Paris

Paris, France's capital city, is a place that needs (almost) no introduction. Whether you like Paris or not, it remains one of the top tourist (and cultural) destinations in the world. From the Bastille Takeover, to the French Revolution, to being home to F. Scott Fitzgerald, Picasso, Hemingway and Coco Chanel, to hosting the 2024 Olympics this July, Paris has certainly seen a lot.

And in February, I got to see Paris for the first time myself. Here's my recap on my 2-day trip to "The City of Love".

Where to Stay

We stayed in the 11th Arrondissement, and I'd recommend it to any tourist. The 11th Arrondissement is a lively area with plenty of restaurants, bars and clubs, and according to locals, offers a more "Parisian" experience compared to other touristic neighbourhoods. 

The area was pretty, clean and well connected to the city's most important landmarks. It's also home to the Cimetiere du Pere-Lanchais, the final resting place of Jim Morrison and Oscar Wilde. 

Landmarks 

The first stop on my list is the most painfully obvious Parisian landmark there is - the Eiffel Tower. Built in 1887, the pyramid-shaped iron structure embodies the romance and grandeur of Paris and it's majestic architecture. Fun fact: the Eiffel Tower was originally designed to be a temporary structure! It had plans to be dismantled after the 1889 Exposition Universelle - but it's unique look and value as a radiotelegraph station cemented it's spot along Paris' iconic skyline. 

Arc de Triomph 

The Arc de Triomph was built in 1836 by Napoleon Bonaparte, and is a symbol for the French military and national pride. One thing unbeknownst to me before I arrived was that you can pay a small fee to climb the inside of the Arc de Triomph and enjoy the most breathtaking viewpoint of Paris - a view even better than the one from the Eiffel. 

Place Vendome 

Place Vendome is a square in the heart of Paris that's famed for it's beautiful architecture and rich history. The Column of Vendome, a statue commemorating Napoleon's victories, sits in the centre. But nowadays, it's the place to go for fancy hotels, high-end eateries and luxury boutiques. Oh, and it's a great spot to ride your bike around, too.

  

Montmatre & Sacre-Coeur Basilica

With it's mighty hills, and narrow, winding cobbled streets, Montmatre feels quite different to the rest of Paris. The artistic neighbourhood was once home to Vincent Van Gogh and Pablo Picasso, but now it's home to the iconic Sacre-Coeur Basilica. 

The world-famous church boasts a stunning mix of Romanesque and Byzantine architecture, and is a hot spot for tourists, locals and pilgrims alike. If you're thirsty after visiting the church, pop into the charming Irish bar La Virgule, it's right next door.

Activities 

Walk Around the Jardin du Palais Royale 

Paris' Palais Royale is surrounded by huge, stunning gardens that have been around since the 17th century. Today, the Jardin du Palais Royale serves as a peaceful retreat from the city, and is surrounded by sweet little cafes where you can grab a coffee for your afternoon stroll past the Palais Royale. The fountain in the centre is surrounded by deck chairs and is a great place to people watch. 

Rent a Bike and See the Sites 

One of the first things I do in any new city is rent a bike. Cycling is an exciting, cost-effective way to see any new place - especially a place like Paris which is (for the most part) flat and covered with cycle lanes. 

We rented some bikes for a few euros each and cycled around the whole city centre. Some of the best landmarks we cycled past along the way included the Notre Dame Cathedral, the Pantheon, the Seine River and the Louvre - to name a few. So if you're short on time and want to see as much of Paris as possible - rent a bike. 

Restaurants 

The Creparie 

The Creparie is located by the Pantheon. The stylish, glass-fronted restaurant serves a diverse range of sweet and savoury crepes, and french style omelettes. You can't do Paris without eating at least one crepe, after all.  

 Niko Ramen 

I like Parisian food. But if you're wanting a break from escargot, hit up Niko Ramen. Niko is a warm, cozy restaurant that offers a wide selection of authentic Japanese food. From their comforting ramen bowls to their tasty gyoza and rice dishes, the two-story joint offers a true taste of Japan in the heart of Paris.

Le Creme de Paris 

Craving a sweet treat after dinner? Then Le Creme de Paris is the place to go. Designed like an old-school Parisian diner, Le Creme de Paris is a cafe that specialises in top-rated coffee and desserts. It's super popular, so much so that it had a queue out the door at 10:30 in the evening. We shared some waffles, crepes and hot chocolate, all of which were delightful.

Le Petit Boullion Pharamond

Here, I'm saving the best restaurant for last - Le Petit Boullion Pharamond . We attended Le Petit Boullion Pharamond on our first night in Paris, and it truly was one of the best restaurants I've ever been to. It's classic Parisian interiors were covered with etched mirrors and murals, and had an old-world dining room that looked like a scene from Midnight in Paris. From the bone marrow, to the garlic escargot, to the best steak and onions I've ever had, Le Petit Boullion Pharamond's food was truly spectacular, and is a must-visit for anyone that goes to Paris. 

That's all on my short (but sweet) trip to the City of Love. I barely scratched the surface, so I'll definitely go back again one day!