Welcome to France.
A country that seduces travelers with its unfalteringly familiar culture woven
around café terraces, village-square markets and lace-curtained bistros with
their plat du jour (dish of the day) chalked on the board.
France
is all about world-class art and architecture, Roman temples and Renaissance
châteaux, iconic landmarks known the world over, and rising stars few yet know.
Stroll the lily-clad gardens Monet painted and savour un café at the Parisian
café where Sartre and Simone de Beauvoir met to philosophise. See glorious
pasts blaze forth and imagine the life of a French king at bourgeois Versailles. View
tomorrow’s art starts in squats secreted in abandoned 19th-century Haussmann
mansions in Paris,
or at new headline-grabbing museums up north. Drink cocktails in a shabby-chic Nantes warehouse.
Listen to Marseille rap and Parisian jazz. Sense the subtle infusion
of language, music and mythology in Brittany,
brought by 5th-century Celtic invaders. Yes, French culture offers never-ending
possibilities to fill any stay in France.
Paris
The ‘city of romance,’ it is the sheer beauty
and magnetism of the city of Paris that evokes such sobriquets for it. A
center of art and architecture, and the home of fashion as we known it,
Paris is one of the world’s greatest capitals. The capital of France,
it is one of the largest cities in Europe. With a past that is as
exciting as its present, Paris is undoubtedly the most popular tourist
destination in the world.
Michaela and Nicola at the Eiffel Tower
The most famous spot in Paris is the Eiffel Tower. It is the symbol
of Paris, and indeed of France. An engineering marvel, it is the place
tourists head to first start their journey of Paris. Mosaic artist
Sharon Tompkins befittingly described the Eiffel Tower as “…iron reborn
as lace”. Standing beside the River Seine, it is a sight to behold,
especially at night when the Tower comes alive with the lights. It is
the tallest building in the city of Paris. It was built by gifted
architect Gustave Eiffel between the years 1887 and 1889. You can spend
some memorable time atop this breathtaking structure by dining on one of
its floors. Altitude 95 is a restaurant situated on the first floor of
the Tower, 311ft above sea level. Another famous landmark of Paris is the Louvre. The Louvre
Museum, made more popular by the movie Da Vinci Code, has some of the
greatest collections of art in its possession. The museum also has
various exhibits from ancient Egypt, Mesopotamia, and Greece. Art
aficionados can see some of the best pieces of art, including Leonardo
da Vinci’s Mona Lisa. But to visit this museum, it is a good idea to
book your tickets in advance.
Paris
is full of such architectural wonders. The Cathedral of Notre Dame being
one of them. Built in a Gothic style, the cathedral took an astounding
87 years to complete! Its construction commenced in 1163. The cathedral
is known for its rose windows, dating back to the 13th century, and
also a grand organ. The instrument is played every Sunday afternoon,
with the exception of the period of Lent.
Paris’ nightlife is famous. With world-class bars and clubs, the city
almost never goes to sleep here. You can visit the Bal du Moulin Rouge –
the birthplace of the French Cancan. There are scores of similar places
where you can sit back and enjoy Paris nights. Or you can simply walk
around the posh Avenue des Champs-Elysees. Lined with cinemas, cafes,
and chic designer boutiques, this is the most famous street in Paris.
Plan your trip in a way that you can witness the Bastille Day
celebrations in Paris. Held on July 14, the celebrations include a
lavish parade around the Champ Elysees and fireworks around the Effiel
Tower after sunset.
