Paris France Today

There are numerous ways to discover Paris. The most popular are the guided tours and there is a variety of them about to choose from. You can choose a walking tour with a theme such as the best restaurants in Paris or even some of the more educational and historical tours are available.

A typical city walking tour will take you roughly three and a half hours to complete. Be sure to wear comfortable shoes. While Paris is know for its fashion you do not want to injure your feet while you are trying to enjoy yourself. You could even find yourself a segway tour of the city. Typically these tours will have a common ending point such as the Louvre or the Eiffel tower. This is important to know as this may be very far away from the hotel you are staying in. There are some longer walking tours and they usually include lunch in the middle of the tour. Since lunch is included I would check ahead of time to see what gratuity is expected, if any.

If you are not physically capable of walking for extended periods of time then a bus tour is your ticket to really discover the city. A small bus or mini bus is sometimes the best way to see as you can get in and out at various stops. Some of these bus tours can last all day however so keep this in mind before you book.

One of the most popular ways to see Paris is through a museum experience. You are in enclosed space so you do not have to worry about the weather. The Louvre guide tour package is by far one of the most popular in the city and is well worth it. You can see the history and the art of the city all in one place. Now keep in mind that this is one of the most visited tourist destinations in the world so there will be crowds.

There are just too many ways to explore Paris to mention in just one blog post. However as you can see you can see Paris from all different ways and this can really add to your experience in the city.

To be a tour guide in Paris you have to be prepared. To do this job you will have to have an exhaustive amount of information about the city at your fingertips. You will need to know where is the best place to eat for all types of food, where is the best place to shop, when is the best time to go to the museums, what can be seen at any time during the year in Paris. This may seem daunting but this could be one of the most rewarding jobs you will ever have.

In order to a tour guide in Paris I would familiarize myself with all of the major museums and all the areas surrounding them. For instance if I were a tourist in Paris I would want to know what is the best restaurant nearest the Louvre as well as what is the least expensive. Since there are many major museums in the city then it would be a good idea to get to know each one before even considering becoming a tour guide.

No one who visits Paris misses the Eiffel tower. It is hard to miss and a landmark of the city. Can you familiarize yourself with its history? If so then you can become a good tour guide. Not only will you need to know the monuments history but also some really good anecdotes would be really helpful as well. Do not forget some ways to make the tourists laugh while on their tour as that is one of the best ways to learn about any subject. This makes the whole group relax and you are remembered and best of all your tips can be much higher if you do a really good job of entertaining the crowd.

There are many skills involved when you are attempting to be a tour guide and one of them is public speaking. Perhaps it would be a good idea to enroll in a public speaking class or some other similar activity where you are forced to speak in front of others. In America we have the Toastmasters and perhaps there are similar organizations overseas that are out for the same goals.

Believe it or not I recommend you attend some comedy clubs as well. This will get you used to how comedians handle hecklers. There is always at least one smart ass person in the group and if you can learn to handle them correctly you can not only save your job but this will make the whole experience much more enjoyable.

Some cities actually require you pass a test before becoming licensed as a tour guide. I would look into this to make sure that you follow all the rules of the city. You do not want to get into trouble with the law while you are trying to have fun as a tour guide.

If you are planning on spending any extended time in Paris then getting an apartment is really the way to go. It is the most cost effective way to enjoy your stay in Paris. Apartments or flats can be rented for a week to a month at a time and depending on where you stay can save you considerable amount of money compared to a hotel room.

By far the most popular places to stay is near the Seine River and you can expect the highest prices for those apartments. However, if you choose to stay just a little further away you can still enjoy all the sight and end up with a much more enjoyable vacation.

The Ile Saint Louis island is one of the most popular islands to stay in on the river Seine and this can make the prices a bit higher then in the city. However, when you weigh the fact that you will have a much more romantic time then the cost may be well worth it. This is a small island and hence there is not a whole lot of hustle and bustle but you can easily get back to the exciting city life by hopping a boat that runs continuously on the rive. You just simply get on and off where you want to go and you can explore the city from there.

