4 Days In Paris Travel Guide || Fall 2022

You can’t study abroad without taking a weekend trip to Paris, France! With Paris Fashion Week in full swing and my sweet content-creating bestie living in Paris for the rest of the year, it seemed like a no-brainer to make the trip last week!

I had the incredible opportunity to attend my first Paris Fashion Week event and meet up with the LTK France team. The rest of my weekend was spent living like a “local”, seeing all the sites from the eyes of Jules who studied abroad here during her college days. I packed so much into our four-day trip and was able to do so in the most cost-efficient way thanks to Go City.

Sitting down in today’s travel guide to share our full Paris itinerary, packing list, and restaurant recommendations. Enjoy!

Transportation

This was my first time flying out of the country alone and to my surprise, there were (next to) no hiccups! I’m currently studying abroad in Florence, Italy so I took a taxi (flat rate of $25) to the Florence Airport.

I had a short hour-and-a-half direct flight to Paris Charles De Gaulles where I then took a 50-minute ride into the city. Jules is staying in Montmarte which is *sadly* a $53 (flat rate) taxi away. Keep this in mind when calculating your travel costs as I certainly wasn’t expecting such a hefty price tag or such a long ride into the city.

Where To Stay 

Typically for my study abroad adventures I stay in a hostel or a chic hotel, however, this time around I stayed with Jules in her Airbnb. She is staying in Montmarte which is the oldest area of Paris. This cute little village town is full of quaint cafes and gorgeous city views. It’s much different than the rest of Paris and definitely worth a visit if you are staying closer to the action.

Things To Do

I couldn’t believe how BIG Paris is + how much there is to do here! I wanted to do it all—eat, see, and shop. Because of this, I figured getting a Go City pass would be my best bet. Go City is an all-inclusive sightseeing pass that allows you to visit various bucket-list attractions, enjoy top tours, and discover plenty of hidden gems.

Rather than paying an entry fee for each individual activity and dealing with paper tickets, with Go City, you’re able to pay one price with one pass. They have various different options but I ended up getting their 2-Day All-Inclusive pass. With this pass, you’re able to see as many attractions on their list at your own pace.

With this pass, you’re able to save so much time and money. Definitely suggest looking into this pass if you’re wanting to pack a lot into your trip!

Guided Eiffel Tower Climb 

I know, I know, the most touristy thing you could possibly do when visiting Paris… I feel like going up the Eiffel Tower is a must when visiting for the first time. Go City had a guided climb on their pass so Jules and I signed up. Once arriving at the tower, there was a set meet-up spot where we grouped with about twenty other tourists.

We were taken around the base of the tower where we learned all kinds of fun facts and history about the tower. Afterward, we parted ways from the group and began our climb to the 2nd floor. The ticket doesn’t take you all the way to the top, however, you can still see plenty from the second floor.

Be prepared for a hefty walk. It’s 360 steps to the first floor. We stopped and enjoyed the view + ate gelato at one of the spots in the area. Then there were another 380 steps to the second floor. Here we had a clear view of the city and were able to take it all in. So much fun!

Trocadero 

While climbing the Eiffel Tower is great, you can’t actually see the tower when you’re inside it. if you want a clear view of the tower and the perfect picture-taking spot, head over to Trocadero. We went around 11:00 am on a weekday and had a whole area to ourselves. There was a little bit of construction around the area when we went but we still got some super cute photos.

Sacré-Cœur

This is the second most visited tourist attraction in Florence according to tour guide Jules. While you are able to pay and go inside this church to look around, it’s also beautiful to look at from the outside. We took some pictures around the backside before one of our fashion week events, however, if you head around to the front you get an incredible view of the city skyline as well.

The Louvre

The Louvre is without a doubt one of the world’s most famous museums. While I would have loved to see the Mona Lisa in action, entry to the Louvre is only included with three-day Go City passes. You are, however, still able to enter the grounds and explore the area.

It’s an incredible museum with the most amazing architecture so even if you can’t go inside, it’s still worth seeing. There are also a couple of restaurants along the ground level where you can have a meal and enjoy the view.

Palais Royale 

I’m sure you’ve seen this iconic photo spot all over your Pinterest feeds. This is another super popular tourist attraction and was actually a former royal palis. We came around three pm and were still able to get our own little corner to ourselves to snap some photos. So much fun!

Cheese and Wine Tasting at O Chateau 

If you’re looking to really immerse yourself in France’s culture then one of the best things you can do is EAT! Thankfully, eating is one of my favorite things to do when on a trip so I certainly had no issue doing so, lol. We visited tons of restaurants which I’ll break down later however one thing I want to mention in the itinerary aspect is the cheese and wine tasting we did.

