- Where to stay:
If you’re looking for a nice place to crash for a small price, the Hotel Au Pacific might be right for you. Book in advance to get one of the larger rooms. It’s small, it’s cozy, it’s on a nice and quiet neighborhood and very close to the Dupleix metro station. The Eiffel tower is at walking distance (15 min). A good alternative would be getting one of those big hotel chains such as Accor, who occasionally have special rates for specific locations (even closer to the city center).
- Moving around:
Public transportation in Paris covers most of the city and is pretty decent and safe. The metro may sound a little confusing at first, but it’s nothing the right and ever-helping tool won’t handle, especially when it’s hard to find everything you’ll want to see at walking distance. If there’s a downside on the whole metro deal, it’s the closing time (between midnight and 1AM) – specially when the night line (Noctilien) doesn’t cover the whole city. Consider buying multi-day passes, as the t+ ticket price may be a little overrated (10 t+ ticket bundles are considerably cheaper). Ticket dispensers run Windows NT, are awfully prone to crashes and rarely accept coins, so bring enough coins (or credit cards). IMHO, panoramic tour buses are worthless (and expensive) and can easily be replaced by a few regular bus rides and some short walks covering the most “touristic” spots. A boat cruise along the Seine river, however, may be worth the shot, specially at sunset (Les Vedettes du Pont-Neuf, aprox 10€)
- What to see:
You’ll find most mainstream spots spread along the river. Use the boat cruise (or a good map) to identify them. These “attractions” can get pretty crowded and you should expect waiting in line for a couple of hours to get in the Eiffel Tower (where the night ascents are wickedly cool) or the Notre Dame Cathedral. Well know museums can get pretty crowded too, but it’ll take less time to get in (and even so, getting inside the Louvre using one of the secondary entrances – and not the Pyramide, will save you some time – check the timetables for information on days where the museum is opened until later and when admission is free – and please ignore the signs pointing out the Mona Lisa location). On the rive gauche, the Musée d’Orsay is also worth a visit, with its impressive collection of impressionist (was that a pun?) masterpieces such as Monet and Renoir.
There are at least two well known gardens you should visit on a trip to Paris. One is Les Tuileries, which stretches from the Concorde square to the Louvre. The other one lies farther from the city center, so it won’t be unusual to feel a little more relaxed and calm. It’s one of the locals favorite places to have a stroll or just lie in the sun and very close to the Saint Germain quarter, very famous for its cafés and related artistic movements.
And yes it’s true, there’s a whole lot more in Paris than what’s visible from the river axis. La Défense, for instance, an interesting architectural landmark and the major business district featuring some of the tallest high-rises in the city and a huge 110 by 100 meter open cube (l’Arche). It also marks the end of Paris’ 10 Km historical axis (which starts at the Louvre and continues along the Champs-Élysées and the Arc de Triomphe). Taking a stroll along the Champs-Élysées is mandatory, as well as having a look at the stores. And I’m not talking about places where you could buy a pair of earrings for the same price as you would buy a compact car, but car dealers’ showrooms where you are invited to see the latest concept cars and rarities (and a drink and some merchandising here and there).
Not very far, the impressive Trocadero gardens with the Eiffel Tower as backdrop: definitely a must see. But a visit to Paris demands a walk on the Montmartre district, crowned by the Basilique du Sacré-Coeur and its impressive view over the city. Well known for its night life and way beyond the Amélie clichés, there’s something decadent about this neighborhood. A different city inside the city. A je ne sais quoi…
To finish, a not so short walk towards the Marais, starting in the awkwardly strange Centre Jacques Pompidou (a concept building, odd looking art museum lying whose weird looks and colors seem vaguely well accepted amongst most people – and I just can understand why), wandering around narrow streets and alleys filled of strange shops and strange people and ending near the Bastille area (the Colonne de Juillet dominates the square and it marks the site of the prison known as the Bastille which was stormed at the start of the French Revolution – quite a landmark, but actually quite deceiving – it looks like just any other square with a statue).
- Souvenirs:
The best european chocolate may be found in Brussels, but Paris has its honorable share of good chocolatiers. There were probably a dozen places we visited, but Joséphine Vannier, at the Marais district, was the chosen one. Delicious.
Bringing home some tea is also a good idea, and Mariage Frères is just the place to get it. It’s one of the finest and well-known french tea companies. Most of their stores have a “salon de thé” where you can sit and have a cup of tea before you head to the counter and choose what to bring back home (and it’s not just tea – you’ll probably get lost over the hundred varieties – there are also teacups, teapots and everything tea related).
- Cool stuff to look for:
Paris has been conquered by Space Invaders. These creatures can be found mostly anywhere along the city. I had a planned encounter with one on the last day of the trip and found out, once arrived at home, that I had photo evidence of a whole lot more without ever knowing. Insanely cool. Last but not least, there are guided tours on Les Ègouts de Paris (the Paris sewers). Honest.
- Don’ts:
Don’t trust the train schedules. Don’t trust train operators on strike. Don’t miss the flight back home. Don’t sleep at the airport. Don’t trust anything that replies you back in french you you speak to them in english. Don’t walk when it’s just one block. Don’t go to Disneyland Paris unless you’re staying at a hotel there. Don’t drink vin chaud. Don’t go to the Champs-Elisées on new years-eve. Don’t expect much from a french reveillon (it’s just a bunch of people in the streets getting drunk, destroying things, burning cars and blowing themselves with their fireworks). Meh.
07/01/08 | Categories: travel | Trackback | Comments [RSS 2.0]
