From the Place de la Concorde to the Arc de Triomphe, Paris glitters with shimmering delights, the enchanting French city with its famous landmarks, romantic boulevards, and classical monuments is undisputedly glorious. Paris is known for its world-class cuisine and luxurious shopping, along with a fascinating array of monuments, parks, and gardens bursting in spring bloom, such as the Luxembourg gardens.
During summer, Paris is a beehive putting on a kaleidoscope of shows and festivals complemented by many exquisite touristic retreats. However, that doesn’t mean that Paris isn’t a winter delight. During winter, Paris transitions itself into one of the world’s most iconic cities with a wide range of activities. When it snows, you can slide down the slopes in Buttes-Chaumont Park or try skating at the gigantic ice rink at the Grand Palais.
During the winter holidays, the Notre Dame holiday market arrives with its mesmerizing display of artisans exhibiting their wares in small tents, selling everything from antiques and trinkets to jewellery and other leather crafts. Look out for French antiques, ceramics, paintings, and other holiday decorations. The annual festive market is just a short distance from the Notre Dame Cathedral in Square Rene Viviani. A selection of treats, including the renowned French macarons, tasty tarts, croissants, and hot chocolate, fill the holiday market with their delightful aroma.
Paris is also a crossroads of sorts; you are apt to cross paths with some of the world’s most iconic cultural and historical landmarks, these include the Notre Dame Cathedral, the Louvre, and of course, the Eiffel tower along with world-class shopping venues and Michelin star restaurants serving sumptuous French cuisine.
Notre Dame
For starters, consider touring the Notre Dame Cathedral, a masterpiece of French Gothic architecture with its renowned rainbow-colored stained glass interior and the odd 19th-century gargoyles. Once you walk through the Ile de la cite, you can’t miss Notre Dame; several hotels with magnificent views surround the cathedral.
One of Notre Dame’s appealing charms is the vast display of artwork, furniture, and other valuable items with Neo-Gothic designs inside its walls. Another attractive characteristic relates to the famous Disney animated movie The Hunchback of Notre Dame, inspired by the iconic French Cathedral.
The Louvre
The Louvre is considered one of the world’s most visited museums. The vast size of the museum and the wide range of cultural, artistic, and historical paintings and artefacts continue to draw thousands of visitors through its doors each year. The museum has undergone a series of remodeling initiatives to accommodate the wide range of visitors it receives. To date one of its most attractive draws is Leonardo Da Vinci’s painting The Mona Lisa.
The museum has over 38,000 objects, paintings, and artefacts from prehistoric times to the 21st century, covering an area of over 72,735 square meters. According to a recent survey, the Louvre received more than 9.6 million visitors in 2019 alone. Among the Louvre’s growing art collection are 300,000 works of art dating back to 1948, of which only 35,000 are visible to the public. The enormous art collection is organized by themes in different departments, which include the Oriental antiquities department and the Egyptian, Greek, and Roman antiquities departments. The most popular of all the paintings in the museum is the Italian masterpiece by Da Vinci. During the busy days of summer and at the peak of the tourist season, crowds gather around the iconic painting, eager to catch a glimpse of it, even though it is small.
After a day of touring, stop by Café Marly, located beneath the arcade of the Louvre. It provides the ideal setting to relax and unwind, allowing you to enjoy enchanting views of Parisian life. The Café has an impeccable choice of dishes, including classical French cuisine, along with an array of cocktails complemented by comfortably designed lounges overlooking the sculpture rooms of the Louvre.
Eiffel Tower
Nothing symbolizes France more than the Eiffel tower, commonly nicknamed the iron lady by the French; the Eiffel tower has become a global cultural icon. The tower’s construction was completed on March 31, 1889, and was once the world’s tallest manmade structure until the title was taken by the Chrysler building in New York in 1930. Among the notable features of the tower is that it is a symbol of love; couples from around the world come to propose under Eiffel’s gigantic towering edifice.
Visiting the Eiffel tower is considered the ultimate backlist adventure experience; seeing the top of the tower is an experience not to be missed. According to French tourism officials, the Eiffel tower is the world’s most visited monument; on average, it welcomes more than 7 million visitors a year. Like all other towers, the Eiffel employs the magic of light along with spectacular light shows with panoramic views of Paris. Its beacon shines brightly in the skies of Paris, inspiring dreams and illuminating its streets and neighbourhoods.
Champs Elysees and Arc de Triomphe
The Champs Elysees continues to fascinate tourists and Parisians alike. During any time of day, you can spot people strolling around the iconic street stretching between Place de la Concorde ad the Arc de Triomphe. One of Champs Elysees’ biggest enticements is its world-class shopping. The street is lined with Michelin-star restaurants, luxury boutiques, and nightclubs. It is renowned for its parades, such as the Bastille Day military parade, the tour de France, and the winter lights parade. One of the most spectacular department stores gracing the Champs Elysees is Galeries Lafayette, the iconic department store has glitzy displays alongside renowned high-end designer brands ranging from Prada to Gucci.
The Champs Elysees provides a unique view of the Arc de Triomphe, inaugurated in 1836 by French King Louis Philippe, who dedicated the monument to the armies of the revolution and empire. The monument honours those who fought and died for France during the French Revolution and the Napoleonic wars. The names of all veterans are inscribed on the inner and outer surfaces of the arch. Beneath the monument’s vault lies the tomb of the unknown soldier from the first world war, making the arc de Triomphe a revered patriotic site.
The River Seine
The best way to round up your trip to Paris is to stop by the river Seine, spend a few moments exploring its quays and banks, or take a stroll around its charming embankments. For centuries French lyricists, poets, and artists have been inspired and mesmerized by it. Flowing through the heart of Paris on both the left and right banks, the Seine offers unparalleled magnificent views of Paris, along with top hangout spots and stone quays gracing its embankments. The billowing Seine has a number of spectacular floating restaurants, nightlife venues, and cafes gracing its banks.
The best way to explore the river is to take a boat tour; many tour operators offer various levels of service, from taxi boats to a luxurious five-star private dining experience; everything is available. Lunch and dinner cruises run by the popular La Marina de Paris cruises are a delightful experience, to say the least. Choose from a selection of three-course meals accompanied by your choice of champagne as you admire the picturesque sights of Paris, the enchanting city of lights!
