First, I want to say Sorry to everyone. Originally, today we were going to promote Guizhou. After compiling and editing, we felt there was still room for optimization and improvement in the itinerary, so we decided to postpone the Guizhou feature. We advocate that what we promote should be based on firsthand experience, so we decide whether to continue recommending after personally investigating.
In about ten days, the Paris Olympics will begin. With the halo of the Olympics, Paris is sure to become even more popular. Therefore, I suggest everyone stock up on travel products related to Paris; you can also start preparing some travel guides for Paris.
Today’s feature is about Paris. It’s a guide, it includes products, and it’s also a methodology for how to plan a trip to a foreign destination. We hope that every article we write is useful.
Let me first explain how I would plan a trip to an unfamiliar destination abroad. I mainly look at three things:
1) **Big Bus**
When going to an unfamiliar city, you must remember to check the official website of Big Bus first. Let me put it this way: the stops where Big Bus stops are basically the places you should visit and enjoy in that city. Even when choosing a hotel, the main transfer stations of Big Bus are usually conveniently located in the city center.
2) **Go City Pass**
Go City can be simply understood as a “packaged ticket bundle for city attractions.” It’s not necessary to buy the Go City pass, but by checking the Go City website, I can essentially know what attractions, activities, and even food there are in an unfamiliar city.
3) **Museum Pass (if available)**
In cities like Paris, there are indeed many museums and art galleries. Check the website of the museum pass; those with higher rankings are worth visiting.
Today’s article is about the Go City pass for Paris.
Let me first share the products:
Go City Paris All-Inclusive Pass: 2-day pass for 1335 yuan; 3-day pass for 1612 yuan; 4-day pass for 1888 yuan;
Go City Paris 50+ Attraction Flex Pass: 3 attractions for 743 yuan, 4 attractions for 940 yuan, 5 attractions for 1138 yuan, 6 attractions for 1296 yuan. A 5% discount will be applied to the prices above today.
Please note that the pass is valid for a full two years, and a full refund can be issued if the purchase is not reserved or used within 89 days. After 89 days, refunds will not be possible. The all-inclusive pass must be used consecutively. After the first attraction is activated, the remaining attractions must be redeemed within a 60-day validity period. Attractions may change within these two years, and the attractions included in the pass are applicable as per the travel date. Thus, please consider your orders carefully.
The Go City pass is straightforward to understand. The all-inclusive pass allows you to visit any of the attractions, activities, or even dining options included in the pass within a specified time. Some require reservations, and the pass will have a price cap (mainly to prevent abuse, but it’s generally not exceeded). The all-inclusive pass also includes museum tickets in Paris, allowing you to visit museums. The flex pass lets you choose specific attractions or activities to participate in. For example, a 3-attraction flex pass allows you to visit any three attractions, while a 4-attraction flex pass allows any four.
The all-inclusive pass tends to suit more of a “heroic” itinerary since it’s free within a certain time frame, and the more attractions you visit, the more you benefit. The pass generally offers a great value; the flex pass is relatively easier-going and can help you save money, but it won’t be as significantly economical as the all-inclusive pass.
Based on the Go City pass, here’s a suggested 3-4 day itinerary for Paris:
Day 1: Enjoy a French breakfast at Louis Café (19 euros) – Visit Versailles Palace (21 euros) – Arc de Triomphe (16 euros) – Seine River Cruise (18 euros) – Eiffel Tower (39 euros)
**Louis Café**
Before embarking on an exploration of Paris, you need to calm your stomach first. This is the beauty of the Go City pass: it helps you manage tickets for attractions, city walks, transportation, and can also take care of some meals. Especially in a city like Paris, Go City has a substantial offering of food options. At Louis Café, you can enjoy croissants, fresh orange juice, French baguettes, coffee, and fresh fruits—it’s a very authentic French breakfast.
**Versailles Palace**
Regarded as the most beautiful palace in Europe, Versailles is a world heritage site. I recommend booking the first slot at around 9 AM and going in right away; this will help avoid crowds.
Versailles Palace is like the Forbidden City of France, home to the French royal family from Louis XIV to Louis XVI. I’ve been to a fair amount of palaces in Europe, but Versailles is undoubtedly the most extravagant, showcasing Baroque style. I recommend renting an audio guide, which is available in Chinese, so you won’t miss key information.
