The hope is that we will always have Paris. The city of Lights, the most romantic city in the world, the city of the Eiffel Tower and Notre Dame makes the list for Paris’ often worn out clichés. The capital of France is undeniable in that regard so spit out a few too many superlatives. Paris can’t get enough.
The city of lights is famous for holding some of the world’s most renowned and recognized landmarks. The Eiffel Tower is one of them, constructed in 1889 for the World’s Fair. A fair indeed still seems to play out here are countless numbers of people come to admire the Parisian tower. Those that ascend to the top will discover a view of Paris unlike any other. Sure, you could probably see this panorama from another building, but it wouldn’t be from the Eiffel Tower. At night, the Eiffel Tower sparkles. Couples stereotypically gather to take in the romance of the 320 meter tower all dressed up for a night on the town.
After carrying the weight of such a scene, travelers may resemble hunchbacks and what better a city to be of that appearance. Housed in the Cathedral de Notre Dame, Victor Hugo made the bell towers of this house of worship famous for his story “The Hunchback of Notre Dame”. Gargoyles glare as visitors take in the gothic masterpiece of a church. Notre Dame dates back to 1163 when construction officially began.
There is something to be said for a museum that holds 35,000 pieces of the world’s most renowned artwork. That place is only in Paris at the Musée National du Louvre. Originally opening its doors in 1793, the Louvre was intended to show the art treasures of the kings of France. Wandering through this museum could take several days with Greek, Roman, Etruscan, Egyptian, East Asian, Spanish, Italian, French, and northern European sculpture and artifacts on display. Masterpieces invade the walls with every turn of the museum corner, noting the French, Dutch, German, Flemish, Italians, and Spanish predominately. It is here and only here you can get an original smile from Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa.
Paris is not only known for the Louvre, but also for several other famed museums. The Musée d’Orsay covers Impressionist and Post Impressionist art. The Centre Pompidou attracts attention for its modern and contemporary 20th century art, but also for its outward appearance. The structure of the building puzzles and shocks many in Paris, almost sticking out like a sore thumb in the city.
Driving in Paris could be its own sport. The best spot to see the race of Parisian drivers comes across the famous Arc de Triomphe. Commissioned by Napoleon, the grand arch has been replicated by many, but only calls Paris home. The Arc de Triomphe remains the world’s largest roundabout. Cars whiz around the Arc almost like it is a game, heading for a coffee on the quintessential Parisian avenue Champs-Elysées.
The more morbid travelers would rather head far away from the city life to Paris’ long since passed residents. The Cimetiere du Pere Lachaise and Le Catacombes present two venues for the darker visitor to Paris. The remains of Jim Morrison and Oscar Wilde can all be found within the Cimetiere. After reflecting on the long since passed, travelers may need to people watch at a Parisian café to appreciate the life still going on about town. Who knows if you will always have Paris, but at least for a small window, the city of superlatives is all yours.
