I have never been to Paris, but I would like to go and see its beauty.

Our dear friends have been there a month ago and were kind enough to share the pics, the Parisian feeling they felt and how Paris recharged their batteries.

They have been there various time, this was not their first, but they say each time is different and each time is just as beautiful and this “City of Light” or “City of Love” like people like to call it, never disappoints. Sincerely, I cannot wait to go and see how I feel.

Anyhow, till then, I want to tell you some short facts about Paris, what to visit, what to enjoy, what to pack and then let you see the short movie my friend shared with me.

Interesting facts:

• Paris was first a Roman city called “Lutetia”.
• Keeping it fashionable, you should know that camouflage comes from the French verb “to make up for the stage” and the French army was the first one to adopt this uniform color.
• 270 steps to reach the Basilica of the Sacré Cœur.
• 1,665 steps to reach the top of the Eiffel Tour.

Must visits:

• For the art lovers like me Musée de l’Orangerie is the first on the list.
• Louvre Museum is actually more than a museum. It houses a lot of cultural works, with a lot of distinct times in the history, works dating from Antiquity to the early modern period.
• Jardin des Tuileries located in the same complex as the Louvre Museum they are a must for every first visitor in Paris.
• La Basilique du Sacré Cœur de Montmartre
• Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Paris – a true Gothic style masterpiece.
• Eiffel Tower
• L’Arc de Triomphe de l’Etoile
• Hotel des Invalides
• Palais Galliera will take you through the history of fashion. Though its full collections of clothing and other things related to French and global fashion industry are not open to the public, they are taken out now and then for temporary exhibitions. If you are a fashion addict you can check its availability before you plan your trip to Paris.
• Yves Saint Laurent Museum – in the autumn of 2017 the long awaited museum dedicated to the life and work of the legendary French fashion designer was opened. The inaugural show ran until the 9th September 2018. From October this year till January 2019  the first temporary exhibition focuses on YSL’s Asian inspirations.
• Versailles Palace and Gardens – if you are awed about royalties and opulence, this is the place to satisfy your needs. You need 3 hours to visit this UNESCO World Heritage Site. It has 2,300 rooms out of which the Hall of Mirrors, the King’s Apartments and Royal Bedchamber and  The Royal Operahouse. A visit during fall time will still allow you to take a stroll during the beautiful gardens and experience a vivid watercolor painting.
• Some original perfume shops – Fragonard – the traditional French perfume house;  Annick Goutal – a romantic scent; Maître Parfumeur et Gantier – the classic scent in heavy, decorative glass bottles.

Enjoy:

• The French people come back in the city and you will get the original French feeling.
• Every park is full of colors.
• The Parisian cafes and braseries such as Café de la Paix, Les Deux Magots, The Hemingway Bar, Cafe de la Rotonde.
• Visit the catacombs during the Halloween time if you are up to the challenge.
• Beaujolais Nouveau Day (15 November 2018) when you can taste the wine that was just harvested – the vin de primeur, which comes from grapes capable of short fermentation and that give a rich and fruity flavor to the wine.
• Eat pastries and macarons – Le Grenier à Pain des Abbessess, Laurent Duchêne, Ladureé.

What to pack:

Paris is not a city to go and stay indoors or to go to wellness and spa. It is a vibrant city, you have to feel it and visit it so packing for visiting is important.

During autumn time usually mornings and late evenings are colder while in the afternoons the sun is up and you can enjoy it. Therefore, it is important to layer. Have a nice long shawl, a jacket or a coat, some autumn boots as well as some autumn shoes for during the day, sunglasses, a vest and if you visit late fall, you might experience some rain, so an umbrella may come in handy.

 

Hope I was able to get you through what Paris has to offer and help you plan your next trip to Paris.