Last Updated on June 21, 2019 by Elise Snyder
Bonjour! I just got back from Paris and I can honestly say that I fell in love with the city of love. It is a city like no other. But going to Paris can be really stressful if you don’t plan ahead and:
1) Make a detailed itinerary.
I cannot stress this one enough. Having a detailed itinerary while traveling to Paris is extremely important. Planning out what you want to accomplish each day will make your life much easier and stress free while running around. I suggest making a list of everything you want to do and then looking at a map and seeing what is close to each other and planning your trip around their location. Also be sure to have all of the conformation codes and information about the hotels, bookings, etc. on hand with you to make for a smoother trip.
2) Call an Über from the airport.
Do not be like my friends and I. We got off of the plane in Paris and were so tired and frustrated that we got taken advantage of by a taxi driver who told us that every taxi in Paris would be about 70-80 euros because we flew in on a Saturday. The ride was 10 minutes away and it ended up being more than 90 euros. We then took an Über to the city (which was 30 minutes from our hotel) and it only cost us 15 euros. So in order to avoid being ripped off, just use Über – it’s easier, safe and inexpensive.
3) Hit all of the major attractions first thing in the morning.
Take advantage of there being less people at the main attractions in Paris by going to The Louvre, Notre-Dame de Paris, and Arc de Triomphe early in the morning. Also book your tickets online for the Louvre beforehand in order to skip the line of those who did not plan ahead. By doing this you can make the most of your day by cutting out the time you would have spent waiting in long lines and big crowds.
4) Go to Ladurée.
This one I promise you will not regret. Ladurée is like a Parisian dream. Famous for their macarons, they also have a restaurant. You can have tea in the afternoon or do as I did and get there Sunday morning brunch. It was absolutely the best brunch I have ever had and well worth the price.
5) Go to the Eiffel Tower at night and during the day.
The Eiffel Tower is completely different from day to night. During the day the Eiffel Tower is filled with families and people eating around it and having a picnic. During the night, everyone gathers to watch the beauty light up and twinkle while casually enjoying some wine or champagne.
Safe travels.
XO, Elise Marie
This post was contributed by Elise Snyder, who is studying abroad this summer with AIFS in Florence, Italy. You can read more about Elise’s adventures on her personal blog.
