Paris will forever remain one of my favourite cities. From charming Montmarte to bustling Champs Elysees, there is something for every kind of tourist and a lot for the romantic kind. Below are my top itineraries for the City of Lights.
A trip to Paris should always include an evening boat tour along the River Seine. From the water, you will see all the sparkly glamour of the city. Clockwise from top
(1) La Tour Eiffel – Paris’ most famous landmark, built for the 1889 World’s Fair; take the lifts all the way to the top. It gets chilly outside of summer, so bring a jacket or a jumper! (2) Musee d’Orsay – an old railway station retrofitted into an art museum; one of my favourite haunts, being a fan of train stations, adaptive reuse, and art. (3) Musee du Louvre – the old royal palace transformed into galleries. You can spend over a year going through the entire museum collection. Pay homage to da Vinci’s Mona Lisa – but be prepared to queue. The basement is worth a look, if you are interested in old fortresses.
Paris is replete with museums and historic sights. For a more unconventional gallery experience, the Centre Pompidou (top) houses modern exhibitions in an equally futuristic space. If quiet contemplation is your thing, Musee Rodin (bottom left) houses the works of the great sculptor in a charming sandstone house and attached gardens.
A Parisian holiday is not complete without a visit to a cathedral. Notre Dame is probably the most popular religious site, but climbing the steps to Montmarte’s Sacre Coeur (bottom right) is well worth the effort. You will be rewarded with expansive views of the city. Take time to explore the tiny streets of this neighbourhood – you may just stumble upon a street market with works from local artists.
