Vive la France! - Paris

Paris—a must-go destination if you ever wish to call yourself a well-traveled individual. The city is one that is built upon the foundations of the Western Civilization. Paris has been the heart of rebellion, art, romance, and progressive advancement. The gems of the city might be the attractions, such as the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame, Le Marais, and beyond, but in my experience of having walked Paris’ bustling streets and observing the Parisian lifestyle, I believe the true treasure lies in the people. France might not be the friendliest of countries, but it is indeed one that opens your eyes and makes you understand what joie de vivre really means.

 In the morning, Paris comes to life like a great roar, with engines revving, children’s laughter, doors opening and closing, bakeries putting freshly baked baguettes and delightful pastries on display, and the clink of coffee mugs and tea cups emanating from the hundreds of cafes. Despite this high tide of energy rolling through the city, everyone is relaxed. As I walked the streets of Paris, I was amazed by how people seemed to savor every step they made, as if relishing the moments between going from one place to the next. It made the sights, sounds, and smells all the more sweet.

There is so much to see and do in Paris that the first impression is sensory overload from all the bucket list places you want to visit. It seems like everywhere you look, there is a palace, museum, garden, church, or a building with historical importance. It is always a good idea to plan your activities accordingly for the number of days you are in the city. Here are some of the iconic sights that you might want to check off your list. As always, I am a proponent for getting local tours as this cuts the time wasted waiting in line to get tickets.

Walking Tour with a Professional Photographer

There is something about Paris that made me do one thing I had never done in my past travels. That is, I signed up for a walking tour with a professional photographer through Viator.com. It was a great first-time indulgence to be taken around by someone who knows the city, and just enjoy the sites and not be distracted by the need to take selfies. We had a great time and lots of laughter with Kamila, our photographer who was very patient taking us around and setting up picturesque backdrops.  She sent about 150 photos via e-mail a few days later. It makes sense to do this for my future travels. It is more affordable at $30 per head for a group of 8 for two hours, but the rate goes higher with fewer people. I highly recommend this tour, but with one caveat: Don’t schedule the photoshoot the day you arrive after a 13-hour flight and being up more than 30 hours!

Palais Royal

Calm and peaceful amidst gorgeous architecture, the Palais Royal is a lovely reprieve in the heart of the city. The large courtyard is full of light and sheltered from the noise of the streets around it. The tree-lined gardens have quite comfortable chairs where you can sit, rest and gaze at the splendor of the palais around you.

This sanctuary is located in the 1st arrondissement across from the Louvre. Palais Royal first housed the royal families before the Palace of Versailles was built. The palace was where Cardinal Richelieu, the King’s chief minister, lived from 1639-1642, and now houses the Constitutional Council and the Ministry of Culture. French novelist, Colette, also lived there in her last days. The park is beautiful in any weather. You will see a mix of people - residents with their dogs, runners, shoppers, and tourists alike just enjoying the beauty and tranquility of the place.

The Louvre

No tour of Paris is complete without a visit to the Musee du Louvre, with its striking glass pyramid and throngs of revelers from across the globe. I could have easily spent an entire day here, solely for the robust collections of artwork that, to my surprise, see more than 9 million visitors per year. The crowds can be chaotic at times, but I took my chances at seeing the Mona Lisa, Egyptian mummies, Grecian sculptures, and hundreds of other masterpieces. Amongst the persistent hum of voices and bright lights overhead, it’s easy to get lost. I definitely recommend grabbing a map, because there’s 650,000 square feet of gallery and every foot of it is teeming with visitors. I have been to the Louvre in July and in September and there is no question that the September visit was more pleasant and less crowded.

Versailles

The extravagance of this palace bears an interesting history that goes further back than Marie Antoinette. There’s the splendid gardens, temporary exhibitions, an opera house, the Royal Chapel and so much more grandiose magnificence that exploration feels like it could take days. Versailles is obscenely beautiful, in my opinion. Still, this place is a glimpse back in time to when royalty lived like gods amongst gilded colonnades and immaculate gardens. It’s Paris, inside and out.

