Top Ten Things to do in Paris France
The best of Parisian Food, Entertainment and Sightseeing
Aug 16, 2009
The French Capital is one of Europe’s most visited cities, and it’s easy to see why; built on centuries of history both romantic and enthralling, it’s a place where you’ll want to pack your days and not miss out on the best there is to offer.
Climb the Eiffel Tower
It’s not enough to stand back and view the Eiffel Tower, Paris’s most recognisable icon. It’s not even enough to take the elevators – the beautiful, cascading views of Paris are best appreciated casually as you attempt the Tower’s nearly 700 steps. The main shaft of the Eiffel Tower is elevator only (though costs extra) so there’s an easy ride to the top for those who’ve braved a walk from the bottom. The best thing about walking up the Tower is that the line up for tickets to take the stairs is shorter than lines for the elevator.
The Best of Europe at Notre Dame Cathedral
Located centrally by the Seine, the famous cathedral lives up to its reputation with its large, exquisitely detailed and historically impressive interior. Visitors to Europe will quickly get their fill of cathedrals, but this is one of the more impressive and needs to be near the top of the list.
Go Subterranean in the Parisian Catacombs
In the late eighteenth century, when the cemeteries of Paris were overflowing, many of the bodies were dug up and buried beneath the city. These anonymous bones have been neatly arranged as the walls of Paris' subterranean catacombs, lining these dark and intriguing underground hallways, which stretch for miles. While this is a rather bizarre tourist draw, it’s worth the effort as this is one of the most unique tourist sights in the world.
Eat Good French Food, Drink Good French Wine
The quality and general appeal of French food and drink is not to be underestimated: French cuisine deserves its reputation. Nervous travellers need to leave their notions of snails and frogs legs at the airport doors – French food is about subtlety in flavour and their wine is the product of centuries of experience. For those wanting an easier introduction to French food, avoid the classier restaurants and try a more laid back brasserie, which will be cheaper with dishes more familiar to the Western-style palate. For a beginners guide to wine, try a wine tasting with ‘O Chateau’ who offer a great range of tastings for beginners and the slightly more experienced.
Art Appreciation at the Louvre
The Louvre is without a doubt one of the world's most famous and most visited art museums, and, of course, the home of one of the world's most famous paintings, 'The Mona Lisa'. Beyond this there is much to be enjoyed and appreciated; the very building itself, with its combination of classic style, and the more modern inverted pyramid entrance, along with the museum's endless halls of classic art and sculpture. A single day is barely enough to scratch the surface so don’t rush to try and see everything. After all, good art is about quality, not quantity.
Walk from the Arch De Triumph to the Champs Elysees
Start at the Arch De Triumph, Paris’s immense, ornate classical Arch, built by Napoleon on what is now one of Europe’s busiest roundabouts. Walk down the Avenue des Champs Elysees; Paris’s ritziest shopping street, lined with beautiful trees and only the classiest of the classy high street stores. At the end of this two Kilometre walk, once you’ve passed and admired Marigny Square and the Grand Palais, you’ll come to the Obelisk, a taste of Ancient Egypt in the middle of classic Paris. This walk will take you past a number of Paris’s best sights, while giving you a feel for a part of the city that’s best experienced by foot.
Get Pious at the Sacre Coeur
Paris's chief Catholic Church, the Basilique du Sacre Coeur is situated at an ideal vantage point for visitors; the highest point in the city. The lush views of Paris may be one draw card, but the view of the church’s interior is worth the journey as well.
Party at the Moulin Rouge
At night, the famous windmill sitting atop the Moulin Rouge lights up, a beacon to those seeking bawdy entertainment in the heart of old Paris. There are usually two shows per night, with dinner an optional extra, and champagne flowing aplenty. The show itself is a cabaret-style mix, with acrobatics, slapstick comedy, ventriloquism and a parade of dance numbers varying from fun to funky to naughty. The Moulin Rouge may not be for everyone, but it’s guaranteed there will be at least one act everyone will love. Be warned, you should book ahead on their website.
Impressionism at the Musee d’Orsay
The Musee d'Orsay is an art gallery housed in a large former train station in Paris, with an impressive collection of French Impressionist works. Within this beautiful, historic building visitors can find works by such renowned artists as Monet, Renoir and Cezanne, and it's this slant towards more modern French paintings that sets d'Orsay apart from the more classical Louvre. This gallery is a must for lovers of French Art.
Take an Evening Cruise down the Seine
Paris: one of the world’s most romantic cities; a night cruise down the Seine River is a great way of seeing why, first hand. Cruises run from the riverbank adjacent the Eiffel Tower, where boats take visitors on a journey past the city's most striking buildings, the desirable villas and through years of fascinating history. Also a great chance to see the Eiffel Tower lit up so gloriously at night time.
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