Paris

Where to Stay:
• The metros don’t run all night, so a good place to stay would be in the Latin Quarter because then you should be within walking distance of nightlife.
What to See/Do:
• If you’re in Paris for just a couple days, try doing the left bank of the Seine river one day and the right bank the other day.
• Champs-de-Elysees: Long street of absolutely amazing stores. Kind of like a Rodeo Drive.
• Arc-de-Triomph: At the end of the Champs-de-Elysees. Very cool and if you climb to the top you get a great view of Paris.
• Montmarte: Amazing area with really cute restaurants, stores, etc. Moulin Rouge is here. Climb up to the Basilica (it’s beautiful inside and you also get another wonderful view of Paris). There’s a really great restaurant called Le Relais Gascon that’s right next to the Abbesses metro stop (they have huge salads that are incredible).
• The Latin Quarter: Great shopping, restaurants, etc. Also a great place to go out to at night. There’s also a famous place called Laduree on Bonaparte Street (Rue Bonaparte). Pick up some macaroons (they look nothing like what you’d expect) and be sure to try the rose macaroons along with any of the million other flavors.
• Musee d’Orsay: Great museum you have to make sure you see. If you do nothing else, go to the Impressionism floor and see works by Monet, Van Gogh, etc.
• Louvre: This museum is free on Friday nights for students, just bring identification (ISIC card). It’s also very discounted on Sundays. It’s an amazing museum but it’s huge and can be very overwhelming. Pretty much make sure you see the Venus de Milo, Winged Victory, and the Mona Lisa.
• Notre Dame: Beautiful cathedral
• Eiffel Tower: Pick up baguettes, etc. and picnic at a park under the Eiffel Tower. You can also take the elevator to the top.
• Seine River Boat Tour: Book a boat tour on the Seine River at night, it’s absolutely unbelievable. Some tours are a combination of a bus tour and a boat tour…I took this and it was amazing. It was really easy to book online in advance too.
• Catacombs: Supposed to be very cool, but make sure they’re open (they were closed when I was there).
• Versailles: If you have time and it’s not too cold, take a train for the day to see Versailles.