City of love, lights and art - Paris!

Dazzling Eiffel Tower at night! (twinkles every hour for 5 minutes in the evening)

My favorite quote 'Paris never leaves you & Eiffel never fails to impress'. Paris is an amazing city (was like being in Delhi, Mumbai and NYC, but with a French twist) as we had a blast exploring the streets, museums and cafes with our college friends! Sharing some tips on where to stay. Paris is divided into different areas called arrondissements, and each one has its own vibe and attractions. You want to pick an arrondissement that's close to the places you want to see, but also affordable and comfortable. Some of the most popular ones are the 1st, 7th or 8th, where you can find landmarks like the Louvre, the Eiffel Tower and the Champs-Élysées. But they can also be pricey and busy, so book early if you can. We stayed in the 19th arrondissement, near the Opera house and the metro station as we found a good deal. It was a cozy (2bed/1bath) condo listed on Airbnb (message me and I’ll be happy to share the link) in a convenient location, bit far off from popular attractions but had ton of shops and restaurants nearby.

Transport Pass: If you're visiting Paris, you can get this pass at any metro station when you arrive. Just remember to bring extra passport photos because they'll ask for them. Uber is also a good option if you want to save time and money. It's usually around 10-20 Euro for a short ride within the city.

We had a wonderful time in Paris, the city of love and lights. We managed to visit all the must-see attractions in Paris in about 3 days, such as the Palace of Versailles, Eiffel Tower, Louvre Museum, Sainte Chapelle and Arc de Triomphe. On the 4th day, we decided to explore the buzzing Champs Elysees area, which is famous for its shopping, cafes and entertainment. We booked a night stay in this area to give us flexibility to explore on foot and take much needed break by returning to the hotel during the day. This was especially helpful when traveling with kids and during summer travels when during the day outside it can be super-hot and draining! We enjoyed walking along the streets, admiring the architecture and the atmosphere, and indulged in some delicious French desserts.

Louvre museum light up at night!

If you're planning to visit some museums, cruises, or other attractions, I have a few tips for you. Look for options to book either directly through the official websites or sometimes you may find better deals on third-party sites like ‘GetYourGuide’ or ‘Viator’. These sites usually have more options/tours for different destinations and activities. Second, don't lock yourself into a rigid schedule especially while traveling with kids. That's why I usually, whenever possible, book refundable tickets or use the ‘reserve now and pay later’ options. That way, I can change my mind or cancel without losing any money. Trust me, it's worth it for the flexibility and peace of mind even if priced bit higher.

Glimpse of rainbow over the Eiffel!

Here is what we did each day: Day 1: We visited the Palace of Versailles and its beautiful gardens. It was a full-day experience that we enjoyed a lot. The palace was stunning and our kids also learnt about the history of France and its kings. Day 2: We went to the Louvre Museum in the morning and saw some famous artworks. After lunch and a nap at our Airbnb, we climbed the Arc de Triomphe and admired the Eiffel Tower from above. Then we took a night boat cruise and saw the Eiffel Tower dazzle at night from every direction. Day 3: We explored the Opera House, the Sainte Chapelle, and the Saint German area. We tasted some delicious pastries and ate at a nice Indian restaurant. We also learnt that most bakeries and shops are closed on Sundays. Day 4: We walked along the Champs Elysees and took a night bus tour to see Paris at night. It was a delightful way to end our trip.

Stunning Opera House!

Pros

• Direct flights from Seattle made it easy for us to get there and back. Paris is also a good hub to explore other nearby countries by train, such as Belgium, Switzerland, and Amsterdam.

• For art and museum lovers, you could spend several days here.

• The food scene in Paris is incredible. We enjoyed delicious croissants, dairy products, and pastries every day. We also tried some global cuisines, including Indian food, which was surprisingly good. We found that food and Uber were inexpensive compared to the USA, but we avoided other private taxis as they can be pricier (especially from busy places such as train stations).

• If you’ve more time you could plan few days to visit other beautiful places in France, such as Normandy, Nice, and the French Riviera.

• There is something magical about seeing the Eiffel Tower so close during the day or night that it will live us (and kids) forever. It was magical to see it during the day and night, sparkling with lights. The night cruise around the Eiffel Tower dazzling with lights was the highlight of our Paris trip and something we will never forget. Also, instead of going up the Eiffel Tower which was always packed, we decided to climb up ‘Arc de Triomphe‘ (relatively less packed) to enjoy unobstructed views of the Eiffel.

• We found food to be on the cheaper side (compared to USA and Switzerland 😊).

Cons

• Watch out for pickpockets. This is very common in France, especially on public transportation. Many people warned us about them before we left, and luckily neither us nor our friends lost anything. Just don't place any valuables in your backpack or back pocket. Carry it in a bag or a purse facing front of you or visible to you. Also, just carry enough cash or a credit card for your daily expenses and leave the rest of your valuables in your suitcase or if locker available at your accommodation. Keep in mind, most Airbnb’s or hotels there don’t have lockers, so your safest bet is the suitcase, and you can keep it locked.

• Use Uber instead of the metro especially for short trips with young kids. It's more convenient, comfortable and safe from pickpockets :)