An American in Paris - Première Partie
- Location: Paris, France
- May 24, 2015
- 4 min read
I’m going to start my post by saying this: Paris in Spring is just as amazing as people say.
In addition, its title as the City of Love is well-deserved. I’ve never seen so many happy and amorous couples in my life! And how could you not feel the same way?! The architecture is classic and beautiful, the foliage is blossoming and verdant, the food is delish, and the city flourishes like a piece of artwork itself. My husband and I were left in wonder everywhere we went. It was definitely the perfect way to spend our 6th wedding anniversary. ♥
But before I share a fraction of the multitude of photos from our first couple of days, I want to share a few tips on preparing for a trip to Paris, France…
1. Prioritize Your Destinations (for us it was the Musée du Louvre, Eiffel Tower, Catacombs, and Versailles). Plan your days around these places and figure out the most efficient way to get from one to another. We relied a lot on the Métro – it got us to all of our destinations with ease and cost us very little.
2. Choose authentic, safe, and easily accessible accommodations. We have fallen in love with AirBnb! Through it we found this cute little Parisian apartment in the Marais, which was in a safe neighborhood, close to multiple Métro stops and the Seine, only a 20 minute walk to the Louvre, and allowed us to get the full Paris experience.
3. Plan your outfits (duh!).
As everyone knows, Paris is one of the fashion capitals of
the world. Therefore, its totally worth spending a little time picking out some chic outfits that will make you feel confident, keep you comfortable while sightseeing, and help you meld into the Parisian atmosphere. Suggestions: Solid colors or classic patterns (i.e. stripes, floral), sleek black pants (they go with everything!), and pretty scarves (around your neck, in your hair, on your purse, etc). Also, bring a couple pairs of comfortable, yet chic, walking shoes (I ended up just wearing one pair because they matched everything and were surprisingly comfortable). Note: Avoid tennis shoes – its pinpoints you as an American tourist. Also, try on the entirety of each outfit to avoid uncomfortable, fussy ensembles.
4. And finally, the MOST IMPORTANT tip: Get in the mood! I spent the days before our departure watching some of my favorite Paris-themed movies: Marie Antoinette (BEAUTIFUL costumes and Versailles locations), the Aristocats (always adorable), Midnight in Paris (clever, authentic, and hilarious), and -of course- French Kiss (Meg Ryan and Kevin Kline – doesn’t get much better than that!). I highly recommend them all!
Now that you have a couple simple guidelines for your prep, here are a few notes from our first couple of days:
The Catacombs are cold, cramped, dark, and creepy. Just as one would expect. I’m not the type to get claustrophobic…but descending multiple levels underneath the city into the tiny entrance room with approximately 20 other people and little air was a smidge overwhelming. It took me a few minutes of deep breaths, clearing my mind, and slow walking to get into a comfortable place. After about 15 minutes I was fine, although it was rather chilly. Be sure to dress warm (the scarf I had tied to my purse as an accessory became much more functional as the temperature dropped).
The Eiffel Tower – be sure to see it in the daytime AND the evening (do not miss the light show)! We visited around sunset and snapped a few photos, walked to a nearby restaurant for dinner, and then returned 5 minutes before the 11pm light show. Totally worth it. Absolutely gorgeous!
Dedicate proper time to the Louvre. We weren’t really able to, but if you can, I do recommend spending a couple of evenings in there. Don’t try and bust it out in a day; you’ll be exhausted, your eyes will glaze over, and your feet will be screaming. Friday evenings are rather quiet, so definitely check it out then (6pm-9pm).
Take time to walk around the city. On our second day we walked from the Catacombs (pretty cool and a little overwhelming), to the Jardin du Luxembourg (Luxembourg Gardens – a nice public area to enjoy a picnic or stretch out in the sun), to Notre Dame de Paris, then to the Love Lock Bridge. Our walk through the streets was just as beautiful as some of the major sites. <<Because everything is beautiful here!!>> Side walk cafés and vendors selling artwork, books, and antiques along the river Seine, historical architecture, blossoming trees…magnifique!
Whilst the crowds were overwhelming (holiday weekend in May = insanity), our two days of holding hands and walking around the city in the sunshine were absolutely lovely. And just when I thought it couldn’t possibly get any better, on our third day we took a train out to a destination I’d been anticipating for many years…
Soon to come: An American in Paris – Deuxième Partie (Versailles) ♥M.
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