It was the spring of 2008 when the city of love – Paris beckoned me with its charms as I set out to plan a holiday for myself. Folks around were aghast that I would spend so much on airfare and not visit a few more countries in Europe. But I was stuck on visiting only Paris and planned 8 days in the city which at the end of the trip I felt had been too little. I photographed so many gorgeous places while in Paris, and clicked pictures of Paris’s France streets to soak it all in. So, presenting beautiful Postcard Pictures Paris for your inspiration.
Don’t miss my Paris 3-day Itinerary!
My funda of a trip to any place is to peruse it in every colour and aspect; not merely touch the highlighted tourist spots. So, my plan was to walk along the Seine River, laze in the many garden spots, sip coffee/house wine on the street side cafes and watch the Parisian cityscape while daydreaming. I treat my holidays as lazy days and not tasks that have a fixed agenda with a start-to-finish time.
Yes, folks do call me wasteful; but this is my ideal way to travel. I recommend others to embrace it and enjoy their trip; most come back exhausted from their vacations 😉
Related Read – Things to know before the first visit to Paris!
So let’s talk about Paris and its ways which entranced me in its web while I happily meandered its city walks and garden paths. I am not going to embroider its beauty in words or even list out all its touristy attractions; rather will let the pictures tell you about my tranquil holiday and my favourite spots in this city of love. If you’re planning your travel expedition check out this complete guide for 3 days in Paris.
Check out these some less touristy things to do in Paris, it’s always nice to find someplace without crowds. If you love festivals, then France is a country with a deep love for music. Plan your trip to overlap with these music festivals in France.
Postcard Pictures Paris
Love wrought in Ironwork
The first stop was definitely the Eiffel Tower and though I did spend some time climbing it; I would recommend others to not do so as it’s really not that grandiose up there. The view was also not remarkable from the top. I realized all this when I came down and noticed the green expanse of the landscaped gardens, dotted with fountains and colourful flora, especially great bunches of tulips and other winter blooms. In fact, carrying a picnic lunch and lazing on the greens is the ideal thing to do around the Eiffel Tower. Oh, don’t miss it at night when it’s lit, and the lights buzz on it for a minute or so – quite an epic sight! If you want to explore Paris post-sunset, there are so many things to do in Paris at night.
Suggested Read – Best hotel & restaurant with a view of the Eiffel Tower – Paris!
A Royal Chateau
I embarked on a day trip to the Palace of Versailles which was a short train ride away and is a must-visit for an art & history buff like me. I won’t bore you with architectural descriptions or historic narrations but will urge you not to miss out on this gorgeous Chateau set out on 7 hectares of landscaped greens with a musical fountain show. The interiors have gorgeous artwork with breathtaking architectural details while the exteriors are fabulously landscaped. And yes do take a picnic lunch as one can spend the whole day here in one of the most opulent castles in the world.
Interested in more day trips from Paris? Read more about Loire Valley here.
Sacre Couer
Sacre Couer means the sacred heart and is one of the most visited cathedrals in Paris. Somehow this Basilica reminded me of the Taj Mahal with its creamy white stone finish and architectural façade (Ok that’s just my hyperactive imagination).
Lots of steps to climb up and there was a pulley-tram thingy on one side but the line was way too long for my patience and so I climbed up; using the stops in between to click pictures.
Love clicking pictures from the top? See these Free accessible Vantage points across Europe!!
Jardin de Luxembourg
This was one of the best spots for me to roam around in Paris and I couldn’t get enough of it. Built on 25 acres, the Luxembourg Gardens are the perfect picnic spot for kids and adults alike. There is a mix of French and English garden styles with a huge forest thrown in the midst of it too.
Gorgeous sculptures abound in the park which has a stunning architectural building in the backdrop that had me clicking it from every angle. Broad walks lined with huge leafy trees that didn’t allow for the sun to filter through.
