City of light and my favorite place on earth. I actually plan to move here, hopefully sooner than later. Planning a trip to Paris, or anywhere overseas for the first time, can be overwhelming. I booked everything myself through Expedia, saving a little cash by bundling flight and hotel. Paris is actually quite easy to navigate once you get the hang of it. The metro makes it so easy. Download the Paris metro app before you get there. You can put in any location and it will tell you exactly which line to take.

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We always buy the Navigo Pass. It costs 30 Euros and is good for the week and works in zones 1-5. This also works from Charles de Gaulle airport to Paris city center. It can be used for the bus as well, which is sometimes more convenient than the metro. If you aren’t traveling outside city center you probably won’t need past zone 3. We travel to Disney and Versailles in zone 5 among other places so this is just easier for us.

Travel Tip – Make a copy of your passport picture and cut out for the navigo pass so you don’t have to pay 5 euros each at the metro station.

Paris is broken down into arrondissements. I prefer staying in the 1st, near the Louvre or the 7th near the Eiffel Tower. I feel this is where we spend most of our time. Again, the metro makes it so easy to get where we want to go. To learn more about the Paris arrondissements and help you decide where to stay visit my guide to Finding The Best Arrondissements of Paris

Eating with celiac in Paris is actually pretty easy. Paris has many gluten free restaurants to choose from. Even when you factor in vegetarian. Check out my article Eating gluten free in Paris for a list of my favorite gluten free Paris restaurants.

I also recommend getting the Paris Museum Pass. It will get you entry to over fifty museums and attractions throughout Paris. Once activated it is good for 2, 4, or 6 days. Make sure to book ahead to the most popular, like the Louvre and Versailles. The Crypts are another very popular place to visit. This is not covered with the museum pass. Make sure to book ahead. We did not get to visit on our first trip to Paris and almost did not make it in the second time.

If you are up for some shopping try Galleries Lafayette or just head straight to the rooftop for the incredible views. Head over to the Champs-Elysees for some luxury shopping and end your day at the Arc de Triomphe. For my fashion lovers visit La Galerie Dior, where you can learn the history of the fashion house and see some of the amazing fashion from past to present.

There is so much to do in Paris you are likely not to see everything on your first visit. If you want to venture outside the city my 7 Best Day Trips From Paris For Your Dream Vacation will give you some great ideas. I definitely recommend Disneyland! Save up to 50% on Paris activities with the Go City Pass!

Paris, no doubt is full of museums with priceless art. Honestly, I don’t have a favorite because I love them all. The Louvre is a must for the Mona Lisa alone. The room is hot and crowded and I was rather shocked at how small she was the first time I saw her. Nonetheless, she is a sight to see. You need to plan most of the day if you want to see it all.

Head to the Musee de L’Orangerie and stare in awe at Monet’s Waterlilies. Musee d’ Orsay is another favorite. Musee Rodin has beautiful gardens and the famous Thinker Statue. These are all free to enter with your museum pass. For a detailed list of all the best museums in Paris read A Guide To Paris Museums – From Dior To The Louvre

While not a museum, if you are a bookworm like my family you must stop by Shakespeare and Co. at kilometer zero. Paris also has so many parks and gardens where you can go relax and read a book on a beautiful day. Jardin du Luxembourg and Jardin des Tuileries are two of the most popular and very beautiful.

A bucket list check on our last trip to Paris was a Moulin Rouge show. We saw the 9pm Feerie Review show with champagne. It lasted about two hours and was absolutely fantastic. The costumes were vibrant and over the top amazing. The dancer in me was wishing I could be on stage.

Last but not least…the Eiffel Tower. Go during the day, go at night, watch her sparkle. Take some champagne and snacks and have a picnic in front of her. Catch the sun as it sets behind her. Take metro line six and watch her go by. I will always be in awe of her beauty. Book your tickets well in advance. I booked mine 3 months out, especially if you want to go to the top.

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