine has a fun Art Deco vibe and our room had the perfect Parisian balcony for taking in the city views each morning with a cup of coffee. After, we’d venture down to the hotel’s restaurant, Odette, for a lovely breakfast with your choice of eggs, pastries, yogurt, fruit, juice and, of course, coffee—a great and relaxing way to start each day. Since this was a short trip we didn’t have time to take advantage of their spa, but we peeked in and it looked very relaxing.

For our first excusion, we walked over to Notre Dame—it’s about 15 minutes from the hotel.  Notre Dame is a must for every trip here. This time was pretty magical as there were about 10 giant cherry trees in bloom on one side of the cathedral which made it ethereal. The line to go inside was pretty long but moved fast. The interior is truly something to see—especially the stained glass.

After walking through Notre Dame, cross back over the Seine and walk along the Seine heading west. You’ll want to head towards Ladurée Paris Bonaparte. This bakery carries my favorite macarons in Paris. There are so many flavors to choose from, so pick an assortment since they have unique flavors here. My fave is the blackcurrant violet. Next stroll down the block and stop by Josephine Bakery to pick up some baguette sandwiches and more pastries. I highly recommend the strawberry cheesecake and the ham and cheese baguette. Then keep walking down Rue de l’Université until you arrive at the Esplanade des Invalides (the lawn by the Eiffel Tower). While walking be sure to pop into a shop and pick up a bottle of wine (be sure to ask for paper cups too). Once you arrive at the Esplanade des Invalides sit down, enjoy the view and a picnic lunch. There is really nothing better! Don’t forget to snap some photos. It will all feel like a dream.

Follow that up with a walk under the Eiffel Tower to snap more photos. It’s the Eiffel Tower afterall and photos don’t get old here. Cross the river to the Trocadéro Gardens side where you’ll see two vintage carousels, and take a ride, because, well, when else would you ride a carousel by the Eiffel Tower? After the ride, head to Framboise Crêperie, which is just a 10 minute walk from the Trocadéro Gardens side of the tower. Try one of their sweet crepes—I’d recommend either Nutella or the Salted Caramel—along with a cappuccino and sit and enjoy the setting.

From here, take a cab to Papadoom Kitchen for some amazing Indian food. The decor and vibe here is top notch, and the food and cocktails are so good. I’d recommend the butter chicken and chicken korma for dinner and the Bombay Sunrise to drink. Then take a stroll back to the Maison Albar Paris Hotel Celine, while maybe stopping for another drink at one of the many sidewalk cafes.

On the second morning, we took a 15-minute metro ride to Montmartre. In this area, it feels like you’re stepping back in time a bit. Walk around Painter’s Square and watch the painters, enjoy the street musicians, find the pink house (La Maison Rose), grab a baguette sandwich from La Galette des Moulins and enjoy some wine in one of the many cafes. Then walk over to Sacré-Cœur for amazing views of Paris.

After spending the morning here, walk to two of my favorite gardens in Paris. You’ll stumble across The Palais Royal first and this one also has some fun photo opps with Daniel Buren’s striped columns in the courtyard. Then make your way to the Jardin des Tuileries. These gardens are quite large and also have a bunch of cafes spread throughout, so this is the perfect spot to relax with another glass of wine.

Next, take a leisurely stroll over to Rue Montorgueil. This is a market street with lots of cute cafés, restaurants, bakeries and more. There are lots of great options for dinner and drinks, plus it’s just a short walk back to the Maison Albar Paris Hotel Celine.

Yes, you’ll have walked a lot but it’s the best way to see and experience Paris. Naturally, remember to bring good walking shoes, a thirst for wine and an appetite for croissants.

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Kiwi Newsletter

Weekend in Paris – a Travel Diary

Hello there! There is not a single city in the world that makes you feel like walking through a fairytale in almost every street like Paris does! The cobblestoned streets are framed by houses with dreamy facades and around almost every corner you will find the next magnificent view. When coming to Paris the first time it can be a bit overwhelming squeezing in all the sights in one weekend. As this wasn’t my first time in Paris, I actually didn’t feel any pressure trying to see it all and that was an amazing feeling! With this travel diary, I want to show you an itinerary for an amazing time in Paris with no rush, tons of great food, and most of the biggest sights!

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Arriving in Bercy

I am in the happy position that I can easily take the bus from where I live and it takes me directly to Paris. Therefore I could leave Düsseldorf at 22:30 on a Friday evening and arrive in France at 7:15. I decided to go with Flixbus and had a pleasant ride. The station I arrived at is Bercy and from there you can either directly walk to the city center or take the Metro.

When it comes to packing, I decided to go for my Wandrd PRVKE which is the perfect backpack for weekend trips, as it is quite light and still holds everything I need for a weekend and more! This includes my sanitary bag, clothing for two days, and as I am a crazy person also a pair of heels and a long dress. Just for shooting a few nice pictures. This way I was super flexible to move around with my bag, without it being too bulky or uneasy to handle.

How to prepare for a trip to Paris

Morning in the Louvre

Our first stop of the day happened to be the Louvre. It opens its gates at around 7:15, so it is the perfect location for a small photoshoot in the early morning. Nevertheless, it can already be a little crowded around there, so make sure to get your shots as quickly as possible, so that you have fewer people in your shot. This especially applies to shots like the left one below, as in this angle you have people in your picture that line up for entering the Louvre.

If you want to have the full Louvre experience, you can have your breakfast at Café Louvre, which has both a magnificent view of the pyramides and a pretty inside area. It seemed so appealing to me but I wasn’t this hungry yet, so I decided to keep Café Louvre for another visit!

Walks Along the Seine

When exploring a city, I usually walk a lot. I try to get as many impressions from a city, its architecture, its people and atmosphere as possible and you can get this by walking. Therefore walking was the way to get from Louvre to the first café on this list and after this to our place for the night.

We walked along the Seine, which will give you some of the most amazing views of the city. I am very sure that Paris is indeed the prettiest city of them and each time I get there, I fall in love a little more.

Little Photoshoot and Breakfast at Le Recrutement Café

After walking along the Seine, we stopped for our breakfast at Le Recrutement Café. With it being located on a corner and the Eiffel Tower visible in the distance, it came to be a little Instagram hotspot. We were not really able to resist taking a quick few shots and I am so in love with the results. It makes me feel like a true Parisian!

And of course, we also had our breakfast at this iconic place! I decided to go for their breakfast deal including an omelet, croissant, and a hot beverage, which in my case will forever and always be coffee. It might be a brave statement, but I honestly think that you know nothing about baking, pastries, and sweet breakfast if you never had a croissant in Paris. Always a must-try for me!

Checking in my Place to Sleep

As I was staying with a friend, I didn’t have to find a hotel or hostel for the night and I felt very happy about it. Big thank you to my friend Lea from Blondie Wanderlust for hosting me and being an incredible tour guide to Paris!

After a short break, we decided to spend the rest of our afternoon in Montmartre! This area of Paris is famous for its picturesque scenery, cafés and restaurants and street artists. One of the very first things you can see when leaving the Metro station “Abbesses” is Le Mur des Je t’aime, an artwork dedicated to all the ways to say “I love you” in the languages from around the world! Can you spot the one in your mother tongue? I found mine!

Sacré-Cœur de Montmartre

One of the biggest sights in this area is the Sacré-Cœur de Montmartre. This magnificent church draws so much attention from tourists, I usually would suggest you visit it as early morning as you can to enjoy it with fewer people around. But as we spent our morning at the Louvre, we had to improvise a little when taking a few pictures. To get to Sacré-Cœur de Montmartre you will have to take a lot of steps. I swear, I never made it to this church without being covered in sweat afterwards. But the great thing about it being on top of a small hill is that you get an amazing view of the city of Paris!

Le Maison Rose

Soon we got hungry from walking around so much and decided to have our lunch at a very iconic place. Le Maison Rose got a little insta-famous, due to being located in a rose-colored house on a corner in one of the dreamiest areas in Paris. A scenery like this draws Instagrammers like moths to the flames. Unfortunately, this unwanted fame made the owners a little bit angry towards photographers who come and take pictures in front of the restaurant. They also scolded us for taking a few pictures and therefore we felt quite bad about our lunch there. Nevertheless, the food was delicious and the atmosphere was perfect. If you want to enjoy a nice lunch, it is a great place. If you want to go there for the pictures, come early in the morning when the restaurant isn’t open yet.

Walking Walking Walking

We spent the rest of the afternoon walking all the way from Montmartre to Pont Alexandre III, which is quite the way! The first part of the way took us through more pretty alleys and beautiful streets. A place that is very pretty is the Metro Station Lamarck – Caulaincourt in Montmartre which has the prettiest sign.

From there we wandered the streets all the way down to the river. We came across cute stores, selling produce, butchers, stores selling fresh fish, and nice boutiques. It is such a vivid and lively neighborhood, it is a lot of fun to just walk and feel the vibe of this place! Eventually, if you follow our route you will also come across the opera, which is another amazing building to marvel at.

Maison Ladurée

Another place on the way that you should stop by is the Maison Ladurée. They sell some of the best macarons you can find in Paris. They are insanely overpriced but I mean you don’t get to eat Macarons from Maison Ladurée in Paris every day, so why not indulge a little bit while can? I bought six macarons and they also came with this beautiful little box which now sits on my desk as a small reminder of this awesome weekend in Paris!

