48 Hours in Paris
If you don't know already, Paris is one of my favorite cities in the world. I studied abroad there for a semester in college and return as much as humanly possible. This summer was actually my first time back since study abroad and I wanted to revisit some of my favorites while seeing some sites I somehow hadn't made it to in my 4 months there. Join me for two days in the city of love...
Day 1
I arrived at 7:30 am. My hotel wasn't going to be ready until 3, so I had plenty of time to kill. Honestly, walking is the best way to get around the city (although the metro is super efficient). I love walking because there are so many little things that you might miss- Paris delights all of the senses.
My first stop was Jardin Tuileries, a beautiful garden in the center of the city. It's a great place just to sit and enjoy life (and gelato) the French way!
Where She Wore Tip: Amorino serves flower shaped gelato that equally delicious and beautiful
After enjoying my gelato, I wandered over to one of my favorite museums, L'orangerie. Not only does it host an impressive permanent collection of impression and post-impression paintings, it's also home to Claude Monet's Waterlillies. The museum isn't overwhelmed with visitors, which allows for time and space to actually enjoy the art. The museum is just at the opposite end of Jardin Tuileries from the Louvre, trust me, it's worth the visit.
I walked from L'orangerie up the entire length of the Champs Élysées. Now it's lined with H&M, McDonald's, and Nike but it still is one of the most beautiful boulevards in the world. Ladurée's flagship store is on the Champs Élysées. Given it's location, there's usually a lengthy line. However, the splendor of the interior of the shop is worth it. At the far end of the Champs Élysées is the Arc de Triomphe. It's a 284-step climb to the top, but the views are some of the best in the city.
I continued my condensed tour of Paris by heading over to the Eiffel Tower. I still get giddy every time that I see it; it's the ultimate reminder that yes, you're actually in Paris. The views from Trocadéro, across the Seine, actually offer some of the best views.
For dinner that night I decided to complete my mini loop of the city by heading to St. Germain, one of my favorite neighborhoods in Paris. Don't get sucked into a restaurant by a pushy maî·tre d'. I found myself seated at a table-for-one in a tiny restaurant with a view of the narrow street I had just wandered down. It was perfect. After enjoying my savory crêpe and glass of Bordeaux, I decided to call it a night.
Day 2
I was staying by the Place de la Madeleine and started my morning off by finding a cafe on the square and enjoying petit déjeuner- a "little breakfast" of a croissant, juice, and espresso.
Where She Wore Tip: If it's open, be sure to check out the 5th floor balcony off of the impressionist gallery. It's a great place to take a break and enjoy beautiful views of the Seine.
During my study abroad I somehow managed to not make it to Musée d'Orsay. I had been on a previous trip to Paris, but definitely wanted to see it this time around. The museum is a converted train station that is as beautiful as the art it holds. It has the biggest collection of impressionist and post-impressionist art in the world! My favorite!
I ended the day meeting some friends from study abroad and some who happened to be visiting at the same time for apéro. Our American perspective of meeting for drinks is getting a drink or two, chatting, and then going to dinner. French apéro can last hours, and this one did. We went to my favorite bar, Le Perchoir, around 7. The line was already quite long and once we got to the rooftop finding seats became an aggressive game of musical chairs. However, once we were settled, it was all worth it.
The sun was shining, the views were spectacular, and the company was très charmant. We ended up staying there for four hours! By the time we had decided on a place for dinner it was 10 pm, quite normal for France! It was a perfectly French ending to my two days in Paris, and I already couldn't wait to return.
Where She Wore Tip: Don't be afraid to get lost in Paris, both literally and figuratively. Spend your time wandering down the tiny streets, only to turn onto smaller and smaller ones. Duck your head, no, really, watch your head, into the little boutiques and cafes. Yes, there are the major sites to see, but I find that the magic in Paris happens when you're not even looking.