I will be honest, I never thought I’d return to Paris after my first visit in 2012. As…
Times visited: 4
Cities visited: Paris and Nice
Villages visited: Marne La Vallée
UNESCO sites visited: 4/53
France was one of the first countries I ever visited – on a family trip to Disneyland Paris. I was too young to remember much, but I’m sure mini-me had the time of her life! Ten years later, in April 2012, I travelled by bus to Paris with three friends on my first ever trip without parents or grandparents. We spent a week in the city, exploring the Catacombs, eating lunch by the Eiffel Tower, visiting Notre Dame, shopping on the Champs-Élysées, and soaking in views of the city from Sacré-Cœur. That trip marked a turning point for me – it was the first taste of freedom that comes from travelling with friends (Next stop: solo travel!).
And solo travel I did. In 2019, during a summer journey through Southern Europe, I returned to France, though briefly. I only had one afternoon to explore Nice, as my main goal was to visit Monaco, with Nice as my base. Ironically, I ended up liking Nice much more than Monaco. If only I’d had more time!
Fast forward to May 2024, I returned to Paris for a six-day visit. The main reason? Attending the first European night of Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour (I was there, it was rare…). But the trip became so much more than just the concert. I reconnected with a friend I used to live with in Greenland, and two friends I excavated with in Alaska. Together, we explored Paris, saw new sights, and revisited some old favourites. It was a beautiful blend of music, memories, and meaningful reunions.