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Most of us dream of visiting the city of Eternal Light and Emily In Paris does a good job of romanticizing the city. I just finished binge-watching Season 3 of Emily In Paris. It's my guilty pleasure, I watch to fan-girl on at Sylvie played by Philippine Leroy-Beaulieu.
The series is clichéd and predictable but we still watch it because we love seeing Paris, Parisian fashion, and drama.
Be aware that, the series was filmed in the middle of summer and doesn't show the masses of tourists. You don't just simply walk into Musee d'Orsay because there are long lines and crowds everywhere. It's unlikely that you will find the perfect table at a quaint restaurant to sip Kir Royale and even more unlikely that the waiters would be as friendly as Gabriel.
And here's the kicker, most Parisians don't dress like Emily or even Mindy for that matter, think more Sylvie.
Enough of me rambling on about the show let's get into the topic at hand! I visited Paris in late October to early November 2022, thinking it would be easier to navigate the crowds than in the summer months. Let's just say I can't imagine being in the city in the summer if the October crowd was so dense.
Paris is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world and for good reason. Paris is home to some of the most iconic landmarks and attractions in the world. From the Eiffel Tower to Notre Dame, from the Louvre to Les Catacombs, Paris has more than its fair share of must-see sights.
I've compiled a short itinerary based on my recent trip. My suggested 4 days Paris Itinerary will take you to some of the most famous Paris attractions like the Musee d'Orsay, the Centre Pompidou, Arc de Triomphe, Sacre-Coeur Basilica, and the Champs-Elysees.
If you live in Europe, cheap flights and Schengen visa-free zones are just a few perks of living in Europe. These two factors make traveling to the most visited European destinations much easier and affordable.
Day 1: First thing, getting around Paris
Get the Paris Visite Card, this card allows you to travel around the city on Public Transport including the metro and buses, and is available for 1,2,3, or 5 days. It can be bought at the airport. With this card, you will also receive discounts on entries to some museums. Use any mobile app you're comfortable with to help you navigate the city and to see the schedules. Google Maps worked fine. This alone will save you so much money. Let's Go Sightseeing! Le Marais is a neighborhood in the center of Paris that is home to many hotels, restaurants, and boutiques. The Marais is also home to several museums, including the Musée Carnavalet, the Jewish History Museum, and the Musée d’Art et d’Histoire du Judaïsme. Swipe to see more.
The Marais is a great place to start your Paris trip. Visit the Musée d’Art et d’Histoire du Judaïsme and the Musée Carnavalet to learn about Jewish history in Paris and the city’s Revolutionary past, respectively.
Once you’ve had your fill of museums, walk down Rue des Rosiers, one of the oldest streets in Paris, to see the city’s vibrant Jewish past. End your first day in Paris with dinner at Les Philosophes or get the best falafel in Paris at L'As du Falafel.
Day 2: Musee du Louvre & Orchard Road
The Musée du Louvre is one of the top tourist destinations in the world. If you are only going to visit one Paris attraction, make it the Louvre. You can spend hours wandering the museum’s expansive galleries and still not see everything.
Visit the Louvre’s Lower Galleries to see its collection of ancient Egyptian art. Another must-see at the Louvre is Leonardo da Vinci’s painting, Mona Lisa. To see the Mona Lisa, prepare to push a little and if you're vertically challenged ( short) like me, then it can be a difficult task.
The Louvre has numerous other exhibitions on a rotating basis, so check their website before you visit to make sure you won’t miss anything.
I suggest you book your ticket online and go early in the morning. Also book an audio guide if you want to go at your own pace and save on the group tours.
After you’ve seen the Louvre, hop on the metro and head to Orchard Road. This stretch of Singapore is packed with shopping malls, hotels, and restaurants. Visit the Singapore Flyer, Singapore’s tallest observation wheel, for a bird’s eye view of the city’s famous skyline.
Day 3: The Eiffel Tower, Champs- Elysees, Arc De Triomphe
The Eiffel Tower is the most famous Paris landmark. Built-in 1889 as the centerpiece of the 1889 World’s Fair, the Eiffel Tower has become one of the most recognizable structures in the world. The Eiffel Tower is open every day of the year except for December 25th, New Year’s Day, and May 1st.
If you choose to go up the tower, then visit the Eiffel Tower early in the morning to avoid the long lines and use our Eiffel Tower early access tips to get ahead of the crowds.
After visiting the Eiffel Tower, stroll along the Champs-Elysees, Paris’ most famous boulevard. Visit the Arc de Triomphe, where you can see the famous “doughboy” who stands watch at the top of the monument.
If you want to treat yourself then end your Paris trip with dinner at a restaurant on the Champs-Elysees to experience Parisian nightlife at its best. Dinners here are twice as expensive than in the Marais district.
Day #4!
If you're like me and you try to see as much as you can on one trip then, I suggest you finish strong.
Take the bus up to Montmartre, from there walk up to the Basilica.
Warning spolier alert!
If you watched the series you might recognize the famous steps of The Basilica of Sacré Coeur de Montmartre (Sacred Heart of Montmartre). Emily and Gabriel were seeking the best places for Gabriel to pop the question to Camille.
Entrance to the Basilica is free. Once you are finished then enjoy the view of the city from the hilltop. Or walk downhill and stop to get refreshments or a crepe at any of the many restaurants, and cafes in the district.
If you're not into counting your steps, take the metro, Abbesses. It's a station on Paris Metro Line 12, in the Montmartre district and the 18th arrondissement. Abbesses is the deepest station in the Paris Métro, at 36 meters below ground, and is located on the western side of the butte of Montmartre.
Just 280 meters from the metro you can see the Instagram-able Wall of Love, another location Gabriel considered to pop the question.
From the Wall of Love, a short 7-minute walk or bus ride will take you down to Pl. des Abbesses and Rue Lepic, home to The Moulin Rouge.
Finish your day with a romantic evening cruise on the River Seine.
You will see many of the city's iconic monuments and buildings from the river and you will end the cruise just in time to see the Eiffel Tower light sparkle.
You in Paris
The best way to experience a new city is to get lost in it. As clichéd as it may sound, it is true. When you get lost in Paris, you get a chance to see the city without any expectations or preconceived notions.
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