My trip to discover Europe’s No.1 destination – France

By Pamela Nandi | May 19, 2019

When it comes to Europe, France stands at the top of each of globetrotters bucket lists. Planning a trip to France in Western Europe?

Here is the review of my itinerary on an epic trip to France, as a SOLO woman traveller.

Discover its famed capital city of the medieval –Paris, lined by iconic art museum like Louvre and monuments like the Eiffel Tower, rich history of vast Palace of Versailles. Hack the hidden gems to make your trip an adventure by visiting charming alpine villages and family-friendly Mediterranean beaches. The country’s incredible history, architecture, art, fashion, gastronomy marks as the most important nations in the Western world.

TIME OF VISIT: MAY

FRANCE DAY 1 and DAY 2: PARIS (The City Tour)

Wander around the grand boulevard lined with city’s upscale fashion houses, soak into its rich history and culture ringed by the landmarks as the Eiffel Tower and the 12th-century, Gothic Notre-Dame cathedral, enjoy the romance cruise at River Seine flanked by exquisite monuments to capture an unforgettable experience in the mind or leisurely stroll through the beautiful gardens and Parisian parks or discover its cafe culture by enjoying light nibbles in classical bistros paired with sophisticated wines or treat yourself with some luxuries from designer boutiques or fashion houses – a perfect way to explore French capital city – Paris holidays.

MY ARRIVAL: Flew from Helsinki to Paris by Air France (a NON STOP flight ) duration of 3 hrs. Checked-in to my hotel at Montmartre district during the late evening.

TIPS: Pre-booked 48 hours Hop On and Hop Off City Sightseeing Tour through Viator.Com. Another cheapest way to explore Paris is by Train – Paris Metro marked by RED ‘M’.

**Notre Dame –** **Located in the heart of historical Paris, the incredible Gothic cathedrals of the Middle Ages**

**Notre Dame – finest examples of French Gothic architecture**

**Notre Dame – the soul of Paris with its all the arts hailing from the XIIIth century**

**Discover the city by boarding the cruise at Seine river – 777 kilometers long that runs through the heart of Paris**

**Alma Bateaux Mouches Cruise on Seine river**

EIFFEL TOUR

TIPS: The Eiffel tour takes about a total of 4 hours with a visiting time of 1.5 hours for a visit to the 1st and 2nd floors and 2.5 hours for a visit to the top. Access to the top requires changing lifts on the second floor where you should expect standing in long queue for more than an hour.
For more info, please refer to the official site – https://www.toureiffel.paris/en

**The iconic Parisian landmark – Eiffel Tower on the Champ de Mars**

**Wrought-iron lattice tower built in 1889 by the engineer Gustave Eiffel**

**View of Trocadéro Gardens from the top viewpoint of Eiffel Tower**

**Champ de Mars – the large public green space located at the foot of Eiffel Tower**

**Soak in the magnificent** **views** **of the Seine River**

**Skyline of Paris from the top viewpoint of Eiffel Tower**

**Pont Neuf Bridge – the oldest stone bridge across the river Seine built in 1607**

**The 1.9 kilometers long Champ de Elysee – world’s most famous avenue that boasts high-end shopping stores**

**Concorde – the largest squares in Paris, measuring 20 acres in area situated at the end of the Champs-Elysées**

**Arc de Triomphe – the most famous monuments located at another end of Champ de Elysee**

**The most notable tomb at Les Invalides is that of Napoleon Bonaparte**

**Formerly hotel led de Invalides – founded in 1671 by Louis XIV, the Sun King**

**Cour d’honneur des Invalides – currently housed as military museums, with a glimpse of the dome of Napoleon Tomb behind**

**La Madeleine – an ancient Catholic Roman church known for its classic Greek design**

**Montparnasse – 210 meters tallest skyscraper located in Southern Paris that boasts panaramic view of the city from its 56th-floor observatory deck**

**The Place de la Bastille – the square in Paris where the Bastille prison stood until the storming of the Bastille**

**Sacré-Cœur Basilica ( Sacred Heart of Paris ) – a Roman Catholic church crowned on the hilltop of Paris’s nightclub district – Montmartre**

**Magnificent view of the city from the top of Montmartre hill**

**Gare du Nord (Paris Nord) – the busiest railway station that handles major trains operating to Belgium, Netherlands, Germany, England**

**Gare de l’Est – the oldest and largest railway station located at the East of Paris**

**Arc de Triomphe du Carrousel – the Corinthian style architecture built in 1808**

**Institut de France – manages approximately 1,000 foundations, as well as museums and châteaux open for visit**

**Must visit world’s iconic cafe – Hard Rock Cafe to taste the ‘rock’n’roll’**

My first bite to try Haagen Dazs – rich flavoured Vanilla Bean Ice Cream served with fresh wild strawberries topped with Strawberry Crush and Chocolate Crusty cone.

