Romantic Paris: A Must-Visit at Least Once

📍 Paris · 👁 953 reads · ❤️ 1 likes

Paris, the city of romance, boasts a long history, famous historical sites, world-renowned museums, a rich artistic atmosphere, and romantic charm. Paris has always drawn me to come, experience, and savor it slowly. I thought March would be the off-season for tourism, but Paris's transcendent charm means there is no off-season; every attraction, especially museums, is crowded with visitors. I arrived in Paris on a Monday and left on Saturday. I purchased a weekly Navigo pass at Gare du Nord, which was very cost-effective. It covers public transportation within Paris, including the funicular to Sacré-Cœur, the RER express trains to the airport and Versailles. In Paris, it's useful to know a few French station terms, like Gare du Nord (Paris North Station), Gare Rennes (Rennes Train Station), and Gare routière (Bus Station). Knowing these simple words makes it very convenient to use their transport facilities in France.

After checking into the hotel at 4:30 pm, I immediately headed to the Arc de Triomphe. The Arc de Triomphe stands at one end of the Champs-Élysées and was built to commemorate Napoleon's victory at the Battle of Austerlitz in 1806. Twelve avenues radiate from the Arc, the most famous being the Champs-Élysées, which connects to the Place de la Concorde at the other end. The Champs-Élysées is Paris's premier shopping street, home to many world-class luxury brands.

The Arc de Triomphe sits in the center of Place Charles de Gaulle. Its design draws from ancient Roman triumphal arches. Up close, it's massive; you can climb to the top for a visit. The arch is adorned with many exquisite reliefs depicting Napoleon's military victories and key events of the French Revolution. Beneath the arch lies the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, a symbol of French patriotic education.

One of Paris's most iconic landmarks is the Eiffel Tower. Standing at a total height of 324 meters, it is the tallest structure in Paris. At 8 pm every evening, the tower sparkles with lights on cue, drawing excited cheers from visitors in the park and on Seine river cruises.

At 9 am, I went to the Eiffel Tower to go to the top. There are many places in Paris to get a panoramic view, but the Eiffel Tower is the top recommendation. From the summit, you can look out over the city without glass barriers, and it is the highest observation deck in Paris. There are two types of tickets: one for the second floor only, and one that goes to the very top.

In the afternoon, I visited the Palace of Versailles. Versailles is one of France's most famous palaces, located in the town of Versailles in the southwestern suburbs of Paris. You can take the RER C directly there. Originally a hunting lodge for Louis XIII, it was transformed into a grand palace under Louis XIV. Louis XIV moved the royal court and government institutions to Versailles, making it the political center of France. Due to its immense fame, the term 'Versailles' is sometimes used to describe someone showing off or flaunting. So Versailles is definitely worth a visit. The palace's unparalleled scale and opulence deserve to be savored slowly.

Mont Saint-Michel is located in the Normandy region, nearly 300 kilometers from Paris. Known as the 'Castle of the Sea,' it is a must-visit famous historical site and pilgrimage destination in France, and has appeared in many films and TV shows. The abbey at the top of the mount was among the first sites designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The Louvre is a must-visit museum in Paris, often ranked first among the world's top four museums. It served as a filming location for movies like 'Belphégor' and 'The Da Vinci Code.' Here, you can admire treasures from ancient Greek, Roman, and Egyptian civilizations, as well as masterpieces by French, Italian, and other renowned painters. To even scratch the surface of the collection, it's essential to do some research beforehand; otherwise, you might spend hours without seeing the museum's three star attractions.

The undisputed superstar of the Louvre is Leonardo da Vinci's Mona Lisa. It's nearly impossible to squeeze into the first three rows. In person, the painting feels surprisingly small and is protected by glass — which only confirms its top-dog status in the museum.

The Venus de Milo is one of the Louvre's three great treasures, one of the world's most famous ancient Greek sculptures, renowned for its graceful posture and mysterious beauty. It is said to embody the most perfect body proportions.

The Winged Victory of Samothrace, another of the Louvre's three treasures, is a masterpiece of ancient Greek sculpture. Created to commemorate a naval victory, it was discovered by French archaeologists without its head and arms, but the main body remains intact. With wings outstretched, the figure exudes power and vitality, symbolizing victory and glory.

I finally managed to book a visit to Notre-Dame Cathedral. Although still under restoration, it is now open to visitors free of charge, with a daily limit of about 10,000–15,000 people. Located on the Île de la Cité in central Paris, this Gothic cathedra is the seat of the Archdiocese of Paris and one of the most famous historical buildings in France and Europe. Victor Hugo's novel 'The Hunchback of Notre-Dame' made the cathedral world-famous.

Montmartre, brimming with Parisian style and romance, is also a great spot for panoramic views of the city. It's home to the famous Sacré-Cœur Basilica and the world-renowned Moulin Rouge.

The white Sacré-Cœur Basilica has a unique style, blending Romanesque and Byzantine elements, with its pure white dome evoking an Eastern flair. The square in front offers wide-open views, and you can climb to the top of the dome. The stone used to build Sacré-Cœur secretes a white substance when wet, often called 'glass chippings,' which causes the building to become whiter over time through rain and weathering—hence its luminous appearance.

The Moulin Rouge is also in Montmartre, one of Paris's most famous cabaret venues, known around the world for its iconic red windmill and energetic can-can dance. It is a symbol of Parisian nightlife. If you want to experience Paris after dark, catching a show at the Moulin Rouge is well worth it.

Galeries Lafayette Paris is both a premier shopping destination and a sightseeing spot in the city. It offers a vast array of world-class brands, exquisite Parisian souvenirs, and gourmet food. The store's stunning neo-Byzantine stained-glass dome, built in 1912, is a must-see for every visitor. If you spend a certain amount, you can even step onto the glass walkway suspended beneath the dome.

Travelogue Directory: 1. First Arrival in Paris: Arc de Triomphe and the Eiffel Tower 2. Climbing the Tower for a Panoramic View & Visiting the Palace of Versailles 3. Mont Saint-Michel, the Castle in the Sky 4. Admiring World Treasures at the Louvre 5. An Audio-Visual Feast at the Moulin Rouge 6. Experiencing Parisian Shopping Paradise at Galeries Lafayette

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