Paris Things to Do Tips by June.b

Majestic Museum Louvre Review

A visit in Paris would not be completed without a visit to the Louvre Museum.

Since I was staying at Louvre Hotel Richelieu (check my accommodation tip), Opera area, the museum is just a stone throw away which of course I only found out when I took a wandering walk during my first wonderful morning in Paris.

The vast ground itself that extend upto Arc De Triomphe Du Carrousel is so majestic, after all, it used to be the official royal residence during the time of Chrarles V. The entrance to the museum is of course at the pyramid glass (Napoleon Hall below it) at the center of the vast plaza.

Good thing about Paris is that there are so many places and building edges or platforms where you could put your digicam on timer and shoot yourself with the perfect background if you're a lone traveller. Unless you don't want to look stupid... then you could opt for asking people to take your shots all the time...in Paris?...... which is of course troublesome.... unless... you're full of guts! Well, it's a part of the traveling experience, i bet people would understand that.

Address: Pyramide, Cour Napoleon 75001 Paris

Directions: Metro: Palais Royal-Musee du Louvre

Stunning landmark at the heart of Montmartre Montmartre - Sacré Coeur Review

My personal opinion, the best religious architecture in Paris, beating Notre Dame, augmented by its superb location and the magnificent view down below. Plus, the narrow winding cobble-stone streets at the rearside of the church with all its nice small pubs, restaurants and charming souvenir stores.

Best to visit this from the afternoon to see the magnificent view and wait for the sunset. Sit on the stairs right at the foot of the church and hum-along with people strumming guitar singing Axel Rose's famous songs (twas bed of roses or sumthin like that when i was there). Serenity at its best....did I say Axel Rose and serenity on the same line? I dunno if that makes sense.

Address: 35 rue de Chevalier, Montmartre | Place du Parvis

Directions: It's a 10-15 min. walk from Lamarck-Caulaincourt metro. However, you can also get down at Abbesses or Anvers and take a little walk. I suggest the Abbesses though.

Phone: 33 1 53.41.89.00

Website: http://www.sacre-coeur-montmartre.com/

Walk...Walk....and WALK! Walking Review

The greatest thing about Paris is that most of the attractions are just beside each other, if not walking distance. You will appreciate the beauty of the place economically by walking. The moment you started walking and got a little tired and decide to take the public transport or taxicab... that's when you suddenly spot another attraction nearby... so why transport when you can actually take a walk?

And even if it may not be a major city attraction, you'll certainly find something very interesting worth a photo or two... be it an old building, charming houses, river, small museums, churches, quaint cafes, cobbled-stone streets & alleys... Paris never runs out of pretty sights within every square kilometers.

Address: Everywhere around Paris

Largest Square in Paris Place de la Concorde Review

Most people are recommending a visit in this square, it's nice though, just beside the huge park, I think it's the Jardin Du Luxembourg (I hope am not mistaken on this). Also a short walk will lead you to Champs Elysee, in fact, you could see the Arch De Triomphe from the square as well as the Tour de Eiffel.

What you will see here? The 3200-year old Egyptian obelisk from the temple of Ramses II (I guess, Egyptians viceroys of the olden days have the habit of giving away relics particularly obelisks as gift to kings or rulers of other mighty nations, I saw similar obelisk erected in Sultanahmet, Istanbul), the bronze fountain called "La fontaine des Mers" and another one called "La fontaine des Mers".

Address: Metro 1, 13 : Concorde

Back to the Future! La Défense Review

During my second week in Paris, I've met Carol, a charming parissine who organized a small VT meet, her, myself, an american newly wed couple and Carol's friend formerly US-based, now Paris-based (sorry Carol dear that I've forgotten the name). Our destination - La Defense!

I think I've mentioned that I loved how it is being pronounced with that stuffy-nose French accent on the "fense" part (fons).

We started some walking along the Seine river going to the Concorde. NO! we did not walk from Concorde to La Defense, silly! So walking along rows of centuries old buildings, we took the almost an hour bus ride to La Defense. We got so busy inside the bus watching and listening to our friend Carol giving endless directions to a somewhat obstinate lost tourist.

Believe me, it's a different kind of experience. It's like being swept forth in time - from old environs to some kind of futuristic backdrop. You wouldn't even notice it, until you come out of the escalator leading to the "Grand Arch".

Going up the escalator, the imposing and massive Grand Arche de la Defense will greet you. It is the 20th century version of the Arch De Triomphe. The Grand Arche is a business centre, music and arts exhibitions, and dining experience. And yes, you can take the elevator up the tower to see the whole ground below and the fabulous view of the city centre.

