Thinking about a trip to Paris? Here's what to expect...

Paris, the City of Love.

Just the name itself sounds chic doesn’t it?

What do you think of when you think of Paris? I think of the smell of perfect, freshly baked baguettes in the morning, the sound of the beeping cars whizzing past those famous Whitestone Townhouses, the trendy neighbourhoods and their cobbled streets, and the sophisticated cafés that sit on almost every corner you walk past.

From the Eiffel Tower to Le Champs-Elysées, there’s so much to see and do In Paris, but what if you stopped and really paid attention to the locals, the culture, the architecture and the lifestyle? I’m certain it’s enough to make you ooh la la indeed…

The Food

French cuisine is among the most celebrated on Earth. When I visited, I’ll be honest I struggled slightly, possibly because the food is quite rich In France. Or maybe it was the amount? I’m not sure, but the pace of the day is set around what time they’ll be sitting down to eat, consisting of a light breakfast, a three course meal at lunch and another three course meal at dinner, so you never go hungry. (Expect to see a lot of cheese and wine).

At home, it’s most important that the family gather around the table to eat and talk when enjoying their meal which is why grazing throughout the day or grabbing a snack on the go typically isn’t done in the accepted Parisian way of life.

And in restaurants, an 8.30pm dinner is on the early side and a later dinner hour is deemed more fashionable. During the day, I recommend you join the locals and grab a seat at a sidewalk café to do a little people-watching. There is an art to passing time in the heart of Paris, and it will always include a newspaper and a freshly made coffee.

THINGS TO DO: Take a dinner cruise down the Seine on the Bateaux Parisiens

If you are going with a partner or even just a friend I assure you this experience would not go wasted on you. It is one of my favourite meals out I’ve ever had and it was absolutely stunning. It is slightly pricey but I can assure you it’s worth every penny.

The Architecture

The architecture is easily breathtaking in Paris, it is the Modern and Contemporary style of architecture that we see there today that makes it one of the worlds most popular cities, Paris has always consisted of numerous different styles that either originated in France or elsewhere in Europe.

Wandering through the streets of Paris is like transporting yourself through an architectural timeline. You will discover the Middle Ages as well as every era of Parisian History; ancient Roman Baths, the French Renaissance Chateaus that still stand and this new Art Deco vibe. Wether you’re into architecture or not, the sheer elegance and detail of these timeless buildings are sure to impress and inspire.

THINGS TO DO: Get an eyeful of the Eiffel (and find the Mona Lisa).

Obviously I’m not going to write a blog about Paris and not tell you to go up the Eiffel Tower. Who knows, we may not be able to do it eventually and it’s worth it, the views are incredible. You can either buy the tickets at the Eiffel or book ahead here https://www.toureiffel.paris/en

I also very highly recommended going to the Louvre, it is where the Mona Lisa is held and although the cue is long you don’t have to wait in it to get close, you can still see it easily from afar. It’s also the most beautiful museum I’ve ever been in. https://www.louvre.fr/en/visit/hours-admission

The Fashion

Where do I start, first of all you can not go to Paris and not do a spot of shopping on Avenue Montaigne or at least look like you’ve done some recent shopping. Paris takes fashion very seriously.

The French fashion is classy, elegant and effortless and it’s always quality over quantity. So start off with finding some basic pieces that you could dress up or dress down and work your way out from there. One thing I noticed that came up a lot when looking at French fashion was that trench coats, high neck, and turtleneck tops, blazers, and miniskirts were very common, so start off there. Oh and some cute ballet flats too, they’re always a winner.

THINGS TO DO: Go to the Moulin Rouge

Oh my, the Moulin Rouge! This was my favourite night out. If you’re a prude then I recommend you don't go because you will see a hell of a lot of boobies. It’s honestly such a beautiful performance by the dancers, the colours of their outfits and the glam just makes the show. You have the option to sit and have dinner and champagne or just champagne while you enjoy as-well so, what more could you ask for?! It’s a must that everyone dresses up and it’s a very sophisticated, sexy evening out.

The final thing I will say is that if you're thinking about a trip to Paris, it is very expensive. And if you’re young like me, a 2-4 day trip is what I would deem a perfect amount of time because if you do want to sightsee and eat out etc, you end up spending a hell of a lot. If you do go I hope you enjoy, and make sure you take lots of pictures.

Anna x