Visiting Montmartre is a must when you are visiting Paris ! "Montmartre's most famous landmark is…read moreSacre Coeur and it sits high above Paris and is visible from much of all of the city. This small quaint city is famous for the men and women who sell there paintings as well as paint your portraits as you sit ! Their stores and boutiques are amazing as well as their small restaurants. It is so nice to walk the cobblestone streets and just spend the day here with friends and family .

Montemartre is a historic area in which you will need to explore to get to the Basilique du…read moreSacre-Coeur. We took the RER E to Magenta and walked to the Gare du Nord to get on the M4 and exited at Chateau Rouge to get to the Montematre. When we arrived to the area, there were many souvenir shops and snack vendors on our way up the mountain. It was quite a treat. There is also a cute merry-go-round at the foot of the Basilique du Sacre-Couer. And don't stop at the Basilique du Sacre-Coeur. There are more hidden gems to be found. We explored into this hidden area with artists of all types: chalk, paint, pens, etc and painting, caricature, impressionism, portrait, drawings... and many works of premade art on display. The air was so lively and fascinating. If I didn't have to worry about a few more flights and trainings to be on and worried about damage, I would have purchased a custom piece of art. There are also a lot of cute boutiques, cafes, and other stairways of magnificent views from the peak. I recommend setting aside ample time to wonder the area at your own leisure.

With apologies to the homeowners on Rue Crémieux, I will say that there is absolutely no reason…read moreanyone visiting Paris for less than one week should come here. I was in Paris closer to 2 weeks and had some down time on my final day before late afternoon plans. Rue Crémieux, "Paris' most colorful street", was a nice walk from where I was and quickly became my destination. Lucky for me, I also knew of the nearby Coulée Verte René-Dumont, an elevated 3-mile long park/walking path, because Rue Crémieux is something you'll be done with inside of 10 minutes. Is it lovely? Yes, but it's in no way worth going out of your way for. This is not San Francisco's "painted ladies". With a cobblestone street and lack of cars it's got a unique charm, different than the streets you've already been hoofing for the past week but it's my belief that you should add this to your day only if you find yourself nearby, en route to something that'll take you more than 10 minutes to explore.

Rue Crémieux is an absolutely adorable and picturesque street just a short walk from Gare de Lyon…read more Lined with pastel-colored houses and blooming flower pots, it's a peaceful spot that feels like a secret escape in the middle of Paris. Definitely worth a stroll if you're in the area--perfect for a quick photo stop or a quiet moment away from the bustle.

During an excessively rainy day, Jamie W and I ducked for cover in four of Paris' fabled covered…read morepassages. The vintage 19th-century architecture remained consistent throughout, but this one was different from the others. First, it wasn't part of the same sequential path of the other three (Panoramas, Jouffroy, and Verdeau). It actually continues the street that bears the same name, Rue Choiseul. Second, it's easily the city's longest passage at over 190 meters. The length showcased the especially tall glass ceiling for a passage. And third, the mix of retail businesses was decidedly more eclectic and global. Instead of the antique dealers, ye olde booksellers, and stamp collectors that populate the other passages, there are lunch hour fast food eateries as well as Japanese and Korean toy, stationery, and pop merch shops. So if you have a sudden hankering for oyakodon, now you know which passage to target. RELATED - Exploring Paris? Here's a collection of places I've visited and reviewed: https://yelp.to/TDhdgjoONI

My apartment was located in Passage Choiseul . There are many great retail shops and food stops to…read morechoose from.

Free public art in Paris, France…read more.. Our friend was so excited to share this landmark... The Wall of Love Le Mur des je t'Aime is translated to The Wall of I Love Yous... (plural) It features the phrase, "I love you" in many different languages. On 5.11.26, it was still being repaired, so the English phrase was blocked from view. Maybe when we visit again, we'll be able to see it! Notes: we found free street parking a couple of blocks away. On the way to The Wall, we passed many shops and a carousel!

So incredible. while it is being repaired it is more beautiful in person it's a must see when in…read moreParis !

