One week in Paris: How to Make the Most of Your Time

By Max Berman on July 22, 2016

Often times, when traveling somewhere you have absolutely no idea where to begin. You have your sights set on a city, but what do you prioritize seeing first? Do you do the museums or more of off the beaten path sights? Day trip or stay in the city center? A couple weeks ago, I was faced with this dilemma when going to Paris to visit family and only having a week in the city. Looking back, there’s some things I would have changed and switched around. Luckily for you, I’ve compiled the essentials of what to do when in Paris if you’re only in the City of love for a week! It’s a mix of off the beaten path and of course all of the tourist spots that you don’t want to miss out on!

 Of course, the one thing everyone thinks of when they hear the word Paris is the Eiffel Tower. The Eiffel Tower can be a magical thing if you’ve never experienced it, but there’s a certain way to do it to get the best experience for yourself as well as your wallet! If you don’t mind paying a fee, you can make your way to the top of the tower and find yourself looking across one of the most beautiful and expansive metropolises in the entire world. Personally, I would suggest heading down to the Tower around sunset and spreading out a blanket on the lawn. You could bring some wine and cheese and then enjoy the light show that illuminates the tower every night. After that, you can stroll along the seine and admire the carnival games located near the tower as well as the food stands and specialty shops. Of course, if you want an excellent picture of the tower you’d have to go during the day!

Image via flickr.com

One of the greatest things about Europe is the incredible amount of museums they have there, and most are free to students! I found the Louvre to be one of the most enjoyable experiences, and there was no fee if you were under twenty five and showed a valid student ID. Being able to see the statue of David up close was mesmerizing. You could literally walk around for hours and only see a fraction of the museum it’s so incredibly vast and filled with incredible works from throughout history. The Louvre is a totally different experience at night, and you can take the metro here and walk about as the outdoor section is lit up right alongside the Seine. While you can’t actually go inside, the lit up glass pyramid is something to see in itself.

By day three, I had found myself wandering throughout the “Montmarte Village”, a section in Paris where artists live and thrive, as well as excellent cafes and restaurants. Here, you can wander the tiny streets and really feel transported back in time. You can pop in and out of independent galleries, and then sit down for a lazy cup of coffee while watching the people drift by. There’s also an incredible basilica at the top for visiting, and not as many tourists know about this spot, so it truly is the authentic French experience. After this, I headed down to the famed Pigalle section of Paris, where the nightlife is world renowned. Here, it’s easy to grab a glass of wine at any bar and sit and talk to the locals. Mostly everyone speaks english, and they appreciate the effort when introducing yourself in French!

Image via Flickr.com

Days Four and Five consisted of heavy exploration of cemeteries, and I would highly suggest taking the time to explore some of the more famous ones! One of the most known is Perre la Chez, which is home to the graves of Jim Morrison, as well as countless other well known people! While this may seem like a strange suggestion, it truly is a glimpse into the lives of Parisians, as you see locals on walks in these beautiful cemeteries as well as those coming to seek out famous graves. After this, you can make your way to the Paris Catacombs. Here, you can go down below the city and explore the massive crypt underneath. While not many tourists come here, it’s an excellent place to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city and truly see the gritty underside of Paris!

On my sixth day, I decided to splurge and take a river cruise down the Seine. This was an excellent way to cover a large portion of the city, and included food and alcohol which made the experience incredibly relaxing! After the Cruise, we walked around the Latin Quarter of Paris and tried excellent ethnic foods, as well as soaked in the different atmosphere of the neighborhood.  By the time I had to leave to the airport, I felt that I had gotten an excellent overview of Paris within a week by mixing in off the beaten path with the more traditional places to visit!

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