By: Nicole, Jenna, Annie, Kathleen, Kelsey, and Kristina
Welcome MUDEC students! This is your 72-hour travel guide to help you explore, navigate and make the most of your travels in Paris on a college budget with a limited amount of time. As past MUDEC student’s we understand how difficult it is to truly immerse yourself in a culture in such a short amount of time and on a budget. We hope this guide will assist you while planning and traveling through the City of Light.
Paris is a fascinating city with stylish people, seductive architecture, delicious cheese and wine, and beautiful gardens. Paris is a city full of surprises; take everything in and you will uncover one of the best travel destinations in Europe.
France is the second largest country in Europe, with the fifth largest population in all of Europe. Paris, the capital of France, has around 8.7 million people living in the city. Paris is known around the world for its famous landmarks, museums, parks, and institutions, which brings an enormous amount of tourist to the city each year.
Paris, the city of lights, is a city full of historical tourist attractions that will simply blow your mind away. Of course you have heard about the famous ones such as the Eiffel Tower, however there is so much more to this capital of France than the obvious. These world-renowned monuments that reside all through out the city are must-sees and perfect places to being your sight seeing. With only 3 days it may be a challenge to get through every sight you want to see, but you can do it! The feeling you get from standing on the top of the Eiffel tower or walking under the Arc de Triumph is something you can’t afford to miss and something you will remember forever. So believe us, it will all be worth the walk or the wait. Here is some insight into several of the famous monuments you may wish to visit.
Eiffel Tower: Today this monument has become the global icon of France. It is a massive tower located on the Champ de Mars beside the River Seine, in Paris. This landmark was named after its designer, Gustave Eiffel who built it for the World Fair in 1887-1889. Although this tower is one of the most recognized monuments in the world, at the time it was build Parisians thought it was ugly and insignificant. One of the best parts of the Eiffel is the trip to the top. You buy your tickets on the bottom of the tower and you have the option to take the elevator or walk. I would suggest if you want to avoid the line, the stairs are the way to go plus it makes the trip to the top more memorable.
The Louvre: Known to many as just the Louvre, the full name is actually Musee du Louvre. It is one of the most visited, oldest, and largest galleries and museums in the world. The gallery holds some of the world’s more famous works of art, such as Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa, Madonna of the Rocks, and The Virgin with Child and St. Anne. Located in the centre of the city, between the River Seine and the rue de Rivoli, the museum has had over 8 million visitors in 2009 alone. You may find yourself stressed about making it through the entire museum however it would be smart to choose a few exhibits to focus on because it would take days to see everything in the Louvre.
Arc de Triumph: This is another breath taking monument positioned at the western end of the Champs-Elysees in Paris. It was created in 1806 to honor those who fought in for France, in particular, during the Napoleonic Wars. We would suggest that you climb to the top of this famous arch to get an incredible view of the city. It is a great place to view the shimmering city lights as the sun goes down because during the summer months it does not close until 11pm.
Sacre Coeur Basilica: This beautiful Basilica is located at the Montmartre butte, which is the highest point in Paris. Although this may not be one of sights you hear about before coming to the city, it is a must see attraction. The church was constructed in the late 19th and early 20th centuries and stands as a place of worship as well as a popular tourist attraction. When you visit the Basilica you should definitely go to the top of the dome for an incredible view of the city, and visit the meditation garden, which features a beautiful fountain. Whether you go here to enjoy the history or to pray, you are bound to enjoy your time at this sacred place.
Versailles: The Chateau de Versailles castle is one of the largest palaces in the world and its one of the most visited chateaux in France. If you are into architecture this is a great place to visit! This castle is situated several kilometers Southwest of Paris, and was build by King Louis XIII in 1623. When we walk inside you can enjoy your own sit of headphones for a small fee, which will introduce you to the immense luxury and magnificence of the Chateau including the famous Hall of Mirrors. Before leaving you have to visit the Versailles gardens, which includes around 1,300 fountains and may be the most magnificent part of it all.
There is so much to do and see in Paris that it is impossible to squeeze it all in 72 hours. One could easily make a list of the sites to see and check them off as they go, but we recommend traveling off the path of what is expected of a tourist. Go explore the streets and parks of Paris because you may stumble across a hidden wonder. Every tourist goes to the Louvre to see the Mona Lisa, but what you’re not told is to walk around the Louvre gardens and tulleries right behind the museum. In Annie’s blog she says that it’s a “relaxing place for visitors to walk, eat, and relax. It is definitely worth anyone's time to sit by a pool to sun bathe and have a picnic.”
