Romance is Everything
When you think of Paris, what comes to mind? Certainly some of the suggestions that I will share below likely created a thought bubble, but if you put them all together, in one location, add a sun set and twinkling lights, what do you get? Romance…you get what many claim to be one of the most romantic cities in the world. Perhaps that’s why one of the most influential writers of the early 1900s who said “Romance is everything” also said, “America is my country and Paris is my hometown”. Gertrude Stein found her “everything” in Paris. The city itself romanced her with art, intellect and community. As a result, she spent the entire of her adult life in Paris, creating and inspiring creation.
Today, the City of Lights continues to be a “mecca” of artistry in a variety of forms drawing 23 million visitors to see, taste, touch and experience the creative romance of this amazing city. And for the record, 23 million makes Paris the world’s top tourist destination…and I would have been one of them…a few times!
So, below are Kimberly’s Top Ten for the City of Lights. Click for a link to a city map for your travel planning.
One ~ Eiffel Tower: This iconic monument was designed and built by Gustave Eiffel as the entrance to the 1889 World’s Fair. And as one would expect in a community of artistic thinkers, it came under “attack” by said community as a “hateful column of bolted sheet metal”. Despite the protest, the construction continued and today it’s the most visited paid monument in the world and, like it or not, the brand icon of the city.
Two ~ Arch de Triomphe: The Arch was inspired by the Arch of Titus in Rome and its intent was the same, as both a monument and parade route entrance to celebrate victors returning home from war. In the case of the Parisian Arch, it honors those who fought and died in the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars. It’s also the home of the tomb of the unknown soldier of WW1. (Featured Image)
Three ~ Champs-Elysees (Tuillers Garden): After you finish taking snaps at the Arch, stroll Champs-Elysees from the Place Charles de Gaulle with the obelisk, to Place de la Concorde. It’s approximately 2kms of shops, cafes and theaters that ends at the largest square in the city near the Tuillers Garden.
Four ~ Notre Dame: Which translates, “our Lady of Paris” is the legendary medieval Catholic Cathedral in the French Gothic style. And because it’s is medieval legacy, it’s played host to everything from royal weddings and coronations, to death sentences and suicides. Perhaps that’s why I feel sad when I visit this architectural marvel. It’s gorgeous, stunning and to be protected, but I sense some of its negative history when I’ve walked its hallowed halls.
Five ~ Seine River and a Cruise: Stroll along the Seine and take in the beautiful bridges that connect the Left and Right Bank. You can even take a hop on, hop off sightseeing cruise along the river that comes by at regular intervals. It’s way more fun than the bus of the same approach. Then of course, there is the champagne cruise!
Six ~ The Louvre: A palace/fortress turned world’s largest art museum. It really is a must visit but do your research first as there is no possible way you will see it all in one day. Leverage this map to chart your course to get the most out of your time at this massive collection of art and antiquities. And do buy your tickets in advance to skip the line.
Seven ~ Day trip to Versailles: This merits a special singular post but I’ll spare you that for now. While Versailles may not have been the “official” capital of France, it was certainly the capital of extravagant over-indulgence and that makes it worth the trip. It’s jaw dropping! The gardens are free but the seeing the interior is worth the fee.
Eight ~ Shopping on Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré and/or the Marais Quarter: There are those who would say that shopping on Rue du Faubourg is the “Broadway of shopping” and the Marais Quarter is “off Broadway” up-n-comers, but in Paris, shopping is great everywhere!
Nine ~ The Pantheon: One can certainly see the Roman influence in this “temple to all gods” modeled after the church of the same name in Rome. Originally, the Pantheon in Paris was a working church dedicated to St Genevieve, the patron Saint of Paris. She lead a “prayer marathon” that was said to save the city from Attila the Hun’s attack. Today it’s a secular mausoleum hosting the remains to distinguished French citizens. There is one unique difference in this Pantheon than in Rome, you can go to the top and take in spectacular views of the city. Don’t miss it!
Ten ~ Sacre Coeur Basilica: The Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Paris was built as “retribution” for the defeat of France in 1870 Franco-Prussian War. The Bishop of the area defined the defeat as punishment after “a century of moral decline” and its goal was to help re-establish moral order. Hence, its location on the highest point in the city.
There is certainly so much more to see in Paris, the Opera House, Palais Garnier and Palais du Luxembourg to name a few. As one of my gentle readers reminded me, when Gertrude Stein made the “there is no there there” comment she was not referring to her beloved Paris. It’s easy to understand why, because from the moment you arrive “she”, the city, begins romancing you and it will no doubt become a “marked” location for you…a “there” sort of destination!
Gertrude Stein was speaking of Oakland when she used the phrase “There’s no there there.”
Thank you Pete! You are absolutely correct…I tweaked my closing to reflect your input. And for the record, one could certainly see why she said that about Oakland! 🙂