When
thinking about big cities in the world, it is hard to go past Paris as my
favourite. The way that the character of
the old centre of the city has been preserved, plus the French flair, means
that any visit to Paris is going to be a highlight.
My
favourite parts include:
 |
| Hotel du Jeu de Paume, Ile St Louis |
Hidden
residential areas like the Ile St Louis (an island in the middle of the river) with
small eccentric hotels
Tourist
traps like the Arc de Triomphe and the Champs Elysee – they might be so well
known and visited but there is a reason for that
Sunbathers
on the banks of the Seine
The
Musee d'Orsay – which I have blogged about before here
Shopping
at Printemps and Galeries Lafayette – Gallic equivalents of Harvey Nicks and
Harrods.
Going
on the metro – so smooth and well-engineered
And
I love the bicycle hire scheme (you'll note they don't require you to don a
helmet) and all the tiny Smart cars parked in the teensiest spaces!
I
have heard people complain that the French are rude to visitors. I have only experienced this once – at the
Opera Building ticket desk. But if you
try to speak a little French I have found nothing but kindness – including from
a ticket seller on the Metro who firmly warned me to tuck my handbag under my
arm since I was going to Pigalle (which is the stop for Montmartre – somewhat
of a haven for pickpockets).
How on earth do they get out of the parking spot?
ReplyDeleteI love Paris, one of my favourite towns in the world. Natasha, very simple, everyone leaves their handbrakes off and you can manoeuvre back and forth. ;-)
ReplyDeleteI wish to visit Paris someday ...thanks for the quick trip !
ReplyDeleteI love Paris. I spent a year living there and I try and go back at least once a year, miss it so much. So different to London (which I equally love for different reasons)
ReplyDeleteJen, thanks for your comment. Happy New Year!
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