Top three places to visit in Paris, France

Very few people would go to Paris and only visit three places! Also, no one is going to think the same three places are what “made” their Parisian holiday. So instead, I am going to tell you the top three “types” of places to visit in Paris. I promise that if you find one or two things in each cateogry to see, you will leave Paris curiously satisfied and anxious of your next opportunity for more.

1. Musees! Get a musee pass and go! The Louvre is absolutely the top in this category, surpassing all others in variety of exhibits, quantity of exhibits, and handicap accessibility. My husband was wheelchair bound for our Parisian honeymoon, and we spent 3 days in the Louvre without successfully seeing all of it. There were some museums we were barred access to because of his wheelchair, but still enjoyed Musee d’Orsay and Sainte-Chapelle (better stained glass than Notre-Dame). If you don’t take advantage of culture Paris musees and attraction have to offer, you miss a huge piece of the puzzle my friend.

2. Cafes! Eat at as many sidewalk cafes as you can. This is a true taste of Paris life, and not just because you are actually eating. Sitting outside, you can watch the Parisians go on with everyday life. It is a pure joy to see different eating habits than in the United States. In Paris, you don’t rush through your meal like it is a bother of your day to stop and eat. No! Eating a meal is action in its own right, and not just a bridge or spacer between activities. My husband and I get a kick out of recognizing various cafes we patronized on television or in a movie. Be brave and try a menu item you can’t pronounce or translate. If you are on a budget, look for a prix fixe menu, usually 20-30 EURO for lunch, that will give you an appetizer, main course, and dessert.

3. Jardins! If you pass a garden while walking through the city, take 10 minutes to sit and rest. You won’t be disappointed! Each one has it’s own character, and from old men reading newspapers among hundred year old sculptures to young boys and girls racing sailboats in a fountain you see things you thought were only staged in Hollywood. Our favorite was the Tuileries, but the one outside Napoleon’s Tomb had a gorgeous Array of bright yellow and deep purple tulips and pansies. It is a unique contradiction to take in – a peaceful, calm garden surrounded by whizzing, chaotic traffic of small cars screaming through intersections. Each jardin provides a eye in the torrent of storms that make up the city.

That is the only possible way to sum up all of Paris in only three locations. Find a musee that suits you, lounge for lunch at a cafe, and break from the tumult in the jardin of your choice. Hypothetically, you could do all of this is less than day if you have a 24 hour layover at Charles de Gaulle. Enjoy the City of Light, and remember if you see everything in one trip, you won’t have anything left for the dessert of another one!