My Favorite Breakfast Places & Cafés in Paris

Pont Alexandre III

One of my favorite sights in Paris is the Pont Alexandre III. This wonderful bridge would be just the most perfect bridge in the entire world on its own but it is also located in the middle of Paris making it almost too good to believe. There is the golden dome of the Invalides, the Seine, and most importantly the Eiffel Tower. Whenever I am in Paris I try to have at least one sunset around this bridge as it is just too pretty not to have it there! This time around we got a little rain right around sunset time, so we were a little disappointed, but hey, some things you just can’t change!

Food in Les Halles

After our not-so-special sunset, we decided to get a small rest. When we got home to Lea, it was already around 8:30 then. Keep in mind that I have been sleeping on a bus the night before and we already had been walking around for more than 12 hours. Now 1,5 hours later we decided that we still want to go out for a late dinner. The restaurant of our choice is the Le Petit Bouillon Pharamond in Les Halles. This place is the most lively and vibrant I have seen in a while! When I went there it was so late already but it was still super full with mostly Parisians and not tourists. Somehow it felt like I was witnessing Paris through the eyes of a local and this was truly magical.

Early morning around Eiffel Tower

Although we had only made it home after midnight, we still decided that we want to get up early to see the sunrise at the Eiffel Tower and have this whole place to us alone. We were alone indeed, but sadly the sun hid behind clouds for most of the day, so we ended up being a little disappointed about that. Nevertheless, we had an awesome morning around the tower, taking pictures and having the most fun together!

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Breakfast at Café Bohème in Montparnasse

Our next stop was having breakfast in Montparnasse at Café Bohème. But before I talk more about French breakfast delicacies, let me tell you a little tip on how to get from the Eiffel Tower to Montparnasse. Make sure to take the Metro departing from the station called Passy. Once you entered the Metro 6, make sure to keep your view to the left (when sitting in the direction of travel) to be granted a stunning view of the Eiffel Tower!

Café Bohème itself is a lovely little place, where Parisian decor meets boho-chic, which is a fascinating mix! Obviously, the French are famous for their desserts and sweet dishes, so we went all in and indulged in all the lovely cakes.

Little Rest and a lot of Rain

After our delicious brunch, we headed back to my friend’s place, where we took a rest after having slept only 5 hours and already being up for a couple of hours. It turned out we made a very good decision by doing so because after we closed the door it would not stop raining! But sometimes, this is just what traveling is, watching movies and catching up with a friend!

St. Germain, Jardins du Luxembourg

Before our final dinner, we still headed out and went for a short walk in St. Germain, visited the Jardins du Luxembourg, and just wandered more streets of Paris. Exploring the city on foot might be the most important tip, I want you to get from this travel diary. Paris’s beauty isn’t only in the big buildings like the Louvre or the opera but in its streets. It is in the little alleys with art galleries, in the cafés and boulangeries and restaurants. If you are only traveling by Metro, you will miss out on that, which would truly make you miss out on so many wonderful experiences.

Dinner next to Notre Dame in Café Panis

My final moments in Paris were spent very wisely. They were spent in one of my favorite restaurants in Paris , the Café Panis. Located right next to Notre Dame, this place is so dreamy. It is a very Parisian place and I could go there again and again and again. My favorite dish of them is the tartare de boeuf, which is basically minced beef, seasoned with onions, pickles, and more. It is served with fries and absolutely delicious! The perfect end of a perfect weekend in Paris.

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Going back to Bercy

From Notre Dame, we decided to walk back to Bercy where my bus would depart from. This walk along the Seine was simply amazing on its own, watching the sky getting darker and darker, while more and more lights were turned on as we marveled upon the city. I love Paris a lot and no matter what, I will always, always, always return.

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Steven Carter

Parisian escapades captured beautifully! Can’t wait to read about your adventures and get inspired for my next weekend getaway. ✈️

Hi Steven! Thank you so much for your comment! I am happy that I could inspire you 🙂

I’m hoping to visit Paris again in the new year so this itinerary for the weekend will be really useful. Thanks for all of the tips on what to see and do!

It was so nice to finally meet you during this weekend in Paris! So glad to see you enjoyed it the fullest and thanks for sharing your experience! I am sure it will motivate more people to visit, as a local I can only recommend it!

ANUKRATI DOSI

But, it still would have been so nice to have the whole place around Eifel to yourself. Love all the photos.

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Travel journal: Ooh la la, falling in love with Paris

By: Author Monica

Categories France

Paris may be the city of love and one of the most romantic places in the world but today I’ve been having a little romance with the city itself. It turns out I LOVE Paris.

I spent the day wandering among some of the main attractions, stopping for café lattes and macaroons, shopping in the boutique stores and generally loving every corner of this gorgeous city.

I arrived on Thursday afternoon and, rather than sharing my travel tips and reviews just yet, I thought I’d share the journal I’ve been scribbling in each time I stop for a rest.

Day 1: Catching the Eurostar to Paris

I can’t believe I’d forgotten how much I love the Eurostar. It’s just so easy and comfortable.

Sometimes it isn’t until you experience something really good that you realise just how crap the alternative is. You know, like flying on a budget airline to Paris.

With the Eurostar there are no queues, no hassle, no long waits and no idiot holding up the security queue with their ginormous bottles of liquids.

After a breakfast of croissants, muesli and orange juice I sat back and watched the French countryside pass me by and I arrived in less than 2 hours.

My first stop in Paris was Citadines Tour Eiffel Tower and, as the name suggests, it was right by the Eiffel Tower. The location doesn’t get much better than this! This Citadines apart’hotel doesn’t look like much from the outside but once inside it’s the perfect hidden gem. You’re hit by the smell of freshly brewing coffee and the super friendly staff welcome you inside.

My room on the 6 th floor was spacious but cosy, nicely designed (I love that wallpaper), spotlessly clean, modern and with a handy kitchenette too.

But the highlight of the room was definitely the view. Check. It. Out.

I spent forever ogling out my window and admiring the view before remembering there was a whole city to explore!

That evening I went to a press event to launch the Citadines Moments 30 campaign and meet the other bloggers involved. There were about 20 members of the French press who were all interested in the competition and seeing what we get up to. Each Citadines property also has a big banner in reception explaining the competition and it’s so exciting that it’s being promoted to all of Citadines customers.

Day 2: Exploring Paris

Enjoying a cuppa in bed with the perfect view

I slept with my curtains open so once again woke up to that incredible view. Waking up to a pinky sky and the Eiffel Tower was an absolute dream come true and I had to tear myself away to go for breakfast.

After another breakfast of croissants and fresh fruit I took the short walk to the Eiffel Tower. I wandered around taking photos while doing my very best to avoid all the scammers and touts. I decided not to go up the tower because the queue was so long and I had so much I wanted to see.

Musee Galliera (Fashion Museum)

I headed to the Palais de Tokyo for a quick look around on my way to the Musee Galliera. This is also known as the Musee de la Mode, or the fashion museum. Of course, I went inside and loved it.

The exhibitions are inside a 19 th century Renaissance Palace so it’s a beautiful place with mosaicked floors and domed ceilings towering above the clothes. The display during my visit (September 2014) was 1950s haute couture.

I love seeing the way fashion and history shape each other. You might think a dress is just a dress but when you think about the conscious decisions of the designers it’s really interesting.

Vintage fashion lovers will be heaven wandering among the beautiful dresses with the clinched in waistlines and swirling skirts typical of the 1950s.

These shapes created a fashion revolution after the years of hardship imposed by the Second World War. The dresses weren’t just about looking good, they’re about feeling glamorous and sexy after years of wearing whatever was practical, affordable or available during the war. Times were changing and women wanted to reflect this celebration in their clothes.

Within the museum are rooms filled with dresses from some of France’s most famous designers like Christian Dior, Pierre Cardin, Jacques Heim, Louis Feraud and Jacques Fath.

The 1950s were considered an isolated decade in fashion history. This was a time before high fashion came to the high street and affordable options were available for everyone. Just a handful of designers were influencing how every fashionista wanted to dress.

The museum is also filled with some of Paris’ best dressed women so it’s worth going just for the people watching. Seriously, these women looked incredible!

I managed to snap one photo inside before they shouted at me for using my camera. This little number is by Christian Dior.

It was now time to walk back to my hotel to check out and make my way to my next Citadines apart’hotel.

I’m now in the Citadines Suite Louvre Paris and, oh my goodness, is it gorgeous.

It’s actually borderline too gorgeous because once I was inside my suite I didn’t want to leave.

I spent a good hour sitting in my suite feeling incredibly lucky. Last night I had a view of the Eiffel Tower and tonight I have a luxurious 5* suite in Paris.

I had some of the softest and most delicious macaroons I’ve ever tasted to regain my strength before I set out for more sightseeing.

I wandered to the royal palace and the gardens. Surrounding the gardens are boutique shops and plenty of chairs to sit and enjoy the views.

I popped into Galerie Vivienne, a small shopping mall and gallery opened in 1823, to drool over designer handbags before I headed to the Louvre. I didn’t go inside as I’m going to wait and see if it rains and go then. I’d rather be out in the sunshine while it lasts rather than stuck in a museum. (Thanks to Olivia who shared that suggestion on my last blog post).

I then had a walk through Jardin des Tuileries. This is a beautiful public garden and promenade filled with people relaxing in the sunshine with ice creams and cold drinks.

