Destination... Paris France |
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This article was originally published in
dentevents, October 2000.
Thank you to Terri Slough, RDH, Editor of dentevents for permission to
publish this in Paris In Sites. Do visit http://www.dentevents.com/
It is the capital of France and it's largest city. Paris is a vision, with its slate roofs and changeable skies dappled by subtle light ranging from grey to blue. Paris owes its name to the Gallic tribe called the Parisii, who established themselves on the Ile de la Cité some 2,200 years ago. They were conquered by the Romans in 58 B.C. who renamed their city Lutèce. Since a visit to the Champs Elysées is essential for all visitors, it is also an idea to stop by the Paris Tourist Office, to pick up free maps and Paris events' brochures. Combination passes for the national museums and monuments are available too. Paris' famous métro makes getting around the city is easy. Its mostly underground network of lines is fast, efficient, safe, clean and low priced. A 'carnet' of 10 tickets for 58 FF, is cheaper than single tickets and are available at any métro station. Combination tickets can be had for one or several days, for just the center or for the entire Ile de France area. The first-time visitor to Paris will want to see the Champs Elysées, the Arch de Triomphe and the Eiffel Tower for sights. For culture and life, see Le Louvre, le Musée d'Orsay and Montmartre. But Paris's 'hidden' and often unknown treasures abound. No matter where you stay in Paris, you will usually find walking the best way to really experience the city. The Musée de Marmottan (Paris 16), with Claude Monet's water lilies is the best alternative to a trip to Giverny. This fall's season also includes a big show of the Mediterranean, depicted by France's most famous artists. This is at the Grand Palais. The centrally located, but lesser known Musée de Cluny at the corner of the boulevards Saint Germain and Saint Michel has just opened a medieval garden. In the museum itself seeing the Roman baths, Unicorn tapestries and medieval artifacts make for a delightful visit. The Musée d'Art et Métiers, the Hotel Salé (home of the Picasso museum) and the Centre Pompidou with its modern art, tempt the visitor too. And these are just a few of the crème de la crème of Parisian museums. Try an evening drive starting from Place de la Concorde, up the Champs Elysées around (do it twice!) the Arc de Triomphe and then along the quays to marvel at the stunning lighting of the Eiffel Tower. Then cross the Pont d'Alexandre III, pass the Invalides' glittering gold dome and finish at the 12th-century Nôtre Dame Cathedral. For the Latin Quarter, explore it on foot to end your evening.
The Bon Marché in the fifth arrondissement is a stone's throw from the smaller left bank boutiques and antique shops. The Samaritaine department store, on the right bank of the Seine at the Pont Neuf, is near more antique shops in the arcades of the Rue de Rivoli. Exclusive and, yes, pricey shopping is on the Rue de Saint Honoré and Avenue Montaigne, with the Place Vendôme for exclusive jewelry. There are high-quality, designer boutiques in Saint Germain-des-Près. For original, creative and unusual shops, meander through the medieval Marais quartier. When you are in Paris and France, wine, cheese and baguettes must be tried. French cuisine awaits you too, and you won't forget it. The top restaurants in Paris are for that once in a lifetime experience and you can expect to pay 800 to 1,500 francs per person, or more, largely depending on your choice of wines. Asking for the 'best' Saumur from a top wine cellar could set you back as much as 35,000 francs a bottle! But why not try the smaller, local restaurants? They are usually located off of the main streets, are less formal and you can discover good value for under 150 francs. Choose the 'menu du jour' - the restaurant's specialties of the day - typically offering 'une entrée, un plat, un dessert et un vin' (a starter, main course, dessert and wine). Picking and choosing from the à la carte menu will be dearer than the set menu, but just as delicious. Day trips from Paris are tempting. If you've seen Versailles, opt for a drive to the exquisite Vaux-le-Vicomte. The castle was built in the 17th century by Nicolas Fouquet and has masterful formal gardens by Le Nôtre. This jewel of a château is less than an hour's drive southeast of Paris, near Melun in the Seine-et-Marne department The Loire Valley is also easily accessible, although even a swift tour deserves two days to take in the highlights. These include the Chenonceau, Chambord, Azay-le-Rideaux, Chinon, Saumur and Ussé châteaux (the inspiration for Sleeping Beauty's Castle). The less well known castles such as Oiron, Langais and the Abbey of Fontevraud (where Richard the Lion Heart is buried) are just as beautiful. Good restaurants in the surrounding countryside with reasonable prices are not hard to find - offering yet more opportunities for great French cuisine, cheeses and fine wines.
Linda Thalman, Editor of Paris In Sites Newsletter
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