The Beauty of Paris

Of all the beautiful, European locales, only Paris is considered the most romantic city of all. But for all you lonely travelers out there, don’t let that stop you. Give into your wanderlust and take a trip to Paris like I did.

Having arrived in Paris early on Friday morning, I dropped my stuff off at my hostel and headed out. Not far away, on a small island on the Seine River, was the famous Cathedral of Notre Dame. I walked all the way around the church to admire its iconic, gothic architecture. My only regret is that I didn’t go inside. As with all Parisian sights, there was a massive line that I didn’t feel like waiting in. Shame. Look at that stunning interior.

Next I headed west to the Eiffel Tower. On the way, I stopped in a bakery for a sandwich. You’ll find bakeries everywhere in Paris. They all have fresh baguettes along with scrumptious meats and cheeses, and pastries too. Don’t get too hung up on which bakery to go to. They’re all good, and the simplest ingredients just seem to taste better in France.

There are lots of places to sit and eat by the Eiffel Tower. But you may feel drawn to tower as I did. When you see it from afar, the Eiffel Tower doesn’t seem so tall. In fact, it’s almost underwhelming. Then you walk closer and closer until its metal legs are sprawled before you and you stand beneath it like ant in the shadow of a giant. It’s a surreal experience.

A short walk away from the Eiffel Tower is the Arc de Triomphe. If you’re looking for a great view of the city, go here instead of the Eiffel Tower. The lines are shorter and the view is better. Or just stay on the ground. The Arc de Triomphe is on the Champs-Elysées, one of the most famous streets in the world. It’s picturesque and also a great place for shopping.

After seeing the Arc de Triomphe, I returned to my hostel by walking along the Seine. There are numerous gorgeous bridges that cross the Seine. Anyone of them offers a stunning view of the water and the city as a whole. In short, the Seine River is a photographer’s dream. And don’t be afraid to stray down a random street. You never know what treasures you might find. There are stunning statues and breathtaking buildings everywhere.

For my final trip of the day, I went to the Louvre. Before you go to the Louvre, buy a ticket online. The line is always huge, but if you buy a ticket beforehand, you can basically walk right in. Now then, once you get into that stunning glass pyramid, you’ll probably want to find Mona Lisa. They move her around a lot, but there are usually signs that point to where she is so it shouldn’t be a problem. The problem is the giant mass of people you need to push through to see her. Seriously, it seems like everyone is trying to get a selfie with Mona Lisa. But don’t obsess over her. There are thousands of great works of art. You will literally lose yourself in the vast collection of art. Enjoy the experience. Let yourself wander.