I’d be lying if I didn’t say I was just waiting for a Paris layover since the day I started flying.

Studying French in high school for five years taught me how to idolize the city of Paris but not a lot of actual French. On most international flights we have speakers. Speakers, yes you guessed it, are on the flight to speak the language of our destination. One of the French speakers was from southern France but knew more about the city than I obviously did so agreed to show me around.

*Luckily I got to visit Notre-Dame before the fire.*

Let me tell you, it makes it a completely different and easier experience going around a city when you have someone who speaks the local language.

Having it be my first time in Paris we made sure to hit all the must-see spots. Eiffel Tower, Sacré-Cœur, the Louvre, Arc de Triomphe, Notre-Dame Cathedral were all hit.

A place that I hadn’t realized I needed to go to was Shakespeare and Company bookstore. It’s not far from Notre-Dame so it’s an easy pit stop.

In French class, we read (I attempted) the book Le Petit Prince. The book is translated into english, and I believe there’s even a Netflix movie out now.

It’s an amazing children’s book and seeing it on the streets of Paris as opposed to my high school classroom was a heartwarming moment for me. Even if I still can’t form a sentence in French.

Astounding to me, my favorite monument we visited in France was Sacré-Cœur Basilica.

The actual structure itself was breathtaking and the view of the whole city from its place was stunning. It is a bit of a hike to get all the way up there, but worth the climb. There’s also some pretty gardens around the basilica that are fun to wander throughout.

Now. Food. Being the obvious foreigner I am, I’d done a little research on where I wanted to eat. Ladurée in Paris seemed like the spot to go. For me I wanted macaroons that came in an adorable box that made me feel Parisian and that’s exactly what I got.

Macaroons are one of my favorite sweets, I don’t always get that chance to buy them in France so when I do I take full advantage.

The macaroons here melt in your mouth and they have so many flavors. After I secured my sweets, I sat at the bar behind the bakery and got some French Onion soup that blew my mind.

I walked around a little on my own and when it started raining I went into a little shop to buy a cheap umbrella. Something about me must’ve screamed tourist because the shop owner pointed out to me which people were pick-pocketing and who to avoid. I guess coming off lost isn’t always a bad thing.

Happy to say I wasn’t pick-pocketed and walked safely around the city.

If you want to see a highlight from my Paris adventure click here and click through my pictures below!