A visit to Paris is never long enough. You could spend months in the city without running out of things to see and do. For most, a longer visit is not possible and so we must make the most of the time we have. If you’re only going to do ten things during your stay in Paris, let them be these:
L´Arc de Triomph and Champ-Elysees
If it´s your first time in Paris, this is where you need to start. Iconic in nature and a feast for the eyes, l´Arc de Triomph stands as a reminder of the conquests of Napolean and sets an aura of pride and grandeur for anyone visiting the city. Walk around the structure and have a good look at the intricate carvings that depict battle scenes from the Napoleonic period and other moments during the Revolution. Afterwards, take a stroll down the ritzy Champ-Elysees to browse the various shops and cafes or just to take in the vibrancy of modern day Paris.
Place de la Concorde
Keep walking down the Champ-Elysees and you´ll reach Place de la Concorde, the largest square in Paris. Decorated with elaborate fountains and statues the square was built in 1755 and originally named Place Louis XV to honour the king at the time. During the French Revolution it was re-named ‘Place de la Revolution´ and became the site of numerous be-headings including Louis XVI, Marie Antoinette and various others. Eventually, in the spirit of re-conciliation following the Revoultion, the square was re-named to Place de la Concorde.
The Eiffel Tower
Nothing quite prepares you for the first time you´ll see the Eiffel tower in person. Ruggedly handsome during the day and a delicate jewel at night, you can literally spend hours gazing up at its simplistic beauty and sheer magnificence. Pack a dinner picnic and get there before sunset. You´ll able to admire the structure in the daylight and then, as the sunlight slowly slips away, watch as it sparkles against the night sky.
Musee du Louvre
The most visited museum in the world, the Louvre is housed in the Palais du Louvre which was originally built in the 12th century. With nearly 35,000 objects dating from prehistoric times, it´s one of the world´s largest museums. The collection includes countless rare historical artefacts and masterpieces including the most famous – Leonardo Da Vinci´s Mona Lisa. You definitely won´t have time to browse the entire museum so take a guided tour instead. It lasts about two hours and covers the most significant pieces in the building. After your tour, take a break next to a fountain in the courtyard. Then, you can head back inside using the ticket you´ve already purchased to browse some more on your own.
Eating a baguette
Visit a major Canadian city and you’ll see the locals walking around the streets with a cup of coffee in their hand. In Paris, it’s a baguette. It really doesn’t matter where you get one, at a sit-down cafe or from one of the many street vendors…it’ll be delicious! Crunchy on the outside, soft and crumbly on the inside with a generous helping of brie, once you bite into a baguette in Paris and you’ll never find another one that tastes quite this good.
Cathedrale de Notre-Dame
From the Louvre, a short stroll east along the Siene will take you to the Ile de la cite, the epicentre of Paris and the site of one of the world’s most iconic cathedrals – Cathedrale de Notre-Dame. Built in 1160, the cathedral has a rich saga which includes surviving many wars, a revolution, and some more joyous occasions like the crowning of Napolean as emperor in 1804. The building came close to a scheduled demolition in the 19th century, but survived that too and was restored back into a gem that it is today. Once you’ve visited the interior of the cathedral, take the time to walk around the outside all the way to the back. The rich stone carvings really are a sight to behold. Get a good look at the buttresses, a key architectural element of the gothic style, before making your way up the bell tower. It’s a bit of a workout, but the views from the top are one of the best in Paris. Look towards the southwest and you’ll see the Eiffel Tower. Look up towards the north and you’ll see the glistening white dome of the Sacre Coeur. Now that you’re right up close to the gargoyles, be sure to pose for a picture with one or more before making your way back down.
Lunch or dinner at the Latin quarter
A quick walk across the bridge into the right bank and you´ll end up in the Latin quarter which was once the heart of Paris´ cafe society in the 1920s. Today you´ll find here an abundance of cafes, restaurants, souvenir shops, churches and some other cool finds. Start your visit at Place St-Michel where you´ll find a dramatic fountain depicting Saint Michael slaying a dragon. After a quick photo op, cross the road towards the east and lose yourself in the buzzing back streets of the busy Latin quarter. This is a great place to have lunch or dinner so seat yourself at a patio and watch the crowd walk on by.
Wandering through the streets of Montmartre
The most romantic neighbourhood in Paris, a stroll through Montmartre will take you back centuries as you skip along the cobblestone streets and climb up and down the steep lanes and stairs. Make sure you look for Picasso´s old home. He used to live here along with many other famous artists. And they never left because even today you´ll find tons of shops and artist studios displaying the amazing work of locals. An afternoon can easily slip away exploring this quiet area. Stumbling on the hidden little place du Tertre is a welcomed surprise – a tiny, but energetic, little square bustling with restaurants, street performers and local artists.
Sacre Coeur
If you´re up for another surprise, keep walking north past place du Tertre and soon enough you´ll be greeted with a giant white domed Basillica that seems to pop up out of nowhere. The Sacre Coeur, a 19th century structure, sits on top of the hilly neighbourhood of Montmartre, overlooking one of the best views of the city of Paris. Sit on the front stairs and take in the view, street performers and all. Then, pop inside the basilica to admire the colourful mosaic lined interior.
Les Catacombes
In stark contrast to the romance at street level, the underground tunnels of the city are a ghoulish commemoration of Parisians passed. Near the end of the 18th century, many of Paris´ over-crowded cemeteries were emptied and the human remains transferred underground into tunnels. A portion of these tunnels is open to tourists. 19 metres below street level and about a mile and half of a walk before the actual entrance, the catacombs will put you in a mood that is in-describable. The sign at the entrance reads: Arrête, c’est ici l’empire de la Mort (‘Stop, this is the empire of Death’). Step through the doorway and you´ll be greeted with piles of actual human remains neatly stacked, and sometimes decorated, on both sides of the tunnel.
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