Oui, oui...c'est Paris!

Deciding what to write about first has proven to be a very difficult decision. How do I choose…my favorite (impossible!), chronologically (boring!), throw all the names in a hat and draw them randomly (maybe). Luckily for me, my friend Butterfly has come to my rescue. She (and about 20 people that form part of her huge family of in-laws) is going to Paris/Northern France for 2 weeks and has asked for some tips. This post is dedicated to my dear twin/fabulous friend and the wild, wacky and lovely group that will be taking France by storm!

I’ll start with the epicenter of all that is fabulous… Paris! I love Paris in the Springtime…I love Paris in the Fall…actually I love Paris any time of year, any season, any day, every day. There are too many things to talk about when it comes to Paris, so I'll narrow it down to 20:

My 20 favorite things to do/see in Paris (in no particular order):

1. Visit the Latin Quarter (Quartier Latin): I’ve stayed in many areas of Paris before, but I prefer to stay in the Latin Quarter because of the great vibe, fantastic food and its close proximity to some of my favorite places to visit/things to do such as the Notre Dame, Eiffel Tower, some great shopping and the Louvre. The Latin quarter is close to of the University of Sorbonne and has numerous great bistros and restaurants with beautifully decorated windows - truly a visual treat. The Seine is just around the corner – perfect for a romantic stroll in the evening after dinner.

Great food displays in the Latin Quarter

2. L’Opera: The Opera of Paris is a lavish building built in the beaux-arts style and is open to the public for daily visits. I first saw it with my “host mother” when I was an exchange student in 1997 and I was mesmerized by the opulence and love going back there whenever I’m in Paris.

3. See a show – either the Lido or Moulin Rouge: I’ve been to see Lido with my mom and we really enjoyed it – it is part of the culture and a fun night out. I’d suggest that you book a seat & champagne ticket only, because I’ve heard that the food isn’t that great. Remember to book ahead of time because it is very difficult to get tickets the day of the show. Oooh la la!

4. Go on a Seine Cruise : going on a river cruise is a cliché, but it’s a great one – especially for people who love to take photographs. You can get the greatest angles of the Notre Dame, Eiffel Tower etc from the boat and see some interesting things like the smallest apartment in Paris (it really is VERY small). Perhaps it’s a good idea to do the cruise at the beginning of the trip to get yourself better acquainted with the layout of the city.

The Seine at night - so romantic!

5. Dinner on the Eiffel Tower : I have never been to dinner on the Eiffel Tower , but I’ve heard from many people (two of them being my brother and sister-in-law) that it is a fantastic experience. So, even though I have never done it, I fully intend to add that to my list of things to do in Paris next time I’m lucky enough to visit that fabulous city!

6. Wander around the Montmartre: The Montmartre is such an amazing place! Not only the Sacre Coeur church, but the area around it as well. If you want your portrait painted or want to purchase Parisian paintings, wait till you are at the artist square, because that is where you will find the best artists.(in my opinion) Many famous painters like van Gogh, Picasso and Dali all had studios in this area and it is easy to see why - it is a beautiful area and you get a breathtaking view of Paris from the hill. What makes the Montmartre even more special, is the fact that my friends, Drama Princess and Photo Boy got engaged right in front of the church. I knew exactly what was about to happen (since Photo Boy discussed his plans with me), so I made up some story about quickly going to a shop so that he could have his moment to pop the question. Afterwards I waited for them at a cafe to celebrate - what a great memory!

Sacre Coeur Church on the Montmartre Hill

7. Visit the Salvador Dali Museum : The museum is in the area of the Montmartre, close to the artist square – I just love going there - such a great experience! The gift shop is also worth a visit.

8. Arc de Triomphe: I don’t really need to say much about this amazing place. Perhaps a word of advice – don’t run across the lanes to get to the arch, take the stairs down and walk in the walkway underneath the road - its much safer. (I’ve seen a few narrow escapes there)

The Arc de Triomphe

9. Notre Dame de Paris: Extraordinarily beautiful – a must-see. Every time I walk into the church I get goose-pumps - a truly spiritual feeling.

10. Musee d’Orsay: My favorite museum in Paris – especially the bronze statue of Degas’s ballerina – magnifique! Do yourself a favor and go to the museum’s restaurant for lunch or a drink. It is stunningly beautiful. Great history too – the museum used to be an old train station – I just love it!

That's the first 10 - the next will follow soon!
Just thinking about all of these amazing places makes me want to be there...soon, hopefully!