Paris can be seen as the most interesting city of Europe and probably even as one of the most amazing city’s worldwide. People from all over the world travel to Paris to discover and experience this fairy-like city. Paris is the city of love, inspiration, art and fashion. The Eiffel tower and the warm atmosphere will make you feel directly at home. Paris has a lot of interesting architecture and museums to offer. Paris is a city that everyone should visit and experience.

Our first visit together was in October 2007 and we stayed at the Hotel Ibis La Defense. Our next visit was September 2023 staying and the hotel Princesse Caroline close to the Arch de Triomphe.

Eiffel tower

The Eiffel Tower is named after the engineer Gustave Eiffel, whose company designed and built the tower. It was constructed from 1887–89 as the entrance to the 1889 World’s Fair, it was initially criticized by some of France’s leading artists and intellectuals for its design, but it has become a global cultural icon of France and one of the most recognisable structures in the world. The Eiffel Tower is the most-visited paid monument in the world; 6.91 million people ascended it in 2015.

The tower is 324 metres (1,063 ft) tall, about the same height as an 81-storey building, and the tallest structure in Paris.

The tower has three levels for visitors, with restaurants on the first and second levels. The top level’s upper platform is 276 m (906 ft) above the ground – the highest observation deck accessible to the public in the European Union. The views are spectacular and to top it off we had a glass of Champagne to celebrate what would have been Keith’s mums 94th Birthday.

Notre-Dame Cathedral

Notre-Dame de Paris, meaning “Our Lady of Paris”), also known as Notre-Dame Cathedral or simply Notre-Dame, is a medieval Catholic cathedral on the Île de la Cité in the fourth arrondissement of Paris

The cathedral is widely considered to be one of the finest examples of French Gothic architecture, and is among the largest and most well-known church buildings in the world. The naturalism of its sculptures and stained glass are in contrast with earlier Romanesque architecture.

The picture below was taken before the fire that destroyed the roof of Notre-Dame

Sacré-Cœur

The Basilica of the Sacred Heart , often simply Sacré-Cœur, is a Roman Catholic church dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. It is the second most visited attraction in Paris after the Eiffel tower.

It is set at the summit of the butte Montmartre, the highest point in the city.

Montmartre and Moulin Rouge 

Montmartre is a large hill, 130 m high, and gives it’s name to the surrounding district. It is mainly known for it’s artists, the Sacré-Cœur on its summit and as a night club district.

It gives amazing views over the city and is such a vibrant and lively area.

The Moulin Rouge is famous throughout the world and is said to be in Montmartre but actually, a tour guide told us, that Montmartre is the village behind the Moulin Rouge.

Avenue des Champs-Élysées 

The Avenue des Champs-Élysées is the most famous road in Paris leading from the Place de la Concorde and the Place Charles de Gaulle, where the Arc de Triomphe is located. It is 1.9 kilometres (1.2 mi) long and 70 metres (230 ft) wide.

It is known for its theatres, cafés and luxury shops, for the annual Bastille Day military parade, and as the finish of the Tour de France cycle race.

Arc de Triomphe

The Arc de Triomphe de l’Étoile stands at the western end of the Champs-Élysées at the centre of Place Charles de Gaulle but is usually referred to as the Etoile (French for star) because it has twelve radiating avenues. If there is an accident here, each driver is considered equally at fault. This is the only place in Paris where the accidents are not judged. No matter what the circumstances, insurance companies split the costs fifty-fifty.

The Arc de Triomphe honours those who fought and died for France in the French Revolutionary and the Napoleonic Wars, with the names of all French victories and generals inscribed on its inner and outer surfaces. Beneath its vault lies the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier from World War I.

The louvre 

The Louvre Museum is the world’s largest museum and historic monument. It has nearly 35,000 objects from prehistory to the 21st century which are exhibited over an area of 72,735 square metres (782,910 square feet). The Louvre is the world’s second most visited museum after the Palace Museum in China (we have been to this one as well).

The most famous pieces of art in the museum are the Mona Lisa and The Venus de Milo. it is easy to spot where these are as you will see a lot of crowds. You can even buy a cake with the Mona Lisa on it.

River Seine

The River Seine is runs through the centre of Paris and is 777-kilometre (483 mi) long river which rises at Source-Seine, 30 kilometres (19 mi) northwest of Dijon and flows into the English Channel at Le Havre .

The pictures below were taken whilst on a river cruise.

Longchamp Racecourse

This was the reason why we went to Paris in 2007 was to see the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe horse race which is held on the first weekend in October. This prestigious event attracts the best horses from around the world.

Uniquely Paris

 What we love about Paris is the street entertainers. On the steps of the Sacre Ceoure there was a musician playing and an older gentleman dancing they provided such entertainment on a warm September Sunday Afternoon. 

Where else can you find a shop dedicated to products made from donkey milk?

Note to self next time you as for a large and a small beer ask the price and size first. Keith couldn’t pick up the one litre glass with one hand and had to use the undignified approach of two hands.