Filled with famous museums, historic landmarks, notable restaurants, and carefully selected fashion houses, most first-time travelers to the City of Lights find it difficult to find what to do within the timeframe, rather than struggling to find out what to do. I have a hard time deciding what I can do. they are there.
The world’s most visited city is full of world-class attractions, sights and activities, with the most anticipated of the year being the reopening of Notre Dame Cathedral.
Five years after it was gutted by fire, the landmark building has been largely restored to its former splendor ahead of a planned reopening in December. While restoration work continues throughout the summer to meet reopening deadlines, the scaffolding on the cathedral’s spire has already been removed and will be fully visible by July, when the 2024 Summer Olympics kick off in Paris. right.
Although tourists are not allowed inside the chapel, its new spire makes for a great photo backdrop.
If you’re heading to the French capital in the next few months, or jetting off to the Summer Olympics, 10 things to do while you’re there, including where to get drinks with the best views of Notre Dame I would like to introduce you here.
1. Enjoy coffee with a view of Notre Dame Cathedral
Notre Dame de Paris Cathedral.Reuters
Newly renovated with only a little work remaining, including restoration of the roof, floors and furniture, this magnificent cathedral makes a wonderful backdrop for your Parisian summer. The best way to see this view is to enjoy a café au lait at Le Saint-Regis Café on Ile Saint-Louis. The small wooden outdoor tables are the perfect sunset spot to watch the cathedral illuminated in golden light, making it the perfect place for brunch, lunch, dinner, or drinks.
2. Scale the Eiffel Tower
The Eiffel Tower is a symbol of Paris. AFP
More than 7 million people visit the Eiffel Tower each year. If you haven’t been yet, you should add yourself to that number. A showcase for Paris, this monument is the most visited paid attraction in the world, and for good reason. It offers a fascinating history and stunning views of the city. At the top, head to the observation deck with stunning views, but discover the secrets here that house the workstation of Gustave Eiffel, the tower’s creator and the same man who created the intricate structure of the Statue of Liberty in New York. Don’t miss the apartment. .
3. Marvel at the art at the Louvre
The Louvre is home to the world’s greatest art collection. AFP
Located on the right bank of the Seine in the heart of Paris, Paris’s Louvre Museum is a classic and must-see. Famous for its glass pyramid wings and elaborate French Baroque architecture, this place is perfect for delving deep into French history and exploring the greatest masterpieces of art, from the Mona Lisa to the Winged Victory of Samothrace. It’s a place. She is also known for her work in pop culture, appearing in The Da Vinci Code, Wonder Woman, Idris Elba’s Lupine, and hosting Beyoncé and Jay-Z at private after-hours showcases. Compatible.
4. See a show at the Palais Garnier
The Opéra Garnier in Paris is a famous place to see a show. AFP
There’s something special about seeing a show in Paris, and there’s no better place to do it than at the historic Opéra Garnier. Commissioned by Emperor Napoleon III in 1861, this architectural gem is one of his most famous opera houses in the world and is as much a symbol of Paris as Notre Dame or the Louvre. Dripping in rich red and shimmering gold, his 1,979-seat theater transports travelers to an era of glamor and sophistication. It’s not just opera; ballet, dance, and other concerts are also held here.
5. Seine River Cruise
A cruise ship sails on the Seine River. AFP
Rumor has it that preparations for the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris will make the Seine so clean that tourists can swim in it in 2025. Until then, it’s best to explore by boat. Hop on a river cruise and enjoy an afternoon meandering along the water’s edge. See some of the city’s best landmarks and trace the history of the city’s development along the UNESCO World Heritage-listed shores.
6. Drink coffee at Café de Flor
Café de Flor is one of the oldest and most prestigious coffeehouses in Paris. AFP
Look inside Hemingway, Picasso and Truman Capote at Café de Flore, one of Paris’ oldest and most prestigious coffeehouses. Located on the popular Boulevard Saint-Germain, this hotspot was once a place for literary meetings, philosophical discussions, and artistic reverie. The Art Deco cafe, with its mahogany walls and dark red seating, hasn’t changed much since World War II and is the perfect place to people-watch over a steaming cup of coffee.
7. Golden Triangle Window Shopping
Louis Vuitton department store on the Champs Elysées.getty
The Golden Triangle, an affluent area of Paris’s 8th arrondissement, is bounded by Avenue Georges V, Avenue Montaigne, and Avenue Champs-Elysées, and is perhaps best known as the luxury heart of Paris. Home to haute couture houses such as Chanel, Dior, Louis Vuitton, Hermès and Balenciaga, the Champs-Elysées are lined with luxury stores such as Tiffany’s on the upper floors and Gallery His Lafayette and his Champs-Elysées. If the travel budget is not enough to go to such stores, most are either design destinations or window shopping gold.
8. Take a selfie at the Arc de Triomphe
The Arc de Triomphe is one of the most popular landmarks in Paris.Reuters
Standing majestically at the western end of the Champs-Elysées, the magnificent Arc de Triomphe is one of Paris’ most popular landmarks and makes a stunning backdrop for photos. Getting to landmarks may require a cat-and-mouse game with heavy traffic, but you can also be wise and choose to do as the locals do and use underground passages. Once you reach the square, you can quickly spend time admiring the arc carvings and inscriptions and admiring the size of the monument. It’s also a great spot to take photos. If you want to take a selfie, you’ll have to walk back across the street through an underpass to capture its gigantic size.
9. Read a book at Shakespeare and Company
Shakespeare and Company is one of the few English bookstores in Paris.Getty Images
Located in the atmospheric Latin Quarter, Shakespeare and Company is a little gem that’s perfect for relaxing for an hour with a good book. Both a bookstore and a tourist attraction, this store is one of the few English-language bookstores in Paris, stocking both new and used books. Starring in numerous films, including Midnight in Paris, Julie and Julia, and Before Sunset, it overlooks the Seine and is just steps away from Notre Dame Cathedral. It now also has a small cafe serving specialty coffees and delicious vegan and vegetarian snacks.
10. Go underground in the catacombs
Located about 20 meters below the road, the Catacombs are a network of old quarries that exist beneath Paris, and visiting the Paris Catacombs is an interesting addition to a trip to the City of Lights. This mysterious section of the labyrinthine tunnel system was improved in 1785, when authorities turned it into a vault for storing the bones of exhumed bodies that outgrew the city’s overcrowded cemetery. . Dark, brutal and eerie, the 1.5 km long, dimly lit tunnel is best explored with a guide who will entertain you with twisted tales about some of Paris’ darkest places.
Updated: April 14, 2024, 8:07 p.m.
