“I guess it goes to show that you just never know where life will take you. You search for answers. You wonder what it all means. You stumble, and you soar. And, if you’re lucky, you make it to Paris for a while”

For anyone who knows me well, knows that Paris is one of my favorite European cities in the world. I have visited France nearly 20 times and Paris always draws me back in. No matter how many times I go and wander those same pavilions I always find something new to explore and something new to eat!!

For those of you who grew up obsessed with Baz Luhrman's “Moulin Rouge” like me will have a certain lure to Paris. I cannot visit Paris without staying in Montmartre. I think it is just perfection. But more of that later...

You can do Paris easily in 3 days if you want to spend a weekend away. It is a beautiful walking city and if you are not so impressed with hitting the pavement it is one of the most accessible Metro based cities in the world.

Here are some of my favourite spots and shots!

We will start where I always recommend to stay, - Downtown Montmartre.

Easily accessible on Metro and there is enough to visit to keep you entertained for a whole day if you wish!

Montmartre – The Sacre Coeur, The Moulin Rouge, The Artisan Pavilions

The Sacre-Coeur Basilica sits atop the highest hill in Paris. The steps in front of the Basilica are a popular spot to watch the sunset and are always full of tourists and vendors.

A simple walk downhill from the Basilica will bring you through artistic streets lined with local craft work, painters and musicians. Restaurants are a plenty and the further downtown you venture you will eventually come across the one and only Moulin Rouge. (over 18's only) I would recommend that you book your ticket in advance (Viator) and be there early! The lines typically fill up very fast and as you cannot book your exact table in advance you want to make sure you are top of the queue for the best experience you can get, and enjoy the champagne, but remember no photograph allowed!!

From Montmartre you can easily Metro in towards the city centre and begin you well known tourist attraction search.

The Eiffel Tower & Champs De Mars

Once again, try and book your tickets for the Eiffel tower in advance if at all possible. It is always busy no matter what time of day or night or month, so be prepared to wait! You can always take the shorter queue and use the stairs...but maybe hit the spin class before attempting that one!! The view is definitely worth the wait though. From the Eiffel tower, you must walk down the Champ De Mars. It is the ultimate sunny evening stroll and the perfect photo opportunity. Picnic in the gardens and enjoy an artisan coffee while you admire the view. Make sure you hit the pastry shop enroute!

The Louvre

A must. Even if you are not a typical museum goer, - if you go to Paris and don’t get a sneaky selfie with the Mona Lisa, did you even go?? The place is gigantic so make sure you wear your runners and enjoy exploring the once home of many French Kings including Louis XIV.

From the Louvre, wander through the Tuileries Gardens towards the Place De La Concorde. This historic square is a stand along tourist attraction and is the spot where poor Marie Antoinette met her end by guillotine. Despite its sobre history you will see people enjoying the sunny evenings in the park. During the summer there is usually a beautiful Ferris wheel which although can be expensive is definitely worth it for the eagle eyed view of the city, - especially for photographers!!

The Champ-Elysees

One of the most photographed and recognizable streets in Paris. A long walk if complete it all but a must. It is lined with shops, restaurants and general Parisian brilliance. The end of the road stands the mighty and intense roundabout that is the Arc De Triomphe. The view again.

Ile de la Cite and a day of chasing the River Seine

This small island in the center of Paris, is the home of the Sainte-Chapelle and the amazing Notre Dame. It is the historic heart of Paris. Approaching it from the Right Bank and crossing Pont Neuf onto Ile de la Cite is a very scenic way to start another day in Paris. Unfortunately in early 2019 the Notre Dame suffered from a devastating fire which left it severley damaged. Restoration is underway but it was a sore loss to the citizens as a historic building that will now never be complete.

Musee d’Orsay

Follow the Seine all the way to the Musee d'Orsay. It houses the largest collection of Impressionist art in the world. Van Gogh will speak to you!

From here, why not walk back in towards the city and get a river cruiser for the evening, a dinner by candlelight looking at the Eiffel tower is always a perfect finish to a busy day of walking!! Or if you are feeling romantic, head down to see the love lock bridge with its beautiful views of the city!

I could write about Paris all day long, but these were just a few of the beautiful must see places. If you have a longer, travel outside of the city to the beautiful Versailles, or even Disneyland Paris!

Favorite Museums in Paris

Musee D'Orsay

Pompidou centre

The Lourve

Petit Palais

Natural History Museum