This statue is called ‘The Lady who Slipped in the Shower’. Not really, I made that up. I just think it’s a really unusual position for a statue.

I have two more days in Paris so there’s plenty of time for more exploring, sight seeing, eating and shopping.

It turns out it’s true what Audrey Hepburn said. Paris always is a good idea.

 *I’ve realised I’m in just one photo today. Oh, the problems of travelling solo. Must ask more strangers to take my photo tomorrow!

In case you missed it: I’m currently on a 9-day trip around Paris, Lille and Berlin with Citadines. It’s part of a campaign with 4 other bloggers and there’s a competition for one blogger to win. You can vote for your favourite blogger here to help them win. All voters will then be entered into a draw to win a night in a Citadines apart’hotel anywhere in Europe and someone who voted for the winner will win a week with Citadines including all transport for two people.

Saturday 8th of May 2021

Thank you, Madam ! Romantic sightseeing in Paris ! My kind of travel !

The Jetset Boyz

Monday 24th of June 2019

When we do citybreaks be tend to do a LOT of walking and don't use public transport all that much. So for us, Paris' Metro Carnet (book of 10 tickets) is perfect. Two great things about them:

1: They don't expire so any leftover tickets can be kept & used for the next time you visit Paris. 2: They’re 10 individual tickets so you can hand tickets to friends who’re travelling with you and you both benefit from the cheaper price per ticket.

Saturday 18th of November 2017

Nice article ! Yes Jacqueline is right !! Visiting Paris in Segway is a cool way to discover the monuments.

Saturday 21st of October 2017

Nice article, thank you ! I was in Paris a few months ago and I loved it ! You can also visit the center of the city on Segway, I tried and it was fantastic ! We drove near Tuileries garden and along the river and had a really nice tour.

Friday 7th of July 2017

Enjoyed your itinerary. Hope that you did get a chance to go inside of Galerie Vivienne at some point, even if that means that it rained! We love the old “passages” in Paris and Galerie Vivienne definitely is one of the prettiest.

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Travel Diary: 3 Days in Paris

Werbung, unbezahlt

welcome back on here! Long time no see.

As you probably know from my Instagram I´m going to be travelling for the next few weeks so I thought what better way to “re-start” my Blog, share new experiences, tips and tricks and generally what  I´ve been up to than this. Hope you are as excited as I am.

Ok here we go.. The Travel Diaries will be a series on here in which I just generally talk about my travel, what I did, where I went and of course with loads of photos.

Like a postcard from me to you!

But that´s not all, there will be of course be a more polished, thought through and informative Travel Guide for every place I´m travelling to.

Paris, Day 1

Paris, here I come! Woke up at 3am, got to the airport aaaand lucky me, my flight got delayed so I missed my connecting flight in Amsterdam. Note that it´s my first time travelling completly alone so that way kind of a scary thought and start to my trip.

Luckily I didn´t have to do anything and was able to continue to Paris 1 1/2 hours later than expected.

Hi Paris! Got to the trains (next challenge: When do I have to hop off?), somehow figured that out and arrived safe and sound at Gare du nord, where my Hotel “25 Hours Gare du Nord” was located. They were so nice and invited me (Press Stay) to stay for two nights to explore and get to know Paris. So grateful, the room was absolutely amazing, got some of the best (but sadly rather short) night sleeps in a long time and stuffed myself at the delicious breakfast buffet. And the best part? I got my own Parisian balcony!! How amazing is that!

Checked in and happy, the next challenge popped up – Paris Metro. A bit difficult and confusing at first but super easy to handle once you get used to it. First up, Notre Dame and surrounding area – So beautiful and yet heart-breaking to see Notre Dame after the fire.

I picked clothes that sadly were just a touch too hot, plus the sunny weather so I had  to attend my cravings and get a coffee at Boot cafe which was amazing to see in real life after scrolling past photos of it nearly daily. To my surprise it wasn´t even difficult to get a table considering they only had 2 (and 2 outside). One thing I won´t ever get used to.. paying 4.5 Euro for a cappuccino – still tasted amazing though.

Quick break at the hotel and off to Montmartre, a name I still cannot pronounce.. Such a stunning building and the area surrounding it was beautiful as well. Loved seeing Paris´ skyline and the golden hour treated me nicely as well.

Back at the Hotel I ate the weirdest combination of sweet, salty and fruity food items, watched a few Youtube Videos and exhaustedly fell asleep.

I have to be honest, it might (most likely) be related to me only having 3 hours of sleep, a long day of travelling and the sunny weather but I didn´t have the best impression of Paris or let´s say it didn´t live up to my expectations (yet). Btw, did anyone ever tell you, because Paris smells.. and not the good kind of smell haha.

But all that (sadly not the smell) changed on

Paris, Day 2

So the plan was to wake up early and visit the Louvre to take some photos without people in it and maybe also me, without having my camera stolen. But tell that  to someone who only slept 3 hours the night before.. The day started at 10:30 for me with a trip to the Eiffel tower – another pinch me moment! Surreal to see something you´ve seen so often on photos in real life.

Oh and let me tell you dumb story.. After seeing the Eiffel Tower, I kid you not, I searched more than an hour for the oh so famous street with the best view of the Eiffel Tower where all the cool Instagramers take their Outfit photos. Didn´t really mind it as I got to see some more of Paris and got some more steps in but end of the story, that exact street was the first street I came across when getting out of the Metro -and I even took photos there.. So yes, successful I´d say.

After a break writing postcards and chilling in bed, waiting for the sun to go away (don´t judge me) I went to a Cafe I previously researched on Instagram. It´s called Braun Norte, had 100% my colour palette and the salad and coffee I had were absolutely amazing!!

Something I didn´t know before, the coffee shop was located only 5 minutes away from Gallery Lafayette and Printemps which have some of the best views over the city. Let me tell you, breathtaking! So, saw that, experienced that, got carried away by beautiful architecture (before entering the metro and after exciting the metro lol) did another weird food shop and had my 2nd break of the day.

And always staying true to my brand I took the whole relaxing part of the day too seriously and nearly missed the sunset at Montmartre. What felt like 3000 steps later and a glimpse of a sunset I drove to the Eiffel Tower again to see it sparkle. I did from the Metro and believing to know it will sparkle again in 10 minutes I didn´t really appreciate it. Joke´s on you Christopher because apparently you wait for the full hour to see it sparkle for like 20 seconds. Still, one of the best memories I´m taking back home and a magical experience so worth waiting for.

Cloudy Paris > Sunny Paris! My impression completly changed and I fell in love with Paris this day.

In bed at 2 am with the plan of getting up and finally visiting the Louvre on

Paris Day 3

It´s 6:30am, I hit snooze once and in the blink of an eye it was 7:09am. Packing mode on, getting ready, having breakfast (omg so good) and off to the Louvre at like 9:30. Could have been there earlier but tbh didn´t feel bothered by how many people were already there when I arrived. A few photos, a walk around the pyramid and successful attempts at self timer photos later I was super exhausted.. But I still powered through and walked another 15 minutes to Matamata Coffee Bar which was again spot on for what I needed and expected.

A quick sprint (or a 15 minutes walk back) to have a glimpse of the Seine while cloudy and then it was time to start my journey to Aiport Charles de Gaulle.

And here I am, having finished a 1.2k words Blogpost and with 40 Euros less in my bank account because lucky me got picked to be tested for luggage overweight. And of course I´m guilty.. *insert crying emoji*

See you again in a few days with hopefully only the most amazing memories from Barcelona!

´Till then, wishing you all the best.

Christopher

While you are already here:

Catch up on my last article: Interior Update! How to decorate for the cold season

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How to maintain a cohesive instagram feed, i´m moving, some thoughts, travel diary: 3 days in barcelona, greece impressions: rhodes photo diary, 3 responses to “travel diary: 3 days in paris”.

I absolutely loved reading your journey through Paris. It is one of my biggest dreams. All your photos are amazing. I’m so glad you enjoyed it! ❤😍😍

Hey you! Thanks so much for the lovely comment, so happy to hear. 🙂 Hope you get to visit one day! – Christopher

That would be huge! I hope so 💕

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A Weekend in Paris, France: Travel Diary

“Everyone in Paris is so put-together it feels like anyone you pass by could be a celebrity. This city also has the best pastries I’ve ever had in my life.” Excerpt From 3/14/19

Paris has always been on my bucket list of places to visit. As if I wasn’t already excited enough, I also unknowingly booked my trip during Paris Fashion Week.

The city is like a magazine brought to life. I wouldn’t consider myself a fashion guru by any means, but my friend traveling with me definitely was. It was so fun walking around and observing the impeccable street style. She’d point out different jackets and purses and tell me what designer it was and how much it was worth. I wish I had longer than a weekend there, but keep reading to see all the places I was able to fit in during my three-day trip!

Eiffel Tower

It’s almost impossible to visit Paris without seeing the Eiffel Tower. My friend and I arrived right when it opened, but there was already a line. Luckily we only had to wait about twenty minutes, but I recommend buying tickets ahead of time if you can. It was drizzling lightly, but by the time we arrived to the top, the rain had thankfully stopped and the fog was slowly lifting.

From the top of the Eiffel Tower, you can literally see the ENTIRE city of Paris. I honestly had no idea Paris was so big until seeing it all from that high up.

We also returned later that night to see the Eiffel Tower all lit up. At 10:00 p.m. the lights on the tower start sparkling for five minutes. All I can say is it was the definition of magical.

