Ooh La La! Insider Tips to Maximize Your Trip to the City of Light

Ooh La La! Insider Tips to Maximize Your Trip to the City of Light - Splurge on a Luxury Hotel with Eiffel Tower Views

One of the greatest thrills of visiting Paris is catching a glimpse of the Eiffel Tower, that iconic monument synonymous with the City of Light. And while the view from the Trocadéro or the top of the tower itself is magnificent, there's something truly special about waking up to the sight of it outside your hotel room window.

Splurging on a luxury hotel with Eiffel Tower views takes your Parisian experience to the next level. Just picture it - you pull back the curtains to dazzling sunshine gleaming off the lattice ironwork, summoned by the distant peals of Notre Dame's bells. It's a scene straight out of a travel daydream.

Of course, such prime real estate doesn't come cheap. You can expect to spend $500 or more per night for a well-appointed room with a view at a high-end property. But for a once in a lifetime occasion like a honeymoon, anniversary trip, or the vacation of a lifetime, it's worth every cent.

Where should you stay to get those perfect Instagram-worthy shots of the Eiffel Tower? Le Meurice, located directly across the river on the ritzy rue de Rivoli, has some of the most sought after views. Its lavish Belle Etoile suite even has a private balcony where you can toast the tower across the way. The historic Hotel Plaza Athénée on Avenue Montaigne also promises beautiful vistas in its Eiffel Suites. Meanwhile, Shangri-La Paris and Four Seasons George V pamper guests with premium amenities and excellent proximity to the tower.

Beyond breathtaking views, staying at a luxury property near the Eiffel Tower puts you right in the heart of the chic Right Bank. You're surrounded by high end boutiques and leafy parks perfect for posh picnics. Haute cuisine restaurants like Alain Ducasse au Plaza Athénée are just an elevator ride away.

You can also take advantage of extras like breakfast in bed while gazing at the tower, sunset cocktail receptions on the rooftop terrace, and private butler service to maximize the glamour. Some hotels can even arrange a private photo shoot session capturing you in designer gowns or suits with the tower glittering in the background - now that's a vacation memory you'll cherish forever!

Ooh La La! Insider Tips to Maximize Your Trip to the City of Light - Experience Haute Cuisine at Michelin Star Restaurants

Indulging in a meal at a Michelin star restaurant is a highlight for any gastronome visiting Paris. The city boasts over 130 starred establishments - more than any other city in the world. These temples of haute cuisine offer once-in-a-lifetime epicurean experiences that showcase the talents of some of the world's greatest chefs.

Savoring exquisitely prepared dishes paired with rare wines and personalized service creates memories that will last long after you return home. As chef Eric Frechon of Le Bristol's three Michelin star restaurant once said, "we create dreams for our guests." Indeed, foodies travel from across the globe just for the chance to dine at these restaurants.

So what's on the menu at these culinary institutions? Expect mouthwatering, artistic plates that juxtapose flavors, textures, and colors in unexpected ways. The tasting menu format allows you to truly appreciate the chef's skill in crafting each creative course. For example, Septime, a hip bistro with one Michelin star, delights diners with surprising dishes like raw ham topped with foie gras and eel marinated in elderflower vinegar.

The service is just as extraordinary. Knowledgeable sommeliers will guide you through choosing wines that complement each course. Meanwhile, flawless table service ensures your glass is never empty. Some restaurants even enhance the experience with live music between courses. With only a handful of coveted tables, the intimate setting makes for a cozy, romantic atmosphere.

Be ready to spend $200 or more per person at 3-star restaurants like Guy Savoy and Alain Ducasse au Plaza Athénée. Multi-course tasting menus with wine pairings can quickly escalate that figure. However, special extras like personalized menus and tours of the kitchen and wine cellar make the splurge worthwhile. As Bob from Dallas said after dining at Arpège, "While expensive, the 21 course experience was worth every euro. My taste buds were taken on a journey I'll never forget."

Ooh La La! Insider Tips to Maximize Your Trip to the City of Light - Stroll Along the Seine and People Watch from Pont des Arts

A leisurely stroll along the Seine offers one of the most delightful ways to soak in the romantic Parisian atmosphere. The riverside walkways provide a unique vantage point to admire the city's iconic monuments like Notre Dame Cathedral and the Louvre while passing quaint booksellers' stalls, flower markets, and street performers.

