Jan
4
Written by:
TravelingProfessor
Wednesday, January 04, 2012
What if you only have a day or two to visit Paris? What should you see? Where should you go?
Here is my itinerary for a quick visit to see the highlights of Paris:
Cathedral of Notre Dame/Île Saint-Louis Métro: Cité
Over 10 million people visit the Cathedral of Notre Dame every year, so why shouldn’t you? Admission is free to the cathedral itself. If there is a line to get inside, it usually moves quickly. However, there is usually a long and slow queue to climb the towers. Opt to skip that part if time is short. A visit to the cathedral on Île de la Cité is the perfect place to get your bearings and visit the center of Paris. Behind the cathedral is the Pont Saint-Louis leading to the charming Île Saint Louis.
Museé de Louvre Métro: Louvre
Don’t leave Paris without a smile from Mona. However, strategize a visit to the Louvre carefully. It is the largest museum in the world and it is easy wander aimlessly unless you have a plan for your visit. The Louvre is open every day but Tuesday. It is open late on Wednesday and Fridays. Prioritize what you wish to see. Most visitors look for these masterpieces: Mona Lisa, Venus de Milo, Nike (Winged Victory of Samothrace), the Coronation of Napoleon (painting) and the Greek & Etruscan sculptures. There is an excellent website to help plan thematic tours of the Louvre with specific directions: http://www.louvre.fr/llv/activite/liste_parcours.jsp?bmLocale=en
Champs-Élysées and Arc de Triomphe Métro: Charles de Gaulle — Étoile
If time permits, walk through the Tuileries Gardens to the Concorde Métro station. Otherwise hop on board the métro directly to the Franklin Delano Roosevelt station and walk the Champs-Élysées to the Arc de Triomphe. Take the underground tunnels to get to the Arc de Triomphe itself. Climb to the top and get a panoramic view of Paris.
Seine Cruise
After dinner, take a cruise on the Bateaux Vedettes du Pont-Neuf. It departs from the tip of Île de la Cité at Pont-Neuf. You’ll see why they call Paris the “City of Light”. Another option is to cruise on the Bateaux Mouches from the Pont de l’Alma, across from the Eiffel Tower.
Café Petit Pont
For a nightcap, take an outdoor table at the Café Petit Pont for a million euro view while listening to some light music or jazz, all for the price of a glass of wine.
If You Have a 2nd Day:
Montmartre/Basilique du Sacré-Cœur/Place de Tertre Métro: Abbesses
This tour gives a taste of Paris just as you think it would be. Métro it to the Abbesses station and walk to the base of the hill of the basilica. Take the funicular to the top and get a fantastic view of the city. Around the corner is Montmartre’s Place du Tertre. It is a square full of cafés and portrait artists. To many people, this is the heart of Paris.
Rodin Museum/Napoleon’s Tomb Métro: Varenne or Invalides
These two sites are conveniently close. Long known for its sculpture garden, the Rodin Museum also houses other fine works of art. Practically across the street is the domed Napoleon’s Tomb. For World War II buffs, the adjacent Musée de l'Armée is not to be missed.
Marais Métro: St-Paul
A métro ride to the St-Paul station on métro line #1 drops you off in the colorful Marais section of Paris. Take away a falafel at L'As du Fallafel on rue des Rosiers and walk to the Picasso museum. After that, visit Victor Hugo’s home at Place des Vosges. Drop in on the art galleries surrounding the square.
And, if time permits:
Musée d'Orsay: located on the left bank of the Seine between Île de la Cité and Place de Concorde. It is open late on Thursdays.
L’Orangerie: home of Monet’s Water Lilies is located in the Tuileries adjacent to the Place de Concorde. It is an easy walk from the Musée d'Orsay.