MondayLunchCrew: Paris Recommendations Part 5: Sights

Friday, September 22, 2006

Paris Recommendations Part 5: Sights

This is part five of my Paris Recommendations Week series.

Sights:

There are so many great architecture and historic sights in Paris, these are the ones I highly recommend. I've still got a big list of other places to check out as well. Just can't wait to go back and see a few more sights.

Eiffel Tower (of course, get there before 7pm and you can mail postcards from the post office, which will stamp it with a special stamp cancelling stamp) Jules Verne Restaurant is very nice (and you can get up on the tower for free on private elevator without the line) but the place books up fast, worth a try for a spot for lunch book this well in advance.

Check out the towers light up at every hour for about 5-10 minutes after sunset.
Arc de Triomphe - getting out at the CDG metro stop will give you the best view coming up to the sight from the escalator. Take the underground path way and walk to the place de l'Étoile.

From there, on a clear day you can see all the way to the Grande Arche at La Défense.
Afterwards, take a stroll down Avenue des Champs Élysées. Yes, it is very commercial, but I think it's a fun street to walk down.
Jardin du Luxembourg. 6e arr.
You should definitely take a night cruise on the seine. Great views. And if you are jet-lagged on your first day, it's a nice thing to do at night or if you are exhausted from a day of walking, this lets you continue the sightseeing but off your feet!
Notre Dame. Street behind it heading towards the river has some well priced souvenir shops.
Walk around Ile St-Louis, very old and quaint. All the great old mansions that many of us fantasize about living in. There's a famed ice cream place there: Berthillon, 31, rue St-Louis-en-L'ile - 75004
Place des Vosges

On the weekends, it's packed full of people enjoying the park.
Panthéon. 5e arr. Yes, were all the famous people are buried, but the architecture of the place is amazing.
Walk along the Seine and look at all the bridges. Check out the bouquinistes stalls between le Pont Neuf et le Pont Scully.
Palais Royale
Covered Passages. Passage Verdeau, Passage Jouffroy. These covered passages were likely the first shopping malls.
Le Viaduc des Arts. Avenue Daumesnil - 75012. Highline renovation/rejuvenation project in New York City is modeled after the work done here in paris.
Pont des Arts. Pedestrian bridge. Very romantic and it's the one you see in all the movies. I particularly like it because you can sit and enjoy it without traffic rushing by. Also a great view of Ile de la Cité.