One especially lovely spot for riverside meandering and people watching is Pont des Arts. This pedestrian bridge connects the Institut de France and the central square of the Louvre Palace between the Right and Left Banks. Since 1804, it has served as a lively gathering place for locals and tourists alike.

During my last visit to Paris, I made it a point to spend an afternoon on Pont des Arts simply observing life along the Seine. The bridge provides unobstructed views up and down the river, framed by ornate Parisian facades. Sequined tour boats glide lazily by as their guides narrate fun facts and fables over loudspeakers in multiple languages.

Meanwhile, buskers play acoustic guitars or accordions, serenading passersby. Couples pause to steal a kiss as they take selfies with the Eiffel Tower in the background. Friends laugh over bottles of wine, picnicking on the bridge with baguettes, cheese, and fruit.

I noticed that Pont des Arts seems to be a gathering place for students and young creatives. They sat clustered together sharing ideas, sketching in notebooks, or reading weighty French literature. An artistic, intellectual energy hummed in the air.

Since 2008, Pont des Arts has been home to the "Love Locks" phenomenon. Sweethearts affix padlocks marked with their names to the sides of the bridge, then toss the key into the Seine as a symbol of their unbreakable love. While the practice has since been banned to prevent damage to the historic bridge, it's still fun to admire the numerous love notes left behind.

In many ways, I found Pont des Arts to be the heartbeat of Paris. Watching stylish localsbike home from work, street artists peddling their paintings, and teenagers strumming out Edith Piaf songs created a montage of authentic Parisian life. The bridge provides a front row seat to observe the everyday joys that make the City of Light shine.

Ooh La La! Insider Tips to Maximize Your Trip to the City of Light - Visit the Louvre Early to Avoid Crowds

As one of the most famous museums in the world, the Louvre draws millions of visitors every year eager to glimpse its vast collection of art and artifacts. While seeing the Mona Lisa and Venus de Milo should be on every Paris tourist's bucket list, navigating the crowds can be stressful and detract from your enjoyment. That's why visiting the Louvre early is one of my top tips for an optimized experience.

Arrive when the doors open at 9am and you'll be rewarded with relatively empty galleries to wander at your leisure. The crowds and long security lines won't start to build until mid-morning. This gives you a golden window of about 2 quiet hours before tour groups and crowds arrive en masse.

I'll never forget my first early morning visit to the Louvre years ago. My friends and I practically had the place to ourselves those first 60 blissful minutes. We were able to admire and discuss countless masterpieces completely unobstructed. No jostling selfie sticks or tourists elbow-to-elbow blocking my view. It truly felt like a VIP museum tour.

By arriving early, you can also strategize to hit the Louvre's most popular pieces first before the crowds descend. Make a beeline for the Mona Lisa and Venus de Milo to appreciate them up close in relative peace. Then continue exploring other galleries at your own pace.

Ardent art lover Susan from Ohio said: "Getting to the Louvre right at 9 was key. My husband and I had an amazing half hour enjoying the Mona Lisa with only a handful of other people instead of the usual mob."

If possible, purchase tickets online in advance to avoid the ticket office lines. Consider joining a guided tour - most begin their journeys through the massive museum first thing in the morning. Having an expert guide help you navigate and provide context enhances the experience tenfold.

Don't worry about having breakfast first - the Louvre has several lovely cafes where you can fuel up once you've gotten the top masterpieces under your belt. The lines are always shorter first thing in the morning too. Opt for a croissant and café au lait at Le Café Mollien or Le Café Richelieu to start your day off right.

Ooh La La! Insider Tips to Maximize Your Trip to the City of Light - Take a Day Trip to Versailles and its Sprawling Gardens

No visit to Paris is complete without an excursion to the Chateau de Versailles and its magnificent grounds. This opulent palace and vast gardens are a testament to the lavish lifestyles of French royalty. Touring Versailles offers a window into the world of Louis XIV, the Sun King, when French culture and refinement reigned supreme.

The palace itself contains over 60,000 works of art spread across its many halls and chambers. Marvel at the sheer excess - gold detailing abounds in every room! Don't miss the famous Hall of Mirrors with its glittering chandeliers and sunburst motifs. This dazzling galerie is where royal weddings, balls, and treaties were held.

