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Paris Paris has gotten a bad rap lately, for no good reason. But thanks to the film Paris J'Taime, the recent collaboration among the world’s greatest actors and filmmakers – also Paris lovers – the world can once again appreciate what makes this lovely city the famous destination that it deservedly is.
Walking Paris is the best way to experience this city, so be sure you go in with a good pair of shoes. Start out in the Latin Quarter, sipping an espresso and watching the morning sun rise above the perennial café dwellers. Stroll along the Left Bank of the Seine, and watch the street artists setting up shop for the day. Cross the bridge into the Cathedral of Notre Dame, one of the world’s most impressive pieces of gothic architecture. Be sure to go when there’s a mass, the blue-cloaked choir literally sings with the angels. At noon, be sure to stop in at Sylvia Beach’s Shakespeare and Company, the stop along the way for great writers in the English language including Henry Miller and Alan Ginsberg.
If you’re in for some serious shopping, hit up the Champs-Élysées a broad boulevard pounded down with cement and all the imperial regalia of France, terminating in the Arc de Triomphe. Near the Champs-Élysées are name brand stores for beloved brands including Louis Vuitton, Hermés, Gucci and others.
The Eiffel Tower really isn’t all it’s cracked up to be, when you get there you’ll find a lawn with lots of young people picnicking and having a good time, but you’ll be far from any condensed cultural goodness that Paris is usually known for. Take the elevator up the Eiffel Tower, however, and you’ll get a splendid view of the City. The LaChaise Cemetery is a marvelous graveyard, with elaborate tombstones and some incredibly famous people buried there, including rock musician Jim Morrison. During the summer months, a new phenomenon called the Paris Beach has sprung up. It arose from the loud complaints that Paris would be perfect, if only it were a coastal city, and had a beach. So the city dumped a bunch of sand alongside the Seine and said, “there!” It’s now a popular destination for people watchers, with live music and fun activities for the whole family.
At night, leave the kids behind and go to Montparnasse, Paris’s bustling, historical neighborhood renowned for its café, clubs and Parisian discothèques. To this day it maintains the haughty allure of the scintillating Parisian style that draws students and lovers of the Bohemian lifestyle from all around the world. Lodging in Paris is an experience in itself, as you will be treated in 5-star elegance that befits the city, if you like. Apartments overlooking the Seine are also highly popular, and there are plenty of options to choose from. Do remember, however, that Paris is far from “off the map,” and you’ll want to book ahead. |
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