Everyone dreams of Paris in the springtime, but I actually got to go in May one year. It was a dream trip and I highly recommend it. Whether you are a history buff, an art fanatic, a foodie, or a shopper, you will love Paris. There is so much to do! There is no way to cover it all here, but I will try! It’s a long flight from the U.S., but well worth it.
1. Museums- Most people have heard of the Louvre. It’s one of the most famous museums in the world having been featured in many movies. It has some of the most famous artwork in the world as well including the Mona Lisa. It was an amazing thing to get to see it in person. We toured several other museums including Musee’ de l’Orangerie which houses the largest collection of Monet’s Water Lilies in the world. That was probably my most favorite part of the entire trip. There is also the Musee’ d’Orsay and the Paris Rodin Museum which houses Rodin’s “The Thinker”.
2. Attractions- there are so many incredible attractions in Paris it’s hard to know where to begin. So, I’ll begin with another world favorite- the Eiffel Tower. It was built for the 1889 World Fair. After seeing so many pictures of it all my life, it was another one of my favorite parts of the trip to get to see it AND to get to go up to the observation deck. It was so amazing! Another favorite attraction was Versailles. Versailles is a palace famous for French Royalty (such as Louis XIV) and also for several treaties which have been signed there (Treaty of Versailles after World War I and Treaty of Paris which ended the American Revolutionary War). The famous Hall of Mirrors is a sight to see. We also loved touring Notre Dame and the Arc de Triomphe.
3. Food- it is delicious in Paris! We had a daily crepe from the street vendor by our hotel. You could have sweet or savory. My favorite was the Nutella crepe. We also ate at several street cafes that had great food as well. Do not go to Paris on a diet. You will be sorry! You will want some macaroons from Laduree and those make great souvenirs to take home!
4. While you eat a lot in Paris, you also walk a lot. So, you can just assume you are walking off all those calories. One time you should not walk is when you jump on the Big Red Tour Bus. You can listen to the commentary in English and enjoy hearing all the history and explanations of the amazing sights surrounding you. You should also take the River Seine Boat Cruise while in Paris. You will enjoy see all the different bridges (like Pont des Artes) and there is even a bridge where you are to kiss your loved one as you sail under (Pont Neuf). You will see another amazing monument on that cruise- the Notre Dame Cathedral. Watch for it on the river cruise, but also be sure you go and tour the Cathedral. You can see the city from the top of Notre Dame!
5. Disneyland Paris- if you’re a Disney fan like I am, it will be hard for you to go to Paris and not see Parissienne Mickey!
I speak just enough French to wade my way through a menu and not end up eating the wrong thing. The language barrier is a challenge, but if you try, you can make it work.
Shopping is another fun pastime in Paris. You just have to be careful not to overspend or overstuff your suitcase!
One final suggestion for your European trip- whatever time of day you arrive, plan on pushing through the jetlag. Try to eat a meal and stay up as late as possible. Then sleep through the night and wake up refreshed and ready to hit the town!
My name is Jeri May. I’d love to help you plan your trip to Disneyland Paris or any other Disney destination!
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