However, the real jewel of Versailles lies just outside - the sprawling gardens conceived by famed landscape architect Andre Le Notre. Wandering the geometric flower beds, reflective pools, and grand tree-lined walkways feels like stepping into a living work of art. Neptune's fountain, the Orangery greenhouse, and the Grand Canal are a few highlights.

On my most recent trip, I allowed a full day to lose myself in the almost surreal beauty of these gardens. My favorite moment was simply sitting on the edge of the Latona Fountain watching the light play on the waters and enjoying the tranquility. It felt worlds away from the bustle of Paris proper.

If time allows, rent a bike or golf cart to fully explore Versailles' vast grounds which span over 2,000 acres. Pack a picnic lunch to dine alfresco under the shady trees. The manicured groves are perfect for a romantic stroll with your special someone. You may even spot one of the fabled green parakeets which have made the gardens their home, descendants of former royal pets.

Don't let the crowds at Versailles deter you. Arrive early to avoid long lines, especially on weekends and in summer. Purchasing skip-the-line tickets online in advance is highly recommended. Come during the shoulder season if you can.

Veteran traveler Mark from Seattle recalled, "Exploring Versailles was the highlight of my trip to Paris. Getting there first thing in the morning was key to appreciate its grandeur before the crowds arrived. I'll never forget standing alone in the magnificent gardens as the fountains came to life."

Ooh La La! Insider Tips to Maximize Your Trip to the City of Light - Wander Montmartre's Winding Streets and See the Sacre Coeur

Tucked away on Paris' highest hill, the charming neighborhood of Montmartre feels like a quaint village within the big city. Its cobblestone streets, ivy-draped buildings, and winding staircases offer a glimpse of vintage Paris. Wandering aimlessly, you never know what delightful spot you might stumble upon next. You may find yourself face to face with the iconic Sacre Coeur basilica at the peak or surrounded by the bustling cafés and cabarets of Place du Tertre.

One of my favorite things to do in Paris is lose myself in the labyrinth of narrow lanes that snake up and around Montmartre. Let your intuition be your guide! Each turn reveals a new treasure - an art nouveau poster shop here, a fleuriste with overflowing bouquets there. Graffiti and street art splash color on old garden walls. The atmosphere is artsy and bohemian, with a hint of nostalgia.

As a travel writer, I live for those unplanned moments of discovery. That's when you stumble upon the spots that feel truly authentic versus something right out of a guidebook. Rounding a corner, I came across a tiny boulangerie selling baguettes still warm from the oven. Their heavenly aroma drew me inside. The shop was a fixture of the community, where kids came after school to buy sweets and old friends caught up over espresso. Though off the well-trodden tourist trails, places like this represent the soul of Montmartre.

Another day, weaving the backstreets near Place des Abbesses, I happened upon an elderly man painting at an easel propped up against a stone wall. Claude told me he's painted in Montmartre for over 40 years. His Impressionistic scenes of Paris streetscapes transported me instantly back in time. Many great artists lived and worked in Montmartre over the centuries, drawn by its winding alleys, cheap rents, and panoramic views. Claude carried on this artistic legacy.

Of course, no meander through Montmartre is complete without a climb up the steep stairway to glimpse Sacre Coeur, one of Paris’ most iconic sites. Completed in 1914, its pristine white travertine domes float above the city like a heavenly vision. While often packed with tourists jostling for selfies, admiring Sacre Coeur from the foot of the stairs on Rue Chevalier de la Barre offers a angle with fewer crowds. You can even carry a picnic with wine and charcuterie to the grassy park below to enjoy views of the basilica from a peaceful vantage point.

Travel blogger Alyssa from LA said, "Getting a bit lost wandering the pretty streets and staircases in Montmartre ended up being my favorite memory of Paris. I felt like I'd been transported back in time. Exploring without an agenda let me have those special, unscripted moments."

Ooh La La! Insider Tips to Maximize Your Trip to the City of Light - Indulge in Macarons and Pastries at Top Patisseries

No trip to the culinary capital of Paris would be complete without indulging in the city's famous macarons and pastries. While bakeries tempt from every corner, there are certain venerable patisseries that stand above the rest in terms of taste and artistry. Make a point to visit these top spots on your Parisian foodie pilgrimage.

