1. Watch the Eiffel Tower Sparkle

Seeing the Eiffel Tower is on many people’s bucket lists. You know what would be even better than just seeing the Eiffel Tower? Seeing it SPARKLE! I remember sitting on the lawn waiting for 10:00 pm to hit. Drinking Champagne. Talking with friends. There’s no other way to do it. Seeing this tower in pictures doesn’t do it justice. Although I didn’t go to the top of the tower, I still feel like I got the full experience. I encourage you to sit out and wait every hour. It’s not every day you see something sparkle like the Eiffel Tower.

2. Louvre Museum

MONA LISA. Walking through the Louvre you’ll see many paintings by many artists. Although the main attraction is the Mona Lisa, there are many others that could draw one in as well. I enjoyed going through the different sections looking at the different pieces. I liked that each section had a different theme to it. The sculptures portion had to be one of my favorites. The Mona Lisa was definitely a must see, but it’s a quick come-and-go. It’s a very crowded area that you don’t want to stay long for. Take about 3 hours to go through the museum. You won’t regret it.

3. Shopping on the Champs-Élysées

It’s every girl’s dream to go shopping on the Champs-Élysées. Walking down this street you will find high-end stores like Cartier, Hermes, Gucci, Louis Vuitton, and Mont Blanc. If you’re into macaroons, Ladurée is found on this street as well. The Louis Vuitton store is the biggest in the world because their headquarters are based in Paris. I recommend getting there early as their newest items are released every morning in low quantities. Don’t limit yourself to only shopping because the food and tea on this strip are amazing too.

4. Notre Dame

When in Europe you should always go see a cathedral. These cathedrals are very intricate. Notre Dame is one of the finest examples of French Gothic Architecture. The stained glass is full of different colors and sets itself apart from the earlier Romanesque architecture. The line waiting to get in moves quickly so don’t be discouraged. Take your time walking through the cathedral and take it all in. Trust me it’s worth it. When you’re outside look up and notice the Kings lining the middle of the cathedral.

5. Arc De Triomphe

Before heading down the Champs-Élysées go to the Arc De Triomphe and look down the different streets. From the top of the building, you can see a lot of Paris just like at the top of the Eiffel Tower. You can see the busy streets and the Louvre at the end of the Champs. Before heading all the way down, stop and look in the different rooms highlighted in the Arc. When I went through, I remember seeing the different types of uniforms for firefighters and different types of military personnel. Outside the Arc is a tomb always lit up with a torch. Take a second to reflect on what you see and how grateful you are for these opportunities.