We spent an amazing week in Paris this spring. Our original plans changed putting us there a few days early. We were a little road weary so decided to splurge our first two nights in Paris at Hôtel la Lanterne & Spa. It was the perfect place to relax from the previous 11 days of travel through Amsterdam and Belgium. We kept it very low key these first two days walking the city nearby our hotel, enjoying great food, and ending the day in the hotel pool and hammam - an amazing steam room with the smell of essential oils - it was amazing!

Bridges of Paris

There are 37 bridges and footbridges across the Seine, connecting the Left Bank to the Right Bank in Paris.

One of our favorites was Pont Neuf, the oldest standing bridge across the river. It stands by the western point of the Île de la Cité, the island in the middle of the river that was, between 250 and 225 BC, the birthplace of Paris, then known as Lutetia and, during the medieval period, the heart of the city. Construction on the bridge began in 1578 and it opened in 1607.

Another favorite was the Pont Alexandre III, built for the 1900 Universal Exhibition. The Seine river from Pont de Sully to Pont de Bir-Hakeim via Pont Alexandre III – are a UNEXCO world heritage site.

Notre Dame

It was sad to see the devastation of Notre Dame from the fire six years ago on April 15th, 2019. The restoration is currently on track to reopen December 2024.

Petit Palais

Sometimes random wandering can bring about beautiful surprises. We came upon the Petit Palais in Paris totally by accident. We were drawn to the architecture of the gorgeous building and thrilled to find a totally free museum inside.

The sculpture gallery as you enter is especially interesting. In the late 19th century sculpture was everywhere in Paris – on streets, facades, gardens, and squares. Making plaster casts was a first step in the creation process. The casts were preserved and are gathered in the Petit Palais. Some are all that remain of works that were melted down in WWII.

Sacré-Coeur

After a couple of days wondering around on our own we moved from the hotel to an Airbnb near Moulin Rouge and Montmartre to spend the rest of our time in Paris with family. The first evening together we visited Sacre Coeur.

The hill of Montmartre has been a place of worship since long before the Basilica of Sacré-Coeur. Millennia ago, the Gallic druids claimed the top of Montmartre to practice their rituals. When the Romans arrived, they chose this spot to build temples honoring their gods Mercury and Mars. It’s not hard to understand why – it’s the highest natural spot in Paris.

The Prussian Army defeated the French army in 1870, and the Basilica of Sacré-Coeur was conceived as a symbol of penitence, trust, hope and faith. The beautiful white stone used in the construction came from Souppes-sur-Loing quarry in Seine et Marne. It’s essentially a “self-cleaning” stone. The Arc de Triomphe and Pont Alexandre III are built from the same material.

Work went on for years, with the inauguration taking place in 1891. A giant bell was funded by the people of Savoie, at 19 tons, it’s still one of the heaviest in the world and was dragged up the hill by 21 sturdy horses in 1895. The church was finally consecrated in 1919. The name reflects that the church is dedicated to the “sacred heart of Jesus”. It was listed as a historical monument in 2020.

On the ceiling above the alter is one of the largest mosaics in the world. Created in 1922 by Luc-Olivier Merson it depicts the risen Christ, clothed in white and revealing a golden heart. Surrounding him, a world of adorers is represented, including the Saints who protect France: St Joan of Arc, the Virgin Mary and Saint Michael.

The huge pipe organ of Sacré-Coeur is a national monument, built in 1898 and installed in the church in 1919.

We finished the evening with a lovely dinner at an outdoor restaurant on the hill.

Paris Tip - Get Tickets in Advance!

Our first full day together we were busy from morning to night. Several weeks before we traveled, we had purchased tickets online to the main attractions. Even by purchasing early we weren’t able to get the times we wanted for everything. It was a huge advantage because we had specific time slots which helped us to avoid standing in lines plus most major attractions were sold out by the time we arrived.

The Louvre

We started the morning at the Louvre. It’s amazing, huge and a little overwhelming. Even the architecture is amazing. We hit some highlights and got a peek of the Mona Lisa from a distance.

Sainte Chapelle

Later in the afternoon we visited Sainte Chapelle. Built in the 13th Century, the construction which began in 1242 was commissioned by King Louis IX of France and was completed in 1248. The building represents a Gothic architectural style designed to house the relics of the Passion of Christ. The stunning stained glass consists of just five colors, blue, red, green, purple and yellow. Each window depicts 1,113 separate narratives from the old and new testament.

Right next door is the Concierge, the royal medieval palace that became the revolutionary court and prison of Marie-Antoinette. The Conciergerie clock is France’s first public clock. It is the Concierge’s tallest tower and since 1371 it has housed the remarkable clock whose purpose was to help Parisians regulate their activities day and night.

Moulin Rouge

We ended the day at Moulin Rouge for a 9 PM Performance. This show totally exceeded our expectations. Gorgeous dancers, beautiful costumes and incredible acrobatics. So much fun!.

The Eiffel Tower

We started early the next morning with tickets to go up into the Eiffel Tower. It was so cool to be under this iconic structure and ride the cars to the top. The first floor of the Tower is encircled by a large continuous beam where Gustave Eiffel had the names of scholars and engineers inscribed in golden capital letters large enough to be read from the ground. Eighteen names are written on each side. They are all French and all lived and worked between 1789 and 1889.

We took two different elevators to the top of the tower. Even on a hazy day the view was incredible.

I’m not sure what was more fun - going inside the tower or seeing it lit up after dark.

Musée d'Orsay

Musée d'Orsay was my favorite museum in Paris. I loved seeing the impressionist and post-impressionist masterpieces of Monet, Manet, Degas, Cézanne Van Gogh, and Gauguin. My favorite piece was The Little Fourteen-Year-Old Dancer by Degas. Plus, the architecture of the converted station was amazing.

We spent the rest of the day wandering the streets and taking in the sites: The Arc de Triomphe, Champs-Élysées, and Place de la Concorde to name a few. It was interesting to see the links in history between locations.

Versaille

Our last full day in Paris we took an Uber to Versailles. The Palace of Versailles was the principal residence of the French kings from the time of Louis XIV to Louis XVI.. The opulence of this massive palace was incredible. It’s hard to imagine someone actually living there.