Built by architect Gustave Eiffel, the tower had an interesting beginning. Apparently, Eiffel had originally planned to construct his tower for the 1888 World’s Fair in Barcelona, Spain. To his dismay, Barcelona city officials thought the iron structure would be a monstrosity and rejected the architect’s proposal. Eiffel then proceeded to apply for the next World’s Fair in Paris in 1889, and the rest, as they say, is history.
The mere mention of Paris invokes images of the Eiffel Tower, the Arc de Triomphe, abundant sidewalk cafés, and some of the most famous pieces of architecture and art in the world. These images are so familiar that a Parisian holiday has become somewhat clichéd. However, as those who have traveled to the city will understand, you must not merely sightsee and take the requisite snapshots in Paris. In fact, you must immerse yourself into the city’s unique lifestyle and atmosphere. And if experiencing Paris means participating in all the clichés associated with the city, then so be it.
Without a doubt, Paris is one of those rare places where you can actually feel a buzz in the air. As you walk out the doors of your hotel for the first time, armed with your camera, guidebook, and map, you will sense the city’s distinct pulse and even if you do not have a sentimental bone in your body, you will not be able to resist a smile.
Begin your day with a typical French breakfast, which consists of a bun or a pastry like pain chocolat and a café au lait. You can choose to either order your meal at a sidewalk café or pay a visit to the nearest boulangerie or patisserie for a mouthwatering selection of freshly baked goods. For the inexperienced, a “boulangerie” sells various types of breads, buns, and rolls while a “patisserie” sells a wider selection of decadent fare like cakes and fancy pastries. As a side note, if you are not fluent in French, it is important to attempt to speak the language. While high school French leaves a lot to be desired, at least try to remember how to order in a restaurant as well as your “droite” from “gauche” which is your “right” from “left”. It shall only serve to enhance your travel experience.
Since it is one of the most famous landmarks in the world, the Eiffel Tower should be the first stop on your tour. Paris is a great “walking” city and you should definitely walk to your destinations whenever possible; however, for longer distances, it is highly recommended to take advantage of the excellent Paris subway system known as the Metro. There are a few convenient Metro stops quite close to the Eiffel Tower, but as a suggestion, try stepping off at Trocadero station, which is just a little further. The Trocadero is a small hill upon which stands the grand Palais de Chaillot that houses several museums. There is a wide plaza or esplanade, which offers one of the best views of the Eiffel Tower that you will ever see.
From there, you simply have to stroll across a small bridge over the River Seine to visit the tower.
After the Eiffel Tower, the Arc de Triomphe is probably the second most famous Parisian landmark. Built to honour French soldiers, the imposing arch has stood for over 150 years. Getting there can be a bit of an adventure, as the monument stands right in the middle of a busy multi-lane roundabout called the Place de l’Étoile, which radiates out into twelve different avenues. The easiest and probably safest means to get there is through a pedestrian underpass, although, it can be more entertaining to take a cab and ask the driver to drive from the outer lane of the roundabout gradually making his way to the innermost lane where you can be dropped off.
The roundabout is so chaotic with cars and trucks constantly jostling with each other trying to negotiate quick lane changes that if your cabdriver makes it to the Arc de Triomphe with ease and without a scratch on the car then it would certainly be an impressive feat. Once there, admire the arch and its sculptures from underneath before making your way to the top, where you will find great views of the city. The Arc de Triomphe and Place de l’Étoile sit at one end of the Champs Élysées, which is one of the most celebrated avenues in the world.
The Avenue des Champs Élysées is widely regarded as the most expensive address in Europe. Lined with theatres, trendy restaurants, and stylish shops, you will find many of the sought-after brands of the retail world. The avenue is a popular and happening destination that gets busier as the hours grow later. It can be well past midnight and the Champs Élysées will be alive with long restaurant and theatre line-ups as chic Parisians from various cultural backgrounds, wide-eyed tourists, groups of international students, and even families pushing strollers all converge on the tree-lined walkways of the strip.
Paris is renowned as a city that honors art and culture, which reflects its moniker – “the city of museums”. It would probably be a wise idea to, at the very least, dedicate an entire day for the most famed and most visited museum in the world, the Musée du Louvre. From its early days as a medieval fortress, the Louvre has undergone many expansions and transformations to become the palatial building that stands today. There are over 60,000 square metres of exhibition space that display 35,000 works of art including famous pieces such as the Mona Lisa, Venus de Milo, Hammurabi’s Code, and the Winged Victory of Samothrace.
The Musée D’Orsay is another prominent museum that is worth visiting since its collection contains artwork from many celebrated artists such as Monet, van Gogh, and Renoir to name a few. Other Parisian museums of note are the Musée de Cluny, known for its medieval exhibits; the Musée National d’Art Moderne, the modern art museum housed in the very bizarre-looking Pompidou Centre; and the Musée des Égoutes de Paris, also known as the Paris Sewer Museum. If you do plan on going to more than a few museums, you may want to purchase a Paris Pass Card, which allows admission to a number of museums and attractions. The pass may actually end up being less expensive than if you were to pay for tickets at each location.
As mentioned before, Paris is a city that is suited for walking. While commercial tour companies offer many types of walking tours, you may find it more leisurely and certainly more affordable to pick up a map, which depicts various walks, and follow the routes at your own pace.
Explore the historic areas of Paris such as the Latin Quarter where you will discover cobblestone streets lined with lively cafes and bistros. Built around the famous University of Paris or “the Sorbonne”, the neighbourhood’s name reflects the fact that Latin was the language of learning during the Middle Ages. Two very beautiful parks, the Jardin des Plantes and the Jardins du Luxembourg are also located here and have wonderful picnic spots. Pick up a baguette, a selection of cheese, fresh fruit, and some pastries from the many delightful shops along your route and choose a perfect spot to relax. If you are in the mood for ethnic fare, some of the best kebob places outside of the Middle East can be found scattered throughout the Latin Quarter.
Other interesting areas to visit on foot include the Ile de la Cité, a natural island in the middle of the River Seine where you will find the historic Notre Dame Cathedral and have the opportunity to walk across the 400-year old Pont Neuf, which is the oldest bridge in Paris. Walk along the river and hop aboard a river cruise boat for exceptional views of the city’s sights. Better yet, book a Seine dinner cruise for a truly memorable experience.
Montmartre is a vibrant and edgy neighbourhood where the beautiful Sacre Coeur Basilica sits on a hill that overlooks winding streets filled with street artists, eclectic shops, and the notorious Moulin Rouge cabaret. It is perhaps not as safe to walk around at night here, as pickpocket theft is common. However, it is quite different during daylight hours as the Sacre Coeur Basilica and the Moulin Rouge are busy tourist destinations.
While there is plenty to do within Paris, a day trip to the Palace of Versailles, which lies on the outskirts of the city, is necessary for any itinerary. The palace’s exhibits provide a fascinating glimpse into the opulent and decadent lifestyles of the French royalty and aristocracy before the French Revolution. Be sure to explore the adjacent Gardens of Versailles, noted for their spectacular water fountains, the Grand Canal waterway, and lovely hidden grottos.
With iconic landmarks, a distinctive atmosphere, and an ongoing commitment to celebrate art, architecture, culture, and history, Paris has long been a magnet for travelers. Receiving millions of tourists annually for many decades would turn most other cities into predictable and tired destinations. Leave it to Paris, however, for transforming the dangers of clichés and predictability into a sentimentalism that travelers continue to embrace.