I have visited many European capitals, but I have not yet been to Paris. I spent two and a half days exploring the city and visited the most important sights.
Back in November, I found a Wizz Air flight from Budapest to Paris for 7500 HUF, which conveniently flies to Orly Airport. However, the return flight on Monday was quite expensive, so instead, I traveled to Rome that day, not home. 🙂
Table of Contents
Friday
Getting to the city from Orly
The plane landed at Orly at 12:30 PM, which is located in the southern part of the city. There is a direct bus to the city center (Orlybus), which is not covered by public transport tickets and day passes. However, the T7 tram can be taken with a single journey ticket (€2.15), and you can transfer to Metro Line 7 at Villejuif-Louis Aragon station. Follow the T7 signs at the airport.
Public transport tickets
Ticket machines are available everywhere, and it’s worth getting the Paris Visit Card. This card allows unlimited travel. Zones 1-3 are sufficient (I stayed in the suburbs, and it was enough to get there). I bought a 3-day pass for €30.90 (1, 2, 3, and 5-day passes are available).
Day passes must always be validated: at the gate for the metro and in the validator machine on buses and trams. It’s important to note that the day pass is valid for the calendar day, with the first validation on the first day.
The name, as well as the start and end dates, should theoretically be written on the day pass. I didn’t write them, and the inspector didn’t mind.
The regular ticket (called t+) costs €2.15 and is valid for 90 minutes (just like in Budapest). However, here, only the following transfers are allowed: from bus to bus, bus to tram, tram to tram, and tram to bus. Transfers to the metro are not allowed.
Luggage storage
I didn’t want to carry my backpack until evening, so I left it at the luggage storage at the Gare d’Est train station, which is quite cheap. It’s located on the -1 level next to the Paul bakery, and there is a security service.
It’s open from 7:30 AM to 10:30 PM. There are three locker sizes: small (€5.50), medium (€7.50), and large (€9.50). I chose the small one, but it still had a large capacity. Close the door, turn the lock, insert the coins into the machine, and you’re done. The receipt will contain all the information. It only works with coins, but there is a change machine where you can get coins for banknotes. To open the locker, insert the receipt into the slot, and the door will open.
Supposedly, there are luggage storage facilities at other train stations as well (Gare de Lyon, Gare du Nord, Gare Montparnasse), but I can’t confirm this. Gare d’Est is quite central and served by several metro lines, making it suitable for luggage storage.
Sacré Coeur Basilica
I traveled here by metro, and after a short walk, the impressive basilica stood before me on the hilltop. Entry is free, so definitely go inside! I walked up, but there’s also a funicular.
A mass had just started, making the beautiful interior even more sublime. The size is truly immense, especially the dome.
Facing the basilica, there is a clean restroom to the right, which costs €2 to use.
Place du Tertre
A few hundred meters away is a small square and a few streets with many cafes, restaurants, and shops. It’s a very charming area worth a stroll.
Place de la Concorde
This is a large square where the Champs-Élysées begins, one of the city’s central squares.
In the middle stands a large obelisk, and on the north side is the beautiful Hôtel de la Marine. The square was under renovation, but it’s a good starting point for a nice walk.
Champs-Élysées
I probably don’t need to say much about this. The wide avenue is one of the most famous streets in the world. There are many elegant shops here, including the Louis Vuitton and Dior buildings, which are noticeable from afar.
I would highlight two palaces. The Grand Palais was closed for renovation, but entry to the opposite Petite Palais was free. It’s an art museum with a smaller exhibition that could be visited. However, the interior of the building was also worth seeing.
Arc de Triomphe
The Arc de Triomphe marks the northwestern end of the Champs-Élysées. It’s only when you see it in person that you truly grasp its immense size.
The traffic around it is always heavy, making it difficult to get a good photo. The best shot I got was from the opposite side, so it’s worth crossing to the road opposite the Champs-Élysées (there is also an underpass, which is easier).
You can also use the underpass to reach the monument itself. Here, you can buy a ticket to the observation deck at the top. I didn’t go up because it was raining a bit, and the weather wasn’t good for the view.
Eiffel Tower
I know many people prioritize going up to the observation deck, but I didn’t feel the need. Instead, I went to Montparnasse on Sunday, from where you can see the tower.
I walked from the Arc de Triomphe, and it was quite exciting to get closer and closer to the tower. Then, from the banks of the Seine, you can take great pictures, and I even caught a rainbow. Its size is indeed massive, and I wasn’t disappointed.
I decided to wait until it got dark. I sat in the Champ-de-Mars park for a bit, and suddenly the tower lit up. I highly recommend experiencing this sight.
I had planned just this for the day, so I took the metro to get my bag and then headed to my accommodation.
Saturday
Rain was forecasted for the afternoon early in the week, so I strategically planned to visit the Louvre and the Musée d’Orsay museums in the afternoon. In the morning, I visited a few places despite the cloudy weather.
Panthéon
One of the metro stops leading to the city was not far away, so I started my morning here. Unfortunately, there were two large tents in front of the building, so you couldn’t see it clearly from the front, but its immense size was still evident.
And since I was here, it was also worth visiting the Église Saint-Étienne-du-Mont church behind the Panthéon. Its beautiful portal and decorations are extraordinary.