Horse rides, puppet shows, and many other activities for children; some of whom were also sailing mini boats in one of the large ponds while several adults sat around with canvases, painting away. In fact, I think it’s the national pastime of Paris – sketching/painting! 😉
Epilogue
I did enjoy my quiet times on the broad walk cafes while sipping some wine or coffee as the mood demanded and even chatted with some friendly folks at the next table. Most Parisian streets are buzzing with activity and one can see people singing, sketching, posing as statues or simply rollerblading. I think it’s a city that doesn’t stay still and every bit of it throbs with life and love.
Related Read – Places to visit in Paris in 3 days beyond Eiffel Tower!
Do you too have any postcard pictures from Paris? Do tell.
Also, make sure to follow along on my Instagram account for the latest updates and adventures.
Subscribe to TWC’s monthly newsletter – Promise, no spam! – and get your free download of my personally curated carry-on checklist!
My Favorite Posts –
Here are some of my best travel tips
How to Save Money for Travel even with Debt
How To Choose a Camping Site in a Forest
Tips for the First Trip to Paris
These are my favorite posts
Taj Mahal – The Mausoleum for the iconic love story
Follow me on Pinterest for more ideas and inspiration!
Like the postcard pictures from Paris? Save it for later…
Shalini is a guest writer for The Wandering Core. An interior designer by profession, writing is a passion which coupled with travel love blossomed into this blog where she loves to just “do my thing”! Be it recipes, food events, travel jaunts, fiction dreaming or even meditative musings; all of it’s taken up quite passionately on my blog. She’s a serious wine guzzler and love to chase butterflies in my free time. She writes at Shalzmojo and you can follow her on Instagram, Facebook or Twitter.
This post is written for the December bloghop #mymojo with Shalzmojo
Linking up for #wordsante with Namysaysso for every post deserves some love.
– Shivani
Connect with me on Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest, and Facebook
[…] way, it’s not easy to do so. The airport is huge, and I almost miss my connecting flight to Paris hanging out on the other side of the airport. So, I’m putting together numerous things to do […]
Beautiful photos.
[…] – See these Postcard Pictures from […]
[…] to visit the iconic city of light – Paris? As exciting as Paris trip can be, it can be overwhelming for first timers as well and probably […]
Mesmerising photos ! Paris has always been a favourite destination for wanderers.
[…] you do want to read more, then head over to Shibani’s blog where I have done a guest post on Paris for her […]
[…] Read my post on Shibani’s blog Postcards from Paris […]
I wholeheartedly endorse your view of visiting one city at a time rather than just making “guest appearances” at a hundred ! I was disappointed with Paris and honestly thought the Eiffel Tower a piece of junk. I understand now why the Parisian govt had once wanted to demolish it…..But I loved the Palace of Versailles and sadly couldn’t really enjoy the other sites you mentioned. So I will have to go to Paris yet again!
Ha ha Sunita- you certainly seem to have a very strong opinion about the Eiffel tower 😉 I hope the next itme you are able to savour all that this gorgeous city has to offer!
I hope so too. But honestly I avoid tourist spots because of the crowds and long queues
A dream destination for sure, Paris is beautiful and the images are so brilliant. I truly wish to visit it once in lifetime, checking out the less famous spots or trying locale is exhilarating.
Thanks Dipika- yeah its an exciting place to visit with loads of hidden things to find and explore 🙂
Paris remains a dream destination see when I can actually go there. But through your post had a virtual tour.
Hey thanks for saying that; happy to hear it 🙂
I love Paris and this post is truly an energy booster for me. Got to know about so many things about Paris.
Thanks Pooja- am glad the post reasonated with you!!!
[…] Shalzmojo on Wanderer […]
I love having the luxury of many days in one city. You get to know it so much better than if you’re just passing through. I would love to explore all of the gardens and parks in Paris! And I’d love to eat lots of French pastries 😀
Oh yes Janine thats just the way I like it too; you will love meandering this gorgeous city too. The vibe and buzz here is super infectious and makes you spend time on your own without any qualms!
I love your idea of travelling slow! Thats what I like to go for as well!
Thanks so much – its the best way to do it in my opinion! 🙂
Paris is always beautiful! I also loved Luxembourg Gardens and Shakespeare’s Book store. Thanks for sharing.
