For my 21st birthday, my Mom treated me to my first trip to Europe.¨We can go anywhere you want,¨she said, spreading the continent out before me like a treasure map. Naturally, I could think of no place more exciting than Paris… and Santorini had always been a dream destination. So those were my top choices. …
Located on the Right Bank, Paris’s densely populated 11th arrondissement is home to the well-known Place de la Bastille and the fashionable Faubourg Saint-Antoine. The latter is an area characterized by cafés, restaurants, nightlife, boutiques and galleries. Rue Oberkampf, replete with gritty Parisian charm, is the place to go to mingle with locals in funky, casual eating and …
Located on the Right Bank, the eclectic 10th arrondissement is best known for the Canal St. Martin and the vibrant restaurants and cafés nearby. Mostly a residential neighborhood for the working class, the 10th has recently welcomed a variety of nightclubs that have brought new energy into the area. The 10th is also home to …
Located on the Right Bank, the eclectic 9th Arrondissement includes the Grands Boulevards shopping area, the affluent neighborhood located near the Palais Garnier Opera House (in fact, the 9th arrondissement is often called Opéra), and, to the north, the infamously seedy Pigalle district (a red light /cheap shopping area). Metro stops: Barbès-Rochechouart, Grands Boulevards …
Located on the Right Bank, the 8th arrondissement is home to the Champs-Elysées and the Arc de Triomphe, making it one of the most famous neighborhoods in Paris, perhaps the world. The bustling, cosmopolitan nature of the 8th makes it the perfect place to spend an afternoon or evening shopping, eating, or enjoying an aperitif. …
James turned to the hovering waiter. “Encore, deux cafés.” The big cups of creamy coffee arrived and soon my husband had sketched out a plan for my seventh visit to Paris, his ninety-third. He filled our September week with authentic Paris, must-see places and events that any tourist can fit around the obligatory sightseeing. We …
Located on the Left Bank, the 7th arrondissement is the site of the Eiffel Tower, the most heavily visited landmark in Europe – maybe the world. The sprawling 7th arrondissement is also home to numerous museums, beautiful parks and monuments, and a host of government buildings to include the Assemblee Nationale (the lower house of Parliament). It is also home to many …
Located next to the Latin Quarter, Paris’ 6th arrondissement is divided into three main areas: Saint- Germain- des- Prés, Luxembourg, and the southwestern section of the rue de Rennes, which leads up to Montparnasse. The 6th Arrondissement, specifically Saint Germain Des Prés, is a popular neighborhood for tourists. Metro stops: The most commonly used metro stops …
From a historical perspective, Paris’ 5th arrondissement (located on the left bank of the River Seine) is one of the most fascinating. It is also one of the liveliest in the city. Known as the “Latin Quarter,” the 5th arrondissement is home to the Sorbonne, The Pantheon and a number of Gallo-Roman ruins. The Latin …
Located on the right bank, the 4th arrondissement is known for areas and sites such as Hôtel-de-Ville (Paris’ city hall), Place des Vosges, the Centre Pompidou (Paris’ premier modern art center), and the southern section of the Marais district. In terms of ambiance, the 4th arrondissement is popular because of its quaint streets, cafés, and …