Ah Paris...
Ah Paris, the romantic French capital known for its gothic architecture, cafe culture, designer boutiques, and food that is magnifique to say the least!
We set afoot on the cobblestone streets of Paris with a long list of sights to see and found ourselves captivated by mouthwatering French cuisine and head over heels for the south of France. Keep reading to see our recommendations on things to do in Paris.
The Eiffel Tower
Let’s start with the iconic symbol of Paris. Standing 320m tall, the Eiffel won’t be hard to find amongst the cityscape especially with the crowd it attracts. Yep that’s right, this hotspot is almost always bustling with tourists and street hagglers (hold tight onto your valuables!) – so here are a few ways to have a more intimate experience of the Eiffel Tower:
Sunrise at the Trocadero Steps: We simply took an Uber ride to the steps just before sunrise and an easy walk up the steps gave us breathtaking clear views of the Eiffel Tower with hardly anyone around. Watching the sun and the pink and purple sky dance behind the Eiffel Tower will make it an experience to treasure.
Sunset at the Montparnasse Tower: This tower may be an eyesore from the streets but it offers a 360 degree view of the city for a true panoramic view of Paris and its surrounds. At the observation deck, we enjoyed the fiery sunset and around 9pm the 20,000 golden lights that adorn the Eiffel twinkled for 5 minutes every hour on the hour until 1am. The view is breathtaking (literally) and you’ll never get sick of the twinkle. We recommend buying your tickets to the Montparnasse Tower in advance to avoid the crowds.
If you would like to travel inside the Eiffel Tower itself, you can certainly do so (we recommend looking at purchasing a Paris Pass or skip-the-line ticket). However, locals say that the Montparnasse Tower offers a wider view of Paris and if you’re short on time, we assure you’ll be satisfied with your sunrise or after dark experiences from outside the tower.
Paris Pass: Avoid queues by buying tickets online if you plan to enter the Eiffel Tower and other attractions.
@anniesbucketlist / @willsbucketlist