Ooh La La de Paris ! Four hours of train ride to a place we love to live in and the place we hate to leave…I could not wait for my ‘romantic rendezvous’ with Paris!
Parisian life is all about cafes, coiffures, fashion, shopping, art, not working for more than 35 hours a week and speaking French (which is much appreciated by locals) else, English works fine at all the touristy places. It was a short weekend trip so we stayed close to the Arc de Triomphe and one of the most popular shopping districts of the fashion capital of France - Champs-Elysées. If you live close to a historic landmark, the major tourist sites are walkable else, you can always rely on the overcrowded metro or a classy horse carriage ride or even rent an old Parisian cab.
Amidst the hustle bustle, the visit to Montmartre was an absolute delight though it was buzzing with the sound of the tourists like bees. The Montmartre Cathedral offers a panoramic view of Paris and this small village will get you the best deals in souvenirs. It is an ideal place to try the french crepes with a pint of beer in one of the cafes lined up next to the artist’s square. For art lovers it is a small paradise where you can pamper yourself with your portrait sketched by an artist or bargain and buy one of the artsy pieces that would adorn your wall. On your way back, a stop at La Cure Gourmande is a must. This renowned local bakery is a treat for your taste buds. You can try free samples of the cookies chocolates and caramels and buy some too.
Be sure to reserve your tickets if you want to avoid the long queue for a ride to the top of the Eiffel Tower or to see the world famous ‘Monalisa’ at the Louvre. A romantic River Seine dinner cruise is always a welcome option esp. if you are a couple. It unveils the beautiful sights of the city by night. It was unfortunate that we could not treat ourselves to the cruise because 2 days were not enough to cover all the options available. Walking by foot and using the metro is quite handy if you are on a tight budget.
The Notre Dame Cathedral, Place de la Concorde, Versailles Palace, the Les Invalides, Pont Neuf, the Luxembourg Garden, the Grand Palace and a wine tasting trip to the tranquil Loire valley are the other places of interest. For the ones who enjoy music, the Opera Garnier or the Moulin Rouge can add some life to your evenings. If you are traveling with kids, Disneyland Paris is just next door. These will be enuff to fill up your travel itinerary for atleast a week or more in a land which never ceases to entertain!
Bon voyage mon ami !
Ooh La La de Paris !
Four hours of train ride to a place we love to live in and the place we hate to leave…I could not wait for my ‘romantic rendezvous’ with Paris!
Parisian life is all about cafes, coiffures, fashion, shopping, art, not working for more than 35 hours a week and speaking French (which is much appreciated by locals) else, English works fine at all the touristy places. It was a short weekend trip so we stayed close to the Arc de Triomphe and one of the most popular shopping districts of the fashion capital of France - Champs-Elysées. If you live close to a historic landmark, the major tourist sites are walkable else, you can always rely on the overcrowded metro or a classy horse carriage ride or even rent an old Parisian cab.
Amidst the hustle bustle, the visit to Montmartre was an absolute delight though it was buzzing with the sound of the tourists like bees. The Montmartre Cathedral offers a panoramic view of Paris and this small village will get you the best deals in souvenirs. It is an ideal place to try the french crepes with a pint of beer in one of the cafes lined up next to the artist’s square. For art lovers it is a small paradise where you can pamper yourself with your portrait sketched by an artist or bargain and buy one of the artsy pieces that would adorn your wall. On your way back, a stop at La Cure Gourmande is a must. This renowned local bakery is a treat for your taste buds. You can try free samples of the cookies chocolates and caramels and buy some too.
Be sure to reserve your tickets if you want to avoid the long queue for a ride to the top of the Eiffel Tower or to see the world famous ‘Monalisa’ at the Louvre. A romantic River Seine dinner cruise is always a welcome option esp. if you are a couple. It unveils the beautiful sights of the city by night. It was unfortunate that we could not treat ourselves to the cruise because 2 days were not enough to cover all the options available. Walking by foot and using the metro is quite handy if you are on a tight budget.
The Notre Dame Cathedral, Place de la Concorde, Versailles Palace, the Les Invalides, Pont Neuf, the Luxembourg Garden, the Grand Palace and a wine tasting trip to the tranquil Loire valley are the other places of interest. For the ones who enjoy music, the Opera Garnier or the Moulin Rouge can add some life to your evenings. If you are traveling with kids, Disneyland Paris is just next door. These will be enuff to fill up your travel itinerary for atleast a week or more in a land which never ceases to entertain!
Bon voyage mon ami !
