A Guided Tour, by Amy Guffy

A Paris, on peut s'amuser, s'ennuyer, rire, pleurer, faire tout ce qui vous plaît; nul ne vous jette un regard car il y a des milliers qui y font la même chose et chacun à sa manière.

(In Paris, you can enjoy yourself, bore yourself, laugh, cry, do all that pleases you, and no one casts a glance at you because there are thousands who do the same thing and each one in her own way).

-Frederic Chopin, 1831

History

Paris is a city that is rich in history. From approximately 50 BC, when Paris as we know it today was home to a Gallic tribe known as the Parisii, to the French Revolution, to the dark days of the German Occupation during World War II, and finally, to the present day, Paris has always been a focalpoint of the European continent, and arguably, of the world. Although the history of the city of Paris is much too lengthy to recount here and yet too interesting to try to paraphrase, I would point you in the direction of some good books which give you the full account of Paris' story as a city and as a culture. A Travellers' History of Paris, by Robert Cole, is a complete recounting of the evolution of Paris as a city. For those who are interested in a more condensed, yet just as detailed account, check out the section entitled "Paris: An Introduction," in the beginning of your Let's Go Paris: 1998 guide. (This is a must-have!)

Points of Interest

There are simply too many places of interest in Paris to list here. Instead, here, I'll point you in the direction of some of my most favorite places to see and browse through in the city.

THE MUST-SEES:

One cannot go to Paris without seeing the Eiffel Tower – it simply cannot be done. The Eiffel Tower is located in the 7th Arrondissement and can be reached most easily from the Bir Hakeim Metro stop. Inaugurated in 1889, the Eiffel Tower was much cause for controversy among the Parisians. It has since evolved into one of the most recognized architectural structures in the world. You can't miss it!


Another famous landmark in Paris is the Arc de Triomphe. Located on the Avenue des Champs Elysées at Place d'Etoile, the Arc de Triomphe is a source of much pride for Parisians. It should be noted, though, that the Arc takes on an entirely different aura at night, so be sure to visit it during the daytime as well as after dark!




And last, but certainly not least, is the Musée du Louvre. The Louvre, home to the Mona Lisa and also the statue of Venus de Milo (pictured at right) is one of the most well-known art museums in the world. One can go into the Louvre and browse through for an entire day – in fact, to do this museum justice, one should go back several times in order to capture fully the entire effect. The Louvre also has a museum "gift shop" so that visitors can buy posters, postcards and books of their favorite art and artists featured in the museum.

OFF THE BEATEN PATH:

After a full day of sight-seeing, a rest at one of the local cafes may be just the answer for your tired body. There are a plethora of cafes in Paris - one on every corner it would seem! – but it is imperative to visit at least one of the well-known ones. My favorite is Café les Deux Magots (pictured at left). Located in the 6th Arrondissement at Place St-Germain-des-Prés, Deux Magots (as it is known to Parisians) was once a favorite spot for Jean-Paul Sartre and Simone de Bouvoir, but is now a favorite for the young and old alike. Although the drinks (café included) are pricy, this is a must-see in order to capture Parisian culture at its best!

Some other cafés include: La Coupole, Le Dôme (both located in the 14th Arrondissement), La Closerie des Lilas, Le Flore, and Le Séléct (all located in the 6th Arrondissement).

Places to Stay

There are two basic alternatives in terms of accommodations in Paris: hostels and hotels. The hostel is the least expensive option of the two and may be just as comfortable. However, if you choose to stay in a hostel, be prepared for anything! Hostels are the option of choice for young, low-budget travelers and may often be as rowdy as a college dorm. Also, hostels often have a daytime lock-out period, which means that you cannot return to the hostel from mid-morning until the late afternoon. For a complete list of hostels in each arrondissement, consult your travel guide.

The hotel is the other alternative form of accommodation and is my preferred choice. Hôtels in Paris tend to be more like bed and breakfasts in the United States, although there are Holiday Inns and Hiltons in Paris, too! However, small hotels often offer a better flavor for the culture and often carry a lot of character. Keep in mind that the French government ranks hotels according to a four-star system, with 4L being the most luxurious.

My suggestion for even the budget traveler would be the Hôtel de Blois, located in the 14th Arrondissement. This hôtel is simple, clean and very comfortable with modest prices – and a TV in each room.

What to Bring

I have two suggestions in terms of what to bring on your trip to Paris. First, bring comfortable walking shoes! To do justice to Paris, one must walk from the Arc de Triomphe to Notre Dame – literally! – so bring decent shoes. Second, unless it's the dead of summer, bring warm clothing. Paris is often breezy and chilly, no matter what the season.

Useful Phrases

Here is a short list of some essential phrases that you need to know for your sojourn in Paris:

Ça va? Is everything going OK?

Salut! A familiar form of hello or goodbye.

Au revoir The standard phrase for goodbye.

Ou sont les toilettes? Where are the toilets?

Relevant Websites and Literature

The following are some links to other web pages which deal with Paris, France and/or travel in general:

City of Paris homepage

Embassy of France in the United States homepage

Preview Travel and Fodor's "Destination Guides" travel page

The following are the titles of some books that would be helpful for your trip to Paris:

Let's Go Paris: 1998

A Traveller's History of Paris, by Robert Cole

Paris Inside Out, by David Applefield

To go to Erin's page on Kenya

To go to Kimie's page on Thailand

December, 1998