Arc de Triomphe

The Arc de Triomphe towers above a bustling street. It is conveniently situated near lots of stores and restaurants, and there are surrounding sidewalks that are perfect for posing for some cool photos.

Notre Dame Cathedral

It’s hard to believe at the time I am publishing this that the Notre Dame no longer looks like it does in these photos. Less than a month after I visited, this gorgeous church caught fire. I’m so grateful I was able to experience it in its full glory, and I sincerely hope it is restored in the future so people can continue experiencing its breathtaking beauty.

Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Paris

This towering basilica sits upon a steep hill and has amazing views. It’s a bit of a trek to get up there, but I promise it’s worth it. It’s also a short walk from La Maison Rose, which is a cute pink cafe that’s all over Pinterest and Instagram.

Galeries Lafayette

The Galeries Lafayette is essentially the Harrods of Paris. It can be described as elegant, posh, and oh-so-luxurious. I didn’t do any actual shopping here, but I did enjoy walking around and exploring all the different levels.

I’m not sure if many people know this but there’s also a rooftop with a viewing deck on the top floor that’s completely free. There’s a stunning view of the Eiffel Tower in the distance. If you can, make the effort to go up during golden hour. I promise it’ll be worth it.

I wish I could have spent a whole day inside this museum. It is huge and there’s so many different exhibits to explore. I was also able to get free admission because I was a student, so definitely keep that in the back of your mind if you plan to visit while studying abroad in Europe.

As many people know, the Louvre is home to the Mona Lisa by Leonardo da Vinci. Although the portrait may be small in size, it has a whole room to itself. I know a lot of people have trouble figuring out what makes this painting so famous, but I personally appreciate it. I love the personality that shines forth from the mischievous smile on her face, almost like a smirk.

Musée Rodin

Walking around this museum is a bit like exploring a giant mansion. It is filled almost entirely with the work of Auguste Rodin, a French sculptor. There’s also an outdoor element to the museum with a luscious courtyard displaying even more statues. Admission to this museum was also free for study abroad students.

Palais de Tokyo

The Palais de Tokyo is a modern and contemporary art museum. It has some amazing interactive exhibits, and my favorite part was getting to participate in a virtual reality experience. One of the other awesome things about this museum is it’s open until midnight!

No trip is complete without trying new food! Here is a glimpse into some cuisine I was able to eat while in France.

Ratatouille

Creme Brûlée

Croque Monsieur

Duck & Potatoes

While walking to the Eiffel Tower, my friend an I ran into Tamara Kalinic , a YouTuber and fashion icon. I didn’t know who she was at the time, but she was one of my friend’s favorite influencers. She was so sweet and chatted with us for a few minutes before continuing about her Paris Fashion Week activities.

I ate an embarrassing amount of pastries in the three days I was in Paris including a chocolate eclair, coffee eclair, millefeuille vanille, and an assortment of macarons. Needless to say, my sweet tooth was satisfied for quite some time.

CHECK OUT MY PODCAST EPISODE ABOUT THIS TRIP:

Check out my other study abroad diaries:

London | florence | ireland | prague, you might also like.

4 of the Cutest Cafes in Paris, France

Florence, Italy: Travel Diary

Prague, Czech Republic: Travel Diary

Creating a French Travel Diary

How to write a travel journal or travelogue with french learners, travel journals help you to write and document about the experience you had in paris, france. you can include the written description of the places you have visited, list down your itinerary, the photos that you took during your trip and even the short videos and voice recordings that you made during your time.

With this French language and culture project, students will be able to:

− Produce a travel information packet (flyer, brochure, power point, wiki, etc.) with useful information about a French-speaking region, country, city, or town of their choice.

− Focus on particular French grammatical structures based on their language proficiency.

− Present their travel information to the class in a 10-minute group presentation.

French Level Required

Intermediate, but the project can be adapted to beginning and advanced French learners

Encourage students for weeks prior to this lesson to bring in location specific items such as travel guides (in any language), maps, vacation brochures, souvenirs, photos, ethnic artifacts (clothing, pottery, etc.), and travel website URLS. Make sure the items are identified by the student’s name.

This French class project can take several days, but it can also be spread out and worked on for a series of weeks.

You and your travel companion have a combined budget of $1500.00. Depending on where you chose to go this can be much or not much money1. Each one of you has different interests and likes so you must plan your itinerary accordingly, incorporating activities that will be suitable for both. You will do all these fun things and visit all of these exciting places and bring back information and pictures for a multimedia travelog book and presentation. You want to have a great trip and bring back plenty of memories!

You and your friend will keep a daily travel journal of your week’s stay in the French-speaking region you chose and gather materials to help you remember this incredible trip and be able to share it with friends and family.

You will have 2 signed entries per day (1 per partner), and will need to record the time at which each entry was made. Each French travel journal entry should be about 100-word long (so about 200 words total) and include descriptions of the activities and places you saw (e.g.: hotel you stayed at, restaurants you dined at, sights you visited and weather on the day of your visit, street names. etc.), sketches of things, people, etc. you have seen.

You should also include how much you spent and on what per day. Make sure to stay within budget. Your entries should have a personal feel to them.

Make it seem as if you’re really there. Share your interests, your joys, your pains, etc.

Your daily entries should at least include the following:

1. An itinerary showing where you were the day before and where you are today.

2. The hotel/youth hostel/camping site, etc. where you are staying at.

3. The food you eat, the drinks you have, and where you consume these.

4. The sights and landmarks you visit, the museums you go to. You mention their history and significance, for the museum, the collections that you saw.

5. The recreational activities you do (walk at the beach, hiking, rock-climbing, wind-surfing, horse-riding, etc.). During your trip, you also go see one French movie and attend the concert of a French artist. You will insert photos, sketches, memorabilia, receipts, etc. as you go.

How Do You Organize your Project?

1. To simplify things, we will say that $1 =1 Euro (or the local currency)

3. Meet with your partner to look at your findings and decide how to present your trip’s information as a multimedia travelog.

4. Save all your information, text, pictures, etc. on a flash drive or web space. Write your French travelog as follows:

5. Date and time each entry. If your level is lower intermediate, write in the present tense or ‘future proche’ as if you were writing your entries in the moment.

6. Make extensive use of the vocabulary that you are learning.

7. Label your photos and memorabilia, insert a caption.

This French language and culture project has given you the opportunity to learn about a French-speaking region or country. You should now feel as if you have really been there and have a desire to return to it in reality rather than virtually.  

Bon Voyage!

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Travel Diary: 3 Days in Paris

A hotel with eiffel tower views, an unforgettable michelin-star meal and an oasis of vintage haute couture, written by lindsay silberman.

It doesn’t get much better than breakfast with a view of the Eiffel Tower at the Shangri-La Paris .

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I’ve seen my fair share of gorgeous hotel bathrooms, but this one (also at the Shangri-La) might just take the cake.

Sometimes it’s the simplest travel experiences—like people-watching for hours at a classic French cafe—that end up being the most enjoyable. Especially when there’s rosé involved.

More people-watching in The Tuileries Garden. The Roue de Paris Ferris Wheel (center) is the world’s largest, measuring 200 feet high.

A fresh flower market with gorgeous spring blooms for sale in the 6th Arrondissement.

The stunning 103-year-old Plaza Athénée is one of the most celebrated properties in all of Paris. Its façade is arguably more remarkable in the evening than it is during the day. Renowned French chef Alain Ducasse oversees all five of the hotel’s restaurants, including Le Relais Plaza (seen here, bottom left.)

I love the way the city lights up around the Seine at night.

Even the unmarked doors in Paris are effortlessly chic.

Rue de Rivoli in the historic Le Marais district. There’s something really beautiful about the contrast between the vibrant carousel and the white-washed buildings behind it.

A gratuitous Eiffel Tower shot. It looked pretty magical at sunset.

Take my advice—the next time you’re in Paris, you must make a lunch reservation at Epicure . Located at Le Bristol, one of the city’s landmark hotels, the restaurant (boasting three Michelin stars) is an experience you’ll remember for the rest of your life. Order the caviar.

Blue lobster with polenta and black truffle at Epicure.

And finally, dessert. That’s gold-gilded sorbet—and yes, it’s edible.

The best way to work off a four-hour lunch? Shopping, of course. I spent a few hours strolling through Palais Royale, which has some incredible boutiques (like Didier Ludot and Gabrielle Geppert) for vintage haute couture.

There’s a reason why the concept store Colette has such a crazy cult-following. Within the 8,000-square-foot designer boutique, there’s a bookshop, café, exhibition space, sneakers, clothes, gadgets and more.

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Dolor Tristique

Travel diary: paris, france.

I was lucky enough to spend some time in Paris in both June and September of this year, so I thought I would combine the two trips into this one travel diary post. Paris is one of those city’s that just keeps calling me back… and I always find myself back in Paris a lot sooner than I expect. During my darkest moments of the pandemic and lockdowns, when I couldn’t see any light at the end of the tunnel, I would dream of Paris – popping in and out of cafes and galleries, dining on delicious food and wine, and feeling free in the city with endless possibilities and things to do. It seemed like the antithesis of what I was experiencing, so I promised myself that the minute things opened back up, I would go to Paris.

