Sightseeing in Paris

Yikes, this is going to be a BIG post. There is just SO much to see in Paris. Out of all the places and big cities we've been to on this trip, we felt there was the most to see in Paris! There are so many unique neighborhoods, interesting historical sites, world renown art museums, cathedrals, etc. to explore in this huge city. During our time in Paris, we did the following in this order over three days...

1. Palace of Versailles (see post by Andy)

2. Arc de Triumphe

We saw this magnificent arc at night and during the day from a distance. One of the most interesting things for us to observe here was the massive traffic circle. They are everywhere in Paris but we really sat and watched for a while here. There are no lanes, and surprisingly minimal honking as cars, buses, scooters, taxis and the occasional brave biker cut each other off in effort to enter and exit the round-a-bout.

3. Picnic lunch at Eiffel Tower

I just loved being near the tower! The structure's form is just so pleasing to the eye. With other tourists and locals settled into a shady picnic spot, it makes for a lovely, carefree atmosphere.

4. Biking city bikes

Paris recently, I think only a few months ago, got the Velib bike program. London has this same program. Basically, the city has purchased a ton of bikes, placed them all over the city and now anyone can pay a small fee to hop on a bike and drop it off at any of the MANY Velib bike racks. It's such a brilliant idea! They hold 150 from your credit card in case you didn't bring it back, but if you don't mind that, it's free for 30 minutes and only one euro for the full hour! We did this twice and loved it. Biking along the south side of the Seine River was the best as we went through the Old Parisian area. Oh, also, I have to mention that one night we noticed they have a car program like this, right on the side of the road (see picture)!

5. Norte Dame Cathedral

We're in our last Europe city and had seen a ton of cathedrals so I was surprised at how much I appreciated Notre Dame. I think it was my favourite one because it was so unique with dark archways, huge intricate stained glass and the intimacy created in such a huge building.

6. Conciergerie prison

This building is part of what was a palace for the French monarchy. However, when the monarchists were overthrown by the Republicans, the palace became more of a prison run by the head concierge. There is quite an intense history within this building as the Republicans began a "reign of terror", executing many who we against their radical movement. This is the prison where Marie Antoinette (previously France's Queen, who ignorantly responded to the people's need for bread by saying, "Let them eat cake!") was held in prison before her public execution in the Place de la Concord.

7. Scenes along the Seine

The Seine River keeps busy with your boats, many lovely bridges, vendors along its banks and even beaches along the shore. We enjoyed looking on.

8. Gelati in Place de Vosges (Victor Hugo's house here too)

Oh my! This place had the BEST ice cream we've ever come across. We each got one scoop but you are allowed unlimited flavours within your "one" scoop. There were five employees scooping away and laughing with one another. I got hazelnut and raspberry. Andy got chocolate chunk, vanilla and some nut one. We sat in the park/square just steps away. It was recommended by a ladies daughter from Andy's placement and also housed Victor Hugo, author of Les Miserables.

9. French cuisine in Marais neighborhood

Saturday night was our special night out in Paris! We found a reasonably well priced place to eat and each ordered two course meals (sharing my salad and Andy's chocolate cake). Oh goodness, I should also mention that we sat at another restaurant prior to this, looked at the menu and sheepishly snuck out because we couldn't understand any of it and it was too pricey for the real meals. We were so embarrassed and I tripped over a ladies shopping bag while we were trying to be sneaky haha. Anyways! We ended up having a fantastic dinner in a really cute neighborhood of cobblestone streets and cute shops. Couldn't help but take a bunch of food photos haha...

10. Eiffel Tower at night round two

We went back a third time to watch the tower sparkle again and soak up Paris at night... the city of light!

11. Metro day

The metro is amazing in Paris! They have 14 lines, not to mention other buses, local trains and regional trains. We had no problem navigating in their public transit system. London was the only other big city with such an impressive network of public transit.

12. Walking to recommended bakeries or restaurants that were closed for August!

Ok so all of Paris is on vacation for the month of August! The locals that we're still around informed us that everyone in France gets five weeks vacation and can use four weeks consecutively so most take off the month of August. Awesome! However, not so awesome for our attempts to check out recommended bakeries or restaurants. Haha we didn't walk too far for it to be annoying, so it just became funny how many shops had signs in their windows saying they'd be back late August.

13. Sacre Coeur and City View

This Cathedral is perched on a hill overlooking the city. It was a nice church but the best part was climbing the 300 steps to the dome with 360 degree views of the city! It was cool to see the Eiffel Tower from up there.  Also, I just love the way Paris is laid out. It flows.

14. Chocolate macaroons in Monmarte

Yum! In the Monmarte neighborhood surrounding the Sacre Cour Cathedral, we found a famously delicious chocolate shop. We each got one large macaroon and enjoyed every bit as we watched the most creative street money makers in all of Europe (guessing gambling game with acting tourists, signing petitions then asking for money, putting the loop of a bracelet on a tourist then making it and charging them, etc.).

15. Place de la Concord

In this massive square you can see the Arc, Louvre, National Assembly and what looked like a theatre. It's also where many of the anti-republican citizens were publicly hung during the reign of terror, including Marie Antoinette. We didn't stay long as there was no shade and we were thirsty!

16. Louvre/Palace Gardens

Lots of people hang out in these gardens, using the lawn chairs provided as its not permitted to sit on the grass here. We filled up our water bottles twice here and enjoyed having a brief rest.

17. Free photography exhibit

Located on the large gardens by the Louvre, was a building that seems to hold different art exhibits at different times. When we came across it, there was a photography exhibit by Ahae. It was phenomenal! The photographer had spent three years shooting over 2 million pictures out ONE window in South Korea. The result was stunning. It was incredible how many different scenes he could capture outside the one window. I took his card and would love to eventually own a piece of his.

18. Louvre (see post)

19. Lovers Bridge

We locked our love to the Lovers Bridge in Paris. It's a funny little tradition and I'm not sure when it started but it sure is popular because the wire bridge was filled with shiny locks! The idea is that a couple brings a lock and it's keys to the bridge, carve their names into it, lock it to the bridge and toss the keys into the river... thus locking their love forever. Haha ok, so it's kind of silly but we had to leave our mark in Europe somehow! I also secretly hope our future kids would find it interesting to find their parents lock on the bridge someday ha.

20. Crepes in front of the Odeon Theatre

To finish our last night in Paris, we had French crepes! Delicious! We sat in front of the Odeon Theatre (must be where Cineplex Odeon gets his name).

Paris is an amazing city! There is SO much to see! Unlike many of the cities we've seen on this trip, we could see easily spending an entire vacation just in Paris. Loved it!

- Julia