The 7 Best Things to Do in Paris - 2020
- Rebecca Siggers
- Nov 18, 2019
- 4 min read
"A walk about Paris will provide lessons in history, beauty, and in the point of life." These words of the Founding Father of the United States, Thomas Jefferson, instigate the desire to visit the populous capital of France, Paris. The city of lights offers reasons to celebrate life all year round. Paris hosts over 23 million visitors annually. It ranks third in the list of top tourist destinations. There are a plethora of things the city has to offer. The following are the seven best things you can do in Paris in 2020.
1. Indulge in Gourmet Foods at the Eiffel Tower
Food is an integral part of European culture. In the late 1970s, a restaurant sat atop the Eiffel Tower. Visitors and natives enjoyed meals accompanied by the panoramic view of the city. Later because of structural constraints, it had to shift elsewhere. Today a champagne bar stands at the top of the tower. You must indulge in a drink after you climb atop the tower. Right at the foot of the tower, there are two gourmet restaurants, Le 58 Tour Eiffel, popularly known as Restaurant 58, and Le Jules Verne. Here you can indulge in European cuisine. It is a norm to take an iconic picture in front of the Eiffel Tower, be it day or night. Your trip to Paris is incomplete without it.
2. Enjoy the Night Lights on the Seine River
The Seine River lights up in beautiful colors at night. You can indulge in recreational boating across the entire city. The Bateaux Mouches or open excursion boats offer a fantastic experience. Traveling via the river is the right way for sightseeing. The river cruise companies allow for customization in the trip's length and the route you prefer to take. Therefore, it is beneficial if you do not have a lot of time on your hands. You can also splurge on food and French wine offered aboard the various cruises.
Alternatively, you can enjoy the view of the Seine river from the various bridges spanning the river. Pont Alexandre III, Pont Neuf, and Pont de Normandie are a few of the famous bridges you can visit.
3. Catch the Entertainment Live in the City
The city of Paris can never be boring. There are various events taking place all year round.​
Moulin Rouge is a pioneering cabaret in Paris since its conception in 1885. The symbolic windmill pays homage to the windmill village of Montmarte, a significant part of the city's history. The famous French cancan dance performances are held nightly after 7 pm. There have been different interpretations of the epic high leg kick. The most popular translations are a warning to rogue men and a method of winning bets.
The Les Guignols, the famous puppets, is a hit among kids. Guignol is an integral part of the childhood of Parisian kids. The shows take place in local parks on Sundays, Saturdays, and Wednesdays when the schools are not in session. Street performances are trendy in the city. The subway is a hotspot for street performers.
The carte du monde à gratter is a fun way to indulge kids in case they are a little unruly.
4. Take a Trip Down the History Lane
The city has been a favorite of many artists since time immemorial. They all mesmerized by the beauty of the place dedicated many of their works to the city.
Home to French kings and now the largest art museum in the world, the Louvre exhibits exquisite artwork by famous painters. The Mona Lisa, the Winged Victory, and the Venus de Milo are some famous artworks at the Louvre.
Another popular museum frequented by tourists is Musee d’Orsay. It houses the artworks of Monet, Van Gogh, Gaugin, and many other Impressionist artists of the world. Once an old train station, the architecture of Musee d’Orsay is an artwork in itself.
5. Take a Peek at the Grand Life of the Royalty
On the outskirts of the city is the royal chateau, Versailles. It served as a home to famous royals and later the parliament of France for a little over 100 years. Abut the estates are many gardens and parks that one can visit on any day. You must take a walk across the Grand Trianon when you visit the palace, preferably in your fanciest attire. The premises of chateau also houses the estate of Marie Antoinette, the last queen of France, famous for her proclamation "Let them eat cake" during a famine. It has now made into a fantasy village farm.
6. Yield to Your Cravings on a Food Tour Across the City
The French are famous for their bread, wines, cheese, desserts, and plenty more. Various tours organized for indulging in food across the city are a significant highlight. Visitors with a sweet tooth can opt for chocolate and pastry. Tourists with a gourmet palate can opt for tours that include expensive foods like the foie gras. The most popular food tour is the wine and cheese tour. We highly recommend not to be on a diet while you visit the city.
7. Feel the Love in the Air
Since time immemorial, Paris is known as the "City of Love." It is the ultimate honeymoon destination — millions of newlyweds and couples wishing to rekindle their love frequent the city annually. The city has featured in almost all romantic movies and books.
The giant Ferris wheel at the Place de la Concorde offers a panoramic view of the city. You can indulge in a romantic date while the sun sets at Terass en Haute, 43 Up on the Roof, Le Perchoir, and many other rooftop restaurants. Alternatively, you can also enjoy the sunset from the steps of the Sacre-Coeur Basilica.
You can also enjoy getting their commemorative portrait drawn at Place du Tertre in Montmartre. Le Mur des Je T'aime, popularly known as The Wall of Love, is an excellent showcase of the words "I Love You." The wall inscribed with the words in over 250 languages is impressive.
Author Bio:
Rebecca has been closely studying the travel industry trends for quite some time. Intrigued by the booming growth of this sector, she takes interest in penning down her views providing quality insight on current travel trends and also likes to write about food and beverages, particularly wine.
