Buzzing around the world with Lisa Scerri - Paris!
A bus tour is a MUST for all first time visitors to Paris. Do it your first day to get oriented to the city and to decide which things you'd like to go back and see on subsequent vacation days. I highly recommend the L'Open Tour which is an open deck tour so you can get an unobstructed view of the city. It is great because you can tour at your own pace hopping on and off as you desire. When you purchase tickets they supply a cheap set of headphones that can be plugged into jacks near the seats throughout the bus. The headphones carry commentaries about the various Paris sites along the tour routes in 8 different languages. The buses drive by just about all of the major sites in Paris including Montemarte, the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame, the Arc de Triomphe and 50 other sites.
There’s a Night Sightseeing cruise that departs right across the street from the Eiffel Tower and lasts approximately one hour. They cruise from the Eiffel past many of the major sights along the river to a bit past the Notre Dame Cathedral where they turn around and return to the departure point. There are also other dinner cruises available. Tip - Figure out what time the sun sets when you are visiting Paris. Eg in the month of May the sun sets around 9:25pm so you’d book on the 9pm cruise.
Today is Bastille Day (the French National holiday) so let’s talk about all things French and look at some of the great things you can do on a visit to Paris.
1. Open Double Decker Bus Tour
A bus tour is a MUST for all first time visitors to Paris. Do it your first day to get oriented to the city and to decide which things you'd like to go back and see on subsequent vacation days. I highly recommend the L'Open Tour which is an open deck tour so you can get an unobstructed view of the city. It is great because you can tour at your own pace hopping on and off as you desire. When you purchase tickets they supply a cheap set of headphones that can be plugged into jacks near the seats throughout the bus. The headphones carry commentaries about the various Paris sites along the tour routes in 8 different languages. The buses drive by just about all of the major sites in Paris including Montemarte, the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame, the Arc de Triomphe and 50 other sites.
2. Top of the Eiffel Tower This iron icon was built in 120 years ago for a World's Fair that marked the 100 year celebration of the French Revolution. It was named after its builder, Gustave Eiffel. The views from the highest platform are breathtaking. You can descend back down from the 2nd platform either via the lift or 340 steps. The elevator wait lines can be ridiculously long (especially during the high summer season) so try to visit the tower either early in the morning or after 6 PM to avoid waiting countless hours in line. Entrance to the top level is about $23.00
3. Sunset River Cruise down the Seine River What better way to see the City of Lights (La Ville-lumière), than by cruising down the Seine River as the sun is setting over the Eiffel Tower and all the other sites of Paris?
There’s a Night Sightseeing cruise that departs right across the street from the Eiffel Tower and lasts approximately one hour. They cruise from the Eiffel past many of the major sights along the river to a bit past the Notre Dame Cathedral where they turn around and return to the departure point. There are also other dinner cruises available. Tip - Figure out what time the sun sets when you are visiting Paris. Eg in the month of May the sun sets around 9:25pm so you’d book on the 9pm cruise.
4. Notre Dame Cathedral Taking a walk around the entire cathedral, touring the interior, and walking up the 387 steps to the top of the towers should be on the list of things to do for every Parisian tourist. The climb to the top of the towers can be exhausting, but is well worth the effort to get a panoramic view of the area and see all those famous gargoyles up close (enter through a separate door to the left of the facade as you face it). The best time to visit the cathedral is early morning when the sun is shining brightly on the western facade and the crowds are much thinner. The line for the tower climb can get long so again this is best undertaken in the morning or late afternoon when it is least crowded. 5. Champs Elysee and Arc de Triomphe Taking a walk down the city's most famous avenue (the Champs Elysees) to Napoleon's most notable legacy to Paris (the Arc de Triomphe) is a grand walk for anyone visiting the city. Unfortunately, the cobblestones and click clacks of horse drawn carriages have been replaced by screeching cars and a line of chain restaurants along the Champs Elysees. Nevertheless, this famous street which extends from the Jardin de Tuileries to the Arc de Triomphe is worth a walk. The colossal arch itself was planned by Napoleon to commemorate all of his military successes (the names of generals are carved in the top and inside of the arch) and was completed in 1836. The arch stands a whopping 164 feet tall and holds the tomb of France's unknown soldier from WWI. You can access the arch via an underground passage and then climb to the platform via 284 steps or take a lift (and a few steps too).
Lastly you must go to the Giant Ferris Wheel – fantastic views & very romantic!