Bonjour, Welcome to the City of Lights.

Another checkbox ticked, and another experience was lived. My friend Raelene and I traveled to Paris in 2004, a city that is always on everyone’s travel list. While it will forever remain the city of romantics, who says there are not enough things to do for you and your family?

Being the business and commerce hub, Paris takes no setback with the array of activities it offers. With the most luxurious dining options, splendid views, and rich culture, there was no dull moment in our short trip.

Language French, some English spoken

The currency is Euro €

Getting to Paris:

The Eurostar train is available from most European cities, We left London, and my friend and I arrived in Paris within two hours and thirty minutes.

The high frequency of trains makes it simpler for you to plan and leave according to your needs. Of course, it is best to arrive 30 minutes early to make it hassle-free when traveling with kids.

The tickets begin at €52, making them much cheaper than the air costs and allowing you to arrive in the center of the city.

Paris is very accessible from most major airports around the world. If you are flying into  Charles De Gaulle airport, there are many different options to get into the city of Paris, with public transport (approx €10.50), or airport shuttle services (approx €15-€25), or taxi (approx €60-€80)

Getting around Paris:

We opted for the hop-on-and-off bus tour where the famous locations could be covered while also learning about the unknown facts about the famous attractions, with prices that begin from as low as €18.

The Metro is another great mode of transport and is affordable and easy to navigate. Check out the information on the local transport in Paris here.

there are always Uber or Taxis, however, they are going to be more on the expensive side.

The best way to explore Paris is by foot, or by hiring a bike and riding around the city on the many bike paths available.

To rent a bike check out Velib they have thousands of classic or electrical bikes for hire and many docking stations around the city. The bikes are €1 for every 30 minutes and €2 for an electrical bike. 

When to visit and the weather

January, February, and March – Winter is the coldest month to visit, and can be unpleasant to be exploring outside all day in the cold. If you don’t mind the cold, then visiting in the winter months will see you a cheaper price on getting there and on accommodation and much fewer crowds.

April, May, and June – Spring – the temperature is starting to warm up, there is less rain and you can still avoid the big crowds, people generally start arriving in June for the summer holidays.

July, August, September – Summer is the hottest time and the busiest with summer holidays around the world; this brings big crowds higher prices, and long lines. If visiting in summer, you may want to consider buying tickets in advance and buying with an express entry to avoid the long lines.

October, November, December – Fall the temperature is nice, starting to cool, but fewer crowds and prices begin to go down.

If you don’t like Winter for the cold, and Summer for being too hot and too busy, the start of Fall may be just what you’re looking for or Spring avoiding the harsh weather conditions and busy lines.

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Places to stay

We stayed at the Hotel Du Roi Rene, 72 Place du Dr. Felix Lobligeois. While being just fifteen minutes away from the heart of Paris, the hotel is in the raw district of Batignolles. The transport to and from the hotel was convenient, along with multiple departmental stores that are close. Another add-on is its proximity to the iconic Moulin Rouge.

The is an abundance of hotels throughout Paris to suit all budgets and hostels for those more on a budget or looking to get to meet other travelers.  

Eiffel Tower

The best tourist location in this City of Lights, the Eiffel Tower. There was a long line for the elevator upon our arrival, but there was no way we would have climbed up the 1,665 steps to reach the top. Unfortunately, we didn’t go to the top but having your tickets booked in advance will be a step ahead; this is on my bucket list for my next trip with my family.

Costs:

• Starting at €8.30 for 12-24 years old
• €16.60 for the adults

Musee D’Orsay

The next spot on the list was The Musee D’Orsay. Located just a few minutes away from the Eiffel Tower, this museum reflects Paris’s tradition and culture.

Pre-book your admission passes; the fee is €16. However, there is a way you and your family can save on this entry fee. On the first Sunday of every month, entry to this museum is free for everyone.

I will keep this in mind the next time I travel with my kids and husband. The interiors are filled with large paintings and sculptures that convey much more than what meets the eye. I can only imagine how fascinated my kids would be in the museum.

Norte Dame

Visit the world’s finest French Gothic architecture, the Notre Dame. After being closed due to the fire in 2019, the interiors of Notre Dame have been closed to the public. However, the exterior grounds and church are worth a visit.

The asymmetrical portals with the ‘gallery of kings’ above them and a magnificent view from the west rose window are all sights to see.

We then headed to a tiny café called the Odette Tea Room, which is just a few minutes away from Notre Dame, to try their famous choux pastry. And if you are visiting with kids, the Shakespeare & Company Bookstore and Café will have them intrigued.

The Louvre

The next destination was the artsy Louvre on the banks of the River Seine. Being the most visited and largest museum in Paris, the museum has loads to offer.

While it is the home to the famous Mona Lisa painting, eight other departments are full of arts and antiques. A map of the museum will help guide you through this massive area, while there is also a mobile application that you can use to familiarize us with the museum’s details. 

The Garden of Tuileries

Then head to the Garden of Tuileries to witness how Parisians eat, stroll, and meet. With the Louvre museum on one end and the beginning of the Champs-Elysees on the other end, the garden is an iconic location. With kids, it would be the perfect place for their time to run around and play.

Champs-Elysees

Next up was the elite and classy avenue, Champs-Elysees. Said to be one of the most commercial streets in the city, the up-scale cafes and shops do extreme justice to its name.

The road runs 1.91km long and witnesses over 300,000 people every day, and we were a couple of them. There are various luxury brands like Louis Vuitton and Guerlain, along with brands like Gap, Zara, and Nike that will take care of your pocket-friendly requirements.

The Arc De Triomphe

The Arc de Triomphe, which is at the Champs-Elysees’ end. A location that honors those who died for France. Another Tomb of the Unknown pays tribute to those who died in the war but could not be identified.

To several people’s surprise, we could walk up the stairs to the observation deck inside the Arc. However, the absence of an elevator makes it impossible for people who use wheelchairs to go on top. 

Montmarte Neighborhood

For our last day, we set out on foot to explore the Montmarte Neighborhood. Firstly, we opted to see the Sacre Coeur Basilica, a short walk away from the Moulin Rouge. After climbing a few more steps, the view of the city from the top was beautiful.

We spent a great deal of time in the neighborhood, enjoying the different cheese, bread, and wines. Our final visit as a tourist was to the Montmartre Cemetery, a fifteen-minute ride from the Sacre Coeur to witness the extensive grounds and mausoleums.

Before heading back to the station, we had the chance to glance through Moulin Rouge, which is one of the most famous cabarets worldwide. Loved by celebrities like Elton John, you can have dinner and enjoy the shows at the Rouge.

While three days cannot be enough to experience all that Paris offers, visiting these places will undoubtedly make the trip memorable for you. To cut down on a few extra costs, you can opt for the Paris Pass it covers all entry expenses to various museums and monuments. While this was a trip without family, I can’t wait for a longer one with my family.  

Have you ever been to the city of lights and romance? what was your favorite part?