My daughter and I recently got back from a trip to Paris, and since I found this forum helpful before going, I wanted to share a few takeaways.
We found Parisians to be very pleasant, and it was enjoyable just hearing them speak French. Their style is effortlessly elegant, and many people have great natural-looking skin.
The metro system was clean, safe, and straightforward to use. We bought a physical card and added rides as needed, and trains came frequently.
We felt safe walking around both during the day and at night, just stay aware, like in any major city.
We stayed in the 4th arrondissement, which was a great location, though next time I’d consider the Saint-Germain area.
Our best meal was at Au Bourguignon du Marais. A picnic at Place des Vosges was a highlight I’ll always remember.
Marché des Enfants Rouges was interesting to visit, but quite overpriced. The popular jambon beurre spots like Caractère de Cochon also felt overpriced compared to other options.
We mainly relied on Apple Maps and didn’t end up using other travel apps we downloaded.
The weather was perfect around 65°F and sunny daily. We only pre-booked Sainte-Chapelle and spent most of our time walking and exploring. We skipped Louvre Museum and didn’t regret it, as we preferred enjoying the city and weather freely.
For a river cruise, Vedettes du Pont Neuf was a great option at €15 per person, and we could buy tickets on the spot.
Palace of Versailles is definitely worth visiting, especially the Trianon Estate. Renting a golf cart there made the experience even better. The RER C made getting there easy.
At Charles de Gaulle Airport, I allowed three hours before departure and got through in about one hour, but others had delays, so it’s best to still arrive early. I took an Uber to the airport without any issues.
Overall, we had a fantastic trip. The food is amazing, and it’s hard to go wrong with your choices.
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