First-Timing Paris: A Crash Course Itinerary

Dive head-first into French culture, and start your trip off with a guided walking food tour in one of the many neighborhoods of Paris. Whether it’s in Le Marais, Quartier Latin, or any of the other arrondissements, a food tour will give you a good baseline of French cuisine. Everyone loves a good croissant, but what makes a croissant GOOD? You’ll just have to take a tour and find out!

Even though it’s a walking tour, you may feel like you need to burn off those calories that you just gained from eating all of the delicious food on the tour. A great way to do that, and get some sightseeing in at the same time, is by making the climb to the top of the Arc de Triomphe. And yes, it is a climb! Two hundred and eighty-four stairs, to be exact. Don’t get discouraged, though, because the views of the city from the top of the Arc are absolutely worth the workout. The monument’s height offers panoramic views of many Paris landmarks, including the Eiffel Tower, Les Invalides, Sacré-Cœur, and La Défense. You won’t be disappointed with this unique perspective of the City of Light.

Pro tip: For some truly stunning photos, get to the top of the Arc just before sunset, and capture Paris in all of its golden hour glory.

History will tell you that the World War II landing beaches of Normandy left behind scars from a past characterized by discrimination, destruction, and death. We as humans of a modern society will never forget the lessons that were taught there, but that there’s also so much yet to learn. Contrary to what we have all seen on the silver screen in films such as Saving Private Ryan, or shows like Band of Brothers, Normandy is a truly beautiful place. Beside the remnants of the battles that occurred, are the stunning, teal blue waters of the English Channel (or French Channel as some call it), a rolling landscape of dunes and occasional cliffs, and the powerful sea breeze that’s cool enough to make you put on a coat in the summertime. In some places along the coast, the beauty of the region makes it easy to forget that widespread tragedy once struck the area. The Normandy American Cemetery is one such place. Located on the bluffs overlooking Omaha Beach, the graves of the fallen lie on a parcel of land that is as peaceful as it is somber. A humble reminder to us all of the sacrifices made by the brave men and women who gave their lives to protect our freedom. If not interested in visiting the cemetery, other notable sites worth visiting include La Pointe du Hoc, Longues-sur-Mer gun battery, and the fossil-like structures of the Mulberry Artificial Harbor still standing at Arromanches.

Pro tip: If going to the Normandy Beaches specifically to visit the old battle sites, get yourself a guide who can take you from place to place. Not only will they share all of their insider knowledge about the war, but they’ll also get you there on the best routes and viewing areas.

Spending a whole day in Normandy, and on the coast is enough to wear anyone out. Take time to recharge, and spend the day conserving your energy with a ride on one of the many sightseeing bus tours available in the city. These buses are a fun, affordable way to see multiple landmarks around Paris in a short amount of time. The hop-on hop-off option allows you the flexibility of exploring certain parts of the city at your own pace, making it perfect for café stops, or bathroom breaks.

One of the many great things about Paris is that there’s always something to see no matter what time of the day it is. For example, the Eiffel Tower that you saw during the day transforms at night when the sun goes down, and the lights come on. Every night after sunset, the Eiffel Tower lights up every hour on the hour for five minutes. The Eiffel Tower Illumination Show brings out the playful, exciting, and romantic personality of the majestic monument. Think of it like a “business in the day, party at night” kind of vibe. Some popular viewing sites include just below on the Champ de Mars, and across the Seine on the Esplanade du Trocadéro.

Pro tip: If planning to see the Eiffel Tower sparkle in either the 7th or 16th arrondissements, get there EARLY! The Metro stops closest to the Eiffel Tower get very crowded with an influx of travelers also wanting to see the monument light up. To get the best view, research what time the sun is expected to set, and give yourself enough time to beat the crowd.

Let your inner child out, and spend the day at Disneyland Paris. Getting there is relatively easy, just an hour and a half train ride from the city center. Very similar to its counterpart in Anaheim, California, Disneyland Paris is composed of two separate venues: Disneyland Park and Walt Disney Studios Park. While a lot of the attractions and dining options mimic those seen in Anaheim, Disneyland Paris does a great job of showcasing its French identity. If you’re a fan of Pixar’s Ratatouille, then you’ll love the Worlds of Pixar at Walt Disney Studios Park. There, you can dine like a rat at Bistrot Chez Rémy, or go on the ride Rémy’s Ratatouille Adventure. If your fandom allegiance leans more towards Star Wars, then head over to Disneyland Park and ride on a Disneyland classic, Star Tours…in French! Keep in mind that the language barrier can be a bit steep for non-French speakers, but it’s also a fun way to learn the language, and pick up a few new words. Whatever your inner child’s heart desires, Disneyland Paris can surely provide with its refreshingly unique Parisian charm.

Pro tip: If traveling by train from central Paris, you’ll want to take the RER A to the Marne-la-Vallée/Chessy/Parcs Disneyland stop. Look for the trains that have the Mickey logo on their destination indicator, and they’ll take you where you need to go.

