Paris

Paris

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Overview

A city for romantics, art enthusiasts, and lovers of street life, Paris holds fascination and beauty for visitors coming from all over the world. Located in the north of France on the river Seine, Paris has a reputation of being a top European destination that is greatly influential in the realms of culture, art, fashion, food, and design.

Things to Do

Sacre Coeur

The Basilica of the Sacred Heart is a Roman Catholic church located on the highest point of the city in Montmartre. Perched high on top a hill, the absolute best thing to do is and climb the 300 steps to the top of the church dome for picture perfect views of Paris.

Les Invalides

Perhaps the most underrated attraction in Paris, Les Invalides is a grand area with a series of army museums, a church, and the tombs of many famed officers, including Napoleon. The museums and monuments all relate to the military history of France.

Rodin Museum

A local jewel and private mansion dating from the 18th century, Rodin Museum houses the permanent collections of the famous sculptor Rodin. Stroll through the extensive grounds and discover some of the master’s major works: The Thinker, The Burghers of Calais, and The Gates of Hell.

Tuileries Garden

An expansive 17th-century formal garden dotted with statues created by Catherine de’ Medici as part of the Tuileries Palace in 1564. The palace was eventually opened to the public in 1667 and became a public park after the French Revolution.

Catacombs

These famous underground tunnels are an important part of Les Misérables, as the writer, Victor Hugo, had extensive knowledge of the landmark. It was used during the Second World War by fighters resisting German occupation of the city. Today visitors can take a forty-five minute tour of the catacombs.

Where to Stay

Staying inside the city center close to one of the major attractions will make your trip easier, especially if it’s your first visit. You can stay anywhere inside the center you find accommodation suited to your needs; arrondissements 1, 7, and 8 are popular choices.

There is no need to worry about transportation while in Paris as it’s easy to travel around the city by foot, bike, and public transit.

Where to Eat

So much to offer…

Paris brings in the best cuisine from every region of France which you can experience at all different levels of elegance and simplicity. If you want a 5 star meal, no problem, if you’re looking for a quaint little creperie, right around the corner.

Make sure to try…

You cannot possibly “Do Paris” without indulging in a crepe. Right under the Eiffel Tower are food trucks and other local vendors. If you like chocolate, be sure to get a Nutella and banana filled one. After you enjoy your crepe, head to the lawn of the tower for a sunset to remember.

Make sure you know what a boulangerie is

Boulangerie is what the French call a bakery. It is important to know the difference between a boulangerie and a patisserie. While a patisserie is a bakery specializing in pastries, and headed by a pastry chef, a boulangerie is a bakery that focuses mainly on baking breads.

A Guidester favorite…

Bouillon Chartier – A great place to discover the authentic French cuisines with all your usual clichés. This is a classy, historic place that is over 100 years old, and offers a whole lot of French culture in a single dose.

EXPLORE

Virtual Tours

Paris in 4K

Walk in Paris

800 Years of Louvre

Montmartre to Sacré-Coeur

Oldest footage of Paris

History of the Palace of Versailles

Rebuilding Notre Dame

5 best street foods in Paris

Walk along the river Seine

Jack’s Favorite Moment

Sacre Coeur and Escargot in Paris

Paris is known for many things, namely the city’s food and world class architecture.

Our first stop today is climbing up to visit one of the city’s most architecturally stunning landmarks. The Basilique Sacré-Coeur, Basilica of the Sacred Heart, is a Roman Catholic church located on the highest point of the city in Montmartre.

Perched high on top a hill in the 18th arrondissement, Montmartre is a famous Parisian district which is actually its own separate village. Over the years has the area has lost none of its quaint village atmosphere that appealed to the artists of the 19th and 20th centuries.

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Here you will find a real melting pot of art and culture which offers the visitor a wonderful picture into old Paris. With its cobble stone streets, stunning Basilica, local artists, and tasty bistros, visitors have a chance to take a step out of the hustle of the city center into a charming neighborhood. Visitors are also are rewarded with wonderful views of downtown Paris. In fact, some of the best photo opps of the city can be found here, especially from the top of Sacre Coeur.

This great gleaming white structure was consecrated in the early 20th century, boasting an interior ceiling with the largest mosaic in the country. The basilica is reached via funicular if you choose not to walk all the way up from central Paris. Take the funicular with a metro ticket and stop off at Sacre Coeur before exploring the winding, village-like streets of Montmartre.

The site of the 19th-century basilica is traditionally associated with the beheading of the city’s patron, Saint Denis, in the 3rd century. According to legend, Bishop Denis picked up his severed head and carried it several miles to where the suburb of Saint-Denis stands today. After France’s defeat in 1870 in the Franco-Prussian War, the basilica was planned as a building to restore confidence for the country’s misfortunes. The church was dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, a group that gained popularity after 1873 where revelations encouraged prayer to Christ’s sacred heart.

The absolute best thing to do is to climb the 300 steps to the top of the dome for picture perfect views of central Paris. From here you can see the entire city in addition to the famous Eiffel Tower. It’s easy to think that the best views of Paris would be from the top of the Eiffel, but the problem with that is you can’t see the Eiffel Tower when you’re standing inside it! The views from the basilica are more complete and typically Parisian with the Eiffel Tower in the backdrop. Time permitting, after you walk the interior and climb to the top you can also check out the crypt below. It houses the largest mosaic in France, measuring no less than 480 square meters.

When you get hungry after a day of walking and you want something traditionally French look no further than Bouillon Chartier. This is a great place to discover the authentic French cuisines with all your usual clichés…namely escargot. Escargot is French for snail, and it’s a snail dish that is a common delicacy in many European countries like France, Spain, and Portugal. Chartier is a classy, historic place that is over 100 years old and offers a whole lot of French culture in a single dose. It’s always well priced which is not always the case for restaurants in central Paris.

I ate here last time I was in Paris to give myself the experience and it was delightful. I wouldn’t say I’m a ‘snails guy’ but the richness of flavor and unique sauce poured over the dish was very tasty. Highly recommend giving it a try!

Jack Bauman

Founder of Guidester

DISCOVER

Interactive Maps

Explore around the Eiffel Tower

Checkout the view from Sacre Coeur

Wander the streets of Montmartre

Stroll through Tuileries Garden

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Sacre Coeur and Escargot in Paris

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