Visiting Paris was a dream for one of my best friends, and a bucket list item for myself. So this past summer, we recruited another bestie, and packed our bags for our first Euro Trip. Paris is a beautiful city with lots to do. The 3 days that we spent there were certainly not enough to experience everything that it has to offer. However, we used our time wisely and accomplished to get a lot done while enjoying ourselves.
Getting There:
We didn’t book our trip until early June, which only put us 2 months out before traveling. So fares were high, but your girls were on a budget. We ended flying with XL Airways. A budget friendly French airline. We took the red-eye at 11:59pm from Newark, NJ to Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport. With the time difference, we arrived at 1pm, their time. The flight was smooth. They gave us blankets and breakfast in the morning. The seats were tight and not the most comfortable. Their baggage policy varies depending on your fare type. So make sure to check out their website before booking. (Click Here for Baggage Policy.)
But be prepared to weight your carry-on.
We took a cab outside of the airport to the hotel. It was about a 40 minute ride. It cost us about $60 euros. (FYI, Taxis are expensive there).
Where to Stay:
Deciding where to stay took us the longest. When it comes to lodging, safety is my priority. Specially since we were a group of girls with 2 of them being children. We stayed at Les Jardins de Maidemoiselle Hotel & Spa. A small boutique hotel located in the 15th district (ARR). We felt safe and comfortable walking around. It is only a 10-minute ride to the Eiffel Tower and close to many restaurants and attractions. The place is super chic and clean. The rooms are small, but comfy. The staff was very friendly and accommodating. The hotel literally has a garden theme. They have plants all over, and the cutest but small rooftop. They have a bar and a spa, which we didn’t try out. They also have an indoor pool. We went once, but I was not a fan. The pool takes up most of the room and it was too deep for my liking. The room was also very hot and humid. So if you’re looking for a pool experience, this is not the place. Otherwise, I totally recommend it. We booked through Expedia.
Getting Around:
Paris has a very reliable metro system, which I have heard is very affordable and fast. However, having 2 children with us, we opted for Uber. Which was cheaper than their local cabs.
*Save $ when you sign up for Uber with code marileidymue.
What to Do:
Paris is filled with iconic landmarks, and endless activities to enjoy. Visiting during their peak season, (summer) was challenging, because everyone is on “Holiday” or vacation. Just to be on the safe side, we decided to purchase tickets to the main attractions in advanced. (2 weeks before) and boy, are we glad we had time stamped entries. You may not run into such long lines if you go off-season. But I’m a planner who likes to book things in advanced. We had a baby in a stroller, so they cut us A LOT of slack. I’m talking about we skipped the super long line to see the Mona Lisa. We were allowed to go up close and personal, on front of the ropes. But I’m not guaranteeing that this will happen to you if you have a baby. We just got really lucky.
Eiffel Tower
It is very central, and you can see it from many different places throughout the city. The tickets to go inside were sold-out for the date and time that we wanted. So we ended up paying extra by booking a tour company through Expedia. But once we went upstairs, it was magical.
Louvre Museum
It’s pretty big. So plan to spend a few hours there and wear comfortable shoes. It has multiple attractions, and you can only scan your tickets a certain amount of times. So if you’re there mainly for the Mona Lisa, make sure to follow the long line and go there first. You can also take some pretty cool pictures outside. We booked directly on their website.
Palace of Versailles
This place is astonishing. Every room is unique and impressive at the same time. If you get a chance, try to watch a documentary on its history to better appreciate it. If you’re going during a peak season, make sure to have a timed entry stamp for sure. The lines were ridiculous. But thanks to our super baby, we skipped them all! There are 4 attractions. The Palace, The Estate of Trianon, The Gardens, and The Royal Stables. It was really hot and we were tired, plus we had the Eiffel Tour tickets for that evening. So we only visited the Palace and part of the gardens. They offer a 2-day pass, in case that you want to split up your visit. Make sure to take a break in between and have lunch at Restaurant Angelina. It is super yummy. We also purchased the tickets directly on their website.
Arc de Triomphe
We didn’t get to visit this landmark, but drove past it a few times, and it is impressive.
Other Attractions
As mentioned earlier, we were only there three days. But other attractions that I would check out on my next trip to Paris are, Moulin Rouge, Notre-Dame Cathedral, Pantheon, Champs-Elysees, and Place de la Concorde.
Where to Eat/Drink:
Now that I think about it, we didn’t really eat much in Paris. And of course, I will only recommend the places that I enjoyed the most.
Lunch/Dinner:
Carmine Café
Restaurant Angelina- Versailles
Drinks
Au Bureau Pub & Brasserie – Amazing Mojitos
Other Suggestions:
Ladies, bring a tote bag for your shoes. You will do A LOT of walking. Sometimes, you may want to take pictures with your cute heels. My friend Nora FROM @Mom_muggin made us the cutes “B*tches in Paris” bags. We also used them to carry water bottles, and whatever other things we couldn’t fit in our purses. She also made us our “Paris Squad” shirts.
Paris is a big tourist attraction, so the currency exchange may not be the best. Find out with your local bank if they have a good rate and bring some cash from here. You can also practically use your cards anywhere. Just make sure that your card doesn’t charge a foreign conversion fee.
You will mainly find someone that speaks English whenever you go. But when you approach someone instead of running up and starting an English conversation, please be polite and greet them by saying “Bonjour” (Hello) and “Mercy” (Thank You) after your interaction. Being polite, can go a long way.
Hope this helps! Feel free to post any tips, tricks or recommendations that I may have missed.
Mari
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