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Paris is Always a Good Idea

04/24/14 | Europe, Travel, Travel Plans

The Eiffel Tower at Sunset - Paris, France

After I cut down the list considerably I get around 10 emails a day from companies’ mailing lists and one really hit a cord – Paris is Always a Good Idea.   That is one of those statements that I just can not disagree with, yes, Paris is a good idea.

Jetsetter - Paris is Always a Good Idea

I have been to Paris twice, once when I was six months old and do not recall at all … duh.  The second time I visited I was ten and am sad to report that I did not appreciate the city for what it was.  The highlight of my trip, I can vividly remember, was our visit to Disneyland Paris.  The things that were supposed to be impressive – The Arc de Triomphe and The Louvre – I recall that there was a McDonalds’s with ice cream cones by the arc and that the Mona Lisa was very small.  I would love to go back soon and in anticipation of this trip. I have put together a collection of top attractions that will be on my “must visit” list:

Paris is Always a Good Idea - Arc de Triomphe

Arc de Triomphe  – It is a problem that the biggest thing I remember about the The Arc de Triomphe  is the McDonald’s close by.  For heaven sakes, it stands at the center of Place de l’Étoile the hub from which 12 grand avenues including the Champs Élysées.   On my first visit I did not climb the structure but this time I will have to and get a glimpse of the panoramic view from the terrace.

Champs-Elyse – The Avenue des Champs-Élysées i s arguably one of the most famous streets in the world with actual cinemas, cafés, luxury specialty shops and clipped horse-chestnut trees and I remember none of it.  I am sure I took a stroll down this street but next time I must do so with my camera in tow.

Eiffel Tower – The Eiffel Tower is really just a given.  I did take the elevator up to the observation but we skipped dining at the restaurant high above Paris which I would love to do.

Paris is Always a Good Idea -  Notre-Dame de Paris / Notre Dame Cathedral

Notre Dame de Paris –  Notre-Dame de Paris, also known as Notre-Dame Cathedral or simply Notre-Dame, is a historic Catholic cathedral on the eastern half of the Île de la Cité in the fourth arrondissement of Paris, France.

The Lourve  – The Louvre or Louvre Museum is one of the world’s largest museums and a historic monument and after re-reading Dan Brown’s The Davinci Code earlier this month I really would love to go again and have a new appreciation for some of the lesser known art.

Musée d’Orsay  – The Musée d’Orsay is a museum on the left bank of the Seine and one I do not recall going to.  I really think I would have remembered a musuem housed in a train station – it is located in the former Gare d’Orsay, a Beaux-Arts railway station built between 1898 and 1900.

Paris is Always a Good Idea - Basilica of the Sacré Cœur

Basilica of the Sacré Cœur – The Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Paris, commonly known as Sacré-Cœur Basilica and often simply Sacré-Cœur, is a Roman Catholic church and minor basilica, dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, in Paris, France.

Jardin du Luxembourg  – Also known as the Luxembourg Gardens, is the second largest public park in the city and is actually the garden of the French Senate. It  contains just over a hundred statues, monuments, and fountains, scattered throughout the grounds and I would love to spend an afternoon, armed with cappuccino and pastry, exploring.

Montmartre Walk – This Parisian neighborhood is known for its neon signs and souvenirs of windmills but I have heard great things from friends who have visited over the past five years.   If you travel off the beaten path I am sure I could find something worth writing home about.  Plus, while I am in the neighborhood I will have to stop by the French cabaret Moulin Rouge as I have been obssessed with it since the movie won the Academy Award for Best Costume Design.

Paris is Always a Good Idea - Palais Garnier
images: 1 / 2 / 3 / 4/  5

Palais Garnier – Another spot I missed last time was the world famous opera house. The Palais Garnier boasts1,979-seats and has been home of the Paris Opera since it opened in 1875.

