Since I’e gotten home from Paris, everyone has been asking me about my favorite thing I saw, which is a pretty complicated question when I had a months worth of fun. I have, however, complied a shortlist of all of my favorite places in Paris that particularly suited my tastes and that I would tell someone visiting they must try to see.
The Eiffel Tower has made it to the top of the list, not just because it’s too icon to miss, but because it actually lives up to the buzz about it. I don’t think I’d even consider it a tourist trap what with how amazing it is, the views and the history.
Sainte-Chapelle is simply too beautiful to miss. The line to get in looked pretty brutal, but sometimes the wait is worth it. Its looks like a set from a fairytale movie that they had to CGI in, and its all incredibly old. Its unbelievably beautiful.
The Opera Garnier of Phantom of the Opera fame is quite possibly the most beautiful building I’ve ever stepped foot in. The interior is what I wanted the rooms of Versailles to look like. Opera Garnier blows the famously lavish palace out of the water. I’d particularly like to hear what any other visitors thought of the Degas ceiling–I personally loved it!
The soaring heights of St. Eustache rival the famed Notre Dame, and even if Notre Dame relagates it to the largest church in Paris. Much less crowded and very interesting arcitecturally in its own right, i particularly enjoyed the columns and artwork at St. Eustace.
No where we went could beat the Jardin de Luxembourg! I loved the English gardens especially, but the main green is the best picnic spot in all of Paris! It even edged out the Champ du Mars with superior shade, few to no aggressive vendors, and though it is admittedly still crowded, the people there are taking fewer aggressively touristy photos.
Though I was less than impressed by the tomb of Napoleon, the collection of medieval armour and weaponry at Les Invalides has my whole heart. My Lord of the Rings/Game of Thrones/Narnia dreams were just a display case away from me. I also found that the exhibits on later warfare were well done, and anyone interested in those time periods would enjoy visiting immensely.
Notably I have not mentioned the Louvre! My advice on the Louvre is this: plan like its a battle. Just wandering through becomes overwhelming fast. Decide what you would like to see and then make your way there with brutal efficiency. If you can’t decide I would suggest some of the less popular galleries. My favorite gallery wasn’t the Mona Lisa but rather a small exhibit on middle eastern art.
I loved my time in Paris and I so proud of how much I and the friends I made on the trip grew over the course of our time there. I might not be able to pack the city in my suitcase, but at least all my new friends came home with me!
I loved the Degas ceiling! It was my favorite part of the Opera.