Join Paula Dsouza as she walks you through a carefully curated, eventful day in Paris…
Why travel to Paris, you might ask? Truthfully answered, why not? Apart from its most iconic tourist locations like the Tour Eiffel and the Musée du Louvre, Paris has so much more to offer. This culturally saturated city is home to the most exquisite of cuisines, the most beautiful gardens, the most creative and classic works of fine art and to top all of that, is considered the fashion capital of the world! So, why Paris? Because the rest of the world seems to lack a place much like it. As Victor Hugo once wrote in his book ‘Les Misérables’, “Respirer Paris, cela conserve l’âme.” (Breathing Paris, preserves the soul.) Now, what exactly is one to do in Paris? We’ve got a bucket list for you!
First things first, sunrise is one of the few times in the day when Paris is a silent beauty. Typically, the sun should rise from around 5:50 am to around 9 am, depending on which season you are in. You can always check your weather app for more precise timings for the days you would like to travel. Owning up to its picturesque nature, there are multiple spots all over Paris where one could enjoy a sunrise.
However, the more magical-looking ones happen to be at the large open area across the Eiffel Tower called Trocadéro Square and near the Notre Dame Cathedral where rays of the sun shine through artistic masterpieces, amplifying their already brilliant beauty whilst filling the sky with warmth and colour. The view is absolutely surreal, a must-see!
If early mornings aren’t particularly your cup of tea, what could be a better way to wake yourself up than by sipping on a cup of piping hot coffee while biting into a croissant or two? While you are at it, go ahead and dip your croissant into your coffee – the flavour will leave your taste buds craving for more! Once you are caffeinated and ready to go, Paris has more than a few museums for you to lose yourself in. Whatever your preference – classical art, modern sculpture, fringe art, abstract pieces – Paris has the finest of the lot. A few suggestions before making your way to any museum: always book tickets in advance and if you don’t mind the splurge, you could pay a little extra to skip the long lines. Secondly, look up whatever art piece you wouldn’t want to miss and find out where in the museum it is, ensuring you see what you came to! The Louvre houses ancient antiques and timeless pieces of art, while the Musée d’Orsay celebrates French art, and the Pompidou Center is home to modern, contemporary works of art with installations, sculptures and paintings. You could also go on a walk through the Palace of Versailles or visit Sainte-Chapelle. These glorious architectural masterpieces are truly where the world of fine art meets architectural symmetry.
Surely, all the walking while visiting these historic sights is tiresome. To your luck, you should be right in time for lunch. A global delicacy, French gastronomy is delicious. Must-try dishes include French Onion Soup, Escargots, Boeuf Bourguignon, Coq au Vin, Quiche Lorraine and Duck Confit among others. Do ask your waiter to recommend something the restaurant is famous for too! Always leave room for dessert; however, don’t make the mistake of eating one at the restaurant as there is so much more you could be tasting outside… Street desserts are to die for in Paris. Indulge in mouthwatering crêpes, éclairs and profiteroles as you walk down to the Arc de Triomphe. You can even book tickets to walk right up to the top to see the glorious view – all the while enjoying your dessert! The Champs Élysées is home to some of the best fashion and shopping in Paris. You can always end your shopping spree with a little gift from the famous macaroon shop ‘Ladurée’.
Finally, after your strenuously exhausting day, you can enjoy some fresh berries, cheese and delicious bread from a Parisian boulangerie while passing your evening by the Seine River. You could even book a boat tour of the Seine to see Paris from a completely different angle.
That magical time of day has returned yet again – sunset. It is said that Montmartre is one of the most beautiful places to be, if not for the wine tasting, then for its enchanting views of the sunset. Enjoy a hot chocolate, a gelato or even a glass of wine depending on the weather and how you feel while watching the sunset over the Sacré-Coeur. The colours in the sky truly are immaculate.
Lastly, we truly have come full circle. A must-see in Paris is none other than the Eiffel Tower at night. The tower is lit up with what seems to be a never-ending amount of twinkling lights. It might be a little more crowded as compared to your sunrise experience, but what’s a few more people amid the most magical view of all time? Therefore, as previously stated, the rest of the world could never match up to what Paris has to offer. It’s so much more than just a magical city!
Image Credits: Google