Paris La Cité de la Lumiére
“You can’t escape the past in Paris, and yet what’s so wonderful about it is that the past and present intermingle so intangibly that it doesn’t seem to burden. -Allen Ginsberg
Paris, France, est toujours une bonne idée (translation “is always a good idea” - Audrey Hepburn). The French capital has reigned as the world’s most popular tourist destination in all seasons. The city of lights as it’s referred to because of it’s role as the center of enlightenment in Europe as well being the first to implement gas lighting in it’s streets. It is a beautiful and cultural city, very walkable, with great sights, and it has been a source of inspiration for many writers, artists, and filmmakers. Nothing spells romance like enjoying a bottle of wine, some bread and cheese at the base of the Eiffel tower with a loved one or even by yourself if you are traveling solo.
My first visit was a short 3 days stop over on my way to India. I stayed in the Montmartre district in a hotel overlooking a cemetery. Keep in mind this is before the days of ride share applications but fortunately we were young enough for a fair amount of walking and brave enough to try public transport. I was already bit by wanderlust and I chafed at allowing myself so little time to spend in this iconic city that in itself was a university of art, food, wine, literature, music.
On my second visit I revisited some of the places that I had visited on my first lightning round to savor the sights, sounds and smells of this panoramic city. I found the best way to experience the city was to walk around, window shop, sit in a café and people watch even as we covered some of the iconic tourist stops.
This time around I made the time to venture outside of Paris and visit Versailles and Giverny. With my friends we explored more of France particularly the south of France by taking the high speed TGV to Avignon and then making our way to Nice by road with a tour company.
While I might have felt short changed after my first visit, In hindsight I believe doing the country and the city in smaller chunks allowed me to see and experience more than I might have in one immersive visit. I am glad that on my first trip I made my way to Rue De Paradis and purchased my beautiful Daum piece that has pride of place in my display cabinet.
The city has so much to offer, so many layers to penetrate that you can never go wrong by stopping here and spending a little time.
One of my favorite places in Paris ~ Sacre -Coeur. Located at the highest point of the city it’s a popular landmark. There is something about this beautiful white church that calls to me. Two of the three times that I visited Paris I made it a point to make my way to the church and light a candle.
Of course the other attraction here is the incredible view of Paris from the stairs outside the basilica. While I have not been to Paris for some time, I recall the throngs of people who sat on these stairs waiting to watch the sun set over Paris.
For me a perfect evening in Paris, is the walk down into Montmarte after my visit to the church to enjoy the artists busy at their easels. Perhaps you can stop and pick one of them to paint a portrait of you, while I did not get a portrait I did pick up a couple of water colors that hang on my walls reminding me of my visit. Don’t forget to round off your evening in Montmartre with a chocolate crepe.
The Arc De Triomphe is one of the most famous monuments in Paris, France standing at the western end of the Champs-Elysees. Originally commissioned by Emperor Napoleon at the peak of his fortunes in 1806 it did not get completed until 1836. Standing at the peak of the radiating star of roads and the sheer volume of the traffic it’s not easy to get to it.
Beneath the arc lies the tomb of the unknown soldier with an eternal flame that was the first lit in Western Europe in 1920.
The Louvre, with Pei’s pyramid in it’s classic courtyard is an architectural masterpiece, home to the Mona Lisa is the largest art museum in the world. Clearly one can’t leave Paris without at least visiting the Louvre and wondering at the Mona Lisa at least once.
Like any major city in the world keep a watch on your possessions to protect from pick pockets etc. When we visited the square was full of colorful gypsies, music and dance. The outside being as much an attraction as the inside.
If you’re an art lover especially of the impressionist and post impressionist movement then a visit to the Musee d’orsay is definitely called for. It is one of the largest museums in the world and houses works by Berthe Morisot, Monet, Manet, Degas, Renoir, Cézanne, Seurat, Sisley, Gauguin, and Van Gogh. I recently read “I always loved you” by Robin Olivera for my book club which brings alive the struggle for many of these now famous artists as they broke away from tradition to establish a new art movement.
The famous cabaret in Paris which set the stage for some of the shows in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA. We went out for dinner at a restaurant in the neighborhood before attending the show. One needs to do this at least once in Paris for the experience.
The Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, France is one of the finest examples of Gothic architecture. On my first visit here I imagined the hunchback of Notre Dame protecting Esmeralda the gypsy girl with whom he had fallen in love.
In reality there was no hunch back and no Esmeralda but never the less the beautiful church made quite an impression on me as did the busy area around it. The gargoyles were everything I imagined them to be and more.
The church is beautiful but the stained glass most particularly the rose windows are spectacular. Originally created in 1260A.D. most of the work has survived intact.
Not my photo but like the millions of tourists who visit Paris, France we took boat cruise down the river Seine to admire the city of Paris at sunset and see all the architectural marvels from the water. The changing lights of the Eiffel tower and the illuminated city as night fell brought home to us that the city truly is a city of light.
The Tuileries garden is a public garden in Paris, France. It’s a place where Parisians meet, relax, celebrate, and stroll. It’s another place that I had romanticized in my head from some of the books that I had read and yet I had to resort to a picture not my own when it came time to put it all together.
The best way to experience the city is to walk the neighborhoods, pop into shops, rest your feet in one of the numerous cafe’s along the way to drink a coffee and watch the people walking by. Food, perfume, chocolate, art, literature what is there not to enjoy and experience. Paris is definitely always a good idea.