Located on the right bank of the River Seine, Paris’s 3rd arrondissement is one of the smallest arrondissements in Paris. Included in the 3rd arrondissement is the northern part of Le Marais, Paris’ oldest neighborhood. This is where you’ll find the oldest private residence in Paris (from the early 15th century), located on the Rue …
Paris 1st Arrondissement is located along the Right Bank of the River Seine (it extends onto the western section of the Île de la Cité in the middle of the river). It is home to famous sites like the Louvre, the Jardins des Tuileries, and the Palais-Royal, as well as popular shopping venues like Les …
The Eiffel Tower or Tour Eiffel symbolizes Paris now, but when it was built for the Universal Exposition (World’s Fair) in 1889, it was expected to be torn down within 20 years. The main thing that saved it was technology. Wireless transmissions, sent from an antenna on the tower, could travel far, so the French government …
The 2nd arrondissement, located on the right bank of the River Seine, is best known as the location of the Bourse (stock exchange), which makes it France’s financial center. This is also where you will find “les galeries,” covered upscale shopping areas that date back to the 19th century. The Paris 2nd arrondissement is also …
For a spectacular view of the Eiffel Tower and a tour of some intriguing museums, head for Palais de Chaillot, in Paris’ 16th arrondisement. The Palais, which stands on a hill on the right bank of the Seine, above Trocadéro square and gardens, directly faces the Eiffel Tower across the river. The grand square between …
For antique lovers and shoppers on a budget, few things are more exciting than digging for treasures from times gone by at European flea markets. From mid-century bowls to old photo albums, antique porcelain statues to vintage wall art, you never know what you might find. Each treasure holds a story, so as I inspect …
Hotel Gavarni joins a handful of hotels that have embraced the Green movement in Paris. They are doing their part to clean up the urban jungle by providing more environmentally friendly places for visitors to rest their heads. Paris is paradise for walking aficionados. The streets are full of cafes from which to people watch and, of course, …
One of the most interesting museums in Paris, a city filled with great museums, is the Musée National du Moyen-Age Thermes de Cluny in the Latin Quarter. The two important sites on the grounds are the 15th century mansion (the Cluny) with its collection of medieval art, and the 3rd-century Gallo-Roman baths (the Thermes). The Cluny’s …
On our first trip to Paris, we climbed the steps to the landmark Sacre Coeur Basilica. And finally, I saw what I had only seen in my French class textbooks–that pure white dome, the clusters of cool, chilled out students sprawled up and down the steps, laughing and chatting animatedly while rolling cigarettes with one hand. They were undisturbed …
The Opera Garnier There really is a lake beneath the old opera house in Paris, just as The Phantom of the Opera says. No phantoms are boating on it, however, as far as anyone knows. The “lake,” which is more like a water-filled hole, has a more mundane purpose; it’s a reservoir used by the …