Classic experiences on the Left Bank of Paris…
Roman-founded Lutetia Parisiorum (mud town of the Parisii or Celt settlers) to epitome of all things classy…the antithesis is complete. And how! The French capital of today is a symbol of urban sophisticate…larger-than-life grandeur laced with old-world charm. Illuminated by the pure glow of intellectual and artistic heritage. And wrapped in a timeless enigma. First visit or not, some eternal Paris experiences will never lose their appeal for the romantic at heart. So, flag-off with the Left Bank of the Seine…
1. Drench in the cafe culture
There’s a parallel Paris this side of the Seine that’s artsy, bohemian and literary…the Latin Quartier. Boulevard St. Germain and Boulevard St. Michel run like two main arteries through the area. Uniformly distanced Hausmann-styled buildings create a perfect harmony in architectural detail. Hundreds of crooked medieval alleys lead off in different directions, filled with pizzerias and pubs, crêperies and cafes, classy home décor shops, upper-crest fashion boutiques, gourmet food stores and trendy chains. Pick A traditional café near the Sorbonne University, sink into a rattan chair, order your coffee and pretend you’re in esteemed company of Jean Paul Sartre, Ernest Hemingway and Simone de Beauvoir. Its no crime!
Explore the area till your legs complain. The baroque fountain at Place St. Michel of St. Michel killing a demon is no frivolous design element. This earlier site of protests and social uprisings used to be filled with hippies, artists, writers, poets, dancers, musicians and art students at one time! Breathe in the hangover of history, before heading to the famous bookstore Shakespeare & Co. Potter around the English-only floor to ceiling bookshelves. Wonder if there were any young writers still staying above the shop, making small beginnings for bestsellers of tomorrow. Browse for second hand books, vintage postcards and poster at the green-painted makeshift bookstalls lining the river banks. Spot the Pont de l’Archêveché (‘love bridge’) and you seek the answer to a rhetorical question. Can love be tied down with locks and bolts?
The twin-towered Notre Dame Cathedral calls from across the Seine. Nothing should deter you from entering this masterpiece of French Gothic architecture…especially not the queues. Use the time to study the flying buttresses on the roof, gargoyles, fantastic birds and hybrid beasts. They peer down the balustrade of the 850-year old great landmark of Paris, as if keeping count of today’s batch making up the astounding 4 million visitors every year. Inside, the delicate stained-glass windows, brilliant colours and dainty roses make you stare longer than necessary. A location befitting the 1804 coronation ceremony of Napoleon. Deserving of your unbroken attention.
2. Undertake an art odyssey
In Paris, culture calls from every corner…its museums and artwork overload. But if you have to pick one, make it Musée d’Orsay. Its 8 million euros makeover (from a former train station to a world-class museum), over two years has put it on the world map. At the entrance esplanade, a large long pedestal displays six allegorical statues of women representing the six continents. Perfect symbol to celebrate world art. Orsay draws three million visitors a year. Go see what the fuss is all about.
Past the elaborate security check, stop at the central sculpture gallery topped by the museum’s huge semi-circular tunnel-shaped glass roof. At one end, high above, is a gorgeous monumental clock, a brilliantly decorative timepiece with lovely golden tones. Take your time in the galleries spread over five floors…its a vast collection of Impressionist and Post-Impressionist masterpieces, including Van Gogh’s Bedroom and Manet’s Luncheon on the Grass. The museum itself is worthy of wordless stares. Its an exuberant showplace, with state-of-the-art lighting, spunky red, purple, deep blue and dark green wall colors and warm wood-covered floors reflecting contemporary Parisian chic. A famous ‘waterfall’ bench, commissioned from glass artist Tokujin Yoshioka, stands in one of the galleries. Consider perching on its delicate rippled surface…its perfectly legit.
Venture into the crowded fifth-floor French Art Nouveau styled Café Campana. Not for a snack, but also for the hazy views of the rain-soaked Paris from the huge windows behind the giant clock face. Orsay is not just another museum, it is an art odyssey with a modern twist. You can thank Paris later.
3. Feel the power play
The gold cupola of the Invalides was inspiration for the United States Capitol building…and that’s something! Massive fortifications of the monument speak volumes about the military prowess of French kings of the bygone era. The row of giant copper cannons behind a wide moat, still seem poised to attack and protect. You can feel yourself walking in the footsteps of royalty on the broad cobbled path leading up to the main entrance of the complex that Louis IV had built in the 1670s to house 4000 disabled war veterans. Rows of smartly uniformed soldiers of the royal guard would have gracefully led disciplined horses here…halting only to salute Napoleon himself. Ironically, in the distance behind, is the Place de la Concorde, where King Louis XVI, Queen Marie Antoinette and thousands of others were guillotined during the French Revolution, after Parisian rioters raided Invalides, seized arms and stormed the Bastille. Take your fill of French military history in the museums inside.
