According to Wikipedia, Paris received 22.4 million visitors in 2014, making it one of the world’s top tourist destinations. People from the United States, the U.K., Germany, Italy, Japan, Spain and China make up the top of the list of international tourists that visit the French capital each year.
The truth is that Paris is a city with a charm like no other. People all over the world see it as the ultimate destination to visit and dream of walking its streets, sitting at one of its many sidewalk cafes, losing themselves in its shops and boutiques and getting a healthy dose of history and wonder inside its museums and galleries.
Paris is a city for lovers; is accessible and easy to travel in, out or about; it has some of the best restaurants in the world as well as some of the most amazing museums; and let us not forget that fashion in Paris sets the standards of what’s “in” or “out” all over the world.
Here in the blog we have talked about accommodations in Paris before, but now, let’s take a look at what the city offers for those who cherish different experiences or want to look at the city from a different perspective.
Eating in Paris
Paris has been famous since the late 18th century for its restaurants and its meticulously prepared and artfully presented cuisine. Food lovers will delight with the never-ending options to enjoy at anytime day or night.
Le Procope for example, is located on Rue de l’Ancienne Comédie, and is France’s oldest restaurant. It was established in 1686 and even today it opens its doors to visitors from all over the world that want to see Napoleon’s hat or sit at the table Voltaire used to frequent and have his coffee. The place is a must see if you visit Paris.
If you’ve ever been to a three-Michelin-Star Restaurant, then you know you are in for a treat when you make a reservation at Epicure. Prices are high, but they are worth it because you will be embarking on a truly magical gastronomic experience.
In the event you feel particularly adventurous, there is another option that shines due to its originality. How about taking a cooking class right there in Paris? Cook’n with Class is one of the many options that offer this attractive proposal. They hold small cooking classes, all in English, and offer an exciting culinary experience with professionally trained chefs and sommeliers that will guide participants along in an exciting journey through the food culture of Paris.
For art lovers
It goes without saying, the Musee du Louvre is probably the most important stop for art lovers who want to explore the great city of Paris and indulge in all the art and its rich history. In 2014, The Louvre was the world’s most visited art museum with 9.3 million visitors. There is plenty of information about The Louvre everywhere and it goes without saying that its possessions include the Mona Lisa (La Joconde) and the Venus de Milo statue among many other invaluable art pieces that have shaped the way we understand art in the history of mankind.
The Musée d’Orsay, another mandatory stop for art enthusiasts, displays French art of the 19th century, including major collections of the Impressionists and Post-Impressionists.
The Musée du quai Branly exhibits art objects from Africa, Asia, Oceania, and the Americas.
Another great place to visit is the Musée national du Moyen Âge, or Cluny Museum, that houses the famous tapestry Cycle of The Lady and the Unicorn.
Image courtesy of Michael Boitin at Flickr.com
Fashion and Shopping
Paris has been the undisputed international capital of high fashion since the 19th century. Fashion houses like Dior and Chanel call Paris home. Paris Fashion Week is one of the top events of the international fashion calendar, along with the ones held in Milan, London and New York. If you want to live a fantastic shopping experience, you must definitely make a visit to one of the large department stores in Paris. Printemps and Galeries Lafayette, for example, offer a range of designer brand names and luxury fashions and can be found next door to each other.
Another mandatory stop is the Triangle d’Or, The Home to the world’s finest Haute Couture shops, a true fashion lover’s paradise. There are so many important shops on this street that you will be dazed with the possibilities: Louis Vuitton, Ferragamo, Dolce e Gabbana, Max Mara, Christian LaCroix, Valentino, Prada, Ungaro, Joseph, Bonpoint, Jean Louis Scherrer, Gucci, Pucci, Loewe, Krizia, Bvlgari, Calvin Klein, Nina Ricci, Ynes de la Fressange, Donna Karan, Celine and many others. Remember that if you aren’t ready for the price tag of an original Chanel suit, sales season is in January and July, and they are well worth a visit.