**Arc de Triomphe**
From the Arc de Triomphe, 12 main avenues radiate outward, connecting major streets in Paris. These are indeed main streets, including the famous Champs-Élysées. You can also go up to the top of the Arc de Triomphe, and the ticket includes summit access.
The Seine River cruise is recommended in the evening, allowing you to enjoy a sunset over the Seine. This stretch of the Seine River is truly picturesque.
In the evening, naturally, you should head to the Eiffel Tower. The Eiffel Tower, a symbol of both Paris and France, stands at 330 meters tall and was built in the late 19th century. Viewing the Eiffel Tower at night is more romantic; it sparkles with lights for about five minutes every hour after 8 PM.
**Day 2:** Paris Hot Air Balloon Experience (20 euros) – Louvre Museum (23 euros) – Royal Wine Cellar Tasting Experience at the Louvre (36 euros) or Notre-Dame and Archaeological Crypt Tour (36 euros) (choose one) – Sainte-Chapelle (11.5 euros) – Enjoy a classic French melted cheese sandwich by the Seine (30 euros)
I recommend taking the hot air balloon ride in the morning for a bird’s-eye view of Paris, a worthwhile experience. I bet many haven’t ridden a hot air balloon over Paris before—this is definitely a rare experience.
The Louvre is a must-visit, the premier museum in the world. It houses masterpieces like the Mona Lisa, the Code of Hammurabi, and the Venus de Milo, among others. Additionally, you can see the Winged Victory of Samothrace, Delacroix’s “Liberty Leading the People,” and more. It’s suggested to go when it opens to avoid crowds as much as possible.
Plan for at least four hours at the Louvre; I suggest six or more.
The royal wine cellar tasting experience at the Louvre or the Notre-Dame and Archaeological Crypt Tour are suggested as a choice; otherwise, the day might feel a bit rushed. The wine tasting experience takes place in the royal cellar at the Louvre, where a guided tour will take you through the iconic wine cellar, detailing wine knowledge, followed by a tasting session. Partaking in this activity will leave you with plenty of new knowledge about French wine.
The Notre-Dame and Archaeological Crypt Tour includes a one-hour outdoor exploration of Notre-Dame’s famous exterior and its iconic towers, as well as the legendary gargoyles that survived the fire. The tour then proceeds to explore the Archaeological Crypt on Île de la Cité. This activity is quite popular, but unfortunately available only in English.
You must definitely visit Sainte-Chapelle. It’s a beautiful Gothic chapel in the center of Paris, known for its stunning stained glass—boasting 1,113 colorful windows that are dazzling to behold. Unexaggeratedly, this is the most beautiful stained glass chapel I have ever seen (and that’s not an exaggeration).
Dinner can be enjoyed along the Seine with a classic French melted cheese sandwich.
**Day 3:** Breakfast with macarons in Montmartre (18 euros) – Montmartre Basilica Walking Tour (36 euros) – Montmartre Champagne Tasting Tour (21 euros) – Galeries Lafayette Fashion Show (20 euros) or Fragonard Perfume Workshop (29 euros) (choose one) – Orsay Museum (16 euros)
You can get four macarons and a hot drink of your choice at the traditional Parisian bistro, Moulin de la Galette. In Paris, sweet foods start from breakfast!
The Montmartre Basilica Walking Tour takes you through the Montmartre district, the only elevated area within Paris. You can see the basilica from nearly every corner of the city.
Here, you’ll find the sacred Basilica of Sacré-Cœur, the artist’s commune of Place du Tertre, the lively Moulin Rouge, and the famous “I Love You” wall with its 311 languages. It’s charming yet can be “dangerous,” so having a guide for the walking tour is definitely a good idea.
This tour will certainly take you to the Basilica of Sacré-Cœur and the “I Love You” wall.
The Montmartre Champagne Tasting Tour offers a chance to taste a glass of Champagne accompanied by selected mignardises (small French pastries) at Place du Tertre, known for its artists and painters. I particularly enjoy this square for its chill atmosphere.
The Galeries Lafayette Fashion Show or Fragonard Perfume Workshop is recommended as a choice, or you may select other options. Watching an exclusive 30-minute fashion show at Galeries Lafayette gives insight into the latest Parisian fashion trends.
