I finally traveled last weekend and went to Paris. For eight hours. Before my friend and I planned the trip, I didn't know how I felt about taking a less than one day trip, but it was probably the best decision we could have made. We tried planning our trip around this Huffington Post article, but it left a lot to be desired in terms of specific details and there were just some things we didn't have time for. So here's an incredibly detailed itinerary if you're planning on doing this kind of thing in Paris.
1. Take the first morning train out of your home city and arrive at Gare Du Nord at around 9:45. Immediately head to the metro and buy a single day metro ticket, which will cost you around 10 euros. You can go with the single day pass that covers Zones 1-3.
2. Take the 4 train towards Mairie de Montrouge for 3 stops to Strasbourg-Saint Denis, then switch to the 8 train towards Balard 9 stops to Ecole Militaire.
3. Get off at Ecole Militaire and, once you get out of the stop, head straight towards one of the many cafes that line the nearby streets to get some coffee and croissants.
4. Once you get your breakfast, walk towards the Eiffel Tower (you'll basically see it right after you get off the train). Hang out around there for a bit and leave at about 11:30. If you want, you can try to get in line to go up the Eiffel, but the line is long and you'll get a great view of Paris later on.
5. Cross the bridge that's right across the street from the Eiffel and turn right on Place de Varsovie. On that street you'll find the 72 bus towards Hotel de Ville. Take that bus 9 stops to Pont Des Arts and walk your way to the Louvre. You'll make it at around 12:15.
6. Go to the Louvre if you'd like to get cultured. Or, you can go to Jardin des Tuileries to hang out and rest your legs. You'll get a great view of the garden and the Arc de Triomphe. Start to head out of the Louvre at around 1:15.
7. Walk across the Points des Arts and take in the view of the Sienne. Once you cross the bridge, turn left on Quai de Conti and keep walking down until you see the street Petit Pont Cardinal Lustiger. Once you're there, turn right on Prom Maurice Careme until you hit Notre Dame. Once you're there, go inside Notre Dame and take in all the history. End here by 2.
8. After checking out Notre Dame, walk across Pont au Double (a bridge that is ridiculously short but Google says takes 6 minutes to walk across somehow) and go to Shakespeare & Company to see where literary heroes have hung out and worked. End here by 2:45.
9. After that, it's time for lunch! Near Shakepseare and Co., there are a ton of restaurants and bars. And, they're relatively affordable. So go to one of those places, or grab something to go and eat your lunch on the bank of the Sienne or in one of the parks surrounding Shakespeare and Co. You should be through with lunch at around 3:30.
10. It's time to burn off that crepe/that stack of steak and frites you had for lunch. Walk to Chatalet--Les Halles station (it's a somewhat hefty walk but definitely worth it). Make sure you take some time to take in the views and the architecture that surrounds you on your way to the station. You'll also most likely bump into street performers and some great conversations. Once you're there, take some pictures of the beautiful cathedral next to the station. Then, take the RER A train 2 stops to Charles de Gaulle --Etoile to see the Arc de Triomphe and walk around a bit in the surrounding town. You don't have to spend much time here, so you can finish by 4:30.
11. Now it's time for the best part of your trip: Montmartre. Go back down to de Gaulle--Etoile and take the 2 train towards Nation and take it 9 stops to Anvers. Get off and start walking towards Sacre Coeur (look up and you'll see a massive cathedral on a hill). Arrive by 4:50-5.
12. Once at Sacre Coeur, walk up the steps and enjoy! A lot of places online will tell you the steps are impossible and too much work, but, honestly, they're not bad at all. And, plus, you'll get a much needed workout. Enjoy the view at the top and explore Montmartre. It's the former art hub of Paris where Van Gough and others used to live and hang out. Everywhere you go, you'll get a great view of Paris. Pro tip: you're not going to get to take a picture of the Paris skyline with the Eiffel in it. It's literally impossible. It's as if Paris architects conspired to refuse you the perfect Paris skyline picture. However, if you just want to see the Eiffel from Montmartre, you can see it if you walk to the left when you're facing Sacre Coeur. To get over the fact that you can't get a picture with the Eiffel in it, treat yourself to a pastry, coffee, or cocktail at one of the charming bars/cafes in Montmartre. You should leave Montmartre at around 7 and start making your way down to Gare du Nord, which you can walk to.
13. Get to Gare du Nord station by 730, head up the escalator to the 2nd floor, and get through security for your train back to your home city (the line will be long). And that's your day trip to Paris.
Some extra tips:
- Paris streets and bridges are a lot smaller than Google makes them sound. You can walk to places relatively quickly
- This goes for the metro as well. The metro is incredibly efficient in Paris. It's not like DC at all.
- A lot of the walking you do will be on, across, or adjacent to some really stunning architecture. You're surrounded by art at all times in Paris. So walk slow and take it all in. And appreciate all of it for the short time you're there.
- If you're going to follow this itinerary to a T, make sure you have good company. they make everything so much better.
