If you only had a day to see the City of Lights, where would you begin?

Well, we had A Week in Paris, but given the excited traveller that I am, I wanted to squeeze as many sights in a day as we can. For one particular day during our honeymoon here, we allotted it for the 2 main sights of Paris — Louvre in the morning and Eiffel at night. This for me is a perfect combination that would show you in just one day the very heart and culture of the city.

Walking to Pont des Arts along the River Seine towards the Louvre early in the morning when the air is mist and crisp and foggy is just dreamy. We went during October and the cold season gives a different feel to everything. I’ve always been a morning person and I love seeing new places early in the morning when it’s still peaceful and serene, and you feel like you’re discovering a place on your own when everybody else is still at home sleeping. This is my favorite time to explore and sightsee.

So when we got to Pont des Arts, I just had to stop, enjoy the view and fresh air and take lots and lots of pictures. I wanted to capture its beauty but my photos don’t do justice to it. This bridge with the view of the Louvre and Seine River is my favorite spot in this city along with Jardin du Luxembourg which we explored the day before. It gives you the best glimpse of Paris — the beautiful classic architecture (of the Louvre and the Institut de France), the picturesque scenery of the Seine River, the lampposts, the bridge, the trees and everything else. It’s like a scene out of a book or an old movie. I love how everything in Paris has an old world feel! ❤

Love Lock Bridge at Pont Des Arts, with the view of the Louvre ❤

Inside the Louvre we took the headset tours with a Nintendo DS that would virtually show you where you are and the whole floor plan of the Louvre. It’s just massive. You simply cannot tour it in a day. There are different floors and different wings and it’s so easy to get lost so having this device is helpful. Just getting inside it and seeing how everything is bursting with people almost made me want to go back outside and enjoy the pretty pretty view haha! I’m one of those people who are not so fond of museums and would rather explore outdoors and take photos of the beautiful scenery. But Ken really enjoys museums and hey, it’s Paris. We definitely have to see the Louvre and meet Mona Lisa. And so we did and we saw a lot more too. But what attracted me more than the paintings and the art were really the architecture and the design of the whole place. I just really love vintage building and classic designs indoor and outdoor.

As much as we wanted to explore more inside, our feet wouldn’t let us. We had to take a break outside and I was dying to see the Jardin des Tuileries. Yes, me and my thing with gardens! 🙂 The end of the Louvre will lead you to this and it’s such a treat after being inside where there’s a big crowd of people. This garden is just so pretty too! With the view of Eiffel from a far and with a backdrop of the beautiful beige and gray vintage buildings. It’s just oh so lovely!

Louvre’s Jardin de Tuileries

A glimpse of Eiffel at Jardin des Tuileries.

Really love the look of Paris’ buildings.

By Musée d’ Orsay

Seine River by Musée d’ Orsay

A kiss at Tuileries

Musée d’ Orsay, an old train station turned into a museum.

Across the Louvre is Musee d’ Orsay, another must-see museum in Paris. It’s a shame we weren’t able to visit it anymore. It’s an old train station turned into a museum. I really wanted to see its beautiful architecture and design inside since I already loved its very classy and old world facade. We took photos outside instead and vowed to come back for this.

After a very late lunch since we spent most of our day in the Louvre, we decided to spend the rest of the afternoon until evening at the Eiffel. We wanted to see it when it’s still daytime then dusk when it starts sparkling for the evening. We wanted to catch it when it starts getting lit up.

It was freezing during the afternoon and even more so at night. The moment we had a great full view of the Eiffel Tower, we started taking photos. Wanted to get as many shots with it as the closer you get to it, the harder it is to take photos. Seeing the Eiffel anytime of the day is just romantic. I particularly liked seeing it during the day when the clouds give it a different dreamy effect. At night when it sparkles it’s just something else! If it wasn’t too freezing during the time we were there which is Autumn, it would be really nice to just sit and hang out by it the whole night.

Bundled up during our first date at the Eiffel Tower.

Je t’aime Paris!

Now at the foot of Eiffel.

Here’s a short video of the Eiffel Tower starting to sparkle during dusk.

Lighted Eiffel Tower ❤

Mi amore ❤

The foot of Eiffel up close.

The view of Eiffel up from Trocadero.

Eiffel in Love! ❤

Eiffel at Night is love! ❤

This day was just perfect. Yes it was tiring, it was freezing but everything was just lovely. I wish we can go back to this day. I love writing about our travels no matter how delayed it is, as I only write whenever I can find time. But it helps especially on those days when life doesn’t go as planned and you need to go back to your happy place. So I just go back to days such as this through my blog.

Someday soon we’ll go back to Paris during summer. I’d love to experience this beautiful city in full bloom and in full color where we can enjoy the gardens and the views without having to fight the cold. Until then, Paris. Thank you. You were lovely and memorable and every bit so pretty! ❤