The Fragonard Perfume Workshop lets you create your own unique scent. Paris is the perfume capital of the world, making it a magical experience.
Finally, visit the Orsay Museum. It’s a national museum located on the left bank of the Seine, known as the “Impressionist” sanctuary. Major works include Van Gogh’s “Starry Night,” his self-portrait, Monet’s “Water Lilies,” and Gauguin’s “Women of Tahiti.”
The clock scene on the fifth floor of the Orsay Museum is exceptionally photogenic, offering a view of the Seine, the Louvre across the river, and the Basilica of Sacré-Cœur high above in Montmartre.
**Day 4 (if time permits):**
It’s recommended to revisit as many museums as you can: the Orangerie Museum, the Dali Museum, the Pompidou Center, the Picasso Museum, the Rodin Museum, the Music Museum, the Museum of Decorative Arts… pick a few to explore.
Alternatively, participate in two City Walk itineraries: “Emily in Paris,” Hidden Gems of the Marais, St-Germain-des-Prés Walking Tour, Latin Quarter Walking Tour, Seine River Bridge Stroll, Père Lachaise Scandals and Love Walking Tour, Montparnasse Walking Tour, or Parisian Women Walking Tour… join one in the morning and another in the afternoon. All of these are included in the pass.
Transportation can be handled through Big Bus (45 euros, the Go City pass includes a one-day Big Bus ticket). Below is the Big Bus map, essentially covering all the core attractions in Paris, allowing you to hop on and off with Chinese explanations available, and the second level is open air.
Following this itinerary, the total cost over three days will be approximately 389.5 euros, which is about 3060 yuan. However, the 3-day Go City pass is only 1839 yuan, and with the discount today, you’ll really save a lot of money. But, of course, touring Paris this way is quite intense.
For a two-day Paris tour, here’s an alternative itinerary:
**Day 1:** Paris Hot Air Balloon Experience – Paris 30+ Attraction Tour (walking and subway) – Seine River Cruise – Enjoy a classic French melted cheese sandwich by the Seine.
The main difference is the arrangement of the Paris 30+ Attraction Tour (walking and subway), which will take around 5.5 hours to cover the Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe, Champs-Élysées, Notre-Dame, City Hall, Louvre Museum, Latin Quarter, Saint-Michel Fountain, Obelisk, the Conciergerie, Île de la Cité, BHV Marais, Wallace Fountain, Moulin Rouge, Sacré-Cœur, Montmartre, and Abbey Street.
**Day 2:** Versailles Palace – Louvre Museum – Sainte-Chapelle
These three places are worth a thorough visit.
Here’s a list of attractions, activities, parks, transportation, and dining that can be swapped with the Paris Go City pass:
Take a look; it’s very extensive, right?
If the all-inclusive pass seems too much for a “special forces” itinerary, you can opt for the Flex Pass. The logic of the Flex Pass is very simple; for example, the 3-attraction Flex Pass is 891 yuan, so as long as the combined price of the three selected attractions exceeds 891 yuan, it is a bargain. The same logic applies to the 4-attraction pass for 1128 yuan.
Let me post the list for the Flex Pass again. The logic is straightforward; for example, if you choose Parc Astérix, the premium Louvre experience, and the Paris 30+ Attraction Tour, their combined price is 59+49+55=163 euros, approximately 1271 yuan. Since it exceeds the Flex Pass price of 891 yuan, it’s a savings.
Here are some points to note about the Go City pass:
1) It is not refund unless booked. The pass is valid for two full years, and a full refund can be issued if not reserved or used within 89 days. After 89 days, no refunds will be granted. This point is essential to pay attention to.
2) The pass has a cap on the total value; for example, the adult cap for a 3-day all-inclusive pass is 410 euros, and 400 euros for children. This is primarily to prevent exploitative behavior. Despite having promoted Go City numerous times, only one person has reached the cap.
3) Some attractions require reservations in advance (usually for certain City Walks, experiential activities, and hot attractions), but it’s not difficult to make reservations. Of course, this excludes the Olympic period, as there will be too many tourists.
4) Some selected attractions by Go City might change, being added or removed. This mainly happens due to the long validity period.
