Paris, 7th Arrondissement

Paris, 7th Arrondissement

"Quand le vin est tiré, il faut le boire, surtout s'il est bon"

Marcel Pagnol 

Paris, how to do without you! 

I love art and culture, that's why  I started a love affair with Paris  !  I had dreamed of taking this trip for a long time:  for seeing Paris before I die! Paris is always a wonderful idea. The French capital is one of the most romantic cities in Europe and one of the world’s most visited cities. There are many reasons to visitParis more than one time: it is a beautiful and cultural city, very walkable, with great sights, and it has been a source of inspiration for many writers, artists, and filmmakers.

There’s always magic atmosphere through the streets of Paris  , which is never quite the same or quite another. Between a postcard panorama and the inhabitants’ reality, Paris   is constantly evolving, keeping the living traces of its history in its heart of stone. Here below there are some useful tips to discover the enchanting the stunning French jewellery!

Wine and my friend Debby!

Last Easter I landed in "Beauvais–Tillé Airport". After 30 minutes  I reached my hotel by bus in Rue Daguerre, where I stayed only for a night.

The following days  I visited Debby, who is a close friend of mine. I met her at a sommelier course in Lucca, and after her diploma she moved to the French city . She worked in the "Il Ristorante di Como" . It's a delicious restaurant near  "Notre Dame de Paris".

Debby was a perfect guide for me in Paris. Without any doubt, thanks to her precious suggestions , I had the possibility to do and to see the most important things in Paris.

"Poully Fumé" , my connection with France!

When you drink wine, it's able to bring you directly in the land where it is produced! And when it happens to me, I desire to reach that place! That's even why I experienced Paris!

What better way, than by oysters paired with  a glass of "Poully Fumé" , to enjoy Paris  the first evening of my arrival!  This is the white wine par excellence! "Poully Fumé" is the name of a wine region in France's Loire Valley.  "Poully Fumé"   wine is made entirely from the Sauvignon Blanc grapes.  It's a dry white wine with a remarkably fruity flavour. While it is named for its "flinty" taste, the wine also contains notes of Scottish broom and grapefruit. It's  the perfect expression of the sensuality of France!

France didn’t invented wine, but thanks to an amazing soil, it got the opportunity to perfect it, to improve techniques and learn more and more about the grapes so that you would have an amazing product. And the most wonderful in all that, is all the different kind of wines you can find in France!

1st  Day in Paris

My first morning in Paris was nicely framed with a dark coffee , an unforgettable butter croissant and my thought fixed in meeting  Debby  in her flat in the 7th arrondisement . All I know about Paris is that I was thoroughly taken with it!  From its bustling river banks, the charm of its architecture, the delicious food, countless opportunities to explore art, culture, and history—the reasons I love Paris  are as diverse as the city itself. From Roman times to the Middle Ages, from the Haussmannian creations to the contemporary buildings, Paris ’s architectural richness is anchored in the form of contemporaneity that goes beyond the idea of ​​a city-museum.

Read on, I  promise you’ll be head over heels before long.

"Louvre Museum", a must in your life!

If you like arts and culture, you will quickly understand why Paris is the best place to visit. Paris is a source of inspiration for cinema, literature, music, but it also inspires the most cultured visitors with its artistic and cultural program.

Definitely, I had the right quantity of energy  for  the "Louvre", my favorite museums of all time.  The "Louvre Palace" is a former "Royal Palace" located on the right bank of the Seine in Paris, between the "Tuileries Gardens" and the church of "Saint-Germain l'Auxerrois".

Originally a fortress built in the medieval period, it became a royal palace in the 14th century under Charles V  and was used from time to time by the kings of France as their main Paris residence. Its present structure has evolved in stages since the 16th century.

In 1793 part of the "Louvre" became a public museum with an exhibition of 537 works of art. Its collection steadily grew throughout the 18th and 19th century, but ultimately slowed during the World Wars. Luckily, much of the art in the museum was moved and protected during the wars and most of the truly important pieces were saved. In early 1945, after the liberation of France, the works were moved back to the museum.

"Louvre", what to see?

There are  6 categories of art in the "Louvre";

  1. Egyptian Antiquities;
  2. New Eastern Antiquities§;
  3. Greek,;
  4. Etruscan;
  5. Roman Antiquities;
  6. Islamic Art;
  7. Sculpture;
  8. Decorative Arts, Paintings, and Prints and Drawings.

