Paris, France

Sunrise: approximately 7:00am (summer) and 8:30am (winter)
Sunset: approximately 9:00pm (summer) and 5:00 pm (winter)

Tour Recommendations:

Guided tours are one of the best ways to get informed and learn more about a city and in my experience the best tours are those that include walking the city. As a result, I recommend doing a Free Walking Tour. These tours are usually guided by official guides that study art, history, or other arts and have the knowledge to share unique pieces of information while giving you and short history of the location. The best part? You can pay as much as you want once the tour is done or nothing at all, if you didn’t feel like the tour was informative.

There are many different companies that offer this style of walking tours, but my favorite in Europe is Sandeman’s. They are everywhere around Europe and you can learn more about them by visiting their page → https://www.neweuropetours.eu

Here are the top tours they have available in Paris that I recommend doing: ★ Paris Walking tour: 3 hours daily @ 10am, 11am, 12pm, 1pm.

  • Starts at Place St. Michel

  • Offered in English, Spanish and French

Attractions by Neighborhood:

Montmartre: North of the city.

  • Sacre -Coeur Basilica → free entrance

  •  Extra: Be sure to walk through Rue de Steinkerque. It is a street full of cute little shops selling souvenirs, wonderful chocolate stores and more.

  • MAISON GEORGES LARNICOL MOF Biscuiterie Chocolaterie is a beautiful chocolate store with chocolate models of Paris monuments.

  • Moulin Rouge Feerie Show → https://www.moulinrouge.fr/reservations?lang=en

  • Prices vary depending on date, time, whether you want dinner & show, dinner & champagne, or just the show.

  • Dinner & Show; prices start at $205

  • VIP show (includes Free Cloak room, Premium seating, One bottle of

    champagne per couple (1/2 bottle for individuals), Macaroons, and a Gift);

    prices start at $233.

  • Show alone; prices start at $97

Ile de la Cité and around 

  • Notre Dame:

    • Church - Free, daily 7:45am - 6:45pm (7:15pm on Saturday and Sunday) 

    • Towers and crypt - $10 euros PP, daily 10am - 5:30pm 

  • Pont Alexandre III 

    • Free

    • Best lightning for pictures is just before sunset, however this is a popular time and I’ve found that going very early in the morning might be best. 

  • The Louvre: 

    • For most up-to-date hours and prices visit their official site (https://www.louvre.fr/en). 

    • Being one of the most popular attractions, it is best to visit early in the morning. 

  • Christmas Market: 

    • Opening dates run between mid-November to mid-December (must check online for exact dates). 

    • The one I’ve visited was located at the Tuileries Garden and had a wonderful ferris wheel from which you had a beautiful view of the gardens, the Louvre and the surrounding area. 

    • Here you will find regional food specialties, mulled wine, delicious food and stands selling arts and crafts for the season. 

Latin Quarter

  • Pantheon - 9 euros per person, daily @10am - 6pm 

    • Cheap Food and Hotels 

  • Jardin du Luxembourg - Free 

    • Bring a bottle of wine and some macaroons and this will make for a wonderful picnic place! 

  • Les Catacombs - Tue to Sun 10am - 7:30pm, 13 euros per person. 


Champs Elysees and Western Paris

  • Arc de Triomphe: $14 pp, daily @  10 am - 10.30 pm

  • Eiffel Tower - for the best views, cross the Seine river to the Palais de Chaillot and the Trocadero Gardens (This is where you will find the famous Carousel that is featured in so many photographs). 

    • Photography tip: If going to see the tower from the Palais de Chaillot it is best to go in the afternoon so the Sun is not behind you. If you can only go in the morning then the best pictures will be from the other side, from the Champ de Mars. 

    • Opening times & Prices visit the official site since these may change depending on the season → https://www.toureiffel.paris/en 

  • Opera House  Guided Tour: $19 pp

    • Hours: Everyday 11 am - 2:30 pm in English 

    • Tickets may be purchased on the web or at the ticket desk opens @ 10:15 am on tour dates

    • Warning: Arrive 30 minutes before due to security measures

    • TIP: Self guided tours are available for $16 

    • For exact opening times and potential closures due to events follow this link → https://www.operadeparis.fr/en/visits/palais-garnier 

  • Place de la Concorde - Free, around the louvre

  • Galleries de Lafayette 

  • Palace of Versailles: visit the official site for most updated information about opening times and cost → http://en.chateauversailles.fr

    • The palace is located outside Paris city center and is accessible by car, metro or bus. 

    • Easiest and most inexpensive way is using the RER (Line C)  from the city center, the cost is $8 roundtrip. The desired stop is called Versailles-Château – Rive Gauche. 

    • The trip takes about 60 to 90 minutes, depending from where you start.





Sheila GarciaComment