This past weekend, I traveled to Paris with my sisters. As an American student exploring Europe, I wasn’t sure how much we could fit into just two days but somehow we managed to see so much of the city without ever feeling rushed. A big part of that was thanks to where we stayed, St. Christopher's Inn Paris - Gare du Nord turned out to be one of our best decisions. It was affordable, perfectly located, and gave us a safe comfortable place to come back to each night. For a quick trip like ours, that kind of setup made all the difference.
Friday Night: Late Arrival, Easy Start
We got to Paris pretty late Friday night after a long day of travel. None of us were in the mood to figure out a complicated metro route or take a cab across the city. Thankfully, our hostel was just a short walk from Gare du Nord station. The walk was simple, and even though it was already dark, we felt safe the whole way. We checked in, got settled, and went straight to bed. It was such a calm way to start the trip, especially when we were all running on low energy.
Saturday: The Louvre, River Cruise, Pink Mamma, and the Eiffel Tower
We started Saturday with breakfast at the hostel. It was nothing over the top, but it was exactly what we needed to fuel up for a busy day ahead. Having food available right downstairs saved us time and let us start our morning without having to search for a café.
After that, we headed straight to The Louvre . We knew we couldn’t see everything, but wanted to get a feel for the place. Walking through some of the main galleries and catching a glimpse of the Mona Lisa definitely made it worth the visit. Even if museums aren’t usually your thing, the stunning architecture alone makes it worth experiencing at least once. What’s exciting right now is that, for the first time ever, the Louvre is featuring a special fashion exhibition running from January to August 2025. It combines classic art with amazing pieces from top couturiers and emerging designers, showing why Paris is such a major hub for fashion. The photo above shows one of the pieces.
Later, we took a Seine river cruise , and it ended up being one of my favorite parts of the trip. It felt so good to sit and relax after walking around all morning. Seeing the city from the water gave us a totally different perspective, and the late afternoon light made everything feel peaceful and beautiful.
For lunch, we went to Pink Mamma, which had been on our list for weeks. The food was amazing, the space was gorgeous, and it felt like such a fun spot to take a break. Be sure to book a reservation on their website , as it gets busy and fills up fast. We took our time and didn’t feel rushed, which made the experience even better.
That evening, we went to the Eiffel Tower and timed it to catch the sparkle. Even though it is something everyone does, it really is worth it. We found a spot nearby and just sat for a while, taking it all in. The whole moment felt surprisingly calm and kind of magical, even with a crowd around us.
Sunday: Montmartre, Sacré Coeur, Notre Dame, and the Arc de Triomphe
Sunday morning, we started off in Montmartre, which had a totally different feel than the rest of the city. It was quieter, more artsy, and had this laid back charm that made it easy to slow down. We wandered through little shops, strolled along the winding streets, and took in the view of Sacré Coeur from below. Even without climbing up, it was beautiful.
From there, we headed toward the Notre Dame Cathedral. We didn’t go inside, but it was still worth seeing from the outside. It is such a massive part of Paris’s history, and standing in front of it reminded us how much the city has seen and survived. It added a slightly more reflective moment to the weekend.
We wrapped up our sightseeing at the Arc de Triomphe. We did not go to the top, but standing underneath and watching the chaos of cars and people swirl around it was something else. It is one of those landmarks that truly feels larger than life when you see it in person.
That night, we had dinner close to the hostel and went for one last walk around the area. Being so close to the train station meant we never had to worry about how to get back, no matter how late it was. That little bit of ease made every day flow better.
Why Staying at St Christopher’s Inn Paris - Gare du Nord Was Such a Good Move
St Christopher’s Inn Paris - Gare du Nord made everything easier. It was clean, comfortable, and most importantly, in the perfect spot. We could walk to the train station, reach different parts of the city quickly, and still felt safe walking home at night.
Since we did not spend a huge amount on where we stayed, we had more freedom with the rest of our trip. We got to try new restaurants, hop on a boat cruise, and pick up souvenirs without constantly checking our budget. It felt like we could actually enjoy the weekend without sacrificing anything.
Breakfast at the hostel also helped us save money and time without having to hunt down a place to eat first thing in the morning. It gave us a moment to sit, wake up, and plan our day before heading out.
The Takeaway
Looking back, I am honestly impressed with how much we were able to fit into such a short trip. Paris is a big city with so much to see, but we never felt rushed or overwhelmed. I think that came down to smart planning, keeping things flexible, and staying somewhere that made everything feel easier.
We watched the Eiffel Tower sparkle, explored Montmartre, admired Notre Dame, visited the Louvre, cruised down the Seine, and shared some amazing meals along the way. We even had time to slow down and enjoy the quiet moments in between. It felt full, but never chaotic.
If you are planning a short trip to Paris and want to make the most of your time, I would definitely recommend staying at St Christopher's Inn Paris Gare du Nord. It gave us flexibility, helped us save money, and made the whole trip feel easy, memorable, and fun from beginning to end.