Paris
The Eiffel Tower
The Louvre
With over 400,000 pieces of artwork spread over 652,000 square feet, it's easy to be intimidated by the Louvre. It's estimated that if you spent all day there and looked at each piece for 30 seconds, it would take you 100 days to see them all. This being said, one may be tempted to follow the many signs to the Mona Lisa, take the perfunctory photo, and get out. If this feels like you, consider a guided tour such as Laugh Your Way Through the Louvre, a 2.5 hour tour led by a stand-up comedian/art historian who will take you to the hotspots and highlights and keep you entertained along the way.
It goes without saying that the Eiffel Tower is a must-do while visiting Paris. And it's worth the €25.50/adult €12.70/under 25 to go all the way to the top, where you can toast to your vacation at the Champagne Bar. At €20 a glass, it's definitely pricey, but how many times in your life will you have the opportunity to sip bubbly while overlooking one of the most iconic cities in the world?
Book well in advance at the official website to avoid day-of lines or, even worse, sold-out dates. If your date does sell out, however, you can usually find a guided tour for a few extra Euros, but with the added benefit of learning a little more than you would just going up on your own.
Sacre Coeur
Also known as The Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Paris, this Romano-Byzantine church sits at the very top of the Montmartre neighborhood, arguable one of the most picturesque in the city. It has been a place of worship since Roman times, and is the highest point in Paris after the Eiffel Tower. To get there, take a taxi (beware, they are not particularly easy to find, unless you go to a taxi stand) or, better yet, the Metro to Anvers and walk to the base of its famous steps. The view of the city is one of the best you'll find.
LA Maison Rose
Touted as one of the most Instagrammed sites in Paris, La Maison Rose (literally, The Pink House) is a century-old restaurant in the quaint Montmartre neighborhood. Just down the street from the famous Sacre Coeur Cathedral, this quaint building is worth a look. A favorite haunt of many artists and writers, including Pablo Picasso and Albert Camus, La Maison Rose still serves up small plates, traditional French cuisine, and coffee and pastries. It's a wonderful spot to sit and watch Parisian life roll by.
