Howcast

Visiting Paris’ Notre Dame Cathedral

Howcast — Fri, 09 Aug 2013 21:39:28 +0000

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It wouldn’t be right to go to Paris without paying a visit to its heart. The Notre Dame Cathedral has been a place of worship and an important part of France’s history since its construction began in 1163. It was where Napoleon made himself emperor and where much of Victor Hugo’s celebrated book The Hunchback of Notre Dame was set. Today, the Notre Dame is still used daily for religious services, but it is also a destination for being one of the most beautiful examples of French Gothic architecture. The massive building is made more impressive with flying buttresses, gargoyles, sculptures, and stained glass windows. Notre Dame’s bells have been ringing to call people to prayer for centuries, and they continue to do so today. If you time your visit right, you might even get to hear the great Emmanuel bell, the only bell that remains from before the French Revolution. Tours of the Notre Dame are offered every day, and are a great way to learn more about the rich history and art this cathedral holds.

Visiting Paris’ Eiffel Tower

Howcast — Fri, 09 Aug 2013 21:22:19 +0000

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Paris’s most iconic attraction is undoubtedly the Eiffel Tower. Would you believe Parisians once thought the 1,063 foot iron lattice structure was an eyesore? It was nearly sold for scrap metal in 1909. Fortunately, Paris has grown to love it, and so has everyone else–it’s one of the most visited structures in the world. Learn more about the history of the Eiffel Tower by taking one of the guided tours offered or visiting the tower’s museum for a self guided lesson. Once you make it to the top, you’ll be able to see the Arc de Triomphe, the Notre Dame Cathedral, and much more. You can’t take the stairs all the way to the top, but riding in the glass elevator and watching the the view expand beneath you is an experience in itself. The second floor also offers a great view, and since it’s easier to make things out from that height, it’s ideal for taking pictures. Truthfully the Eiffel Tower itself is stunning from every angle and level, even the ground. So even if you’re afraid of heights, you’ll have plenty to see. It’s perhaps the most beautiful when it lit up at night, so be sure to catch a glimpse of it then. It’s lit for just five minutes every hour.

Visiting the Musee du Louvre in Paris

Howcast — Fri, 09 Aug 2013 21:07:40 +0000

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In a city with as many world-class art museums as Paris, calling one of them the greatest is really saying something signification. But for the Musée du Louvre, it’s true. The massive building the museum is inside, once a royal palace, and would be worth visiting even if it didn’t house the Mona Lisa and the Venus de Milo, as well as a collection of thousands more artifacts and artistic masterpieces. There are paintings from all over the Western world, spanning the medieval period to the 19th century, but that’s only scratching the surface. You’ll also find Islamic art, Egyptian antiquities like sarcophagi, decorative art, sculptures, drawings, pastels, and art works in every possible form of media. It’s impossible to enjoy everything the Louvre has to offer in one day, so plan what you want to see before you go and allow yourself plenty of time to explore. The museum is open from 9 AM to 6 PM every day except Tuesday, so plan accordingly. The Louvre is the world’s most visited museum for a good reason; you don’t want to miss out.

Top 5 Places to Eat & Drink in Paris

Howcast — Fri, 09 Aug 2013 20:52:34 +0000

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Food is one of France’s claims to fame, and Paris holds up the tradition of culinary excellence with pride. What would a visit to Paris be without freshly baked croissant from a patisserie? Dalloyau has been baking pastries good enough for kings since 1682; try their famous opera cakes or macarons. You can have coffee or a light meal and relax at one of Paris’s cafés, like the historic Café de Flore, which has attracted such famous patrons as Jean-Paul Sartre and Picasso. But Paris is probably best known for its haute cuisine. The world-famous, Michelin-starred L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon might be a little pricey, but the fine French food and service are an unforgettable experience if you can afford it. Bistros are more casual and less expensive, but that doesn’t mean the food is any less impressive in places like Chez L’Ami Jean, which specializes in Basque cuisine. Don’t miss some of France’s best wines along with your meal or check out one of the many wine bars like Le Rubis, an old Parisian standard. Paris values its culinary excellence, so wherever you eat, you’re likely to find ambience, good service, and delicious food.

How to Get Around Paris

Howcast — Fri, 09 Aug 2013 20:47:08 +0000

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Paris is a wonderful city to walk in, but if you’d rather not walk, you still won’t have to brave the traffic. Taking the métro is another economical and easy way to get around Paris. Métro stations are marked with M signs and can be found under most of the city’s major boulevards. If you want to leave central Paris, you can take the RER commuter trains out to the suburbs. If there’s somewhere inside the city the métro won’t take you to directly, the buses usually will–and there’s the added bonus of spending more time above ground and taking in the sights. You’ll want to see as much of the city as you can. Another way to work in sightseeing while you get around from place to place is by bicycle. There’s a lot of room for biking and most streets are safe for cyclists. You can rent a bicycle for just a few Euros through the Vélib program. Taxis are another convenient option and they aren’t too pricey. Look for taxi stations near train stations, big crossings, or hotels. There are plenty of easy ways to get around Paris, which makes the city that much easier to enjoy.

