You've reached the blog where I will post my experiences from my solo backpacking trip through Europe in a total of 15 days. I hope you get some good information from this site. Don't hesitate to get in touch and post about your own experiences!


Monday, September 22, 2008

Things to do: Paris, France


Take a free walking tour.

The best way to see Paris is on foot, and there is no better way than with an experienced tour guide. Sandeman's New Europe offers a free 3.5 hour walking tour through the heart of historical Paris highlighting the Latin Quarter, Notre Dame, the Louvre, Tuileries Gardens and the Eiffel Tower. The tour guides live off of tips, so tips are appreciated.

The free tour meets daily at 11am in front of the fountain at Place Saint-Michel in the Latin Quarter. To get there, take Metro Line 4 to Saint-Michel and exit the station using the exit Fontaine Saint-Michel.

Visit The Eiffel Tower

Few things symbolize Paris like the Eiffel Tower. It is found on postcards, paintings, books, tee-shirts, and even home furnishings like lamps are fashioned into the recognizable shape. Of course, a trip to Paris simply isn't complete without a trip to the Eiffel Tower.

New Paris Pub Crawl

(Thanks for the tip Jacqueline) If you had a couple of weeks, you could probably figure it all out on your own. But we will only be here a few days, and we need someone to show us the way. So one option we have is the New Paris Pub Crawl. It is a favorite amongst travelers looking for a fun night and to check out the scenery.

How much? €12 gets you unlimited vodka shots all night long and a dedicated expert leading the pack. When? Every night of the week at 9 pm.

Paris After Dark

On a Paris night, the cheapest entertainment, especially if you're young, is "the show" at the tip of Ile de la Cité, behind Notre-Dame. It attracts just about everyone who ever wanted to try his or her hand at performance. The spontaneous entertainment usually includes magicians, fire-eaters, jugglers, mimes, and music makers from all over, performing against the backdrop of the illuminated cathedral. This is one of the greatest places in Paris to meet young people in a sometimes-euphoric setting.

Also popular is a stroll along the Seine after 10pm. Take a graveled pathway down to the river from the Left Bank side of pont de Sully, close to the Institut du Monde Arabe, and walk to the right, away from Notre-Dame. This walk ends near place Valhubert, is the best place to see spontaneous Paris in action at night. Joggers and saxophone players come here, and many Parisians arrive for impromptu dance parties.

Niiiiiice.




3 comments:

Admin said...

If you insist on going to Paris you've gotta hit the Catacombs. You will find Parisians are the rudest people on the planet. I think we met one couple there who were civilized towards Americans. You can thank an even worse attitude towards Americans on good ole GW, you'll see Bush Sux signs everywhere and how right they are. It is probably the dirtiest city I've been to. The best thing we did there was go to a Greek restaurant. I think you'd be better served going elsewhere myself, I won't ever go back.

Ryan Birk said...

Depending on how the schedule looks, it might very well be a quick trip. Normandy beach awaits.

Anonymous said...

I went to Paris with my mother, sister and daughter. We had a wonderful week exploring the Latin Quarter and other interesting places in Paris. We were fortunate in that we knew someone who took us out everyday. She certainly facilitated things for us. It was absolutely one of the best vacations we've experienced. We've done one major vacation every year for the past 10 years. I would recommend always have a tour guide. Small intimate tour groups are the best way to experience a country if you, like me, want things structured.