Jardin du Luxembourg
One of Paris’s most important parks is at the end of the road leading to the Panthéon.
It’s a large, spacious park with many statues, the Luxembourg Palace, and a fountain in front of it. I spent some time here; there are many chairs, some reclined for better relaxation.
Église Saint-Sulpice
This church is a few blocks away from the park and is the second-largest church in Paris. It also appeared in the movie „The Da Vinci Code.”
Entrance is free, so of course, I went in to see it from the inside.
Musée d’Orsay
I had a ticket for noon, and the entry process took just a minute. Definitely buy tickets online in advance because the line for on-site ticket purchase was very long!
I left my coat in the free cloakroom and set off to explore the museum. You immediately enter the section you see in many pictures. It’s a great experience to stand there and realize you’re in such an important museum!
There are several levels, organized by styles and periods. It’s worth visiting here before the Louvre because, after the culture shock, you might not be as enthusiastic. 🙂
Louvre
I bought my ticket on Wednesday for 3 PM, and it’s almost mandatory to purchase in advance. I didn’t see any on-site ticket sales, which is no surprise given the constant high demand.
There are two entrances. One is at the famous glass pyramid, where there was a huge line. It started raining just then, so the visitors got pretty wet. In bad weather, don’t join this line!
I was savvy and went to the other entrance, which is under the Louvre. If you face the building, it’s on the left side, at the gate that opens onto the street. There’s a small mall here, so at least the weather is pleasant. Entry was pretty quick; I was inside in about 15 minutes.
There is a free luggage storage area on level -1. After closing the locker, you enter a four-digit code, which you use to open it. Remember the locker number and especially the code.
Then I started exploring. I could write pages, but I think it’s unnecessary. The sheer number of works is incredible, and if you want to thoroughly explore it, you need to dedicate a day. Honestly, by the third hour, I was tired: combined with the Musée d’Orsay, it’s a massive culture shock in one day. 🙂
Most people, of course, are at the Mona Lisa (Room 711). I find it a bit puzzling why it’s the biggest attraction. There are countless other works that are much more beautiful. But to each their own…
It’s worth having a system for your visit: for example, start in one direction and explore one floor, then move up and back. Sometimes you don’t know where you are. 🙂
Sunday
Notre-Dame
The famous cathedral, which was damaged by fire a few years ago, is soon to be completed.
I started this day with a visit there. The construction is still significant, so you can only clearly see and photograph the upper part. Honestly, there’s nothing particularly special about it from the outside, but because of its name, it’s a must-visit.
Louvre from the outside
Walking along the Seine, I crossed the Pont des Arts bridge to the inner courtyard of the Louvre. This time it wasn’t raining, so I was able to take good photos.
Jardin des Tuileries
You can walk from the Louvre to the Place de la Concorde through this park. There’s nothing extraordinary about it; it’s a pleasant resting place, but nothing more.
Colonne Vendôme
A few streets from the park stands a square with a Roman-style column topped with a statue of Napoleon. The square is surrounded by elegant buildings, including the Ritz Hotel.
Église de la Madeleine
Seeing pictures of this church immediately reminded me of my trip to Athens. From the outside, it resembles an ancient Greek temple.
Since entry is free, I naturally went in. I caught the end of a mass, with a beautiful choir singing, so I stayed until the end. I hadn’t attended a French mass before, so I can check that off my list. 🙂
Place de la Bastille
I took the metro to this square, where the famous fortress once stood. You might remember from history class that the Storming of the Bastille was one of the main events in French history. Today, only a monument, the July Column, in the middle of the square, commemorates it.
Les Invalides
From the square, I took bus 69 here, now in rainy weather. It was supposed to rain for half an hour, and when I arrived, it stopped just in time. The building is a large, castle-like complex, with a main courtyard and some parts you can explore.
Entry to the Dome des Invalides is free, and there is a smaller exhibition of military artifacts on the upper floor.
Napoleon’s tomb is here, in a mausoleum, where the famous leader rests in a large sarcophagus. I didn’t go in because I was pressed for time.
Centre Pompidou
In my opinion, one of the world’s most interesting-looking art complexes. At first glance, I would have thought it was some kind of factory if I didn’t know what it was. 🙂
Hôtel de Ville
This is the city hall, a beautiful building. With the Olympics taking place in Paris this year, this is also advertised in the pictures.
Montparnasse Tower
I took metro line 4 to the Montparnasse-Bienvenüe station. There are few signs indicating where the entrance is, so it took me 10 minutes to find it. If you exit from the train station, the tower is right in front. The entrance is on the left side.
After a security check, it takes a minute by elevator to reach the 56th floor. This is a closed observation area with a café and a gift shop. You need to go up one flight of stairs to the open terrace on the 59th floor.
I bought my ticket online for 5:30 PM because sunset was at 6:00, so I could see Paris in both daylight and darkness. I stayed up for more than an hour, and it was wonderful to witness the Eiffel Tower starting to light up. It’s worth buying the ticket for sunset.
Monday
My flight from Orly to Rome departed at 9:35 AM, so I left my accommodation at 6:30 AM. I took the T7 tram to get there.
At Orly, you no longer need to remove electronic devices and liquids from your bag; the new X-ray machine can check them as is.
(The travel dates were from 09-12 February 2024, and prices and other details were valid at that time.)
