Everybody knows England and France are practically next door neighbours. So when my mum suggested the idea of driving to Paris by using the Euro tunnel (a train which takes 30 minutes to reach Calais), my family and I were up for it, as it wasn’t going to be a long drive from London.

The Eiffel Tower

Driving to France, we saw a lot of beautiful scenery - fields, cottages, cows, and horses; it was a very nice view. When we got to Paris, of course we wanted to go and see the Eiffel Tower. Before we reached the Eiffel Tower, we took the scenic route and walked around on The Avenue des Champs-Elysées - seeing a lot of designer stores and historical French land marks like Champ de Mars. Finally we reached the iconic monument.

If you’re in Paris, definitely do some sightseeing! Roam around the Avenue des Champs-Elysées as there are plenty of things to do, such as shopping or eating at a restaurant.  Go sightseeing and see historical French buildings like the Arc de Triomphe and the Eiffel Tower. You cannot leave without going shopping in one of the fashion capitals.  My family and I went into Ralph Lauren, Gucci, Prada, and H&M stores - but the Haagen-Dazs Ice cream Parlour is what caught our eye. Experience the best of French cuisine: French bread from its origin, chocolateries, fresh markets, and small, cosy bistros. Park your car somewhere safe, and explore the different arrondissements via metro, bike rental (Velib), or even Batobus. 

Ask each family member what they MUST see. Then schedule your days around seeing those things – it might be museums, stores, parks, gardens, or the restaurant that your neighbour loved so much. Plan your activities together, make sure everyone is happy, and explore the best that Paris has to offer!

Road trips are exciting and adventurous; they bring your family closer and create a lot of memories. We had a great time and I don’t think my auntie will ever forget that birthday she had in France. So go on a road trip to Paris with your family, and experience this great adventure!

Nadia Adusei-Boateng is a member of the Youth Travel Blogging Mentorship Program.

Photo courtesy and copyright Nadia Adusei-Boateng