The long walk to the Dome Church at the far end of the complex is worth it. Napoleon I’s extravagant tomb rests here, down a marble banister that circles the room, directly under the dome, under rays of sunlight from the heavens. Twelve giant marble statues of angels with solemn expressions stand in a circular corridor surrounding the huge tomb of the great hero. Pay homage the beloved emperor.
4. Resign to romance
7 million people visit the iconic Eiffel Tower every year. Its the most photographed monument in the whole world. Why should you care how cliched it is? Get a thousand pictures from every street and from every rooftop and every direction and with every backdrop possible. You can’t get over how elegant it is, so don’t waste time trying. Ironical that thousands had protested to tear down what is today Paris’ most beloved landmark, labelling it as a ridiculous giant piece of metal. Thank God Gustave Eiffel’s genius creation, symbol of the centennial of the French Revolution and France’s industrial prowess, survived the controversy.
Up close and personal, the Iron Lady is even more glorious…all 1,063 feet of her, all 10,000 tons of her. Lie on the expansive grass lawns, marvelling at the incredible engineering prowess. Or take the elevator up to the second platform, 376 feet up above the city, for an incredible view of Seine winding through the exquisitely laid out French capital, its 16 arrondissements displayed like a map, its historical landmarks standing out in quiet grace. Its a city was like no other.
5. Float without a care
Make magic happen with an evening cruise along the Seine in the Bateaux-Mouche. Trace the restaurants, discos and cafes lining the riverbanks. Watch locals sitting on benches, enjoying the view with wine, bread and cheese. Note the water marks on the quay from past floods, and giant iron rings to tie river barges to the docks. Observe the odd iron gate or doorway leading to an underground passage, an ancient sewer system, a metro portal and an unknown catacomb. Bridge after bridge, gawk at all the familiar landmarks in a new light, until you reach the most wondrous of them all. The Eiffel has shifted to ultra-glam mode with 5 billion diamond-sparkly lights. The moment is special. You’re holding hands. And time is standing still. When your head touches the pillow that night, the vision of the City of Lights will still be in your eyes, promising to stay as an indelible print in your mind forever. To be continued…
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Such amazing memories you have been able to bagged in from Paris. It’s my dream destination and I would visit there soon. Thanks for sharing your valuable experiences of this beautiful place.
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Glad you enjoyed the post and I hope you can fulfil your dream of visiting Paris soon.
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Paris is such a romantic and beautiful city. The left bank has so much to see and from the places you visited, it looks like I really do need to revisit Paris soon. A cruise along the Seine would be a relaxing way to drink it the beauty of the city.
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These are just a few classics that I have shared. I’m sure there are tons and tons of experiences in Paris that the average visitor is not familiar with…that’s one of the features of a big city, isn’t it?
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We lived in Paris for 10 years (on the Left Bank of course) and truly loved this city. When you visited the Eiffel Tower, was there a strong security control? We used to live only a street away from the Champ de Mars and went there for jogging every morning, and always went below the Eiffel Tower without any crowd. We were shocked to see the awful security control to get to the Iron Lady when we went back to Paris last year! Yep, Paris is changed a lot lately! But it’s still a lovely and romantic city. Glad you enjoyed your time in our ex-home! 🙂 And that it made you write such a beaitufl ode to Paname! When you plan to go back next time, let us know, so we can send you some tips!
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What a city to make one’s home in!! Morning jogs and fresh baguettes…mmmm!
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How nicely you put them into words (like Resign to Romance) and present them in photos!
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Thanks a million, Carolina 🙂
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Haha, I like how you say, explore till your legs complain! I usually do that in European cities because they’re so walkable. Paris is definitely an epitome of romantic cities and though I visited it almost 6 years ago, I still remember how amazing the experience was. I was not a lot in awe of the Eiffel tower though, it is so overrated in my experience. However, the views from the top are amazing and the way it sparkles at night is so cool! Also, Notre Dame is one of the most magnificent cathedrals I’ve ever seen!
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Paris is one of those cities that you can visit many times and never tire.
