The purpose of this blog post is to showcase my experience with Tour Radar, which took me all around France for three days. The blog post seeks to help travelers who may use the service or want to know specific locations to visit while traveling through Paris, France.
Paris is one of the largest cities in Europe, best known as the capital of romance. There’s a reason Paris is one of the most popular cities among travelers. Known as the “City of Light” or the “City of Love,” the streets of Paris overflow with culture, art, beauty, and history.
Paris’s 2020 population is now estimated at 11,017,230. Paris is the largest city and the capital in France. However, the City of Paris is packed into only 103 kilometers, making the famous city not exceptionally large in landmass. In the past 70 years, Paris’s population has almost doubled in size, from 6.2 million people in 1950. It has become the most populous urban area in Europe, with a population density of 21,000 people per square kilometer.
Paris remains one of the most visited cities in Europe, with tourists numbering 17.95 million each year. This is due to Paris’ incredible array of landmarks that are world-famous and deeply romanticized. This includes the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame, Versailles, the Louvre, and—of course—Disneyland Paris! Tourists pump up Paris’ economy and contribute 17 billion dollars to the city, the third-highest of any tourism revenue after London and New York City. On top of this, 18.4% of all workers in Paris are engaged in tourism-related sectors.
Day #1: Welcome to Paris! We arrived in the morning, where we explored through the subway, and in the evening, we went to the Montmartre district. This neighborhood is known for its painters, artists, and its cabarets… Sit down to dinner and enjoy a magical night. You can choose between Indian, Chinese, French, and American cuisines. We will ascend by funicular to the hill and admire the spectacular view of Paris from the top.
We ate at the Castel Cafe, and it was not our best first experience of Paris Cuisine.
The Eiffel Tower has become the global icon of France and one of the world’s most recognizable structures. As the tallest building in Paris, it is the most-visited paid monument in the world. The tower stands 324 meters (1,063 ft) tall and has accessible three levels. Tickets can be purchased to ascend, by stairs or lift, to the first and second levels. The walk to the first level is over 300 steps, as is the walk from the first to the second level. The third and highest level is accessible only by elevator. Both the first and second levels feature restaurants.
The Palace of Versailles
It takes a full day to really enjoy a trip to the Palace of Versailles. It is located around an hour from Paris. We spent the day exploring the château, getting lost in the surrounding gardens, and soaking up France’s former monarchy’s extravagant lifestyle. Make sure you see Trianon’s estate (known as Marie Antoinette’s estate) as well, which includes a fake peasant village created to provide scenic views and fresh milk and eggs for the Queen. Versailles is massive and beautiful, so don’t rush your visit. Most people see the Palace first, then the gardens, and then Marie-Antoinette’s estate. If you do everything in reverse, you’ll be able to avoid the crowds.
Day #2: We took a city tour in Paris. We went up to the second floor of the Eiffel Tower (ticket admission included). After, we went on a boat cruise along the River Seine, which divides the north of Paris from the south. At sunset, we transfer to the “Quartier Latin,” a very picturesque area of the historic center where you can enjoy dinner with a wide variety of international cuisines before returning to the hotel.
Day #3: A scenic guided tour to discover the history, main boulevards, and the breathtaking monuments of Paris. This could not be complete without French macarons, which have become one of Paris’s trendiest cookies. This sweet meringue-based confection may date back to the 8th century in Venetia, but it was totally re-invented in France’s early 20th century. One of the most famous pastry shops to find is Ladurée Paris on Champs-Élysées Avenue, but there are many other alternatives. Pierre Hermé on Rue de la Sainte-Croix-de-la-Bretonnerie, La Maison du Chocolat on Rue du Faubourg Saint Honoré, and Pierre Marcolini on Rue Saint Honoré all do a great macaron.
Hot spots in Paris Visited
- The Arc de Triomphe was ordered to be built by Napoleon; the base is the Unknown Soldier’s Tomb. From the top observation deck, you can see the twelve avenues that meet at that point.
- Disney Paris is located in Marne-la-Vallée, 32 km east of Paris city center; Disneyland Paris is a must-visit for travelers. The 20 sq km park is home to many rides and attractions inspired by Walt Disney’s characters and franchises, including Star Wars and Marvel. Enjoy themed roller coasters, a haunted house, a pirate ship, and more. The park also has over 50 restaurants and seven hotels on site.
- Montmartre is one of the most picturesque districts in the city. It’s a quaint neighborhood that feels like a village in a big city. Built on a hill, it has the splendid Sacré-Coeur Basilica as its centerpiece. Famous for its artistic scene that still attracts painters, musicians, and writers, Montmartre is a pretty active area at night. You’ll find nightclubs, live music venues, and, down the hill on the southwestern side, the world-famous cabaret show at Moulin Rouge.
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Juan Velez Photography 