France
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Wandering Paris: A Walking Guide to the Latin Quarter
In my recent post on the top highlights of Paris for first-time visitors, I included the Latin Quarter as a must-see neighborhood. Itβs my favorite part of the city, and one of the best places in Paris to simply wander. Iβm a little biased since this is where I lived during my first study abroad in Paris, but the Latin Quarter perfectly blends historic landmarks, cozy cafΓ©s, bookshops, and lively streets that feel made for exploring on foot. This post contains affiliate links. I may earn a commission at no additional cost to you. In this walking guide, weβll explore the 5th and 6th arrondissements and follow a route through…
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Beyond the Louvre: Off-the-Beaten-Path Museums in Paris
In my previous post, I shared some of the most iconic Paris museums for first-time visitors. However, Paris has so many amazing museums! If you’re looking for a quieter museum or have more time to explore the city, these are my favorite off-the-beaten-path museums. This post contains affiliate links. I may earn a commission at no additional cost to you. If youβre planning a trip, check out myΒ hotel recommendationsΒ for best neighborhoods to stay in the City of Light! MusΓ©e Marmottan Monet Closest Metro: La Muette (Line 9) If you’ve read my other posts, it’s pretty obvious that I’m a big Claude Monet fan! I had not heard of this museum…
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Paris for First-Timers: The Essential Museums
If youβre planning your first trip to Paris, youβve likely already heard about the cityβs iconic landmarks, from the Eiffel Tower to the charming streets of Montmartre. In my previous post about the top Paris highlights you can’t miss, I shared some of the cityβs most essential sights and neighborhoods for first-time visitors. But no visit to Paris would be complete without experiencing its incredible museums. Home to world-famous masterpieces and stunning historic buildings, Paris offers some of the best museum experiences in the world. This guide focuses on the essential museums every first-time visitor should consider, including the legendary Louvre Museum, the Impressionist treasures of MusΓ©e d’Orsay, the peaceful…
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Paris for First-Timers: Top Highlights You Can’t Miss
Paris is one of those cities that feels impossible to capture or describe adequately. Thereβs so much to see, experience, and fall in love with! This will be the first part of a series where I’ll share some of my favorite highlights of the City of Light. Much of my early twenties was spent falling in love with Paris and trying to find any excuse I could to return! I spent a summer there for a study abroad program and immediately found an exchange program to return a few months later. While I spent more time living in the north of France working with the TAPIF program, Paris has always…
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Day Trip from Paris: Visiting Monetβs Gardens in Giverny
Just outside of Paris, the village of Giverny feels like stepping into a painting. Home to Claude Monetβs famous gardens, this charming destination is one of the most beautiful and easiest day trips you can take from the city. It’s especially beautiful in spring, when the flowers are in full bloom. This post contains affiliate links. I may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. When my family came to visit me during my semester in Paris as an exchange student, I mapped out a whole week of sightseeing and a couple of day trips! If youβre planning your stay in Paris, check out my hotel recommendations. Giverny…
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Top 5 Best Cityscape Views of Paris, France
One of my favorite parts of visiting a city is to find that picture perfect view from a higher perspective.Β Paris offers several different stunning cityscape views – from the Eiffel Tower itself to Sacre Coeur in Montmartre.Β Below are my top 5 favorite views of Paris, with a little bonus pick.Β π This post contains affiliate links. I may earn a commission at no additional cost to you.Β If you’re planning a trip, check out my hotel recommendations for best neighborhoods to stay in the City of Light! View from Eiffel Tower One of the most well-known attractions in Paris is, of course, the Eiffel Tower!Β This is the…
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What To Do in Strasbourg, France: From Canals to Cathedrals
Strasbourg is a charming town known for its timber-framed buildings and canals.Β Strasbourg sits on the German-Franco border, within the Alsace Region of France.Β The city has a complex history, changing between German and French rule over several centuries.Β As a result, Strasbourg offers a unique blend of both cultures.Β Β I have visited Strasbourg several times, and it never gets old!Β It’s a more laid back city, perfect for strolling along the canals and just enjoying the beautiful architecture. This post contains affiliate links. I may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. If you’re planning your first visit to Strasbourg, check out my hotel recommendations for convenient…
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Lille at Christmas: Visiting the MarchΓ© de NoΓ«l de Lille
Every year, Lille hosts a Christmas Market complete with a giant ferris wheel! From the end of November until New Year’s you can enjoy Christmas lights and decorations throughout the city. MarchΓ© de NoΓ«l de Lille is the largest Christmas market in Northern France! Apparently this tradition is centuries old.Β Β Grand Place A 164ft Ferris Wheel stands in Grand Place during the holiday season, in addition to a Christmas Tree and other decorations.Β Β Riding the Ferris Wheel is absolute must – the views from the top are unreal! Definitely wrap up if you’re going to ride the Ferris Wheel because it can be quite windy up there!Β Β I rode the…
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Holiday Magic in Paris: Experiencing the City of Lights at Christmas
I recently posted about Paris in the fall.Β However, Paris is especially magical at Christmas-time. Β By mid-November, Paris is completely decked out for the holidays. The city is covered in lights and decorations, everywhere you go!Β There is a ton to do in the City of Light near the holidays.Β Here are some of my favorites: Galeries Lafayette As if Galeries Lafayettes wasn’t already stunning enough, every year it has a new Christmas Tree design. Β The year I spent Christmas in Paris, the tree was made out of recycled paper! Β The interactive window displays were all made with the recycled materials theme. Β The tree was very intricate, with polar bears…
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Strasbourg, Alsace: The Capital of Christmas
Strasbourg is on the eastern border of France in the Alsace Region.Β This city has gone back and forth between being part of France and part of Germany, which has created an interesting blend of both the culture and the architecture.Β Strasbourg is well-known for its annual Christmas market, or ChristkindelsmΓ€rik.Β Β Strasbourg isn’t a large city, and the Christmas market is spread across town.Β The best way to explore the markets is definitely by foot.Β There is plenty of vin chaud / gluhwein (mulled wine) to help warm up!Β There are also fires to stand by scattered around the markets.Β One of my favorite parts is the decorated Rue MerciΓ¨re…