Back in June, when my husband and I were still living in Germany, Paris officially opened back up after months of lockdown – and we jumped on the opportunity. We quickly booked a long weekend, using a hotel credit from the previous year when we were supposed to go for my husband’s 30th. I decided to come a few days earlier to visit Monet’s House & Garden and have some alone time in my favorite city before my husband and best friend joined me. Then in September, my family planned a sister’s trip to Paris to go wedding dress shopping for my sister-in-law, so I was back for a few days at the beginning of the month. After traveling around the South of France for a few weeks, in Saint-Tropez and then Provence , I came back to Paris for a third time this year for a couple of days before my flight back home. As I said, I’m always back in Paris sooner than I think, and I hope that trend continues!

Where I Stayed

When I was visiting with my husband and family, we stayed at the La Reserve Hotel . The hotel is beautiful and luxurious, and we had the absolute best view of the Eiffel Tower from our balcony window. I had never seen the Eiffel Tower from my hotel room before, and it was incredibly special – I would go so far as to say I think booking a room with an Eiffel Tower view should be on everyone’s bucket list! The best part is at night once the sun goes down, when every hour on the hour the Eiffel Tower sparkles for 5 minutes. It’s enchanting! Back in June, my best friend and I stayed up chatting until 3 am, sitting by the window and watching the Eiffel Tower sparkle each hour – it never stopped being magical, no matter how many times we saw it! We found out that it does stop sparkling at 3 am, and that’s when we realized that if the tower was calling it a night, we probably should too 😉

When I came back solo at the end of September, I decided to stay in an area I had never stayed in before – Saint Germain. Normally I stay somewhere on the right bank, but after talking to a friend who loved the left bank and particularly this area, I decided to give it a try. I loved this hotel and this neighborhood! I stayed at the Hôtel de l’Abbaye Saint-Germain , a small boutique hotel in the heart of the Saint-Germain-des-Prés district. First of all, the interior design of this hotel was exactly to my taste – the room I was in reminded me so much of my own bedroom back home, with the blue bird and tree printed wallpaper and the orange bedspread. The entire hotel is decorated so beautifully – it’s cozy, intimate, and felt like home. I particularly loved watching the rain one morning while eating breakfast in the glass-covered lounge, with a view of the courtyard and garden. The neighborhood also has some of my favorite shops and restaurants and is perfectly located to explore more of Paris. I’ll definitely be coming back here to stay again on my next trip!

Paris is by far my favorite city to walk around. Some areas I love to wander are Montmartre and Saint-Germaine, and my favorite parks are Jardin Tuileries and Jardin Luxembourg. But all of Paris has something to offer, and I am endlessly fascinated and inspired on my long walks across the city.

I love Montmartre for its Bohemian atmosphere and winding, hilly streets that kind of make you feel like you’re in a small, quaint French town and not the metropolis of Paris. I always make a point to walk through Jardin Tuileries when I’m going somewhere, or if I have more time, grab a cappuccino at Cafe Kitsune and sit on a chair around the fountains. The best people-watching is here, and in the cooler months, they also serve vin chaud in the park. I love Jardin Luxembourg, which is smaller than the more popular Jardin Tuileries and a little more tucked away, but just as beautiful. I have a happy memory of my husband and me sitting in the shade at a little park cafe, drinking rose, and watching children push miniature, vintage sailboats around the duck pond on a hot June afternoon. When I stayed in Saint Germain I would start my morning with a peaceful walk through this park.

Paris has an endless amount of museums, art galleries, and sites to see. I have a habit of going back to a small handful of my favorites each time, and also making sure to add something new. I loved going back to the Musée Marmottan Monet , which is a 19th-century mansion filled with Monet and other Impressionists, and mostly feels like you’re in someone’s house rather than a museum. I also visited the Palais Garnier (Paris Opera House) for the first time, mainly to see the Chagall frescoes on the ceiling of the opera. Marc Chagall is my favorite artist of all time, whom I first fell in love with when I saw his stained-glass windows in the Reims Cathedral. I love his whimsical scenes and color. You can view his frescoes in two ways: by either getting a ticket to tour the opera house or a ticket to watch a performance. I got a regular tour ticket and wow, I was blown away. Both by the frescoes, but also the rest of the opera house – it’s incredibly ornate and grande. Unfortunately with a tour ticket, you can only view the ceiling from a specified balcony, and part of the view is obstructed – so next on my Paris bucket list is to get a ticket to a performance so I can stare up at Chagall’s ceiling in its entirety.

I mentioned before that the best way to see Paris is by walking – and the second-best way is by boat. In the past, I’ve done this on the hop-on/hop-off batobus, which is great. But when I came in September with my sisters-in-law for wedding dress shopping, I felt like the special occasion deserved a special boat. I contacted Seine Privée and rented their private boat for a 2-hour champagne cruise before dinner. I loved their beautiful, old wooden boat, with both covered and uncovered seating areas. We lucked out with the weather, so enjoyed our cruise from the spacious exterior areas in both the back and front of the boat. They provided champagne and hors d’oeuvres, and we got to sit back and relax on our private, leisurely boat ride down the Seine while watching the sun set on Paris’s beautiful buildings and bridges from the water. It was a really special experience, and I hope to have many more occasions to share this experience with people that I love.

Where I Shopped

One of my very first stops, whenever I’m in Paris, is Shakespeare & Co . I adore this tiny, iconic book store in a crooked old building on the banks of the Seine, opposite Notre Dame Cathedral. It gives off an almost whimsical, lost-in-time aura, inviting you to come in and get lost in the pages of a good book. I always buy a book and have them stamp it – I love collecting them as souvenirs. I never leave Paris without a visit here.

A new shop I discovered this year that will also be a permanent stop on my future visits to Paris is Crimson Cashmere . My husband and I first visited back in June and loved their beautiful cashmere staples. I picked up their best-selling poncho and loved it so much that I got it in a second color when I went back in September. I also picked one up for my mom because I think they’re so versatile and luxurious, everyone should have one (especially moms). In addition to their own designs, they also carry other European designers as well. I was introduced to Italian designer Pierre-Louis Mascia here and instantly fell for his use of different patterns and color pallets. I came away with a robe and scarf by him that I wear all the time. Traveling and shopping at independent boutiques like this is my favorite way to discover new-to-me brands, as the pieces always hold a story that I’m reminded of when I wear them.

Another French brand I discovered was La Botte Gardiane , which specializes in handmade boots, shoes, and sandals, all 100% made in France. I think I tried on every boot and shoe in the store before I finally settled on a pair. The quality and craftsmanship are incredible and they were all so beautiful, it was near impossible to decide!

And then there’s arguably one of the most iconic French brands… Hermès. When I came to Paris again in September, I went into the Hermès store for my first time and went straight for their iconic scarves. The store clerks were so helpful, happily pulling out every single scarf I was interested in and laying them flat. I love their intricate details, whimsical scenes, and bold colors. I decided on a silk one and a warmer silk/cashmere blend one, and they gave me a deck of cards that showed a different way to wear a scarf on each one – which was really helpful! I had no idea there were so many ways to wear a scarf.

I mentioned we came to Paris in September to go wedding dress shopping for my sister-in-law. We went to a handful of places, ranging from huge designers to smaller boutiques, but my favorite place we went to was Elie Saab. Wedding dress shopping here was like something out of a movie. The gowns were exquisite, each one was a true piece of art and I felt like I was in a dress museum. We were served coffee and pastries from Ladurée while we watched my sister-in-law try on many of their most beautiful gowns. This isn’t where she said yes to the dress, and the dress she did decide on is absolutely stunning and perfect for her. But Elie Saab was a really incredible experience!

Where I Ate & Drank

Saving the best for last! I could write an entire book on my favorite places to eat and drink in Paris, but for brevity’s sake, I’ll just talk about my favorites from this year’s trips. The winner this time around was LouLou . Located in the courtyard gardens of the Louvre, on an elegant terrace with white couches and umbrellas, Loulou became my new favorite restaurant in Paris because of its super fun and chic atmosphere, incredible service, and excellent food. My husband and I went for lunch here back in June and we had an amazing view from our table of the Eiffel Tower and Louvre Pyramid. On a sunny and hot afternoon, it had a bit of a glamorous beach club vibe with party music playing over the speakers across the terrace and waiters full of energy and charm – they wanted to make sure we had a good time, and of course, we did! I loved it so much I made sure to come back again in September with my sisters-in-law. This time we came for dinner and again had a view of the Eiffel Tower from our table, with the added bonus that we could watch it sparkle every hour throughout our meal. Everything I’ve had on the menu has been insanely delicious, I think it’s impossible to choose wrong. I did get the millefeuille for dessert twice though, and I highly, highly recommend it!

Another favorite was Frenchie . My husband and I actually came to the Frenchie wine bar a few years ago and we loved it so much, we tried to go back in June but unfortunately, they were closed for the summer. In September, I came back with my sisters but we booked the restaurant instead of the wine bar, which is right across the street. It was fantastic! A little more upscale than the wine bar but still cozy and intimate. There is only a tasting menu but the portions were perfect – I’ve actually been turned off tasting menus recently because I find it’s just too much food and I leave feeling uncomfortably full, but not at Frenchie. Each dish was mouth-wateringly delicious and just the right amount. This meal solidified Frenchie as a Paris staple for me.

