Travel Tips - Essential-sights in Paris, France

Connecting the Louvre with the Place de la Concorde, the enchanting Tuileries Garden (Jardin des Tuileries) occupies an area of 25 hectares and offers countless photo opportunities and areas to relax on the lawns or while taking a seat next to one of the many beautiful basins or statues.

The nearest metro station is Tuileries on line 1 and I’d really recommend taking a walk through the gardens or even stopping for a coffee to watch the world go by. The whole area is absolutely beautiful, and the gardens make a nice change from pounding the city streets or exploring the city's many museums.

But be warned, many of the cafes in the area which cater to tourists can charge around 4-5 Euro for a coffee, so choose carefully.

The Eiffel tower is another essential sight when visiting Paris, and despite the queues at the foot of the tower and the subsequent queues to get on and off the lifts at each level, the 360 degree views alone at well worth if.

By far the best time to visit is last afternoon or in the evening as the crowds are much shorter. If you opt for the evening you can enjoy a different perspective on the city by seeing the city lights as well as enjoying two admissions for the price of one. Sunset is beautiful, but expect to queue.

I’ve been lucky enough to visit the top of the tower around three times now, on various trips to Paris, and on the first occasion I opted to descend the middle floor via the stairs rather than taking the lift, which, although tiring, was quite rewarding. I’d also recommend everyone visits the very top of the tower, if only for the slightly nervous feeling you get when ascending in the last lift!

Forget Eiffel tower key rings, t-shirts and other obvious tourist tat and instead bring home some gorgeous macaroons from one of the branches of Ladurée. The packaging is beautiful, that is, if they last until you get home!

For an extra indulgence head over to their grand tearoom on the Champs Elysées.You won’t be disappointed.

Rose Bakery has to be one of my all time favourite places to eat in Paris, and it’s well worth the journey.
Located at 46, Rue Des Martyrs and marked with a arch shape doorway and some iron chairs, Rose Bakery is a café come general store selling all sorts of store cupboard bits and pieces including organic chocolate, speciality tea, breakfast cereal and fresh fruit not of course to mention a superb lunch time menu, consisting largely of quality produce cooked simply. On my last visit I had grilled chicken thigh and salsa verde, which was served in a light stock with steamed carrots and baby leeks.

Rose Bakery is also famous for its deserts, so be sure to grab a slice of their loaves and tray bake cakes, but for the perfect gift for your loved ones back home, or perhaps as a momentum of your visit, be sure to pick up a copy of their outstanding cookbook “Breakfast, Lunch, Tea”… and you never know you might even be able to have it autographed while you’re there!