FRANCE DAY 3: PARIS (Morning Tour to Louvre)

Thinking of going on an expedition for some history, culture and art in the midst of this dreamy city Paris? You may end up spending weeks to months to discover the history of thousands of classic and modern masterpieces at this historic landmark located on the Right Bank of the Seine – Musée du Louvre or the Museum of Louvre. World’s largest art museum and one of the finest art galleries that exhibit millions of impressive art collections from around the globe from classical times to the 19th century.

TIPS: Another most crowded places in Paris. It is advised to visit Louvre during the week, maybe arriving half an hour before the opening time 9 am to avoid the long queue. If you are an art lover, you might end of spending the whole day at the museum.
For more info, please refer to the official site – https://www.louvre.fr/en

**At the classical courtyard of the Louvre Museum with 71-foot-high model structure of the iconic glass and steel pyramid – the main entrance to the museum.**

**19th Century French Paintings Gallery – Denon Wing**

FRANCE DAY 3: (Afternoon Tour to Palace of Versailles)

If you have a taste for architecture then head outside of Paris for a day trip to discover one of the world’s true masterpiece – The Palace of Versailles (Château de Versailles in French) , most lavish and famous chateaux, located in the department of Yvelines, in the region of Île-de-France, about 20 kilometres southwest of the centre of Paris. This principal royal residence of France from 1682, under Louis XIV, until the start of the French Revolution in 1789, under Louis XVI boasts a national landmark that showcases the glittering jewel of France’s royal past.

MY ARRIVAL: Pre-booked a half day tour to Palace of Versailles through Viator.Com with the option – hotel pick-up and drop off from the city of Paris inclusive of entry to the palace.

TIPS: Reaching Versailles by train is the cheapest option or just go to your nearest métro station, and buy your tickets to Versailles-Château – Rive Gauche. The duration is nearly about an hour. For more info, please refer to the official site – http://en.chateauversailles.fr/

**The gorgeous royal Château – The Palace of Versailles**

**Louis XIV, known as Louis the Great or the Sun King**

**Glittering breathtaking view of the long bright room** – The Hall of Mirrors at the central gallery, a symbol of the great French palace in Versailles, that houses 357 mirrors that overlook the gardens through arcaded windows. which welcomes the sun from one side, disperses it to all corners from another, and holds the twinkling light of magnificent chandeliers from its ceiling.

**Jaw dropping ceiling paintings at Versailles – one of the most beautiful achievements of 18th-century French art**

**The extravagant** **art** **and interior of the Palace**

**Royal Chapel of Versailles – Louis XIV’s last major building project and his spiritual legacy, is one of the jewels of the Palace of Versailles**

Jardins du Château de Versailles – located to the west of the palace, 800 hectares of magnificent formal French-Style
manicured gardens graced with multiple glorious dancing fountains.

FRANCE DAY 3: PARIS (Night Show at Moulin Rouge)

Don’t miss the most iconic Paris attractions. A lifetime experience by stepping into the dazzling world of rhinestones, feathers and sequins – the most legendary cabaret, the magnificent “Féérie” show at the Moulin Rouge.

MY ARRIVAL: Pre-booked the show ticket in advance through Viator.Com inclusive of half bottle of complimentary champagne with the option – hotel pick-up and drop off from the city of Paris.

