Another group of students took the opportunity to travel to Paris during our free 3-day weekend in London! Paris is very easy to travel to from London. The train rides are only about 2 hours long, and they are able to reach Paris through tunnels under the water. This post is all about Parker Allen's amazing experience in Paris, France!
Parker and her friends stayed at the MIJE Fourcy Hostel in Paris. She said it "was quaint, safe, and very reasonably priced. You can stay in an eight bed room for $30/night. The staff was very friendly and it’s perfect for those traveling on a budget." A hostel is always a good idea if you want to save some money while traveling.
"Notre Dame is a must-see when you go to Paris. The lines to go into Notre Dame are very long but they move quickly. The architecture of the building is intricate and beautiful." - Parker Allen
Notre Dame means 'Our Lady of Paris'. This cathedral is one of the most famous in the world for its beauty, history, and architecture. Parker said, "While you’re at Notre Dame you can light a candle for a small optional donation. There are many places around the church for you to light a candle for all of the different Saints. I lit a candle for my grandmother who passed away in April."
"The well-known love lock bridge of Paris was actually dismantled. The locks were weighing down the bridge so there is no longer a love lock bridge. When I was walking around Paris, we found a location where people had restarted the tradition." - Parker Allen
Paris may be known as the city of romance, but one symbol of love has been removed from this city. The love lock bridge in Paris was taken down after it became a large tourist attraction, and began to weigh down the bridge. However, many people have begun to put locks on other bridges around the city.
"The Arc de Triomphe was a beautiful sight. This was my second favorite part of Paris. You could go to the top and view the Paris skyline." - Parker Allen
This beautiful piece of history stands at the end of the Champs-Élysées, and in the middle of the Place Charles de Gaulle. This famous monument honors the soldiers who fought in both the Napoleonic Wars, and in the French Revolution. Written along the walls of the Arc de Triomphe are all of the names of French generals and victories. The Tomb of The Unknown Soldier from World War 1 lies underneath this monument as well.
"The Louvre is somewhere you can’t miss in Paris. You can spend weeks going through this museum. Definitely purchase your tickets ahead of time to avoid lines and plan out what parts of the museum you want to view because you won’t see it all in one day." - Parker Allen
One of the most iconic pieces of art is housed in this museum. You have to visit the Louvre at least to see the Mona Lisa! This painting is always surrounded by a huge crowd of people, but make sure to force your way to the front to get a good view! Every wing of this museum has a different type of art, so anyone can find something interesting!
"Angelina Paris has the absolute best hot chocolate. It tastes like dark chocolate syrup." - Parker Allen
"The best food I ate in Paris was a crepe at a street vendor right across the street from the Eiffel Tower. They had a long line but it was worth it. You can order sweet or savory crepes." - Parker Allen
"Laduree is very pricey but it has the best French toast and tea that I’ve ever tasted. The best Macarons in Paris are from Laduree. They are quite pricey but worth it." - Parker Allen
"If you go to Paris, you absolutely have to see the Eiffel Tower sparkle. It sparkles for 5 minutes at 10pm, 11pm, and 12am. It is truly a magical sight." - Parker Allen
The Eiffel Tower is undeniably the most famous piece of architecture in Paris. This tower was built in the late 1800s for the World's Fair, and was initially hated by the French. However, it has now become an icon of France, and it is one of the most well-known monuments in the world.
"View from the top of the Eiffel Tower." - Parker Allen
You are able to go up to the top of the Eiffel Tower! Don't worry, you don't have to climb the steps. You can actually take an elevator up to see a breathtaking view of the city of Paris.
