Around the World: Paris

Back in December of 2019, I went to Paris, France for 24 hours. My amazing uncles surprised me with this day trip for my 17th birthday! From all of the places that I have been, Paris is (by far) my favorite. This was my second time in the beautiful city and the architecture, people, and environment have always made me feel at home in an odd way 🙂 I could go on and on about my love for this city, but I wanted to share how to get the full Paris experience in only a couple of hours! We’ll talk about transportation, attractions, food, and of course, fashion!

Let’s begin with transportation: My uncles live in London, England, so taking the train was the most practical option. We used Eurostar and left around 8am. The train ride was fast and smooth. Luckily, the seats were wide and comfortable since it took about two hours to get there. Plus, the tables came with accessible outlets to charge electronics and plenty of room to store your belongings! When we arrived in Paris, our main way of getting around was either walking or using scooters. During this time, most of the metro workers were on strike, so only a few trains were functioning. Fortunately, we improvised and decided to take a Bird or Lime scooter! On the negative side, it was a bit cold and windy (around 40 degrees Fahrenheit), so our hands and face were freezing while riding, but we made the best of it and it was such a fun experience! We were able to see hidden streets and beautiful buildings that we wouldn’t have seen if we transported underground. Truly, it felt like I was living in a movie! I did wish it was a little warmer though haha!

Now, where do I even start with attractions! If you’re only going for a day or even a weekend, I would pick a couple of your most-wanted places to visit. On this trip, our first stop was the Sacré Coeur Basilica. It’s at the highest point in Paris, so the views are spectacular! You can see the entire city skyline! It would probably be magnificent to see the sunrise or sunset there. Not only that, there is a beautiful town right beside the basilica! There are many small boutiques, restaurants, and bakeries with every step you take. Also, the cobblestone ground brings the whole place together. My favorite part was passing a local who was playing the accordion! The music in the background was just beautiful and created a perfect moment. We took a quick stroll through the area, had some lunch in a quaint Italian restaurant, and then hopped on a scooter to head to Champs-Élysées and the Arc de Triomphe. On our way there, we passed the iconic Moulin Rouge!

Once we zoomed through the city, we made it to Place Charles de Gaulle. The Arc de Triomphe is right in the center. We walked around the large circle, took some amazing pictures, and then went down Champs-Élysées. I was in awe of the amazing Christmas decorations that some stores still had up (especially Dior). The streets were busy with people just as amazed as I was. For a quick break, we stopped for tea and dessert at Ladurée. Their macaroons and earl grey hot tea are fantastic! I usually have the raspberry and lemon flavored macaroons. Afterwards, we went a few blocks towards the Eiffel Tower. We walked along the river and the sun was beginning to set, so the sky was gorgeous. Once we crossed over the bridge, we jumped on some more scooters and rode down to the Hôtel de Ville. Honestly, the cold breeze felt so good and we passed some more famous buildings, such as the Louvre Museum.

To top off the night, we walked through the small town of Le Marais. It’s now one of my favorite spots in Paris. The streets are more compact which gave the town a comfy and cozy feel to it. Not many tourists were there, so you could tell it was a local and authentic area. Boutiques and restaurants surrounded us and we gladly ate dinner in one of the quaint, French places. My uncles and I shared a tasty cheese board!

As for my outfit, I went with a more edgy and chic look. I’m wearing flared, plaid pants from Urban Outfitters, a cropped, black tank top from Kith, a cropped, black jacket from Boohoo, and black, platform booties from Zara (I got these boots the first time I went to Paris!). Also, my earmuffs are from Ugg Australia. I loved having my hair in a top bun because it was always out of my face (especially riding the scooters) and it highlighted my jacket and earmuffs more!

All in all, this trip was unforgettable! In just one day, I was able to experience so many different parts of Paris. One of the best memories I’ll take away from this will be riding the scooters through the city. I would love to do that in the Summer one day! I’m beyond grateful for my time there and I would, very much, suggest visiting… even for just 24 hours 🙂