The City of Lights and Love. I never understood the fascination with Paris. I always figured it was superfluous words of an overrated city when people went on about it. That is, until I visited.
“Paris is always a good idea.”
Audrey Hepburn
Audrey Hepburn’s famous quote makes so much sense to me now, and I couldn’t agree with it more. Paris is spectacularly enchanting. The city’s history, art, culture, food, and architecture are rich with layers of times past and a natural vibrancy. I spent five days in Paris and was enamored.
Day 1 Montmatre
My husband and I arrived in Paris and took a taxi straight to Hotel Eduoard VII only to leave our belongings and hop on the subway to Montmatre, “Mound of Martyrs”. In Montmatre, we started our visit at the Romano Byzantine church Sacré-Cœur Basilica from the 1870s. The Basilica interior displays a stunning mosaic, Mosaic of Christ in Glory, one of the largest in the world. Less than a mile away from the Basilica, is the world-famous Moulin Rouge, where you can reserve dinner and a cabaret show. Nearby is also the Jehan Rictus Garden Square and the Wall of Love, an art installation with the phrase “I love you” in more than 200 languages to inspire romance.
Day 2 Château de Versailles
Our second day in Paris we rode the train for about an hour to Château de Versailles. This is a must see! Located in the outskirts of the city, the Château consists of the main palace, the Trianon Estate, the Gardens, Park, and more. Built in the seventeenth century on 800 hectares of land, the property radiates historical elegance.
Charles Perrault described the estate, “It is not a place, it’s an entire city. Superb in its size. Superb in its matter”.
A half day is easily spent just touring the palace, marveling at the Hall of Mirrors, and meandering through the carefully designed gardens. The Trianon Estate opens at noon and can effortlessly take up the entire afternoon. Note: make sure to step into the Petit Trianon, Marie Antoinette’s personal retreat.
TIP: If you want to avoid the crowds of peak season, December is a good time to visit Paris. We had Versailles almost all to ourselves.
After the Château de Versailles, we returned to our hotel to freshen up for an evening out in the city. This included the star of Paris, the Eiffel Tower. We decided to visit the Eiffel Tower at night because it seemed more romantic, the lights more glamourous, and is one of the few landmarks open until late into the evening (nearly midnight).
The steel structure can be ascended by lift and stairs to a breathtaking panorama; it is dreamlike.
Day 3 Walk the City
This was our most eventful day. I am glad I had comfortable shoes to navigate all the wonderful sites in the city. We started the day early, taking advantage of the sunlight and public landmarks.
We took the train to Champs-Elysees and walked to the immense structure that is Arc de Triomphe. Then, carefully crossed the busy rotunda, down the grand boulevard towards the Pont Alexandre III. Crossing over the bridge to the Musée de l‘Armée at Les Invalides where the tomb of Napoleon I is located.
A few blocks down, we stopped in to see the “The Thinker” statue in the Musée Rodin.
Afterwards, we hopped on the bus to help us get to the Jardin du Luxembourg where we took a leisurely stroll and took dozens of photos.
“Breathe Paris in. It nourishes the soul.”
Victor Hugo
For lunch, we ate at a small restaurant in the Latin Quarter followed by a visit to Église Saint-Séverin, one of the oldest churches in the area and still in service. Next, we crossed the Seine River via the Pont Saint Michel to take in the views of the Cathedrale Notre-Dame de Paris and readied ourselves for the cathedral’s tour. Erected in the 1200s, this French gothic building and its gargoyles see about 13 million visitors a year. Needless to say, there is a line for entry and tours, but it is definitely worth the wait.
A ten-minute walk took us to Saint Chapelle. We peeked inside to find exquisite stained-glass windows, and incredible history. Once we finished admiring the church, we took a train back to our hotel.
But the day was not over yet.
In the evening we toured the Palais de Garnier Place de l’Opera, followed by an opera performance. I was very excited to watch the opera in the magnificent Palais de Garnier. My husband did not share my enthusiasm, but happily obliged to my delight.
Day 4 The Louvre
Our morning started with a brief ride to the Place de la Concorde, and a stroll through the Jardin de Tuileries (there is lots of strolling in Paris). We finally made our way to the splendor of the Louvre Museum. The entire morning and afternoon were spent wandering through the spaces viewing the art and artifacts. I immersed myself in such a way that I did not realize the time passing. It was simply marvelous.
Day 5 Le Mont Saint-Michel
Day trip to Le Mont Saint-Michel!
Though more than three hours away from Paris, this day trip should not be missed. The isle off the coast of Normandy is an UNESCO World Heritage Site. It’s history dates back to 708 A.D., which started with a sanctuary dedicated to the archangel Michael all thanks to a dream.
Besides its long history, the surrounding bay is just as fascinating. The tides are one of the highest seen in Europe. The rise and fall of the tide swiftly recur twice daily. It is also home to a multitude of birds.
Audio tours are available to visitors, but I recommend booking a tour to capture as much as possible. A great deal of information about the isle can be found on their website. It is captivating.
After spending these five days in Paris, I can honestly say Paris is amazing…it’s true! I was surprised how I instantaneously fell in love with it. I bet you will too.
“Though I often looked for one, I finally had to admit that there could be no cure for Paris.”
Paula McLain