Rodin Museum and other Paris, France Things to Do Tips

I went to the Rodin Museum mainly because I wanted to see its famous The Thinker statue. But there is much, much more to see there, and I ended up spending at least a couple hours walking around admiring all the amazing sculptures both inside and on the grounds outside. There are a lot of big museums in Paris, but this relatively small one captivated me like none of the others did. Rodin's works are all at once passionate, realistic, and emotional. They capture not only the physical aspects of their subjects, but more importantly, their feelings as well. It would be a real shame for someone to go all the way to Paris and miss this gem of a museum.

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Directions: Line 13 : Varennes - Just east of L'Eglise du Dome and Napolean's Tomb.

Don't let John Ashcroft see this or he'll be out hunting for giant curtain faster than you can say "nudity is evil." The Kiss is my second favorite Rodin sculpture because it seems to be made out of pure passion rather than stone.

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Directions: Line 13 : Varennes

As if the inside of the Rodin Museum didn't already have enough fascinating and beautiful sculptures, the garden behind the museum is full of more priceless works and offers a scenic and relaxing venue for strolling around at ones leisure.

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Directions: Line 13 : Varennes

Like spokes on a gigantic bicycle wheel, twelve streets feed into the motorway that circles the celebrated Arc de Triomphe. The most famous of these streets is the Champs Elysees, which extends all the way southeast to the Jardin des Tuileries on the north bank of the Seine. From the top of the Arc one has the best view of the city anywhere except from one of the observation decks at the Eiffel Tower. If crossing the motorway around the Arc looks daunting, don't worry, because there is actually a tunnel going under the street from the northeast corner of the Champs Elysees. There may be others as well, but that's the one I saw and used.

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Address: Place Charles-de-Gaulle Etoile
Directions: Metro Line 1, 2, RER A : Charles-de-Gaulle Etoile

You can't come all the way to Paris and not visit the city's most infamous landmark, now can you? Located on the river's edge toward the west end of the west bank, the Eiffel Tower sits at the end of the scenic Parc du Champ de Mars opposite the neoclassical Palais de Chaillot accross the river.

During peak tourist season it can take up to two hours to reach the top of the Eiffel Tower, so travelers are well advised to go when the crowds are thinner. In a city with a relatively low skyline, the Eiffel Tower is by far the highest structure and gives visitors a spectacular view of the entire city and beyond.

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Address: Trocadero
Directions: You can't miss it!!!

Ile de la Cite (City Island) is an island in the Seine connected to the two shorlines by seven bridges, with an eighth bridge connecting it to Ile St-Louis to the east. And of course, it is also home to Notre Dame, one of the world's most renowned cathedrals.

Pope Alexander III laid the first stone for Notre Dame in 1163, but the cathedral was not completed until 1330. It's Gothic architecture, complete with gargoyles perched high on the towers, makes Notre Dame a unique architectual wonder in a city full of architectual wonders.

The best view of Notre Dame's grand exterior can actually be had from one of the banks of the river, or even better yet from a boat on the river. However, visitors to Paris shouldn't miss the opportunity to visit the cathedral up close. Sunday Mass is even open to visitors, though after a brief introduction in English the entire service is delivered in French and may therefore be confusing to non-French speakers.

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Address: Ile de la Cité

Covering more than 20 acres in the middle of Paris, Place de la Concorde is one of Europe's most magificent and historic squares. Originally known as Place Louis XV, it was built in the 18th century in the shape of an open octagon with only the north side containing mansions.

During the French Revolution, the sqauare came to be known as Place de la Revolution, and the statue of Louis XV was replaced by a guillotine. Marie-Antoinete and 1,118 other people were executed here.

The square finally took the name Concorde in the spirit of reconciliation, and in the 19th century the 3,200 year old obelisk from Luxor was placed in it. Two fountains and eight statues also adorn the square, making it one of the most celebrated public areas in France, if not all of Europe.

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Address: Metro 1, 13 : Concorde

Located in the northern part of the Luxembourg Quarter and bordering St-Germain-des-Pres, Luxembourg Garden is a spectacular garden serving as the grounds for Luxembourg Palace (Palais du Luxembourg). This graceful and historic area offers a peaceful haven in an otherwise bustling city.

Although it is difficult to single out one particular part of Luxembourg Garden, my favorite part was Fontaine de Medicis, the 17th century fountain built in the style of an Italian grotto. The canopy of trees partially covering the long reflecting pool made this corner of the gardens the most peaceful and serene for me.

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A great way to see a lot of the city without having to walk for miles is to take one of the many low-profile boats that give visitors tours of the river. The cruises give an excellent view of Notre Dame, the Eiffel Tower, and severasl other sites. Perhaps the biggest benefit of the cruises is that theypresent a very convenient and thorough way of seeing all the gorgeous bridges that cross the river. You'll still need to walk around to see a lot of the major sites, but I highly recommend a cruise anyway.

For an really uniqui view of the city, take one of the cruises after dark. Paris at night is a gleaming jewel that should not be missed, especially the dazzling Eiffel Tower covered in lights.

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The full splendor of Paris cannot be truly appreciated without putting on a comfortable pair of shoes and just walking around admiring all it has to offer. Whether it's a stroll along the banks of the Seine, a leisurely walk through Luxembourg Gardens, or a tour down the notorious Champs Elysees, the best part of Paris is the beautiful architecture and well-manicured greenery you'll see nearly everywhere you go.

For longer excursions there's certainly no shame in taking the metro or even a taxi, but anyone who thinks they can see Paris from the confines of a tour bus is sadly mistaken.

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