Paris France Travel

Paris France travel attractions are numerous, varied, and filled with surprises for both first-time and repeat visitors. Paris, called the “City of Lights,” is a planned city, laid out in the mid-19th century, with wide, straight boulevards that reward sightseers with glimpses of famous landmarks, such as the Arc de Triumphe and the Louvre, around every corner.

Eiffel Tower

The most famous landmark in Paris is the Eiffel Tower, constructed by engineer, Gustave Eiffel in 1889 for the Paris World’s Fair. At the time, the 984-foot building was the tallest structure in the world. Today, the famous tower attracts more than 5000 visitors per day, not all of them tourists. It is composed of three levels. The first two levels are reached by climbing the stairs or taking the inclining elevator, an experience in itself. These levels offer open-air viewing as well as a variety of shopping and dining options, including the posh and trendy “Jules Verne” restaurant. The third level is fully enclosed, but offers spectacular 360-degree views of Paris and the surrounding countryside. It is reached by a separate, traditional-style elevator through the center of the tower.

Notre Dame Cathedral

This famous Gothic Cathedral was begun in 1163 by King Louis IX (Saint Louis). It took 150 years to complete and is one of the best-preserved examples of “flying buttresses,” the exterior, angular, building supports. The massive cathedral fell into disrepair during the turbulent times following the French revolution and would have been torn down, but for the efforts of Hunchback of Notre Dame author, Victor Hugo. He spearheaded a campaign in the mid-19th century to collect the funds needed to save and restore the magnificent cathedral. Notre Dame is still an active parish and visitors can attend mass there every Saturday and Sunday.

The Seine

No discussion of Paris France travel would be complete without mentioning the Seine, the vital waterway that cuts through the center of Paris. A variety of watercraft sail up and down the river, from elegant and romantic, dinner and dancing cruises to informational sightseeing tours. The river gives visitors a unique perspective of the city. The many bridges across the Seine date from the 14th century to the present and tell a story of the architectural styles popular in Paris throughout the ages.

Paris France Travel: Museums

Paris is alive with museums. Of course, there is the Louvre, France’s elegant former royal palace, and home to hundreds of thousands of pieces of art, from ancient Greek and Roman sculptures to the Mona Lisa, to 18th century Spanish, Flemish, and French paintings.

Another “must-see” museum on any list of Paris France travel attractions is the Musee d’Orsay, the former Parisian belle époque railroad station and present home to an extraordinary collection of French Impressionist art.

Lesser known, but still noteworthy, are the Rodin Museum, a lovely townhouse and garden filled with examples of the 19th century sculptor’s work; the Musee du Mode, a museum dedicated to French couture fashion; and the Marmatton, a small museum on the outskirts of Paris, best known for its large collection of Monet’s later water lily works.

The Champs Elysees

When one thinks of Paris France travel, one thinks of the city’s grand boulevards, particularly the Champs Elysees. This famous thoroughfare has seen a lot of history, not all of it glorious, in its over 150 years, first Napoleon, then the Nazis, and finally the liberators of Paris.

Today, this beautiful avenue is lined with sidewalk cafes, ideal for people watching; grand movie houses; airline offices and tourist agencies; and couture fashion houses. Don’t leave Paris without sipping a café au lait or a glass of white wine and watching toute Paris stroll by.

Paris France Travel: Neighborhoods

The individual neighborhoods give Paris France travel its individuality. From the trendy Marais district, filled with funky clothing stores, trendy restaurants, and a spectacular, restored 17th century square, lined with arcades and elegant townhouses, to the tres chic Saint Honore district, home to luxury retailers, fantasy jewelry stores, and the best hotels in town, Paris’ neighborhoods are an intriguing and electric collection. Stroll among the varied pastry, cheese, and wine shops along the primarily residential Rue Cler, near the Eiffel Tower, or take in the early morning produce market, in the arty Left Bank neighborhood of St. Germain. The soul of Paris can be found in its food shops.

Ultimately, any trip to Paris is what you make of it. The city’s rich cultural, historical, culinary, and architectural history is awe-inspiring, and perhaps, a little overwhelming. Don’t try to see everything in one trip. Like an elegant cocktail party, sample a little bit here and a little bit there. You’ll enjoy it much more that way.