The Netflix serie Emily in Paris has been on the news lately. It pleased the whole world, except the Parisians, who complain about the excesses of clichés in it.
Inspired by the big buzz of the serie, I decided to share with you my basic 3-day tour in Paris , so that when this whole pandemic is over, you have a tour that covers the main points of the city , in case you have a few days in the capital!
IMPORTANT : it is literally impossible to visit all of Paris in 3 days. There are thousands of parks, streets, cafes, museums and monuments to see. The city breathes history and continues to do so today, so every corner in Paris has a curiosity. If you have the privilege of staying in the city for a month, you will have the opportunity to learn more about other interesting details of the capital.
TIPS: wear comfortable shoes . You will walk a lot and a shoe adapted for walking will be essential.
Have a bottle of water : it is always important to hydrate yourself, regardless of the season!
Bring a snack in your bag, even if it's a cereal bar. Sometimes it can save your day!
If you're traveling in the summer: sunscreen. Don't think that just because you're in Europe, there won't be any heat. Summer in France is as strong as in Brazil, but without air conditioning!
DAY 1
On the first day, get ready to walk! Enjoy the excitement of arriving in Paris and direct it to your legs!
Basically, on the first day you will walk in a straight line , which runs from the Arc de Triomphe to the Notre-Dame Cathedral. Yes, it's a straight line!
So, start the day at the Arc de Triomphe. There is an underground passage that takes you directly to the arch, where you can see the monument more closely, see the tomb of the unknown soldier (and its flame that never goes out), and you can even climb to the top of the arch. If you have physical conditions and have no problem with indoor environments, I recommend the climb! The view is the most beautiful that Paris has to offer!
Then head down Champs Elysées and enjoy your time on Europe's most famous avenue! It has many designer stores (really expensive!), but lately ithe Champs Elysées has become a little more popular, thanks to the intense tourism (but still the expensive brands remain the majority of the stores). Don't forget to take a look at building number 114: Santos Dumont lived in that building when he made his first flight!
At number 116, you will find Lido, the best-known cabaret-burlesque theater in France - after the Moulin Rouge, of course!
The Galeries Lafayette opened a branch on this avenue. It has a much more contemporary and impressive architecture. TIP: at Galeries Lafayette, bathrooms are free. If you feel the need, enjoy it! Free bathroom withgood hygiene is rare in Paris!
At number 39 you'll find the brewery L’Alsace. Only brewery in the city open 24/7. Curiosity : its doors don't have locks, because they are never closed!
Enjoy all the intensity that this avenue has to offer!
Upon reaching the end of the avenue, you will arrive at Place de la Concorde . Perhaps the most important square in Paris, it was called Place Louis XV. During the French revolution, it was renamed and served as a stage for the execution of almost 1200 people, among them: Louis XVI, Marie-Antoniette and Robespierre.
Nowadays the square is closed only on one side, where imposing buildings are located, such as the headquarters of the Ministry of the Navy and the Hotel de Crillon, one of the oldest and most luxurious hotels in the world.
Go to the Jardin des Tuileries . At its entrance was the Palais des Tuileries, built in 1564 and destroyed by fire in 1871 during the Paris Commune. This huge garden will take you to the Louvre museum , and its famous glass pyramid.
The Louvre is the largest museum in the world, so if you only have 3 days in Paris, it’s not worth visiting. It is impossible to stay less than 4 hours inside, so visit it when you have a whole day to be able to dedicate yourself to it!
Passing the Louvre, walk along the banks of the Seine, always in a straight line! You will reach the Notre Dame de Paris Cathedral. Unfortunately it remains closed, but its facade is worth seeing!
Go left on Rue d’Arcole in a straight line to the Paris City Hall. Its first pillars were built in 1357! Its construction and square are unbelievable!
Here ends the first day, intense in every way!
RESTORATION : In terms of restaurants, everything will depend on your budget! There are options for all portfolios.
At Champs Elysées there are fast food chains like McDonald's , Pomme de Pain and Quick, as well as medium to more expensive restaurants (such as Brasserie L'Alsace, mentioned above).
Near the Louvre there is the Prêt à Manger as a cheaper option and countless expensive and well-priced cafes and restaurants! There is also the food court at the Louvre carousel, the underground shopping center, with all the options accessible to our pockets!
On rue d'Arcole, next to Notre Dame there are several cafes where you can sit and order.
