Alyse (alyse329) reached out to us at Wanderfly to help her plan an unforgettable Paris experience. She is currently spending a healthy amount of time in Ghana and is soon headed to the City of Light for a different kind of experience. She has a flexible budget, likes the outdoors, and wants to add in some side trips. With 10 days and an adventurous disposition, we can find plenty for her to do. Let's get going.
Creepy Culture
If you're like me, then you will get excited about the idea of clambering down into ancient cellars and tombs. Head to The Catacombs (or as the French say: "Les Catacombes") for this creepy, slightly horrifying, and intensely interesting experience. While he wasn't French, you'll feel Edgar Allan Poe-esque as you tour the macabre graveyard and begin wondering what happened to all of the skulls and bones scattered at your feet (hint: death had something to do with it).
Historic (and delicious) Wine
Parisians like their wine. They also like their museums. Put the two together for an experience of drinking and learning at Musee de Vino (Wine Museum of Paris). The museum features the history of French winemaking in beautiful (and somewhat eerie) wine cellars, which will give you the full breadth of knowledge you need to be a wine snob to all of your friends back home. But why read about wine when you can drink it? Luckily, the Wine Museum won't allow you to leave clear-headed. For a sophisticated taste, take one of their introductory or specific wine classes to begin your ascent to wine connoisseur (59 Euros). Then head to the museum restaurant to continue the festivities and purchase another bottle or two for you and your travel partners. Don't worry, Paris is one of the finest cities to explore with a little wine to propel you onward.
Breezy Autumn
The fall is a perfect time to visit Paris, as temperatures are cool during the morning and evenings. You'll surely have plenty of opportunities to walk around the city at night as your wine tasting and restaurant hopping will dictate. But, I suggest (nay, urge) you to save at least one morning for an early walk along the Seine River. In the mornings, the city is at ease, with fresh pastries baking in the ovens and the city slowly awakening from its slumber. With fewer crowds, you'll start to feel that Parisian way of life that everyone the world over has been talking about for centuries.
A Don't Miss Festival
If you're in Paris in late October, check out the International Contemporary Art Fair, an annual event that puts many art festivals to shame. The festival happens all over the city, making it a default gallery crawl and art-guided walking tour. Fall, walking, art, and Paris - a fine mix.
Further Afield
With ten days, you won't have a lot of time to explore elsewhere in Europe, but Paris is a great starting point for some awesome day trips. Though it may be slap-in-your-face obvious, I'd be remiss if I didn't mention a day-trip to Versailles. Now that I have mentioned it and your cheek is stinging, we can move on. If you're an Allied Forces fan, then plan on taking a day to visit the beaches of Normandy. Take the train to Caen and then tour the beaches, memorials, and graveyard that honors the soldiers who fought and died defending the free world. For a more adventurous day trip (but with less fist-pumping patriotism), head to Fontainebleau Forest, which sits just outside of Paris. Considering you'll be there during the fall, the forest should be beautiful with fall foliage and cool breezes. Also, pump up your Napoleon Complex by visiting his primary residence: The Château de Fontainebleau.
If you must go somewhere outside of France, take the train to Bruges, which offers the best of what Belgium has to offer. With canals, markets, and more delicious food, Bruges is a city on the rise. To get a taste before you go, you can just watch the movie In Bruges, but I can't guarantee you'll like it (the scenery is nice, though).
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Want a personal recommendation?
Contact me: @kerrinsheldon or tell me your budgets and interests in the comments below and I'll prescribe a trip that fits exactly what you're looking for!