Walking in the City of Love

The best way to explore Paris is to walk it. So better be wearing your trusted comfy footwear because you have a lot of ground to cover, literally.

Breakfast

Second day started early - as for every traveller. Arty Paris serves breakfast between 6 to 9 AM in the dining area. The breakfast was fairly simple - French croissant and baguette, bread, butter, marmalade, orange nectar, espresso and other caffeine options as there was a vending machine. The dining area with adjoining kitchen has a good and warm atmosphere, with electric sockets - probably for those with laptops and for charging mobile phones/other gadgets while having meals or while just hanging around.

Eiffel again

TOUR DE EIFFEL

I took bus 92 to Champ de Mars to be awestruck again by Eiffel Tower. This time, I went inside Tour Eiffel and climbed 330 steps up into the 1st level. I did not bother taking the elevator as I preferred to enjoy the sights of Paris while climbing up the stairs. The ticket was worth 7 euros.

Tour de Eiffel

On the first level, there is a souvenir shop, and restaurant 360, which was closed during that time. But the main attraction would have to be the breathtaking romantic panoramic views of Paris. I was blown away literally and metaphorically, as it was a windy day that day and I was wearing a dress. There was even a spot there where you and your lover could share a sweet kiss (or two). Binoculars were also available, and some tidbits of information about the iconic landmark. You can still opt to continue up to the higher levels of the tower, but since I had limited time, I had to keep going.
(Recommended length of stay: at least 1 hour)

Place to Kiss at Eiffel Tower

TROCADERO GARDENS

I then walked along Pont D'lena to Palace Chaillot at Trocadero Gardens to still marvel and enjoy the beauty of Eiffel Tower from a different view. The gardens boast of it's centre piece fountain, the Warsaw Fountains that offer a spectacular water display with its 20 water canons. There are also a number of statues in the gardens that you can admire.

(Recommended length of stay: 30 minutes to 1 hour or longer - depending on what you'd like to do as you can just hang out in the gardens as you bask in the sun and the view of Eiffel tower)

Trocadero Gardens

ARC DE TRIOMPHE

From Trocadero Gardens, I walked for about 20 minutes along Avenue Kieber to Arc de Triomphe. Being the world's largest triumphal arc, this famous Parisian landmark is the climax of a vista seen the length of the world's most beautiful avenue, Champs Elysees, from the smaller Arc de Triomphe du Carousel in the Tuileries Gardens and from the Obelisque de Luxor in the Place de la Concorde. It commemorates the victories of the French armies. I no longer climbed up the top of the arc, but I have read that they offer stunning views of the avenue and surrounding streets. I think, though, that admiring the arc from below and looking through it to glimpse the avenue is still a great experience.
(Recommended length of stay: 30 minutes to 1 hour)

Warning: As I was taking selfies with the arc, I almost got mobbed by a group of 3 young ladies. Their modus operandi is that they would approach you and ask what language you speak (normally, they will ask if you speak English) and then forcibly ask you to sign their petition for whatever charity (e.g. kids with special needs, the blind/deaf, etc). But beware! As when one girl was asking/forcing me to sign their papers, the other two girls were trying to open my bag! I just backed away from them and started shouting for them to leave me alone. You should know that there were tourist buses with tourists nearby and nobody even bothered to help me. It was really distressing and it got me flustered all throughout the day. After that experience, when I spot people holding clipboards or paper, I immediately steer clear from them and don't make eye contact. I also put on a rude/angry expression as I found out, it helps ward them off. They are all over the city so be warned especially if you are traveling solo like me.

Arc de Triomphe

I then had a quick stop over at one of McDonald's most beautiful branches along Champs Elysees, just about 5 minutes from the arc, to have lunch. If I might say, the branch was indeed different from most McDonald's branches - you can even choose either you want to pick up your food from the counter or have them serve it to your table.

Sacre Coeur

SACRE COEUR

After lunch, I took the tube from George V station to Anvers station to get to Sacre Coeur. This Roman Catholic basilica sits on top of the Montmartre hill, offering stunning views of the city. Go up to the dome to enjoy the second highest point, after the Eiffel Tower, offering such city views. The dome was closed when I visited because of the strong winds, so I was not able to go up, but the view just from the steps of the basilica is more than enough too.
(Recommended length of stay: at least an 1 hour)

Tip: The walk to/from Anvers station is lined by shops for souvenirs, which are actually among the cheapest or relatively good deals I have seen, so I suggest you buy some, if not all, of your souvenirs from here. I bought my fridge magnets from a corner shop in front of the station.

Parisian view from Sacre Coeur

AVENUE DES CHAMPS-ELYSEES

From the basilica, I went back to the city centre and got off at Grand Palais station. From there, I walked past Grand Palais and Petit Palais where there is a Christmas Village, during my time of visit, which I quickly browsed as I made my way to the Louvre.

Place de la Concorde

PLACE DE LA CONCORDE -> TUILERIES GARDENS -> ARC DE TRIOMPHE DU CAROUSEL

On the way to the museum, I walked past the Place de la Concorde, the Tuileries Gardens and the Arc de Triomphe du Carousel. This walk took about 20 minutes. I sat down on one of the benches in the gardens before heading to the Louvre for an art overload experience.

The Tuileries Gardens

MUSEE DE LOUVRE

It was a Friday, and every such day, everyone aged 25 and below from anywhere in the world can enjoy free admission to the museum starting from 6 PM. So I got in for free. Before I went in, I had a couple hundred of shots outside the museum, which was grand in itself. The three glass pyramids were a sight to see, especially at night, with its lights on. The top 5 pieces of art that I went to see were, of course, the Mona Lisa, Liberty Leading the People, the Winged Victory, the Coronation of Napoleon, and Psyche Revived by the Kiss of Love. My favorite spots of this attraction can be found at the main entrance, the 3 glass pyramids, and at the exit, the famous Inverted Pyramid, where it was thought that the remains of Mary Magdalene can be found far below as per Dan Brown's fictional novel, Angels and Demons.
(Recommended length of stay: I spent 2 hours and I wish I could stay longer as it was not enough to really explore the treasures that this place hold.)

Inside the Louvre's glass pyramid entrance

LE FUMOIR

I took the exit to Rue Rivoli and walked towards Le Fumoir for a 3 course dinner on my own. It is one of the top rated restaurants around the Louvre so I opted to try it. The dinner was elegantly cooked and the atmosphere was warm and sophisticated. The staff are nice, and service is really good as well. It was a good dining experience, priced at 35 euros.

Dinner at Le Fumoir

With my belly full, I walked along the Seine towards the bus stop in front of the Louvre to take bus 95 to Brancion to get to my hostel and retire for the night.

Outside the Louvre

Day Expenses:

- 7 euros: Tour Eiffel

- 8.95 euros: McDonald's lunch

- 35 euros: Le Fumoir lunch

Total = 34.5 euros