In the Winter of 2013, I had my first ever Parisian experience and thought it would be resourceful to share the many things I came to learn during my trip. When you are first venturing into unknown territory where the people are foreign, the language is one you are not accustomed to then it is easy to form assumptions based on anecdotes shared by friends, family and colleagues. Regardless of how many Lonely Planet guides you may have devoured from start to finish, there always little surprises that greet you along the way. It is best to embrace the people, the culture, the food and the language with an open mind and heart as "cultures as a whole are in perpetual motion and experiences vary so widely that no book can accurately sum up what to expect". So without further ado, I've broken down this brief guide to Paris based on various components; museums, department stores, snacks and drinks and Parisian culture.
From my experience first-hand, there are certain “must-sees” that everyone who visits Paris for the first time is inclined to see. However, if I were to dictate things my way then I'd advise you to rent an apartment, wander the cobbled stone streets and alleyways of Paris and sit in cafés relishing the taste of pure coffee. On another note, for those who are keen to see the city in it's full capacity then here is a list that shall surely leave you smiling at from start to finish. As the French would say, 'avec beaucoup d'amour'! (Lots of love! Bon voyage)
Till next time x
The Law Student Diary
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| Instagram: @Mahrukh94 |
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| Instagram: @Mahrukh94 |
LES MUSEES [MUSEUMS]
When it comes to museums, there is an abundance of historical artefacts within Paris. Whether you're into the classics, modernists or something not of the ordinary then you're bound to develop a taste for the myriad of museums in Paris. Due to the fact that my trip to Paris was limited to barely a month, fitting in all the museums that Paris is renowned for and to fully appreciate the beauty of the pieces that these museums carried would be a task of an impossible nature. However, one cannot leave the city without making the pilgrimage to the Louvre museum to savour Leonardo Davinci's 'Mona Lisa' with one's own eyes. Upon entering the Louvre, I was in awe over the vastness of the museum and the several components within it. It is said if you spent 60 seconds looking at each of the objects at the Louvre, going steadily for eight hours a day, it would take you 75 days to see them all. It is simply beyond your capacity to picture how endless the Louvre itself it. I was particularly underwhelmed by the 'Mona Lisa' perhaps attributed to the fact that I had heard so much about it growing up as child. On another note, I was able to view the painting that many of you may have seen on the cover of Coldplay's 'Viva La Vida' album cover, 'Liberty Leading the People' by Eugène Delacroix. Besides the Louvre Museum I was not able to visit many so other famous museums ranging from Centre Pompidou to Palais de Tokyo. However, if you do happen to have a great amount of time then certainly drop in for a peek at the sheer greatness of the range of artefacts that these museums carry from around the world.
LES GRANDS MAGASINS [DEPARTMENT STORES]
I knew coming to Paris that I would take complete advantage of the wide range of labels that are not yet available in Sydney. I had my eyes and heart particularly set on visiting Sephora and H&M as they had not yet opened outlets within the Southern Hemisphere. I carried out most of my purchases from the Champs-Élysées branches of both stores, both multi-storied and frequented by tourists from around the world. Situated just a few steps from Printemps, the Garnier Opera, and the Gare Saint-Lazare, sits the magical department store, the Galeries Lafayette. I had the chance to witness the department store in all it's magical beauty during Christmas time. Galeries Lafayette houses several high street luxury brand female and male clothing, shoes, beauty and homeware. I decided to to do the rounds however was not particuarly intrigued by the price tags. However for all you sweet tooths, on the bottom floor of the department store is the world renown Pierre Hermé macarons, whom Vogue once famously dubbed 'the Picasso of pastry'. I proceeded to sample the rose petal macaron which was an absolute delight to my taste-buds. Besides the tourist hotspots, if you happen to have the time and transport then Val D'Europe shopping centre is worth a visit and you will sure to find something to your liking.
- http://www.galerieslafayette.com/
- http://www.valdeurope.com/en/lifestyle/shopping-retail
- http://www.printemps.com/
GOÛTER [SNACK] + BOIRE [DRINK]
Paris, if I were to describe it in a couple of words would most probably have to be dessert heaven. I believe my diet mainly comprised of sugar, sugar and more sugar. I reaped all the benefits of being in Paris and initiated my day with a hearty breakfast of pain au chocolat, followed by midday treats of crêpes slathered with nutella and dusted with icing sugar and dessert proceeding dinner would either involve nibbling on macarons, eclairs or Parisian chocolates. One of the highlights in Paris was dining in Ladurée on the eve of Christmas, on the whimsical Champs Elysées. Despite the fact that there was already a Ladurée outlet which had recently opened in Sydney, I decided it was best to refrain my tastebuds and sample these petite treats from their birth country, France. I ordered the rose petal pastry filled with chantilly cream and adorned with fresh raspberries and four mini macarons in a variety of flavours accompanied by hot chocolate. When it came to dining out for actual meals, our halal options were limited however I was blessed enough to stay with my uncle's family who resided just outside of main Paris saving me the hassle of searching for muslim-friendly options. However, there are halal kebab shops throughout Paris for those who are wondering what they can consume whilst in Paris.
- https://www.laduree.com/en_int/
- http://www.timeout.com/paris/en/restaurants-cafes/the-best-creperies-creperies
- http://www.yelp.com.au/search?find_desc=Kebab+Shops&find_loc=Paris
PARISIAN CULTURE
Thomas Jefferson, has been quoted to have once said “A walk about Paris will provide lessons in history, beauty, and in the point of Life.” It may have been long time since he has moved on, however Paris still embodies all the history, beauty and culture that it has been renown for. Without further ado, when in Paris, do as the tourists do and begin with the most identifiable landmark in France's landscape, the Eiffel Tower. There are three levels open to the public, the highest standing at a height of 276 meters or 905 feet. All levels can be accessed by elevators/lifts or stairs. I opted to take the elevator with my siblings to the topmost floor and it was worth the four hour wait in the rain to be eventually able to view the entirety of Paris from the top. Once you stand on the top-most floor, it is only then that you realise that it is truly the 'City of Lights'. Moving on, The Cathédrale Notre Dame de Paris which was famously depicted in the Disney fairytale 'The Hunchback of Notre Dame' is an architectural feat to leave you in awe. Notre Dame overlooks the Seine from the eastern end of the Île de la Cité in the center of the city. As the cathedral is a functioning church, Catholic Mass is held daily throughout the day. There are several landmarks in Paris that make the city what it is, if I were to detail all the locations I visited then I would be sitting here typing all day. On that note, you can take a look at my photos posted above or my Instagram @Mahrukh94 to gain inspiration about the many things you can get up to whilst in Paris.
(If you're still eager to learn more about Paris then head over to http://www.pret-a-voyager.com/visit-paris/ )
