France, Europe | Fall 2023
After five unforgettable days wandering through London — from Buckingham Palace to winding through Borough Market, from double-decker buses to museums, we traded Big Ben for baguettes. Our London chapter closed at St. Pancras and by train we landed in Paris, ready to soak up croissants, vibes and the Eiffel Tower’s glitter.”
Paris was the second stop of our Eurotrip after London and even though we only had two days, we squeezed in croissants, vintage shopping and sparkling Eiffel Tower moments. Here’s how our whirlwind 36 hours unfolded.
Quick Trip Details
📍 Starting Point: London (St. Pancras International → Paris Gare du Nord)
🏨 Hotel: Hotel Etoile Maillot
🥐 Must-Try: Parisian breakfast at Le Suffren
📸 Best Photo Spots: Eiffel Tower (day + night), Arc de Triomphe, Louvre courtyard
🛍️ Shopping: Depot Vente Luxe Passy
🍴 Meals: Vapiano Paris, McDonald’s Paris (for fun!)
✈️ Next Stop: Rome
Best Eiffel Tower Views in Paris
Arrival in Paris – A Hotel Mishap at Midnight
We caught the evening train from London and arrived at Paris Gare du Nord around 10 p.m. Excited but exhausted, we grabbed a taxi to our hotel… only to find out I had accidentally booked the wrong night. Classic travel fatigue moment.
Luckily, the front desk at the first hotel — where my booking mix-up happened — was incredibly kind. Instead of leaving us stranded, he suggested Hotel Etoile Maillot, which was closer to both the Eiffel Tower and the Arc de Triomphe. It turned out to be the perfect location for our short Paris stay.
We hopped into another taxi and soon enough we were checked in, we called it a night with Paris waiting for us in the morning.
Day 1: Croissants, Landmarks & Paris at Sunset
Morning – Parisian Breakfast
We started our morning at Le Suffren, a chic café perfect for buttery croissants and coffee. My bestie turned it into a mini photoshoot while I sat back and enjoyed people-watching.
Midday – Eiffel Tower Magic
Next stop: the Eiffel Tower at Champ de Mars. We spent over an hour just taking it all in, debating if we should go up, we didn’t and capturing the classic “we’re in Paris” shots.
To make the most of our time, we also wandered to a few nearby photo spots that give you different angles of the Eiffel Tower without the heavy crowds:
- Trocadéro Gardens – iconic wide-angle shots across the Seine.
- Pont de Bir-Hakeim – a cinematic bridge made famous in Inception.
- Rue de l’Université – a quiet Parisian street with the tower framed perfectly in the distance.
Each spot gave us new perspectives and it turned into a mini Eiffel Tower photoshoot marathon before we finally moved on.
Afternoon – Louvre & Lunch
From there, we headed to the Louvre Museum. We didn’t go inside, the line was way too long, but we did enjoy the courtyard and took advantage of the many photographers offering spontaneous photo sessions.
For lunch, we tried Vapiano Paris, a casual spot near the Champs-Élysées that served up pasta and pizza.
Late Afternoon – Vintage Finds
Because no bestie trip is complete without shopping, we made our way to Depot Vente Luxe Passy, a vintage boutique with luxury finds. Even if you’re just browsing, it’s worth the stop.
I’m finally adding to my very small luxe collection and Paris was the perfect place to pick up goddies. I walked out with a Louis Vuitton item. Next year, I’ve got my eyes set on adding a Chanel piece to the lineup. Baby steps, but it feels so special to collect them city by city.
Evening – Eiffel Tower by Night
As the sun set, we circled back to the Eiffel Tower for a night photoshoot. Watching the lights sparkle was easily the highlight of the day—pure Paris magic.
On our way back to Hotel Etoile Maillot, we grabbed dinner from McDonald’s Paris (yes, it’s a thing to check out what’s different on the menu abroad).
Day 2: Sunrise Shots & Departure
The next morning, my bestie woke up early for a solo photoshoot at the Arc de Triomphe, capturing that perfect Parisian backdrop in the middle of the street. Meanwhile, I stayed cozy at the hotel, wishing her luck.
By mid-morning, we packed our bags, checked out, and headed to the airport for our next destination: Rome.
