Paris Recommendations

Paris is full of so many fantastic attractions that it might seem odd that this list is so short. But, it’s easy to get sidetracked at one or more of the attractions listed below. especially the Louvre, and lose track of time while your enjoying one of the city’s superb sights. But, even spending time at just a couple of the city’s excellent attractions is time well spent. Plus, leaving some for later provides ample incentive for a return trip.

Here’s what kept me busy in Paris:

• Musee d’Louvre - if it’s not the biggest museum in the world, then it sure feels like it. The museum itself is a marvel with its collections spanning thousands of years of history from Egyptian, Greek, and Mesopotamian antiquities to the former apartment of Napoleon. You could spend a solid couple of days there if you want to absorb each gallery, but even a short stay takes a good couple of hours to briefly scan each area. The medieval Louvre section is a pretty cool area to visit as are the Egyptian antiquities. Of course, the museum’s centerpiece is the Mona Lisa which seems almost diminutive after wandering through the rest of the sizeable pieces on display, but still impressive. As much as it eats up much of a full day, the museum can’t be missed.
• Eiffel Tower - the iconic tower is deserving of the prestige bestowed on it. Seeing it in person showcases the many design details that make it great, which often get lost in pictures or movies. But, heading up to the top is the best part with excellent views of the city - a great place to find yourself at sunset. The Champs de Mars, a park that leads out from the base of the tower, or the Trocadero Gardens, a series of stepped fountains leading out the opposite side from the Champs de Mars, are the best locations to check out and photograph the tower from the ground. Helpful Hint: to cut down the long waiting times (1.5-2 hours typically) to get to the top, opt for climbing the stairs to the 2nd floor balcony, it’s actually about ten stories up, instead of taking the elevator. The waiting time at the base is cut in half as is the price. Once at the 2nd floor, you can buy a ticket for the elevator to the top just like everyone who waited twice the time for the elevator to the 2nd floor - everyone takes an elevator to the top regardless of how you got to the 2nd floor. Not for those with health issues however.
• Champs Elysees - the city’s most famous street which stretches from the Louvre to the Arc de Triomphe following the Seine at least half way. From the Louvre, it’s lined with incredible parks and a handful of massive old French buildings. About half way to the Arc de Triomphe, it becomes a retail thoroughfare lined with numerous brand name stores, restaurants and cafes that stay busy until late.
• Arc de Triomphe - a classic Parisian attraction which serves as a bookend to one end of the Champs Elysees. It’s huge and impressive serving as a solid finale to a walk along the Champs Elysees from the Louvre.
• Hotel de Ville - an incredible display of French architecture along the Seine fronted by a large plaza just north of the Notre Dame Cathedral.
• Catedral de Notre Dame de Paris - the former home to Quasimodo and an impressively built church with flying buttresses in the back and a pair of imposing bell towers in the front. Intricate details adorn the façade and a trip inside reveals a huge vaulted ceiling and interesting design details.
• Jardin du Luxembourg - one of Paris’ best parks with something for everyone from manicured gardens to children’s playgrounds, walking paths lined with rows of trees and an oval central park that sits in front of a former castle (Luxembourg castle). A great place to get away from the frenzy of the city and park yourself in one of the many free chairs that are provided by the city for just that purpose.
• Seine Walking Paths - the river is lined with cement walking paths that are a perfect place to be on a sunny Sunday afternoon when the few roads that interrupt the walking paths are closed to automobile traffic.