The major thing we wanted to do in Paris was visit the catacombs, an underground ossuary containing…read morethe bones of more than six million people. The catacombs are part of Paris' abandoned mine and quarry network, and bones were moved to the catacombs because the cemeteries were running out of space. The first bones were transferred from the Cimetière des Saints-Innocents after the cemetery was closed in 1780 due to overuse. The catacombs are an extremely popular attraction, and purchasing tickets in advance is highly recommended as a limited number of people are admitted each hour, and with good reason -- the experience would be extremely unpleasant if overly crowded. However, you can only purchase tickets one week in advance, and the catacombs are not open on Mondays. The two full days we were in Paris were Sunday and Monday, so I had to ensure that we were able to get tickets for Sunday April 7. Fortunately I was successful! Tickets were €29 each, although per the website, they are now €31. Unfortunately, the catacombs are not accessible for people in wheelchairs or who have mobility issues -- the 1.5km long route has 243 stairs -- 131 to descend and 112 to ascend. We thoroughly enjoyed our visit, and if you want to see bones and skulls (no full skeletons, though), the Paris catacombs won't disappoint! [Yelp collections: Europe 2024; Paris, France; Beware of stairs!]

Absolutely one of the best experiences ever. It is a must to get the Audio Guide Tour - so…read moreinformative on th History of Paris and The Catacombes. We unfortunately had 105 degree weather in Paris and literally this tour was a "cool" experience for the history and the temperature - literally. Also the little gift shop after is a must - I smile every morning using my spoon and have a pair of gloves that I will be wearing as well. This and Jim Morrison's Grave was my two favorite things.

Quartier Latin is home to Paradis Latin, one of the oldest cabarets in Paris, designed by Gustave…read moreEiffel himself and it is a hub of learning for centuries. As the matter of fact until 1789, teachers and students spoke Latin there. Also, as our tour guide mentioned to us the narrowest street is located there :-) Rue du Chat-qui-Pêche is considered the narrowest street in Paris.

It's another Paris in itself. This is one of the oldest areas in Paris. Those old Parisian cafes,…read morebookshops (like 100 years old), churches (yes famous Notre Dame), Pantheon, Luxembourg Garden, -all makes it one of the must-see locality in Paris. It is on the left side of Seine River, known for its student life, lively atmosphere and bistros. Since the medieval era, it's been one of the important areas of interest among locals and visitors. Narrow streets, stone-paved alleyways which remind you of Middle Ages, hidden squares, ruins of the amphitheater- there's a lot to see and you cannot afford to miss this. My wife was especially fond of 100 years old Shakespeare and company shop. Notre Dame is the right side of Seine and the Latin quarter is left side, so start from across the Notre Dame and explore at your own pace.

Visiting the Château de Versailles was truly a dream come true. The architecture is absolutely…read morestunning--every detail, from the grand halls to the intricate ceilings, is a testament to the opulence of the French monarchy. The grounds are just as impressive: beautifully kept gardens, sparkling fountains, and perfectly restored landscapes that make you feel like you've stepped back in time. As someone who loves history, I was in heaven. The palace is filled with artifacts from the Sun King himself, Louis XIV, and the stories about his many mistresses add an extra layer of intrigue. I could have spent hours just wandering the Hall of Mirrors and imagining the lavish parties that once took place there. Marie Antoinette's area, with its charming hamlet and gorgeous gardens, was a highlight for me--so peaceful and picturesque. We spent an entire day exploring and still barely scratched the surface. There's just so much to see and experience! I also have to mention the restaurants on the grounds. The food was surprisingly good--fresh, flavorful, and honestly better than most of what I get back home in America. If you love history, art, or just want to be wowed by breathtaking beauty, Versailles is an absolute must-see. I loved every minute and can't wait to go back!

