Paris has alot of 'musts' and this is another.... and other Paris, France Things to Do Tips

I was lucky enough to have the opportunity to visit the Arc de Triomphe twice, once during the day and once at night which I would highly reccommend. Equally beautiful but different views in many ways and both should be appreciated.

The museum at the top of the monument could probably be missed especially if you are pushed for time. You can scale the Arc until 11:30pm and I went up at 10:30pm on a warm September night and practically had the place to myself. There is something magical about admiring the glittering Eiffel Tower by night from the top of the Arc de Triomphe with a slight breeze ruffling your hair. Equally special is having the opportunity to study the twelve magnificent avenues of Paris stretch before you from this world famous junction.

I can't even begin to tell you how much fun it is observing the lively purely Parisian scene going on below you. Many years ago when my brother visited Paris he told me how he ran across the roundabout there. He is 12 years older than me and it was only standing there that the crazy nature of his feat occured to me because when he told me I was too young to understand. I was standing at the top picturing him running across and laughing... that is a good memory.

Leave a Comment

Address: Place Charles-de-Gaulle Etoile
Directions: Metro Line 1, 2, RER A : Charles-de-Gaulle Etoile
Website: www.paris-tourism.com

What can you say about this famous avenue that hasn't already been said?? I'll give it a go by recounting my own experience there....

Apparently this avenue became popular in the mid-1800s by the endless flow of young ladies wanting to show off their finest fashions. It is still a fashion hub with many famous outlets situated here. As you may imagine, my clothes did not lend me particularly well to the Paris scene. When you are a tourist comfortable shoes are a must and thus fashion is sacrificed for smelly sneakers.

Probably try to avoid the coffee there as it tends to be quite expensive but do stop to take in the wonderful atomsphere of this avenue. I promise you as you make your descent you will be thinking 'Oh my goodness, I can't believe I am walking down the Champs Elysees in PARIS!!' It is a wonderful feeling I assure you.....

Leave a Comment

Address: Champs Elysees
Directions: I'm sure you will find it by yourself without my terrible directions, if you make it to the Arc de Triomphe then you are very close!!

We arrived early in attempt to beat the queues and actually did rather well and only had to wait half an hour. There were others behind us that were even luckier because they opened another new queue behind us and people already waiting quite literally FLOCKED to the new line. Was very amusing.

Anyways, was quite happy I stayed in the line we were in because unbekownst to us it was the one that had the elevator all the way to the top. Gotta be happy about that after all the other completely necessary scaling of monumnets n Paris - my poor legs needed a rest!!

How to describe the Eiffel Tower... hmmm... although I thought the cost (full price 10.70 Euro) of scaling the tower was highway robbery considering the sheer amount of people waiting nearby to scale the thing too, it was completely wonderful. To give you some idea - in 2004 the Eiffel Tower had 6,230,050 visitors and similar figures for the previous years and if you do the figures my friends... wow!!

I was surprised at how high up we were... well I knew it was high, but its not until you are up there yourself looking down that you are confronted with the monstrous height of the structure. Completely amazing and the views are truly spectacular.

When we were there we couldn't help but notice all the security around the bottom of the tower. Friends of ours that were there not too long ago said that a guy pulled out a gun there and these security guards and others that you cant even see swarmed on him.... scary!!

Leave a Comment

Address: Trocadero
Directions: Just look up!!
Website: http://www.tour-eiffel.fr/

Thanks to Aussie director Baz Luhrman and our famous export Nicole Kidman, the Moulin Rouge has become a part of popular culture. Since the film it has reached the status of Paris 'must see' on many more people's list (including mine I have to admit, no use denying it).

If you are on a limited budget like me then you may have to be content to admire the icon from outside and not fork out something like 150 Euro per person for a dinner and a show. Big ouch for me.

I caught the metro there and arrived at 10:30pm and the place was sooooooo busy.... buses, people......a hive of activity. The place looked amazing lit up at night though and staring at the famous windmill the words 'Truth, Freedom, Beauty and Love' really do swim around in your head. I'm a but emotive I'm afraid and although I spent a grand total of maybe 15 minutes there it was definitely worth the trip.

Leave a Comment

Address: 82 Boulevard de Clichy
Directions: Pigelle
Website: http://www.moulinrouge.fr/

We visited Notre Dame on our first day in Paris and admired both the exterior and interior which was absolutely lovely. At the time we decided not to scale the tower and it was not until later in our Paris stay that we reconsidered our decision and I'm so happy we did!!