You could always stay in the Luxe Apartments as these are expats living in France trying to live the French lifestyle. You may meet someone from your home country and decide to explore the city with them. Who knows you may even find a lifelong friend by staying in these apartments.

The range of apartments in Paris range from small studio apartments to luxurious five room apartments that can be suited for any large family. If you are single I would go with what ever is the most cost effective as you are probably not going to spend too much time in your apartment.

I would really consider what is included when apartment hunting. If you are planning on just spending a few weeks then I would make sure that this apartment is well furnished and has all the amenities that you require. Also I would make sure that you know where the public transport is located such as bus stops as this can be a factor in what apartment you may want to stay in. If the bus stop is too far away then you may not end up actually exploring the city as much as you had planned.

Finding an apartment does not need to be a hassle and can actually be quite fun if you really plan ahead. Just make sure ahead of time what you are looking for and where to get it and you should find the ideal place to stay in no time.

Paris is perhaps one of the most romantic cities in all of Europe. It is certainly up there in the same league as Venice, Italy. This city should definitely be on everyone’s plan in life and ideally you should give yourself enough time to savor the city and all that it has to offer.

Below is a listing of some of the top sights to see in Paris, France. Now while some may agree with me on the merit of seeing these places I leave your choice to actually visit them up to you.

Notre Dame Cathedral
The first thing to do and see in Paris is the Notre Dame Cathedral. Perhaps one of the most recognized sites in all of Paris this is a great example of the revolutions in architecture and art at that time.

Champs Elysees & Arc de Triomphe
The famous street of the Champs Elysees which ends in the enduring symbol of Napolean known as the Arc de Triomphe is perhaps one of the best known streets in the world. Today however you are inundated with sounds of traffic and the smells of all the restaurants that line the street.

Les Invalides
The Les Invalides is actually a complex of buildings which are momuments to the wars of times past. Notably Napolean is buried here and for the history buffs out there this is certainly a sight to see. Not only will you get an idea on how modern day Europe was formed through the battles over time but you will certainly see some of the best examples of art and architecture on your way.

Musee d’Orsay
Fans of impressionism will certainly love to visit the Musee d’Orsay as this has one of the larger collections of this time period stored within its walls. Here you can see some of the best examples of art from artists such as Renoir, Monet, Van Gogh and Manet among many others.

The Louvre
Certainly one of the most famous art museums in Paris if not the entire world the Louvre is the largest collection of art mankind has ever seen. Of course you cannot see all of this in one day and if you do plan on visiting this museum have a plan of action. The reason you want to plan your visit is that this is a very crowded place with many tourists all striving to see the same thing.

Musée de l’Orangerie
This is another art gallery of impressionist works that contains many fine examples from Claude Monet and Pablo Picasso among many others.

Catacombs of Paris
The Catacombs of Paris is perhaps one of the most famous burial centers in France. These catacombs were built originally from the mines that were built underneath the city. Perhaps a more ghoulish way to spend your time but with the right tour guide you should have a fun time none the less.

Opéra Garnier
Still known today as the Paris Opera this is one of the finest examples of European opera houses still in existence. Many architects gain inspiration and borrow many of the ideas from this building. The Phantom of the Opera was staged here and this is a very fitting setting.

The Pointe of Île de la Cité
This is not only one of the most famous places to visit in Paris but this is the historical center of the city so all tours should really begin here.

Musée Rodin
This museum was formerly a hotel and now is the center for all things Rodin. Containing an extensive collection of Rodin’s sculptures you will not find a better place to get into the mind of that artist.

Bonus

Paris Double Decker Bus Tour
Now this may seem cliché for many and you may be right but sometimes there is no better way to get the best value for your money then through an organized tour. A Double Decker tour bus is the best way to get a feel for the city and to plan your future visits later on.

Sunset River Cruise on the seine
Now this is one of the most romantic ways to see the city. Make sure you have your girlfriend or wife with you when you take this cruise. Otherwise it will be wasted time if you do this alone.

Now of course I only gave a brief description of each sight because I want to write later on in depth about each place to visit. However if you are just looking for things to do in Paris then this should be a good enough starting point.