My 21st birthday trip to Paris was in development since my 20th birthday. I knew I would be abroad and had to pick the perfect European city to go to for my celebration, as turning 21 is a big day – my very first time drinking alcohol! (never mind the fact that it has already been legal for me to do this here in Europe…) I had asked my cousin, who was visiting me at the time, and her idea was Paris, where she said, “It would be super chic, and you could see the Eiffel Tower sparkle right on my birthday.” The idea sounded perfect to me, and it wasn’t long after we went shopping at the Bryant Park Christmas market, where I found a cute print of a woman in a long, black dress in front of the Paris Opera. I bought it without thinking, and later realized it was a sign – I knew I would be there for my birthday next year. This plan has indeed never deviated over the past year, as I am now drafting this in my notes app while in a hotel, a seven minute walk away from Palais Garnier on the last night of my birthday weekend. My birthday was for sure a perfect one, so I am going to share the 21 steps you can take to ensure you have a 21st birthday in Paris as amazing as mine:
1. Start your day bright and early in London to make the 7:30 am Eurostar train to Paris. Before you board, make sure to get snacks, including a lemon cheesecake cup, because it’s your birthday and you deserve cake for breakfast.
2. Listen to music and read your birthday Costar year prediction while on the train: “This year your task will be to cause some good trouble.”
3. Arrive in Paris at 11 am and take the train to your beautiful Airbnb in the 2nd ARR where you will be staying with four of your best friends. You will get to go right in, even though you technically were not supposed to check in until three. (Except maybe not RIGHT away because you can’t use an elevator and you must get through three Parisian doors, the last one being almost unopenable).
4. Get ready and change into a fun birthday outfit – a light pink sparkly midi skirt, black tank top, and black ballet flats.
5. Go get 21 macarons from Pierre Hermé, as it is a birthday tradition. The closest one is in a department store, where you must go up every floor, only to find out it is actually located on the basement level.
6. Walk back to the Airbnb and arrive right at 1:24 pm (7:24 am EST) when you will be officially 21 years old!
7. Open the door to your best friend Alisia snapping a photo to greet you, and just chill in the room together, eating your macarons until your other best friend Becky arrives.
8. Head out to a cute cafe together for a cappuccino because you cannot go on any further in your day without caffeine.
9. Go vintage shopping in the area, picking up a baguette to eat while you walk. Make sure to treat yourself to a birthday purchase – vintage Maje dress with polka dots, flowers, and cherries.
10. Head back to the room to help your other friend open the impossible door, stopping for a much-needed chocolate croissant on the way.
11. After relaxing in the room, start to get ready for dinner. Make sure to drink the champagne that your friend completely surprised you with, which did not open itself and spill on the floor…
12. After getting dressed in the perfect outfit (Starlite gown from Mirror Palais and vintage heels from London), make sure to take lots of photos – so many that you lose track of time and have to run after your Uber in heels shouting his name.
13. Take more photos in the car.
14. Arrive fashionably late and get seated at a table with a view of the Eiffel Tower.
15. Order ravioli and an espresso martini – then three more pornstar martinis – and then tiramisu for dessert, which will of course arrive in a gigantic bowl.
16. Leave dinner and go to a viewpoint spot of the Eiffel Tower and take a million more photos. Make sure to be there right as it sparkles.
17. Leave to go get more drinks and then head to the club: Carmen, of course, as you will get a free birthday drink (or double shot).
18. Go venture to another club, but do not go in as they will make you pay 30 euros each to enter.
19. Instead, have a drunk walk and take more photos.
20. Then spend the 30 euros you just saved on the most delicious 4:30 am margherita pizza and chicken pasta at the 24-hour restaurant the Uber driver suggested. Devour the entire thing between just you and your friend.
21. Head back to the Airbnb, miraculously get the door opened on the first try, and end your birthday night at 5 am (but of course, it is still your birthday week, and the fun will continue on the rest of the weekend in Paris!!)
Sunbleacht 
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