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Top 8 Alternative Sights in Paris by CityTripPlanner
Top 8 Alternative Sights in Paris by CityTripPlanner
Top 8 Alternative Sights in Paris by CityTripPlanner
If you are planning to be one of the 27 million people that visit Paris each year and its your first time in the city, its important to know which of the French capitals many attractions are truly worth experiencing. These 8 are our top picks:
Seeing A Show
If youre looking to take in one of the Moulin Rouge cabaret shows, do yourself a huge favour and book your tickets well in advance. While there are shows taking place almost every day of the year, demand is such that they often sell out. You can book your seats for a show with or without dinner either via the official website or through a reliable booking agent, such as Viator. The current Ferie show is a fresh take on the venues traditional performances, though the can-can still makes a welcome (if a little cheesy) appearance! Be warned, however: the enduring popularity of the shows at the Moulin Rouge and the general cost of entertainment in Paris has made getting tickets particularly pricey. If you can find tickets for less than 100! each, youve uncovered a true bargain.
The caf lifestyle is at the very heart of everyday life in the French capital, and taking time to grab a coffee or glass of wine in a Parisian caf should be as essential a part of your trip as would be a visit to a pub on a day in London. No matter where you head in the city, youre guaranteed to stumble across more than one establishment in which to relax and take in the ambience, but what if you want to sample the cream of this amazing citys proverbial crop? Fear not, as CityTrip Planner knows some of the very best cafs Paris has to offer.
Picture Perfect
Caf des 2 Moulins near Blanche metro is perhaps one of the most pictureperfect Parisian cafs, part of the reason that it was used in the movie Amlie, though this place of pop culture pilgrimage does attract quite a few tourists. Another establishment which provides glamour and ambiance to those seeking shelter from the city is Caf Charbon on rue Oberkampf; the charming rouge, wood and mirrored glass also sets the mood for more lively affairs in the evenings, when coffee is exchanged for more intoxicating beverages.
Le Batobus
Especially in the summer, one way to sightsee and travel through the city is to navigate the Seine by Batobus. A portmanteau of bateau (boat) and bus, this wide, open shuttle runs between the Eiffel Tower and Champs-lyses. A more picturesque alternative to navigating the city by Metro underground, tickets are
15! for a single days travel, with two- and five-day passes available at heavily discounted rates.
Riverside Entertainments
One of the classic riverside sights, the banks of the Seine have long been home to artists willing to sketch a portrait or caricature of passing tourists for a few euros (or, once upon a time, francs!). If the weather is good enough, taking in the ambience of the city by strolling along the river is always a worthwhile idea; if the skies are clear, the sight of dawn breaking across the city is particularly beautiful from the river.
Honoured Memorial
Commissioned in 1806 by the emperor Napoleon I just two decades after the Revolution, though not completed for thirty years due to ongoing political turmoil in France, the archs primary purpose is to commemorate the lives lost during the Napoleonic and Revolutionary Wars. It also houses the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier who fought and died during the First World War.
Military History
The reliefs and sculptures upon the arch itself can sometimes be overlooked by visitors due to the imposing nature of the monument, yet these impressive works of art deserve as much attention as their canvas. The four main sculptures represent peace, triumph, resistance and volunteer soldiery, while six reliefs depict a range of important battles and military events from the Napoleonic Wars.
The names of various French military leaders and victories are also inscribed on various parts of the arch.
A Parisian Panorama
While some visitors to the Arc de Triomphe are content to grab a photograph and check out the sideshow that is so often the traffic flow around the structure, many choose to ascend to the top of the arch itself. It might only be 50m tall, but the views from atop the monument are no less remarkable than those from more traditional observation points like Montmartre and the Eiffel Tower, the views down the Champs-Elyses and up the Avenue Charles de Gaulle being worth the climb alone. A lift is on offer for elderly or disabled people, but most will have to contend with the stairs, so be prepared for a small climb! - See more at: http://www.citytripplanner.com/travel/things-to-do-paris/arc-detriomphe/#sthash.vqYNs9uK.dpuf
4. Climb Up To Montmartre
Famous for its cemetery and church of Sacr-Coeur, the hill at Montmartre offers stunning views across the city. If you dont fancy climbing the steps of the Rue Foyatier, theres always the metro and funicular railway to the top! While some areas of Paris have lost their sheen slightly or sought to create a new, forward-looking feel for a 21st Century city, there remain some parts of the French capital which still embody the classic Parisian style and ambience. The hilltop district of Montmartre is one of these classic Parisian areas, and a climb to the top should be an essential part of the itinerary of any visitor. Of course, if you dont fancy climbing the steps of the Rue Foyatier, theres always the metro and funicular railway to speed you to the top!
