France

Paris

Destination Overview

Your Paris honeymoon will be one of the.most exciting trips of your life. The City of Lights has a strong hold on the imagination of the world, with its cafes, museums, gardens, famous monuments, churches, and more. It’s the home of high fashion and fine dining, and the subject of innumerable films, books, and songs in many different languages. At once timeless and cutting edge, it is one of the great cities of the world, and the perfect place to celebrate the start of your new lives together.

The majestic layout of the city with its wide boulevards, monuments like the Arch d’Triomph and the Eiffel Tower,and the bright lights of the Avenue des Champs-Elysées invites walking but make sure you have a comfortable pair of shoes. The best way to see the city is to choose one or two areas for each day, and explore on foot. You can get the metro or a taxi to get from one neighborhood to another.

Even a brief list of the must-sees in Paris includes the Avenue des Champs-Élysées and the Arc de Triomphe, the Jardin des Tuileries, the Left Bank, the Panthéon Church with the mausoleums of famous writers, scientists and other prominent people, the Luxembourg Gardens, and the Moulin Rouge. The soaring gothic architecture of the Cathedral of Notre Dame, sadly damaged in a major fire recently, has inspired faith and community for centuries and is still worth a visit to view the exterior sculptures and the building’s famous flying buttresses and gargoyles. The exquisite stained glass at Sainte-Chapelle and the sweeping views of the city from the steps of the Basilica of Sacré-Cœur are a must for all visitors.

The museums of Paris hold some of the greatest cultural riches of the world, from ancient times to the present. Paris is also home to a vibrant contemporary art scene and the world of street art and performances is a masterpiece in itself. Take a trip to Versailles to see the 17th-century glitter and opulence that have become a byword for style.

Paris is very much a city of neighborhoods, and each arrondissement or district has its own character. Montmartre is like an artsy village enclave, the Latin Quarter is where the institutions of learning are located, and Saint-Germain-des-Prés is full of boutiques and restaurants.

When you need a pause from the historical and cultural riches, take the time to savor the little joys that add up to the magic of Paris. Stroll arm in arm along the embankment of the Seine, discover the everyday neighborhoods where people live, the boulangeries and fromageries where they shop for their bread and cheese, and neighborhood bistros full of life and character.

You will find every kind of accommodation from famous luxury hotels and converted aristocratic mansions to small apartments, all with their own unique Parisian charm. It can be convenient to stay in a centrally-located hotel close to all major attractions, but you will also enjoy a stay at boutique hotels in neighborhoods like Saint-Germain-des-Prés and Montmartre.

About Paris

At a Glance

A good way to orient yourself in Paris is to look at a map of the 20 arrondissements or municipal districts of Paris. These are laid out and numbered in a clockwise spiral, starting at the center of the city.
The Seine River runs through Paris and divides it the north and south banks, the Rive Droit or the Right Bank and the famous Rive Gauche or Left Bank respectively.
The Rive Gauche or Left Bank has long been the center of the city’s artistic and intellectual life. Many of the city’s leading monuments and tourist attractions are to be found in the Rive Gauche, including the Eiffel Tower, Musee d’Orsay, the Rodin Museum, Sorbonne University and the Latin Quarter and Luxembourg Gardens, and the swanky neighborhood of Saint-Germain-des-Pres.
The two islands in the Seine, the Ile de la Cité and Ile Saint Louis lie at the heart of the city. The Rive Droit or Right Bank, as the section of Paris that lies north of the river is called, has historically been associated more with trade and commerce. This is home to famous monuments and neighborhoods like the Arc de Triomphe and Avenue des Champs-Elysees, the Musee du Louvre, the Sacre Coeur Basilica and Montmartre, Centre Georges Pompidou and the neighborhoods of Beaubourg, Les Halles, and Marais.
The Eiffel Tower was built in 1889 to mark the 100th anniversary of the French Revolution and to symbolize the strength and energy of the Industrial Age. At a height of 1063 feet, it is still the tallest building in Paris and one of the city’s most recognizable landmarks. Visitors can get stunning views of the city in all directions from three observation levels on the wrought iron structure.
At the Louvre, the oldest museum in Europe, you’ll come face to face with those celebrated beauties, Mona Lisa and Venus de Milo. The Musée D’Orsay museum holds a major collection of nineteenth century impressionist art and the Centre Pompidou is renowned for its modern and contemporary art exhibits.
You’ll find more Impressionist art at the Musée de l’Orangerie, medieval art and tapestries at the Cluny Museum and sculptures by the famed artist at the eponymous Rodin Museum.
The Latin Quarter in the 5th Arrondissement is the home of scholarship and intellectual life in the city, with the Pantheon, Sorbonne University and the Jardin des Plantes botanical gardens.
Versailles is just a short day trip from Paris, and you can visit the palace of Louis XIV to marvel at the Hall of Mirrors, the gardens, and the Sun King’s Grand Apartments. Watch for the musical fountains in the gardens in the spring and summer.
Spend an afternoon in the village-in-the-city neighborhood of Montmartre, dominated by the Basilica of Sacré-Cœur at the top of the hill. Painters like Van Gogh, Renoir, Utrillo and many others lived and worked here and their traces are all around. Wander the cobbled streets, sit on the steps of the Sacré-Cœur to admire the view of the city, watch the artists at work, and stop for a coffee or a glass of wine at one of the little bistros.
Shopping is another unique Paris experience, from the world of haute couture to street stalls and flea markets. Leading luxury brands like Louis Vuitton, YSL, Ralph Lauren, Prada, Agnès B, Ferragamo, Hermès, Kenzo, Cartier, and many many more have their flagship boutiques in the 6th arrondissement, where you’ll also find famous bookstores.
Paris street markets and flea markets are legendary and always worth a stop.
Paris is the ultimate culinary destination and full of Michelin starred restaurants. This is the time to indulge yourselves and to introduce your palate to some of the world’s finest cuisine and wines.
A honeymoon trip to Paris must include a sampling of the nightlife. Check out the bars, nightclubs, and cabaret shows at Place de la Bastille, especially Le Baron Rouge wine bar, and the historic and sometimes scandalous cabaret at Moulin Rouge.