 Versailles is slightly farther from Paris but the trip is worth it. Pricing varies, so if you’re trying to budget, opt for the least expensive deal. You’ll still see more than enough, I guarantee it. Or visit on the first Sunday of any month from November to March for free admission.

 Notre Dame

Aside from the Eiffel Tower, I don’t think anything is more iconic than the Notre Dame Cathedral. This masterpiece of Gothic architecture left me—and everyone else visiting—in complete awe. The jaw-dropping details, such as the stone statues and carvings, the vaulted ceilings, rainbows of stained glass, and bell tower feel like something out of a fantasy. You almost expect Quasimodo to make an entrance. If you decide to venture to the top of the cathedral, you will hear the sounds of Paris resonating through the halls; and at the apex of the climb, you will be rewarded with a view of the city that captures your heart.

 The Notre Dame is immense—and free to visit. Though you can’t mill about due to time constraints, it’s a feast for the eyes and well worth your time.

(P.S. I have never seen so many orbs in my photos since Paisley Abbey in Scotland!)

 Champs Elysée and Arc de Triomphe

Being that the Champs-Elysée is the most famous boulevard in the city of Paris, it’s no wonder that thousands of people travel this one mile stretch of road every single day. The tree-lined street is the perfect setting to experience high-end Parisian shopping alongside historical landmarks like the Arc de Triomphe. If there’s one thing I can say about the Champs Elysee, it would be that either you love it or you don’t. The atmosphere is energized by the sheer volume of people moving in and out of shopping stores, visiting famous cafes, buying macarons, and headed for other attractions like the Grand and Petit Palais. It’s the perfect location to grab a seat at a restaurant and people-watch if you like the endless buzz of voices and vehicles.

At the end of the Champs Elysee, you find the Arc de Triomphe. Depending on the time of day, it is either ringed with crowds or quiet and tranquil. I recommend going twice, so you can experience the difference of these hours for yourself. Aside from the impressive architecture of the arc’s exterior, you can go to the observation deck and behold a panorama of Paris.

Traffic on this major roundabout is a heart-stopping and foot-braking backseat driving experience. It still blows my mind that this 10 lanes of chaos, except that there are no actual lanes, does not see fender benders and pile ups every minute. It is sheer madness with every man for himself coming from all directions. So you ask if I would recommend driving in Paris? That would be an unequivocal and resounding No!

Tour Eiffel

Nothing ends a day or two in Paris like a visit to the glimmering Eiffel Tower, Paris’ regal grand dame. During the day, it’s lovely, but at nighttime? It becomes something else entirely. The lights of the tower, paired with the serene green space transforms the area into a refuge from the madness of the city. This is the reason why people fall in love with Paris, I think—because after a long day you can look upon the Eiffel Tower and just feel so satisfied with where you are in the moment.

Of course, I think the delicious dinner I had at the restaurant 58 Tour Eiffel, located on the first floor of the tower, is another reason I loved this place so much. At nightfall, your eyes will be drawn to the beauty of the inside of the Eiffel Tower lit up at night. The tower's lighting effects mesmerize with the shimmering steel and lace lattice work. 58 Tour Eiffel has wall-to-wall glass windows that offer a breathtaking view over the Trocadéro, Palais de Chaillot and the beauty of the Eiffel Tower's structure.

The menu starts with a welcome glass of champagne and lists mouthwatering, seasonal offerings like tomato with basil, fresh goat cheese and roquette pesto; duck foi gras terrine, scallops a  la plancha with smoked soy beurre blanc sauce, roasted leg of lamb with anna potatoes and eggplant caviar, and a wide selection of wines. You can also go for a gourmet lunch, but I think the dinner is the perfect way to end a truly incredible visit to Paris. 

Paris  is a city that enthralls your senses. From the scent of coffee in the morning, to the thunder of voices, music, and vehicles throughout the day, and the cool breeze near the Eiffel Tower in the evening, this city sings an entrancing song. If you’re looking for the experience of a lifetime, I think Paris is one of the few places in the world that will stay with you forever—and you’ll want to keep coming back for more.