Travel Journal

It’s easy to forget about a long journey when you arrive in Paris in spring. I dropped my luggage at one of our favourite little hotels, Des Trois Poussins, located in the lovely area of So-Pi (south Pigalle). It’s a great spot with plenty of cafes, restaurants, and quirky shops, and just a ten-minute walk to Sacre Coeur.

The nearest metro is only a five-minute walk away, so I grabbed a day pass and headed straight into town, getting off at Concorde to wander through the beautiful Jardins des Tuileries. The flowers were blooming, reminding me why Paris is such a wonderful place to be. I couldn’t resist stopping by the Louvre, which is always a must-see, especially with an interesting exhibition on—Hercules and Darth Vader together was a surprise!

Next, I strolled down Rue de St Honore, where all the big European brands have flagship stores. I popped into Zara, Mango, H&M, and Uniqlo for a little shopping.

Since tourism is still low after the events in November, I was lucky to enjoy the sights without long queues. The locals were incredibly friendly, too. I made my way to some spots I hadn’t seen before, starting with the Opera Bastille. Its lavish design is stunning! At Sacre Coeur, I found it almost empty, just a few other visitors. The morning light streaming through the stained glass made it a peaceful place to soak up the atmosphere, and the views over Paris were breathtaking.

I then visited the rooftop terrace at Printemps department store. With 360-degree views of the city, it’s an easy and free alternative to the Eiffel Tower. Just take the elevator and then the escalator to the top floor, and you’ll be amazed by the sights. You can see Montmartre up close, and the Eiffel Tower is right there too. There’s a café up there, but you don’t have to buy anything. Galeries Lafayette has a similar terrace, too.

On my last day, I joined an Urban Adventure tour. These small group tours, led by local guides, take you off the beaten path to discover hidden gems. I chose the Bohemian Paris tour, starting at the Pantheon. Since I was the only one on the tour, it felt a bit more personal, and my guide, Arthur, tailored the route to include things I’d love, like eclairs from one of the best patisseries in Paris.

We wandered through the Latin Quarter and St Germain, passing historic spots like one of the oldest streets in Paris and the first pub. We even checked out the original city walls and admired some amazing street art before ending at Notre Dame. It was a fantastic way to see parts of Paris I hadn’t experienced before, and Arthur was a great guide, making the afternoon really enjoyable.

While I love walking and using the metro, if I had more time, I would have rented a city bike. For just 1.70 Euros a day, it’s a fun way to explore.

When it was time to leave Paris, I headed to Gare du Nord for the Eurostar to London. I arrived early for check-in, expecting a long wait, but the process was quick and efficient—less than ten minutes! It’s definitely the best way to travel between these two amazing cities, arriving in London just over two hours later.