Another way to explore the city is by taking a stroll down the Avenue des Champs d’Elysees. The street starts off at the Arc de Triomphe and ends at the Place de la Concorde; it is known to be one of the most famous streets in the world (http://hubpages.com/hub/Le-Champs-dElysee). High scale stores, cafes, theatres, and hotels line the avenue. Although everything is expensive and overpriced in this area, as a tourist it would be a loss to not explore the culture and atmosphere of this famous avenue.
Being a college student, we all want to know where to go for great nightlife. A popular trend among the Miami students on this trip was to spend their time at the park facing the Eiffle Tower. Amy describes her experience at night by the tower, “At ten o’clock the Eiffel Tower glittered in firefly-like lights as everyone ‘ooh-ed’ and ‘awe-d.’ After several minutes, the light show stopped but restarted at the top of every hour. My friends and I continued to hang out and live up the night for the next couple hours in the lawn, singing and dancing the night away.”
Another source of free after-dark entertainment is to watch the shows at the tip of Ile de la Cité, behind Notre-Dame. It is comparable to the Sundowner Festival on the Boardwalk in Key West, Florida. The performers there consist of fire-eaters, jugglers, magicians, mimes, and musicians. It’s known to attract a young crowd, so it’s the perfect setting for us college students looking to have a good time! Check out the Frommers website for more great tips on nightlife: http://www.frommers.com/destinations/paris/0062010030.html
Another fun way to spend your night in Paris is to do a pub-crawl. It’s one of the easiest ways to see a variety of fun and popular bars and clubs. They usually include a flat fee, which includes free drinks and sometimes even a t-shirt. A popular pub-crawl in Paris is called the Funky Paris Pub Crawl, which goes to five different hot spots for night life. You can easily see what their pub-crawl includes by checking out their Facebook Group (Funky Paris Pub Crawl) or visit their website to see when the next pub crawl is coming up! http://www.funkymaps.com
Paris is synonymous with good food whether it is their crepes, cheeses, bread, or wine. French mealtimes vary from American mealtimes. Breakfast is usually served from 7 – 10am and consists of croissants, a baguette, and coffee. It is almost impossible to find eggs and bacon in Paris. Lunchtime is usually noon to 2:30pm. We suggest going to a café for lunch to grab a sandwich or salad. Cafes are great if you are short on time and money, as we college students tend to be. Most Parisians eat dinner around 10pm, but restaurants will start serving dinner at 7:30pm. Cafes are also one of the only places in Paris that serve wine by the glass, everywhere else you have to buy a bottle (bummer, right?).
We suggest going to a Brasserie or a Bistro for dinner. They are more casual than a restaurant and are open all day long until midnight. They tend to be louder and more crowded too. You won’t need a reservation to get in these places and they usually offer outside seating. For one dinner, we suggest having a late picnic at the park next to the Eiffel Tower. Bread, cheese, and wine are great and cheap picnic foods. Every hour from 10pm to midnight you can experience the picturesque view of the tower lighting all the way up to the top.
We also suggest trying a crepe as a midday or late-night snack. The sketchier looking crepe stands usually are the best tasting ones. Paris is one of the only cities that understood tap water. So to save some money, ask for a pitcher of tap water rather than buying the bottled water. Paris’s water is perfectly fine to drink. In France you will have to ask to receive the bill and the tip is already 
Wondering how to get to all these places without ruining your cute new shoes or having your feet covered in blisters? In that case we suggest using the metro or looking into a ticket for the hop on hop off bus tour.
The metro is probably the most popular mode of transportation for both tourists and locals with its colorful lines (red, yellow, blue, etc.) connecting to places all throughout Paris. According to Jenna’s blog that you will read below, it is said that every building in Paris is within 500 meters of a metropolitan. From what we’ve heard this holds true. People we know have stayed at hotels and hostels all throughout Paris but everyone has recommended their location due to the fact that it was close to a metro station. The perk of being close to the station is waking up, hopping on a train and arriving at your destination within minutes. Another perk is that single tickets only cost 1.50, but living on a college budget, these one-way tickets can add up fast. Instead, we recommend buying the 3-day pass for only 15 Euro. This will save you the hassle of buying a ticket every time and will make your pocket a little heavier so that you have more to spend on other things like souvenirs and wine. Check out http://paris.conciergerie.com/travel_paris/paris_public_transportation.php for further details.
However, if you don’t think of yourself as the next Christopher Columbus (aka you aren’t good at navigating) and aren’t sure of all that Paris has to offer, we’d recommend the Hop On Hop Off Tour. As you’ll read in Jenna’s blog below, she says that “spending money on the ‘hop on hop off’ bus was the best decision made the entire trip”. This ‘hop on hop off’ bus consists of a double-decker bus that takes you to major sites all over France as you ‘hop off’ to explore the site and then ‘hop’ back on to get to the next one. It’s only 29 Euro and the tour includes commentaries in 10 languages as you visit almost all the sites included in the map above.
