Any of my readers will know I’m a huge lover of City Breaks and I decided the other day it was time yet again to pick a city to satisfy my need for these getaways. I did my usual Internet searches for ideas and narrowed it down to my most favourite city in the world- Rome or perhaps somewhere in France. I’d heard May was a beautiful time to visit France and as Audrey Hepburn famously said ‘Paris is always a good idea’. So with that I chose Paris.

Immediately I started searching for offers on May flights, and found that the best costings were in and out of Manchester. I therefore picked a flight going into Charles de Gaulle, and later returning out of Beauvais (a steal at £25 a ticket). Found a reasonably priced hotel a short tube ride away from big sights and got researching excursions.

History recap:

Pre-19th Century Paris had been a place of revolution and destruction.
It was pretty much like you’d expect the nasty parts of London to look before, cramped unsanitary streets etc., which made it easier for revolution because they were able to barricade the small streets etc. However this started to change under the modernization program of Paris commissioned by Napoléon III and directed by the Seine prefect, Baron Georges-Eugène Haussmann, between 1853 and 1870. This sought to rejuvenate it to make it a cosmopolitan new city and also control the masses.

It was at this point the famous Eiffel Tower was built. From redevelopments in the 19thCentury- Paris had completely been updated. It was the centre of arts, culture, fashion and modernisation. Known as the ‘City of Lights’, it entertained the 19th Century crowds with luxury and pleasure. This is the time of the belle epoque in Paris (beautiful era). This style of building and art is what Paris prides itself on now.

Top Sights:

As a previous student of History of Art, my first port of call was to check out the galleries. Obviously some of the most famous sights in Paris are gallery based- the Louvre and Musee d’Orsay. I hoped to check out the Seine and La Grande Jatte (Seurat Painting) setting. Here is the list I’ve noted for myself of top sights:

· Louvre- heaven for an art lover.
· Seine – The setting for so many famous impressionist paintings- probably a bit of a personal preference but hoping to catch a beautiful glimpse of why the Impressionists chose it!
· Palace of Versailles – I want to feel like Royalty and stroll around the golden decorated rooms. After which the gardens are supposed to be some of the most beautiful in any European palaces.
· Eiffel Tower- enough said!
· Bateaux Parisiens Dinner Cruise- enjoy a meal on the river as you stroll through the best sights of paris- voila!
· Montmartre – a very famous spot in Paris for having some amazing views- I will be ticking this off my list!
· Monet’s Gardens – a must see for any garden/art lovers
· Luxembourg Gardens – typically beautiful architecture and gardens.
· Strolling the Rue des Martyrs – a beautiful old market street that is often overlooked by tourists. If you’d love to find a little authentic Paris- then here is the place!

If you looking into a Paris city break, then please do not hesitate to contact me for a personal quote. Email me on violet@andrewearles.co.uk today!

From,

Violet

The Andrew Earle Team