Croissants, Castles, and the Seine: My First Taste of Paris

For Semana Santa this year (2025), I took a three-day trip outside of Spain. It had been a while since I’d traveled internationally, and I quickly realized I was a bit out of practice.

I left Madrid early on a Sunday morning and arrived in Paris just before lunchtime. After dropping my bag at a storage spot, I grabbed a quick bite and headed to the meeting point for my group tour of the Palace of Versailles.

I was so thankful I booked a group tour—first, because the crowds were overwhelming and we got to skip part of the line; and second, because our guide was incredibly knowledgeable. He brought the history of Versailles to life, sharing fascinating stories of Louis XIV, Louis XV, and Louis XVI. For example, the hidden doors in the rooms or how many of the tapestries were made with gold thread. I would have missed many of those details wandering through on my own.

The tour ended at the gardens, where we were left to explore independently. Though vast and slightly overwhelming, the gardens were breathtaking—a sea of symmetry, fountains, and blooming spring colors. I couldn’t have asked for a better afternoon. I ended the day by checking into my hostel and having a nice dinner.

The next morning I woke up and headed to join a free walking tour of the city. The guide was again super informative and highlighted some interesting buildings and facts. Along the tour we saw the outside of Notre Dame, Sainte-Chapelle & Conciergerie, the Pont des Arts, and many other sites. The tour ended in front of the Louvre and the Tuileries Garden.  After a quick lunch, I set off on my own to see more of the city. I passed by the Arc de Triomphe, walked along the Seine River, and took in the grandeur of the Eiffel Tower up close.

By the end of the day, my feet felt like they were going to fall off—but I still wanted to make the most of the evening. I picked up some fresh bread, cheese, and other snacks from a local shop and headed back to the Eiffel Tower for a sunset picnic. Sitting on the lawn, watching the sky change colors as the tower lit up, was one of my favorite moments of the entire trip. It was simple but magical.

On my final morning, I enjoyed a classic French breakfast of croissant, coffee, and orange juice at a local café. I wandered through more of the city and managed to visit the interior of Notre-Dame, which although had an incredibly long line moved quickly. 

I then made my way up to Sacré-Cœur Basilica in Montmartre. The climb was worth it for the panoramic view of Paris from the top. The white-domed basilica against the blue sky was breathtaking, and the neighborhood’s artistic vibe added to the charm.

After a final stroll through the streets, I sat down for one last lunch before heading to the airport for my flight back to Madrid. 

In the beginning I had been hesitant to visit Paris because I had heard the stereotypes of the French being rude and the city being dirty. However, I did not have this experience. I found if I tried to speak French at first, people tended to be nicer and the city wasn’t any cleaner or dirtier than other major cities I have visited. Overall, I enjoyed my time in Paris. I felt like I got a nice little taste of the city and culture. However, there is plenty more to see and I could have spent weeks there and not have seen everything.