Aventuras Overseas: Paris

by ilana December 21, 2011

Paris, France: it really is as magical as they say. So magical, in fact, that the thought of trying to capture the essence of this city in an online article is quite daunting. In the best way possible, all the cliches you may have in your mind about Paris can be a reality when you visit: endless street-side cafes, red wine and cheese platters everywhere with crusty baguette, gorgeous public gardens for lounging and exploring, some of the best museums in the world just a metro ride away, and of course, the Eiffel Tower, which really is as breathtaking as it seems. The city oozes romance and elegance, so be sure to visit with someone you’re comfortable getting corny with (I may or may not have teared up several times, overwhelmed by the sheer beauty around me). As I said, the true essence of Paris is best experienced in person and I can’t pretend to do it justice, but I will leave you with a few must-dos for a trip to the City of Light:

Get to the Eiffel Tower (la Tour Eiffel) at night in time to see it sparkle! It is lit roughly from dusk until 1AM, and between then, every hour on the hour for several minutes the tower will sparkle. Get a crepe at one of the nearby stands and sit on the steps or a bench and soak it all in.
Try “the best falafel in Europe” at L’As Du Fallafel (34, rue des Rosiers (Métro: St. Paul)). There’s always a line at the outdoor to-go window, but it moves quickly and is WORTH IT! The sandwich looks a bit overwhelming, but rest assured that the combination of pita, delicious crunchy chickpea falafel, hummus, tahini, pickled red cabbage, salted cucumber, eggplant, and harissa will blow you away. NB: It’s closed on Saturdays.
Go shopping in the trendy Marais area, where there is also great ethnic food to be had (including the aforementioned falafel), as it was once Paris’ most lively Jewish neighborhood, now home to kosher delis, alongside North African and Middle Eastern eateries. The Marais shops offer something for everyone, and in one of the many boutiques you’ll be sure to score that quintessentially Parisian trinket to commemorate your trip.
Don’t miss the Louvre. Depending on your affinity for art, museums may seem like an obligatory chore when visiting cities, but I promise the Louvre lives up to the hype. As if the entrance’s amazing glass structure, surrounding gardens and architecture alone weren’t enough, the huge variety of sights inside totally solidify the need to go. To feast your eyes on some seriously fabulous interior design, check out the Napoleon III Apartments in the museum, which seem to define the word “opulence.” Also, make time to visit the Mona Lisa–the painting itself may be a little underwhelming, but it’s still cool to say you’ve seen her in the flesh!
Paris offers a plethora of picturesque outdoor public space, so enjoy it all over a picnic: buy a bottle of Bordeaux wine, some brie and baguette and shamelessly embody the cliche! The charming Tuileries Garden beyond the courtyard of the Louvre is a great place to start.