Things to Do Paris

Posted on Tuesday, November 01, 2011

Montmartre, Latin Quarter

Try a walking tour of the Montmartre district, where artists such as Picasso, Monet, and Van Gogh worked. Your Local Host can suggest other intriguing walking tours of areas such as the Latin Quarter, the fashion district, or where to find the graves of Jim Morrison and Chopin in the Père Lachaise Cemetery.

Sacré-Coeur

While in Montmartre, visit the Sacré-Coeur (Sacred Heart). This pristine, white-stone church was proposed as a memorial to the soldiers killed in the Franco-Prussian War of 1870, but it was not completed until the end of World War I. The church features one of the world's largest mosaics, which depicts Christ with outstretched arms, and a massive 19-ton church bell. Enjoy wonderful views of Paris from the Sacré-Coeur steps.

Musée d’Orsay

Stroll through centuries of artwork at the Musée d’Orsay, which houses an extensive collection of impressionist masterpieces by Monet, Degas, Renoir, and Cezanne. You can also admire Rodin’s statues, and do not miss the spectacular reception room.

Sainte-Chapelle

Fifteen intricately designed panels of stained glass—commissioned by Louis IX— depict 1,100 story-telling scenes.

Jardin du Luxembourg, Parc du Champ de Mars

Families may like to take a stroll in one of the famous parks and take a whirl on their charming carousels. You can also see the “pétanque” players, or sit on one of the “so typical” Parisian green chairs.

Seine Bridges

Find your favorite bridge. There are 37, and they are all different—from plain to gilded and from new to over 400 years old. The special atmosphere they create across the Seine River helps to make Paris one of the most romantic cities.

Shakespeare and Company Bookstore

In the Roaring 20s, this quirky bookstore on the Bohemian Left Bank was the meeting place for some of literature's greats—like Hemingway, Fitzgerald, and Joyce to name a few. It continues to serve as a cultural magnet for struggling writers and visitors alike.

Markets

Ask your Local Host how to get to the flea market for affordable objects d’art, or visit one of the food markets. The French know how to turn food display into an art form. See rainbows of fresh fruit and vegetables, soft palettes of bread, and colossal wheels of cheese—France has over 400 varieties of cheese. And when you're ready for dessert, specialty stores abound—from tarts and pastries to crêpes and pains au chocolat. Other specialties to try include onion soup with a fresh baguette, coq au vin (a classic chicken dish), croquet monsieur, quiche Lorraine, escargot, steak-frites, and famous French wines and champagne.

Champs-Elysées, Shopping

Shop at haute couture boutiques by the Champs-Elysées. Perfumes and scarves are classic gifts, as well as French berets, lace, collection dolls, and pottery. Use your included specially arranged discounts at the famous Galeries Lafayette, or check out the Printemps department store.

Cafés

When you’re ready for a break, join the locals at one of the cafés, sip a glass of wine or a café au lait (hot milk coffee), and watch the world go by in true Parisian style.

Paris Travel Information

Posted on Wednesday, October 19, 2011

When it comes to Paris, words fail. No description or superlative comes close to capturing the magic of the inimitable "City of Light." It's not just the culture…or the history…or the people, architecture, or food. It's all of those things-plus, so much more. Whether it's day, night, winter, summer, spring, or autumn, in Paris, the very air feels enchanted. Certainly, few places have as many recognizable icons: Notre Dame, Eiffel Tower, Arch de Triumph, Louvre. Whether you're shopping along the Champs-Élysées, cruising down the River Seine, taking in a cabaret show at the historic Moulin Rouge, strolling through the artist village of Montmartre, or simply basking in the city's je ne sais at a sidewalk café, Paris will make a lasting impression on you.

Quick Facts:

Population: 11 million
Language: French
Currency: The Euro 1€ =100 Cents
Time Zone: GMT +1

Weather: Paris is renowned to be most beautiful in the spring. All year round though the city is a delight with sizzling summers and coat wrapped winters.

Popular Sights:

Arc de Triomphe - Built to commemorate Napoleon’s victories, this impressive arch is a symbol of French pride. Eiffel Tower - The definitive symbol of Paris, and indeed France, the Eiffel tower dominates the city skyline. At night from atop its viewing decks Paris sparkles and earns its name as the ‘City of Lights’.
Champs Elysees - This is Paris’ grand boulevard and a great place to stroll and soak up the atmosphere of elegant stores, restaurants, theaters and hotels.
The Seine - The lifeline of the city, this river makes its way under numerous bridges - perfect for romantic moments. Take a boat trip down the Seine or just stroll along its banks and discover this great city.
The Louvre - Paris artistic soul may come from the artist quarter of Montemarte, but it is stored in The Louvre. Within The Louvre lies a myriad of paintings and sculptures. Not least the world’s most famous painting – the Mona Lisa.

Shopping:

From famous designer boutiques on the Champs Elysees to the charming antique dealers and art shops around the city, Paris has shopping options for every taste.

Enjoy looking for great buys such as perfume, silk scarves and wines in designer stores. Haggle over books at a flea – markets along the Seine and bargain for perfect pieces in antiques stores.

Cuisine:

Parisians take food very seriously and the City of Lights is world famous for its array of bistros, cafes and superior restaurants. Meals are sumptuous, creative and often have many courses, all washed down with great French wine.

