This summer catch a flight to Paris, the most magnificent of cities. This glamorous mecca of culture fills up your senses like no other city in the world. Long-term residents will tell you that it takes an entire lifetime to get well-acquainted with this beautiful, majestic city. That being the case how do you take in its glorious sights in a week or even, say, a month? Well, it’s not that difficult, really, if you plan well.
A tip: try and stay as close to the city center as possible so that (almost) everything is close at hand. Buses and trains connect to all the important sites.
Here is a list of the top 5 ‘must sees’ that no trip to Paris would be complete without:
Eiffel Tower
Don’t be put off by the queue that appears endless. It disappears faster than you can imagine! Take a view of the city from any one of the three platforms of Le Tour d’Eiffel. The best view of this world famous structure occurs just before sunset when the City of Lights appears bathed in a golden light. Don’t miss viewing it during the night- under the stars the city has a fairy tale beauty with the snaking Seine River below and the perfect buildings, monuments and squares on either side.
Notre Dame
Immortalized by Victor Hugo, the Notre Dame cathedral is the finest representation of Gothic architecture. Located in the fourth arrondissement, the church holds the official chair of the Archbishop of Paris. Its stained glass and sculptures, along with its buttressed arches, angry gargoyles Are so detailed it’s a marvel to see. Especially when it is surrounded by the beauty of the Seine and surrounding greenery.
Musée d’Orsay
This historical museum displays paintings and other objets d’art spanning from mid 19th to the early 20th centuries. It is here that you get to see stunning impressionist and post-impressionist oeuvres, as well as great Art Nouveau works. Original works by Renoir, Monet, Van Gogh, and so many others will leave you spellbound. It is a good idea to buy your tickets in advance.
Musée du Louvre
This former 13-century fortress built by Philipe Augustus is the world’s most frequented art museum. Located in the first arrondissement the Musée du Louvre houses around 40,000 objets d’art and at least 350,000 paintings. The museum was the focal point of interest in the 2006 Hollywood blockbuster The Da Vinci Code. Apart from the paintings by Richlieu and Sully, the Greek and Egyptian antique artifacts are definitely worth viewing.
There are English language tour guides to help you along. These tours depart from the Grande Pyramide and last for half an hour and are a great way to see the most important pieces. It’s so easy to get lost inside the Louvre.
Centre Pompidou
Centre Georges Pompidou is situated in the 4th arrondissement almost next door to Les Halles, the famous and sprawling shopping center of Paris. Inaugurated over 30 years ago it continues to enthrall tourists and residents alike. It is the venue of several world-renowned exhibitions including Klee, Samuel Beckett, and Arman.
The Centre Pompidou is home to the Bibliothèque, an enormous public library, IRCAM a well-known center for research in music and acoustics, and Musée National d’Art Moderne, the largest modern art museum in Paris.
Whether you want a romatic trip away, or a great family vacation to show the children one of the most beautiful places in the world, Paris in the spring should not be missed, Why not catch a flight to Paris ad find out for yourself? Cheap plane tickets are available almost throughout the year. Speak to your travel agent NOW!