I've been to Versailles twice in my life, and honestly, it's a place you only need to visit once…read more It's worth checking off, though, that first time, and I was happy to go back on our family trip this month, as my brothers and kids had never been before. I booked tickets online about a month in advance, and it was easy to do--not always a given, as I found when booking the Eiffel Tower and London Eye this same trip. Tickets were €35 each for eight adults and €15 for my six-year-old, with my younger son and niece getting in for free. We set aside a whole day for our excursion from Paris, and we definitely needed it. We were there for over five hours and covered what felt like very little ground. It was kind of a grueling day for everyone, most of all my older son, who got nauseous in the cab ride over and immediately threw up on the sidewalk leading up to the castle. We were lucky enough to miss the heat wave, but it was still brutally hot, and the grounds were so massive and sprawling that no one had the will to really explore them. We did spend a couple hours at the actual castle, though, the infamous, guillotine-worthy Château de Versailles. (My grumpy sick son had some questions about what happened to the people who lived there, and I entertained him with a little history lesson. My husband later reported that another mom was listening in and judging me for my frank description of the French Revolution.) I remembered it from my first visit almost twenty years ago and had the same general reaction, which is that the opulence was impressive and repetitive. You get the idea pretty quickly, and understand immediately why heads had to roll. The private chapel kind of said it all on its own. We didn't go to every room, but we saw plenty and made sure to hit the Hall of Mirrors with its gaudy profusion of chandeliers and gold sculpture. There were a few spaces that incorporated modern artwork, which was pretty cool. When everyone was tired and hungry, we found our way to an Angelina cart and a back room with tables and fans where we were able to sit and eat. There are a number of restaurants on the grounds where you can make reservations, but this worked better for us (and also nothing was available for our huge party by the time I got around to looking). We spent a couple more hours wandering around the garden, but we didn't get particularly far. The garden was beautiful but enormous and short on shade, and it seemed impossible to cross the distance to get to whatever points of interest might be waiting a quarter mile in the sun-scorched distance. The fountains were cool and we did get to see them turn on briefly, though we missed whatever musical fountain show we were supposed to catch. We could not figure out where or when it was happening. We wasted half an hour waiting in line for golf carts before giving up and buying tickets for the train instead, to take us to the Trianon side. It was so hot, all we did was take the train and then start leaving. The train was surprisingly shitty, just a rickety train-shaped conveyance that went around the grounds, making stops at a few noteworthy places. We hopped off at Petit Trianon and walked out, taking a long, pleasant path lined with trees. It was cooler and less crowded on this side of Versailles, and if I were ever to come back, I would spend my time checking out the areas away from the palace. I remember enjoying the Queen's Hamlet on my first visit, and I noticed a lot of family's on bicycles enjoying all the charmingly landscaped open spaces. Versailles is well worth a visit at some point in your life, though I'd recommend against going in summer with small, irritable children. I don't need to see the palace again, but I wouldn't mind another go at the grounds.

Brando and Benjamin…read more Who could resist the opportunity to traverse the cobblestoned street where Ben Franklin had walked? To imagine him hobbling along, walking stick glazing the quarried granite setts, his leather frock dangling open, knee britches askew. His shoes well worn (gotta keep up appearances when you're begging for loans!), beaver fur hat in place atop his bespectacled head, and speaking his fractured French. He might have stopped to purchase chocolat, or tip his hat and curtsy to some charming ladies in his Mr. Magoo fashion. Dr. Franklin was a showman. Ruffles and velvet were for court, this was his home, and he knew that all eyes were on him, appearances were important. Rue de Passy runs from one of those odd little roundabouts that converges seven streets, one of which is rue Benjamin Franklin. If you move north-east and turn south, rue de l'Alboni will lead you to the Passy metro stop. Go further, and down many steps (great place for a early morning workout!), you'll find the Seine. Turn north-east again (that's a left!) and in a couple of blocks you'll see Pont d'lena and Tour Eiffel. Which, you can see from rue Passy, but not in all it's majestic splendor. Passy is not a tourist trap. It's French living. I didn't clock it, but it took me about fifteen minutes (give or take), but I walk fast. If you follow the southwesterly direction, you find excellent boutique shopping, eateries, the Majestic Passy theater, Passy Plaza, and Franck et Fils department store. At the end, there is a huge open market to the left (I forget the name). Rue Passy is the heart of the 16th Arrodissement. Limestone building are truly art in and of themselves. The people living here are educated and affluent, but not at all pretentious. Smiles are in abundance as you walk along, good nature is a way of life. Oh, about Brando? This is the street and apartment when Brando's "Paul" meets Schneider's "Jeanne" in Last Tango in Paris...we all know how that turned out. I was gonna end this review with Marley's lyrics to "Jammin" and hook a Ben at the front...but maybe, no. You get the picture. Aloha :)

L'ile aux Cygnes or Swan Island is an artificial island on the river Seine. You can find a scale…read morereplica of the Statue of Liberty here. Obviously not as impressive as its big sister in New York but still kind of cool. The island is quite a bit out of the way but perfect if you want a little break from other tourists.