We found this activity on Go City and were able to go any day, any time. We needed a mid-day pick me up so we went to O Chateau and enjoyed a glass while trying five different kinds of cheese.

Acr De Triomphe

Some may say that the Arc De Triomphe is a must-see spot. Thousands of people gather around this building each day, with half as many climbing to the top to get a full view of the city. While there is obviously history behind this, it really is just a photo-op/something to look at.

If you go to the top of the Eiffel Tower, I don’t feel like you also need to go to the top of this as the view is relatively the same.

Dinner Boat Cruise 

Jules and I had the opportunity to partner with Bateaux Mouches, a dinner boat cruise company. This fine-dining, five-star experience was definitely my favorite part of our Paris trip. You get all dressed up to enjoy a five-course meal on a boat. Nothing beats sipping champagne while riding along a Parisian river. Bonus points because you get to see the Eiffel Tower light up at night.

This is definitely a pricey experience but it is so much fun + truly a night you will never forget. I will say this is definitely more of a romantic scene so something you might want to consider for an anniversary or special occasion with your significant other.

And when in doubt, don’t be afraid to shop. There’s all kinds of variety here— from luxury designers to small trendy boutiques. There’s so much to see however all I bought was a cute little I ❤️ Paris tee and a postcard, lol.

Bus Tour Of The City 

Jules and I were exhausted from all of the walking we were doing so we decided to hop on the Big Bus. I’ve always laughed at the people on these huge tourist buses but I actually loved our time on it. There are ten different stops on this bus and you’re able to get on and off whenever you please/as many times as you desire.

I especially enjoyed sitting on the top of the bus as you get a great view of the city + are able to take pictures without all of the crowds of people at eye level. They also provide earbuds that you can plug in and listen to a guided tour of the city. This had so much information packed into it so we were able to learn all kinds of fun facts. Definitely a fun thing to do!

Where To Eat 

WOW! I was so pleasantly surprised by the food in France. Don’t get me wrong, the food in Italy is incredible but I absolutely loved how much variety there was in Paris. And as silly as it sounds, I also didn’t realize how many foods were home to France—french onion soup, french toast, french fries, and some of the finest meat in the world.

Needless to say, I ate my way through this trip and couldn’t have been happier about it. There were also several food-related “activities” on our Go City passes and we took advantage of them all, as it was essentially “free” with our pass. Even better!

I truly didn’t have a bad meal. With that being said, here’s my list of recommendations!

La Mere Catherine 

I didn’t realize that France is full of “cafes” which is essentially their way of saying restaurant. The first one we popped into was in Montmartre and one of Jules’s favorites. They had a cozy atmosphere and a huge menu of all of France’s most authentic dishes. I got french onion soup and french fries and was blown away at how good both of them were.

Such a good comfort meal for a rainy afternoon. So yummy!

✈ Menu // Directions

Pinky Bloom

We stumbled upon this adorable cafe by chance and it ended up being the most Instagrammable brunch spot you’ve ever seen. It had an adorable pink interior full of flowers and the cutest decor. I got their pancakes and WOW, I don’t think I’ve ever had a better pancake in my life. They were so fluffy, almost like donuts, and were topped with some delicious caramel sauce and the freshest fruit.

This was so good; I cannot recommend it enough. It’s right by Trocadero so if you’re over by the Eiffel Tower, this spot is a must.

✈ Menu // Directions

La Bocca

I’m not usually one to order pasta out but Jules definitely is so we indulged in some truffle ravioli and spicy red sauce spaghetti; both were amazing. The truffle was definitely my favorite however it’s a heavy meal so it’s the perfect dish to split with someone. Not to mention, all of the restaurants here give you a baguette to start that’s so fresh! YUM!

✈ Menu // Directions

Bateaux Mouches

I mentioned that we went on a dinner boat cruise with Bateaux Mouches and the meal was absolutely incredible. This was a five-course meal complete with several different options to choose from. We started with little rosemary pastries and then an appetizer. I got their tomato, pesto burrata and it was so delicious. This type of cheese is really growing on me.

For my main course I, of course, chose the filet and it was divine. It also came with scalloped potatoes and I was in heaven after going months without eating red meat in Italy! We were then given a few kinds of cheese and a baguette before finishing off the night with an amazing raspberry surprise dessert. Plus, each table had a bottle of champagne to share.

One of the best meals I’ve had abroad by far! Not only was this an incredible experience but the food was amazing. Definitely consider doing one of these.

