Paradise Found - Paris
By Joanne Lane I love Paris despite a lot of things. Yes, I admit, the French are one. But during my two weeks in Europe's most elegant city I had more than my fair share of travel nightmares. I was physically attacked on the metro, pickpocketed, almost arrested, was close to being evicted from my hotel and became convinced I was wearing a bullseye every time I crossed the road. Surely after this it would have been quite excusable to give the city a healthy berth, and write it off after giving it a "fair go". But I couldn't. I repeat, I love Paris. It's one of those place that's impossible to visit and not feel elegant or at least partly refined - even when you're wearing sandals and crinkled pants and stick thin Parigian women sweep past with golden locks flying from under their berets. It's impossible not to get caught up in all those doll shaped houses, cute cafes and glamorous shops to laugh at how rude the baker was when you tried to order a bread roll and how long that museum queue is. In some places you can feel swept away and out of place by the tastefulness and style, but Paris sweeps you up and takes you along for the ride. There is nothing more appealing than walking along the Champs Elysses when the lights come on, gliding past the Eiffel Tower in a boat, inspecting the gargoyles in Notre Dame, and admiring the Mona Lisa in the Louvre. It's a journey into elegance and sophistication. It's impossible to capture the grandness of this city. Baz Luhrman tried to in Moulin Rouge and even Ernest Hemmingway could do little to paint the magic of strolling the broad avenues, impressive public buildings, museums, parks and gardens. Paris has simply exhausted all the superlatives that can be applied to a city so I'm not even going to try. Everything about the city is colourful. Its history incorporates Joan of Arc, the French Revolution, the storming of the Bastille, Napoleon, Jacques Chirac, and even literary characters like the Hunchback of Notre Dame and Jean Valder in Les Miserables. Famous notables from history are also buried here, among them Oscar Wilde, Chopin and Jim Morrison. Paris also continues to play a lively and prominent role in world affairs. France is one of the five permanent members of the United Nations and a major force in the European Union. So Parigians might well qualify to contest the Romans for the centre of the universe position. So once you've tired somewhat of strolling the boulevards, recalling history and trying to describe Paris it will be time to tick off the major attractions in Paris. Among these are of course the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre museum, the Arc de Triomphe, the Bastille, Sacre Coeur, and the Moulin Rouge nightclub in Montmarte. But I'd hate to give away all of Paris' secrets at once. Fortunately there is always enough enchantment in Paris for everyone to find. THINGS TO SEE
The Latin Quarter is so called because up until the Revolution all communication between students and professors took place here in Latin. It has become an increasingly touristy area with restaurants, jazz clubs and shops but there it still has a large population of students. Notre Dame, Sainte Chapelle and Sacre Coeur are among the must see churches and chapels in Paris. Notre Dame is Paris' most famous cathedral with its magnificent Gothic architecture and ferocious gargoyles. Sainte Chapelle's 13th century stained glass is impressive. It was built in just 33 months and is one of the smallest chapels in Paris. The Basilica of the Sacred Heart (Sacre Coeur) at the top of Montmarte was built to fulfil a vow taken by Parisian Catholics after the disastrous Franco-Prussian War in 1870-71. The Picasso Museum is one of the best displays of Pablo Picasso's work and his personal art collection of Rousseau, Braque, Cezanne and Matisee. Other museums include the Musee d'Orsay with its paintings and sculptures the Centre Georges Pompidou with its contemporary art and the Louvre with Leonardo da Vinci's Mona Lisa and a wealth of Assyrian, Egyptian, Etruscan, Greek, Roman and Islamic pieces. Visit the Catacombes to see the bones and skulls of millions of Parisians. These disused quarries were utilised when overflowing cemeteries threatened Paris with hygiene problems. During WWII the tunnels were used by the Resistance as headquarters. WHEN TO GO
If possible avoid travelling in Paris in August. Many shops, restaurants and even hotels simply shut down as people take their annual month long holidays. Paris has all sorts of cultural activities during its wet winter. Spring and autumn are probably the best times to visit. GETTING THERE AND AROUND
There are two international airports in Paris at Aeroport d'Orly and Aeroport Charles de Gaulle. Air France and scores of other airlines link Paris with every part of the globe. Flying within France is quite expensive although people under 25 and students under 27 can get discounts on Air France / Air Inter flights. Other French cities with direct international air links include Nice, Lyon and Marseille. Eurolines buses also run from Paris to cities all over Europe. There are six major train stations in Paris handling travel to different parts of France and Europe. For travel within France itself the metro/RER/bus sytem is efficient and extensive. Carte Orange, Forumule 1 or Paris Visite passes are cheap options for travel for any periods over several days. AROUND PARIS
the 13th century cathedral of Chatres is 88 kilometres from Paris and has a Romanesque and Gothic spire. The medieval town surrounding it is full of stone bridges, wash houses, churches and tanneries. Versailles is only a day trip from Paris and is a must see. The grand and famous chateau served as the country's political capital and seat of the royal court from 1682 until 1789. It is also the place where the Treaty of Versailles was signed in 1919 that officially ended WWI. Trains and buses run from Paris to Versailles. BOOK HERE |