Other highlights include dinner on the terrace at La Girafe , which has one of the best views of the Eiffel Tower. Speaking of Eiffel Tower views, the rooftop bar at the Peninsula Hotel has a great one. I think technically you have to be a hotel guest to go up, but my Parisian cousin told me that if you go right when they open, say for a pre-dinner apéro, they will happily serve you – so that’s exactly what we did. It’s a beautiful rooftop terrace lined with rose beds and the Eiffel Tower off in the distance – the cocktails are really great too! One Friday night my husband, best friend, and I had a really fun time at Clown Bar – I loved their organic wines and their small plates were fantastic. We were brave and tried the brain, and to my surprise, it was absolutely delicious! My sisters and I had a lovely lunch at L’Avenue, an upscale French bistro with a great outdoor terrace perfect for people-watching. While walking around the Saint Germain neighborhood one day, I stopped into Da Rosa for a solo lunch. It’s an easy spot for a solo lunch as the tables are small and it’s a bistro setting. The venue is low-key, lovely, and cozy, with excellent service, tasty food, and great wine. Also in the same neighborhood is Café de Flore , one of the oldest and most iconic coffee houses in Paris, serving familiar French fare in a charming Parisian setting. I only ever went in the mornings for a cappuccino and croissant, which they do really well here. My experience each time was great and I loved the setting.

Until next time, Paris! You’re always a good idea xx

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Travel Diary: Provence, France

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Los Angeles-Based Lifestyle Blog

The Paris Travel Diary: Visiting Paris for the First Time

June 30, 2023 · Paris , Travel · 0

In case you missed my first post , I spent 8 days between London and Paris and I’m recapping everything I got up to, including what I ate, drank, and saw in two of my bucket list cities. Keep reading for my Day 2 recap below.

On the second day, I wake around 5 am, get dressed and throw any lingering items into my suitcases and backpack before heading to the lobby to meet my group by 6 am. We call our Ubers and ride in groups of two to the St Pancras International train station to make our 7 am train ride to Paris. We arrive at the Gare du Nord train station three hours later. I booked a room at a different hotel from the group, so I call an Uber and get to my hotel.

My driver was so friendly and we chatted a bit about where I’m from and what I was looking forward to doing in Paris. He was surprised that I didn’t speak French and this would become a recurring theme of all of my Uber rides.

I arrived much earlier than the check-in time, so after changing in the restroom, I leave my bags at the front desk and call an Uber to meet the group for lunch at Pink Mama . This restaurant was so beautiful (although very tight) with its indoor/outdoor feel (there was so much greenery on the top floor of the restaurant) and gallery walls. I ordered a margarita pizza with a side of prosciutto and a cocktail so good, that I ordered a second. The server was very French and his IDGAF attitude had me cracking up the whole time.

After lunch, we headed to Montmartre in the 18th arrondissement to view the Basilica of the Sacré-Cœur and walk around. This area was really lively but still quaint. We passed lots of shops selling desserts and artists showcasing their works. There was even a bearded man in a striped shirt and beret, playing an accordion while a black cat sat on top – I can not make this up. This was the Paris I’ve seen on TV and I loved every second of it. I definitely want to spend more time there the next time I visit. Before heading back, I was thirsty, so we stopped at an outdoor restaurant and ended up ordering a round of refreshing cocktails I also ordered water and ginger beer (my official drink of the trip – I literally ordered one every place we went).

Afterward, since the rest of the group was staying at a hotel near the Eiffel Tower , I decided to ride back with them, to check the attraction off of my list. We walked over to the Tower and I quickly realized that it looks better from further away. However, I was happy to get a quick look at the Champe de Mars Park as I didn’t make it to the other many parks on my list.

After a few minutes by the Eiffel Tower, it was time to head back to my hotel and get ready for dinner. We decided to do a suits-themed night, where the group wore suits to dinner, so I checked in, did my hair and makeup, put on my suit, and headed over to Coco for dinner.

The vibe of the restaurant was really fun and upbeat, with groups chatting and swaying to the live entertainment. I ordered lamb chops, which came with a side of noodles and I also added a side of truffle mashed potatoes. The potatoes were good but everything else was just OK – word of advice, if you don’t know what to order in France, the safest thing to order is steak.

Once we finished eating dinner, we took some photos and headed our separate ways to get some rest before a very busy day ahead.

Stay tuned for Day 3 of my London & Paris adventures.

Until then, au revoir.

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About Coreyiel

Coreyiel is the founder of TheLuxeMinimalist.com. When she clocked out of her 9-5 as an influencer marketing manager, she's either writing about the newest beauty products, sharing her latest affordable & luxury fashion & home finds, hiking, decorating her apartment, or trying new restaurants around Los Angeles, CA.

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PARIS, FRANCE + DISNEYLAND PARIS TRAVEL DIARY | 2 DAY ITINERARY AND TRAVEL TIPS FOR A YOUNG FAMILY

Hey Loves! Next stop on our Euro Trip 2019 after Germany was Paris, France. We only had two days here, and we had two big goals: we wanted to see the Eiffel Tower and spend a day at Disneyland Paris.

The first day we flew into Paris, and got to our hotel , the Hyatt Regency, which was one of the airport hotels. We had a bit of a hard time navigating to the shuttle pick up (it was a far walk and there wasn’t a lot of signage), and once we got there we waited a long time for the shuttle pick up. At the hotel, we also had to wait a little bit for our room to be ready, but once it was, we dropped off our bags, did a quick change, and hopped in a taxi to take us to the center of Paris to see the Eiffel Tower. The driver dropped us off in front of one of the carousels, so after we snapped a few pictures, we took the kids for a ride. Adam took one of my favorite pictures of the whole trip (it’s one of the new backgrounds on my phone) of Presley in her beret riding the carousel with the Eiffel Tower in the back.

Then we headed to dinner at Cafe Del’Homme . I’d made reservations in advance, and it was the most incredible view of the Eiffel Tower. The food was delicious, and you cannot beat the ambiance of the location. It was incredible. Adam got a truffle pasta that was amazing, and I got the filet mignon, and it was all so delicious! The kids were getting a little antsy at this point because they hadn’t napped, so after we ate, we walked around a little bit and Presley picked out a light up rose gold Eiffel Tower souvenir that she keeps in her room now. The entire taxi ride back to the hotel, Landon and Presley just kept passing it back and forth. It was very sweet how they were trying to share it.

If you haven’t followed before this post, we’re huge Disney freaks (we honeymooned there and have gone back with the kids at least once a year), so we had to tack on a day at Disneyland Paris, and the kids were over the moon. Honestly, they could not stop talking about it before we went, and we all wished we had at least one more day there, but we did get to do a lot in the short time we were there.

We left our hotel early, around 7 am, and we got an Uber to take us to the parks, and it was almost an hour ride. We got to the park an hour before opening, and the lines to get in were crazy. A lot of people are very unclear how different tickets work (there’s a lot of different options- park hoppers and multiple fast pass options), so there was a lot of confusion of even what line to get into and people asking a lot of questions. I’d recommend researching everything or calling them before you go, so you have your tickets in advance, and don’t have to waste any time in the morning when you get to the park. Also, their scanners didn’t seem to be working to scan phone tickets, so they had to manually enter in everyone’s numbers, and it just took a long time to get into the park.

However, once we were inside, it just felt like home. The Disneyland park is just like Magic Kingdom, and Sleeping Beauty’s castle here is beautiful! In my opinion, it’s the most beautiful castle of them all! And the grounds around it are so cool. Adam kept saying how he loved the squared off trees. And tip if you don’t want a ton of people in the background- go to the left of the castle, and you can get a great pic with the landscaping behind you, not a crowd of people. I know it might seem silly, but the one picture I want and I don’t care about a single one the rest of the time, is a family picture in front of the castle. Since we go often, I just like to be able to put those pictures next to each other and see how we’ve changed over the years. So it’s the one picture I always make sure we get in the morning because it’s special to me.

Our travel agent recommended getting the fast pass tickets where you get fast passes for 9 of the main attractions, which definitely helped us to get on a lot of rides. The rides all had pretty long lines since it was summer, and the park felt very crowded to me once the afternoon hit. We were able to park hop from Disneyland Paris to the Disney Studios park because you can easily walk over from one to the other. I’m so glad we got to see at least both parks. I feel like you could spend a full day at both, which next time (fingers crossed there will be) we will definitely plan more time for Disneyland Paris. The rides were all so much more thrilling than the ones in the states, especially their Thunder Mountain coaster. We did the parent swap, so Landon got to ride it twice, and it was so cute hearing him scream and see himself walk off feeling so cool that he went on such a big kid ride.

We park hopped in the afternoon to the Walt Disney Studios Park, which is very similar to Hollywood Studios at Walt Disney World, except there are some cool differences. There is a Toy Story Land here that has different rides than the Toy Story Land at Hollywood Studios. There’s an army parachute drop ride, and the Slink Dog Coaster is more of a kiddie coaster, so Presley could actually ride. She went on that with Adam while Landon and I went on the Hollywood Tower of Terror. He was a little nervous (it is pretty spooky), but he loved the drops! It was fun! There is also a Parisan square with the Ratatouille ride that was so cute! I loved that there was a unique section to Paris. They also had a ton of food stands with cuisine from different European countries. It sort of seemed like the Epcot Food and Wine Festival vibes.

