Visiting the amazing city of Paris can feel overwhelming at first. With so many famous landmarks and rich history, it’s difficult to know where to begin. That’s why doing a TOOTbus Tour was the perfect way to explore the city. Riding through the streets on a double-decker open-air bus allowed me to observe scenic sights and gain a greater understanding of where everything is located. Another great aspect of our day was also indulging in a typical three-course French meal. It was wonderful to taste the authentic food of the city. Taking a hop-on, hop-off bus tour and enjoying the typical Paris cuisine was such a great way to start in an unfamiliar place.

Getting Started

We started our bus tour boarding the TOOTbus at the Seine River. The weather was perfect, with sunny-cloudy skies. Upon entering the bus, we received a map and headphones that gave audio commentary on the scenery with occasional music. It was a great way to relax, take in the sights, and people-watch some of the best-dressed in the world. There are multiple different types of bus tours; we did the Paris day-time tour.

Iconic Landmarks & Breathtaking Views

One of the best parts of the TOOTbus tour is that it covers all the major attractions, giving you the chance to hop off and explore at your own pace. There are 10 different stops that the buses circle all day throughout the city if you decide to choose the Paris day-time tour like we did:

• Stop 1: Printemps / Galeries Lafayette: The two iconic Grands Magasins department stores, Printemps and Galeries Lafayette, are located here, making it a prime stop for shopping. This stop is also a short walk from the Opéra Garnier. You will come to notice that shopping is a popular thing to do in Paris.
• Stop 2: Opéra Garnier: The Palais Garnier (Paris’s historic opera house) is the centerpiece at this stop. You’ll also find cafés, shops, and the elegant Place Vendôme nearby.
• Stop 3: Musée du Louvre: The iconic Louvre Museum with its famous glass pyramid is a great place to enjoy art, and just next to the Louvre is the Tuileries Garden, a historic park perfect for a stroll.
• Stop 4: Notre-Dame / Quartier Latin: Notre-Dame Cathedral on the Île de la Cité is the highlight here (as it currently undergoes restoration). Across the river on the Left Bank is the Latin Quarter, known for landmarks like Sainte-Chapelle and the vibrant Saint-Michel area of cafes, bookstores (e.g. Shakespeare & Company), and the Sorbonne University.
• Stop 5: Musée d’Orsay: The Musée d’Orsay itself is the main attraction at this stop, a museum of Impressionist art that was once a railway station, located on the Left Bank of the Seine. From here, you also get a scenic view across the river toward the Louvre.
• Stop 6: Concorde / Tuileries: Place de la Concorde, Paris’s grand plaza famed for the Luxor Obelisk, is at this stop.
• Stop 7: Champs-Élysées (George V): The Champs-Élysées itself is Paris’s most celebrated avenue, lined with expensive designer stores like Dior and Louis Vuitton. You will see the most well-dressed people in the world here, so be sure to wear something cute.
• Stop 8: Trocadéro: The Trocadéro Plaza and its gardens offer one of the best panoramic views of the Eiffel Tower.
• Stop 9: Tour Eiffel: The Eiffel Tower is right at this stop, towering over the adjacent Champ de Mars park. The bus stops perfectly in front to get a bunch of photos. This is the ideal hop-off point to visit the Tower or enjoy a stroll on the Champ de Mars lawns.
• Stop 10: Pont Alexandre III / Invalides: The Pont Alexandre III is Paris’s most elegant bridge, adorned with golden statues and offering stunning views of the Eiffel Tower and Grand Palais.

Why the TOOTbus?

Taking a TOOTbus tour is an easy and efficient way to explore Paris, especially if it’s your first time here. The ability to hop on and off at different locations makes it convenient to visit the places that interest you the most and gives you a feel for the unfamiliar areas.

To get tickets, you can visit the official TOOTbus Website: https://www.tootbus.com/en/paris/home

Devouring a Typical French Cuisine Meal

Another one of the highlights in Paris this day was the chance to enjoy an authentic French lunch at the restaurant L’Oie qui Fume in the heart of Quartier Latin. The meal was amazing for not only our eyes but also our taste buds, offering an introduction to traditional French cuisine.

We learned that in France, it is very typical to have a long lunch break from over an hour to two hours (very unlike our 15-minute break in the States unfortunately). The break usually involves a traditional 3 course meal involving appetizer, dinner, and then, of course, dessert.

We had the option to choose from three appetizers, which included hot goat cheese salad with honey, onion soup with cheese and crusty bread, and country pâté. I chose the classic French onion soup, which was outstanding. There was a soaked baguette indulged in the onion broth with parmesan cheese on top. This is a very typical appetizer that is very popular, definitely worth a try.

For the entree, we got to decide between the preserved duck leg, grilled steak with pepper sauce and homemade fries, and braised pork filet with mashed potatoes and a creamy mushroom sauce. I chose the grilled steak; it was cooked medium rare and the flavors tasted so perfect.

Lastly, for dessert, we had the choices of homemade tiramisu, crème brûlée, and chocolate mousse. Although all three of these decisions sounded tasty, I couldn’t resist the crème brûlée, one of my favorite desserts. It is a classic French dessert made of creamy vanilla custard topped with a layer of caramelized sugar. The sugar is torched or broiled to create a crisp, golden crust, contrasting with the smooth custard underneath. It’s known for its delightful texture combination. Whenever I see this on a menu at a restaurant, I always choose it, so it was nice having an authentic version of it, which, of course, tasted outstanding.

Final Thoughts

Overall, the TOOTbus tour was a fantastic way to see Paris. Whether you’re short on time, looking for a relaxing sightseeing experience, or just want to take in the beauty of the city without exhausting yourself, I highly recommend giving it a try. There’s something so special about sitting on the top of a double-decker bus, feeling the Parisian breeze, and being able to take in the iconic scenes. And, of course, no trip to Paris is complete without indulging in the local cuisine. From the comforting French onion soup, followed by a perfectly grilled steak with pepper sauce, and finishing off with a delicious crème brûlée, every bite was an authentic taste of French culinary tradition. It truly adds enjoyment to the Parisian experience.