DEARSUGAR'S GUIDE TO PARIS: PART ONE - SIGHTS & MUSEUMS

Hey Everybody,
I just got back from a long birthday weekend in Paris. Wow, what a pretty city! Everything was tres fantastique! I thought I'd share my experience with my fabulous readers and put together a little must do itinerary for those of you thinking or planning any summertime travels. Since there is so much to cover, I've divided this subject into three separate posts.

Paris is divided into 20 different neighborhoods called arrondissements. These arrondissements are named according to their number and each neighborhood in Paris has its own special character.

SIGHTS:
Eiffel Tower -Talk about impressive! Built in 1889, Gustave Eiffel was way ahead of his time with this one. It was the tallest structure in the world until the Chrysler Building was built in 1930. It still remains the highest point in Paris.

Gardens - The Luxembourg, Palais and Tuileries are spectacularly beautiful, and a perfect place to rest your barking dogs after a long day of sightseeing au pied.

Latin Quarter - Home to The famous Sorbonne, this is one fun, young area to grab a snack. Hang out with the students in a local cafe and sip Bordeaux while munching on a delicious crepe.

Le Marais - Known both as the Jewish Quarter and the predominant gay community, this is the place to be on Sundays (the shops are open in this area). Here you can wander around the windy streets, shop, visit the Jewish synagogue, The Picasso Museum and see Victor Hugo’s home (#6, Vosges).

Notre Dame - Located in Il de Cite, Paris’s original old city, this gorgeous landmark church is open to the public for prayer, candle lighting or just observing and appreciating it’s gorgeous stained window arrangements.

St. Germaine de Pres - This is a great area to browse. There are tons of little shops, galleries and cafes all along the streets. You could get easily get lost in the culture here.

Seine River - Right in the middle of the city, among many thing, this river separates the right and left banks of Paris. One of my favorite things about the Seine being in the center of the city are the gorgeous bridges. I especially loved Pont Alexandre III. I encourage you to stroll it at sunset and watch the river boats go by while catching a glimpse of the Eiffel Tower light up. If there was ever any moment for a "french kiss" - this is it!

MUSEUMS:
Museums are ample in Paris and you can find any type of art that you are looking for. But for the majority of you who have taken art appreciation or art history 101 and know the really big names, you will be blown away by these three in particular:

The Musee D’Orsay’s - The 6th floor is all impressionist work carrying the works of: Monet, Manet, Renoir, Degas, Matisse and Van Gough, to name a few. Even it’s interior structure is impressive with it’s sunny balconies and enormous clocks.

Musee de L’Orangerie - is quaint and can not be missed. You can tour this museum in ½ hour if you like. The top floor consists of 8 stunning Monet water lilly murals. Downstairs you’ve got more to see including, Picasso, Matisse, Cezanne and more.

The Louvre - can take up to 5 days to see in it’s entirety. While outside, have a look at I.M. Pei’s glass pyramids and water pools. Right now there is a Divinci Code exploratory going on if you are interested in taking a group tour.

Paris Map courtesy of www.parisnet.com