Take into account that the cafes near the most touristic points like the ones we pass today do not have complete meals. They are focused on making simple and quick dishes to attend the high number of people in the place.
DAY 2
The second day can be just as tiring as the first day or less - it all depends on whether you choose to walk or take transportation to get around.
Let's start the day at the Eiffel Tower . You can arrive by Champ de Mars (Field of Mars) or by Trocadéro . I advise you to arrive at the Trocadéro and cross to the Champ de Mars. The Trocadéro has many stairs and it is easier to go down! I hope you are lucky to catch a beautiful sunny day, as this is a very beautiful region of the city!
Not far from the tower is the Invalides (Palace of the Invalids). It was built in 1670 in the reign of Louis XIV to house the invalid soldiers of his army. Today it hosts several museums (such as the army museum) and is a military necropolis, which has some buried personalities, such as Napoleon Bonaparte. The Invalides is a beautiful building with an impressive golden dome.
Then proceed to the Jardin du Luxembourg . A park in the heart of the Latin Quarter - the student district. You can reach the park by bus, in case you don't want to walk the 2.5 km that separate these two points. Enjoy the park and rest, if necessary. Many Parisians will have picnics on your lawn, it might be a good idea for you! 🙂 <img width = "605" height = "340" src = "https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/XwgvyFjMUF_iGUjQROKyRYi2JIOPsi33es3zkrCX2juRSqlv1N9IRowL77JeE9vouBYzUGBOVqPrHnRnRnRnRnR
15 minutes from the Jardin du Luxembourg is Sainte Chapelle . I advise the visit. The Sainte Chapelle is a chapel made almost entirely of stained glass. It was built in 1248 under the reign of Louis IX.
Next to Sainte Chapelle is Conciergerie where, during the French revolution served as a prison. It was also called "anteroom of death", because almost no one left there free. Marie Antoinette was a prisoner of the Conciergerie, and left there to be guillotined at the Place de la Concorde. The visit is also interesting and I advise!
The second day of the tour ends here. If you are willing, at nightfall the Eiffel Tower will light up every hour for 5 minutes. It is a magnificent light show!
RESTORATION:
Next to the Eiffel Tower there is a Carrefour, in case you need to buy something. All nearby cafes are more expensive than normal.
At Invalides there are less options to eat, and the options there are not very accessible, so try to program yourself so you don't have to stop to eat there !
Around the Jardin du Luxembourg there are a multitude of options: McDonalds, Burger King, Bakeries, Cafes and restaurants that pack for travel, so you can “picnic” in the park!
TOILETES: Na Eiffel Tower , at the Army Museum (Invalides) and at Luxembourg Garden
DAY 3
The third day will be much more peaceful, don't worry!
Today we will stay in the Montmartre district, the famous bohemian district of the city. This neighborhood was home to several artists from the 19th and 20th centuries, including Picasso, Van Gogh, Renoir, Toulouse-Lautrec, Serge Gainsbourg and others.
Start at the Anvers metro station and go up Rue de Steinkerque . This street full (for real!) of shops is usually the ideal place to buy souvenirs in the city. At the end of the street you will be in front of the park Louis Michel and the “steps of the Sacré Coeur”. The view is beautiful!
There are two ways to ascent to Sacré Coeur: by the main stairs or by the side (Amélie Poulain style). You decide!
Honestly, the best thing to do in Montmartre (and in all of Paris) is to walk aimlessly. So enjoy!
Don't miss the Mur des Je t'aime , a tiled wall with“ I love you ”written in all languages!
Pay attention to Moulin de la Galette, on rue Lepic, one of the last mills in the neighborhood, where below is a restaurant of the same name.
For Amélie Poulain lovers, the mandatory stop is Café des deux Moulins, the Café that the character worked on really exists, and why not take advantage of it? Remember that every tourist place loses quality and price points, not to mention the service, but it is worth the experience!
Go down rue Lepic and you will arrive at the corner of the famous Moulin Rouge
And keep walking aimlessly through Montmartre, you will find many beautiful places that deserve a photo !!!
RESTORATION : Montmartre is FULL of cafes, you will be lost with so many options! But I advise the Rosnard just in sight (and for their café latte) ! Café des Deux Moulins, mentioned above, is also usually a good option. And venture into what catches your eye!
And voilà! Here is a 3-day itinerary in the French capital. And, of course, there is much more to see, but this script does a good part of what is important to see!
A bientôt and, Perdoe o meu francês 😉
