Published 5.22.2023 – By Clara Ferance

Embarking on a quick girls’ trip to Paris is a fantastic idea that promises an unforgettable adventure! Picture strolling together along the enchanting Seine River, indulging in freshly baked pastries at charming boulangeries and pâtisseries, or immersing yourselves in the beautiful artwork in the labyrinth that is the Louvre.

With its timeless beauty and cultural treasures, Pairs offers the perfect backdrop for creating cherished memories with your closest friends. From exploring world-renowned landmarks like the Eiffel Tower and the Notre Dame Cathedral, to browsing stylish boutiques in the Marais district, this magical city will captivate you and ignite your sense of wanderlust.

Want to plan a getaway to Paris? Rosedale Travel owner, Kirsten Billhardt, has some helpful tips to share that will make even a short 4-day Paris trip an irresistible time for the perfect girls’ weekend!

Making The Overseas Flight To Europe

To prepare for an overseas flight, there are a few key steps to take. First, check the validity of your passport and ensure you have any necessary visas. (If you have an American passport, you are allowed into France for up to 90 days as a tourist.) It’s important to research your airline’s baggage allowance so when you’re packing you can prioritize accordingly—for a few days trip, a carry-on suitcase should suffice! Always carry essential items such as cell phones, medications, and important travel documents in your purse or personal item.

• Kirsten’s Tip:

“Since I was taking a quick trip, combatting jetlag was critical – if I blew it, it could seriously impact the entire trip. I tried out the timeshifter app and had a great experience! This app asks questions around when you normally wake up and go to bed, and then it takes in your flight info and destination. A couple of days before my flight, it started giving me instructions about when to have caffeine, managing light exposure, and when to wake up/go to bed. It helped me get a few hours of sleep on the plane so I could enjoy the trip starting on arrival. You can use the app for free for the first trip so try it out! I recommend trying to arrive in Europe late morning to maximize the potential for sleep—although I don’t like to schedule anything too intense on the first day, it’s important to be outside, getting sunshine, and moving around to avoid napping. We had a lunch at Angelina’s for their hot chocolate and strolled around the neighborhood. We had a relatively early dinner by Parisian standards (7pm – we were first at the door) at Bistro Marloe and turned in early our first night.”

Where To Stay in “The City of Love”

Paris offers a diverse range of accommodations catering to various preferences and budgets. Hotels are the most common option, providing convenient amenities (like including breakfast!). For a girl’s trip, it can be nice to share a common space all together and decrease personal expenses by splitting the hotel costs with your friends. Alternatively, vacation rentals such as apartments, hostels, or houses offer a more authentic cultural experience and cozy at-home atmosphere but may lack privacy or other desired services. Keep this in mind as you discuss everyone’s individual preferences, budget, desired amenities, and itinerary you’re seeking to fulfill during your stay.

• Kirsten’s Tip:

“Although there are plenty of beautiful hotels and accommodations in Paris, location is the most important! Depending on what you’re interested in seeing, you might want to situate yourself nearby. We learned that, in certain areas of the city, finding a public restroom is not easy. (One day, we ended up waiting in line for the restroom in a department store!) So having your hotel nearby is useful for emergencies. We stayed at the Westin Vendome since it’s an easy walk to the Louvre and Musee d’Orsay, both renowned art museums we wanted to prioritize viewing. The Vendome has plenty of double-bedded rooms which are ideal for girls’ trips—I even had a room with views of the Eiffel Tower! Plus, the complimentary breakfast was delicious.”

Exploring French Cuisine, Fashion, and Art

Now that you’ve decided on a place to stay, you can relax and enjoy the abundance of food, shopping, and beautiful architecture Paris has to offer!

Indulge in the simple delights of freshly baked croissants, pâtisserie, or delicious baguette sandwiches for a picnic in the park. For upscale culinary experiences, iconic brasseries like Le Meurice serve classic French dishes in an exquisite setting. This Alain Ducasse (2 Michilin star) restaurant is spectacular—not only for its worldclass cuisine, but also for its jaw-dropping interior design that mimics the French baroque Palace of Versailles.

• Kirsten’s Tip:

“In addition to visiting the lavish ‘must-eat’ restaurants, trying new restaurants and going with the flow also opens up amazing experiences! One night, we ate at a fabulous place called Passionne. This was my personal favorite—I loved the modern moody blue environment and the Japanese French cuisine was colorful and inventive! Even on a rainy day in Paris, it’s the perfect chance to set aside time to just sit and relax at a café with a hot chocolate and patisserie.”

As the fashion capital of the world, Paris is a giant playground for shopping enthusiasts! Check out the famous Champs-Élysées and Avenue Montaigne, home to luxury boutiques and flagship stores of renowned brands. Additionally, the Marais district showcases a blend of historic and contemporary architecture, with charming streets lined with beautiful buildings and hip, trendy shops.

• Kirsten’s Tip:

“I generally don’t spend a lot of time shopping while traveling—but I love French (and British) brands and was excited to indulge a bit in Paris. We went over to Samaritaine, a department store in the first arrondissement, for a VIP shopping experience. We had a private room for our group, champagne and nibbles, and even a personal shopper who helped us explore. When we saw something we liked, our stylist would have it delivered to our room so we could try things on and make decisions at our leisure. Note that this VIP experience is at no cost—you just need to work with a Virtuoso travel advisor like me to be able to book it!

To marvel at art and architecture, a visit to the Louvre Museum, Notre-Dame Cathedral, and the Eiffel Tower is a must. But there are plenty of churches, museums, and palaces throughout the city, so it can be hard to choose which to prioritize when you have limited time!

• Kirsten’s Tip:

“We had lunch and then went off to Musee D’Orsay, a great art museum for anyone who loves impressionism. I was glad we had timed tickets as they were sold out, so please make sure you book well in advance or visit later in the evening. Musee D’Orsay is open until 9:45pm on Thursdays, which means the crowds are far less and you can look out of the windows and see the nighttime sparkle of Paris! During our visit, we also planned a daytrip to Versailles (also recommend booking tickets in advance) to tour the masterpiece of a palace. There’s nothing quite as breathtaking as viewing grandiose salons and ornate golden rooms, the fantastical Hall of Mirrors, or strolling within the formal, flowering gardens.”

With all the gorgeous art and architecture, charming shops and cafés, and vibrant, enchanting atmosphere, Paris is undeniably the perfect destination for your next girls’ trip. Immerse yourself in the city’s rich history and timeless beauty of France as you enjoy new adventures alongside old friends. 

Contact us at Rosedale Travel to get that European vacation in the books!