A Long Weekend in Paris

Get to know the city’s highlights. Get your photo taken in front of the Arc de Triomphe, walk the shops and sites along the Champs-Elysses and through the Jardin des Tuileries and over to Notre Dame Cathedral. Then, take the walk back along the Seine to the Eiffel Tower. Enjoy an evening boat ride along the Seine. Take in the sights and sounds while stopping at shops and cafes to keep you fueled throughout the day.

Hop the C train from the d’Orsay, Notre Dame, or Pont de l’Alma stations and head out to Versailles for the day. Or, if you are a little less adventurous, then book a tour that provides transportation from the city. In Versailles, take in the tours of the palace, the gardens, and the surrounding town. There are so many things to eat, see, and do here. Soak up the day and then take the late transportation back to Paris and your hotel.

Take in the art of Paris. Spend the day in the Louvre, the Musée d'Orsay, and the Musee de l'Orangerie. In between admiring the art at each of these museums, stop and enjoy the people-watching in the Jardin. Soak up the sun, admire the street art, and embrace the cultural experience.

Relax on the J Train from Gare Saint-Lazare on your way out to Bonnieres. Once in Bonnieres, you can either rent bikes, take a tour van, take the bus, or go on a bike tour out to Giverny to see Claude Monet’s house, gardens, and lily pond. Soak in the muse for so many of his most famous paintings. Every room of this house is a museum. If you want, there are some great hotels to stay in while in Giverny. Also, stop and grab something to eat at one of the great restaurants such as La Parenthèse. If you don't spend the night here then take the train back out. This is a wonderful day trip from Paris. You can also do tours with transportation directly from Paris without having to do the train trip.

Conclude your stay in Paris with a look at some of the classic Parisian sights. Take a tour of Saint-Chappelle, Notre Dame, the Luxembourg Palace, the Pantheon, and the Le Marais neighborhood. Take the trip up near Sacre Coeur, where you can overlook the city of Paris. On your way up, stop by Privé de Dessert to get one of the most eclectic dinners you have ever had. They do traditional French cuisine that is done up like a traditional French dessert. It is pretty amazing. Conclude your evening with amazing sunset views from Sacre Coeur.