Consider the Layover
If you have a long layover in Paris, consider an overnight. That way, you can rest up and be ready to explore the city fully when it’s time to go. If your flight is delayed or canceled, not only do you get more time in Paris but also most airlines will give those who booked travel insurance some money back for their troubles (which could be used to buy food or souvenirs). So even if things don’t go exactly as planned, there are still plenty of ways that this can work out well for travelers!
Layover in Paris
If you have a layover in Paris, don’t worry. You can still have a great time!
If you’re staying at one of the major airports in the area, there are plenty of ways to get from A to B without ever having to spend money on a taxi or long train ride.
For example, if you’re flying into Charles de Gaulle airport, consider taking the RER B train from the airport to Gare du Nord station (the stop for Eurostar trains). From there, hop onto the RER C line and take it to Châtelet-Les Halles station (where you can transfer over to the M2/M3 metro lines). Alternatively, if your flight lands at Orly airport and you want to visit Notre Dame Cathedral, just take the Orlyval shuttle train from Orly Sud station over to Antony RER B station (so that you can then get on the RER B line).
When it comes time for your departure from Paris, why not consider taking an Uber? They’re very affordable and easy to use. It’s also possible that there will be no traffic because many locals will already have left town in anticipation of holiday travel!
Book the City Tour
If you have only a few hours to spend in Paris, this is the best way to maximize your time. You can book a city tour online before you arrive, or pick one up from any of the many kiosks around town. There are plenty of options for all budgets and interests you can choose from a guided walking tour or hop on an open-deck bus and see everything as it passes by.
While we recommend booking tours in advance (and not just because they sell out quickly), there’s no reason why you shouldn’t take advantage of what’s available right away when you get there. If nothing else, it will give your feet a break after walking around all day!
Have a Delicious Snack at Gontran Cherrier
Have a delicious snack at Gontran Cherrier.
Gontran Cherrier’s bakery is the best place to eat in Paris, and it’s where I go every single time my husband and I visit the city. The pastries there are amazing, but the most popular item on their menu is the brownies. There are several different varieties (like chocolate hazelnut), and they’re all so rich and delicious that you’ll have to order more than one to satisfy your sweet tooth! If you’re not feeling like dessert after lunch or dinner, just stop by for a small treat before heading back home, or skip breakfast entirely if you want! It’s worth it!
I recommend eating here as early as possible because this place gets crowded quickly (especially during weekends). Even if no seats are available inside the store itself, there’s always plenty of seating outside since it’s located right off of Boulevard Saint-Germain near Notre Dame Cathedral; however, weather can vary depending on how far into May we’ve gone by then so keep an eye out for sunshine or rain clouds on your way over there too.”
Follow Your Nose to the Spice Market
The Spice Market is a great place to visit, shop, eat and buy spices. The market is located in the 11th arrondissement on Avenue de la Republic near Place de la Bastille.
It’s easy to get to Paris by metro or RER (train). There are two stations close by Republic Station and Bastille Station. It’s also a stone’s throw away from major attractions like the Invalids and Les Invalids Museum.
Take a Better than Average Selfie in Front of the Eiffel Tower
While you may think that the iconic Eiffel Tower is just a place to take pictures, it can be so much more. In fact, with a little bit of know-how and some planning ahead of time, you can make your trip to Paris truly special by taking an exceptional selfie in front of this stunning monument. Here are our top tips for capturing that perfect shot:
- Find a good angle: You want to make sure that both the tower and yourself are visible in your photo. This is where having someone else take the picture for you comes in handy you can tell them exactly what angle you want them to shoot from and they’ll have no problem getting everything into the frame.
- Use a selfie stick: Selfie sticks are great tools for taking photos from unique perspectives (see above). They’re also useful because they give you more flexibility than holding up your phone or camera with one hand while trying not to block anyone else’s view with another hand (like when using an actual tripod). If there’s one thing I’ve learned about traveling abroad, it’s that we all need as many hands as possible!
Discover the Paris of Yesteryear through your Taste Buds
- Eat like a local
- Get the best price
- Try new foods and flavors; don’t be afraid to ask your server for recommendations
- Use restaurant search websites such as TripAdvisor, Yelp, Foursquare, and Zomato to find a list of popular eating spots in Paris
Visit Paris even if you’re only there for a Short Time
Paris is a magical city, and no matter how much time you spend there you will always feel like you could have been there longer. That being said, even if your stay in Paris is short, there’s still a lot to see and do!
Make sure not to miss out on the most popular spots. Walk past the Louvre and Eiffel Tower during the day, then be sure to come back at night when they are at their most beautiful. Check out Notre Dame Cathedral while it’s still early enough in the day that you can take pictures without too many other tourists around (and also grab lunch at one of its restaurants). Take advantage of being able to walk through so many historic sites without having to wait in line for hours or pay an arm and a leg for an admission ticket.
