Top Five Favorite Things to Do in Paris

With summer upon us and vacation planning in full swing I thought I would share some of my favorite places and sights to see in Paris…I’ve been extremely fortunate to have traveled to that most glorious of all cities about a dozen times over the course of about that many years. I know I am a bit obsessed but, for some reason, this city of lights just makes me feel at home the moment my feet hit the ground upon arrival.. Each time we visit we find someplace new to explore but always seem to be attracted to a few of our favorite places that are near and dear to our hearts as well. So here they are, my top five Parisian landmarks, places you wouldn’t want to miss on your next trip to gay paree.

One: La Tour Eiffel

A trip to Paris wouldn’t be complete without a visit to the Eiffel Tower or as the Parisians call it, La Tour Eiffel….what can I say that hasn’t been said before about this Icon of an architectural wonder except that it is a sight for all eyes…you can’t miss it from nearly any vantage point, especially when walking along the river banks of the Seine. Situated on the Left bank, it’s sprawling lawn beneath it’s metal legs and the adjacent park, the Champ de Mars, will welcome you…go to the top or mid level and see Paris in every direction..there will be long lines for the elevator during peak daytime hours but if you go early in the morning or late at night you usually can get up there without too long a wait…or, for the very hardy, you can climb the steps…
Which ever way you get up there the views are simply breathtaking. Then, when you have decided to come down go directly beneath the middle of the tower and look up, another incredible sight awaits….As a bonus, don’t forget to kiss the one you love while standing there, this old wives tale says this is supposed to guarantee a return visit…. Thankfully, it has worked for me!

Two: A Boat ride on the River Seine

This, my next favorite Parisian pastime, actually tied with first, is to take a ride on this most famous river. There are quite a few boats that will provide this most exciting and special experience….It is also a perfect way to get your bearings on the city while enjoying the famous sights from a different perspective, much different then when you are on solid ground….we prefer to go at night since we enjoy so much seeing the city all lit up. But, another way to take this tour is to grab a freshly baked baguette, a hunk of cheese, a bottle of fine French wine and enjoy a little picnic as you pass beneath the historic bridges and watch the city as it slowly passes by.

Three: A Walk in the Park

Visiting Paris wouldn’t be complete to me without a visit to one of the Grandest of all Gardens. the Jardin du Luxembourg, located in the Latin Quarter, this beautiful park, with it’s incredible gardens, has long been associated with the many artists that spent time there as they set up their canvases and went to work, others, with their pens in hand put to paper the famous novels they wrote, still enjoyed when we read them today…Now, it’s a park for everyone. Children delight in playing with their boats in the pond or riding ponies while adult’s take a needed break to sit, watch the fun and do what we love the best, watching all the people…This park is also the home to the Palais du Luxembourg, a magnificent palace built by the wife of Henry IV, Marie de Medici, in 1612 right after his untimely and suspicious death…..Now the Palais is home to the French Senate, with tours available if you request them in advance…to the side of the Palais, and not far from the gazebo where you may find a concert going on at any given time of the day, don’t miss the incredibly beautiful Medici Fountain..

Speaking of artists,

Four:Musee de Orsay

If, like me, you love Impressionist painting then this is the museum to visit…Located on the Rive Gauche, (the left bank), The Museum de Orsay is an old converted train station that was most lovingly brought back to life as a great Museum of art…The first thing I do, upon entering, is go to the top floor which gets crowded as the day passes, to view the Impressionist masters, Van Gogh, Renoir, Monet, Manet, Degas, Rodin, Cezanne, just to name a few, their works are all there, waiting for you to admire up close and personal…on the lower floors are exhibits of what are considered to be some of the finest pieces of art to be seen anywhere, the sculptures alone are worth the visit and, best of all, if time is an issue, this museum can be seen in just a few hours…it’s bright and cheerful and absolutely a must, at least for us ….And don’t forget The Art Deco furniture exhibits, these modern designs of that era had it’s beginnings in Paris….

Five: off with her head

For a different type of Parisian sight and filled with tons of Parisian history, though a bit gloomy, is the Conciergerie. This Medieval and imposing gray structure is quite formidable looking with it’s huge turrets and is best viewed when riding on one of the boats or from across the river when you stand on the Right bank…this building looks as frightening as it is historic. Used as a prison during the French revolution this was where many unfortunate prisoners were held just before being taken to the Guillotine. Inside you can take a tour and see the cell that held Marie Antoinette before she was beheaded…you also see some of the cells where other prisoners were held and some writing on the walls that they left behind. And, don’t miss a visit to St. Chapelle, the “Chapel to the Kings” just behind the main buildings…this little Chapel has its own historic significance and the most stunning stained glass windows. Gargoyles overlook quite a lot of this property so don’t forget to look up!

It’s so hard to limit myself to just my top five since Paris has so much to offer but these were the first to pop into my mind. I’m sure there will be more..

A little info:

Three of the boat companies offering tours:

The Bateaux Mouches embarking at the Pont de Alma on the right bank. They also offer dinner tours

The Bateaux Parisians embarking at the Port de la Bourdonnais, at the foot of the Eiffel tower.

The Vedettes du Pont Neuf just west of the Place du Pont Neuf, Ile de la Cite, these are the smaller boats with guides…This is our favorite, since it’s smaller and more intimate