Before visiting Paris for the first time, I wasn’t quite sure what to expect. I had some friends that absolutely loved the city and others who sadly weren’t as impressed. Perhaps because of these mixed reviews, my expectations weren’t as high as they normally would have been, but I’m happy to report that I absolutely fell in love with Paris right from the get-go. Strolling through Parisian streets, a croissant and coffee in hand, soaking up the sun on the side of the Seine…what more could you want! To help you fall in love with the city as well, keep reading for my tips on How to Spend a Weekend in Paris, France.
Hire Velib bikes
One of my favourite things we did in Paris was hire bikes and cycle all around the city. I found Paris to be really bike-friendly, with lots of cycle lanes to take you all over the city. Velib have bike docking stations all throughout Paris and you can choose from a normal or electric bike. You can get a 24hr classic bike pass for €5 and a 3 day pass for €20, which includes electric bike use…just make sure you dock every 30 minutes to avoid extra charges!
There are lots of stunning site-seeing cycle routes throughout Paris. Make sure you cruise along Rue de Rivoli, which runs parallel to Jardin des Tuileries and has recently become a permanent bikeway (no cars allowed)!
Wander along the Seine
The river Seine runs right through the heart of Paris and is one of the cities most iconic attractions, with historic bridges criss-crossing their way from one bank to the other. The river banks are lined with stalls selling books and posters, there are cafes at every turn and you’ll pass through the most charming neighborhoods as you follow the river through the city. You’ll also pass by some of Paris’ most well-known attractions such as the Louvre, the Eiffel Tower and Notre Dame. While it’s not something I did on this trip, taking to the water with a riverboat cruise to soak in all the best views of the Seine is said to be breathtaking!
Visit the Louvre
This was one of my must-do experiences for my first visit to Paris, and it did not disappoint! A general entry ticket to the Louvre will set you back €17 and I highly recommend pre-purchasing your ticket online to avoid wasting time in queues. If you only have a few hours to explore, you can take a look at the different exhibitions to plan out which you really want to see (*cough Mona Lisa cough*). I personally loved the Egyptian display, the collections of Greek antiquities and the Islamic art that was on display.
Visit Île de la Cité & Notre-Dame
Île de la Cité is an island sitting in the river Seine and is home to the iconic medieval cathedral, Notre-Dame. While the reconstruction of Notre-Dame is still underway, after the fire that destroyed it’s spires in 2019, it is still well worth a visit to Île de la Cité. The island is the oldest settlement in Paris, with the rest of the city having grown outwards from this spot. You can easily walk around the whole island in a few minutes and cross from the south of the river to the north.
Soak up the sun in Jardin des Tuileries & Jardin des Champs Élysées
After soaking up all the artistic beauty you can at the Louvre, it’s time to step outside and soak up some sun in the Jardin des Tuileries and the Jardin des Champs Élysées. The parks are located right outside the Louvre, on either side of Place de la Concorde and both are free to the public. Grab an espresso and a pastry and wander around the gardens, you might even stumble upon Jeff Koons’ Bouquet of Tulips sculpture not far from Petit Palais.
Explore Montmarte
Montmarte is a picturesque village perched atop Paris’ 18th arrondissement, famous for it’s impact on well-known artists throughout history including Picasso, Van Gogh and Matisse just to name a few. The cobbled streets and classic architecture make you feel like you’ve stepped back in time to when these famous names roamed the streets (Midnight in Paris anyone?). You can enjoy an amazing view over the city from Sacre Coeur, peruse the works of local artists at Place du Tertre, and snap an insta-worthy pic outside La Maison Rose.
Check out the lively Latin Quarter
Paris’ Latin Quarter is filled with bustling cafes, a lively student atmosphere (thanks to being home to Sorbonne University) and more book shops than you can poke a stick at! It’s a great place to aimlessly wander as you take in the beauty of this ancient city, as the Latin Quarter really gives you a feel for that Paris must have felt like in medieval times. If you’re an early riser, make sure you check out the Rue Mouffetard food market, said to be Julia Child’s favourite food market in Paris.
Porte Saint Martin
This one was an unexpected surprise during my visit! We had planned to have dinner in the Porte Saint Martin area and a Paris local told us to check out the canals in the 10th arrondissement while we were there. It felt like a real local hot spot, with lively cafes and bars lining the water-front streets. If you’re keen to check it out, make your way to Square des Recollets and find a canalside bar with terrace tables. An ideal people-watching set up!
Marvel at the Eiffel Tower
No trip to Paris would be complete without a visit to the Eiffel Tower! Personally, I didn’t feel the need to go to the top of the tower, but if you did want to then tickets cost between €10.50 and €27 depending on how far up you want to go and if you want to take the stairs or the lift. Whether you’re booking a ticket or not, seeing the Eiffel Tower light up at nighttime is an absolute must. It lights up for 5 minutes every hour, on the hour, so find yourself a good viewing spot and get ready to snap that iconic shot!
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