By Sabah Karimi
Paris is rich with culture and history, home to some of the world's most-recognized landmarks and dozens of historic sights. It would take a lifetime to explore all of the city's attractions and noteworthy venues, but when you are heading to Paris for a short vacation, there are five activities and experiences you must explore to make the most of your visit. From visiting the Louvre to enjoying a meal in the Eiffel Tower, you can map out your itinerary with some exciting attractions and experiences.
Visit the Palace of Versailles
The Palace of Versailles is a royal estate located in the Ile de France region, a suburb of Paris. You can take a tour of the palace to see the glass chandeliers, hand-painted ceilings, centuries-old sculptures and the manicured gardens surrounding the historic structure. Visitors can explore the grand palace with a guided tour or an audio guided tour to learn about the rich history and traditions of this legendary landmark.
Palace of Versailles
79, Rue Paroisse
78000 Versailles, France
011+33 1 39 51 23 66
en.chateauversailles.fr/homepage
Enjoy a Meal Inside the Eiffel Tower
The Eiffel Tower is one of the most-recognized landmarks in Paris and is equipped with two restaurants. You can eat at 58 Tour Eiffel on the first floor or Jules Verne on the second floor for a taste of Parisian cuisine. 58 Tour Eiffel serves prix-fixe menus including the Menu Monmartre, Menu Notre-Dame and Menu Saint-Germain in a semi-upscale setting. The Jules Verne serves classic French cuisine with a modern twist in an upscale, elegant setting.
Eiffel Tower
Avenue Gustave Eiffel
75007 Paris, France
011+33 1 44 11 23 23
Watch the French Cancan at the Moulin Rouge
The show at the Moulin Rouge is the number one show in Paris according to Viator.com. It is a high-energy performance that features showgirls and French Cancan dancers dressed in costumes made with feathers, sequins and rhinestones. The event is a Parisian tradition with showtimes every night, year round.
Moulin Rouge
82, Boulevard Clichy
75018 Paris, France
011+33 1 53 09 82 82
moulinrouge.fr
Spend a Day at the Louvre Museum
The Louvre, also known as the Grand Louvre, is the national museum of France and houses thousands of paintings, sculptures and artifacts from renowned European artists. The museum is located inside the Palais du Louvre, which was built in the late 12th century. Visitors can see over 500 paintings that were confiscated from royal palaces and churches in France, as well as exhibits that feature Islamic art, Greek and Roman sculptures, Eastern antiquities and prints and drawings from centuries past.
Louvre Museum
Rue de Rivoli
75001 Paris, France
011+33 1 40 20 57 60
louvre.fr/llv/commun/home.jsp?bmLocale=en
Visit the Catacombes de Paris
The Catacombes de Paris were created at the end of the 18th century as a depository for the bones and bodies that were buried in the cemetery of Innocent in the district of the Halles. You can take a guided tour of the catacombs to see the remains of nearly 6 million Parisian residents that have been buried in the grounds for over ten centuries. The underground museum tour lasts approximately 45 minutes. Visitors must descend down 130 steps in order to reach the caverns.
Catacombes de Paris
1, Place Denfert-Rochereau
75014 Paris, France
011+33 1 43 22 47 63
catacombes-de-paris.fr/english.htm
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About the Author:
Sabah Karimi is a professional web and print copywriter with an educational background in Business Administration and Marketing from the University of Wisconsin-Platteville. She writes in several niches including travel, fashion, beauty, health, fitness, lifestyle and small business. Karimi received a Top Content Creator Award from Demand Studios in 2009.
