Paris: Classic Old School + New

Paris. *sigh.

A city of meaning. Gargantuan in its housing of art, gargantuan in its romance, gargantuan in its melancholy, and gargantuan in its nooks and crannies.

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City vista, Image by Chris Karidis

Highlights

Here are top experiences in this city that transcend time, meaning they’ve been repeated throughout decades and always hit 🤌🏽

Sienne river energy, Image by Maximillian Zahn

1. Boat and Picnic the Seine

   The Seine is the second longest-flowing river in France. Bridges over the Seine and its wide cement pathway areas make it a landmark aspect of Paris. Boating on the Seine is a fabulous way to get a feel for the city. The view of the boats in the river are superb and provides perspective to the classic landmarks.

   More importantly, is having a picnic along the wide and inviting stretch on the curb above the river. Indulging with a crunchy baguette, local cheese, wine, and legit pastries makes the perfect afternoon. It’s really the ambiance you always wanted from Paris.

2. Sainte-Chapelle

   Sainte-Chapelle is one of those awe-inspiring experiences and immersions I carry in my “travel is worth it” suitcase. The stained glass windows of the chapel are exceptionally tall and being surrounded by them immersed in the chapel is something. If you can visit and experience a music event there, the live experience is IT. Entrance is free but tickets nonetheless should be obtained ahead of time. There is often a line.

Sainte-Chapelle interior. Image by Mitya Ivanov

3. Montmartre and Basilica of Sacré-Cœur

Montmartre is the old-school historic bohemian area of Paris, the tortured artists’ haven. It sits atop the city and you can look out at it where one of the greatest monuments, the Basilica of Sacré-Cœur, stands.

Image by Henrique Ferreira

Its dome-like churches-que architecture sits behind a series of steps which are lovely to sit and ponder at, have a laugh or a beverage. I recommend sampling escargot in this area, it has the best in the city. There are additionally cute shops and places to stop into all along this way.

Montmarte and the Basilica in the background

Montmarte at nighttime. Image by Anna Hunko

4. Luxembourg Gardens or Jardin du Luxembourg

If you venture to Paris in summertime especially, Luxembourg’s expansive area is an easy place for repose and to recline and dip your toes into the water. The fountains may have children sailing little ships on them, the elderly will have their feet up, and there will be hats abound. The gardens feel very local Paris.

5. Bon Marché Department Store

The Bon Marché is not only the oldest department store in Paris, but the oldest department store in the world. Its designation is architectural and experientially focused with additional taste in the chosen wares that its floors sell. The things at Bon Marché are whimsical and classic, with unique Parisian things and coveted international designs. There are plenty of cool finds and elegance there.

Active rain installation descending throughout the floors of the store

6. Catacombs

The Catacombs are a most impactful vestige of city complexity. They showcase death in war and disease, evolution, and resilience. Despite hosting unimaginable amounts of skeleton remains in an underground tunnel, they’re not a dismal place, but fascinating. The catacombs are chilling, literally, and a particular vortex of skulls that are both remnants and stories from the past.

7. The 7th Arrondissement

Yes, the Eiffel is in this arrondissement yet that’s not the reason I promote the area. The charms are in the combination of things fancy to an inconspicuous pastry shop with the best gooey almond croissant du jour. These are the areas that one can not tire of walking around in. There are lovely stationary stores, international venues, and unexpected candlelit scenes.

8. Le Cordon Bleu

One of the most renowned culinary schools worldwide where you can go and learn how to make the pastries you’re shoveling in your mouth every morning. The school offers a variety of lessons and it’s not only educational, but amusing, and of course delicious. Some great chefs have been trained at the Cordon Bleu and being there to learn techniques or sample their creations in Paris is a delightful experience.

9. Notre Dame

The cathedral is in the 4th and is a global phenomenon of a testament to Gothic architecture. The flying buttresses and gargoyles are notable sensations. Visually experiencing Notre Dame is almost akin to that of the Mona Lisa, it’s impactful. One can get a ticket and further climb the slim set of stairs to the top. The stairway transports you to the dark ages and the views are maximally rewarding.

Image by Peter Lastra

10. The Eiffel

Obviously, one can’t leave out the Eiffel though I am leaving out the L’Arc de Triomphe. The Eiffel however is just the epitome of French romance, of Parisian history. It embodies so much in its simple yet statement-making frame. Seeing the tower in the daytime and lit at nighttime is worth it. You can go inside to various floors, have a guided tour, and sit to eat there with loved ones.

Where to Stay? Novotel 13 Porte d’Italie or Hôtel le Walt or Mije Marais or Shangri-La Paris

Novotel 13 Porte d’Italie

To stay in Paris, the Novotel always delivers and with exceptional amenities. The rooms are spacious enough to spread out, cozy enough to be warm, and immaculate. At Novotel 13 Porte d’Italie, even if the view isn’t of the Eiffel Tower, the location is still central to be walkable and metro-able to sites and eats.

Hôtel le Walt

Or…for that view you’ve been coveting, Hôtel le Walt gives the dreamy wrought-iron balcony ones that lean into the postcard that is the tower. Here they fuse contemporary while maintaining a rooted European look for welcoming comfort.

MIJE MARAIS

For hostels and group stays, MIJE MARAIS is like staying in a castle with a gorgeous courtyard. It’s perfect for young or backpacker travelers. With a moody basement eatery and plenty of levels to sit for a glass of something, the MIJE is a prime location.

Shangri-La

In the 16th Arrondissement is Paris’s unassuming and beautiful Shangri-La. I’ll tell you an anecdote about the meaning of this hotel to me. In the summer of 2003, it was a chart-topping heat wave. One afternoon, sweating buckets on the metro, a friend and I snuck into the Shangri-La. I still remember submerging in the pool. We ordered virgin pina coladas for a price of 18 Euro which was outstanding then. Not that you need to sneak into this establishment now: the Shangri-La is elegant and has adorned space as well as sophisticated rooms for basking in.

*Safety tip

Metro map familiarity ahead of time is worthwhile to do as well as tickets for major places like the Louvre and other museums.

Bottom line

Paris is a bit of magic, a bit of fashion, a bit of grunge, a bit of history, and a bit of deliciousness. It’s everything you imagined and also sneakily totally different, surprising you beyond the stereotypes. There is a reason so many people flock to this place to get a whimsical immersion into its lovely confines from the Catacombs to the Eiffel Tower. Being in Paris anywhere is time well spent.

For a roundup of the city’s museums, check my post here.