ParisTravelBlog.org

If you’re a North American, you might find Europe odd for a number of reasons, and one of them might be how easy it is to visit four or five different countries in the time it takes to drive across west Texas. Even if you’re visiting the British Isles, you can still get on a train and be in France in practically no time at all. That’s why, if you’re visiting London, you should budget time to spend the day in Paris.

One thing that’s become increasingly popular this decade is the cooking class. From high-end grocery stores to small restaurants, cooking classes are a favorite for couples, aspiring gourmands and bachelors tired of eating hamburger helper.

Say what you want about the feudal system, but it sure made for some truly spectacular buildings. Where there are kings, there are fantastic monuments and palaces, and Versailles is at the top in terms of opulence and splendor. This former hunting lodge was expanded into its current size and grandeur by Louis XIV in the late 17th century, where it would be the seat of French power until the revolution in 1789. It turned what what once a relatively small town into the erstwhile capital of France.

What’s the best way to see Paris? If you ask me, I think it’s helpful with a guided tour. After all, lots of people who travel may only be going to a given city once in their lives, so I think it’s worth the money to have a good itinerary, preferably steered by someone who knows what he or she is talking about. Like a lot of other cities of the world, Paris has plenty of tour options for you to choose from.

I remember the first time I ever visited Dallas. It was with my parents, and we walked through the 6th Floor Museum, the memorial/museum dedicated to the events surrounding the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. Visitors reverently strolled from exhibit to exhibit, murmuring to themselves as they soaked in all that information, and I loved it. I found the exhibits to be informative and fascinating, and looking back, the 6th Floor Museum is definitely a top spot to visit if you’ve never been to Dallas. I was reminded of this while thinking about what a first-time visitor to Paris might want to see.

Everyone who visits Paris and takes Paris tours probably visits all the important sites like the Arc de Triomphe, the Eiffel Tower and Avenue des Champs-Élysées. They also probably see them during the day. This is fine and all, especially for first-time visitors, but some people want to see a side of Paris a little, shall we say, shadier.

Listen, I know when you go to Paris, you’re probably going to want to see the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, the Arc De Triomphe and Napolean’s Tomb. And you should, because those are probably the most famous of Paris’ attractions, and if you miss out on them, your friends at home might think you’re weird. So go check those sites out, but don’t forget to check out some others, too.

Looking for things to do in Paris? Off the top of my head, I’d say you’re going to want to catch a show at Moulin Rouge. Sure, it’s kind of touristy, but if you think about it, so is catching a Broadway show during a trip to New York. Anyway, there are all kinds of packages that include a show at Moulin Rouge that vary in both price and what’s included—a lot of them involve trips to the Eiffel tower, so if you’ve planned on a Paris tour or day trip that includes the famous landmark, you can save some money and go for one of the less extensive Moulin Rouge packages.

There’s a lot to do in Paris, but what a lot of travelers often forget is that there is just as much to do around Paris. If you’re visiting the City of Light, you might want to allot some time for a Paris day trip. From the Champagne region to Versailles, the Paris metro area has plenty to keep you occupied.

A cruise on the Seine River is a great way to hit the highlights, especially if your purpose for sightseeing is so you can say you’ve seen a given something or other. This is not to say that Parisian attractions aren’t worth exploring, but if you prefer to get as native as possible on your trip, then getting the touristy stuff out of the way is paramount. Getting them out of the way from a guided boat trip is a great way to do this.