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.

Top Ten Boutiques in Paris

Posted on Saturday, March 12, 2011

On a Trafalgar tour you can expect to see all the top sites such as the Eiffel Tower, the Champs Élysées, the Arc de Triomphe and Notre Dame Cathedral, but if you’re going to have an unforgettable holiday in one of Europe’s most fashionable capitals, you’ll want to look the part - it is Paris Fashion Week soon after all!-  so do take advantage of Paris’s many unique boutiques.

As well as our personal favourite Paris past-times, such as taking a scenic cruise on the Seine River, admiring Impressionist art at Musée d’Orsay, a visit to the Fragonard Perfumery and Museum, and an excursion to Louis XIV’s Palace of Versailles (one of the world’s grandest, with its spectacular ornamental gardens) here is our pick of the top 10 boutiques in Paris, so you can spend, spend, spend!

1. Kookai Stock, 82 rue Réaumur, 2nd, Metro Réaumur-Sébastopol, Paris. Open Monday to Saturday, from 10.30am to 7.30pm.

As you’d expect from a boutique nestled in the tailoring district of Paris, Kookai Stock features a large shopping space filled with past-season garments with discounts as big as 70% off. Let the super friendly staff help you pick the perfect Parisian top for a mere €9.

2. Chanel 31, rue Cambon. 75001, Paris. Open Monday to Saturday, from 10am to 7pm.

It wouldn’t be right to have a top 10 shopping list for Paris without mentioning Chanel. It may be right out of most visitors price range, but a trip to Paris would not be complete without a least a short window-shop or browse of the designer brand which is the essence of chic Paris.

3. Saint-Ouen Flea Market, 140 rue des Rosiers 93400 SAINT-OUEN, Paris.
OK, it’s not quite a boutique, but Saint-Ouen Flea Market has so much to offer the shopper who has it all – for a fraction of the price. Originally the Market was a trading spot which joined Paris and Saint-Ouen in the 1800s, born when the traders grouped together to sell their curious wares. Head here for unique souvenirs and bargain vintage trinkets. It may be open every day, but weekends tend to be much busier.

4. Agnes b., 6, rue du Jour, 75001 Paris. Open Monday to Friday from 11am to 8.30pm.

For a boutique that Paris is famed for, head to the urban Agnes b., the original of which is on rue du Jour. Shunning advertising, Agnes Trouble, who started her shop in the 1970s. chooses instead to support young designers and artists through her in-house galleries, giving the Agnes b. boutique a boho feel.

5. Christian Louboutin, 38, rue de Grenelle, Paris. Open Monday to Friday from 10am to 6pm.

Christian Louboutin is a name we’re all familiar with, owing to the Parisian shoe designer’s oh-so-sexy yet still super comfortable high heels, which are cherished the world over. Visit the Christian Louboutin boutique in Paris to see kooky yet sumptuous style, and if you’re feeling particular caught up in the romance of Paris, perhaps you’ll purchase a pair.

6. Parfums Frederic Malle, 37, rue de Grenelle, Paris. Open Monday to Saturday 10am to 9pm and Sunday 12am – 6pm.

No trip to Paris would be complete without a visit to one of the city’s perfumeries, and which better boutique than one of the city’s oldest, and just over the road from Christian Louboutin. Have a spritz of the classic designer scents and you might even want to buy some as a very chic souvenir.

7. Printemps, 102 Rue de Provence, 75009, Paris. Open from Monday to Saturday from 9.30am to 8pm.

Printemps is by no means a secret, but many visitors to Paris may overlook the vast department store, but that would be a mistake. Printemps’s impressive art nouveau building is filled to the top with France’s favourite fashion, lifestyle and cosmetics brands. Our tip: head to the top floor cafe for unrivalled views of the Eiffel Tower.

8.  Kiliwatch, 64, Rue Tiquetonne, 75002, Paris. Open from Monday to Sunday from 11am to 7pm.

Men in tow may be yearning for a seat (or hearty French lunch) by now, but the most stylish among them are probably after a slice of Parisian style for themselves. Male shoppers should head to Kiliwatch for a great range of vintage menswear. Of course, there’s plenty of women’s vintage fashion in Kiliwatch too!

9. Monoprix, 21 Avenue Opéra, Paris. Open Monday to Saturday 9am to 9pm.

If you’re on a budget during your tour of Paris but would still like to dip into the city’s effortless style, then a visit to Monoprix is essential. As ‘the French version of Marks & Spencers’,  you can expect great-value essentials that are perfect for travelling in, and are excellent quality as well as unique.

10. Comptoir des Cotonniers, 12, Place St. Sulpice, 75006 Paris. Open Monday to Saturday 10am to 7pm.

For the ultimate in effortless Parisian chic, head to Comptoir des Cotonniers, where you’ll find elegant essentials which are at much more affordable prices than most of Paris’s famed boutiques and designer names.

After shopping in chic boutiques and elegant department stores, just sit in an outdoor café and watch the world go by – it’s just like a fashion show! And when the sun goes down, there is still more than enough to keep you busy. Parisian nightlife is truly legendary. Perhaps try a cabaret at the Nouvelle Eve or a champagne show at the Moulin Rouge or wander through the Latin Quarter and dine out in Bohemian Montmartre.

Don’t forget Giverny, the home and gardens of the Impressionist painter Claude Monet or visit Disneyland Paris located just outside the city. If you have already visited Paris, then you know why we are inviting you back to discover one of Europe’s most beautifully planned cities.

Browse through Trafalgar France tours.

Pont Du Gard, France

Posted on Wednesday, April 28, 2010

Located in the beautiful region of Provence, the Pont du Gard, which means bridge over the River Gard, is part of an ancient Roman aqueduct built nearly 2,000 years ago to transport water to the Roman city of Nemausus, now called Nimes.  There is a mysterious engraving on the Pont du Gard, which appears to represent a rabbit or some type of animal.  It is a symbol Romans often etched on their constructions in the belief that it would ward off evil spirits.  The engravings and its location on the aqueduct are impossible for even some locals to find.  

Tour Director:  Giovanna Agrawal, Trafalgar Tours

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.