Paris – it’s as beautiful as it is poetic. I visited this city in November of 2021 with no expectations. All I had was a packed carry-on luggage and a hope that this city would teach me something new.
I knew that traveling during another wave (or maybe it’s the same wave, I lost count) of the pandemic could be met with challenges. For the last two years, planning anything feels unpredictable and nearly impossible. In light of these challenges I tried not to have a tight schedule. This is especially true when trying to do an international weekend trip.
PLAN YOUR VISIT
Have an idea of where you want to stay and a list of a few things you absolutely need to do. Remember you are only going for a weekend, so there isn’t as much flexibility with time as there would be if it were a longer trip. We knew we definitely wanted to visit a few of the main tourist attractions. This meant we had to stay in an arrondissement (the city of Paris is divided into 20 arrondissements, or districts) that had easy access to those locations.
PACK WITH ME
- Prints: Plaid and houndstooth
- Blazers: Cropped, oversize, you name it – bring it
- Mini Skirts: Yes, it was cold when I visited, but trust me on this! I brought along a leather skirt and a green mini skirt
- Tights: Printed tights paired nicely with those mini skirts mentioned above
- Coat: I wore a coat that was warm and that could be worn with multiple outfits
- Heels: A pair of black booties that I could walk in comfortably was a must have
For a list of a few of my travel essentials, check out this Instagram reel I created:
MY EXPERIENCE
Attractions:
- The Louvre
- The Eiffel Tower
- Champs – Elysees
My biggest takeaway from this trip was the cultural significance of art. From street style to street performers, to the quintessential 19 century style architecture to the infamous paintings and masterpieces – art has such a defining presence in Paris. Since we didn’t have a strict itinerary to follow we visited places at a pace that worked for us. One thing to keep in mind is the presence of crowds. If you are interested in visiting any landmark sites or popular museums, get there early to avoid waiting on long lines!
A city that has art and history in every nook is a city that I can go back to time and time again. You have to go to Paris – see it for yourself. A weekend in Paris was just enough for me this time. When you know you have limited time it compels you to make the best use of your time. This doesn’t mean you need to be super busy… but it will make you prioritize the experiences you want to have. Next time, I would be a little less of a tourist and make more time for exploration. And of course I will also make more time for shopping.
Live abundantly,
Bethany