The island of the city. At the beginning of its existence, Île de la Cité WAS Paris, and not just a small part of it. This elongated island in the middle of the Seine River is the true heart of Paris. Over time, the city started here and grew outward from the island, across the banks of the river, and into the metropolis that we know of today.

Notre-Dame de Paris, located on the eastern end of Île de la Cité, has risen like a phoenix from the ashes, and been reborn after surviving the devastating fire of 2019. The newly renovated and restored structure is more radiant and awe-inspiring than before, and attracts visitors from around the world daily.

Sainte-Chapelle is another location worth visiting. Significantly smaller than Notre-Dame de Paris, this chapel located to the west of the cathedral and also built in the Gothic style, houses some of the most ornate stained glass windows in Paris. As literacy rates during the Middle Ages were low amongst the lower classes, such windows served as a way for people to learn the history and stories of Christianity.

Pro tip: Go on a self-guided walking tour around Île de la Cité. Download a free or paid itinerary and audio file, and learn about the early history of Paris at your own pace. There are many great options available online, or through any third party booking app.

In the town of Giverny, about an hour and a half drive west from Paris, is a charming, pink house surrounded by a massive garden. In this garden are some of the most beautiful flowers and plants that you may ever see in your life. If you’ve been waiting for your partner to help you get that garden going with no luck, then take them to Giverny! The gardens of Giverny are the epitome of #gardengoals, and served as the real-life inspiration for Claude Monet’s paintings. While living at Giverny, Monet created dozens of Impressionism artworks, some of which are still on display throughout the interior of the house. You don’t have to be a fan of Impressionism or gardening to enjoy the landscape of Giverny. Go there for the ambiance, beauty, and tranquility that it has to offer.

When searching for day trip options to Giverny, you’ll often find it paired with a trip to Château de Versailles. Is it worth booking that day trip even though you mainly just want to go to Giverny? Yes, especially if you’ve never been to Versailles before. It’s definitely worth visiting at least once. The interior of the château can get a bit overwhelming with ornate decor lining every inch of every room, but the gardens make up for it tenfold. Manicured bushes, an orangérie fit for a king, and water features for days make up the many acres surrounding the château. At Château de Versailles, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.

Pro tip: When at Versailles, and planning to explore the gardens, get the golf cart. Yes, the line to get one is ridiculously long. Yes, it’s not cheap, but it’s totally worth it. You’ll be able to cover twice as much of the grounds as you would on foot, and it’s great for visitors who have mobility issues and may not be able to walk long distances.

Think of this, you’re in Paris, and looking for a day-date option to do with your significant other. You don’t want to do any of the typical tourist activities, or go to a viral restaurant that’s always crowded no matter what time of the day. Then, you find the perfect, off-the-beaten-path activity…drumroll please…a guided walking tour of Père Lachaise, the largest cemetery in Paris.

It gives a Morticia and Gomez Addams type of vibe, and is the perfect escape from the city without having to leave the city. A quiet sanctuary in the middle of the 20th arrondissement, Père Lachaise feels more like a peaceful park than a resting place for the dead. The intricate tomb structures show you a glimpse into the personalities or achievements of those who have been laid to rest below. Free, printable maps are available to download online, but nothing beats having a guide walking with you, and sharing all of the history of Père Lachaise, and the requirements needed to be buried there.

Pro tip: Do some quick research of the who’s who buried at Père Lachaise prior to your visit, and ask your guide if they can incorporate a few of those celebrity graves into the tour. Chances are your guide will be appreciative of the time and effort that you took to prepare for the tour prior to your arrival.

Get out of the city, and take the train on a side quest to Mont-Saint-Michel, an island off the coast of Normandy that’s been an integral part of French history for centuries. Allow for at least three days in your itinerary to have an adequate amount of time for transportation, sightseeing, and exploration of the area. Start by traveling from Gare Montparnasse to Pontorson by train, then take the public bus to La Caserne (closest town to Mont-Saint-Michel). From there, you can jump on the shuttle that goes between La Caserne and Mont-Saint-Michel, or walk along the roadside path all the way to the front gate of the island.

Once there, you’ll be able to explore the island by walking along its ramparts, grabbing a meal at one of the many restaurants, or making your way up to the abbey for a self-guided audio tour. Guided tours are another good option for activities on and around Mont-Saint-Michel. For a fully immersive experience, opt to stay at one of the hotels on the island. If that feels too limiting, there are a bunch of hotels available in La Caserne. One last thing to remember about Mont-Saint-Michel is to always be cautious of the tidal periods. The tide comes in and out swiftly in this area, and if unfamiliar with the terrain, it’s easy to get disoriented by mother nature. Best practice is to always remember, if in doubt don’t go out.

Pro tip: Make sure that you’re physically able to walk to the top of the abbey. While most of the island is easily accessible by cobblestone streets and walking paths, the trek up to the entrance of and within the abbey requires you to traverse some very steep steps. Think of it like the Arc de Triomphe, but on a whole island!