Ah, Paris! Terri, you picked one that I can talk about. We've all heard of it. I've been there. It's been a long time, but Paris is an ancient city, and lots of things never change there. They have been doing things right for centuries, so why try to improve on perfection? It is the city of lights, ground zero for art and food, beautiful beyond that of many other cities around the world. There are many things that you can only see here. It's a one of a kind atmosphere.
What is Paris like? What is there that you should do? It's diverse, and I will cover it the best that I can. Let's start with the view. Paris is a town built for art. You will find artists painting on the banks of the river, in the older parts of town and on the bridges three seasons out of the year. You will also find musicians and performers all over town. I once saw a mime performing on the top of a post outside the opera house. You just never know what to expect when in Paris.
Before I really get started, let me tell the cautionary tale and get that out of the way. Parisians can be a bit stand offish. They find Americans a bit tedious, and they tend to be offended by people who don't try to speak the language at all. That being said, if you stay out of thick traffic, try to at least say bonjour, and are polite, they will warm up to you. Also, do not try to walk across the Champs de Elysee. The locals find that incredibly rude. There are passageways and walkways and crossings. Be quiet when in a church or cathedral. They are sanctuaries, and the locals like it quiet. Sometimes it's even best to take a tour of such places. If you watch a performance, leave some money. Street performers live off the money they collect from tourists and patrons. If you don't want to leave money, don't stop to watch. Don't ask where the Bastille is. It's gone. All that is there is a monument. Read your guidebook before you go. There are a few things that no longer exist and only have monuments. If you don't speak or read the language, carefully watch the signs to get around. Most of them are pictorial and can easily be understood by anyone.
As far as anything else to be cautious about from the information in this article, remember that most things are suspended, closed, or reorganized because of covid-19 right now. They update all of the websites regularly, and we will all know quickly when things change. Most activities in Paris are available all year round when there is not a pandemic, and the colder seasons are actually a bit more fun because there are less tourists to get in your way.
Let's start with the basics of getting around. Paris is accessible. You can take a river cruise to Paris if you like. You can also take the equivalent of a water taxi with a hop on hop off rhythm. You can rent a bicycle, either regular or electric now. You can roller skate all over town which is popular and some neighborhoods have regularly scheduled nights where streets are shut down for roller skating. You can take a bus tour, or a lighted boat tour. Take the boats at night. You'll regret it if you don't. They have city buses, but I never liked them. They have a subway that you can take all the way to Versailles or the airport. They have train service on the Eurorail system, so you can come and go from anywhere in Europe.
Activities abound in Paris. You have to go to the Eiffel Tower. It's a must for every traveler. You must take the elevator to the observation decks. As far as the restaurant goes, I thought it was a bit pricey and overrated. In the neighborhood of the Eiffel Tower are the historic carousel, and the quite modern wheel. Both are a must ride, just to say you did it.
There are other places that you should go, to say you've been. The Moulin Rouge, of course is one of those spots. It's a historic landmark and an amazing show. Roland Garros is the famed tennis stadium where the pros come every year to battle it out at the French Open. On most days, you can tour the arena even if it's not in use.
Most of my readers are American, so let's get this over with. As Americans, we will probably need to see where the Bastille used to be, visit Eurodisney, see the bridge full of locks for love and go shopping for perfume at The Galleries Lafayette. All good choices, although I hear that the locks are removed regularly, so beware that it may not be fully covered when you visit. Eurodisney is Disney in French, so it's good if you're a true follower of everything Disney, but if you're looking for something different; not so much.
For my money, one of my favorite things about Paris is the history. I like the classics. Take a tour of Notre Dame and spend some time walking around the old neighborhoods on the island. Take at least a day and investigate Montmarte and feel like you've stepped back in history. Wander along the waterfront and enjoy the view, which is particularly spectacular at night. This would also be the time to catch a lighted boat. Enjoy as many bridges as you can get to. Visit the Arc de Triomphe. History is one of the things that you must enjoy to truly appreciate Paris. The other things that you must truly appreciate are art and a great view.
Now, I recommend some of the more out of the way attractions in Paris. There are so many staples, that I like to get a little bit off the beaten path when I can. One of the places that I went to that really stuck in my mind was the Pere Lachaise Cemetery and Jim Morrison's grave. This place is the final resting place of many famous authors, philosophers, politicians, scientists and Jim Morrison. There are still groupies that come to visit his grave and leave tributes to him. One of the more fascinating things to do is to watch the true believers in the evening, just before sunset.
Another interesting activity is to take a trip down into the catacombs. They are some of the most famous catacombs in the world, they run for miles under the city, and they have some amazing things in them.
Modern architecture. Paris is not only historical but cutting edge. They have as much modern architecture as they do historic buildings. They are unusual and really make you think.
All of the above activities come with tours. Walking tours, guided tours and whatever. Check your guidebook.
While in Paris, you must go to a museum. The Louvre is the standard for all tourists and art lovers. While it's the place to go to see the Mona Lisa and the Venus de Milo; keep in mind that it would take weeks to see everything in that museum. My advice is to map out what you want to see ahead of time, unless you have weeks to peruse the museum.
A couple of my favorite museums are the Rodin Museum and the Musee Dorsay. There is a lot to see in these as well. The Rodin Museum is a day. The Musee Dorsay could take a long time. You may want to map out your visit there too.
I have to say that if there are any Monet fans in the readership, don't miss the Musee Marmottan Monet. I'm personally a huge fan and can't miss that one.
There are hundreds of museums in and around Paris. There is something for everyone. There are military, science, historic, art, industrial, and even a perfume museum. There is no end to the museums you can visit.
Don't forget the royal history. Kings ruled France for centuries and no palace is more famous than Versailles. The palace started out fairly small and over the years every king and emperor added to it until it became the sprawling property it is today. It has been well preserved and is open to the public three seasons of the year. You can walk the grounds during park hours year round.
Going to see a performance at the National Opera House is a treat. It is easier to take the tour during the day though. It's sometimes difficult to get tickets to the shows.
A trip to the Latin Quarter is a great way to do your shopping and get a taste of touristy but old time Paris. The streets are narrow, the neighborhood is one of the oldest in the city, and you can slow down and relax there. There are buildings, shops, churches, and some of the smaller museums here to enjoy.
And, last but not least, don't forget to eat. Look around the neighborhoods at the eateries. You've seen a lot of them on TV and the big screen. There is a lot of good food and great pastry in Paris. The city has some of the most famous culinary arts schools in the world. It has it's own namesake cuisine. Paris is famous for food and cafes. Whatever you do, don't go to some chain restaurant while in Paris. Don't go to the places made for tourists. Check your guidebook and go to the best little spots in the city.
That about wraps up my general guide to Paris. There's so much to do that you will most likely need to make a plan. Just happening on things could take too much time in a city with so much to see and do. I recommend focusing on Parisian lifestyle. Don't be a tourist; be a traveler. Once you relax, try to blend in a little and gain an idea of the atmosphere of the city, you will have a fabulous time. Enjoy!
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