Something that was super helpful for me in planning was combing through other people’s itineraries, so I’m hoping that sharing what I did will be helpful to you!
was a huge resource, as was the Habitually Chic Paris Guide (thank you Carolyn for telling me about it, best $50 I’ve ever spent).A big thank you to everyone who shared their experiences with me… I always consider myself an editor of everyone else’s suggestions… this is one big team project! (Stephanie, Robin, thank you for your FB messages!)
Also, if you’d like to see other pieces I’ve written about travel adventures:
As a reminder, my “theme” for this trip was 19th-century Paris, so that played a lot in what I chose to do. I allowed a lot of space for walking/biking around and sleeping. :) Without further ado…
Day One:
Arrival day! I flew from STL —> Toronto —> Charles de Gaulle on an overnight Air Canada flight.
I used Welcome Pickups which I highly recommend… this way you will not have to stress with scams and taxi stands! My driver met me at the arrivals hall and helped me with my luggage. Both my arrival and departure drivers spoke English and the cars were clean and well-appointed.
I arrived at the absolutely darling Hotel Sookie in the hip Marais district (3rd arrondissement). Fantastic location, one block from a Metro station and an easy walk to the Seine).
To fight jet lag, I walked around in the sunshine as much as possible. I walked to Notre Dame, ate a crepe on a park bench, and spent quite a bit of time at the iconic Shakespeare & Co. before my room was ready.
After an hour's nap, I hopped on a Lime bike (they are parked everywhere and easy to operate) and bravely biked from my hotel all the way down to the Trocadero to catch the Eiffel Tower at sunset. It was as stunning as it sounds!
I walked to my dinner reservation at Le Soufflé, a restaurant that I remember from my trip to Paris as a 13-year-old with my grandparents. It was nostalgic and the food was delicious, although the ambiance and attitude of the waitstaff could use some work.
I took a nighttime bike ride back to my hotel and caught the Eiffel Tower twinkling. The perfect end to my first Paris day.
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