Destination - Paris

“If you are lucky enough to have lived in Paris as a young man, then wherever you go for the rest of your life, it stays with you, for Paris is a moveable feast.”

Ernest Hemingway

“We’ll always have Paris.” My husband and I sometimes will turn to each other and say this. I guess because our trip to Paris was such a nice break. Paris's seductive charms are legendary, and for good reason: Inviting sidewalk cafés, beautiful sights, world-class museums, and great restaurants make Paris one of the prettiest and charming cities in the world.

Eiffel Tower

I’ve been to Paris twice. The first time was with my daughter back in 1989, and then the second time with my husband in 2003. We only had a few days each time, but it was enough to give us a chance to see the main sights and to soak up a little of the culture. When we went in 2003 we were actually on our way to spend 2 weeks in the Canary Islands with our friends from Scotland. We could not fly directly to Tenerife, we had to stop somewhere in Europe, and I decided that if we were going to stop, we might as well spend a few days, get over our jet lag, so that we would be more rested and relaxed when we arrived to visit our friends. I chose Paris, because my husband had never been there, and also partly because the anti-French movement in the states was so high, and I didn’t agree with it. I wanted to go to Paris to help with the tourist economy, and to let them know that not everyone in the states had the Bush-mentality. We stayed at a charming little hotel in the Montmartre district, and we spent 3 days just wandering the streets of Paris, seeing the sights, people-watching, and loving Paris.

Before I go on though, I would like to reiterate something that I have mentioned before. Yes, the French people mostly know how to speak English, and they are more than willing to do it. BUT – they find it rude when Americans assume they speak English and make no effort to at least try a little French. You can hardly blame them, you would find it rude if someone just assumed you spoke another language and just started speaking it to you. So, before you go, please learn just a few basic sentences. These are probably the only ones you will need, and the first two being the most important, always greet them with Bon Jour and then ask them if they speak English, before you start speaking it:

Do you speak English? = Parlez-vous anglais? [par-lay voo English]
Good morning/good day = Bon jour [bon-zhoo]

Excuse me/sorry? = Excusez-moi [ex-koo-zay mwah]

Good-bye = Au revoir [oh ruh-vwar]

Good evening = Bon soir [bon-swar]

Hello = Salut [sah-loo]

I don't understand = Je ne comprends pas [jhuhn kom-prohn pah]

I'm sorry = Pardon [pahr-dohn]

Thank you = Merci [mare-see]

You may not get it exactly right, but if you make an effort they will appreciate the fact that you tried. I love this quote from Mark Twain:

"In Paris they simply stared when I spoke to them in French; I never did succeed in making those idiots understand their own language”

Well, at least he was trying.

Paris

So now you have practiced some basic sentences. You are heading off for the city of Paris. What should you do and see while there? With expectations running so high, Paris can be daunting: nearly every square inch of the city seems to be seeping with history and beauty. All of it is worth seeing and exploring, but there are some Paris tourist attractions that simply shouldn't be missed. Here are my Top 10 Favorite Things To Do.

Batobus boat on the Seine

The River Seine, walk along the banks and head for the Pont de la Concorde for some of the best views of Paris. And make sure you take a boat ride on the river. There are one hour boat rides, there are lunch and dinner cruises on the Seine. Or buy a pass that allows you to ride their boats all day long, hopping on and off at different destinations. We did that for one day when we were there, and it saved us a lot of sore feet walking to different districts. You can get a one day pass, 2 day or 5 day. It is inexpensive and it is easy to go down and get on a boat whenever you want to change locations. And the views from the water are something you shouldn’t miss, it gives you a different perspective on the city. To learn more about the passes go to http://www.batobus.com/english/ If you have time there is even a company that does longer trips on the river that include canals and waterways and will get you off the beaten track, so to speak, of the river.

Notre Dame

Notre Dame is one of the main tourist attractions in the city, and it really is a beautiful church. I’m not a religious person myself, but when traveling in Europe I do have to poke my head into these beautiful churches that are everywhere, just for the architecture. Climbing the North tower to see Paris from the hunchback Quasimodo's vantage is essential, too. So go in and look around and enjoy, it is really quite pretty.  And the best ice cream in the city is nearby.  It is right there on the little island next to the bigger island that you are on. It is the Berthillon ice cream shop and is located on the Île Saint-Louis, and is world-famous for its ice cream. So although it’s far less visited than, say, the Eiffel Tower, don’t expect to turn the corner and find that you’ve got the shop to yourself. On the contrary, you’re likely to be able to locate it simply by looking for the exceedingly long line that stretches from the window.

The Eiffel Tower is of course the one place everyone recognizes and thinks of when they think of Paris. And you really must take a trip to the top of it, the views alone are worth it. And everywhere you walk in Paris, there is the Eiffel Tower, off in the distance. At night it puts on a light show. It is the symbol of the city.