Centre Georges Pompidou – As I was ten the last time I was in Paris my parents literally had to drag my brother and I to some of the “must-sees” but we missed the main library. The Centre Georges Pompidou is a complex in the Beaubourg area and was designed in the style of high-tech architecture by the architects Richard Rogers and Renzo Piano.  It is worth a trip for the architecture alone because goodness knows I do not speak French!


Shopping in the Marais – Any street that advertises, ” Stock up here on smart staples for your wardrobe, writing desk and larder,” is somewhere I do not want to miss.  Even if I do not pick up stationery from one of the many papeteries on rue du Pont Louis-Philippe I will be in seventh heaven with a fresh macroon or crêpe to  accompany me on my window-shopping excusion.

With these twelve hot-spots in mind I already have a week long tripped planned,
the next steps are to figure out how and when I am going! 
(And I will try and work on number 61 on my 101 list)

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Comments

  1. Diva In me says

    May 4, 2014 at 3:14 pm

    Totally agree that Paris is always a good idea. It never disappoints even as many times you return for a visit. I’ve been there multiple times and I still find it inspiring and beautiful.

  2. Ronda says

    April 28, 2014 at 12:35 pm

    I’m going to Paris this summer and have been making my list and you just added a couple more must sees for me. I’m more than excited.

  3. Emily Finta says

    April 25, 2014 at 10:07 pm

    I was in the Paris Airport for an hour on my way to Florence but that’s as close as I’ve gotten! Someday soon I will visit there!

  4. Tara says

    April 25, 2014 at 7:57 am

    Ah Paris… I know a lot of people who didn’t really enjoy their trips to Paris while touring Europe. I can’t even fathom how this is possible because I loved every second I was there. I remember bring in awe at least once a day while I was there. It will always hold a special place in my heart.

    As a touristy thing, I’d also recommend Pere Lachaise Cemetery. It’s hauntingly beautiful and you can spend ages wandering around.

    http://www.rambleonrockstar.wordpress.com

  5. Stay Styled OC says

    April 25, 2014 at 12:30 am

    Great pictures. Thanks for sharing. I’ve never been to Paris however, it is on my bucket list. 🙂

    Stay Styled,

    Lindsey

    http://staystyledoc.com/

  6. Sooae Lee says

    April 24, 2014 at 5:27 pm

    wow such gorgeous photos! xO!
    http://www.thehautecookie.com

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  7. Hanna says

    April 24, 2014 at 3:49 pm

    Ahhh going to Paris would be a dream =)

  8. Jenni @ Flying on a Rainbow says

    April 24, 2014 at 12:52 pm

    I can’t wait to go back to Paris for a week this summer. Last time we only had a couple of days so didn’t get around everything!

  9. Erica Thompson says

    April 24, 2014 at 12:42 pm

    I love paris! I went four years ago and would go back in a minute!

  10. Sharon says

    April 24, 2014 at 10:38 am

    I’ve never been to Paris but it is definitely on my list of places I want to see!

    -Sharon
    The Tiny Heart
    Starbucks Giveaway!

  11. Katie says

    April 24, 2014 at 10:14 am

    it’s funny what you care about when you’re ten 🙂 I’d LOVE to go to paris someday!
    forlaurenandlauren.blogspot.com

  12. Alyssa says

    April 24, 2014 at 9:41 am

    Paris is just so beautiful. I’ve only gotten to spend a few quick days there, but I’d love to go back some day!

  13. mariafelicia says

    April 24, 2014 at 9:25 am

    paris is amazing…great pics..kisses dear

  14. Rachel says

    April 24, 2014 at 9:21 am

    Someday when I can afford it, I’d love to visit Paris. Maybe on a honeymoon or something 😉

  15. Ellie says

    April 24, 2014 at 9:18 am

    You can do it!! I’ve always wanted to visit Paris as well. These things make me want to go even more 🙂

Hi, I am Kelly and welcome to Sparkles and Shoes, a fashion, travel, and lifestyle blog founded in 2012.  After six years of living in London I am back in New York with my husband and two littles! 

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