Places to Visit & Things to Do in Paris
Paris always lives up to its hype with romantic vistas, elegant shops, perfect gastronomy, and world-class cultural highlights. Take a stroll, enjoy a pastry and never stop exploring the picturesque streets.
Sights & Attractions in Paris
The river Seine marks a divide between the Rive Droite (Right Bank), home to the Champs-élysées, the Arc de Triomphe and the Sacre Coeur Basilica, and the Rive Gauche (Left Bank), a centre of art and creativity in Paris where visitors can find the Simone de Beauvoir footbridge, the Latin quarter and the Museé d'Orsay. The two islands in the middle: Île de la Cité and Île Saint-Louis are home to Notre-Dame Cathedral and the famous Glacier Berthillon ice cream shop.
Visit Napoleon's tomb in Les Invalides, or see the final resting places of some of France's famous poets, scientists and authors at the Pantheon Crypt. The Jardin du Luxembourg or the beautiful Place des Vosges offer perfect locations to relax and people-watch.
Art & Culture in Paris
Paris is home to three giants of the art world: the Louvre, with works from Antiquity to medieval times and modern sculpture; the Musée d’Orsay, home to French art from the nineteenth to early twentieth century and popular for its impressionist collection; and the Centre Pompidou, Europe's largest collection of modern and contemporary art.
You can check out pioneering contemporary art in the Palais de Tokyo, a minute's walk away from the Muséed'Art Moderne de Paris, or walk through the Jardins du Trocadéro to the Musée de l'Homme, that hosts anthropology exhibits from around the world.
The Musée Rodin and the Musée Picasso Paris pay special tribute to two of the great titans of the art world. For evening activities, the Palais Garnier hosts opera and ballet, as does the Opéra Bastille.
The Philharmonie de Paris, designned by Jean Nouvel, can be found in the Parc de la Villette, and is dedicated entirely to classical, chamber, world and jazz music. For a tatse of classic French theatre, cacth a work by the Comédie- Francaise troupe, a collective founded in 1680, or show at the Odéon-Theatre de l'Europe. Paris is also a hub for film in all its forms, from multiplexes to small art cinemas.
Shopping in Paris
Avenue Montaigne affirms Paris's place as a fashion capital, with brands such as Dior, Chanel and Armani lining the street. Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré and Rue Saint-Honoré, are also both famous for their chic shops and boutiques, the former now sporting the concept store, Nous, a reimagination of the original ground-breaking store Colette.
Walk the ancient streets of Le Marais, like Rue Vieille-du-Temple, where the shops mix with contemporary art galleries, or stroll around St-Germain-des-Prés, where galleries, designer furniture and antiques sit side by side.
Upmarket department stores like Galeries Lafayette and Printemps are destinations in their own right, much like Le Bon Marché, one of the first modern deapartment stores, known a smuch for its upscale brands as for its Grande Épicerie food hall.
Food & Drink in Paris
Eating out in Paris is an event not to be rushed. Michelin starred highlights include Four Seasons George V, Guy Savoy at the Hôtel de la Monnaie and Alain Ducasse at the a l'Hotel de Paris. The rise of “bistronomie”since the 1990s, a trend haute-cuisine-trained chefs opening their own, more casual locations, has led to a rise in affordably priced bistro cooking in Paris, particularly in the 11th arrondissement, or in the South Pigalle district.
Dont't miss the opportunity to try a classic French brasserie, either. These restaurants known for their steaks, shellfish and long hours, such as Eric Frechon's Lazare Paris is also currently seeing the comeback of the brasserie, associated with steaks, shellfish and long hours, with recent launches by top chefs including Eric Frechon’s Lazare and Alain Ducasse’s Champeaux, show the elegance of traditional French cooking, and the atmosphere that goes with it, at its best.
The classic Parisien café is transformed depending on yout time to visit. From breakfast croissants to late-night drinks, Le Flore and Les Deux Magots are well-known literary legends. For cocktails and a lively buzz, try Rue Oberkampf, Canal St-Martin or Le Marais.
Unique to Paris
Going to the market is still an essential part of Parisian life, particularly at weekend. The Marché Monge, which has been running since 1921, hosts around 40 stalls that sell a range of meats, fish, and organic produce. The Marché Bastille is one of the biggest markets in Paris, with over a hundred stalls to browse to your heart's content, all against the backdrop of the Colonne de Juillet. Marché Président Wilson claims to be Paris's largest open-air food market, and some say the one with the most gourmet options, including chesses and organic wine. Barbés and Aligre are known for their competitive prices and great range of products - from foods to collectibles.
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