Travis' Favorites:

Top of Arc de Triomphe: In my opinion, this is one of the best viewpoints in Paris. The iconic arch is impressive to observe from street-level, but ascending to the top of the monument provides incredible views of the city and the Eiffel Tower! Bonus: go near sunset and witness the Eiffel Tower's lights sparkle at the top of every hour after sundown.

Picnic by Eiffel Tower: Stop by any of Paris' thousands of bakeries or markets and stock up on baguettes, meats, cheeses, pastries, and wine, and take them to the park at the base of the Eiffel Tower! Sit in the grass and snack while you enjoy the magnificent sight of the Eiffel Tower as well as the thousands of Parisians and tourists that you'll see wandering through the area.

Latin Quarter: The Latin Quarter (or 5th Arrondissement) is a neighborhood in central Paris, just south of the Seine River. It offers many bookshops, cafes, and restaurants and is a very picturesque location to get lost in the city streets. Some of the restaurants here are more affordable and can offer authentic three-course French meals for around 25€--check the menu specials they'll have posted outside the restaurants!

Riverside Souvenir Shopping: take a stroll along the Seine River and you'll find Parisians selling artwork, books, and souvenirs from green "Bouquiniste" stands! Take time casually strolling by the stands, enjoying the sounds of the city, and find affordable artwork or souvenirs to bring home!

Elena's Favorites:

Ladurée: This is a famous and popular macaroon store. These are high quality macaroons so if you are only going to try them once, this is the place! There is a storefront located on the Champs-Élysées so if you choose to walk from the Arc du Triomphe to the Louvre this will be right on your way. They also have little carts selling them (with a more limited selection) in various touristy locations around the city such as the Charles Du Gaulle airport train station and Versailles. My favorite is a raspberry macaroon dipped in dark chocolate (usually only found at a store front)!

Montmartre: The Montmartre neighborhood is a great place to wander around, stop in shops, and explore. You can start at the metro station right by Moulin Rouge and then wander your way up to Sacré-Cœur Basilica, which is of course a must see! If you want slightly more guidance through this neighborhood, I recommend this self-led walking tour that takes you on a path to all of the top sites. The website has a link to a google maps path that you can follow with key locations pinned. Each pin has an explanation provided on the website that you can read when you get there.

Entrance to Sacré-Cœur is free, and although the line may look long it usually moves pretty quickly as they are just checking bags before people enter. For 8 euros you can buy a ticket to climb to the top of the dome. It is about ~300 stairs to the top of the dome and provides a great view of Paris. The last entrance for the dome is at 5pm. Be prepared for a very tight spiral staircase all the way to the top!