Paris, the city of romance, of art, and apparently books! Visiting Paris as a child was caveated with the promise of Disneyland and rides galore, but as an adult, I was very much here for the beauty of the city and the must-visit spots. So here are five of my top recommendations for the places you absolutely have to visit whilst in France.
The Abbey Bookshop
Every book lover talks about Shakespeare and Co when visiting Paris, the bookshop to visit. But there’s a lot to be said for its close neighbour, The Abbey Bookshop. Run by Brian Spence, a Canadian with a dream to bring his bookshop to Paris, this beautiful gem is a bibliophile’s delight. Tucked away a few streets away from the Seine you can find this bookshop with a mix of old and new literature including fantasy, LGBTQIA, classics, contemporary and more! When you dream about what a bookshop should look like, this one is pretty close to it, with floor-to-ceiling shelves on wheels and a basement of nooks and crannies.
Seine Boat Tour
Gazing over the Seine during the day is a beautiful site, but seeing it at night hits a little differently. Paris comes alive when the sun goes down and the lights come on, it’s a city meant to be seen in the evening. Being able to cruise the river Seine on a boat for a 45-minute tour through the heart of Paris is a pretty special experience. Depending on the tour you go to you can get food and drinks included too, but for me, the rooftop experience was enough. And if you time it right, the Eifle Tower light starts sparkling on the hour in the evening.
The Louvre at Night
It’s very easy to stumble upon a huge landmark around every corner in a city like Paris and coming across the Louvre at night was an accidental highlight of my recent trip. By 11 pm the Louvre is almost silent, barely a soul is around and the city is going about its nighttime routine. The lights of the Louvre cling to the architecture and highlight it in an utterly beautiful way. During the day this gallery is a must-visit, and certainly book a ticket to go inside, but at night the pyramids are certainly something to behold.
The Moulin Rouge at Night
Another nighttime trip is needed to visit the Moulin Rouge in Montmartre during your stay in Paris. Whether you’re a fan of the Baz Luhrmann film or you just want to soak up the exciting atmosphere of the Can Can, this spot is well worth a visit. Surrounded by shops and eateries, the red hue of the windmill is dazzling in person and worth the trip. There are a few great places to stop in the area, including the Café des Deux Moulins which was the cafe featured in the film Amélie, just a few minutes walk from the Moulin Rouge.
Sacré Coeur
It would be criminal not to stop here on your journey to Paris, also known as The Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Paris, this really is the beating heart of the city. Another spot featured in Amélie, this beautiful Roman Catholic church looks over the whole of Paris and gives you views unlike anywhere else you’ll have been. This is probably the most touristy spot on this list, but it’s worth it for the views and the photos. The inside of the church is also stunning, with free entry it’s a must to go inside and see the beautiful architecture from the late 1800s.