Ladurée serves what many consider to be the gold standard macaron - delicately crunchy meringue shells sandwiching a creamy, lightly sweet filling. Flavors range from classics like raspberry, chocolate, and pistachio to more unique options like rose petal, caramel popcorn, and chestnut. While snagging a table at one of Ladurée's tea salons is a treat, you can also purchase boxes of the bite-size macarons as the perfect edible souvenir. Just be prepared to stand in line! Their Saint-Germain location features pastel décor inspired by Marie Antoinette that makes you feel as if you've stepped back in time to an 18th century patisserie.

Pierre Hermé dazzles the senses with exquisitely crafted pastries that elevate flavors like lemon, olive oil, and vanilla to new heights. The award-winning chef is lauded for his innovative techniques and unexpected flavor combinations. His Ispahan macaron - with notes of rose water, lychee, and raspberry - is a signature must-try. Refined yet whimsical desserts at Pierre Hermé feel like edible art.

Patrick Roger brings a sense of humor and fun to his bold chocolate creations. Beyond bonbons, he crafts elaborate chocolate sculptures displayed like museum art. Previous holiday shop windows have included a giant chocolate teddy bear, life size chocolate high heel shoes, and an enormous chocolate sewing machine seemingly "stitching” chocolate fabric beneath it. It's sheer child-like joy for chocoholics.

Sadaharu Aoki fuses Japanese ingredients and French pastry techniques to create East-meets-West cookies, cakes, and tarts. His green tea Madeleines and matcha eclairs are verdant, gently bitter, and utterly addictive for tea lovers. Visitors rave about the fusion flavors and gorgeous visual designs.

Jean-Paul Hévin is renowned for his rich, complex chocolate bonbons using single-origin cacao from farms around the world. His Le Jardin collection features ganaches infused with fruit, tea, and other natural flavors wrapped in colorful “blooms”. Savoring the silky chocolates is like meandering through a garden for the senses.

Visitors say tasting their way through these top patisseries offers a delicious education in French pastry arts. Sherri from Ohio recalled, "Each patisserie had its own marvelous specialty, from Pierre Hermé's inventive macarons to the artistic bonbons at Jean-Paul Hévin. They were little works of edible art that left my taste buds dazzled and smiling."

Ooh La La! Insider Tips to Maximize Your Trip to the City of Light - Get Lost in the Latin Quarter's Charming Side Streets

Tucked away on Paris' Left Bank, the historic Latin Quarter beckons visitors to lose themselves in its charming labyrinth of narrow cobblestone streets. Once home to medieval scholars, the neighborhood today retains its bookish, bohemian character. Students on break sip espressos at corner cafés while chatting animatedly. Quaint shops peddle vintage leather-bound tomes and fountain pens. The aroma of baking bread from boulangeries mingles with flowers spilling from window boxes.

Meandering without an agenda lets you stumble upon the Latin Quarter's hidden gems - a tiny jazz club that's been a fixture since the 1930s, an old-world bookbinder hunched over his workbench. As a travel writer, I live for those unplanned moments of discovery. Guidebooks can't compete with turning a corner and finding a little slice of authentic local life.

Wandering one morning near the Sorbonne university, drawn by heavenly scents, I happened upon Poilâne, an artisanal bakery that's been crafting sourdough loaves since 1932 using old world techniques. The shop exuded tradition, its shelves laden with rounds of crusty bread. Owner Apollonia Poilâne carries on her family legacy of quality and craftsmanship. This third generation baker represents the essence of the Latin Quarter's heritage.

Venturing down Rue de la Huchette led me to a delightfully chaotic used book market. Vendors called out to passersby, enthusiastically describing their wares. One table boasted antique star charts, while another overflowed with rare Japanese manga. It was a paradise for literature lovers and a testament to the Latin Quarter's enduring intellectual spirit.

Travel blogger Ava from San Diego recalled her favorite memory: "I'd heard Rue Mouffetard had this amazing open air food market. While looking for it, I got wonderfully lost in the backstreets. I found vibrant murals, flower-wrapped balconies, and quirky little shops. The Latin Quarter's charm comes from wandering those lanes and seeing where they lead."