France and Paris

chillibreeze writer — Dr. Roopa Nishi Viswanathan

France: The Ultimate Getaway

La Belle France. The most visited destination in the world. This country has been synonymous with romance for longer than you would care to remember. It is impossible to place France under any particular category for tourists. Charles de Gaulle once remarked, ‘How could one describe a country which has 365 kinds of cheese?’ What makes France what it is? Is it the never-fading appeal of Paris, the sparkling white ski slopes of the Alps, the splendor of Versailles, the golden sun kissed beaches or everyone’s dream of lazily feasting on an assortment of French food and wine somewhere in rural France? Whether you are able to answer this question or not after your visit there, there is no doubt that France is a land of pleasant contrasts, offering an endless choice of alluring destinations, a rich assortment of landscapes, cuisines, climates and peoples, with an exceptional cultural heritage for those history buffs. It’s easy to see why the French stay at home for their holidays.

Paris: The Most Romantic City in the World

A cliché it might be, but another city is yet to take the place of Paris as the most romantic city. Visit Paris and you will know why. Paris - the name - is synonymous with high style. France’s enchanting capital is one of the world’s most visited cities, brimming over with art, culture, fashion and history. Located on the banks of the River Seine, Paris offers a compact network of quaint streets scattered with trendy cafés, bars and restaurants. Paris, being a relatively small city, most major sights and museums are within walking distance. The transport facilities are excellent, and even if you walk (Do not make the mistake of going to Paris and not enjoying the famous Parisian walks), you can move with ease among the various quartiers (neighborhoods). For those who prefer the Metro, it is not a tough system to comprehend. Also, there are several tour operator-run buses that will take you around Paris with a pick-up and drop-off anywhere you like.

You can start your day with the Cathedral Notre Dame, a Gothic church that Victor Hugo helped restore with his novel. But whether you have read the Hunchback of Notre Dame or not, this cathedral merits a visit and a climb up its steep staircase to the very top that houses the gigantic bell. If possible, do visit the nearby chapel of La Sainte Chapelle that is almost entirely made of stained glass. Walk across the river to the Louvre, a museum unparalleled by any other. If you enter its galleries, you will be left spell-bound by how huge they are and the number of world renowned paintings they house. It is humanly impossible to see the Louvre in a day or even two. So if you are short of time, have a must-see list ready and we don’t have to tell you to include the Mona Lisa.

Whatever else you don’t do in Paris, make it part of your agenda to stroll on the bustling street of Champs- Élysées starting from the Arc de Triumph. You may be jostled and pushed about by humungous crowds but this is the Paris that is talked about - the shopping destination of Europe. You can catch breathtaking views of Paris from the top of the Arc de Triumph. And speaking of views, how can we forget the Eiffel tower that has become the symbol of Paris. The top of the Eiffel tower can offer you a panoramic view of the entire city of Paris, a view that is especially amazing at sunset. Take a cruise on the Seine and enjoy the cute French-accented English commentary covering all the buildings and bridges that pass by you. These are just the highlights of Paris and the must-do activities. If you want the typical Paris experience, you must stay longer and explore the city more. Every other street will lead you to something new and introduce you to a whole new world of French delights. Paris is host to many annual events including the French Open tennis tournament (May), Bastille Day (July 14), and the Tour de France bike race (July), which finishes on the Champs-Élysées. Whenever you choose to visit, Paris will always remain the city close to your heart, and will leave you with memories you will treasure all your life. Bon Voyage.

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Enchanted by Paris? Here's more for you to do in Europe

Vist Florence and bask in its splendor
Take a trip to Milan while you are still in Italy
Spend a few memorable moments in Brussels
Watch the tulips bloom in Amsterdam
Relax on the beach at Barcelona

Chillibreeze writers can write travel articles about any destination in India or abroad. Contact us for your content requirements.

—About our writer:

Dr. Roopa Nishi Viswanathan,

“Live life by the day.” Born in Hyderabad, brought up in Mumbai, settled in Bangalore after a brief stint in the US, Dr. Roopa Nishi Viswanathan is a doctor-turned-biotechnologist-turned writer. Nishi loves reading anything and everything, travel, watching movies with her husband, exotic food, .....let’s simply say she loves living.

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