When I did a trip around Europe by rail, Paris was my first stop on the way! The city was as chic as I imagined and more & the atmosphere was buzzing! Some of my favourite memories you won’t find photos of here but if you can, have a picnic with French cheese and baguettes on the river Seine, make friends with the locals in a pub and end the night with French flags painted on your cheeks, dancing the night away by the river. That’s what I will never forget from my time in Paris. So with that and my other tips, I give you, my Paris Bucket List…

 

Take a boat trip on the river Seine…

Such a good way to see Paris, especially if you are on a tight time frame, as we were. Paris is such a large city that walking around we did the most steps of any on our trip – and I don’t think I’ve done so many again since! haha! So a boat trip is a great way to see more of the city. Get off at the Pont Alexandre III bridge, 75008 Paris for a stunning view of the bridge and the Eiffel Tower. I will always remember the moment I got off the boat, onto land and saw the sun shining on the river, the stunning bridge and the Eiffel tower behind it. Stunning.

Cross the Pont Alexandre III bridge…

As bridges go, I think this one is just beautiful. I love the romantic lantern lights, the gold figures, the flag in the background. I just loved it!

Location: Pont Alexandre III, 75008 Paris

 

Visit the Arc de Triomphe…

Set and the end of the Champs-Élysées, the Arc de Triomphe is an incredible piece of architecture! You can also get tickets and climb up it which I think would be an amazing view, however we just admired it from the roadside this time.

Location: Place Charles de Gaulle, 75008 Paris

 

Visit the Eiffel Tower…

There was a football tournament on when I was in Paris so the area around the Eiffel Tower was cordoned off for that so we just admired it from afar. Also, because of this when it was lit up at night, it was lit up in the colours of the French flag which I think was pretty special. I would love to go back again and see it sparkling at night!

Location: Champ de Mars, 5 Avenue Anatole France, 75007 Paris

 

Visit Notre Dame Cathedral…

A jewel of Paris. Notre Dame was in the news and public eye since the tragic fire which destroyed part of it last year. There was a bit of controversy after a billion euros were raised to fix it in a matter of days. Whichever side of the argument you stand on, I think you will agree it is a stunning piece of architecture. These photos were taken before the fire so you can see how it originally stood.

Location: 55 Boulevard de Ménilmontant, 75011 Paris

I actually preferred this part of Notre Dame, it had no crowds, lovely gardens and was actually quite peaceful on a busy summers day in the city.

 

Wander the streets of Montmartre…

Montmartre is my favourite area for walking around in Paris. I love the cobbled streets, the cute and quirky houses, the artists and this singer lady with her old, traditional instrument and a big smile on her face.

Location: Montmartre, Paris

 

Visit the Grand Palais…

The Grand Palais is a museum and exhibition hall, with the most stunning entrance.

Location: 3 Avenue du Général Eisenhower, 75008 Paris

 

Put a lock on the love lock bridge…

I think that now the council removes the locks but I still think it is a sweet thing to do. We actually noticed them all over Europe on our interrail trip, but of course this is the original.

Location: The Pont Neuf

Go shopping…

Even the shops in Paris are beautiful! This was Abercrombie & Fitch store.

Location: 23 Av. des Champs-Élysées, 75008 Paris

 

Eat all the delicious French food…

Crepes, cheese, baguettes, pastries. Eat it all and enjoy!

 

And so we come to the end of my Paris bucket list! I hope you have enjoyed it!

Please let me know if you have ticked any off the list or would like to add any!

You can read more about interrailing at Why you need an interrail pass NOW!

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