Bienvenue to Ciao Kristen’s guide for a first trip to Paris, France! Here I highlight my recommendations for a tourist visiting Paris for the first time.
Last month I escaped Spain on two separate weekends to explore Paris, France for the first time in my life. I wanted to make sure I experienced all of the touristy attractions without overdoing it and exhausting myself. With the help of recommendations from multiple friends, I experienced many beautiful moments in my short amount of time in Paris. Here you’ll find my tips about the good/bad in Paris along with info on accommodations, sights, eats and drinks that I enjoyed during my short weekends as a first timer in Paris.
- Experience the views at the Sacré-Cœur/Explore Montmartre
The Sacré-Cœur is a church situated on the highest point in Paris with incredible 360° panoramic views of the entire city. The views are well worth the 300 stair climb to the top and you only have to pay a small fee to enter the dome on the left of the church. I highly recommend viewing Paris from the Sacré-Cœur as opposed to the Eiffel Tower. The line is waaaaaay shorter and the views are better.
After seeing the Sacré-Cœur, explore Montmartre! This lively little area is filled with artists and Parisian charm. Great for shopping & lunch!
Sacré-Cœur & Montmartre
- Tea Time at Carette
This cafe is a MUST. Go in the afternoon for tea time and snack on some finger sandwiches and pastries. Ordering hot chocolate with whipped cream is essential and the macarons were amazing. There are multiple Carette’s in the city but the one in Place des Vosges made me feel the most ~Paris~
- Book an accomodation nearby the Eiffel Tower or the Louvre
As a first timer in Paris, I wanted to stay as close to all of the tourist attractions as possible! We loved our views of the Eiffel Tower from our hotel room balcony at the Pullman Paris Tour Eiffel. They had a temporary rooftop bar during our stay which was the cherry on top!
Photos from the Pullman Hotel
- Sunset on a boat tour
Ride one of the many Paris boat tours before or during sunset! We started and ended our boat tour at the Eiffel Tower so we could experience its sparkle in the day and night.
Views of Eiffel Tower from Paris boat tours
- Museums: Musée d’Orsay & the Louvre
Catch Monet and Van Gogh at the d’Orsay museum! Although the Louvre is iconic and I still want to go inside one day, the d’Orsay had an impressive amount of famous paintings. Regardless, take a walk around the Louvre and visit the nearby Jardin des Tuileries.
- Restaurants
You really can’t go wrong with food in Paris. Here are a few restaurants I enjoyed.
- Girafe: Fresh food with a view of the Eiffel Tower! A great spot for lunch or dinner. I ordered the seared tuna & grilled avocado salad.
- Le Coq: At night the restaurant is pink & the scallops were amazing! Located very close to the Eiffel Tower.
- Le Hibou: Unique atmosphere with seating inside of gondolas! Perfect spot to enjoy fondue and red wine.
Girafe
Le Coq
