City of Love – Paris – City of Light

Willemien Calitz on 28 September 2016
Bonjour, Comment allez-vous? Tres bien merci…

I have been to Paris a couple of times. You would think if you have seen the Eiffel Tower once, you don’t need to see it again. But for some reason every time I return, I can’t help myself but to visit my favourite places again and again. I am fascinated by this city. I just love the cobblestone streets, the French language, the hustle and bustle, the parks and monuments, the cosmopolitan cafe’s etc.

You do not want to drive in Paris. The Metro system is very convenient to use and is apparently the 2nd busiest underground network in Europe.

In my opinion if you have limited time, then a “Hop on Hop off” bus tour, is the best way to go. With a 24 – 48-hour ticket you can see the city’s top landmarks without getting lost. The different routes (called lines) are interchangeable. There is a choice of 11 languages with pre-recorded commentary and you even get a free poncho if it starts raining.

Hop off and explore on foot and just hop on again to continue your journey. It is also possible to buy a combination ticket which includes a sightseeing cruise down the Seine River.

Paris is also famous as the city with the most Michelin star restaurants in the world! I was lucky enough to have my first truffles and ‘soup a l ‘oignon’ (onion soup) in such a restaurant. Even their street food is good. (stay clear of restaurants in touristy areas – their prices are highly inflated). Baguettes, crepes, macaroons, quiches … the list (menu) goes on.

One of my favourite pastimes is ‘people watching’. I could be sitting on a bench in a park or in a coffee shop, just watching the world go by.

If there are specific attractions you don’t want to compromise in not seeing, I would suggest to pre-purchase entrance tickets and even to pay for ‘skip the line’.

Some of my top picks:

- The Eiffel tower – if you have time, try to get to the top floor for the most incredible view of The City of Paris.

- Visit the Moulin Rouge for a cabaret show – it has been operating since 1899 in the so called, “Red light district’.

- The Louvre - most famous museum in the world: My advice: make a list of what you don’t want to miss, it is easy to get distracted. It is a great idea to visit on a Wednesday or Friday evening when the closing time is later. Or if you are lucky enough to be there on the first Sunday between October and March as your entrance will be free of charge.

- The Sacre Coeur - The Notre Dame - The Arc de Triomphe - The Champs Elysees - Artists at work in Montmartre - Centre Pompidou - The Catacombs (only if you are not put off by the creepy remains of 6 million people) - Luxembourg Gardens - The Palace of Versailles

I keep on telling my clients it is not important what other people think you should see. It is your holiday, your perceptions, your time, your experiences – Your memories. Make them count.

Au revoir