Friday, October 5, 2012

Countdown to Paris!!


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As you read the title, of course you must pronounce it "Paree" as I do in my head. Je suis tres enthousiaste pour mon voyage!! I have no idea how my OAC level french will fare in the City of Light, but hopefully I will be able to muddle through with as little embarrassment as possible. The travel arrangements were made just a few weeks ago, and since then I've been selecting the key ingredients for a successful trip. I would like to visit as many highlights as possible, while at the same time I want to leave myself time to wander the streets and absorb the Parisian atmosphere.

My "Must See" Destinations

This one is obvious, right? Who visits Paris
without seeing La Tour Eiffel?

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Nearby is Place de la Concorde, which you're probably
familiar with if you've ever seen a movie filmed in Paris.
The public square is home to a beautiful pair
of fountains representing the rivers and the sea.

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No doubt I'll pass by the Arc de Triomphe
which is just a short walk from the square.

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I'm excited to be staying in the 6th arrondissement
 within just a few blocks of Jardin du Luxembourg.

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I imagine there will be time to visit The Pantheon,
an expansive mausoleum just east of the gardens.

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A visit to Paris wouldn't be complete without a visit
to these two very famous churches:

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At the first sign of rain I'll be visiting La Musee D'Orsay
which is known for housing the work of french
impressionists such as Monet, Renoir and Degas.

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If time allows, I'll take a day trip to visit the famous
and history rich Chateau de Versailles.

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There is so much to see, and I'll only be in Paris for five days!! Hopefully it will be enough time to see all of the sights I've highlighted above, and more. Have you visited Paris? What would you recommend as a "don't miss it" destination? Oh, and where should I eat on a pauper's budget? Suggestions welcome :-)

2 comments:

  1. Lucky you! We were there exactly two years ago and loved every minute of it. As far as highlights are concerned - I wouldn't miss Les Invalides, especially the tomb of Napoleon. In Montmarte there are lots of little restaurants you can eat at for not too much - just stay out of the main square. The little cafe in the Louvre is also a good spot. And you can always grab lunch at le Pain D'Or which are all over Paris - a baguette and a drink for about 6 Euros.

    Have fun.

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  2. So jealous, love Paris! We were there for our honeymoon for 10 days and still didn't see everything we wanted to! If you have time to pop into Galeries Lafayette it's worth it just to see the ceiling alone!

    In terms of food, I didn't have a bad meal in Paris and you must try the crepes. Also I would highly recommend trying the gateau basque, it's a baked custard surrounded by pastry. I am still dreaming about the one I had in Monmarte ten years ago!!!

    Have fun!

    Amy

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