As you can see from my earlier post, I spent New Year’s Eve (plus five days) in Paris!
I saw many many delightful things in Paris, but overall, I would have to say that Paris is overrated. Although as of now it is the number one travel destination, I don’t think this will last for much longer. With it being so popular, every single sight is one long line, and let me tell you, those long lines add up. There wasn’t a thing I saw in Paris that I didn’t wait in line for, which seriously detracted from the fun.
That being said, here are my top eight things to see in Paris:
1. Musee de l’Orangerie: As a lover of Monet, especially his water lily works, this is an absolute must see. It contains the largest collection of his water lily works in the world, and is made up of eight huge canvases. My favorite one if below.
2. The original lock bridge: The only thing I didn’t have to wait in line for, this bridge has thousands of locks on it with the initials or names and dates of couples who have left a lock on the bridge and thrown the key into the Seine River.
3. Musee du Louvre: Of course you have to go see the Mona Lisa and the infamous pyramid! This is hands down the most overwhelming museum I have ever been in. After almost three hours inside, my friend and I had to leave and had barely covered half of it. Besides La Jaconda, the museum also has a great Egyptian section, the apartments where Napolean Bonaparte lived, and a million other things!
4. Eiffel Tower: another ‘of course’ attraction that I waited in line for over an hour for. And I was lucky to wait only that. I imagine the average wait time is over two hours. But the view from the top is amazing.
5. Notredame: Paris’s most famous church is well-worth the visit to both the inside and the towers. Second only to Westminster Abbey, Notredame is the most amazing cathedral I have ever been in. And the view from the top with the gargoyles can’t be beat.
6. Musee d’Orsay: I have to say I liked this museum better than the Louvre, if only because it was more doable–I was able to see everything in less than two hours easily. Also the ceiling and walls were beautiful.
7. Arc De Triomphe: With the second best view of Paris, the Arc de Triomphe is at the bottom of Champs Elysees, Paris’s most touristy area.
8. Sacred Heart Basilica: although there are a tons of steps plus a huge hill to climb, the view from the top is worth it. There is also an absolutely beautiful fresco on the ceiling, which i snuck a photo of.
There are many, many, many more things to see and do in Paris, among them Versailles and Giverny (where Monet painted his water lily paintings), two places I will be returning someday to see.