15 Places You Won’t Want to Miss in Paris!

With Fashion Week just behind us, it can be easy to think of Paris as just an icon of style. And, well, it is… but it’s so much more! From art and food to architecture and natural beauty, let JoyTravel.com book you the trip of a lifetime. (And hey, why not shop for a new wardrobe while you’re there? There’s no reason to not look tre chic year round!)

1. The Eiffel Tower: A trip to Paris would not be complete without a visit to the Eiffel Tower (or at least a picture under it!). This tower was originally made for the World Fair in 1889. While some folk originally balked at the design, it is now France’s most treasured icon with almost 7 million riding up the 81 stories last year alone. Not only is this tower amazing for views, one can also enjoy restaurants on two levels. This is a must-stop attraction for keepsakes and trinkets. Choose from anything from postcards and tee shirts to jewelry and photo frames.

2. Arc De Triopme: Constructed by Napoleon in 1806, this monument overlooks the Champs Elysees and is home to the “unknown soldier” where every evening a flame is lit in honor of their service in either the French Revolution or Napoleonic Wars. It’s open both day and night and stirs up patriotic pride in all who visit due to both its lighting and open design.

3. The Louvre: Once a palace built for royalty, this incredible building now houses royal artwork. This well respected museum is situated on the Seine River. Like the art scene itself, the building has changed throughout the years. It was a fortress during medieval times, and Charles V used it as a palace in the 1400’s. It was used on and off since then by various kings. While new exhibits still come and go, some art has a permanent residence there, such as the Mona Lisa, Venus de Milo, and the famous Nymph and Satyr by Jean-Antoine Watteau.

4. Montmartre: At first glance, you might see only a large hill in the eighteenth arrondissment of Paris. But look closer and you’ll find a historic district brimming with culture. There’s the Montmartre Cemetery (which houses such famous people as Edgar Degas and Gustave Moreau) and a basilica built during the war to keep people’s eye on faith rather than fear. For those who don’t walk, cable cars are available.

5. Opera Bastille: Fairly new for Paris’s standards, this opera house was built in 1983. It offers almost 2500 seats that offer amazing sound from every angle. It is known for its acoustics as well as the incredible costuming, scenery and music. In addition to incredible shows, aspiring musicians can partake in a variety of workshops designed to train, strengthen and hone the voice in a setting that is unparalleled by any other building of its kind.

6. Picasso Museum: Located in the Hôtel Salé in rue de Thorigny, this museum was created in honor of Pablo Picasso. This Spanish genius was born in 1881 and died in 1973. Over 5000 of his pieces are stored here, including his own art collection from when he was alive. In addition, there are several pieces of work from other artists, making this a worthwhile stop in terms of both understanding Picasso’s genius as well as other thinkers of his time.

7. Le Marais: Come for the shopping but stay for the history! Marais has had many transformations. It was once a grand villa, then later a Jewish district and even later a nightspot for the gay social scene. From spices to parchment paper – and everything in between – Le Marais offers the beautiful nuances that give the French their reputation for delicious detail.

8. Orangerie Museum: While there are several pieces of work that are worth seeing here, the Orangerie Museum is most famous for Claude Monet’s masterworks such as the Nymphéas (Water Lilies). They are hung in two rooms as to make someone feel like they are indeed in Monet’s garden. There is a reason for this: Monet demanded that the panels be shown exactly as they are today to surround enraptured viewers with a feeling of being in his painting. Post-impressionist works by Walter-Guillaume abound, as well as Modigliani’s work. Don’t miss a tour through the garden of Tuleries and stop and feed a pigeon! (The birds are not art snobs – they love every piece of breaded art thrown to them!)

9. Shakespeare and Company Bookstore: For those who are a fan of literature, you don’t want to miss Shakespeare and Company book store. Once a boarding house, publisher and library for up and coming writers, this establishment is famous for giving Ernest Hemingway’s memoir, A Moveable Feast, its launch.  An intricate water fountain still operates in front of the store which once was built to serve the poor in the 19^th Look for signed author pages from writers like Voltaire, Rousseau and Verlaine. And check out the café!

10. Centre Pompidou: If you want both a hip gathering spot as well as an art gallery, then this modern facility is for you. It not only contains over fifty thousand pieces of art, it has an incredible public library and space for the performing arts. The building itself, designed by Renzo Piano and Richard Rogers, is a work of art. Similar to a body whose veins were on the outside, all plumbing and electrical features can be viewed on the outside of the building. They are color coded (red indicates elevators, blue indicates air conditioning and yellow indicates electricity.)

11. Piscine Josephine Baker: For those who want to feel like they are swimming in the Seine River but don’t want to deal with the temperatures, Piscine Josephine Baker is an ideal choice. This swimming pool is lined with glass and built below the Bastille and over the Seine.

12. The Conciergerie: Once a prison, this was part of the royal palace where criminals were held until their execution via guillotine. This is an excellent choice for those history lovers who want to see what life was like during the French Revolution, both in terms of politics and architecture.

13. Le Montparnasse 1900: If you are going to stop at any café in Paris, why not stop in Montparnasse 1900? With its art nouveau décor and sumptuous lighting, you’ll feel like you’ve stepped back in time to 1920. It’s not hard to picture the intellectuals of that time trading stories and working on paintings and fiction, not to mention rubbing shoulders over political issues. Folk like Fitzgerald and Modigliani did some of their best creating here. The food is as intricate as the skylights and beautiful mirrors – a delicious atmosphere of sights and taste. On warm days, patrons can sit on the terrace. Private rooms are also available for groups.

14. The Musse d’ Orsay: Not just another museum, this art establishment resides in what was once a railway station in the late 1890’s. It has a collection of sculpture, photos, furniture, paintings and art primarily from the years 1848 through 1914. It’s a worthwhile trip for the mere fact that it holds the biggest collection of impressionist pieces in the world with such artists as Renoir, Cezanne, Seurat, Gauguin, Van Gogh, Manet, Monet and more. In addition to one of the biggest collections, the building itself is one of the most massive in all of Europe.

15. Parc Monceau: Who says there is no nature in the fashion empire? Over 20 acres of green foliage make this park a must see/walk attraction while in Paris. Phillippe d’Orleans, a duke and cousin of King Louis XVI, purchased the land in 1769, turning it into a public park in 1778. And it was not just an ordinary park. Built as a combo of English and Chinese garden experience, there were fantastical reconstructions of various structures throughout the world. In addition to incredible walkways, it housed a tiny Egyptian pyramid, a Roman colonnade, statues of various antiquity, a water lilly pond, servants dressed in costumes and a variety of exotic animals – including camels.

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