Highlights of Paris Walk
A full day. Can also be a half day
Learn about the history of Paris starting from the Roman era to the ancient French Kings, through the ages to the occupation of World War II and how Paris evolved today. It’s an easy to follow commentary with interesting details and many anecdotes.
Starting with the gorgeous Jardins du Luxembourg, we continue through medieval streets of the majestic Pantheon and down hidden paths leading to open air markets bustling with commerce, squares with pretty fountains, boutiques, stores, cafés and many more facets of daily life in Paris . The history of Paris continues while, we make our way to the islands on the Seine . The highlights include Notre Dame, Île St Louis, Le Marais.
The Notre Dame, is a fascinating Gothic structure. Hear about the legend of the carvings in the façade, the flying buttresses, what happened to it during the Revolution and the famous rose windows. Inside you will see the glorious colours of these windows and the vast internal structure and perhaps hear the organ play.
Lunch is on the Île St Louis, the pretty village-like island behind the Notre Dame. A 17th century wonder of architecture, filled with cafes, creperies, bistros, boutiques, fromageries, hand-made chocolate shops, a store selling exquisite jams and jellies, vinegars and flavoured mustards from Provence and of course, stop off for the famous ice cream made on the island. Ice cream cone in hand, we continue our walk into 16th and 17th century Paris while taking one of the stone bridges into the back streets of Le Marais.
In the heart of Le Marais, a magical area of narrow, medieval streets, cobbled passageways and grandiose mansions, we visit the stunning Place des Vosges and have a drink in one of my favourite cafés on a terrasse in the Jewish quarters and people watch.
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