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You could walk past Belleville, where market stalls line the main boulevard. You could take in the world-famous touristy sites like the Louvre, Moulin Rouge, Notre Dame, Champs Elysees and, of course, the Eiffel Tower. Paris is the essence of Europe, says Gyan Marwah
Paris means different things to different people. For the young it is the most romantic city in the world. For those interested in history, it is a place that has been witness to some of the most important events of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. And for many others, it is a city that symbolises the essence of Europe. The world’s trendiest city, Paris is the showpiece of Europe. The tiny alleyways of the Montmartre, the monumental vistas from Louvre to La D`E9fense; the street markets and old-fashioned pedestrian arcades against the giant underground commercial complexes of Montparnasse and Les Halles; the imperial grandeur that sweeps from the Louvre to the Arc de Triomphe and the ever-imposing Eiffel Tower, the city is a blend of stunning architecture and palpable history. The old-world aura, the breezy boulevards, impressive monuments, great works of art, amazing lights and the romantic Sienne make Paris one of the most memorable cities of the world. Fashion capital
But first things first. Paris is the world’s fashion capital and it would be most inappropriate not to start with haute couture. French couturiers like Cardin, Dior, Chanel and Yves Saint Laurent set the world trends year after year. Most of these are located on Avenue Montaign, close to Champs Elysees and Rue du Faubourg Saint Honore, which is a walking distance from the presidential palace. Once properly decked up, you would be ready to do the next best thing in Paris —visit the art galleries. The city loves its art and there are numerous galleries like Mus`E9e d’Orsay, Mus`E9e Picasso, Mus`E9e de l’Orangerie and Mus`E9e Marmottan. But the world famous one, of course, is Mus`E9e du Louvre — or simply Louvre — which is considered the world’s greatest art museum. The Louvre displays about 300,000 works of art. The most famous exhibits to be seen are the Venus de Milo and Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa. The entrance to this museum is through a 21-metre (67-feet) glass pyramid, commissioned by former President Fran`E7ois Mitterrand and added during the 1980s. The pyramid was controversial at that time but is now widely admired by Parisians and tourists.`A0 But be warned. Over 50,000 visitors come to Louvre daily and there could be a wait for an hour or more to enter the building. But no matter how much you are tempted don’t get completely lost in Louvre. There are plenty of other sites to see in Paris. Arc de Triomphe is one of them. Commissioned by Napoleon to celebrate his victories in 1805, it could not be completed in his reign. In fact, it was completed in 1836 during the reign of Louis-Philippe. The Arc de Triomphe is engraved with names of soldiers who commanded French troops during Napoleon’s regime. The design of the Arc is based on the Arch of Titus in Rome. The Arc de Triomphe is much higher (50m versus 15m), but it has exactly the same proportions. The statues at the first level represent soldiers wearing different uniforms of Napoleon’s armies. On the top stands a goddess. World’s famous street
Arc de Triomphe is on Champs Elysees, one of the most famous streets in the world, with its cinemas, caf`E9s, and luxury specialty shops. At the very heart of Paris, it is one of the most symbolic promenades and is used for all the major celebrations. This is where Parisians celebrate New Year’s Eve and where the military parades are held on July 14. Historic national events, like the end of the World War II, have been celebrated here. Close by is yet another not-to-be-missed site — the Cathedral of Notre Dame, the church in Paris dedicated to Virgin Mary. One of the finest examples of French Gothic architecture, it was built in the first half of the 12th century. It stands 69 metres high, not counting the lancets that project from their rooflines. Its stained glasses and the huge interior are really stunning artistic experiences of mystical dimension. Notre Dame is a flagship in the Parisian landscape and provides a magnificent view of the city from the top of its towers. If you are physically fit, you can walk up a spiral staircase to a gallery that offers close-up encounters with the gargoyles that played supporting roles in Victor Hugo’s The Hunchback of N`F4tre-Dame. While in Paris, a visit to the Palace of Versailles is an absolute must. It is just outside of Paris and there are plenty of ways to get there. But the best is to hop into a tourist bus that will take you there and bring you back to the city. The magnificent palace overwhelms you. Considering that people were starving in those days, the palace covered 800 hectares with 200,000 trees, 50 fountains, 700 rooms and 6,000 paintings We reserved the last day in Paris for four things — the Moulin Rouge, the Eiffel Tower, Montmartre and the cuisine of the city. Montmartre is the heart of Paris. Here you will find a church built on the top of a hill called Sacr`E9 Coeur (Sacred Heart). It first opened its doors in 1919. Follow the paths to the left of the Sacre Coeur, and you will soon reach a square called Place du Tertre. There are many cafes there. But the main attraction is the artists milling around this square. Tourists often pose for a quick portrait. There are many souvenir shops in the area. You can also enjoy a meal in one of the cafes (many of these offer live music / singing), or buy a cr`E8pe (pancake) or glace (ice cream) from one of the food stalls. But if you are looking for real entertainment, head for the Moulin Rouge — the world’s most famous nightclub in the red light district of Pigalle on Boulevard de Clichy. It can be seen from a distance because of its large red windmill. The place offers adult dances and cabarets and is a must-see tourist destination. Built in 1889, it is famous for introducing the world to Cancan (immortalised by artist Toulouse-Lautrec). Over the years, audiences have come to see feathers and sequins fly as beautiful girls take to the stage every night. With breathtaking sets, innovative choreography, original music, and show-stopping acts, the Moulin Rouge has played host to international stars such as Liza Minnelli, Frank Sinatra and Elton John as well as Maurice Chevalier, Jean Gabin, Edith Piaf, Yves Montand and, more recently, Nicole Kidman. The Eiffel If Moulin Rouge takes you to dizzying heights of entertainment then you can actually scale the heights on the Eiffel Tower — the symbol of Paris. Built by Gustave Eiffel for the International Exhibition of Paris in 1889 and commemorating the centenary of the French Revolution, the Eiffel Tower is one of the most mesmerising free-standing structure in the world that is 300 metres (320.75m including antenna) tall and weighs 7000 tonne. From its platforms — especially the topmost — the view of Paris is superb. It is generally agreed that one hour before sunset, the panorama is at its best. The tower has a bar, souvenir shop, and the (recently restored) office of Gustave Eiffel. It also has a restaurant (extremely expensive). But if food is on your mind then you should not be eating at the Eiffel. Eating in Paris is as good as shopping. You will find the very best restaurants in the world. Eating in any kind of non-French fast-food chain is considered deeply touristic behaviour, as is sitting out on a bistro forecourt on the Champs-Elys`E9es, or admiring the Eiffel Tower. And don’t try to be a vegetarian in Paris either. Beyond vegetables themselves, anything else has to be bought in a chemist shop. The French just don’t get the concept. If you’re an omnivore, Paris presents no problems. But if you are a veggie, your only saviour might be some fruits, cheese and bread. — NF
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