A Few Days in Paris - Rupp Up & Away

I visited Paris for the first time in 2017 with a good friend of mine and have been back a few times since then. To be quite honest, I was never very interested in visiting Paris because I thought it was a little…well…cliché. Now before you start researching DIY voodoo dolls to eventually put my face on, I will proudly say “pre-Paris Courtney” was an IDIOT. I will forever and always be an advocate for the city of lights and love.

Here are a few things to keep in mind if this is your first time visiting Paris:

There are very few public restrooms, so when you stumble upon one, USE IT.
If you can’t stand cigarette smoke, you might want to reconsider this destination.
Try your hardest to speak their language, even if you feel silly. (You will be commended for your effort)
There will be a line for EVERYTHING, so start your days early or invest in a skip-the-line pass.
Shops close around 6 and some markets are open until 8, so get your shopping done before then!
If tend to get a little temperamental in the heat, think about going when the weather gets cool. You’ll find a lot of places don’t have air conditioning.

This city has so much to offer, but it absolutely can be done in just a few days.

STAY

As a Flight Attendant, I basically live in hotels (call me Eloise at the freaking plaza). However when I’m traveling outside of work, I try to stay in Airbnb’s and Hostels.

Paris is a hot city for hostels, so check out Hostelworld if you are looking for a cheaper option. If “bougee” is your middle name, you will find countless cute Parisian flats on Airbnb.

EAT

Before visiting Paris, I naively asked a group of flight attendants, “Where are good places to eat in Paris?” I then became extremely annoyed when I was told “anywhere! Seriously anywhere you end up will be good!” Trust me now when I say, that is EXACTLY how it is. So if you’re a Foodie like me, don’t stress about where you will eat. The streets are lined with cute café’s with outside seating to fulfill your Parisian-themed Instagram post.

If you’re still dying for a “specific”, head over to the Montmartre neighborhood and have brunch at La Bossue.

They have a beautiful and colorful buffet and their aesthetic will not disappoint. If you’d rather get something on the go, swing by KB Café Shop for coffee and a baked good.

DO

There are so many things to do in Paris, so here are a few things I would suggest doing if you only have a few days for your first time in Paris!

Enjoy a picnic at Champ de Mars with a beautiful view of the Eiffel Tower

If you don’t take a picture in front of the Eiffel Tower, did you even go? If the weather is nice, lay out and soak up the sun with a beautiful view. Or pack up a little picnic with some champagne and watch the Eiffel Tower sparkle in the evening!

Say hello to The Mona Lisa at the Louvre Museum

Im going to be honest, I’ve never actually been inside of the museum, but it still is on my list of things to do in the future. The line to get in is always very long, so I would highly suggest getting there when it opens or invest in a “skip the line” pass.

Visit the dead underneath the city streets in the Catacombs of Paris

If you love some spooky just as much as I do, this just might be the stop for you. What is spookier than thousands and thousands of human bones lined underneath the city streets? Not much.

Take a stroll through Luxembourg Gardens

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Bring your own Champagne and enjoy live music on the steps of the Sacre-Coeur

If you want to sit among the locals, head over to the Montmartre neighborhood. Bring some champagne and enjoy hanging out in front of one of the best views of Paris.