AAHH...PARIS!
Paris is the city of lights, known for fashion, art, museums, food, wine, architecture, cathedrals, sports, history, romance and attitude. As I write this, the stunning aftermath of the attack on the French satirical magazine, Charlie Hebdo, the murder of four Kosher Deli hostages and the senseless killing of a female police officer is still being felt by grieving Parisians and the rest of the world.
Among all of the amazing experiences we can have in Paris, the tolerance and "freedom to be you and me" attitudes of its diverse citizens makes a tourist feel like a welcome guest. It appears that differences in lifestyle choices, ethnicity, religions and political views are not as important in the greater scheme of living and loving life.
This was my first trip to Paris and Stuart's first in 41 years. We loved it! The rumors of rude French people are just that! We encountered kind and patient waiters, helpful metro ticket sellers, wonderful hotel staff and just random people who we asked for help and they willingly gave it. I got a little panicked when entering a metro car at rush hour, when Stuart was pushed to the front of the car and I was pushed to the rear. I wasn't sure what stop I was supposed to get off at, so I was more than a little stressed. Imagine my surprise when, at the next stop, Tom and Jim from our tour group entered. I RAN INTO PEOPLE I KNOW ON THE PARIS METRO! Well, I had just met them the night before at our tour orientation meeting, but they made sure I got off at the right place.
Among all of the amazing experiences we can have in Paris, the tolerance and "freedom to be you and me" attitudes of its diverse citizens makes a tourist feel like a welcome guest. It appears that differences in lifestyle choices, ethnicity, religions and political views are not as important in the greater scheme of living and loving life.
This was my first trip to Paris and Stuart's first in 41 years. We loved it! The rumors of rude French people are just that! We encountered kind and patient waiters, helpful metro ticket sellers, wonderful hotel staff and just random people who we asked for help and they willingly gave it. I got a little panicked when entering a metro car at rush hour, when Stuart was pushed to the front of the car and I was pushed to the rear. I wasn't sure what stop I was supposed to get off at, so I was more than a little stressed. Imagine my surprise when, at the next stop, Tom and Jim from our tour group entered. I RAN INTO PEOPLE I KNOW ON THE PARIS METRO! Well, I had just met them the night before at our tour orientation meeting, but they made sure I got off at the right place.
EIFFEL TOWER
Of course, the FIRST thing WE HAD TO SEE in Paris was the Eiffel Tower. After 50+ years of seeing images, movies and reading books about it, the first time I actually set my eyes on her, I got chills! It's momentous - a miraculous work of art, engineering, architecture and design. I never got tired of looking at the icon of Paris, from all vantage points-morning (with a croissant), afternoon (with a macaroon) and night (with a glass of wine). What an unexpected delight to see the lights twinkling as we passed the Eiffel Tower on our way back from dinner on Rue Cler.
The tower was designed and built by Gustave Eiffel as the entrance for the 1889 World's Fair. You can visit all three levels, but the views from the top are the most spectacular. Oh, and if you go to the top, buy the overpriced champagne in a plastic flute. It's worth it!
ORSAY MUSEUM
The Musée d'Orsay is located on the left bank of the Seine (across from the Tuileries Garden) and housed in a former railway station that was built between 1898 and 1900. The building's architecture is as impressive as the collections displayed within.
Less than 40 years after it was built, the station became unsuitable for the larger, longer trains of that period. It was a mailing center and a movie set among other things, until 1970 when it was slated for demolition to put up a high rise hotel. But the Cultural Minister, Jacques Duhamel, had another idea for the space - a museum to show mid- to late 19th-century French art. |
The Musée d'Orsay owns the world's largest collection of impressionist and post-impressionist paintings in the world, including works by Monet, Degas, Renoir, Manet, Seurat, Cézanne and 25 masterpieces by Van Gogh. We loved the Van Gogh exhibit, especially Starry Night, Over the Rhone and the artist's self-portrait.
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LOUVRE
On a rainy day in Paris, it's a great idea to visit the Musée du Louvre. As you can see, a few other people had this idea. It's really hard to get a good picture of the Mona Lisa! But this is a must see in Paris.
Originally built as a fortress in the late 12th century, the Louvre's palace became a museum in 1793, housing only 537 paintings. My how it has grown! This place is enormous. In over 650,000 square feet is displayed over 35,000 works of art divided into eight collections: the Near Eastern Antiquities, Egyptian Antiquities, Greek, Etruscan and Roman Antiquities, Islamic Art, Sculptures, Decorative Arts, Paintings and Prints and Drawings. Don't try this by yourself! Read Rick's guidebooks for tips and use his audio tour. We chose to spend a little more and took a guided tour. Don't miss the basement where the foundations of the fortress can still be seen. |
CRUISING ON THE SEINE
There's no better way to see the sights of Paris than from the River Seine. We were captivated by the river views of the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame, Orsay Museum, and all those beautiful bridges. It was so great to examine close-up the beautiful bridge sculptures that can only be appreciated on a boat ride down the Seine. We used Vedettes du Pont Neuf, which leaves from a pier beneath the famous bridge. We booked online as our Rick Steves Guidebook instructed - only 9 Euros and worth every Euro Cent! Next time, we're taking the nighttime tour to truly experience the City of Lights on an evening cruise.
SATURDAY ON THE SEINE
We spent Saturday afternoon strolling along the river. If you want to get a true picture of the Paris vibe, this is the place to do it. The walkway along the left bank of the river holds a new thrill around each turn. We truly felt like Parisians as we enjoyed the music, watched the joggers, bikers, and kids playing, while picnicking along the river. There are many places to sit and relax, benches, steps, inflatable yellow seats(?) and cafes.
We found Parisians to take considerable pride in their surroundings, from shopkeepers who sweep up every morning and evening, to city workers with industrial-sized vacuum cleaners, keeping the walkways spotless. |
SAINTE-CHAPELLE
A stroll on the Ile de la Cité (little island between the left and right banks of the river) is not complete without a visit to this medieval era wonder. Sainte-Chapelle was consecrated in 1248 as the Royal Palace chapel and home to many holy relics that King Louis IX acquired - Jesus' Crown of Thorns and a piece of the Holy Cross among them. The adjacent palace is no more; Sainte Chapelle is currently surrounded by the Palais de Justice. Likewise, most of the relics were destroyed during the French Revolution. The remaining relics are in the treasury of Notre-Dame Cathedral.
Scaffolding covered the famous Rose Window on the western wall, but the fifteen huge windows, depicting over one thousand Old and New Testament stories, were breathtaking! I loved listening to people gasp as they turned the corner and saw the magnificent, towering stained glass soaring above them.
Scaffolding covered the famous Rose Window on the western wall, but the fifteen huge windows, depicting over one thousand Old and New Testament stories, were breathtaking! I loved listening to people gasp as they turned the corner and saw the magnificent, towering stained glass soaring above them.