Paris, Paris, Paris… I personally loved this city! It has a charm in its streets and I really enjoyed being there. I’ve been to Paris twice and I would go back again. Our latest trip was for five days only, we included Disneyland in our plan but I recommend at least one week to make the most of it.

Disneyland
Our first stop was Disneyland where we spent two days. It is located in Marne-la-Vallée. We took the ‘Magical Shuttle’ bus directly from the airport. The trip is around one hour and the bus will drop you at Marne-la-Vallée station/Chessy. It was so easy to get the bus tickets on the spot.

We enjoyed the whole experience. There are rides for all sort of ages, some are really scary. Meeting the characters is also fun but keep in mind that you have to wait in queues for each game. You can also pick many fast track tickets once you’re inside the park to make the most of your time.
You can stay at Disneyland Hotels, but we chose to stay at L’Elysée Val d’Europe which is located right next to Val d’Europe Shopping Center and Chessy station. The hotel provides free shuttle buses that will take you to Disney Park & Disney Village. It was the perfect location.

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We got back to Paris by train, it takes around fifty minutes. The transportation is not complicated, you don’t really need a car, you can easily use the metro or the train. If you don’t want to spend two days at Disneyland, you can have a day trip from Paris but make sure to start your day as early as possible.
We spent the next two days exploring Paris and visiting its most famous sites:

Eiffel Tower
If you love city views, definitely climb the Eiffel Tower. Many might say “Cliché” but for me it is an impressive monument. You can climb the stairs to the top or take the lifts on the second floor. If you choose the stairs, be ready for around 1700 step! Reach the top in any way, the view is totally worth it.

Trocadéro Gardens
Visit these gardens at Sunrise to avoid the crowds and get your perfect Eiffel Tower shot. Also enjoy the Warsaw fountains and admire many sculptures there. In the same area, you can take a boat trip on the Bateaux Mouches along the Seine river.

Notre Dame de Paris
I was really sad to see this iconic Gothic Cathedral on fire, I hope it gets restored as it is one of the most amazing sites in Paris and a must-see. It has two towers that you can climb for a panoramic view of the city. It is famous for its stained glass and rose windows. I loved its architecture which is designed with so many beautiful details.

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Montmartre
You can take the Montmartre funicular to reach Sacré-Coeur Basilica. Its white color is due to the stone “Château-Landon” and the calcite inside it that acts like a bleacher when in contact with rainwater. If you access its dome you can enjoy another view of Paris, but there are only stairs, no lifts.
The streets of Montmartre, next to the church, have a unique atmosphere, we discovered the painter’s neighborhood while wandering the area.

If you love art, also visit the Louvre Museum which is the largest art museum in the world and where you’ll find the famous Mona Lisa painting by Leonardo da Vinci.

Another nice place for a panoramic view of the whole city is Montparnasse Tower Observation Deck. A lift will take you to the 56th floor and you can access the terrace on the 59th floor by stairs for a breathtaking view.

Château de Versailles
We visited Versailles on our last day. It is just forty two minutes away from Paris by metro. You can easily reach it and many tourists will be going too so you can’t get lost. Palace of Versailles and its gardens are just spectacular. We spent hours exploring its rich interior and enchanting exterior. The gardens are huge and amazing, you might spend the whole day there.

Also, don’t miss the shopping experience at Galeries Lafayette and the famous Champs-Elysées street that you’ll never get enough of and where you’ll find the Arc de Triomphe which is the biggest arch in the world.

Make sure to buy all the needed tickets online before you reach Paris, this will save you so much time and you will avoid long queues. Keep in mind that the best way to explore a city is by getting lost in its streets. Keep some time for that! This is something I wish I did while in Paris.

Check my post ‘Where to eat in Paris‘ for some good restaurants to try there: https://travelwithmek.com/2019/07/09/where-to-eat-in-paris/