The museum is spread out over 60,600 square meters.  I knew the 7 hours I planned to spend there wasn’t going to be nearly enough. But I never thought I’d walk away after seeing something for 7  hours feeling like I saw nothing!

The "Louvre" is the biggest museum in the world with thousands of square feet of space and millions of exhibits. It houses pieces from classical times to the 19th century. Even with  maps, I got lost wandering the hallways. The museum is just too big!  There are nearly 400,000 objects in the museum, separated into eight different categories that include 35,000 works of Art.

My favourite 4 things at "Louvre"

My art interests laid in 4 places and some must-see works :

  1. Greek Sculptures;
  2. 18th-century Dutch works;
  3. Impressionism ;
  4. The "Winged Victory", the "Venus de Milo", the "Virgin on the Rocks", the "Mona Lisa",  the "Liberty leading the Way"

There were such  astonishingly beautiful things to see, but just walking the full length of all the galleries, without stopping to look, took me  the best part of the rest of the day!

 

Top 9 things to do in Paris

  1. "Eiffel Tower" : This is without doubt the most iconic landmark in Paris (if not France!), and a visit here is a must for any visit to Paris. There are a number of ways to enjoy "Eiffel Tower". First, you can just enjoy the views of the tower, which we think are particularly good from the "Trocadero Gardens" across the river, or the "Champ de Mars" gardens behind the "Eiffel Tower". You can also go up inside the "Eiffel Tower" to one of the different floors, for expansive views of the city;
  2. "Notre Dame":  It's the major Catholic cathedral in a Seine river cruise. Construction of this magnificent building took nearly two hundred years, and was completed in 1345. Entry to  "Notre Dame" is free, although you do have to go through security, and lines are sometimes long;
  3. "Arc de Triomphe": It's a key place of major national events. Wanted by Napoleon in 1806, the "Arc de Triomphe" was inaugurated in 1836 by French king, Louis-Philippe, who dedicated it to the armies of the Revolution and the Empire. The Unknown Soldier was buried at the base of the arch in 1921. The flame of remembrance is rekindled every day at 18:30;
  4. "Montmartre" : It's one of the prettiest parts of Paris, built on a hill on the northern-most extremity of the city.  "Montmartre" stands out from the rest of the capital, visible from afar and topped by the "Sacré Cœur basilica". Its winding maze of sloping, cobbled streets and steep staircases give it its own distinct atmosphere and, at nearly every turn, reveal stunning panoramic views of the rest of Paris and lovely expanses of sky;
  5. "Musée d'Orsay" : Before you get here, you’re going to take a walk along Paris’s iconic left bank, from "Notre Dame" to the "Musée d'Orsay". This isn’t too far, but you’ll see the booksellers and get a feel for this part of town;
  6. "Cafè de Flore": It's one of the oldest coffeehouses in Paris celebrated for its famous clientele, which in the past included high-profile writers and philosophers;
  7. Night cruise on the river Seine: Treat yourself to an unforgettable night in Paris with a Seine River Cruise; 
  8. The culinary delights in Paris: the French capital is not only an aesthetic pleasure, but above all a culinary one. As we all know, love goes through the stomach and the French know this, of course! France is a true paradise for all of those who love food and value good cuisine. Especially when it comes to desserts, the French are true masters. All over Paris you will find numerous patisseries where you can indulge in sweet pleasures;
  9. Shopping in Paris: There is great shopping in the city, especially in the famous "Golden Triangle of Paris" ("Champs Elysées" , "Avenue Georges V" , "Avenue Montaigne"). The most prestigious international labels display their best creations. More modest budgets will prefer the "Grands Boulevards" with its huge "Art-Déco" shopping malls or the streets of "Le Marais", with their trendy shops and vintage shops.

"A bientont Paris"!

One of the reasons why Paris is the best place to visit is its capacity to wonder first-timers and more experienced visitors.

Paris  is also the city of a hundred villages: flowery alleys, country villas, bucolic dead ends are a total change of scenery and the curious walkers’ joy.

In the heart of the city of stone, try to venture off the beaten path, and you may find a Paris   stuck in time, exotic and out of the ordinary.

Enjoy, or as Parisians would say: Bon appetit!

If you like my post, please subscribe to the socials of www.WeLoveitaly.eu :