Our Favorite Paris Tours
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Experience Paris
Art
Paris has long been a hub for artists, attracting the likes of Van Gogh, Picasso, Dali, Monet, Rodin, and Renoir, to name but a few. Visitors can enjoy dozens of fantastic galleries and museums throughout the city. The transcendent Louvre Museum, takes days to explore fully. Among its impressive collection are DaVinci’s Mona Lisa and antique masterpieces like the Venus de Milo and the Winged Victory of Samothrace. The Musée d’Orsay’s phenomenal impressionist works and the Centre Georges Pompidou prominent modern art collection, make Paris a must-see for art aficionados. Those interested in photography, modern art, or performance art have a seemingly endless range of options to explore.
Nightlife
Paris comes alive once the sun goes down. Do as the Parisians and start with a nice restaurant meal before exploring the City of Light’s after-dinner options. Go to the theatre or dance the night away in one of the city’s eclectic clubs. A well-known draw is the Moulin Rouge Cabaret, whose shows boast hundreds of dancers, elaborate costumes, and a giant aquarium. A ballet at the Palais Opéra Garnier is a treat. Music lover will find live music any night of the week. Those looking for an after dinner drink will want for nothing. You will find bars featuring France’s great wines, its emerging craft beer scene, and creative cocktails.
Versailles
Resplendent Versailles is a reminder of France’s aristocratic past. The colossal palace has more than 700 rooms and 3 square miles (800 hectares) of perfectly manicured gardens and sumptuous fountains. It was famously the home of Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette, though royals frequented the palace for two centuries before them. No expense was spared in its construction. At the time of construction mirrors incredibly expensive luxury items, hence the iconic Hall of Mirrors. Walking through the excessive luxury offers a window into the life of the royals during the French Renaissance.
Paris in Depth
Get to know Paris
Located in north-central France, it is one of the world’s most visited cities. From the Eiffel Tower to the Sacré-Coeur, the Arc de Triomphe to the Centre Pompidou, this city does not lack for emblematic monuments. Spend a day wandering around the picturesque Haussmann boulevards, lined with quaint cafés and trendy boutiques, lose yourself in the Louvre and Orsay Museum masterpieces. Go out for a night on the town. A boat ride down the Seine past the sparkling Eiffel Tower is a particularly memorable way to see the City of Light.
Around every corner, you’ll run into open-air food markets and find the fresh aroma of bread wafts from authentic boulangeries. Whether you are interested in French cuisine or classical architecture, the art scene or the buzzing nightlife, Paris is one of the world’s must-see capitals.
History
Inhabited by the Celtic Parisii tribe as early as the 3rd century BCE, by the Middle Ages, Paris was the largest city in Europe. It was an important religious and commercial center. Gothic architecture was born here. With its Sorbonne University, Paris was one of the principal centers of learning in Europe. The Renaissance brought royal wealth, revitalizing the city and bringing magnificent structures such as the Hotel les Invalides and Château de Versailles. Paris was at the center of the French Revolution in 1789 when the people overthrew the monarchy to create the short-lived First Republic. The capital alternated between glory and suffering during the turbulent 19th and 20th centuries. Today it is one of the most visited cities in the world.
Cuisine
French cuisine is famed for a reason. Paris features the best regional French cuisine and modern chefs working at the top of their game. Indulge in a foodie experience in its 101 Michelin-star establishments. The city also boasts four restaurants appearing on the 2019 World’s 50 Best Restaurant List. Alain Passard and Jessica Préalpato, winners of the Chef’s Choice Award 2019 and World’s Best Pastry Chef 2019, work in Paris. On a smaller budget, you’ll find fantastic regional bistros and international restaurants throughout the city.
Logistics:
When to go: Paris can be enjoyed at any time of the year. Summer brings long days in which to explore the city, but spring and fall are lovely with fewer visitors and comfortable temperatures. Summer brings La Fête de la Musique on June 21, when the whole city is transformed into an open-air concert. Bastille Day, on July 14, is the city’s biggest summer celebration with fireworks and parades fill the city in celebration of its National Day. Christmas is a magical time to visit the City of Love. Try regional specialties or shop for souvenirs at the Les Halles Christmas market or La Magie de Noël in the Tuileries Garden.
By Plane: Most visitors will arrive via the Charles de Gaulle airport. Reach center city Paris via the RER B commuter train, taxi, or with a driver.
Some flights (mostly domestic and low-cost operators) use the Paris Orly airport.
By Train: Paris is the central hub for France’s railroad system. When traveling to Paris from anywhere in France, there is likely to be a direct line. There are international connections too including London, Brussels, and Amsterdam.
What to eat and drink:
Cheese: France’s great cheeses are all widely available in Paris. Don’t hesitate to ask for help in at a cheese shop or restaurant. For something very local try Brie de Melun or Brie de Meaux two AOP appellation cheeses made in the surrounding Île-de-France region.
Wine and Beer: The Île-de-France once had a rich history of winegrowing, but its vineyards were decimated by phylloxera in the 19th century. Some of those vineyards are part of the Champagne region today, while others are part of a revitalization of the winegrowing there today.
Connoisseurs enjoy access to all of the great French wines in Paris. If you wish to see a vineyard the Loire Valley, Champagne, and Burgundy are all possible to visit on a day trip.
If you prefer beer, Paris’ booming craft beer scene is France’s best with new breweries popping up all of the time.
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