Visit Paris

Let’s be honest: when people say “you have to see Paris at least once,” they’re not entirely wrong. But also… it’s hard to explain why it hits differently until you’re actually there. It’s not just about the monuments or the museums — though there are plenty — it’s about that strange feeling that the city is somehow familiar and brand new at the same time.

Now, where to begin? I guess the Eiffel Tower’s the obvious place, right? Yeah, it’s touristy. But there’s a reason people line up every day. I remember the first time I saw it sparkle at night — cheesy as it sounds, it genuinely stopped me in my tracks. You think you know what to expect, but then boom, it still gets you. (Also, quick tip: sunset is the moment to go. Bring a scarf. Paris evenings can get chilly fast.)

And sure, the Louvre is overwhelming — in the best possible way. You don’t “do the Louvre” in a couple of hours. I mean, I got lost somewhere between ancient Egyptian statues and a winged lion and forgot all about the Mona Lisa. If you ask me, it’s just as much about wandering through those grand halls as it is about checking things off a list.

Now, if I could give just one practical piece of advice? Book a private transfer in Paris when you land. Trust me on this — dealing with luggage, jet lag, and figuring out where the taxi ranks are… it’s just not how you want to kick things off. Being whisked straight to your hotel? That’s how you start a trip right.

But back to the fun stuff. Strolling along the Seine is one of those small joys that sneak up on you. You pass little green bookstalls, watch boats drifting by, and suddenly you’re in some film from the ‘60s. I took a canal cruise once, kind of on a whim — and wow, what a cool way to see the city. Quiet, reflective, with these surprising little corners of Paris you wouldn’t catch otherwise.

The neighborhoods all have their own thing going on. Montmartre is romantic but a little chaotic — in a good way. Artists painting in the street, stairs everywhere, a busker singing “La Vie en Rose” (yes, really). Then there's the Latin Quarter, which feels like it hasn’t aged a day in 100 years — bookstores, old cafés, students hunched over books. And Le Marais… well, it’s where the past and present shake hands and decide to open a concept store.

And the food — oh man. I could go on forever. There’s something about buying a pastry from a neighborhood bakery that feels like an act of joy. Or discovering a hole-in-the-wall place that serves the best roast chicken you’ve ever had. Not to mention the markets — like Marché des Enfants Rouges, where the smells alone are worth the trip.

Paris breathes culture. It’s not all about the big museums — though yes, Musée d’Orsay and Pompidou are musts. Sometimes it’s the street art under a bridge, or a cello echoing from a metro station. And the theatre scene? Wildly underrated.

Even in the middle of the city’s buzz, you’ll find calm. Grab a book and sit by the fountains in the Tuileries, or climb up to the Buttes-Chaumont and just... breathe. It’s not something you plan — it just happens.

In the end, Paris isn’t trying to impress you — it’s just being itself. A little proud, a little messy, but full of life. You don’t need to check off every monument to “get it.” Just walk. Watch. Eat. Listen. Let the city unfold in its own time.

And if you're with a group? Honestly, don’t mess around with metro maps. Just rent a coach. It makes everything so much easier — especially if you want to explore without splitting up or constantly checking Google Maps.

Final thought?

Paris doesn’t care if you’re dressed for it, or if you speak French perfectly, or if you’ve read all the guidebooks. It welcomes you as you are — and leaves a little something with you when you go.