The view from the top of the cathedral was amazing and well worth the entrance fee (approx. 6 Euro) and the best thing was you had the famous gargoyles to keep you company. One could argue that this view is better than that of the Eiffel Tower simply because it has the magnificent tower in its panorama.

Was funny that on your ascent of Notre Dame, half-way up you stop for about 10 minutes in the Cathedral's tourist shop. Nothing to do but shop for that time and so you are supposed to drop some Euro during that time which many did. I was just happy to give my poor legs a rest and managed to resist the urge to empty my wallet!

Leave a Comment

Address: Ile de la Cité
Directions: Very close to the metro stop Cite. We found the metro incredibly efficient and one of the best ways to get around the city.
Website: http://www.cathedraledeparis.com/EN/0.asp

This museum certainly made for some interesting discussions... what constitutes good art and the like conversations abounded. It contains the largest collection of modern art in the world with some 40 000 pieces. Set aside at least half a day wandering through this vast and consuming complex. I feasted my eyes on works by artists such as Matisse and Picasso as well as hundreds of other thought provoking pieces.

This museum opened in 1979 to much controversy apparently. I assume this was largely due to the unconventional nature of the building which I can best explain by saying it looks like a building inside out. Parts of the building that serve specific functions are painted a distinctive colour which conrasts heavily with the others. For example, tubing for air is blue, green for water, yellow for electricity and red for the elevators. Makes for a very interesting effect.

Views from inside the museum of the Paris skyline are nothing short of fabulous and there are some nice photo opportunities with the sharp lines of some modern art pieces contrasting with the classic Paris skyline.

A ticket will set you back about 10 Euro and is the museum is open every day, except Tuesdays and May 1, 11am-10pm

Leave a Comment

Phone: +33 (0)1 44 78 12 33
Address: Place Georges Pompidou
Directions: We caught the metro to Hôtel de Ville and walked a short distance from there.
Website: http://www.cnac-gp.fr/Pompidou

Of all the cemetries in Paris (20 I believe) Pere-Lachaise is probably the most famous because it is the final resting place of the former frontman to 'The Doors', Jim Morrison. Oscar Wilde is also buried here. However, paying a visit to the late Mr Morrison was perhaps the least favourite part of my visit. Not too much fun trying to get a glimpse of a grave through a sea of people.

The cemetery is enormous so a map is probably a good idea especially if you are on a timetable and want to visit specfic graves. Otherwise do what we did, get lost within its grounds and feel the history of the city first hand....

Leave a Comment

Address: 16, rue du Repos
Directions: There is a metro stop (funnily enough called Pere-Lachaise) right on the edge of part of the cemetry's grounds which we found a perfect way of getting there.
Website: http://www.pere-lachaise.com/

I stepped of the night train in Paris at 9am and by 9:30 I was at Sacre Coeur and what a wonderful introduction to Paris! I managed to dodge the people trying to sell me stuff (when I say sell I actually mean almost literally try to force me to buy something) and walked up to see the monument close up.

I would reccomend the walk and not take the cable car because it is not too hard and gives you more time to admire the buliding. If you get tired, no problem, stop and rest with one of the best views imaginable.

Apart from the beautiful building itself, you can also climb to the top of the dome for incredibly beautiful views of Paris (it is just a shame the Basilica itself is not in the skyline!).

Basilica: open daily 7am-11pm

Leave a Comment

Address: Parvis du Sacré Coeur , 75018 Paris
Directions: Montmartre - I really dont think you will miss it!
Website: http://www.sacre-coeur-montmartre.com/

Unfortunately I only discovered this lively quarter towards the end of my stay in Paris. Sigh. I had of course visited Notre Dame and La Chapelle but had not had the chance to venture too far beyond. I had an hour before I was to depart Paris and went for a bit of a stroll through the winding streets.

It was a veritable smorgasboard of sights and smells and basically anything GOOD. There were cheap eats and so much life here I was pleasently surprised and cannot wait to return and check it out properly.

Leave a Comment

Address: The Latin Quarter
Directions: Really I have no idea how I missed it to begin with, not far from Notre Dame, near Rue de la Seine
Website: www.discover-paris.info

Place Igor Stravinsky is filled with modern sculpture and street performers and the fountain itself will brighten your day. Colourful (and sometimes quite dark) sculptures revolve around continuously and its moderness contrasts wonderfully to the old buidings which form its backdrop. It was apparently conceived as an evocation of Stravinsky's music by two artists by the names of Tinguely and Niki de Saint-Phale.

Situated right near the Pompidou Center, it is a wonderful place to sit and enjoy a picnic or enjoy some eats at the many cafes close by.

Leave a Comment

Address: Place Igor Stravinsky
Website: www.paris-tourism.com