“We'll always have Paris” – the immortal line from the movie Casablanca used to be the first think that strike me when I hear Paris prior to visiting the city. Now there are so many images flashing through my mind – Stroll through Champs Elysees, a day in Louvre & Musee d'Orsay, Eiffel at night, visit to Sacre Coeur early morning – it has something in store for everyone. Some call it the romantic city, some call gastronomic paradise, some call it fashion capital, and for art connoisseurs it’s the Mecca of art - Bienvenue à Paris.
Let me start with Louvre – though its fame to a wider audience is through Davinci’s Mona Lisa (La Gioconda), it houses one of the world’s finest art collections –In a eagerness to see Mona Lisa don’t miss other fine works by Rembrandt, Rubens, Titan, Gericault & the works like The Raft of the Medusa, Venus de Milo, Nike of Samothrace, Psyche Revived by Cupid's Kiss, list goes long. Another sight that will enthrall you will be artists copying the paintings. Last but not the least, the remarkable anti structure – The Inverted Pyramid – no one will miss it especially post Davinci Code. Please make sure that you spend the whole day (preferable on weekday to avoid the rush, never on 1st Sunday of the month as it’s free and there will be a long queue to even get inside the Museum).
Another must visit museum is Musee d’ Orsay. Thanks to our last minute planning, we had to stay in Paris during in between one of our Euro back packing tours. Though we had visited most significant tourist destinations, we started browsing through the city guide available in Paris station and decided to visit Musee d’ Orsay. We were in for a real surprise. It houses all the notable post impressionist master pieces – be it Van Gogh, Gauguin, Cezanne, Rousseau or Monet. If you find time for more museums do visit the Museum of Modern Age (Musee de Cluny) & Musee de l'Orangerie. Being a big fan of Asterix, I was lucky enough to visit the special exhibition on Asterix on its Golden jubilee of publication in Musee de Cluny.
Rested on one of the city’s highest point is Sacre Coeur Basilica, built Romano-Byzantine architectural style. Don’t forget to capture the picturesque glimpse of Paris from there. On other end there is Notre Dame Cathedral famous for Gothic architecture. Best way to spend an evening in Paris is a stroll through Champs Elysees, do some window shopping in shops there, see Arc de Triumph & end up in Eiffel Tower after it is lighted. If you are in Paris for a longer duration you should not miss Chateau de Versailles, Pantheon & Sainte Chapell.
Last but not the least Paris has lot of eateries & houses almost all the fashion brands. If you are going with a younger population don’t forget the Disney land at Marne la Vallee in Paris.
Paris can boast off for having one of the best metro systems in the world. Backpackers should get the metro card which has got all the tourist locations. The hostels are a bit expensive and you can save money if you can book in advance. During our stay in Europe we ended up in Paris so many times. Once we had to go to Lyon & booked a train which stopped in Gare Lyon, which is in Paris. Since Gare means station we thought we were in Lyon and had to stay overnight in Paris. It’s hard to find hotels for cheap rates in Paris at the last moment and since it was a winter season we ended up paying extra cash for a room. Another advice to those travelling in Eurail; please make sure you are in right station as Paris has 3 main stations – Gare Lyon, Gare Nord & Gare East.
All said I had one of my best vacations in Paris.Je t'aime Paris...
Let me start with Louvre – though its fame to a wider audience is through Davinci’s Mona Lisa (La Gioconda), it houses one of the world’s finest art collections –In a eagerness to see Mona Lisa don’t miss other fine works by Rembrandt, Rubens, Titan, Gericault & the works like The Raft of the Medusa, Venus de Milo, Nike of Samothrace, Psyche Revived by Cupid's Kiss, list goes long. Another sight that will enthrall you will be artists copying the paintings. Last but not the least, the remarkable anti structure – The Inverted Pyramid – no one will miss it especially post Davinci Code. Please make sure that you spend the whole day (preferable on weekday to avoid the rush, never on 1st Sunday of the month as it’s free and there will be a long queue to even get inside the Museum).
Another must visit museum is Musee d’ Orsay. Thanks to our last minute planning, we had to stay in Paris during in between one of our Euro back packing tours. Though we had visited most significant tourist destinations, we started browsing through the city guide available in Paris station and decided to visit Musee d’ Orsay. We were in for a real surprise. It houses all the notable post impressionist master pieces – be it Van Gogh, Gauguin, Cezanne, Rousseau or Monet. If you find time for more museums do visit the Museum of Modern Age (Musee de Cluny) & Musee de l'Orangerie. Being a big fan of Asterix, I was lucky enough to visit the special exhibition on Asterix on its Golden jubilee of publication in Musee de Cluny.
Rested on one of the city’s highest point is Sacre Coeur Basilica, built Romano-Byzantine architectural style. Don’t forget to capture the picturesque glimpse of Paris from there. On other end there is Notre Dame Cathedral famous for Gothic architecture. Best way to spend an evening in Paris is a stroll through Champs Elysees, do some window shopping in shops there, see Arc de Triumph & end up in Eiffel Tower after it is lighted. If you are in Paris for a longer duration you should not miss Chateau de Versailles, Pantheon & Sainte Chapell.
Last but not the least Paris has lot of eateries & houses almost all the fashion brands. If you are going with a younger population don’t forget the Disney land at Marne la Vallee in Paris.
Paris can boast off for having one of the best metro systems in the world. Backpackers should get the metro card which has got all the tourist locations. The hostels are a bit expensive and you can save money if you can book in advance. During our stay in Europe we ended up in Paris so many times. Once we had to go to Lyon & booked a train which stopped in Gare Lyon, which is in Paris. Since Gare means station we thought we were in Lyon and had to stay overnight in Paris. It’s hard to find hotels for cheap rates in Paris at the last moment and since it was a winter season we ended up paying extra cash for a room. Another advice to those travelling in Eurail; please make sure you are in right station as Paris has 3 main stations – Gare Lyon, Gare Nord & Gare East.
All said I had one of my best vacations in Paris.Je t'aime Paris...
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