What I really liked about Disneyland Paris was some of the rides seems much more thrilling. Their haunted mansion had zombies that were a little more realistic, so it was a bit scarier. Their Thunder Mountain Coaster was so good! It was my favorite ride there that we went on. and I loved just seeing the differences in landscaping- everything was so pretty! And it felt like it was done a little extra, and there were a lot more water features. I really hope we can go back again someday- I loved getting to be in a Disney Park that feels like home, but see the new and different things they had!

The food at Disneyland Paris was also amazing! Presley picked out a lemon macaroon that had leopard print on it from Adventureland, and then we ate lunch at the Pirates of the Caribbean restaurant – Captain Jack’s , that is inside of the ride, and Jack Sparrow comes around to the tables. The food was a cajun creole style cuisine, and it was delicious! For dinner, we ate at Auberge de Cendrillon which was a Princess character dining with Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, Jasmine, Snow White, and the mice from Cinderella. Presley was so excited for this. From the moment we were seated and she saw the first princess, she kept asking “When is the princess coming? When is the princess coming?” and she was in awe getting to talk and interact with all of them. Landon always likes chatting with the characters too, and he would always introduce Presley it was so cute. One thing I didn’t realize, is that they encourage all the little girls to dress like princesses for this restaurant, so just know that if you decide to go! All the other little girls were dressed in Disney Princess outfits for the dinner. Also, all the menus were in French, but they did give us some versions that had English descriptions, and all the servers did speak English, so we were able to order no problem.

We got the kids their favorite- bubble makers after dinner. We went on a few more rides, and then, because it had been a very long day, we decided to get an Uber back to our hotel before the fireworks. I’m sad we didn’t get to see them, but we had the best day at Disneyland Paris. On the way out of the park, the kids helped me pick out an ornament with the Paris Sleeping Beauty Castle so, now we’ll get to hang that on our tree each year and remember what a fun time we had on this trip.

Next stop on our Euro Trip is Corfu, Greece! That blog post will be coming next. I hope you’ve enjoyed this travel diary, and let me know if you have any questions about our trip or traveling with toddlers, and I’ll be doing a blog post where I answer any questions that you have!

One response to “PARIS, FRANCE + DISNEYLAND PARIS TRAVEL DIARY | 2 DAY ITINERARY AND TRAVEL TIPS FOR A YOUNG FAMILY”

Hi Bri, I follow you Tiffany and Myka on youtube. I love that you shared you travels with us. You are one of my top YouTube peeps. I was wondering if you could help me figure binder organization for my 25 yr old he started college last week and he will be graded on his binder. He has cerebral palsy and is very O.C.D. any info you can share would be so appreciated. I’m so sorry about your Dads passing. And glad your trip helped you to cope better. Love you girl! Lonna

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Paris Travel Journal: Memories of Paris, Pocket Trip Planner, Memory Journal Notebook, Vintage Diary for Girls in France Paperback – April 21, 2022

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Art & Culture Travel Blog

Ile-de-france travel diary: paris, fontainebleau & moret-sur-loing.

• Tea Gudek Šnajdar

There are some places I could visit over and over again. And Paris is definitely one of them. Something in that city inspires me and gives me a feeling of belonging. I love everything there: art, architecture, lifestyle and people! So, when I got a chance to attend a conference in the Ile-de-France region a few weeks ago, I made a nice trip to Paris and its surroundings out of it. So, here it is, my travel diary from Paris, Fontainebleau and Moret-sur-Loing.

Ile-de-France travel diary: Paris, Fontainebleau & Moret-sur-Loing

The reason for this trip to the Ile-de-France region was the conference organised by the Cultural Routes of the Council of Europe with the theme of cultural tourism. It was organised in the lovely town of Fontainebleau, some 55 kilometres (35 miles) southeast of Paris.

I spent the first few days of my trip in the Seine-et-Marne area, famous for its Fontainebleau Forest and villages like Barbizon and Moret-sur-Loing. They were popular among 19th-century painters who captured them in numerous artworks. Because of its beauty and serenity, it’s still popular among Parisians and travellers from all over Europe.

I met my colleague at Charles de Gaulle Airport in Paris. We rented a car there and drew around one hour to our destination. We stayed at a lovely Mercure Château de Fontainebleau Demeures de Campagne hotel, which I really liked and recommend. As a massive fan of the French cosmetics brands , I was thrilled to discover the Nuxe toiletries in my bathroom.

⤷ TIP : Getting from CDG Airport to Fontainebleau could be tricky, and renting a car is the best way to get there. You can travel by train, too. However, you’ll need to change it a few times, and it will require a bit more time to get there.

Fontainebleau

Fontainebleau is a charming French town filled with beautiful stone houses, lovely restaurants, and cheese and wine shops. Its historical setting comes to life with a large population of students attending a prestigious INSEAD business school there.

However, the highlight of this small town is the Fontainebleau Palace . It was the second home to the Kings of France for centuries. The chateau is a beautiful example of French Royal architecture. But also a place where the Renaissance style first appeared in France. It’s evident in the Gallery of Francis I, where famous Italian artists like Rosso Fiorentino created some of their masterpieces.

Fontainebleau Forest

Ile-de-France region feels like countryside just outside the busy capital of Paris. So, I was very excited to visit one of its most famous sites – the Fontainebleau Forest. It’s a beautiful area with high trees and some unusual huge rocks. They reminded me a bit of trolls from the ‘Frozen’ movie. I almost expected they’ll start rolling around.

Fontainebleau is one of those ancient forests in which you feel it inspired numerous stories about the fairies and some other fantastic creatures. It is no surprise it also influenced painters during the 19th century to take a trip from Paris and come there. In 1849, the railway connected Paris with Fontainebleau, making it even easier for them to travel. They came with their tube paints and easels and started a revolution in art – Plein air painting.

A walk around this magical forest felt like a combination of meditation and experiencing nature with all my senses. I finally understood why all those Impressionist painters came there searching for light, colours and inspiration.

A walk through the Fontainebleau Forest led me to another famous village among art lovers – Barbizon. It’s a place that gave the name to the ‘Barbizon School’ of art, with painters Theodore Rousseau and Jean-Francois Millet being its leaders. Those artists mainly made realistic landscape paintings. After walking through the forest next to it, I could understand why.

I didn’t have a chance to explore the village much because I attended a nice dinner organised for the conference participants there. However, it left an impression of a quiet, charming village worth exploring more.

This area is filled with history and numerous cultural routes crossing it. It is where writer Robert Louis Stevenson lived and worked. During our walk through the forest, our guide read some of his writing. The European Route d’Artagnan is also passing there. So, during our dinner, we were visited by some of Alexandre Dumas’ famous characters.

Moret-sur-Loing

Moret-sur-Loing was my favourite place I visited in the Ile-de-France region. It’s a fortified medieval town filled with lovely houses, small shops and restaurants, and a beautiful river passing through it. That lovely place is filled with history. It was a royal town located on a border between the Kingdom of France and the Duchy of Burgundy.

Once I entered the town through its monumental medieval Gate of Samois, I felt like I had stepped back in history. And I could see remains of that history already on the gates. Still stuck in it is a cannonball from the Napoleonic wars.

While walking through the town, I spotted many old Renaissance houses. However, one which is this town’s highlights is the Francis I facade (you can see it on the bottom right photo). Built in 1527, it was initially designed to connect two houses. It’s decorated with statues and carvings, often bearing a symbolic meaning. But, the exciting thing about this building is that it was moved twice. It was dismantled and rebuilt in Paris at the beginning of the 19th century. And then brought back home to Moret in 1955.

I ended my walk next to the Loing River, which is passing through the town, giving it an even more serene look. The sites next to it often influenced the Impressionist painters’ artworks. One of them, the famous artist Alfred Sisley lived there and created numerous paintings showing his adopted home of Moret on his paintings.

⤷ TIP : I explored the lovely town of Moret-sur-Loing on a guided tour. If you’d like to do the same, contact the local tourist office to book your tour.

After a few days in the Fontainebleau area, it was time to return to Paris. I have a tradition of spending a weekend abroad each year with my brother. This was the second time we had decided to meet in Paris. My favourite way of spending time in Paris is by just wandering around the city, enjoying its fantastic cafes and restaurants and visiting museums.

Since I spent the last few days following the Impressionist painters’ footsteps and visiting locations around Paris linked to art, I also wanted to see some of their artworks in Paris’ museums.

⤷ Read more : First time in Paris – Beginners’ art & culture guide to Paris

We first checked in at our hotel, conveniently located just a few steps away from the Trocadero and Eiffel Tower. We stayed at Hotel Gavarni and were very happy to be upgraded to the Versailles room (yes, it was a room with a name instead of a number) from which we had a beautiful view of the Eiffel Tower.

After a short break, we walked to Trocadero, where we had a coffee and cake in one of my favourite places in Paris – La Carrete. I love sitting at their terrace with the Eiffel Tower view while enjoying some fantastic cookies and one of the best coffees in Paris.

We then strolled to the Arc de Triomphe and walked along the famous Champs Elysees. It’s a great feeling when you know someplace, almost as if you’re living there. I feel that now I don’t need to go to all the tourist places in Paris anymore. But instead, enjoy the city as a local while strolling around it and enjoying its spirit.

⤷ Read more : Locations linked to Vincent van Gogh in Paris

We started the next day with a visit to one of the local markets, where we were just amazed by the quality and diversity of food. It’s no surprise French are so good with their food.

