You know what it’s like to fall in love—but Paris won’t break your heart. You’ll want to spend all of your time admiring cultural icons like the Eiffel Tower. You’ll get lost in the city’s exquisite art scene. You’ll want to savor the decadent French cuisine at local restaurants. You’ll take long walks along the River Seine and wander aimlessly through the city streets for hours. All in the name of love. Je t’aime, Paris!
Tourists in Paris know that the city is home to fine restaurants, luxurious brands, and vast collections of art, but what is most interesting about Paris is what most tourists do not see, real Parisian life – the Metro at rush hour, the bustle of shopping at the open air markets, getting lost in the narrow streets of the Marais...
Beyond the storefronts of the grand avenues and the illuminated monuments lies a vibrant cornucopia of a city constantly forced to react and evolve, thriving on the diversity of its inhabitants coming from different backgrounds, sharing a common space.
Going from the working class neighborhood of the 14th arrondissement to the Latin Quarter with its ancient architecture, or from Haussmann’s grand boulevards on the Rive Droite to the multicultural Goutte d’Or, the “non-tourist” recognizes that the story of Paris and the city itself is multi-faceted and often contradicts itself making it appear infinitely complex and all the more intriguing.
We are quickly reminded that present-day Paris, in all its modernity, has not let go of, nor will it ever be removed from, its past.
No trip to Paris is complete without a stop at the Eiffel Tower! Built in 1889 by Gustave Eiffel for the Paris Exposition, it was the tallest structure in the world at the time. Enjoy the view from the top by day and the romance of illuminated Paris by night.
The glass pyramid entrance leads visitors to the art-lover's dreams. The three wings of the palatial museum take more than a day to conquer, but the strategic visitor can indulge in at the least the Louvre's most famous works including, the Mona Lisa, Venus de Milo, and the Virgin of the Rocks.
Climb the 422 steps to the top of the Gothic Cathedral's towers to see the famous Notre Dame gargoyles up close, as well as spectacular views of the city. Inside, the rose windows are not to be missed.
"I visited the inside of Notre Dame close to fifteen times while I was studying abroad. I was also in the area around Notre Dame very often because it is close to the Latin Quarter (student area). I find [it] stunning every time I see it." -Emily S., Ohio Wesleyan University
Vertical Tabs