Most of the buildings around the Arche are tall & massive modern office buildings. The sight of the camouflage-painted buildings looks to me like it were renovated war-era edifices.

Address: Place dela Defense

Directions: Take the Metro: direction to Grande arche de la Défense (M1, RER-A)

Phone: 01 49 07 27 27

Website: http://www.grandearche.com/

Château de Versailles Versailles Review

From the main entrance, to the marble courtyard, to the back water parterre, and up to the furnishings.... it's absolutely grandiose!

One of world's largest castles, the Chateau de Versailles is a must-see!

The Chateau de Verssailes became the royal court residence in 1682 after the palaces at the Louvre and Saint-Germain-en-Laye.

700 fabulous rooms, 6000 paintings, more than 2000 sculptures, thousands of furnitures, objets d'arts & drawings. Flowers, peach and apple trees filled the vast gardens and gorgeous fountains and what looks to me like a small man-made lake(?).

When I was there (Septmber 2005), there was restorations going on and many rooms are not accessible. So check out first the available things that are available to the public at the time of visit.

Directions: RER ligne C - to Versailles-rive-gauche-château
Montparnasse station - SNCF train to Versailles-Chantiers
Saint-Lazare station - SNCF train direction Versailles-rive-droite

Website: http://www.chateauversailles.fr/en/

For kids, young & young @ heart! Disneyland Paris Review

Momma woke me up early and gleefully like a school boy on my first day of school vacation, we headed for that hour-long RER ride to Disney. I am not the usual avid Disney fan coz I always had this idea that Disney is only for kids, well, it's not after all.

Will probably take you the whole day or two to fully have that Disney experience, well, we stayed for half a day. I enjoyed it, though, I never dared taking those frightful rides even when I was a kid, not that am a chicken but I have this occassional vertigo and...Aaaaah! what the heck! do I really owe you an explanation?

It's Dineyland, no descriptions required. It's fun! For the whole family, and hey, don't miss watching the Tarzan show, it's spectacular! I guess Momma Mich never get tired watching it, for that one obvious reason that I have a slight idea... secret!

Address: Disneyland, Paris

Convergence Zone @ Central Paris Châtelet - Les Halles Review

I don't exactly know where Chatelet is, as long as I got out of the Chatelet metro station, I know am already in Chatelet! This is a very busy area for reasons that most of the chillout places are here and alfresco restos as well as shopping, and people hanging out in and around the fountain area, near McDonalds.

I dunno if black is the color of weekends here, but young people in black (MIB?) converge here just to....hmmm ...I don't know again.... lick the melting icecream beneath the fountain? (why not do it at home beneath the kitchen sink?).

I come here to watch people. I enjoyed taking photos of people (my favorite subject), from pretty normal to a bit on the edge (figure it out!).

Address: Metro: Chatelet, Les Halles

The Notre Dame Cathedral Notre Dame de Paris Review

One of the finest example of gothic architecture, the Notre Dame Cathedral stands magnificent with intricate carvings of human-figures (saints? sorry am not a devout). Restoration is going on on the left side of the cathedral the time I was there (Sept. 2005).

After exploring the cathedral go light and watch the activities surrounding it. You may catch mime/s doing funny tricks with people passing by or watch and applause at rollerblade exhibitions on the side of the cathedral. Or check out the al fresco diners beside it.

And crossing the bridge, there's a fine-looking church on the right side about 100meters from the end of the bridge.

Address: Ile de la Cité

Directions: Place du parvis de Notre Dame , 75004 Paris
Take metro: Saint Michel-Notre Dame, or take a walk from Chatelet Les halles to Notre Dame

Le Moulin Rouge Moulin Rouge Review

The world's famous cabaret...... stunning & extravagant cancan shows! A must-see....at least once in your life. The setting of Ewan McG & Nicole K.'s blockbuster movie of the same title....though looks more fabulous in the movie, I guess it has sumthin' to do with Satine's (NK) charm... no, I guess it's the spectacular set of the movie.

It has been a venue of some of the world's great artists like Liza M., Frank S., Elton J. among others, and the most gorgeous dancers in fabulous costumes and, of course, the lesser or minimum - to bare costumes... not really.

Address: 82 boulevard de Clichy 75018 Paris

Directions: Montmartre

Phone: 153.098.282

Website: http://www.moulinrouge.fr