Guest post by lloyd John
Paris is such a popular tourist destination thanks in part to the fact that it has so many recognisable monuments, possibly the most in the world. With so much to see in the city, it may be hard to fit it all in during a two week stay. If you find yourself in Paris, but only for a short duration, you will need help in trying to fit everything in, so this guide will endeavour to try and maximise your day in the city!
Morning
Get up early so you have a longer day to fit the sights and attractions in. Head over to the southern bank of the Seine and check out the 360 degree panorama of Paris’ from Place de la Concorde, where you will be able to admire some of the most famous sights in the city from a distance.
After you have enjoyed the view, start to explore the palace itself where you will find no shortage of rich history, such as the guillotines that beheaded many of France’s most famous figures, like Louis XVI and the revolutionary leader Danton.
Once you have finished there, make your way over to the ground of the Hotel des Invalides, a 17th century war veterans residence which has a military museum and, the famous French leader, Napoleon’s tomb.
Early Afternoon
Stop and have something to eat so you can recharge for your next part of exploring. Once you have had your fill, head over to Musee de l’Orangerie to admire Monet’s Waterlillies painting, as well as works from Matisse, Picasso, Renoir and Soutine.
Try to avoid staying too long here though, as after you will be heading across the river to the Musee d’Orsay. This former train station is now home to many pieces of impressionist works from artists such as Monet and Leonardo da Vinci.
After you’ve seen everything in the museum, take a stroll back along the Seine towards the iconic Eiffel Tower. Lifts continuously ferry people up to the various floors of the tower, although if you are feeling slightly more athletic, you can take the south pillar’s stairs, all 1665 of them, to get to the 2nd floor.
Late Afternoon
Once you have finished with the Eiffel Tower, hop onto a Batobus, a waterbus which you can get on at any of its stops, to the Jardin des Plantes. Alternatively, if you’re not comfortable with public transport in foreign countries (which can be a bit daunting!) you can of course rent yourself a car. Online is often the most efficient place to find the best prices on France car rentals. Originating from the 17th century, the city’s botanical gardens are taken quite seriously by the locals but are still worth wandering through. There are different sections inside, including a winter section, tropical greenhouses and an alpine garden.
Evening
Head towards St Germain des Pres to have yourself a relaxing end to the day in the historic cafe, where history is rich as its former guests include writers such as Hemingway and Stein. Grab some dinner and have a few drinks before retiring back to your hotel.