Best Time of Year to Visit Paris

Howcast — Fri, 09 Aug 2013 20:21:04 +0000

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Paris is one of the most popular vacation spots in the world. There’s plenty to do all year, but if you want to make the most out of your trip consider going when the rest of the tourists aren’t there. July and August can have temperatures as high as 90 degrees Fahrenheit, the city gets muggy and there’s very little in the way of air conditioning. This is also when the most tourists visit, and a time when many Parisians take their own vacations away from the city, that means you’ll have to deal with crowds around attractions, less local flavor, and higher prices on hotel rooms and airfare. Spring and fall are much milder and there will be fewer tourists, so you’ll have a better experience and more moderate prices. The very best time to visit is June, when Paris gets the most daylight, but isn’t too hot and crowded yet. The winter is cool, but usually not too cold, and extreme weather is unusual in Paris, so winter isn’t a bad bet either. December is beautiful in Paris. The city becomes radiant with lights and decorations for Christmas–however, prices will spike again around this time, so beware that Christmas in Paris can be costly. Anytime you visit Paris you are in for a magical trip, but if you can avoid July and August, you’ll also be sure to avoid some common travel hassles.

Top 6 Museums to Visit in Paris

Howcast — Fri, 09 Aug 2013 20:13:14 +0000

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Paris is easily one of the best cities for art in the world. The Musée du Louvre, home to the Mona Lisa and the Venus de Milo among thousands of other masterpieces, is too much to take-in in just one visit. If you really want to appreciate all it has to offer, set aside a few days. The Musée d’Orsay is another of Europe’s finest art museums, with a world-class selection of Impressionist and Post-impressionist paintings. If you’re interested in modern art, the Centre Pompidou has an impressive collection spanning a variety of media, from paintings to architecture. Going back in time, the Musée National du Moyen Age has one of the best collections of medieval art around. This is where you’ll find The Lady and the Unicorn tapestries. The Musée Marmottan Monet contains over a hundred of Monet’s drawings, pastels, paintings, and watercolors. For sculpture, visit the Musée Rodin, where you’ll find The Thinker and more of Auguste Rodin’s work. There’s no shortage of museums and art in Paris, so you’re bound to find the best of any art form you’re seeking.

Top 6 Places to Visit in Paris

Howcast — Fri, 09 Aug 2013 20:05:24 +0000

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Paris is a sight-seer’s dream filled with iconic destinations that define any traveler’s vision of Paris. The most iconic attraction is undoubtedly the Eiffel Tower, so make sure you take time to see it up close, even if you don’t go to the top. The tower is the most beautiful when it lights up at night. The Musée du Louvre is worth visiting just for a glimpse of the Mona Lisa, but you really should look around more; it’s a treasure trove of art, with a collection of thousands. The Arc de Triomphe, a 164 foot tall testament to Napoleon’s military triumphs, is adorned with beautiful sculptures by François Rude. From the top, you’ll get a magnificent view of the streets stretching out around it like the rays of a star. The Notre Dame Cathedral isn’t Paris’s biggest cathedral, but it’s certainly the most beautiful, with its sculptures, stained glass windows, and bells. Visit Napoleon’s Tomb–which is made up of six coffins surrounded by a sarcophagus–housed in the Église du Dome at the Hôtel des Invalides. Take a break from the city in the Jardin du Luxembourg, which is actually the garden of the French Senate. There, you can see the Medici Fountain and admire the Luxembourg Palace. The sheer amount of places to visit in Paris can be overwhelming, so a trip to Paris should ideally include enough time to see them all.

Top 5 Neighborhoods to Visit in Paris

Howcast — Fri, 09 Aug 2013 19:47:27 +0000

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The good news is that Paris is fairly compact and easy to navigate, so you’ll be able to do everything you want to, if you play your cards right. Ile de la Cité, which is actually one of two islands in the Seine
river, is the heart of Paris and its birthplace. Notre Dame Cathedral and many other attractions are here, so it’s often busy and crowded. Not too far away from Ile de la Cité, you’ll find Le Marais, which is the place to go for interesting shops, bistros, and the best of Paris’s bar scene. The other island in the Seine, Ile St-Louis, is the calmer of the two. Relax under the trees that line the streets here, and admire the beautifully preserved 17th-century architecture. One of the most popular neighborhoods to visit in Paris is the great hill Montmartre, once a haven for artists. You won’t find Picasso here anymore, but you will find the Sacré-Coeur Basilica at the top of the hill. The Latin Quarter is named for the Latin that was spoken in there after the Sorbonne university was founded in 1257. Today, it’s where Paris University is located, and is a great place for eating and people-watching. There’s a lot to explore in Paris, so come prepared with a reliable map to guide you through the neighborhoods.