When you visit the city of love – as many people like to think of Paris – it can be overwhelming. As with London, and many other amazing European cities, there are far too many attractions to fit them into a single day (or even two). Therefore, it’s necessary to pick a handful of them to enjoy, spending quality time taking it all in. Part of the pleasure of this city is slowing your pace, wandering the streets, and visiting small patisseries and other places of interest in between visiting the major attractions.
To get you started, here are four things to do in Paris while you’re there.
Musée du Louvre
Featured in the novels of Dan Brown, the Musée du Louvre is undoubtedly the most famous museum in the capital. Its outside appearance is enough to make a meaningful impact alone, yet it has over 30,000 exquisite works of art on display too. Even for people who don’t usually visit art exhibitions, they’re bound to find specific collections that will appeal to them here.
Originally opening its doors back in 1793, the latest incarnation of the museum features a glass pyramid-like structure and other older buildings which are distinctive both in the day and at night too. It’s a must-see while in the city.
Eiffel Tower
The Eiffel Tower was created in 1889 especially for the World’s Fair and has stood the test of time. Despite the fact that it was never intended to be a permanent building, it remains a key attraction for tourists. Gustav Eiffel, the main architect who saw his name go on the tower, also ran different experiments including wireless transmissions to make it more practical and avoid talks of demolition which have arisen twice during the tower’s long history.
The Tower is now a major attraction with visitors able to learn more about it. There’s also a lovely small park – Champs de Mars – nearby, where it’s possible to picnic on French baguettes and brie, or Parisian ham sold locally.
Taking a Tour
One of the better ways to see specific attractions and sometimes get priority viewing or VIP tickets is by taking an organised tour. These often go behind the scenes or offer exclusives that people just showing up at the location cannot get.
A company like FastPassTours can offer bookings for some of the best attractions in Paris online, making it easier to look at their package details and pick the most attractive tour for you.
Arc de Triomphe
The Arc de Triomphe is a popular spot and viewing point over the city of Paris. Twelve avenues can be observed, providing a truly panoramic perspective of this part of the city.
The place also has significance as a war memorial with the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier representing the soldiers who lost their lives in the World Wars. Victory Day, Bastille Day and other major war-related national holidays see events held on these grounds too.
Don’t forget to try out as many patisseries and restaurants as your appetite permits. This is also one of the great attractions of any visit to France – the cuisine! Everyone has a favourite dish by the time they’re heading home.
Be the first to comment