Day 1 - Eiffel Tower and More!

On a sunny day, you woke up and decided you had enough of the routine and packed your bags to leave for the Himalayas. Wait a second? Himalayas? That's too abrupt decision, and a very cold one at that! Jokes aside, there are plenty of great places to travel to. So why Paris? What's so good about it?

 

"To know Paris is to know a great deal" - Henry Miller.

Paris! The dream city that everyone hopes to visit at least once in their lifetime. Known also as the Latin Quarter, the 5th arrondissement is home to the Sorbonne University. In addition to its book shops, including Shakespeare & Company, the city is also known for its cafes. The Jardin des Plantes and the National Museum of Natural History are family-friendly attractions. The Panthéon building houses the remains of notables such as Voltaire and Marie Curie.

That seems too much information to process, and it ineffective as well. At a time like this, wouldn't it be convenient to have a handy guide? If so, You've come to the right place!

 

“When spring comes to Paris, the humblest mortal alive must feel that he dwells in paradise” – Henry Miller

As the quote says, Spring is an ideal time to visit Paris. Make sure to plan accordingly! When you visit Paris, what's the first thing you would like to see? To us, it was the Eiffel Tower. Does it seem obvious? Sure, but it's too beautiful to ignore! A trip to Paris would not be complete without seeing it.

So let's jump right in to our day one travel guide!

1) Eiffel Tower

 

Let's start our day by exploring the beauty of the Eiffel Tower.  

"Take a picture. The iconic moment will last longer"

Wherever you are, in Paris, you can easily track the way to Eiffel Tower. How? Just follow the skyline! 

If you're staying in a hotel near the Tower, I would suggest that you take a walk rather than a cab or a bus. Stroll around the city of love, and take in the elegance it has to offer. 

 

“Breathe Paris in. It nourishes the soul” – Victor Hugo

The most recommended time to visit Eiffel Tower is before 9 Am. Since the place is most popular, it's mostly crowded all the time. If you plan a pretty photo shoot around Eiffel Tower, you wouldn't want people to interrupt you right? Also, don’t forget to watch the sunrise, sitting under the Eiffel Tower and enjoy the view!

Tip: Taking a Skip-the-Line Eiffel Tower Tour will save you time, covering all the highlights of the famous landmarks in just about two hours, so you can take a break afterward to enjoy the Champ de Mars and many other places.

2) Champ de Mars

 

We don't get to go on a trip too often. So our goal's to make the most out of it!

Take Rue du general lambert road and then Av. Charles Floquet road to go to Champ de Mars so that you can have a peek at the Residence Of The Indian Ambassador To France and the Embassy of the Czech Republic on the way. 

The Champ de Mars is one of the most beautiful green spaces Paris has to offer and would make for a great stroll, picnic, or simply relaxing under the shadow of the Eiffel Tower. 

There is something truly magical about seeing the Eiffel Tower sparkle against the night sky. There is a spectacular light show at the famous monument after sunset, featuring 20,000 sparkling lights. I prefer watching it from Champ de Mars. What's more serene than admiring this picturesque scenery with the greenery all around you?

Champs de Mars means "Field of Mars", named after Mars, the Roman god of war. You can also find the Ecole Military at one end of the park which is used by the army.

3) Experience the art of the pastry

 

 "Is a day even over if you haven't had dessert?"

Don't worry if you haven't had breakfast yet. You're in Paris! You can find many restaurants and bakeries on your way. But wait! We have a good bakery suggestion for you. It's an 11-minute walk from the Tower to the bakery at Rue Saint-Dominique. You can also take the bus if you feel like you can't walk anymore. "Boulangerie Laurent B" with a 4.3 rating, serving tasty french pastries. 

Life is short, eat dessert first!

The taste was immaculate. I tried Limonene Tart, Pecan Tart, Chocolate Gateau, Apricot Flan, and Almond Croissant. Everything is just right. Combined with seating in front of the Eiffel, a truly Parisian experience! Says Miss Ardia Khairunnisa, who visited Paris in October 2021.

4) Les Invalides

 

Paris is a well-known tourist place. It's crowded throughout the year. If you get tired of all the hustle and bustle, you should visit Las Invalides. It’s quite and amicable. It is a 13-minute walk from the bakery, Boulangerie Laurent B to Les Invalides via Rue de Grenelle.

Les Invalides, located at 129 Rue de Grenelle, Paris' 7th arrondissement, is an assortment of monuments and museums commemorating France's turbulent military history. It is a series of Army Museums that feature a church and the tombs of many famous figures, including Napoleon. Before the Eiffel Tower was built, the dome, Les Invalides was Paris' tallest building. The museum has a large collection of strange weapons used by mankind during evolution. History buffs and fans of war gears will surely enjoy this museum.

However, if you are short on time, I suggest you visit the Tomb and the Chapel.

Tip: It is best to arrive before noon to avoid large crowds of teenagers and schoolchildren on field trips.

You can also see The Army Museum, The Musée de l'Armée, the national military museum of France located at Les Invalides in the 7th arrondissement of Paris. It is served by Paris Métro stations Invalides, Varenne, and La Tour-Maubourg. An extensive collection of documents, maps, models, uniforms, weapons, and equipment are displayed vividly.

Psst: Don't forget to eat lunch on your way!

 

“Destiny may ride with us today, but there is no reason for it to interfere with lunch.” - Peter the Great.

 

5) Rodin Museum

 

Whether you're a fan of ancient art works, love to be creative, or just enjoy art in general, you should definitely visit the Rodin Museum.

Rodin Museum is an art museum located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania that houses one of the largest collections of Agustuste Rodin's works outside of Paris.

It's an 11-minute walk from Les Invalides to The Rodin Museum via Rue de Grenelle.

The Thinker, Rodin's most famous work, stands outside the museum in the entry courtyard as if it is honourably welcoming you. You are greeted by The Gates of Hell as soon as you enter the museum. Many more of the artist's works are displayed in the museum's several rooms, including The Kiss, Eternal Springtime, The Age of Bronze, and The Burghers of Calais.

6) Seine River

We always recommend visitors take a Seine river cruise to see the best of Paris.

From 77 Rue de Varenne, 75007 Paris, France, walk about 8mins, 650m to Saint Francisco Xavier and take the bus to Champ de Mars and walk about 2mins, 150m to Eiffel Tower. 

Guests who are visiting Paris can easily board the cruise at the foot of the Eiffel Tower, making it an easy and enjoyable experience. While cruising along the Seine River, you can see many of the city's highlights, including the Louvre, the Eiffel Tower, the Musée d’Orsay, Notre Dame Cathedral, etc. From the river viewpoint, you can also gain a better understanding of the city's history, evolution, and architecture. The sun set also makes it one of the best experiences to end your day with!

Board on a cruise, order dinner, sit back in your seat and enjoy the mesmerizing sight of the Eiffel Tower sparkling against the night sky.

We're done with day 1 folks. Stay tuned for more Paris insights! Au revoir!!