Paris-France, Not Tennessee
The Arc de Triomphe is Godzilla big- look at those people!
👀 First Take
This was my first-ever trip anywhere in Europe after landing in Amsterdam-my rookie voyage, solo and slightly terrified. It was during COVID, half the city was closed, and I had no idea what I was doing. But I had to go.
On a whim, AKA a couple of glasses of wine, I bought a train ticket on a Friday night, found a hotel online, and set off for Paris the next morning. Two days, no plan, and a global pandemic in progress. Take this story as it was - a time capsule from a guy figuring things out. I’ll rewrite my Paris story someday, because Paris deserves better than my two-day rookie adventure. But this one’s honest.
Paris is big. Everything is big, the roads, the bridges, the buildings. It feels intentionally oversized, like someone scaled the whole city up 2x. It’s imposing and elegant all at once. I probably should’ve started smaller (Antwerp, maybe Berlin), but I dove right in, and I’m so glad I did.
The train ride down wasn’t the scenic countryside trip I imagined (turns out train tracks don’t run through vineyards), but it was still the perfect way to arrive.
And about the French-I owe them an apology. My friends would tell you I wasn’t a “France guy.” That’s no longer true. The French have been among the nicest, most helpful people I’ve met in Europe. I’m officially Team France now.
My hotel was very French
🏨 Where I Stayed
Hotel des Marronniers
Small, charming, and perfectly located in Saint-Germain. My room was so tiny I had to turn sideways to pass between the bed and the desk, no joke, but, I loved it. A short walk from the metro and close to the Big Four: Louvre, Eiffel Tower, Champs-Élysées, Notre-Dame.
Breakfast was served in a cozy little courtyard: fresh croissants, jam, coffee-classic Paris. For location and charm, it was perfect.
🤷♂️ The Good, The Weird & The WTF
Even half-closed, Paris is electric. I walked 40,000 steps in under two days and still didn’t scratch the surface. It’s alive and a bit overwhelming-a blend of elegance, chaos, and motion.
It’s also not without stress. Even without as many people, the vendors, the “guess-the-ball” street scammers-all part of the show. You learn fast: don’t buy the mini Eiffel towers, keep an eye on your bag, and move with purpose. Paris rewards confidence.
The Louvre- Didn’t know the actual museum is underground
👉 Come on, we’re doing this together
Eiffel Tower – It’s iconic and overrated all at once. Still, you have to go. Just beware of the vendors and pickpockets(it’s a real thing)
Arc de Triomphe – Freakin massive. Pictures don’t do it justice. I skipped going up, seeing it from the ground was enough. The traffic circle around it is a spectacle all its own.
Champs-Élysées – Wall-to-wall shopping and people, not my thing, but a spectacle. Side note: there’s a Five Guys. I didn’t go in (I have limits), but I smiled.
Louvre – This was the highlight of the trip. I love old stuff, and this place is the ultimate playground: Venus de Milo, Mona Lisa, Code of Hammurabi-the real deal. It’s magic. This tour is the way to go- too much ground to cover without some structure-super highly rated tour includes the ticket.
Notre-Dame – Closed when I went (2020, post-fire), so I’ll save that for the sequel.
My first experience at a real French restaurant. I’m sure i chose that shirt to “look French”
🍴 Food & Drink
I didn’t eat anywhere fancy — solo trip, mid-pandemic, most spots closed. Breakfast at the hotel was the highlight. Most little cafés and riverside bars were shuttered, but that’s okay- it gives me a reason to go back.
Everything I ate was fine but not memorable. That’s on me. Paris deserves planning. Next time, I’ll do it right-reservations, neighborhoods, the whole deal.
💎 Mistakes and learnings-so you dont have to
Bread and cheese. Enough said. You can’t go wrong anywhere.
Learn the transit before you go. I was a mess at the ticket machines, trying to find the English button while locals queued behind me. Paris moves fast-know your basics ahead of time.
Plan your visits. Big sights mean big lines. Book ahead or prepare to wait. I’ve included as many links as i could find.
Get beyond the tourist zones. Paris opens up once you leave them.
Looking back now, after dozens of trips and twenty-plus countries, France has become my favorite country in Europe. That rookie version of me barely knew what was coming- and I’m so glad I didn’t stay home.
Definitely gets a second and third chance…