Sacr-Coeur
Situated in the 18th arrondissement in the northern part of central Paris, Montmartre is easily identifiable from a distance by the distinctive shape of the church of Sacr-Coeur, which sits atop this 130-metre hill. 2014 will mark a full 100 years since the basilica was completed, so dont be fooled by its classical and Byzantine themes. Entrance is free from 6am to 11pm daily, so dont be fooled by anyone outside who might try to extort any kind of involuntary donation from you.
Cimitire de Montmartre
The districts cemetery is also one of its most-visited locations. While it is smaller and less well-trodden than the massive Pre Lachaise in 20me, it still welcomes those who wish to pay their respects at the final resting place of luminaries such as Degas, Dumas and Berlioz. There is more to the Cimitire de Montmartre to names on tombstones, however, and the monuments, sculptures and memorials within are just as much of a draw as those who are interred there.
La Fourmi
Montmartre was historically located outside the city limits and therefore not subject to municipal taxes, a factor which contributed to its rise as a popular drinking spot during the early 19th Century. The citys boundaries might have changed, but at night the districts bars and nightclubs still attract partygoers from across the city. La Fourmi (74 rue des Martyrs, just down the street from Pigalle metro station) is one establishment which, despite its popularity, remains welcoming and accessible to outsiders. Unlike some other watering holes nearby, a drink here wont cost the earth. - See more at: http://www.citytripplanner.com/travel/things-to-do-paris/sights9/#sthash.jFCnZPvN.dpuf
Easter and Assumption, may also see the necessity for a short period of queuing before one can visit the cathedrals interior. The area around the cathedral is especially charming in its own right, as is lle de la Cit in general, so be sure to take a stroll around the building if you have the opportunity. The large courtyard at the western end of Notre Dame is the focal point for visitors, as well as the location of the entrance to the catacombs beneath. - See more at: http://www.citytripplanner.com/travel/things-to-do-paris/10notredame/#sthash.OzY2peVZ.dpuf
2. Shop In St-Paul
As the Champs-lyses filled with high-end retailers, it lost a lot of the ambiance which once made shopping in Paris a tourist pastime in itself. Fortunately, the Village St-Paul in Marais has retained its character, with antique shops, florists and patisseries standing out amongst an eclectic mix of independent stores. Click here for more information. Indulging in a spot of retail therapy in the French capital has always been a popular motivation for city breaks to Paris. Sadly, the locations that have been traditional destinations for casual splurging, such as the area around the Champs-Elyses, have lost much of the charm that made shopping in Paris such a pleasure. Fortunately, there is still hope for those seeking to spend a few Euros in this wonderful city, and St-Paul is one of the bastions thereof.
Le Village St-Paul
Nestled among the tall terraced buildings of Marais in the 4me arrondissement, Le Village St-Paul is the area surrounding a short series of connected courtyards running parallel to Rue St-Paul, which itself runs from the Seine opposite lIle St. Louis up to Rue Saint-Antoine on the border between 3me and 4me. A quaint, rather low-key locale almost secreted away from the rest of the city, those strolling through the area would likely be surprised to know that a royal residence stood here for two hundred years in from the 14th to 16th Centuries: lHtel de Saint Pol. Mercifully for those who abhor anything overly extravagant, the village is free of any of the bright, gaudy scenes which are on display in the haute couture areas near the Champs-Elyses.
feel guilty about spoiling yourself on your holiday, so dont be afraid to check out one of the neighbourhood patisseries! - See more at: http://www.citytripplanner.com/travel/things-to-do-paris/stpaul/#sthash.s5ognUEF.dpuf
Sculpture On Display
Aside from the obvious draw of the green space that the Jardin provides, it also acts almost as an outdoor gallery in this classicly cultured city. The park is notable for the significant number of statues scattered throughout, including works by Prault, Blanchard, and an early model of the Statue of Liberty by Frdric Bertholdi. The other most notable artistic feature on display is the Medici fountain, parts of which are almost four hundred years old, and which has stood in the Jardin for two centuries Brought to you by CityTripPlanner.com. If you like this content please share or See more at: http://www.citytripplanner.com/travel/things-to-do-paris/