Notable dishes are Beef bourguignon (beef stew with wine, herbs and vegetables) and bouillabaisse (fish stew). Be sure to indulge and enjoy the endless selection of freshly baked pastries like Croissant and Éclaire and taste the many fantastic French cheeses.

La Tour Eiffel

Posted on Friday, July 16, 2010

The Eiffel Tower…does anyone not know that this is the icon of Paris?  Show a picture or a cute little statuette of this iconic figure and most people will say "oh yea, Paris"…So why is it called The Eiffel Tower, not the Paris tower or French Tower or what?  Because it was designed by Alexander Gustave Eiffel and credit is forever given to this French engineer, who had the foresight and audacity to design a tower, 324 meter  1063 ft ) tall and constructed of IRON…not stone, which was the favored building material of his time ( late 19^th century). Eiffel wanted to win a competition to design the centerpiece for the Paris Exposition of 1889; the centenary of the French Revolution.  Needless to say, he won, and the 9441 ton wrought iron "needle" is visible proof.

For about 4 or 5 euros you can climb the 1710 steps to the third (top) level; for a few more euros you can take the elevator to the 2^nd platform and walk to the top platform, and if it’s a very clear day (preferably September or October), you can look out over all the City of Lights… a fabulous view at night.  The rewards are spectacular! 

Now remember, you are in France so there’s bound to be some fine dinning too.  On the 2^nd platform is the Jules Verne restaurant.  Supervised by the master chef Alain Ducasse, a three course dinner will be pricey, probably about 100 euros.  There is a brasserie-style restaurant at the first platform (58 Tour Eiffel) which is, you guessed it, 58 meters (about 190 feet) above Paris; and Les Buffet de la Tour Eiffel for pizza (in Paris ??), sandwiches, etc.

Three elevators run outside on the North, West and East pillars, there’s usually two in service at any time…they are fun!  You can look out as you go up and see the fantastic iron work, the zillions of rivets and marvel that this giant Erector Set must be maintained and painted constantly!   60 to 70 tons of paint are applied every seven years…by old fashioned brush, not spray painted.  Be grateful that the entire confection wasn’t torn down and sold for scrap iron, as almost happened a few decades after the Paris Exposition closed.  There was much controversy, but it still stands, partially because the tower proved a wonderful radio tower, the first transmission having been sent in 1898…the first television transmission was in 1957.

An interesting fact:  the planners of the United States Columbian Exposition of 1893, celebrating the 400^th anniversary of Columbus’ discovery of America, wanted to capture the world’s attention and out-do France with something more original, more daring.  Thus was born the Chicago Ferris Wheel …the brain child of G. W. G. Ferris, a young designer of steel bridges.  Not as tall as the Parisian attraction, but unique in all the world, at that time.

At least 250 million people have visited since the day it opened! When you are in Paris, you must go!  Walk up, use the elevator…whatever.  Handicapped travelers can be accommodated up to the second platform…after that, only steps to the third.  If you go to the very top, you will be in a construction that was, at one time, the tallest man-made edifice in the world.

Voyez-toi au dessus !!!

Shopping in Paris

Posted on Friday, February 12, 2010

Although more often travel to Paris for it’s museums and sights than for it’s nightlife, there are some big nights out to be found int eh ‘city of light’. The Latin Quarter, Bastille and the Montmarte/Moulan Rouge district along the Avenue de Clichy provides some great venues for those seeking nightlife, 7 nights a week while the Champs-Elysees is home to Le Queen and Man Ray. More than enough to keep any European party animal occupied until the sun comes up.  If you are seeking something slower paced, there are also several jazz clubs, pubs and cafes.

Louvre Museum Tips

Posted on Wednesday, October 28, 2009

Paris, France is a gorgeous city that is absolutely irresistible for those who love to travel and see the world. One of the main attractions in Paris by far is, the Louvre Museum. 

The museum was built by Philippe-Auguste in the late 12th century, and began as a fortress on the edge of the city to protect Paris from Anglo-Norman invaders. It is home to 35,000 works of art drawn from eight departments, displayed in over 60,000 square meters of exhibition space. That's about 25 centuries of creative achievement and approximately 8 centuries worth of architectural history. It is home to the portrait of Mona Lisa by Leonardo Da Vinci as well as Greek, Roman, Egyptian, and near Eastern antiquities. There are rooms that opened in 1824 that are solely devoted to "modern" sculpture, which gradually became the Department of Medieval, Renaissance, and Modern Sculpture in the museum.

The hours of operation for the museum are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. every day except Tuesday and the following holidays: January 1st, May 1st, November 11 and December 25, 2009. The permanent collection and temporary exhibitions will close at 5 p.m. on December 24 and 31, 2009.  The museum is open until 10 p.m. on Wednesday and Friday evenings.

Admission to the Louvre is free on the first Sunday of every month. However, we suggest you avoid it, as the lines can run around the building. The museum does not have enough staff to keep the entire museum open every day. Barring unforeseen circumstances (works, transport strikes, etc.), a yearly calendar lists which rooms are open and closed for each day of the week. The admission for the museum varies, according to the time and part of the museum you would like to visit.

You could spend days looking at the marvelous works of art, but unless you have been to Paris before, I recommend the ninety minute tour that is offered several times per day that takes you through all the major works of art.