It’s funny that even though we’ve been to France so many times, we’ve barely seen Paris. So we made that right, and spent a night and a day they, before our flight to Tahiti. It was a glorious summers day too, which made seeing the sights even more enjoyable.
We were staying in a beautiful Airbnb in Clichy, about 20 minutes from central Paris by metro. It was all white, high ceilings, blond wood floors…. Very aesthetic, very Paris. And we liked the area too, with a park opposite and cafes surrounded by leafy greenery. The metro was easy to use, and got us straight into the heart of things first thing in the morning, as the sun was starting to touch the tops of the buildings, casting a golden glow on the cobbled streets.
We started with the famous lady herself, the Eiffel Tower. A cliche, maybe, but we still found it a lovely sight, poking up above the pretty buildings and houses, half hidden by green leaves and reflected in the still waters of the Seine. And we found that, if you walk just a short way away from the crowds, there were quiet streets and bridges from where you could have an almost uninterrupted view of the famous tower.
Then we walked, a lot, as you always seem to find yourself doing in cities. Along the Seine, getting lost in the backstreets. Finding ourselves in the plush eighth arondissement, where blue suited types and those carrying designer bags wandered, and fountains burbled. We had to visit the PSG store (ask Maya), and ended by the grand Arc de Triomphe. By now the sun was high in the sky and we were feeling the midday heat, so we wandered, slower, finding ourselves a quiet spot in a quiet park, near the Place de Concorde.
There are flowers everywhere, there’s birdsong. It’s green and leafy, the sky is blue, the twitter of French, the sweet smell of baguettes and pastries… it might be a big city but France is France. It always feels like home. Our stay in Paris was way too short. But that just means we will have to come back again, soon.
Practical Information
Getting here- Paris has two airports served by most airlines and if travelling from Europe it’s easy to take a train like the Euro Star straight to Gare du Nord.
Where to stay- we loved our Airbnb and the location was perfect. Linking it here: https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/1390603026934952050?source_impression_id=p3_1755782854_P3ZL3eWG5DC0BGIm
Getting around- make use of the metro, and most of the major sights are close together. Walking around is half the fun.
What to do- so many things, depending on your mood, budget and how many times you’ve visited. Some inspo above.
When to visit- we loved our time during the summer but each season has its beauty in this timeless city.
Thanks to Maya for the photos and company x
