Paris Things To Do & See
The Arc de Triomphe
The Arc de Triomphe is one of the most iconic monuments in Paris. Commissioned by Napoleon Bonaparte in 1805, its construction was intended to honour the French army and commemorate its victories. The structure stands in the centre of the Place Charles de Gaulle, where twelve major avenues radiate outwards. Beneath the Arc de Triomphe lies the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier from World War I. It serves as a symbol of remembrance for all the unidentified soldiers who lost their lives in the conflict.
Luxembourg Gardens (Le Jardin du Luxembourg)
The Luxembourg Gardens, known as “Jardin du Luxembourg” in French, is one of the most famous and beautiful parks in Paris. Located in the 6th arrondissement of Paris near the Latin Quarter, it was created in the early 17th century by Queen Marie de’ Medici, the widow of King Henry IV of France. One of the highlights of the gardens is the Medici Fountain (La Fontaine Médicis), a Baroque-style fountain that was constructed in 1620. The gardens are a popular place for Parisians and tourists alike to relax, read, have picnics, or take leisurely strolls.
The Seine
The Seine is a major river in France that flows through the heart of Paris, dividing the city into the Left Bank (Rive Gauche) to the south and the Right Bank (Rive Droite) to the north. World famous landmarks that are situated along the Seine in Paris include the Eiffel Tower, Louvre Museum, Notre-Dame Cathedral (set to reopen in Dec.2024 after being heavily damaged by fire in 2019) and the Musée d’Orsay. The river is spanned by numerous bridges, each with its own architectural style and history. Some notable bridges include the Pont Neuf, Pont Alexandre III, and Pont des Arts.
The Catacombs
The Catacombs originated as a network of underground quarries that provided limestone for the construction of Paris. In the late 18th century, due to concerns about public health and the overflowing cemeteries, the decision was made to transfer the remains of millions of Parisians to these underground tunnels. The Catacombs house the bones of around six million people. The arrangement of the bones is quite artistic, with carefully stacked skulls and long bones, creating patterns and designs along the walls. The entrance is through a small building in the middle of a park called Place Denfert-Rochereau. The network of tunnels extends for several kilometres beneath the city, however, only a small portion is open to the public.
Montmatre
Montmartre has a rich artistic heritage and has long been associated artists and writers. It was a gathering place for many famous artists including Pablo Picasso, Vincent van Gogh, and Henri Toulouse-Lautrec. Situated on a hill in the northern part of Paris, its name literally translates to “Mount of Martyrs”. One of the most iconic landmarks in Montmartre is the Basilique du Sacré-Cœur (Basilica of the Sacred Heart). The white-domed basilica stands at the highest point of the hill and is a popular tourist attraction. Also home to the famous cabaret the Moulin Rouge, Montmartre’s narrow, winding streets have retained much of their historical charm.
Self directed walking tour - Literary Haunts in Paris
One of the joys of travel is finding an activity which is a little bit different. On my most recent trip to Paris, I thought I would change it up and do something a little random. Straight to the internet and the first idea that I came across was a self-directed walk taking in establishments once frequented by famous literary figures. Starting in Montparnasse, the former haunts of literary giants were ticked off, one by one. Below is a list of the places and a selection of names ;
- La Closerie des Lilas – Samuel Beckett, Man Ray, Oscar Wilde, Jean-Paul Sartre, Ernest Hemingway & F Scott Fitzgerald
- Jardin du Luxembourg – Victor Hugo, Gertrude Stein, Alice B. Toklas, Richard Wright, James Baldwin & William Faulkner
- Cafe Tournon – Baldwin, Richard Wright, William Gardner Smith & Chester Himes.
- Shakespeare and Company Bookshop (closed in 1940) reopened as Shakespeare & Company (in 1951) – Hemingway, Fitzgerald, Gertrude Stein, Ezra Pound, James Joyce & in it’s latter years, Allen Ginsberg & William S. Burroughs
- Les Deux Magots – Jean-Paul Sartre, Simone de Beauvoir, Albert Camus, Hemingway & James Joyce
- Café de Flore – Simone de Beauvoir, Jean-Paul Sartre & French poet Jacques Prevert
- Lapérouse – Victor Hugo, George Sand, Alfred de Musset & Gustave Flaubert
- Cafe Procope – Voltaire, Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, George Sand, Jean-Jacques Rousseau as well as Robespierre & Napoleon Bonaparte
While a few were missed due to time constraints, a person has to keep something for next time. There are a lot of similar activities out there or you can plan a walking tour according to your own personal interests. Have a bit of fun and do something a little bit outside of the square.
