We made sure we visited Eiffel Tower and the Louvre within our first couple of days in Paris, however after doing these must see attractions, it was time to venture out and experience few other places that are as equally important.
CHAMP-ELYSEES AND PONT ALEXANDRE III
This area of Paris is absolutely gorgeous but quite touristy. After our visit to the Louvre to see the famous Mona Lisa, we decided to walk through Tuileries Gardens towards the Champs-Élysées and Pont Alexandre III. The views of Eiffel Tower from Pont Alexandre III are some of the best to be found.
The walk started at the lower part of Champs-Élysées from the Place de la Concorde, all the way to Pont Alexandre III passing the Jardin des Champs-Élysées where we saw the Grand Palais and the Petit Palais, it was really beautiful.
I truly believe that one of the best ways to see the city is on foot. If I was there with my boyfriend, I could imagine that this is where he would take me. The Champs-Élysées ends at the Arc de Triomphe and I must note, the walk and the sights were absolutely breath taking…defiantly the city of love…even if you are there with your sister!!
MOULIN ROUGE
After we walked all day we decided that we should see the infamous Moulin Rouge, which is only open at night time. After having a quick rest, refresh and a power nap (long overdue after all that walking) we made our way out towards Boulevard de Clichy where the Moulin Rouge is located.
I wasn’t really impressed with this area as it is slightly more rough than the other places we went to, but the Moulin Rouge made up for it and was really gorgeous. There was a massive queue of people waiting to go in and see the shows and the whole area was rather lively. If I had to compare it some were in London it is quite similar to Soho, with all the sex shops and busy streets.
This area of Paris comes alive in the night time, and with the lights coming from the Moulin Rouge, it feels less intimidating. If you are looking for a pick me up after the shows, head to Rue Frochot where you will find a couple of nice bars, two which caught my eye are Bonnie&Clyde and the Dirty Dick.
Sacre-Coeus is a church based in Montmartre in the 18th arrondissement and a very important landmark. This was a recommendation made by my Director at work; therefore we made sure we went there to see it for ourselves. The church is positioned on top of the hill and after we climbed many steps, and arrived out of breath at the top, the views are absolutely amazing. Another place best visited at night, and I can imagine why. The panoramic views of the city were simply amazing and this is a must sight to see however, mind your belongings as this is where a lot of pick pocketers operate!
If you walk behind the Sacre-Coeur you will come to a gorgeous market area, full of souvenir shops and pavement cafes where you can do a last little bit of shopping and enjoy a nice lunch with a glass of Cotes du Rhone (I talk about wine a lot as I’m obsessed).
However, if you have little more time on your hands, please venture towards the Abesses area and find a La Sancerre a cafe which is approximately 10 minutes’ walk from the church. La Sancerre on 35 Rue des Abbesses is 1930’s inspired cafe serving brunch style meals and with a great choice of wine. It has a lovely terrace if you are looking to escape the bustling touristy crowds. Here we tried snails for the first time and to help us through we drank a carafe of wine.
We then had a short rest before thinking about heading back to our hotel to pick our suitcases for the journey home. Though, not before we walk little further to Pigalle to have a coffee in the famous KB Coffeehouse. KB Coffeehouse is not your typical Parisian cafe, considered to be a number one hipster spot serving the best coffee in the city. Once we got there, the place was filled with people working on their laptops and for a second I forgot that I was in Paris. It very much reminded me of the East London and a coffee shop that you would typically find on the Broadway market. Go here if you have a sometime as you won’t be disappointed, that’s if you are coffee lover such as moi.
Our last stop, but not the least was Angelina, 226 Rue Rivoli, another recommendation by Imogen; it’s an amazing Ritz style café with a array of desserts. You can’t come to Paris without trying macaroons and if you are a sweets person than Angelina is a must. Oh my!! I have no words, I just want to be taken back to eat those creamy cakes and colourful macaroons. Sooo delicious!! The interiors are another story so lush and classy, I felt like I was taken aback to the beginning of the century…Please do yourself a favour and go here even if you buy macaroons to take away. J’adore!
Wow! Would love to visit Paris someday!