Everyone knows Paris has a million places of interest, but if you're pressed for time, what should you really visit? I decided to take on the grueling task of sifting through Paris' tourist attractions (tough life, I know) to inform you about what's worth seeing, and when you should simply enjoy a Kodak moment and move on.
And just in case you were thinking that all I cared about was putting on a pair of shorts and sunglasses, and a camera around my neck, I've included a guide to Paris' nightlife.
arrival
When you get to the airport, save money and time and take a shuttle bus down to Paris' core. I recommend using one of Air France's shuttle services that drops you off near the Arc de Triomphe. From there, take a taxi to your hotel, which we assume you were smart enough to book near the downtown area. Pack light because taxi drivers hate putting luggage in their cars.your tour
Paris has so much to see that it's insane to consider doing it all in one day -- though 3 days is probably enough time to get your hands dirty (first day is for a general tour, days 2 and 3 are for detailed visits to specific places that interest you). It can get very expensive, so trips to Paris never tend to be drawn-out affairs. Still, if you are on a tight schedule and don't want to walk around all day for several days, or spend a fortune on transportation and museum entrance fees, follow our tour.Like Lisbon, there is a starting point to Paris: the Arc de Triomphe. From there you can walk down Paris' very famous Champs-Elysees, considered by many to be the world's grandest and most beautiful street. Walk towards Place de la Concorde; on either side of the Champs-Elysees, you'll see plenty of boutiques, bistros and terraces that make Paris famous.
When you get to Place de la Concorde, you will see a giant garden called Jardin des Tuilleries that leads to the Louvre; the most famous museum in the world. This stretch -- from the Arc de Triomphe to the Louvre -- is full of photo opportunities, so bring along the camera.
voilà... paris
When you get to the Louvre, make a split decision. If you have many days to spend in Paris, visit the museum. It's much more than merely where the Mona Lisa resides; it's a magical and fascinating place that feels like a live-action textbook. A word of warning; the Louvre is the size of 6 football fields, so if your time is limited, walk around the Louvre but don't go on an extensive tour because you will easily lose track of time and become overwhelmed by the sheer size of all its collections. The entrance fee is inexpensive, but be patient because lineups are enormous.From the Louvre, walk along the Seine River, where artists display their work. This route also takes you straight to Ile de la Cite, where the Notre-Dame Cathedral is. Expect more lineups, but again, it is worth the wait. If you are pressed for time, move on, there are plenty of other lesser-known but equally impressive churches to visit.
Near Notre-Dame you'll find St. Michel Street, a busy and eclectic street that leads you to the Latin Quarter, where France's poets and intellectuals often spend their days. St. Michel Street leads to the Sorbonne, Paris' most important university, and St. Germain, one of the trendiest streets in the world. Follow St. Michel down and you'll reach Jardins du Luxembourg; a beautiful garden/park that also houses a palace. Is it worth visiting? Only if you have the time.
If you decide to skip the Luxembourg Garden, continue walking along St. Germain Street, where the locals hangout (tourists seem to flock and walk around the Champs-Elysees). At the end of St. Germain is the Eiffel Tower. Again, if you are pressed for time, skip the Eiffel Tower; take pictures and move on because the lineups are huge.
If you absolutely must visit it, go at sunset; you'll get a view of Paris that you won't soon forget. Also, take a tour of the Seine River on a Bateau-Mouche. Tours usually last 1 hour and cost around $10 USD. It's a cheap and original way to see the sights and attractions. You can board near the Eiffel Tour, where there's a dock.
bon appetit
At night, a trip to a Parisian restaurant is a must. The food at just about every eatery is excellent and well priced, except for all the restaurants along the typical tourist paths (which means avoid all restaurants around Notre-Dame Cathedral and along Champs-Elysees).The best restaurants are:
Remember, people eat late in continental Europe, so make reservations for 8 or 9pm.
I recommend the ultra-trendy Buddha Bar. Yes, it is an exclusive place and yes, you'll need to dress sharp, but the local and Oriental cuisine is fantastic. It's the best spot to mingle among the local elite and catch a glimpse of a celeb or two. Again, the whole dcor (which includes an enormous Buddha statue in the middle of the restaurant) and atmosphere make it a dining experience , not just supper. With wine, appetizers and desserts, expect a bill in the $100-150 USD range; very decent for an upper-echelon locale.
Some things to remember:
nightclubs
Once you finish the great cuisine experience, head out to one of Paris' many, many nightspots. Bars usually don't have entrance fees, but discotheques do. On the flip side, they also offer free drinks with your fee. Depending on what you want to do, Paris has a bit of everything (with nearly 10 million inhabitants, there's something for everyone).One thing you have to remember is that most clubs don't have dance floors per se; they are gathering places with flashy lights, sexy barmaids and expensive furniture. Among the places to visit is the aforementioned Buddha Bar that boasts a bar on its second floor, overlooking the restaurant. Also of note is the restaurant/bar Man Ray, owned by Sean Penn and Johnny Depp, which has become a favorite among the jet-set crowd.
Other major clubs include:
But the club to go to is Les Bains Douches. This place is an institution in Paris, and has welcomed celebrities such as Brad Pitt, Leonardo DiCaprio, Eva Herzigova, and Jean Paul Gaultier. It is nearly impossible to get in; the dress code is severe. Look your best, dress fashionably and be sophisticated. If you can handle mingling with Paris' elite, you'll have a very enjoyable evening. If you don't feel comfortable in these settings, you are better off at a local bar -- the Latin Quarter is full of them.
No matter where you go, remember to dress sharply. Dress in black, be confident and remain polite. Also, if you want to avoid standing outside in lineups, get to clubs around midnight. That way, you shouldn't have problems getting in everywhere. Enjoy your stay.
Resources:
Paris Travel Guide
0 comments:
Publicar un comentario