This has been written about everywhere you look, but I feel like talking about it nevertheless. However, my take on it will be for those of you out there who may have mobility issues (as I had when I was there last)
Paris is not disability friendly at all, imo. My last trip I tore my meniscus just before I traveled, and suffered a lot during the trip.
However, I was able to manage because I did pack some important items, which helped.
I did rent an Airbnb with a small kitchen and I was able to make ice & hot water.
My tiny kitchen
Here is what I brought to cope:
Two small old fashioned ice bags.
A small ice cube tray
Solid pain relief rub/bio freeze
Compression sleeves
Collapsible hiking stick (next time Iāll bring extra rubber tips too)
Small backpack
Freaking comfortable shoes- sneakers if you need them- unlike in years past, everyone is wearing sneakers now so donāt be shy!
KT tape
Over the counter meds & any scripts that might help (I had prednisone with me)
Even with all this I suffered because the one big thing I should have packed, I actually forgot- my medical grade knee brace! Ugh!! Never again will I go on a walking trip without a knee brace.
I have RA, which makes me susceptible to injury – especially around major joints.
Anyway. Iāll talk more about Paris with mobility issues in another post. But if you have chronic pain you need to be prepared. Yes there are pharmacies but better to have what you need right away. Especially if youāll be traveling alone.
Also- make sure you get medical travel insurance. Although costs out of pocket to see a dr are much better than the US, you should still have it.
So you ran around following my one full day in Paris itinerary yesterday, got 6 or 7 hours of sleep and now you’re up and out by 7 or 8 am the second half of your full day in Paris. Where should you go? You can’t do it all, but one of the favorite places in Paris is Montmartre. It’s the highest point in Paris and has a lovely view of the whole city below.
The first time I visited this area of Paris, was during my study abroad time and I was on a “date” with a French guy named Noel. Noel was from Arles originally and he had somewhat of a different accent than Parisians. Plus I didn’t speak very good French. We met while I was window-shopping on Boulevard St. Michel with my American friend from home, K. Here is a photo of me and Noel the day we met lol.
Noel and Moi
So anyway. Noel decided to take me up to Montmartre and we had a nice afternoon wandering around up there and then just sitting on a bench, holding hands, not speaking (my bad French, remember?) while the sun set. Kinda romantic though, no? Oh yeah, and Noel was a boxer š š
So YOU will now visit Montmartre. To be close to the best view, I suggest taking the Metro to the Abbesses stop. This will take you to the funicular to the top, OR you can walk up the steep staircases. See photos below. Either way, get yourself to the top where you can visit the Sacre-Coeur (Sacred Heart cathedral) and even take a walk to the top of that, for an even better view.
Metro Abbesses
On the way to the Sacre-Coeur, the magnificent view and the steps down to the carousel, you can stop at Place du Tetre where artists set up their easels in the square. This will be VERY crowded, almost impossible to navigate, later in the day (I had to navigate through here the last visit with a torn meniscus and a hiking stick and I could barely get through the crowd) so getting there early is a good idea. If you have enough time, you could even make a stop (about an hour and a half visit) to the Musee Dali quite close to Place du Tetre. Not necessary but if you’re into Dali, it’s worth it. When I visited years ago, the musee dimmed and brightened the lights while playing surreal type music as you wandered through–pretty neat.
Okay now you’ve reached the Sacre Coeur and the steps down to the Carousel area. Here’s some pics from that view and walk down the steps in front. I’d recommend ignoring and not engaging at all with the people trying to sell bracelets or other items. They are scammers and will waste your time and distract you. Just keep moving or tell them to get away.
Okay you’ve enjoyed your view, taken a slow walk down the steps, and found yourself by the carousel. Now there’s an area of souvenir shops, cafes, jewelry shops, patisseries, etc. Maybe pick up a few last souvenirs, stop for a snack or cafe au lait or espresso, and then you’ll head back toward Abbesses and go further to Pigalle.
Pigalle is traditionally the more cringy area of Paris, but it’s more young and hip at night. It’s the home of the Moulin Rouge and the trademark windmills. So if you’re interested in that area, head over to Pigalle.
Back toward the Pigalle area
If not, hop back on the Metro at Abbesses and go to pick up your luggage and head out to your train station or airport, depending on how you’re leaving Paris.