The Louvre

The Louvre is the most famous art museum in the world. Some people go in and just head for the Mona Lisa and the Venus de Milo, see them and leave. But there is so much more to see. A central landmark of Paris, it is located on the Right Bank of the Seine in the 1st arrondissement (district). Nearly 35,000 objects from prehistory to the 19th century are exhibited over an area of 60,600 square metres (652,300 square feet). You might need a lifetime to really see it. The Louvre is definitely one of Paris' best attractions. Not forgetting the Mona Lisa and the Venus de Milo, bask in the works of Vermeer, Caravaggio, Rembrandt, and countless others. The palace itself is testament to a rich history spanning from the medieval period to the present. The adjacent Tuileries gardens are perfect for a stroll pre-or post-visit.

Musee d' Orsay and the Seine

The Mussee d’ Orsay is housed in a former railway station and is full of impressionist paintings and marble sculptures. French art dating from 1848 to 1915 with an extensive collection of painting from Renoir, Monet, Van Gogh, Manet, Degas and so many more. The interior of the museum is itself a work of art, with breathtaking views from one end of the train station to the other.

A quick note - there is a museum pass which you can buy that will save you money if you plan to go to several museums. It gives you entry to over 60 of Paris' world famous museums, art galleries and historic monuments including The Louvre and Arc de Triomphe.

The Arc de Triomphe which is located in the middle of the Champs Elysees is a fun place to go to. Do not try to cross the busy round-about street area to get to it. There is an underground tunnel that will take you across to it. Then go to the top of it and look down at the traffic which is weaving in and out. It is fascinating. We almost saw several accidents while watching, but surprisingly everyone made it around and out on the streets they were trying to get to. I would not want to drive in Paris, thankfully they have wonderful public transit.

Sacre Coeur

The Sacre Coeur is in the Montmartre district. This is the district that artists used to call home, but in the past few years it has become very touristy. It is still a beautiful neighborhood with cobbled streets and lots of little neighborhood shops, grocery stores and pastry shops. It is one of the most historic and interesting neighborhoods in Paris. And at the top of the hill is the Basilica of Sacre-Coeur. With its unmistakable white dome, the Sacre Coeur sits at the highest point of Paris on the Montmartre knoll, or butte. This basilica, which was consecrated in 1909, is best-known for its garish gold mosaic interiors and for its dramatic terrace, from which you can expect sweeping views of Paris on a clear day. Take the funicular up with a metro ticket and stop off at the Sacre Coeur before exploring the winding, village-like streets of Montmartre. And after expending all your energy climbing Montmartre's formidable hills and stairs, consider a traditional Parisian cabaret at the legendary Moulin Rouge.

Street in Montmarte

The Latin Quarter is Paris' traditional center of great thinking. Some of the world's most important artists, philosophers, and writers have passed through the area throughout history, frequenting the centuries-old Sorbonne University or the many now-legendary cafes around the area. The Latin quarter retains the nostalgic charm of past ages, while still being an important hub of education and ideas to this day. It's also a lush, picturesque area of Paris, with lots of quiet squares and gardens, winding backstreets, and vibrant open-air markets.

Versailles

The Palace Versailles is a short distance outside of Paris. You can book a half day tour to the Palace, or you can go on your own by train. The train is relatively inexpensive (around 6 Euros) and it is only a 5 minute walk from the station to the palace. Versailles served as the kingdom’s political capital and the seat of the royal court for more than a century, from 1682 to 1789 – the year Revolutionary mobs massacred the palace guard and dragged Louis XVI and Marie-Antoinette back to Paris where they eventually had their heads lopped off. The palace is steeped in history, and is beautiful. It is well worth exploring, especially the Hall of Mirrors. The grounds are also spectacular. Because so many people consider Versailles a must-see destination, the chateau attracts more than three million visitors a year. The best way to avoid the queues is to arrive first thing in the morning.

There are certainly many more places to see. To mention a few, the Place de la Concorde, Sainte Chapelle Church, The Opera House (think Phantom of the Opera), The Catacombs, and all the different districts within the city. Looking for an offbeat tour of Paris? Why not try exploring the city's 81 miles of canals and underground waterways, running all the way from the Ile Saint Louis near Notre Dame to the northern tip of the city at the Canal de l'Ourq? A boat tour of Paris Canals is a unique way to see the city from an insider's perspective. If you've already made the rounds of classic Paris, this may be the tour for you.

Cafe in Paris

Make sure you take the time to visit some streetside cafes. Yes, it does cost more to eat outside than inside, they charge more for that privilege, but it just feels so right when you are in Paris, and it is a good place to watch the people of the city. Enjoy some of the best food in the world in some of their restaurants, sip some wine, and enjoy being in the City of Lights.

You'll fall in love with this romantic city more and more the longer you stay to explore its sights and take in the French culture. Paris simply has a certain je ne sais quoi - that special something that you can't quite put your finger on, but whatever it is, it makes you want to linger in Paris for as long as possible. And remember, “We’ll always have Paris!”

I also recommend renting the video "Midnight in Paris", the scenes in this delightful movie will get you in the mood for your trip before you go.

*Some pictures taken from the internet