Paris: Part 2 of My Spring Adventure

Paris isn’t a checklist city—it’s a feeling. But this trip, we did both: soaked in the atmosphere and checked off some long-time bucket list items. Over eight nights, we experienced the best of the city with just the right mix of must-see attractions and off-the-beaten-path gems. Here’s a recap of our time in Paris—what we planned well, what surprised us, and what we’d do again in a heartbeat.

Getting There with Eurostar

We traveled to Paris from London on the Eurostar, and while it’s a far more relaxed experience than flying, don’t expect to stroll in last-minute like you would for a domestic train. Because it’s an international service, you’ll go through customs, immigration, and a security check—so arrive 60–90 minutes early, especially on weekends. The lines can be long, but they move efficiently.

A few tips for Eurostar:

  • Buy early. Ticket prices only go up as your date gets closer. There are no “last-minute deals” here.

  • Bring snacks and drinks. You can take liquids on board, and while there’s a small duty-free area and café after security, the best food options are before you enter the departure zone.

  • Choose your seat wisely. Forward-facing seats are better for those prone to motion sickness. If you’re a group of four, consider reserving the table seats.

  • No in-seat entertainment. Bring a book or download shows ahead of time. There’s Wi-Fi and outlets, but reliability varies.

  • Mind your luggage. You’ll need to lift your own bags on and off the train and navigate metro stairs on both ends. Travel light—or at least smart.

We opted for a late morning departure (around 11 a.m.), which gave us a relaxed start to the day and lined up nicely with hotel check-in when we arrived in Paris. Though the train ride itself is short, the whole process takes up a good chunk of the day—plan accordingly and avoid booking time-sensitive activities the day you arrive.

Where We Stayed: Hotel Beaugrenelle Saint Charles

We chose a small, no-frills boutique hotel in the 15th arrondissement—an area that feels more residential and local than touristy, yet is still within walking distance (15 minutes) to the Eiffel Tower and close to the metro. The Hotel Beaugrenelle Saint Charles was clean, comfortable, air-conditioned, and budget-friendly—exactly what we were looking for.

The rooms were small, which is standard for Paris, but the neighborhood was the real highlight: quiet, safe, and filled with local cafés, bakeries, and shops. We skipped the hotel breakfast (14€ per person) in favor of fresh pastries and sandwiches from nearby boulangeries. If you're staying here, ask for a room on a higher floor to help cut down on street noise.

This isn’t a luxury hotel, and it’s not right for everyone—but for travelers who prioritize location and value over bells and whistles, it’s a great pick.

Paris Tips: What We Learned the Easy (and Hard) Way

  • Book in advance. Some attractions—like the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, Versailles, and the Catacombs—do sell out. We set an alarm and booked our Eiffel Tower sunset visit 60 days out, and it sold out within minutes.

  • Use Google Maps for metro navigation. It worked flawlessly for us, though be warned: the Paris metro has a lot of stairs. We ditched the Metro ticket app due to glitches and instead picked up physical Navigo cards (2€ each) to load our fares.

  • Expect surprises. We encountered strikes (planned and unplanned), a championship soccer win that led to spontaneous city-wide street celebrations, and the occasional museum closure. Having a flexible itinerary helped.

Highlights & Hidden Gems

🖼 The Louvre
This one is obvious—but don’t just wing it. Go in the evening (Wednesday is ideal) to avoid the worst crowds. We arrived at 4 p.m. and had a much more pleasant visit than previous daytime trips. The Napoleon III Apartments and the haute couture fashion exhibit were absolute highlights.

🛥 Canal Saint-Martin + Seine Cruise with Canauxrama
This was a surprise favorite. It starts on the quiet, shaded Canal Saint-Martin and ends with the iconic Seine sights—all in a smaller, less crowded boat. A great alternative to the larger, busier cruises.

🏛 Hôtel de la Marine
Often overlooked, this restored 18th-century palace is stunning—and rivals Versailles on a smaller scale. The interactive audio guide was one of the best we’ve experienced, and we nearly had the place to ourselves.

⛪ Notre Dame
Back and beautifully restored. Free to enter, but timed tickets open 3 days in advance and sell out but they release more the morning of as well. We snagged ours the morning of and avoided the general queue.

🏺 Cluny Museum
Focused on Medieval France with a touch of Roman history. Quiet, atmospheric, and home to the famous “Lady and the Unicorn” tapestries. A great stop for history lovers.

🌇 Free View from Galeries Lafayette
Take the escalator to the rooftop terrace of this department store for one of the best skyline views in Paris. Bonus: the gorgeous glass dome inside is worth a stop on its own.

A Dream Fulfilled: Versailles

This was the experience of the trip. We pre-booked the first entry of the day (9 a.m.), lined up 45 minutes early, and made a beeline for the Hall of Mirrors before the crowds caught up. It was magical.

We spent the morning exploring the palace, then headed outside for the gardens (which had a musical fountain show that day—worth the extra cost). We grabbed a picnic lunch in the gardens and later rented bikes to explore the Grand Canal. The Petit Trianon and Marie Antoinette’s Hamlet were charming, peaceful, and incredibly photogenic.

Tip: Versailles is a full-day affair. Don’t plan anything else for that day.

Food Faves

  • Pastries every day. You’re in Paris. It’s a rule.

  • Augustin in Montparnasse – Our favorite dinner. A three-course prix fixe menu for 42€ with French classics (escargot, rabbit terrine) and modern dishes (sea bream tartare). Excellent wine list and value.

Slower Moments

This trip, we built in time for relaxed lunches in the Luxembourg Gardens and the Tuileries, people-watched from shady benches, and just soaked up Paris. It made a huge difference.

Getting Around (and Out)

We used the metro and RER for nearly everything, with one exception: our trip to the airport. A planned RER route was disrupted due to construction, and we didn’t feel like tackling 3 transfers and a bus with our luggage. We took an Uber instead for just under 50€, which was well worth it.

Charles de Gaulle Airport was clean, organized, and smooth. Our WestJet direct flight back to St. John’s made for a simple, stress-free return.

Budget Tips

We used a Wealthsimple debit Mastercard with no monthly fee and no foreign transaction fees. We added it to Apple/Google Wallet and used it everywhere—saved us a bundle on fees.

Final Thoughts

This trip gave me a new appreciation for Paris. Staying in a local neighborhood, speaking (rusty) French, and slowing the pace helped me connect with the city in a more authentic way. And while Paris can get a bad rap for being expensive or crowded or overwhelming—I found it rewarding, rich in history, and full of hidden treasures when you know where to look.

Start with “bonjour” and a smile. Paris will usually smile back.

Holly TobinHolly Tobin Travel Consultant