Real 4-Day Paris Trip: The Highlights & Surprises
Based on an original post by Matea (@mlebo_) with permission.
If you’re planning a trip to Paris and want real advice – not just guidebook basics – this firsthand recap has it. One traveler shared her experience visiting Paris in March with her partner, and it’s packed with smart tips and helpful warnings for anyone heading to the city.
While she kindly allowed us to republish her report here, we’ve reorganized the details to make them more useful no matter when you visit or how long you stay.
Hotel Tip: A Quiet Stay Outside the Crowds
Hôtel Moderniste in the 14th Arrondissement was clean, quiet, and had excellent service. This hotel isn’t in a tourist-heavy area, but the metro makes it easy to reach anywhere in the city.
They also stored luggage on checkout day and let the couple relax in the lobby before heading to the airport.
Key takeaway: You don’t need to stay in the city center to have a great Paris base – just make sure you’re close to a reliable metro line.
Getting Around Paris: What Worked Best
- Google Maps was the most accurate for routes and travel times.
- City bikes are easy to rent and give you more freedom to explore.
- Buses are underrated: you see more of the city compared to underground metro lines, especially at night.
- The Navigo Découverte pass is worth it if you’re staying a few days. Load it onto your phone or buy it at the airport.
Metro warning: Avoid taking the last trains of the night to remote areas. One late-night ride to Saint-Denis involved some uncomfortable moments until police showed up.
What to Book (and What You Don’t Have To)
- Louvre: Booking ahead is smart. Arriving 10–15 minutes after your scheduled time can help you avoid the initial crowd buildup.
- Musée d’Orsay: The line looked long but only took 10 minutes to enter.
- Versailles: Definitely book in advance. Download the official app to help you navigate and understand what you’re seeing.
Age Tip: EU citizens under 26 get free entry at most museums with ID or passport. Worth checking before you buy tickets.
Food & Coffee
- Don’t hesitate to stop at small bakeries and cafés as you walk around.
- Use Google Reviews before picking a restaurant – it saved them from a few disappointing spots.
- They found McDonald’s helpful for fast, predictable meals when they didn’t want to take risks (not everyone’s choice though)
- Dinner at Les Amours near the Eiffel Tower had no wait and was one of their favorite meals.
Top Experiences That Surprised Them
- Latin Quarter walking tour: Great way to start and get oriented.
- Montmartre by bike + walking: Helped break up long distances.
- Night visit to Eiffel Tower & Trocadéro: Street musicians, a relaxed crowd, and unexpected performances made this a favorite moment.
- River cruise: Nice views, but very cold and slightly underwhelming. Lines moved faster than expected.
Tips You Can Use
- Be flexible: Some of their favorite moments were unplanned stops or changes in route.
- Always bring a power bank: They used their phones for maps and tickets all day.
- Don’t overplan: They walked a lot, changed plans based on weather, and avoided burnout.
- If flying from Beauvais Airport, get to the shuttle bus stop early. The line forms quickly and buses may leave earlier than posted.
Final Thought
Even with a few hiccups, they called the trip magical and can’t wait to return. Their advice? Paris is better when you walk, look around, and stay open to surprises.
See the full trip report.