You want to take a long weekend away in Paris or perhaps a short mid-week break. For many reasons, you’re a little strapped for time, and you want to fit in the highlights of the “city of love” in as little time as possible.
When you’re exploring and restricted for time, arranging transfers can save you a lot of hassle in the event of busy/peak times, crammed train or subway carriages, packed buses and public transport delays. If you want to make the most out of your short time in Paris, book a transfer through a company such as Top Paris Transfers who will pick you up from the airport or train station and whisk you off to your accommodation.
Location is incredibly important if you’re only in Paris for a short while. You want somewhere central and well connected, or better yet, has main attractions within walking distance. At the same time, you don’t want it to cost an arm and a leg. Look no further for your solution than Airbnb. When I stayed in Paris, we rented a beautiful house between four of us in the Le Marais neighbourhood.
Le Marais is utterly perfect because (aside from being a historic district and an attraction in it’s own right) it’s well connected to subway lines, and has plenty of wonderful typically Parisian cafes and restaurants. It is within walking distance of Le Centre Pompidou, the river Seine and Notre Dame.
So what are the main sights that you should squeeze into your compact itinerary? My suggestions would be as follows:
Day 1.
AM
The Eiffel tower
It’s one of those iconic attractions that you can’t really miss. Personally, I wouldn’t bother with the queue to get up there but if you really want to, consider skip the line tickets. Take a mini picnic of baguettes and something to drink, find a good spot on the grass far back – away from most of the people, and just sit there for a little while.
Make your way down to the river and get yourself a Batobus boat shuttle (like a hop-on hop-off) ticket – these go to 9 different tourist locations in Paris.
PM
The Louvre
One of the stops includes the Louvre, which should definitely be on your list. You could easily spend hours and hours wandering around all the exhibits, so even if you are strapped for time, don’t rush it. Spend your afternoon browsing through some of the most famous pieces of art in the world from the Mona Lisa to The Winged Victory of Samothrace.
Notre Dame
If you got a boat pass for the whole day, then you can hop back on and make your way to Notre Dame. In my humble opinion, I think that Notre Dame is far prettier at night. If you want a chance for comparison then perhaps you could go just before sunset. It’s usually more interesting in the evening as lots of street performers will be there doing an array of dances and tricks. Finish off your action packed day on a high, and then grab some good Parisian grub on your way home.
Day 2.
AM
Le Marais & Montmartre
Take a walk through Le Marais, check out the quirky area surrounding Le Centre Pompidou, go for a stroll along the river Seine and browse the market stalls. Hop on a subway car and make your way to Montmartre, walk past the Moulin Rouge, wander around the cobbled streets and then scale the monumental staircase of Le Sacre Coeur church for a fantastic view of Paris.
PM
The Catacombs
Hop on the subway again and make your way over to the eerie Catacombs. The tunnel network running beneath the city holds the remains of around some six million people and was initially built to combat the issue of overcrowded cemeteries. It’s been open as a slightly macabre tourist attraction since 1847 and will certainly be a unique experience!
Day 3
AM
The Palace of Versailles
Again, not to be missed but time-consuming, this is likely to take up a huge portion of your day. The palace is beautifully ornate, with corridors full of marble statues and room upon room gilded with gold decor. If you don’t fancy dawdling around the grounds, you can hire a golf buggy to drive around in.
PM
Depending on time constraints and the weather, it may be worth visiting Jardin Du Luxembourg or perhaps, have the afternoon to relax. If you decide to have a more chilled afternoon and are susceptible to sweet tooth cravings, I wholeheartedly recommend you track down L’Éclair de Génie for the best eclairs in Paris!
Remember to book your transfer back for departure for a streamlined end to your trip!
Disclaimer: This is a sponsored post for Top Paris Transfers and also uses an affiliate link for Airbnb, which means if you book via my link, I can earn travel credits at no extra cost to you!
The Gypsy Heart Travels 