48 hours in Paris. On a stopover to other destinations, a weekend trip from anywhere on the continent or a quick break at the end of a package tour – just a few of the ways in which one may find oneself in the pleasurable but difficult situation of having to pack hundreds of years of art, culture, and history into a short break of 2 days. The secret to making the most of a short break in Paris lies in designing an experience that is truly unique, distinctly French, and very, very Parisian.
Decoding Paris
Paris is best understood with a map at hand. To help you decipher modern Paris, its history and culture, having a map of Paris is essential. As with most planned cities, Paris too, has developed along the banks of a river – the Seine, which divides Paris ideologically and geographically into the left and the right bank. Paris is an intricate jigsaw of 20 localities or arrondissements. From the 1st, which is the heart of Paris and has the Louvre and the Palais Royale to the 7th, which is home to the Eiffel tower and Musee d’Orsay to the artsy Montmartre in the 18th, each has its distinct character.
On the Museum Trail
For a connoisseur of art, Paris offers treasures in its many museums peppered across the city. Modern fiction has breathed new mystery into the works of art in Paris and today one of the most popular tours is the ‘Da Vinci Code tour’ at the Louvre. Popular fiction can change the way we look at works of art that are hundreds of years old but the magnificence of the sculptures of Michelangelo and the vast canvases of Rembrandt and Raphael is enduring. The most famous pieces in the Denon wing are easily seen in 2-3 hours but to explore the entire complex takes much longer.
For a short stay traveler, the best bets are the Musee d’Orsay for impressionist and post impressionist (7th arr.), Musee Marmottan for Monet (16th arr.), Musee Rodin (7th arr.), Musee Picasso (3rd arr.) and Espace Dali (18th arr.). To watch artists at work and get a feel of their lives, spend an afternoon at Montmartre (the artists quarter).
The Metro & its magic
To really experience Paris, take the metro, as it snakes its way over and under the streets, whizzing 4.5million commuters a day across the city. Even to the non French-speaking tourist, the metro is easy to understand – and it’s cheap too (tickets are 1 Euro to anywhere in Paris)! It may be tempting to take a taxi, but with heavy city traffic and the fact that the average tourist speaks little more than a smattering of French – and the average taxi driver little else - it’s often safer and quicker to stick to the metro.
Riding the metro also lets you experience one of the hidden treasures of this beautiful city. Every day, talented musicians gather at the major metro stations to enthrall passers by with their moving renditions of famous pieces of music. To listen to rousing arias on your way home is something you would never be able to experience anywhere else - the perfect conclusion to a long day, a gentle reminder to pause for a while.
Serenity & The Seine
There are many ways to enjoy the Seine. A late afternoon stroll by the riverside as the gentle breeze laps at the moored boats is a good break from rushing from one landmark to another. Indulging in a café au lait and a croissant by a riverside café as the Parisians do, is a pleasant way to take in the grand facade of the Notre Dame or the Eiffel tower. But to enjoy the Seine at its best, a dinner cruise is the perfect way to end a day exploring the city of romance.
The Capitaine Fracasse (favored by locals over the more touristy Bateaux Mouches) offers dinner cruises at 64 Euro. The cruise starts at the Eiffel Tower jetty (Bir Hakiem) and lasts about two and a half hours. On the cruise, you’ll be pampered by liveried waiters who serve up drinks and a three-course gourmet French meal featuring a platter of starters (which are sure to include favorites like marinated scallops, peppered fois gras and goat cheese puff pastry with some seasonal specials), an elegant main course (choose from a variety of seafood and meats) and assorted desserts (a variety of chocolaty and fruity soufflés, pastries, tarts). If you can tear yourself away from the meal for a while, you will notice all the major sights drift by. The city lights up in time for the second half of the cruise and the famous Parisian bridges start to glow in the night light. But nothing will prepare you for that first breathtaking glimpse of the lit up Eiffel tower on your return to Bir Hakeim. It is at this very moment that you begin to understand why Paris is legendary for making a romantic of the most reluctant among us.
Printemps, Perfumeries & Patisseries
Some of the world’s best shopping is found in the avenues of Paris and a good way to start is to window-shop in the many boutiques that line the famous Champs Elysees.
For the more serious shopper, the Opera area offers an abundance of the very best. A tour of Fragonard’s museum ends at the store where the finest essences and fragrances are on display, waiting to be wrapped up and taken home as a memory of Paris or as a precious gift for a loved one. Printemps is a one-stop shop for all things Parisian while the best brands line rack after rack at Galleries Lafayette next door. Walk out with a Parisian scarf if nothing else or buy a bottle of wine and fine pastries to enjoy at a picnic on the banks of the Seine.
Fauchon is a Parisian legend when it comes to the best breads, wines, chocolates and cheeses. But check with your concierge (or other hotel staff) on where locals buy their supplies and you’re likely to get some really good deals as well.
Champagne, the Can-Can & the Moulin Rouge
There are several revue shows in Paris, but the history of the Moulin Rouge makes it a special place to watch a performance. Opt for the champagne and show option if you’d like to enjoy a gourmet dinner somewhere before arriving at the Moulin Rouge.
The famous red windmill outside gets you in the mood while well-dressed fellow guests mill around the entrance taking snapshots to remember the night by. As the lights dim, the feathered bejeweled dancers dance out on stage, the music picks up and you find yourself tapping your feet to the (unexpectedly) pop-inspired tunes. The can-can is the piece de resistance and as the curtains fall, the spectacular show and the chilled champagne leave you with a heady feeling as you walk out humming the chorus of the last song.
Not just another Tower
What could be so special about a tower of metal that (at 324 meters high) stands tall above the center of Paris like a sentinel, making an unexpected appearance on the horizon around an unsuspecting corner every so often? If visited during the mid morning rush of package tour groups, after queuing up for 4 hours, it can be a little hard to understand why the Eiffel Tower is one of the world’s most famous monuments that celebrates romance.
To feel the magic of the Tour Eiffel, visit late at night when there are no queues and the views are spectacular. The twinkling lights of Paris spread out below you in the distance, the brisk evening breeze whips at your hair - and the majestic Tour Eiffel wins you over.
The perfect end to your stay in Paris…an experience that makes you aware of all things beautiful and leaves you feeling just a little bit Parisian. Au Revoir!
Chillibreeze's disclaimer: This is a contributed article and was published on Chillibreeze in February, 2010. The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author(s) and do not reflect the views of Chillibreeze as a company. Chillibreeze has a strict anti-plagiarism policy. Please contact us to report any copyright issues related to this article. The relevance of the facts and figures cited (if any) could change after a period of time.
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Pallavi is an IIM Lucknow graduate presently working as an Internet marketing consultant and writer. She has worked in banking, research and the content development industry and has an avid interest in writing and new websites. A passion for travel and volunteer work has taken her to many countries.
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