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Visit Paris: walking tour of Paris |
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Visit Paris: walking tour of Paris |
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Discover Paris with Sabine:
Paris is a city for walking! The density of the population and the extreme variety of shops, restaurants, cafés, buildings makes it an obligation to walk if you want to catch the soul of a particular area.
One of the most interesting areas is the Marais, comprised between the Bastille and the Centre Pompidou. It is one of the oldest districts of Paris. Sabine will take you to the Place des Vosges, former place royale, built by the king Henri IV in the early 17th century, then to the Musée Carnavalet (history of Paris) and Musée Picasso, former « hôtels particuliers » (mansions). She will usher you to the labyrinth of the numerous narrow streets which used to be shabby until the district was renovated in the sixties thanks to the Minister of Culture, André Malraux. In the Rue des Rosiers you will meet the Jewish community. At the end of the walk Sabine will show you the oldest house in Paris.
Other interesting areas : the Latin Quarter : why « latin » ? in the middle ages teaching was made in latin and the first university appeared in this district (the Sorbonne), followed by a great number of high schools and colleges, therefore very lively and young population. You will also see the roman ruins of the Cluny Therms dated from the 2nd century and the roman Arena of Lutetia, passing by the impressive Pantheon and visiting the church Saint-Etienne-du-Mont before squeezing in the winding street rue Mouffetard. We’ll sip a deserved expresso in a café at the Place Contrescarpe or a mint tea at the Mosque. Then we can go through other narrow streets and head to the Luxembourg garden passing by the Institut Curie where the X-ray was invented by Marie Curie.
Montmartre and the Sacré-Cœur:
Although this district is very touristic, the
charm is unequalled : from the top of the hill, at the bottom of the steps of
the dazzling white Sacré-Cœur basilica, an outstanding view of the whole city.
With Sabine you will go by the narrow streets and steep stairways, having a
glance at numerous artists’ studios among which the famous « Bateau Lavoir »
where Picasso or Max Ernst, among other artists, were living and working. We’ll
stay for a while in the Place du Tertre, the painters’ square, where visitors
can have their portrait done. We’ll see many restaurants or cabarets which used
to be the meeting places of the « boheme » people in the end of the 19th century
or beginning of the 20th. On the way, two windmills (they were forty) and a
vineyard, and of course the Moulin Rouge.
The Covered Passages: (passages couverts) These passages are very romantic places built in the 19th century, mostly in the 2nd arrt. and in the 9th arrt. We could say they are the ancestors of our commercial centers. At that time, as the streets were very muddy on rainy days and dangerous because of the horse-carriages, these passages became immediately very popular. They are covered by glass roofs and are lined with quaint boutiques where you can stroll leisurely and find second-hand art books or postcards as well as prints and paintings or beautiful toy shops. You can sip a cup of chocolate and eat delicious cakes in a marvellous patisserie next door to the entertaining wax museum Musée Grévin. Here reigns a special atmosphere from another time. Also a few fashion designers show their creations. The walk begins at the Palais Royal and ends near the Folies Bergeres.
Shopping Tours:
a. Paris : Flea markets : Saint-Ouen, Aligre, Montreuil : on foot
In Paris, if you want to buy odd junk or cheap original clothes, it’s worth going to the huge St-Ouen marché aux puces (flea-market). There you can find old lace or epoque furniture as well as second-hand stuff at all the prices. It is very picturesque and exciting. Other markets : place d’Aligre (12th arrt.) and Montreuil (East). Sabine can help you bargaining …
Outside Paris, Sabine can take you to « La Vallée Village » near Disneyland (20 kms). You will find all the main fashion brands at discount prices.
Some 140 kms further east Paris, in Troyes, you can shop at factory shops all year round. All the most famous fashion brands can be found there at a much cheaper price than in Paris. Discounts down to 50 %.
legend: (a) in Paris (b) 20 miles east Paris (c) 90 miles north Paris
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To contact Sabine, please send me an email. Do not hesitate to include
any question you might have for her!
Need accommodation in Paris?
Visit my "D'Artagnan" apartment in le marais:
D'Artagnan
(1 BR + extra
bed on a mezzanine: 2 to 5
people)