The day was reserved for museums. So, after already a traditional long stroll next to the Seine River, we went to the Musée de l’Orangerie. It’s one of the first museums I ever visited in Paris. So, whenever I have a chance, I revisit it. Standing in a middle of a room surrounded by Monet’s The Water Lilies is one of my favourite museum experiences. I also saw it with a new pair of eyes after spending some time in Fontainebleau Forest and next to the Loing River. I observed its light and colours in a new way.

⤷ Read more : The best museums in Paris

However, the experience was a bit ruined by the crowded museum. After visiting Paris numerous times already, I concluded it’s best to visit museums in Paris during the off-season. I remember being in some of the most famous museums in Paris in early January, and I was the only person there. I could enjoy all the artworks in peace and quiet.

⤷ TIP : So, my advice is to visit Paris in June to wander around the city and in January to explore the museums.

After the Musée de l’Orangerie, we had lunch at one of my favourite restaurants in Paris – Les Antiquaires. It’s located very close to Musée d’Orsay. The duck there is out of this world, so I always have that same dish at that restaurant.

In the afternoon, we went to another museum that is still a bit of a hidden gem. Musée Marmottan Monet is famous for its Impressionist collection, especially the paintings made by Claude Monet and Berthe Morisot . Located in the old townhouse, it almost feels like visiting someone’s private home. I love that place and visit it nearly every time I’m in Paris.

⤷ Read more : What to see in Musée Marmottan Monet in Paris

These are some of my favourite trips. Visiting familiar places while extending your trip to the areas that are still unknown to you. I loved being in a serene nature and then getting to the busy metropolitan. That combination of the rural and urban gave me an excellent overview of the beautiful Ile-de-France region.

It was a perfect weekend in Paris after a lovely week spent in the French countryside. However, the end of my trip was a bit hectic. After a nice French breakfast in front of the Luxembourg Garden, I went to the RER train to the airport. Just after we passed Gare du Nord station, there was a power outage, and we got stuck in the metro for two hours. I missed my flight and had to be rebooked to a later flight. I waited in the airport for hours and had to pay around 500 euros to get a new ticket. It wasn’t all bad because I was flying in a business class on my way back home. But, it was quite an expensive end of a great trip.

Have you been to any of these places? Which one did you like the most? Let me know in the comments below!

Barbizon , Fontainebleau , Ile-de-France , Moret-sur-Long , paris

Paris Travel Diary

If you missed the first part of the little European getaway I took with my mom last month — make sure to check out my London Travel Diary ! The month of November has been absolutely chaotic here at OSG — but I’m so excited to share some snapshots of Paris! After 5 full days in London doing all. the. touristy. things we could get our hands on, we were ready for a little R&R — so we hopped on the Eurostar and took a 2 hour direct train into Paris. It was definitely an easy ride (and in my opinion, a lot easier to navigate than the trains in Italy). We arrived to MORE sunshine — we must have had freak weather the entire time we were away, and it was around 70-75 degrees the entire 4 days we were in France!

WHAT WE DID

Jardin de Tuilleries.   I had mentioned this on my London post — as happy I was to be in Europe, I was secretly sad to be missing October in Connecticut. Hear me out. We have such crazy weather here in the Northeast — hot, muggy summers and freezing cold, snowy winters… October is usually my favorite month and one of the most mild months of the year. We also get to look at some beautiful foliage and I was so sad to be missing it! Once we got into Paris and realized our hotel was right across from the famous Jardin de Tuilleries, I forgot all about fall back home. The Jardin de Tuilleries is a gorgeous tree-lined park with an old vintage carousel and the most picturesque walkways.

Charles Garnier Opera House.   One of the most elaborate places I’ve ever stepped foot in, this is the famous opera house that the story of Phantom of the Opera takes place in. We paid for the audio tour and wandered around learning all about the history of it being built (so. much. gold.) and all of the infamous Parisians that used to attend!

Wandered around the neighborhood of Saint Germaine.   Everyone always just tells you to get lost in the streets of certain cities — something I love doing. I love setting out with absolutely zero agenda and seeing where you end up. We took an uber to Saint Germaine and wandered around shopping, eating at cafes, and just getting more acquainted with the slow pace of Paris.

Bateaux Mouches Dinner Boat.   This had been on our list to do and we waited until our second to last night. We took an early sail down the Seine River (so we could see the Eiffle Tower light up) and get some photos in the light. Our meal was delicious and it was such a relaxing hour and a half! We saw so many people on the sides of the river just hanging out — drinking wine and picnicking with a view!

Watched the Eiffel Tower Lights.   We luckily got to do this right from our hotel room (our travel agent Lorraine is the freaking best). If you don’t have a view of the Eiffel Tower from wherever you’re staying, get out into the streets and find a spot to stand for a few to catch the show at night. The Eiffel Tower lights up at the top of each hour from sundown to about 1am for 5 minutes, and it’s magical! We felt so lucky we got to watch it a few times each night!

Lourve Highlights Tour. I must have misjudged what being one of the biggest museums really looks like, because when we walked up to the Lourve… I was in shell shocked.  It’s MASSIVE, and I was thankful that we took advice and did the “highlights tour” — we probably would have been lost in there otherwise.  On our two hour tour, we got to see  paintings by Da Vinci, get a little history of the Lourve and what it started out as, and of course, the Mona Lisa.

WHERE WE STAYED

We stayed at The Westin Vendome, which is right across the street from the Jardin de Tuilleries and diagonal from the Lourve.  It’s a pretty great location — as we were able to walk to a bunch of the attractions we wanted to visit, but it is in the middle of a major “high end” shopping district, so the shops and restaurants were pretty pricey right around us.  Luckily, we did a TON of walking, and were able to Uber around without any headache.  As I had mentioned above, we had a beautiful view of the Eiffel Tower right from our room and were able to take in the gorgeous foliage of the Jardin de Tuilleries!  If I’m lucky enough to go back (bringing Raj is now on my list), I would probably prefer to stay in a more quaint neighborhood next time… but this was perfect for us!

WHERE WE ATE

Dominico’s Restaurant.  We ate here the first night after a long travel day arriving in Paris.  We were looking for something local (that we could easily walk to) and found this place just a few blocks from our hotel.  Compared to London, the prices were refreshing and a glass of wine was only € 5!

Angelina’s Tea House.  Also right around the corner from where we stayed, we ended up here for an early breakfast and ended up oggling the pastries and desserts as we left!

Café de Flore.  We stopped into this famous corner cafe the day we walked around Saint Germain.  It was one of my favorite places of our trip and was so fun to sit and relax with a glass of wine and people watch.

Buddha Bar.  We didn’t hit much nightlife on our trip but it was fun to do a couple of dinners on the late side and loved this spot.  It was walkable from our hotel and absolutely gorgeous (I felt like we were in Vegas).

Iovine Arte Della Pizza.  I was CRAVING pizza (and/or probably carbs) so I went on a search for the best pizza in the city.  This place was UNREAL and such a little find.  We ended up ordering the most gorgeous cheese board and burrata platter after seeing someone else in the restaurant with it and I quickly forgot about my pizza need.  A must-try if you’re in Paris!

L’Impérial Rivoli.  A delicious little French spot we ducked into our last night of our trip.  It was super cozy and casual and the food and service was amazing!  I’m also pretty positive I’ve never had a better french onion soup in my life.

SHOP THE POST

You’ve checked and ate at all the best and must places! Such a great photo / travel diary, you look so romantic and feminine in these outfits!

https://lartoffashion.com

It was the trip of a lifetime! Thanks for sharing it with me! All my love, Your travel buddy, Mom

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Passengers injured after United Airlines flight from Israel diverted to NY over turbulence

A United Airlines flight from Israel made an emergency landing in New York on Friday after the plane experienced severe turbulence that required several passengers to seek medical attention.

The flight, that was over 10 hours from Tel Aviv to New Jersey, landed in New York Stewart International Airport after experiencing high winds that caused a disturbance on board, according to United Airlines.

“United Airlines Flight 85 landed safely at New York Stewart International Airport around 6:45 p.m. local time on Friday, March 29, after the crew reported a passenger medical emergency,” the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) told USA TODAY. “The Boeing 787 departed from Tel Aviv and was en route to Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey.”

United Airlines passengers: Can sort out flights for planes that accommodate their wheelchair

Several passengers impacted by severe turbulence

While there are several reports that between seven to 22 people were taken off the United Airlines flight because of injuries, the airline did not confirm the exact number of people that needed medical attention.

“One passenger deplaned due to a medical incident, and a few other customers were seen by medical personnel for possible motion sickness,” United Airlines told USA TODAY.

United Airlines Flight 85 was able to refuel and continue their journey to Newark Liberty International Airport .

The FAA has opened an investigation regarding the incident.

United Airlines Paris flight diverted to Denver over engine issue

Another United Airlines flight had to be diverted this week.

Flight 990, which was headed to Paris from San Francisco International Airport , was diverted to Denver on Thursday evening after the crew reported an issue with the engine, according to the statement United Airlines emailed to USA TODAY on Friday. After it landed safely, passengers deplaned normally, and the flight was canceled.

A representative from United said the airline was looking to provide flight options for the 273 passengers who were on board.

Contributing: Julia Go m ez , USA TODAY

Ahjané Forbes is a reporter on the National Trending Team at USA TODAY. Ahjané covers breaking news, car recalls, crime, health, lottery and public policy stories. Email her at  [email protected] . Follow her on  Instagram ,  Threads  and  X @forbesfineest.