An experience called Paris

Tanushree Podder takes a tour of the city’s cobbled streets, quaint wayside cafes, broad avenues and shopping hubs

The site at which Notre Dame Cathedral stands is the cradle of Paris

Gay Paree, the City of Lights, has always been a dream destination whether you are once-in-a-while-traveller or a globetrotter. It is not just a city where tourists always arrive in hordes, it is an experience. Ours began one April morning when the flight landed at Charles de Gaulle airport.

Driving down to Hotel Pullman Paris in Bercy, the anticipation runs high about a cultural and architectural fiesta, not to forget the culinary one. For Paris is not only the fashion capital but also the gourmet capital of the world.

The sensory fiesta begins with a walk around the Bercy village at St Emilion. Laid back and stylish, this quaint place is what Paris must have been eons ago. Its cobbled streets, flanked by restaurants and boutiques, see the mingling of locals and tourists every evening.

Then comes the tour of its famous sites. The first place on the list is obviously the Eiffel Tower. Trying to capture the entire tower in the camera is quite a feat. At 300 metres, set in the Champs de Mars, the tower looks more imposing in reality than it does in virtual reality. The restaurant on the second floor offers a spectacular view of the city.

The Champs de Mars (Field of Mars) was once a military training ground. Today it is a beautiful park with water fountains, tree-lined lawns and carousels on the sidelines.

On the left bank of the Seine is the Musée d'Orsay, a museum housed in a former railway station. It is best known for its extensive collection of Impressionist masterpieces by painters such as Monet and Renoir. — Photos by the writer

Next on the agenda is the much-touted venue of Shah Rukh Khan's wax replica, the Muse`E9 Gr`E9vin, which turns out to be an interesting place with ornate d`E9cor.

Over 300 politicians, film stars, sports people, filmmakers, historical icons, rub shoulders in the house of wax. Shah Rukh has the honour of being the only Indian, apart from Mahatma Gandhi, to make it to Muse`E9 Gr`E9vin.

Next on the itinerary is the Arc De Triomphe, built by Napoleon to celebrate his victories. The Arc stands at the head of the tree-lined Champs `C9lys`E9es. Its construction was started by Napoleon in 1806 and was finished by Louis Philippe in 1836. Standing 50-metres high in the Place Charles De Gaulle, the gateway is an architectural marvel. The inner walls bear the names of 386 of Napoleon's generals and 96 of his victories.

The Champs `C9lys`E9es is the most fashionable and well-known avenue in Paris. Lined with chestnut trees and showrooms of global brands like Cartier, Renault, Zara, it also has umpteen wayside cafes, theatres, including the famous Lido, cinemas and many more interesting places.

On the eastern end of the Champs `C9lys`E9es is the Place de la Concorde (Square of Peace). During the French Revolution, hundreds of people, including King Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette, were beheaded at a guillotine in this Square. Today, it is a beautiful square with huge statues, fountains, and the Obelisk of Luxor, a 3200-year-old obelisk from the temple of Ramses II at Thebes.

Paris is not a place one can cover in a week. Just its museums can take that much time.

Leaving Paris without visiting the Notre Dame Cathedral is unimaginable. The site on which the Notre Dame stands, known as `CEle de la Cit`E9, is the cradle of Paris. It has been the religious centre of the city. Many centuries back, the Celts had their sacred ground here, and then the Romans built a temple to worship Jupiter. Later, in the 6th century, a Christian basilica was built on these grounds and a Romanesque church stood here before the Notre Dame was built.

An elaborate mass is held at the cathedral every Sunday. The high-vaulted roof, beautiful oil paintings, ancient chandeliers, impressive altar and the exquisite stained glass windows are quite riveting.

Another famous cathedral on the tourist list is Basilique du Sacr`E9 Coeur. Standing atop a hill in the Montmartre area, with its lofty bell tower and onion-shaped dome, the basilica is a beauty. A bird's eye view of the city appears like a vast oil painting if one can muster courage to climb up the 200 odd steps of the tower.

The basilica with its golden-painted dome and beautiful interiors stands on the highest hill in Paris, Montmartre, also is known for its many artists who have been omnipresent since 1880. Many ateliers and boutiques dotting its streets support this fact.

The best way to to bid adieu to Paris is a cruise along the Seine. All along the riverside famous structures like the Assemblee Nationale, the Notre Dame, Louvre, Musee d'Orsay, Grand Palais, Petit Palais, the Obelisk at Place de la Concorde and Hotel de Ville pass by, stamping memories of the visit.

Staying: The Right Bank, closer to the Seine, is for those who want larger rooms and to stay in the glitzier part of the city, while the Left Bank is for those who want to spend time discovering old world charms. For B&B check out the Au Palais Gourmand where a room costs around euro 74.

Travelling: The Metro service in Paris is a sensible way to travel since there are traffic jams during most hours of the day. The Metro is efficient and iinexpensive. One can buy a ticket for a week or a day. For sight seeing one can also opt for a hop-on hop-off double-decker bus or a boat cruise. Be prepared to walk a lot because that is the best way to see Paris.

Shopping: The designer ware can empty your wallet but then you'll not be visiting Paris everyday. The dresses, bags, jewellery, perfumes, everything haute couture is worth a pick.

Best time to visit: During the spring (April - June)

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