Book ahead of time and you’ll save yourself the hassle of doing it once you’re there! Visit http://www.pariscityrama.com/visit-paris-by-day/visit-hop-on-hop-off-tours/visit-paris-l-open-tour/110A195.html to learn more information. If neither of these options suit your fancy then walking is always a good old fashioned way of travelling, but you’ll have to wear your best walking shoes because the best things to see are spread ALL over the city. Walking from the Eiffel Tour to Sacre Coeur could take over an hour, but if you have the time and the endurance the walk would definitely be scenic and worthwhile. Plus, walking is free, and free is always a great thing while travelling abroad, especially as a college student.
Whether you choose to take the metro, hop on the ‘hop on hop off’ bus, or walk from place to place always make sure to carry a map because you never know when you’ll want to stop to eat, find a new monument, or search for your way back home! Transportation can seem stressful, but if you come prepared we know that you will see all that you need to see in just 72 hours!
Paris is full of excitement and so many things to see, both planned and totally unexpected. Our goal is to prepare you for your action packed 72 hours as best as we can.
First and foremost, you’ll want a centrally located budget hotel or hostel to provide a safe and clean place to sleep, and if you’re lucky, a free breakfast. Here are two hostels that we know from personal experience will fill your shelter needs (and free wine if you’re interested!)
- Hotel Darcet & Andre-Gill Hotel both include:
o Great location
o Private bathroom
o Complimentary breakfast
o Safe and clean atmosphere
o Friendly staff
o Linen
When booking a hotel or hostel for the weekend it may be difficult to find a cheap place that is within walking distance of the all of the tourist locations so we suggest finding a hotel nearby a metro stop. You’re best bet is near the Place de Cliché stop.
Additional Tips in regards to…
Packing:
-Always pack a pair of jeans and don’t forget your rain jacket! We know from experience that in the early months of summer Paris may still be cold and drizzly, so you don’t want to be left in the cold.
-Although Paris is very fashion forward, we can guarantee it’ll be worth it to wear comfortable shoes. There’s a lot to see, so skip the blisters and choose comfort!
-Remember the Notre Dame and Sacre-Coeur we mentioned earlier? Well you won’t be experiencing any of their beauty if you’re showing off your shoulders. So don’t forget to pack a cardigan or scarf to cover up!
Transportation:
-Save the energy and brain power of thinking how many times you’ll be using the metro and buy the 3-day pass. This way you can rest your feet without the burden of purchasing yet another ticket, not to mention you’ll be surprised how many times you use this form of transportation
-Avoid taking the bus- it gets very crowded and difficult to push through the mob of people. If it is not an option though, hold your possessions close and don’t leave your companions’ side
Money:
-Nothing is free! If a vendor tries to put the bracelet on your wrist, understand that you’ll be paying for it, and avoid signing any petition—there’s a fee for that, too!
-Always have spare change for bathrooms; you may find yourself being faced with a 50-cent charge when nature calls.
-The service charge is included at restaurants… no need to tip!
-As always, stick with your group. Girls shouldn’t travel with any less than three.
-Pick pocketing DOES exist!! Keep your possessions close, purse closed, and always leave an extra debit card and important documents in a safe place for backup.
-Avoid aggressive vendors, they’re very intent on making money and will do what it takes.
-When staying in a hostel with other tourists that aren’t part of your group, lock your bags to the bed, and also lock them shut.
Feeling stuck in a rut? We’ve got your back! Just follow this itinerary we’ve created for the ideal 72 hours in The City of Light.
This sample itinerary provided a well rounded Parisian experience for the majority of MUDEC students, see what you think:
Day 1:
-If you’re arriving in the evening, take this time to explore the back streets. Think outside of the tourism box and eat at a small, quiet French restaurant to get an authentic Parisian meal.
-After a long day of traveling, take a load off! Sign up for a pub crawl or check out the previously mentioned nightlife… Paris will not disappoint you.
Day 2:
-Hop on and Hop off the double decker bus to all of your desired destinations. But save the Eiffel Tower for last because…
-You should save a buck by having a picnic in the front yard of the Eiffel Tower. Don’t forget to stay late and see the tower in all of its glittery glory at the top of the hour. On the menu: baguette, cheese, wine, and chocolate.
Day 3:
-Wake up early and get to the Palace of Versailles. Take your time to smell the roses (in the gardens, that is).
-Take advantage of Paris’ metropolitan scene: stroll up and down Champs d’Elysees. Step off of the main road and you’ll find some fashion forward purchases that will meet your budget.
…hungry for a snack? You’re in the perfect area to grab a Nutella crepe or try the pistachio gelato!
No comments:
Post a Comment