TIPS: It is advised to book the tickets in advance. Tickets can be booked online also. They do have a dress code. Photography prohibited. For more info, please refer to the official site – http://www.moulinrouge.fr/?lang=en

**The Cabaret Show – magical dance and drama at Moulin Rouge located in the Montmartre district**

FRANCE DAY 4: PARIS (Full Day Tour to Disneyland)

Want to dream like a child again where fairy tales or your wish upon a star really do come true through breathtaking visual feast or fantasies goes beyond your wildest dreams? Then this Magical Kingdom is not so far away that offers big thrills for the grown-ups, little ones and family fun in every corner of the park – an entertainment resort in Marne-la-Vallée, France, located 32 km east of the centre of Paris. Disneyland Paris with its two theme parks, Disneyland Park and Walt Disney Studios Park, and a shopping district, Disney Village and the five magical themed lands: Main Street U.S.A., Frontierland, Adventureland, Fantasyland, and Discoveryland awaits with enormous magical attractions, endless entertainments and rides that make you laugh, scream, and fly. It is a place where time stops to give way to magic and imagination. Gaze in awe as you discover the classic storybook world of Disney heroes and heroines in fairy tales that are, happily, never-ending.

MY ARRIVAL: Pre-booked a full day tour to Disneyland through Viator.Com with the option – hotel pick-up and drop off from the city of Paris inclusive of all the tickets for the rides.

TIPS: To get to Disneyland Paris, you can take the RER A train to the Marne-la-Valleé – Chessy stop takes about an hour, which is a 2-minute walk from the park gates. You may fly into Charles de Gaulle airport or Orly airport, which both have a direct, 45-minute shuttle to Disneyland Paris. By road, it takes a duration of about 45 minutes from Paris. Don’t forget to meet the beloved Disney characters and check the meeting locations and times in each theme park. To fully experience the fun, it is advised to spend 2 nights and 3 days with accommodation booking in Disneyland. For more info, please refer to the official site – www.disneylandparis.com/‎

DISNEYLAND PARK –

ADVENTURELAND OR FRONTIERLAND – The European Adventureland is geographically switched with Frontierland, compared to the American parks. The unique among all the themed lands that take you through the most happening rides in this mountain and then gears back to the age of cowboys, trailblazers and gold miners for a Wild West Adventure.

@Frontierland Big Thunder Mountain – Board this mysterious mine train roller coaster for a thrilling journey
inspired by the stunning landscapes of Bryce Canyon National Park

**@Frontierland Thunder Mesa Riverboat Landing – a quiet ride on the rivers of the Far West**

**@Frontierland – Big Thrills await on Indiana Jones and the Temple of Peril**

**@Frontierland On board the dark ride to the Pirate Galleon with Captain Hook**

FANTASYLAND – Welcome to a Fantastical Morning to Fantasyland – the heart of Disneyland park. Step into this world of a fairytale and spend the majority of our time jewelled with enchanting Sleeping Beauty castles, beautiful cottages and cobblestone streets to experience gentle rides themed after Disney movies. Don’t miss the flagship ride of Fantasyland – ‘It’s a Small World’.

**@Fantasyland** **The most beautiful fairy tale Disney castle in the world – Le Château de la Belle au Bois Dormant, or Sleeping Beauty Castle, at the heart of Disneyland Park**

**Aerial View from the roof of Disney Castle**

**@Fantasyland – It’s a Small World – Board your boat and sail for 15-minutes to set for an intercontinental journey around the Seven Seaways, and fantasy comes alive**

@**Fantasyland – Hop into this giant cup and go for a spin at the Mad Hatter’s Tea Party featured with colourful lanterns and decorations**

**@Fantasyland – Alice’s Curious Labyrinth**

**Great aerial view of the Disneyland Paris Resort from the tower in Alice’s Curious Labyrinth**

**@Fantasyland – Jack and the Beanstalk**

DISCOVERYLAND – Fly over to Discoveryland themed as retro-science-fiction style to explore the outer reaches of space by taking a thrilling ride to the indoor classic roller coaster or take in charge of the vessel rockets or pilot your very own spaceship while enjoying the Star Wars music.

**@ Discoveryland** **Orbitron – The Astro Orbiter – rocket-spinner attraction**

**@Discoveryland Wars Hyperspace Mountain with an indoor steel roller coaster**

**Videopolis – auditorium in the Disneyland Park, building is modelled as a large airship hanger**

WALT DISNEY STUDIO PARK –

Just a few steps away from Disneyland Park walk into the Walt Disney Studios Gates and soak yourself to discover the magical world of cinema studded with stars, never-ending surprises, spectacular stunt shows, fascinating world of movies, animation, and television.