Classic routes.
I am not a fan of classic routes, but from time to time, I do revisit my favorite places in Paris. It causes sweet nostalgia I cannot resist, so I can quickly guide you through the beautiful classic Paris locations before moving on to the main course - quirky Paris.
If you are looking for traditional Paris pictures, here are some ideas for the routes:
1. Musée d’Orsay - Pont Alexandre III - Place de la Concorde - Champs Élysées - l’Arc de Triomphe - Eiffel Tower - Montmartre & Sacré Cœur - Place Pigalle & Moulin Rouge
Musée d’Orsay.
Housed in a former Beaux-Arts railway station, Musée d'Orsay is renowned for its extensive collection of Impressionist and Post-Impressionist masterpieces. The museum offers a unique glimpse into the art world from 1848 to 1914. On the 5th floor, you can find the giant clock-window overlooking the Seine. The photos taken here in the contouring light appear to be magnificent.
Pont Alexandre III.
Named after Tsar Alexander III, this ornate bridge was constructed for the 1900 Exposition Universelle and symbolizes Franco-Russian friendship. Looks like Paris was pretty friendly at times. The bridge offers beautiful views of the Seine River and is decorated with stunning Art Nouveau lamps, cherubs, and nymphs.
After the bridge, turn to the Place de la Concorde, the largest square in Paris. It was the site of many public executions during the French Revolution. Today, it is famous for its grand fountains, statues, and the Luxor Obelisk, a gift from Egypt.
Walk along the Champs-Élysées, a grand avenue immortalized by Joe Dassin's 1970s song, and finish near the iconic Arc de Triomphe. I believe it is one of the most replicated symbols of Paris after the Eiffel Tower.
A photo tip from my friends: if you have an iPhone, you can take a live photo of the Arc. Change it to long exposure and see how cars disappear from your photo (note that during taking the photo, cars should be moving).
Eiffel Tower.
Eiffel tower is a constant source of love-hate relationship, but the fact is it’s difficult to remain indifferent to this main symbol of the French capital. There are always many people around, making it challenging to take decent photos from Champ-de-Mars or the other side of the river. Additionally, there are long queues to go up the tower, but the view from the top is magnificent and worth the effort once to see Paris in all its grandeur.
If you’d like to see an unforgettable sunset in Paris, I highly recommend going to Montmartre while there’s still daylight. You can admire the sublimity of the Sacré Cœur Basilica. Then take a minute to say goodbye to the sun, and after it gets dark, turn back to see how the colors of Sacré Cœur change from daylight to night lighting, becoming mysterious and eerie.
Take a 10-minute walk down and finish the evening festively by walking along Place Pigalle and taking the chance to watch a show in the world-famous cabaret Moulin Rouge. There are shows starting at 23:30 (make sure to order well in advance before your trip).
2. Notre-Dame de Paris - Les Halles - Louvre - Jardins des Tuileries - Galeries Lafayette - Palais Garnier (Opéra) - Buttes-Chaumont
Start this route with a scene from Victor Hugo's classic Gothic novel, where the beautiful Esmeralda provocatively dances on the square near Notre-Dame de Paris Cathedral, attracting and causing obsession in many men. The majestic cathedral rises on the Île de la Cité, perfectly fitting into the river landscape. After walking inside and around this gorgeous church, take a break and continue to the next historical venue of Paris.
Les Halles.
Everybody knows that Paris is for shopping. From luxurious boutiques to mass-market shops to Chinese, Indian, and Pakistani little shops and marchés, Paris has it all. If you are looking for mass-market shopping, you will find a lot in Les Halles.
Historically, it was Paris’ central fresh food market. Today it is like a whole new city with its own streets and squares packed with world-famous brands: from Lego to FNAC, from Lacoste, H&M, Bershka, Zara to NYX, MAC, Victoria’s Secret, Etam, and many more.
Le Louvre.
It will be unbearably difficult not to spend the whole day in the Louvre. Packed with world historical chef-d’œuvres, it is located both underground and above ground, occupying an immensly large territory. The Louvre glass pyramids are no less famous and recognizable than the ancient Egyptian pyramids they were inspired by.
Proceed and take some rest in the Jardin des Tuileries in the shadow of perfectly manicured square trees or near the big fountain. Be prepared to get white dust all over your feet while being amazed by the beauty and luxury of this garden, a small price to pay for a city walk.
