Paris | Regrets—All I Did Was Snap Photos at Check-In Spots

This one’s for anyone visiting Paris for the first time! There’s so much to explore, enjoy, and savor in Paris—while these 20 little things are just a slice of what the city offers, they’re absolute must-dos for your first trip! 💐 20 Essential Things to Do in Paris: Hop on Metro Line 6 and watch the Eiffel Tower glide past the Seine—those 20-odd seconds of riverview magic? Pure Parisian cinema 🚇🗼 Hang by the Seine at night and wait for the Eiffel Tower’s hourly sparkle. When the lights burst like a shower of diamonds, even the river seems to hold its breath ✨ Stroll the Seine with someone you love—partner, family, or friends. Let the cobblestones slow your steps, and let the bridge arches frame your laughter. Sometimes the best photos are the ones you don’t take 🚶‍♀️💞 Lose yourself in Le Marais: Duck into a sunlit café for a buttery croissant and a café crème, then wander tiny boutiques with vintage jewelry or hand-painted ceramics. The streets here smell like fresh bread and old stories ☕🛍️ Hunt down Pont de Bir-Hakeim—the Inception bridge! Stand on the upper walkway at golden hour, and let the iron railings frame the Eiffel Tower. It’ll feel like you’ve stepped into a movie scene 🎬 Don’t rush the Louvre—spend a full day there. Beyond the “big three” treasures, linger by the Renaissance tapestries, let the Greek sculptures whisper history, and pause under the glass pyramid at noon when sunlight splits into rainbows 🖼️⏳ Visit a classic Parisian café or bistro—think red checkered tablecloths, waiters in aprons, and walls covered in old posters. Order coq au vin or onion soup, and let the clink of wine glasses be your soundtrack 🥘🍷 Wander the Champs-Élysées, but don’t just shop—look up! The Haussmannian buildings with their ornate facades, the way sunlight filters through the trees, and the Arc de Triomphe glowing at the end like a golden promise. Stop for a crêpe from a street cart—sweet or savory, it’s mandatory 🥞🌳 Climb Montmartre’s steps to Sacré-Cœur, but take your time. Pause to listen to a guitarist play La Vie en Rose, or let a street artist sketch your portrait. At the top, the white dome against the blue sky? It’ll make your heart skip a beat ⛪🎨 Explore Île Saint-Louis—smaller than Île de la Cité, but just as charming. Wander quiet lanes with ivy-covered stone houses, then grab a Berthillon ice cream (salted caramel is life-changing) and sit by the river 🍦🏘️ Visit Shakespeare and Company—even if you don’t buy a book. The creaky wooden floors, piles of vintage novels, and the little reading nooks make it feel like a secret hideaway for book lovers 📚 Take a sunset cruise on the Seine. Watch as the Eiffel Tower, Notre-Dame, and Orsay Museum light up one by one, and let the breeze ruffle your hair. Pro tip: Bring a small bottle of champagne for extra romance 🚢🌇 Step inside Paris Opera House—even if you don’t see a show. The golden foyer with its mirrored walls and crystal chandeliers is pure opulence. Imagine the ballerinas and composers who’ve walked these floors 🎭✨ Picnic in Luxembourg Gardens: Grab a baguette, some cheese, and a bottle of rosé, then plop down on a green metal chair. Watch kids sail toy boats, or let the fountains lull you into a lazy afternoon 🧺🥖 Visit Père Lachaise Cemetery—yes, a cemetery! It’s a peaceful park of stone angels and tree-shaded paths. Find Oscar Wilde’s tomb covered in lipstick kisses, or Jim Morrison’s grave with its pile of flowers. It’s weirdly beautiful 🌸 Try a macaron at Ladurée or Pierre Hermé—they’re not just pretty! The crisp shell, chewy center, and flavors like raspberry or salted caramel? Worth every calorie 🍪 Walk along Rue Montorgueil—a vibrant market street. Stalls overflow with fresh strawberries, bright sunflowers, and cured meats. Grab a bunch of flowers to tuck behind your ear—you’ll fit right in 🥦💐 See a show at a tiny cabaret—not the big touristy ones, but a cozy spot in Montmartre. Think jazz singers, accordion players, and audiences singing along. It’s the soul of Paris after dark 🎤 Visit the Orsay Museum—housed in a former railway station! The big clock window is iconic, but don’t miss the Impressionists: Monet’s Water Lilies, Van Gogh’s Starry Night Over the Rhône—they glow like they’re lit from within 🌟 Just… sit. Find a bench in any square, and watch Paris go by: A grandmother pushing a stroller, a cyclist with a baguette in their basket, a pigeon stealing a crumb. Paris isn’t just about the sights—it’s about the feeling 🪑 #Paris #ParisLife #ParisTravel #ParisDaily #StudyingInParis #France #FrenchLife