Here are some ideas of things to do in Paris if you are coming for the first time. Hopefully, we will be able to travel again
The French capital of gastronomy and love, Paris enjoys an incomparable historical and cultural heritage.
With so much to see and do in Paris, it is difficult to make a list that goes to the essentials while having a realistic experience of all that Paris has to offer. I have tried to select the "must-see" places in the capital with some famous places, others a little less so, to help you plan a long weekend or a few day's stays in the capital.
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The Eiffel Tower
The Eiffel Tower is to Paris what the Statue of Liberty is to New York and what Big Ben is to London: the ultimate emblem.
Gustave Eiffel, worked for two years to build this emblematic monument of the 1889 Universal Exhibition. It also salutes the centenary of the French Revolution.
Today, it is certainly at night that it is most beautiful when it is showcased in a sparkling show. The latter was only to be used at the Y2K changeover, but it was so popular that the 20,000 bulbs were reinstalled for permanent use in 2003.
The Iron Lady does her electric dance for five minutes every hour from dusk to one in the morning. Very popular, expect to line up to get to the top!
The Louvre
The Louvre is none other than the world's largest and most visited art museum. With 210,000 square meters of exhibition space, where you can find works from almost every civilization in the world, it is also the largest.
The three most popular works here are the Mona Lisa, the Venus de Milo, and the Victory of Samothrace. Beyond these must-sees, the best thing to do is to know where you are going and what you want to see first. But don't be afraid to get lost, because you might stumble upon something memorable!
Montmartre and the Basilica of the Sacré-Cœur
It's hard not to believe that you're going to heaven when you visit the Basilique du Sacré-Coeur, this white castle perched at the top of Montmartre.
It was the architect Paul Abadie who built the Sacré-Cœur, using Romanesque and Byzantine elements in its design. Construction lasted until the First World War, and the basilica was finally consecrated in 1919.
Now you have visited the Sacré-Coeur, you should take your time to go for a walk on the Place du Tertre or the Place des Artistes, stroll through the streets to discover famous places such as the restaurant Le Consulat or La Maison Rose, not to forget the vineyards and the cabaret Le Lapin Agile.
The Arc de Triomphe
Stretch your legs and climb the 284 steps to the top of the Arc de Triomphe or take the elevator. There you will have a breathtaking view of the Champs-Elysees, the Eiffel Tower, and the arch of La Défense.
It is also a privileged place to observe the driving style of Parisians: the Place de l'Etoile traffic circle is at times anarchic.
Back at the bottom of the arch, have a thought for the unknown soldier whose grave is under the Parisian monument.
The Luxembourg Gardens
This 25-hectare park is an elegant way to escape the hustle and bustle of the Left Bank. Bordered by Saint-Germain-des-Prés and the Latin Quarter, these beautiful gardens are adored by Parisians eager to bask on a lawn chair in the sun or enjoy an impromptu picnic.
Children of all ages can enjoy a little sailboat race in the basin behind the Senate, stroll in the children's playground, watch a puppet show or take a ride on the oldest merry-go-round in the city.
Saint-Germain-des-Près
The tour of the neighborhood begins with the Saint-Germain-des-Prés church. Its tower and nave are among the oldest Parisian remains from the Romanesque period of the 11th and 12th centuries. Music lovers will appreciate the beautiful musical program. In the heart of the luxury stores and art galleries that animate the district, you can sit on the terraces of the Saint-Germain's famous cafés: the Café de Flore, the Café des Deux Magots, the Lipp Brasserie - haunts of artists and intellectuals since the beginning of the 20th century.
Le Marais
By far the best neighborhood in Paris for me, the Marais is much more than that. Located in the 3rd and 4th districts, the old mansions, the superb museums (the Carnavalet museum and the Picasso museum), the great restaurants, the cafés, the old Jewish quarter of Paris, and the beautiful Place des Vosges make the district a must-do in Paris.
Stroll the Vieille du Temple and Franc Bourgeois streets, two of the backbones of the neighborhood, and discover the charming side streets and the many hidden pleasures of the neighborhood during your visit to Paris.
I hope these ideas will make you want to visit Paris for the first time or come back to discover it.
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