Galeries Lafayette.
Paris is all about smells. Good and bad ones are known neighbors, contrasting with one another sometimes with every step you take. Want to get an unforgettable French brand perfume? Looking for more luxurious shopping opportunities? Check in at Galeries Lafayette for luxury brands. Go to the top floor and outside to enjoy the stunning view.
And don’t miss the Palais Garnier (Opéra), a fabulous building right next to the Galeries. This opulent opera house was built in the late 19th century and is renowned for its grand staircase, magnificent chandelier, and the Phantom of the Opera legend.
Buttes-Chaumont.
If you are staying in Paris for at least two nights in the summer, on your second day, I strongly recommend meeting the sunset in Buttes-Chaumont park, the most beautiful park in Paris (in my humble opinion), where I found the magical spot for aerial dance.
You can combine these two routes above or create your own map, do as you feel.
Quirky Paris.
A different one and unexplored.
But today I’m in the mood to give you more. To reveal to you the unusual, quirky Paris so dear to my heart.
Here is the route we will follow:
Place des Vosges - Rue des Rosiers - Centre Pompidou - Place de la République - Goncourt & Belleville
We start at the Place des Vosges, the oldest planned square in Paris dating to the 17th century. It is a beautiful, symmetrical square surrounded by red brick houses and arcades (remember the one I described in Montauban), and it is home to the Victor Hugo Museum.
Rue des Rosiers is the heart of the Jewish quarter in the Marais. The vibrant culturally rich street is rich filled with Jewish bakeries, bookstores, and synagogues. It has been featured in several films, among which one notable film is "Munich" (2005), directed by Steven Spielberg about the aftermath of the massacre at the 1972 Munich Olympics. I find it fascinating that a Parisian street was chosen to depict Munich.
L'As du Fallafel.
Located on the Rue des Rosiers, L'As du Fallafel offers the best falafel in Paris. The basic rule in Paris: when you see big lines of people, the place is super popular and super good. However, there are hidden gems as well. Let’s go for a dessert.
Pastelli Mary Gelateria.
This little, inconspicuous-looking ice-cream shop surprises with its unique flavors. These are amazingly good and affordable!
Le Centre Pompidou holds a special place in my heart. Starting with its outside cosmic design, which completely stands out in the classic Gothic architecture, to modern art exhibitions, including constantly changing temporary ones, it makes for a perfect museum—or better yet, a modern art center—for visiting by both adults and children.
Place de la République.
Around the central statue of Marianne, major national events have taken place here. It has a powerful atmosphere, hosting diverse protests and manifestations that can occur simultaneously. This is where the fate of the nation is influenced, and decisions are made.
Goncourt & Belleville.
Follow the road to Goncourt to delve into a different and unique part of Paris, unlike any other. Here, little Chinese and Indian shops neighbor Arab kebab houses and pompous French patisseries. You can buy flip-flops for 5€ or drink a coffee for the same price. The contrasts culminate in this part of Paris, crowned by the vibrant Chinese quarter at Belleville.
Le Zorba.
For an evening out, head to Le Zorba, a small but popular club in the neighborhood. Known for its eclectic music and lively atmosphere, it’s a hidden gem that attracts a diverse crowd looking for a good time.
Coffee spots.
Good coffee is a rarity in France and can be quite pricey in the capital.
However, I can recommend two specific spots known for their high quality and class:
Certified Coffee: Located in Passage des Panoramas, which reminds me a lot of our Passage in Odesa, Ukraine. This little coffee spot is definitely worth a visit. Certified Coffee looks futuristuc and offers a range of trendy coffee drinks to choose from. They also have locations in the 7th arrondissement and Marseille.
Lactem Palais Royal: Situated near the Jardin du Palais Royal, this aesthetically pleasing café provides a tranquil spot to enjoy a well-crafted espresso or other coffee selections away from the city's hustle.
Interesting.
You may know English street artist Banksy for his global masterpieces, but France has its own mysterious artist named Invader.
Invader creates images from ceramic tiles, resembling pixelated 8-bit game graphics, in major cities around the world (not just in France). You can actually interact with these artworks by taking pictures and posting them in the Invaders app, earning points for each ‘invader’ you capture.
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