✈️ Our European adventure kicks off in the dazzling city of Paris🗼! With just five days to explore, we packed our itinerary with iconic landmarks and hidden gems. For fellow independent travelers, here’s our tried-and-tested plan—feel free to use it as your guide!
🚇 Getting Around: The Paris Metro is a traveler’s best friend! If you’re staying three days or longer, grab a weekly pass (€35) at Terminal 3 of the airport. It offers unlimited rides on metros and buses—way more budget-friendly than single tickets!
🏨 Where to Stay: Opt for accommodations in the 1st, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, or 9th arrondissements—safe, central, and full of charm! We chose the 5th arrondissement, just an 8-minute stroll from the metro, surrounded by cozy French bistros and handy supermarkets. Even returning late at night felt completely secure!
🗺️ Our 5-Day Paris Itinerary:
1️⃣ Day 1 (Half-Day): Notre-Dame Cathedral → Panthéon → Luxembourg Gardens. (Landed in the morning, checked into the hotel by noon, and started exploring at 3 PM.)
🍚 Dinner Pick: Don’t miss {Chez René} in the 5th arrondissement! Tucked near our hotel, this authentic French spot served escargots bursting with herbal notes—and it’s a local favorite! Expect around 200+ RMB per person.
2️⃣ Day 2: Eiffel Tower → Arc de Triomphe → Hôtel de la Marine → Wall of Love → Sacré-Cœur Basilica → Galeries Lafayette.
🍚 Food Stop: Craving Asian flavors? {Shu Yuan} near Galeries Lafayette hits the spot! Their boiled beef and husband-and-wife lung slices are hearty and delicious. At just 150 RMB per person, we left totally satisfied!
3️⃣ Day 3: Palais Garnier → Louvre Museum (book tickets at least two weeks ahead!) → Tuileries Garden. We capped the day with a magical 10 PM Seine River cruise and caught the Eiffel Tower’s sparkling light show at 11 PM—pure enchantment!
🍚 Buffet Joy: COMME CHEZ SOI offers a seafood feast for 200+ RMB. Think fresh, plump shrimp and unlimited delights—a must for seafood lovers!
4️⃣ Day 4: Les Invalides → Palace of Versailles (allocate half a day—it’s huge!) → Musée d’Orsay.
🍚 Spicy Fix: {Legend of Braised Duck} brings authentic Sichuan heat! For about 100 RMB per person, the bold flavors and fair prices won us over.
5️⃣ Day 5: Sainte-Chapelle → Conciergerie → Musée de l’Orangerie → Place de la Concorde → Champs-Élysées → Pont Alexandre III.
🚞 Evening Departure: Hopped on a 4 PM train to Brussels, ending our unforgettable Parisian escape!
🩸 Pro Tips: While Paris has a reputation for pickpockets, we stayed alert and had no issues. Keep backpacks in front, avoid distractions on the metro, and trust your instincts. Already dreaming of our next trip—perhaps exploring France’s charming countryside towns!
The itinerary balances famous spots with quiet moments, like a stroll near the Seine. A weekly metro pass saves money and stress. It’s practical without sacrificing discovery.