Written by: Rashawn Khamari Merchant

With the Olympic Games in full force this summer 2024, there’s no better time to travel to Paris, France. Here’s the Earth Shiners guide to spending a day in the City of Light. 

Paris, nestled among several Western European countries, offers convenient access for travelers. A 2-hour and 30-minute train ride from London via the Eurostar railway system or a 7-hour plane ride from New York City are both viable options for reaching this vibrant destination. 

When arriving in Paris, we recommend visiting the Louvre Museum. The Louvre is a national museum of France and home to one of the most extensive art collections around the globe. Most recognizable is the Mona Lisa, which by itself can easily highlight your entire trip.

According to Britannica, the Louvre is the world’s most visited museum, and it holds artifacts dating from ancient civilizations. The Louvre Museum is contained within a large palace where you’ll observe Romanesque, Renaissance, and Baroque architectural styles. This area also makes for a lovely portrait scene, so ensure your camera is ready! 

Along the Louvre is the Seine River. The Seine recently gained a lot of attention with the environmental cleanup efforts made in preparation for the Olympics, including the removal of waste and the restoration of its banks. The Parade of Nations and Opening Ceremony on the river featured boats full of Olympic athletes and delegates representing their individual countries. Since 2015, organizers have invested over $1.5 billion in preparation efforts for the 2024 summer season. 

A brisk walk along the Seine will take you to your next destination, the Arc de Triomphe. This famous structure was built to honor fallen soldiers during the French Revolution. 

Following the Arc De Triomphe, the Eiffel Tower is the grandest part of Paris. Built-in 1889, the Eiffel Tower is a symbol of Paris and the entire country of France. It’s renowned worldwide and, in the early 1900s, became a representation of 20th century modernism. Because of Parisian bans on tall buildings, the tower is also the highest building in Paris. Furthermore its height makes it the perfect observation deck. You can walk up the Eiffel Tower steps or take the elevator to the top.

While you’re in the area, enjoy a nice meal at one of the many cafes near the Eiffel Tower’s base as you wrap up your day. As a visitor, you may not have had much time to shop throughout your trip, so there are also several souvenir stations in the vicinity.

It’s best to visit the Eiffel Tower early in the morning or late in the evening. Visiting the Eiffel Tower at night is highly recommended because the city’s night views are not to miss. Moreover, every night from sundown to 1am, the Eiffel Tower sparkles with a grand light show every hour for 5 minutes. 

Most of all, enjoy your trip. Paris is a special place for a reason.

Thanks for reading!

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