I learnt about the Bookstore once I came back; marked it for my next visit to Paris which I am hoping is pretty soon!! 🙂
I went to Paris quite a lot as a kid but haven’t been back as an adult. This post has definitely made me want to return! I love the fact you didn’t have a set agenda for your days. I usually love packing in loads and loads to my trips and do come home exhausted, but I sometimes long for a restful holiday! Maybe Paris is the place 🙂
Hey yes Paris should be the perfect wspot for that. Glad to hear you are also like me when it comes to tripping 🙂
This post once again stimulates me to plan a trip to Paris. I don’t know if you also visited Strasbourg, but I keep hearing such great things about it too!
No Lavanya I havent visited Strasbourg yet but yes Paris is a place I wanna do all over again with fresh eyes; so can understand when you want to visit it again! 🙂
I love Paris! I was there two times already, last time on the New Year’s Eve, dancing kizomba on a dance festival! Next time I will go in summer and visit this nice places!
Thanks Julia – you must and also visit the wine country to sample some wines at some of the world’s best vineyards too!!! I had visited Mumm’s and the expereince was thirlling!
Very well presented and photos compliments the blog. Great tips. Thanks for sharing keep it going.
Thank you so much for the praise; happy to hear positive feedback 🙂
I love Paris!! Really lucky to be living in London. I have visited Paris twice but can’t get enough of the city!
Oh Adi- lucky lucky you!! I hate you grrrrrrr 😉 I so want to visit again!!!!! fingers crossed!
Your post made me fall in love with the city Shalini…Paris is on my list now!
Oh Anagha you will love it too!!! 🙂
Wow! This is how you visit Paris in style. I would love to do the same, explore at my own pace and leisure and not be exhausted after a holiday, but it is usually difficult to do when you are with family and on a budget.
However, currently I have no desire to travel solo, if it does come up then I think I will take your route!
Yes Namy with a family there are too many choices to cater too – so budget also becomes a big constraint. I hope someday you do go on a solo trip if only just to enjoy the feeling of traveling on your own! Trust me its priceless!!!
Wow Shalini!!! you gave us a virtual tour of Paris!! It feels so good to read two posts describing Paris on the same day! Lovely read.
Ha ha Yeah P rasanna when Shibani sent me her guestpost, it reminded me of my travel to Paris which I bever got around to write down before this!! Glad you enjoyed it 🙂
Thanks for a virtual tour of this beautiful city. As Paris is on our travel wish list, your post has given some wonderful insights and information. Will bookmark this post! Thanks for sharing, Shalini!
Thanks Shilpa- really loved to hear that and I hope you get to go there soonest!!
P.S: Hid eme in your suitcase and take me too pleaseeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee. 😉
I am not into arts and architecture so Paris held little for me except the Eiffel Tower. To be honest I felt it was overrated. I rather enjoyed and am enjoying my time in Switzerland where I love exploring the mountains, lakes and local markets. It was nice reading about your adventures in Paris
Awww Aks that sad to hear; I loved the buzz in the city and the coexistence of nature with the urban life; loved their bus tours to view the entire city in every direction and Luxembourg gardens were just heavenly!!! I also loved the wine tours I did there!! I look forward to reading your Swiss tales 🙂
I too love slow travel and totally agree with not hurrying with an agenda to cover too many places. Thanks for sharing. Visit to the Palace of Versailles must have been a royal affair. 🙂
Ohyes Dipanwita – Versailles was just stunning for me and I couldnt get over it till ages; trawling through my archives for this post made me so so nostalgic for this trip once more!!! 🙂
Ah! Another beautiful post about one of my dream destination PARIS! I agree with shalini when she says “to peruse a city in its every color and aspect; not merely touch the highlighted touristic spots” …. That’s what I do when i travel. I usually ditch vehicles for transport and love to walk around and explore the place in its true color!
Ha ha Keerthi; reading your past few posts on your travels with your sister were equally liberating and full of independance. I am so glad my post found resonance with you! 🙂
😀