So many songs, I know you can hum a few. Paris brings out many emotions, some so strong that songs have been written about this beautiful city. Here is a capsule version of my Paris and a glimpse of what can be your Paris as well!
Paris is very easy to navigate and is one of the World's best "walking cities." In fact, you will easily shed those extra pounds from all those fine meals just by your daily exploring! Should you tire, there is always a metro station no further than 10 minutes away from anywhere you may be.
This is home to three world-class museums, namely the Louvre, the Orsay and the Pompidou.
The Louvre can not be experienced in one day, with more than 30,000 works of art; you will just have to focus on what interests you the most. Some may not be aware that there is an underground shopping mall (the Carrousel du Louvre) just west of the pyramid that has decent eateries & sparkling boutiques. However, I like to head straight for the Tuileries Garden, across the Seine (which was once the royal garden of the Louvre palace) and enjoy a late lunch at one of the cafes scattered among these pretty gardens and ponds.
The Orsay is Europe's greatest collection of Impressionists works and a very enjoyable museum. The atmosphere can't be beat since it is housed in an old train station (gare) with a beautiful clock as an added bonus. I love the feel of this museum and while most visit to see the famous painting, Whistler's Mother, I visit for the Rodin sculptures.
If you like modern art, the wildly bizarre outside of the Pompidou will hint at the still wildly bizarre inside. The temporary exhibits on the first floor are ever changing and provide a glimpse into what is "hot" in modern art today and the gift shops visually impressive... Teens really like this museum for its crazy outdoor entertainers, happening cafes' and fun fountains next door.
Notre-Dame Cathedral, sitting in the middle of the Seine River, on Ile St. Louis, is a 700-year old cathedral that should never be missed when visiting Paris. Beautiful stained-glass rose windows that mesmerize in the sunlight, 200 foot tall bell towers, and a facade studded with ornate statuary, famous gargoyles (I have since hunted gargoyles throughout Europe after my first visit to Paris and wish I could put the same gutters on my house) and flying buttresses make this THE church of my dreams! Climbing to the top of the facade between the towers and then to the top of the south tower (400 steps in all) works off those calories and tests your stamina. I especially enjoy the coolness and quiet once inside.
Let's Go! Travel provides in-depth itineraries when planning your Paris visit. If on your honeymoon the focus will be the romance of Paris. If traveling with your family, the focus will be the many kid-friendly activities and sites all can enjoy. This city is truly amazing for the wealth of culture, history, sophistication, fun and unusual choices that can be made. It is extremely kid-friendly and teenagers especially will really appreciate Paris. This type of travel planning is our favorite and we are experts. Our services are wrapped up into one tidy bundle of Paris splendor; from our favorite hotels, to day by day personalized itinerary plans that include Metro & Bus guides, as well as where to find the best places to eat or picnic, shopping advice & more!
The Seine River, for 55 miles, splits the city in half and you will find yourself navigating by it, as well as crossing its many bridges (ponts) as you choose which of the 20 arrondissements you are headed for. You need to see this river by day and by night. A variety of boats offer one-hour cruises or hop on a Batobus (river bus) connecting the big eight stops along the river (Eiffel Tower, Champs-Elysees, Orsay, Louvre, Notre-Dame, St. Germain-des-Pres, Hotel de Ville and Jardin des Plantes). I like to visit one of the cities fun open air markets, gather up the supplies for a picnic and head for this river to enjoy along the banks.
Fun Stuff: If visiting Paris in the summer months, a fun place to stroll, play or people watch is Paris Plage (the beach). This faux beach, built along a two-mile stretch of the Seine on the Right Bank has appeared every summer since 2002. With potted palm trees, hammocks, lounge chairs and 2,000 tons of sand a colorful urban beach is created. You'll also find climbing walls, a swimming pool, trampolines, boules, a library, and beach volleyball, badminton & frisbee areas in the three zones (sandy, grassy & wood-tiled). Also, if visiting Paris in the winter months, snow play is found as well at the Hotel de Ville rink where you can ice skate or sled. There is a neat little Merry-Go-Round to delight, as well as unbelievable chocolate crepes for sale and roasted chestnuts in vendors carts!
