Paris is one of the most magical places I’ve visited. I realized recently that in all my travels, it is the one city I’ve been to most. Just a few weeks ago, I took my mom on her first trip to Paris and got to show her some of the highlights from the City of Light. We spent our first day walking through city. It was a jam packed of sightseeing, but we covered a lot of ground. If you’re heading to Paris for the first time, I highly recommend exploring on foot. You’ll see so much more than you would if you traveled by train or taxi. Below is the ultimate walking tour for your first trip to Paris!
Start the day with a pain au chocolat from a locale a Boulangerie. We stayed at Villa Montparnasse around the corner from several sidewalk cafes including the Moisan Bakery. It is the perfect place to grab a pastry and espresso.
After filling up on French pastries, head over to the Luxembourg Gardens. Take some time strolling through the beautiful grounds. If you’re lucky, there might be an art exhibit to peruse.
Next, head to one of the most famous attractions in Paris, the Notre Dame Cathedral. Visitors can enter for free between 7:45am to 6:45pm, but just know that lines can get long so arrive early! And be sure to head to the the rooftop for a bird’s eye view of the city.
15 minutes away is the Louvre Museum. You could literally spend a week visiting the Louvre and only see a fraction of it. The entire museum spans nearly 800,000 square feet! Even if you don’t go in, the architecture is a work of art in and of itself. If you want to visit a more manageable museum, the Musée de l’Orangerie, which houses some of Monet’s most famous works, is a great option. Or check out my guide to the museums of Paris here.
Grab a bite to eat at La Terrasse De Pomone, an outdoor café located in the Tuileries Garden. Select something from their takeaway menu and enjoy a light lunch underneath the trees on one of the park benches overlooking the sprawling garden.
After lunch, take some time to wander through the Tuileries before making your way to the most famous avenue in Paris, the Champs-Élysées. Here you’ll find all the big designer stores as well as a slew of chain restaurants and shopping gallerias. If you need an afternoon pick-me-up, pop into Laudurée for a sweet treat. They are famous for their macaroons, but there are lots of other yummy options to choose from!
Paris has many beautiful bridges. Make you way to the Pont Alexandre III, which is one of the most stunning bridges and my personal favorite! Take in the breathtaking views of Paris as you cross over.
After crossing the bridge, take a stroll along the Seine River as you make your way to Paris’s biggest attraction. The Eiffel Tower is one of the most recognizable landmarks in the world, but until you see it in person, it’s hard to describe just how jaw dropping it is.
For those Insta-worthy photos of the Eiffel Tower, head to Place du Trocadéro. Both day and night, this famous square is the perfect spot to snap pics of the sweeping views of the city.
Paris’s other main attraction is the Arc de Triomphe. Situated at the end of the Champs-Élysées, this famous monument connects 12 radial avenues. You’ll get the best vantage from the top of the arc which is open from 10am until 10:30pm or 11pm daily (depending on the time of year) and costs €8 per person.
After a long day of walking, you’ve earned yourself a drink! Just around the corner from the Arc de Triomphe is the beautiful Hotel Raphael. Head up to their rooftop bar and enjoy a cocktail and watch the sun set over the city. If you time it right, you may be able to catch the twinkling light show on the Eiffel Tower.
If you need a late night bite, there are a ton of cute restaurants along Avenue Kléber. Grab a table at Fleurus Cafe, Le Copernic or Le Corner and enjoy a sit-down dinner and watch Parisians pass by.
This entire loop is approximately 3 miles, but could take over 5 hours to complete. I’m honestly, not even sure how my mom and I managed to do all of it! This may seem like a lot, but if you check off even half these items off your list, you will have seen some of the best of what this city has to offer. So grab your comfy shoes and lose yourself on the beautiful streets of Paris!
Have you explored Paris on foot? What are your favorite spots? Share your comments below!
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