There you have it! 24 hours in Paris—think of all you were able to do! This is just one itinerary to get a taste of a lot of different places and experiences. I’ll focus on specific types of activities in later posts.
What happened between Noel and me, you ask? Well, I met Hamid, for one, and he was able to speak French I could understand. Noel and I realized the language barrier was just a little too much š But he was sweet!
Remember the tall, dark handsome boyfriend of the last post? Ah yes, Hamid. Algerian. Never was exactly sure what the deal was with him. Student? Working? He said he was studying computers.
We both had no $$ really, so we often spent our time just wandering together & sitting by the Seine until it was time to make my way back to my apartment later at night.
There was no internet, email, cell phones, texting & neither of us had landlines where we lived. SO. Every day when parting, weād make a plan to meet again at a certain day/time and it was almost always in front of the St. Michel Fountain in the Latin Quarter (quite close to two favorite bookstores).
One evening after meeting we picked up a bottle of red wine & headed for the Seine. We walked down the steps below Notre Dame, on the same side as the cathedral, to sit & drink, talk, kiss.
Every evening in Paris the Bateaux Mouche cruise the river & shine huge spotlights on the monuments as they pass by. We saw a few pass us and a third was coming toward us. Just as it reached us, and shined its beacons on the quay & Notre Dame cathedral, Hamid pulled me into his arms, dipped me back & kissed me deeply!
I was totally surprised and the best part was that the entire tour boat erupted in cheers and applause!
One of my favorite memories from my time studying in Paris.
Iāll always have Paris ā¤ļø and that memory of romance & fun.
I didnāt speak in French for an entire week when I arrived in Paris for the study abroad. Not because I didnāt understand French.
Iād taken 3 years in high school & 5 credits in college. Not like I was serious as an undergrad (I certainly didnāt live up to my potential then). So I could read & write in French. Listening was okay- could usually understand. But speaking? Ugh. My level of confidence was very very low.
And speaking another language is all about confidence & not letting it bother you if you make a fool of yourself (which I def have).
So it took me a week. And I was hungry so I had to make a request. I was at an outdoor market, eyeing some cheese, and finally quickly said āJe voudrais un peu de Gouda sāil vous plaitā
I would like a piece of Gouda, please.
So exciting! I did it! I also got my piece of cheese š
Fall 1986 I flew from Buffalo to NYC, long layover at JFK (or was it LaGuardia?) and on to Paris where Professor McCreary was waiting in the airport for several of us in the fall Paris program.
We spent the first week living in a hostel – sparse shared rooms with bathroom & showers down the hall. & We were given a list of places we could contact to set up our semester housing. Some students in my program knew one another already and some knew no one (me included).
Housing ranged from old maidās quarters at the top of 8 flights of spiral staircase (yes, I made that climb once) to shared places in la banlieue (suburbs) that had a real kitchen & shower.
I chose a shared appartement in Creteil about an hour (two changes on the metro) from the center of Paris at Odeon where my classes were held.
Two other classmates also lived there and a French guy who rudely made fun of my French so I learned quickly not to speak to him (ugh- not fun).
I havenāt been back to that suburb in any of my returns- but maybe sometime I will take the metro trip out. Itās a haul though, and I mainly spent all day & evening in Paris anyway. Slept in Creteil but not much else.
So when did I become obsessed with Paris? It started in London actually. When my father took my sister and me for a trip to Scotland and London. Scotland to visit family and then London because it was too close not to go. Once in London I begged my father everyday to just take the train and ferry (?) over to Paris. We were soooo close. Pretty please daddy? I was 19 years old, soon to be a junior in college. The answer was no of course.
I was not to be deterred. During my junior year of college I found a study abroad program in Paris! One of many but for this one you didnāt need to be fluent in French and it was part of the SUNY system so Iād pay the same tuition and get transfer credits (but grades didnāt count as long as I got Bs). Sounded perfect!
Starting this blog to write about one of my favorite things- Paris! To be sure, I am not alone, but my experiences are mine & itās fun to re-live them by telling the stories of my times in Paris.
If youāve stumbled onto this blog, hopefully youāll enjoy the stories & maybe learn a little more about Paris too. Iām by no means an expert, but these are my thoughts nonetheless.
Take Me to Paris 