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I don’t Care how cliche it is I love Paris. And soaking up the cafe culture is quintessential
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Completely agree, Nicole 🙂
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Paris is so amazing! I’d love to say – Been there, done that 🙂 But I did miss visiting Notre Dam church and i regret to say, some relaxed time to sit in those tiny roadside cafes and just watch the locals go by their life. I spent only 3 days and it made me barely scratch the Paris surface. So want to go back! Love the article 🙂
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3 days is certainly not enough, Ketki. Do go back!
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Ahhhh. Your post created such a craving in me to return to Paris. The cafe culture is my favourite part. Great as a resting spot. But also great to just watch the world go by. So many great iconic Paris sights to fill your views. We do feel like we have pics of the Eiffel Tower from every angle. But then the sky changes and a new view is created. Thanks for the memories.
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Yes, the sky changes and so does the perspective from different streets. And I haven’t even considered the weather yet.
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Your Eiffel Towe pictures are so cute. I have yet to visit Paris and it is definitely on my bucket list. I’m sure I will walk around until my legs can’t take it anymore. There is just so much to see and do here!
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Walking around is the best part of exploring any place, isn’t it? You never know what you’ll come across.
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Paris .. a great city. We stayed there for 2 weeks and it just did not get boring. You can discover so much there, which is also off the usual tourist highlights exciting and impressive.
Susanne
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I can imagine…the sights and experiences of Paris are just never-ending.
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Haven’t been to Paris yet, but have heard many good stories from friends who have been there. And now looking at this post and your beautiful image, I question myself, that why haven’t I visited yet?
Maybe because I want to visit Paris with someone special, and get some amazing pictures taken, like you have.
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I can relate to that. Paris is a place to enjoy with someone special!
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Oh, it’s sooo long ago that I’ve been last to Paris! Now its has become a real magnet for tourists… I still remember that we parked a block away from the Eiffel Tower, walked over, bought a ticket, and had to wait for only one lift before us to rise to the top – for that magnificent view across the rooftops of Paris. Now? I hear you have to pre-book during peak season…
The Musée d’Orsay sounds very interesting. I love the idea of transforming an old railway station into a public exhibition space. I can imagine that it works particularly well with statues and other 3-dimensional art.
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The crowds do interfere with the magic, but there’s no taking away from the evergreen aura of Paris. Right?
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oh, that “Explore till your legs complain” is giving me a heads up! And also these photos are visually showing how artistically intricated the designs are especially the Cathedral. The beauty within this city still shares a great admiration for many.
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Glad I touched a chord somewhere! 🙂
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I still haven’t been to Paris yet, but I would love to do all of these things! Particularly visit Notre Dame and the Musee. And I agree with the Eiffel Tower pics – it may be cliche, but you have to do it! When I visited the Leaning Tower of Pisa last year, I totally got a picture with it haha
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Sometimes you need to let yourself loose and not care about what the world thinks, right?
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Paris is my favourite city and one of my goals is to live there! I LOVE the Left Bank. Thank you for a walk down memory lane and a reminder that I should really visit Les Invalides one of these times!
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The Left Bank is so charming. Its Paris, yet so different.
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Another great article which is truly travel inspiring. Loved the compilation of eternal Paris experiences. Latin Quartier would be my preferred place as it is laced with classy appeal with so many things to do specially second hand books. No matter if it is like walking on beater path, I love Paris and I have to be there.
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Thank you so much, Himanshu. That is a generous compliment 🙂
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I have checked everything on your list except Musée d’Orsay. I’ll try to visit in February, when I get to Paris again. I’ll make sure to check the café at the top, thanks for the tip 🙂
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Orsay makes for a wonderful day with art, if you plan to spend a few hours.
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Paris holds a special place in my heart because that is where we got engaged about 15 years ago! We always say we’ll make it back for an anniversary so I’ll keep this handy guide for later. There are a few places and things we didn’t get a chance to do the first time around.
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What could be more perfect place for an engagement AND a perfect anniversary celebration? 🙂
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Oh I so love the cafe culture in Paris. And it is so very bohemian and literary and artistic … Such a great article and review of classics.
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Thanks Michael, am glad you enjoyed this piece.
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This is such a great guide for all of the avid travelers out there who haven’t yet made it to Paris (such as myself)! Your pictures are so well shot and make me want to go! I’d absolutely fall in love with the cafe culture, and Café Campana looks like a dream! Thanks so much for sharing and providing inspiration to go to Paris sooner than later 🙂
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Thanks a million, Kevin. Pictures can only reveal so much, though 🙂
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