Paris is a special city to visit at any time of the year and for any occasion, either for a long weekend or a more extended holiday, with special attractions and experiences. It's easy to get there with fast Eurostar connection from London St Pancras in 2hrs 20mins.
I visited Paris most recently in August with my family, and it didn’t disappoint. Arriving in the afternoon at Gare Du Nord, we took the Metro to drop off our bags at the hotel .
We headed straight for Arc De Triomphe in the centre of a busy roundabout. In order to explore around the beautiful Arc, take the underground passage. We climbed 284 steps to the top, or take a small lift. I personally think this is one of the best views in Paris!
Parc Monceau is a quick walk, and in Spring, you can see magnolias and cherry blossoms. Musée Jacquemart-André is a little off the beaten path of the Paris museums not far from Arc de Triomphe. It has beautiful architectural details and a slightly oddball but interesting collection of pieces.
Down lovely Avenue des Champs-Élysées, we stopped in a traditional French restaurant La Fontaine de Mars in one of the side streets for dinner. We left enough time to walk along to the Trocadéro to catch the glittering light show on the Eiffel Tower. (8pm - 1am during the first 5 minutes of the hour, every hour, and it last 5 minutes.)
Place du Trocadéro is a great place to visit day or night. Avoid the crowds by getting there early. It was relatively quiet when we visited early evening, with some delightful musicians and singers. Enjoy stunning views of the Eiffel Tower and the expansive recently renovated complex of museums, sculptures, stunning gardens and fountains.
An early start to meet our pre-booked guide near the entrance of the Eiffel Tower for one of the first entries up to the summit. I booked with Viator to guarantee we made it to the top and enjoyed the whole experience. Ask Abbotts Travel to do this for you! There are lovely dining areas and an outside café/Champagne bar to enjoy the views.
We walked along to the Seine to catch a boat up the river. There are several tourists’ boats to hop on and off at the different attractions along route. We cruised up until the Notre Dame Cathedral, exploring the area and walking down to the Louvre. An impressive museum inside and out, famous for being the home of Da Vinci’s ‘Mona Lisa’.
For fans of beautiful gardens and Emily in Paris, we walked through the Jardin des Tuileries for some lunch before heading up to Montmartre. Other great Emily in Paris spots we passed included: The Place de l’Estrapade in the Latin Quarter, Palais Royal and Pont Alexandre III on the Seine.
Montmartre in the North is popular for the Sacré-Cœur Basilica and it was frequented by many famous artists. Climb the stairs near Anvers station to the Sacré-Cœur Basilica or take the funicular up for impressive views of Paris. Great places for a bite to eat or a coffee stop in Montmartre are La Maison Rose, at the corner of quaint little street Rue de l’Abreuvior, Rue des Martyrs filled with delicious bakeries and my fave Pink Mamma.
The Moulin Rouge at the foot of Montmartre hill in the heart of Pigalle is a fun place to visit. Book to see one of the world's most famous Cabaret shows - a troupe of 60 artists perform twice a night on the stage of the 'Féerie' revue. The show has breathtaking displays: feathers, rhinestones, sequins, acrobats, and original music plus you can experience a unique dinner.
I recommend taking the Paris Metro, with 16 lines, it's easy to navigate. The city is large so walking is not feasible if you want to see it all. The Metro and bus pass can be used for both. If you're visiting multiple museums and tourist attractions, the Paris Pass gives you access at a discount, (saving you money and time), including the Arc de Triomphe, Sainte Chapelle, The Louvre and Versailles.
If you're interested in architecture, gardens and history, I'd recommend a day trip to visit beautiful Palace of Versailles a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Either take a tour or the RER C train will take you to train station Château Rive Gauche, Versailles.
Why not check out our Paris Offer at La Fantaisie hotel.
For more info or to book contact Abbotts Travel 134 George Lane, South Woodford, E18 1BA on 020 8989 9445 or email info@abbottstravel.com
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