Beautiful and glittering white in sunshine, Sainte-Chapelle can often be seen in many parts of Paris. The interior is 13th century Gothic, but it is enveloped in stained glass windows. Your jaws will drop and your eyes will pop at this spectacle when lit by the sun. In the sanctuary there are more than 1,100 Bible scenes. While Notre Dame took over 200 years to complete, one architect guided direction for only 5 years! There are buttresses, a lacy spire and painted the way it is, it is indeed spectacular.
Champ-Elysees and the Arc de Triomphe, a combination that is irresistible. You must not leave Paris until you have strolled the avenue des Champ-Elysees. Again, you must experience this grand avenue in the day and at night when it glitters so beautifully (Paris at night has many flood-lit areas, so many so that there are tours that showcase this experience), Paris chic shops, sweet cafes and glamorous showrooms entice for 3 miles. The largest perfumery I have ever been (Sephora) is located here, as is a French Disney Store and a very cool Mercedes Benz showroom. Start at the Arc de Triomphe and end at the Obelisk of Luxor - what a walk!
The Arc de Triomphe arch is 165 foot high, Roman in design and a tribute to Napoleon. Standing directly beneath its center on the faded eagle, you will be surrounded by lists of French victories throughout the 19th & 20th centuries. On the columns, you will see lists of generals (the lines underneath some names indicate they died in battle). Close and inspiring is the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier (WW1) and every day at 18:30 (6:30 PM) the flame is rekindled and new flowers set in place. You climb again (this time only 284 steps) by staircase to see the small museum two-thirds of the way up and finally are rewarded with a view of Paris, the City of Light. Like the spokes of a wheel (designed that way by Baron Haussmann) the streets are symmetrical & aesthetically pleasing. Watching the cars below defying the law of averages by avoiding collisions is always a highlight for me.
The Eiffel Tower, this is a given. The one site that identifies Paris like no other! First seen, I was amazed at how lacy & delicate it looked from afar, especially when 7,000 tons of metal compose it. By day, stroll through the lawn or picnic with the locals toward what appears to be a very close object. It seems to take forever to get up right to it and when you have it is scary in its size. You can ride the lift to the second level, get in line to catch the next lift tot he top. Enjoy the view, and then ride back down to the second level to enjoy the views from this platform. The first level has shops and exhibits to explore, maybe grab a snack or buy a real French beret?
Opera Garnier - Paris' first Opera House and newly restored. You will be struck by its grand marble staircase, but do wander the halls and check out the fine example of ornate decor. This fine old building straddles an underground lake (think Phantom of the Opera). True Opera buffs will enjoy the library/museum, the rest of us will simply take in the 2nd floors grand foyer and Salon Du Glacier. If you are lucky you may be able to attend a ballet or one of the occasional special concerts held through out the year. Operas, however, have been housed at the Place De la Bastille Opera House since the 1980s.
When leaving the Opera House you will be very close to Fragonard Perfume Museum which will explain how perfume is made. I suggest you pass this one up and instead enter the beautiful 19th century mansion on Rue Scribe that smells even sweeter!
And, speaking of smells, do stop and smell the roses (or whatever flowers are in bloom) at any of the flower stalls you may pass and buy a bouquet (one of the best values in Paris) to enjoy during your stay.
While we are still talking smells, unusual and fascinating as well is the sewer tour "Les Egouts de Paris." You can follow the flush underneath the streets of Paris. This sounds totally unappetizing and I have yet to do it, but those that have state that it is quite an engineering feat. Another somewhat unusual tour is the catacombs. These underground tunnels contain anonymous bones of six million permanent Parisians. Congestion on top was causing unsanitary conditions so it was decided to empty the cities cemeteries and move these locals in 1785. The bones are stacked into piles five feet high and as much as 80 feet deep behind neat walls of skull-studded tibiae. From the entry a spiral staircase leads 60 feet down and you then begin a one-mile subterranean walk. A flashlight is most helpful, as is being under 6'2" tall!
I have only just touched upon all the wonderful places to visit and things to do while in Paris. As a specialist in this area, you can feel confident that I will guide you along and match your interests & needs so that you can return from Paris feeling the way I do about this fantastic city. I have visited 3 times now and I can't want to return, because indeed - Paris Beckons!!!
If you would like more information about Paris, just call or email me. If you would like to see more content about Paris, let me know - I can write and talk about this fabulous city non-stop!
Author: Linda Schooley