Honeymoon Hints

Don’t miss the famous Paris chocolatiers – Patrick Roger, Pierre Hermé, Mulot, Ladurée, and Marcolini for some added sweetness on your trip.
Ask one of the street artists at the Place du Tertre in Montmartre to draw a portrait of the two of together as a memento of your honeymoon.
Become temporary members of Cafe Society and join in the Parisian pastime of people watching while sipping a cup of coffee or an apéro, a pre-dinner drink, in the evening.
Enjoy the bustle and entertainment of street life where you can see performers of every kinds – acrobats, mimes, musicians, gypsy dancers and more. You can find them near Norte Dame at the Pont St-Louis, at Place du Tertre in Montmartre, and Place Georges Pompidou at the Center Pompidou.
Take a romantic sunset cruise on the River Seine.
Pack a picnic for a romantic afternoon on the Ile Saint Louis. Some excellent French wine, cheese, and bread, and each other’s company are all you need to experience the charm of Paris.
Book tickets for a ballet performance at opulent the Opéra Garnier, the setting for the novel The Phantom of the Opera, and its adaption as a musical and film.
A visit to the Rodin Museum, housed in the elegant mansion that used to be the sculptor’s home, is almost mandatory for lovers. You can’t leave Paris without seeing his L’Eternel Printemps or Eternal Spring and The Kiss.
The best and most romantic time to visit the Eiffel Tower is in the evening as the dusk deepens and lights come out all over the city. You’ll see how the city got its nickname and you’ll get some great pictures at the same time to preserve memories of your honeymoon in Paris.

Travel Tips

GETTING THERE: Depending on the point of origin, you can get to Paris by air, by sea, bus, train or by car.
GETTING AROUND: There are plenty of public transportation options in Paris, with the Metro, taxis, and buses. It’s easiest to visit most attractions and to discover most neighborhoods on foot.
WEATHER: The climate in Paris, like all of Western Europe, is moderated by the ocean currents. Summer daytime temperatures average between 59 to 77 degrees F and rarely rise above 80F except in a heat wave. In the winter, low temperatures rarely fall below freezing and average 37F. It doesn’t snow a lot, but be prepared for rain. Spring and fall temperatures are pleasant, but the weather can be changeable.
WHEN TO GO: The peak tourist season is in the late spring and early fall, in the months of May, June, September and October, when the weather is pleasant and . August is vacation time in France, and it may be easier to find accommodations. but some businesses do close for the month. It’s easier to find rooms in the winter and you can miss the crowds. This is when you can see the city being it’s lively, bustling self without the tourists – just remember to pack for cold weather and rain.
LANGUAGE: Invest in phrase book or brush up on your high school French. Most French people speak English, but will be pleasantly surprised if you make the effort to speak to them in their own language.
CURRENCY: Euro.
ELECTRICITY: France, like all of Europe, uses the 220-volt electrical system.