✈ Menu // Directions

Bistro Marbeuf

Our Go City pass had the option to stop in this restaurant and enjoy a crepe, coffee, and orange juice any time, any day. We stopped in mid-afternoon after needing a sweet treat and I had the best crepe. The chocolate was so rich here, oh my gosh. It’s safe to say I ate at least five more crepes after visiting this place! Short and sweet activity to give you a mid-day boost of sugar.

✈ Menu // Directions

Mason Salvage 

Of all the places we went, the atmosphere of this one was one of my least favorites. My cheeseburger and french fries, per the waiter’s recommendation, were both delicious, but the tables were packed so close to one another that it was a very overwhelming experience. Service was slow however this restaurant was in a very trendy, cute area!

✈ Menu // Directions

Les Amourettes

Grabbed a quick bite to eat while waiting for the Eiffel tower to light up. There is a strip of restaurants right across the way where we had pesto pasta, bread, and another crepe. My pasta was nothing special, especially considering the price but the crepe was amazing. Loved how chocolatey this one was.

Definitely was not a memorable meal from my trip but hey, not all of them can be. I will say, prepare for hefty price tags in Paris, it’s much more expensive here than in most places I’ve traveled to. Very comparable to NYC!

✈ Menu // Directions

Brasserie Jaja

Popped in one last cafe for a mid-day snack and had to get a bowl of French fries. These were some of my favorites of the trip which is why I’m including this “meal” haha. This place also had the cutest interior with pink couches, gold accents, and an amazing playlist. The perfect spot to come and grab a coffee + get work done mid-day.

✈ Menu // Directions

Au Cadet de Gascogne

This was another spot we hit with our Go City pass! We were given a glass of champagne and a plate of French desserts to try. I like the coffee ice cream and pistachio pastry best but there was also a fruit cup and creme brule to try. We came here around ten pm and it was such a vibe—moody, authentic atmosphere and an incredible live singer who played us all of the Sinatra our hearts desired. The perfect sweet treat to finish the night!

✈ Menu // Directions

Things To Pack

Despite only being in Paris for four days, we did so much that I actually ended up wearing nine outfits throughout my stay. I put together an outfit guide complete with links to shop all of the pieces and directions to the most Instagrammable photo locations in the city. You can check that out in this blog post if you’re wanting to catch the full scoop.

I want to note that I traveled to Paris in late September/early October and the weather was rather unpredictable. I got a little bit of everything—sun, rain, and temperatures ranging from 40-65.

Sharing a few packing must-haves for your next trip to Paris. xo

• Tote Bag: I was expecting to use a crossbody purse during my trip to Paris but to my surprise, ended up using a canvas tote for almost the entire week. I was able to keep everything tight against my shoulder in touristy areas and had a place to put my layers as it got warmer throughout the day. Definitely recommend bringing one everywhere you travel in Europe as they are so easy to fold up and stow away + you never know when you might need one.
• Comfy Shoes: We walked about 20,000 steps every day in Paris so it’s safe to say comfortable walking shoes are a must. If you’re brave like me you might even bring your new leather boots to break in. In which case, good luck! Haha.
• Jacket: This is where I screwed up. I thought that I’d be fine with just my leather-shacket and while I did still get tons of use out of it, I really wish that I had brought a longer, knee-length coat with me as it was definitely cold enough for one. Better safe than sorry!
• Layers: With that, I should also add that layers are a must for this trip. Bring long sleeves, sweaters, button-ups, and jackets so that you can mix and match. The temperature shifts pretty significantly throughout the day so it’s best to be prepared!
• Tights: It was still warm enough for skirts and dresses, however not without a pair of tights underneath!
• Beret: Obviously this isn’t essential but it certainly makes the trip more fun to have a beret that matches your outfit. So Parisian and this simple accessory instantly ties together any outfit, if you ask me.

Watch The Week

Want to see my trip to Paris + get the live tour from a local? Check out this vlog and hit the subscribe button so you don’t miss out on more travel content coming your way soon.

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Well, that’s a wrap on my trip to Paris! While I prefer a warm-weather beach destination, I have to say I really enjoyed seeing Paris through the perspective of a “locals” eyes. Jules made my trip an absolute blast and we were able to pack so much into just a few days.

I have a feeling this won’t be the last time you find me in Paris this year… stay tuned for more adventures + catch you in MYKONOS, GREECE next.

With love, McKenz

Latest Post: What To Wear In Paris: 9 Outfits To Wear This Fall
Related Post: Venice, Italy Travel Guide Fall 2022
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