The City of Love: My First Time in Paris

Memories of Paris conjure up feelings of excitement, amazement, and longing. The magical city has earned its reputation as the City of Love, as there’s nothing quite like gazing up at the Eiffel Tower with someone you love or walking hand in hand along the Seine River. But, whether you’re traveling alone, with friends, or with your significant other, you are sure to find magic in Paris.

My first visit, split into two parts with about a week in Italy in between, was in early May. I purchased a Paris Pass, which has a Paris travel guide, to keep things simple and because it had a lot of attractions included that I wanted to see during my first visit. There were a few additional attractions I visited that aren’t on the pass, but the pass was still worth it.

I fell in love with many aspects of the capital of France throughout the five days I spent there.

Day 1

I flew into the Charles De Gaulle Airport and had my first experience trying to find my way around Europe. I quickly learned to appreciate the beautiful language (though it was difficult not being able to understand it) and found that French people were much more helpful and kind than everyone told me they would be!

I made it to my hotel in the center of the city by the evening and then walked outside for a bit, strolling along the Seine River, seeing Notre Dame Cathedral from the outside (tragically, it burned the week before I arrived), and visiting the cozy Shakespeare and Company bookstore.

Day 2

My next two days were crammed with some of the best things to do in Paris because the Paris Pass had to be used consecutively.

I started the day with delicious French pastries at Poilane (which I discovered from Ina Garten on Food Network, who visits every time she’s in Paris). I then walked to the Louvre where I spent several hours.

The Louvre is massive and I wish I mapped out exactly where I wanted to go before visiting! I felt overwhelmed by how many rooms there were to visit and swear I went in circles several times. I did find many things I enjoyed, from early Greek and Roman statues like the Venus de Milo, to the Mona Lisa, to ancient Egyptian art and mummies.

Across the street is another famous museum, Musee d’Orsay, which was once a train station. I really wanted to see Van Gogh’s Starry Night there, but it was sadly on loan at a British museum when I visited. However, I still got to see the giant clock that made the building famous, which was cool!

The next stop of the day was Sainte-Chapelle, known for its extravagant stained glass. I was at a loss for words the minute I stepped inside. Pinks and purples and gold glinted from every direction with intricately designed Bible stories filling the walls. It was breathtaking and I could have spent the rest of the day admiring the beauty!

I ended the night going to the top of the Montparnasse Tower, the tallest building in Paris. It was there that I caught my first glimpse of the Eiffel Tower, all lit up and magnificent, even from a distance. I enjoyed the views on the rooftop, and found it to be one of my favorite tall buildings to visit the top of (the Rockefeller in New York is probably still my favorite).

Day 3

I had always dreamed of visiting the opulent Palace of Versailles, so I was eager to make that my first stop for day three in Paris. My visit started out really rough—I had to wait in a long line outdoors when it started pouring rain! I was soaked while I walked from room to grandiose room in the palace. I at last came to the hall of mirrors, which blew me away! Before I left, I bought rose and other flavored macarons from Laduree!

I continued the day of opulence with a visit to the Palais Garnier, which inspired the Phantom of the Opera. It was beautiful and had its own mini version of a hall of mirrors. I went on a special day where they were offering guests the chance to try on costumes, so of course I did!

After my visit I took the Hop On-Hop Off bus for convenience and because it was included in my Paris Pass, though it was a pretty gimmicky experience. I traveled around town to the Champs-Elysees, a street famed for its high end shopping (the tour guide on the HOHO bus was eager to tell us all about Louis Vuitton).

At the end of the Champs-Elysees stands the larger-than-life Arc de Triomphe, a monument commissioned by Napoleon. I climbed to the top and was greeted by great views of the street below. I then finally made my way to the Eiffel Tower.

I was actually surprised at the excitement I had when I first laid eyes on it! It was impressive and unique and stood out from everything around it. Many people claim that it’s overrated, but I loved it. I even spent time on a cute carousel beside it and took in the views until sunset.

My last adventure for the day was going all the way across town to see the Moulin Rouge. I am a big fan of the musical, so it was cool to see the windmill and red tower in person.

Day 4

No trip to Paris would be complete without visiting Disneyland Paris! It’s easily one of the most fun things to do in Paris (or near Paris, as it’s located in Chessy, France). I was worried it would be too similar to Disneyland in Anaheim, and not provide a true Parisian experience, but I was wrong! For one, most things were in French with the occasional English translation. There were also unique foods, such as crepes, and the atmosphere was a bit more refined than the super kid-friendly parks in the USA.

My favorite experiences of the day that I wouldn’t be able to find at USA Disney parks included the features of Sleeping Beauty’s castle with a dragon in the dungeon, the Alice in Wonderland maze, the miniature Agrabah with scenes from Aladdin, and the longer, more adventurous Big Thunder Mountain.

I also enjoyed Walt Disney Studios, especially Crush’s Coaster and the Tower of Terror. The night ended perfectly with enchanting fireworks. I could hear the girls in front of me singing along to “Part of Your World” in French and thought how cool it was to be a part of something that connects the world.

Day 5

My last day in Paris was short, so I made the most of my time by visiting the Catacombs first thing in the morning. I descended deep underground and was greeted by long tunnels filled with dozens of skulls and bones. It was an eerie, intriguing, and unforgettable experience. I received a headset with an audio recording about the Catacombs and spent the time wandering the halls, hearing one spooky story after another. I loved it!

I found romantic spots in the City of Love, as well as many other top things to do in Paris. It was an amazing trip that I would recommend to any couple in love or anyone with a thirst for discovering rich history, romance, and beauty!