When visitors come to Paris, I take them to the Eiffel Tower

Insider Tips for a great holiday in Paris

Paris is absolutely ram-packed full of things to do, see and experience. It’s a fantastic city to visit, but it does help to have a rough idea of what you want to do before you hit the streets!

See the Sights of Paris

Whenever visitors come to stay with me in Paris the first things they always want to see is the obvious tourist attractions such as,  Notre Dame, the Arc de Triomphe and of course the Eiffel Tower.

I find the best place to appreciate Paris in all its glory is from the dome of the Sacre Couer Basilica. It’s a bit of a hike up to the top, but once you’re up there, the views are breathtaking – remember to bring your camera, it’s an awesome spot to take some holiday pictures!

For a culture filled afternoon you can’t come to Paris without visiting the Mona Lisa in the Louvre. The Louvre is also home to an extensive art collection dating back to ancient Egyptian times.

If you need a little break from all the sightseeing, a great place to escape the hustle and bustle of the touristy places is the Jardins du Luxembourg. Another peaceful way to spend an afternoon is taking a stroll along the River Seine. The river runs right through the heart of Paris, so it’s a great way to take in the sights while getting a bit of exercise.

Food Glorious Food

You can’t come to Paris and not take advantage of the Parisian culinary delights on offer. No matter what your budget, Paris offers something for everyone. The Latin Quarter is very touristy, but personally I love the quirky atmosphere and there’s a great choice of small restaurants offering food from all four corners of the world.

For more typical ‘French food’ you’ll find the area of ‘El Marais’ has a much more authentic feel.

When in Paris with children, visit the park

Paris For Kids

As an au pair in Paris, I’ve gotten to know the child friendly side to the city. There are a surprising number of activities available aimed at children. There is, of course, Disneyland Paris and Park Asterix, both of which are just outside the city and always guarantee a great family day out! However, if you’re after something more low key and local, there’s always the Paris aquarium or, a personal favorite of mine is the Jardin d’Acclimatation. This 20 acre park is a haven for children; here you can find several rides and a giant play park, as well as a small ‘zoo’ area.

When in Paris, go for a ride on the giant ferris wheel - Grande roue

Seasonal Paris

No matter what time of year you choose to come to Paris, there is always something exciting going on. In the summer time you’ll see the banks of the river Seine invaded by sand, deck chairs and sun umbrellas for the Paris Plage (Paris beach). With autumn comes the autumn festival and Nuit Blanche. (Nuit Blanche is a night of the year where many museums, galleries and bars stay open throughout the night – the streets are crawling with art lovers taking advantage of the free entry!)

If you’re lucky enough to be in Paris in the winter then you’ll be able to admire the Christmas lights which sparkle across the city and go for a ride on Paris’ giant Ferris wheel -.the Grande Roue.

Where to stay in Paris

The best advice I could give to anyone coming to Paris would be to rent a Paris apartment in the city centre. Not only is an apartment more convenient, but it’s also a lot more comfortable – after a hard day’s sightseeing it’s great to be able to just go back to your apartment and relax. Especially if you’re with children or in a group, you’ll find apartments offer more space and flexibility than other types of holiday accommodation.

Rent a bicycle in Paris, France

Getting around Paris

Public transportation in Paris is excellent. There are metro stops dotted everywhere around the city, as well as buses, taxis and of course you can always rent a bike, or as the Parisians like to call them – Vélib.

Have you traveled to Paris, France? What are your favorite insider tips for things to do in Paris, France?

Thanks to Cristina Aragones for assistance with this sponsored post. Eiffel Tower photo courtesy of Roger. Park photo courtesy of Alain. Paris Ferris wheel photo courtesy of Marc Lagneau. Bicycle photo courtey of Nancy D. Brown.

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Things to See and Do in Bayeux, Normandy, France

Paris

Things to See and Do in Bayeux, Normandy

The first place I take a visitor is to the old town and Notre Dame Cathedral of Bayeux

The first place I take a visitor from out of town is the old town of Bayeux around the Notre Dame Cathedral of Bayeux, built in 1077, by the brother of William the Conqueror.

When I crave Normandy cuisine, like tarte tatin Normandie, oysters, or Calvados brandy, I go to the French gourmet restaurant of the Chateau La Chenevière for dinner ( Port-en-Bessin, 10Km away from Bayeux).

To escape from work, I go shopping in the Grand Rue (main street).

For complete quiet, I can hide away in the Botanic Garden.

Come to Bayeux and get your picture taken at the old water mill

If you come to Bayeux, get your picture taken by the old watermill.
If you have to order one thing off the menu at L’Assiette Normande, order a plate of Bayeux pork with ‘andouille’ and apple with creamy potato topping.

An odd fact about Bayeux. You can attend beggar mass during Medieval Festival (every first week-end of July in Bayeux).

When I’m feeling cash-strapped, I go to Le Petit Bordelais where the cellarman cooks a dish of the day served with a glass of fine French wine.

For a huge splurge, I go to Le P’tit Resto or La Rapière.

Photo ops in Bayeux are best along the river Aure, or in front of the Notre Dame Cathedral of Bayeux.

The best vantage points are passage de l’Islet or place De Gaulle.

The most random thing about Bayeux is the Le Prix Bayeux-Calvados des correspondants de guerre (war correspondants prize)

In Bayeux, an active day outdoors involves walking.

My favorite walking route is along the river Aure.

Viking ship outside Bayeux Tapestry Museum

Bayeux’ best museum is The Bayeux Tapestry Museum.

For fun at night go to the brand new bowling alley.

To find out what’s going on at night or on weekends, visit to the tourism office and Bessin-Normandy website.

Printemps: In the spring, you should commemorate the D-Day invasion (around 6^th of June D-Day Festival)

Eté:In the summer you should go watch at dusk the show of architectural projections “Rendez-vous à la Cathédrale”

Automne: In the fall you should celebrate le “Goût du Large” in Port-en-Bessin, an event dedicated to scallops.

Hiver: In the winter you should take a course of Bayeux Lace with the lacemakers at the Conservatoire de la Dentelle.

Restaurant in Bayeux, France

A hidden gem is the crypt of the Cathedral.

For a great breakfast, go to Café Inn and taste handmade pastries.

Just outside Bayeux, you can visit World War II D-Day Beaches with Normandy Sightseeing Tours or ramble through Port-en-Bessin, a picturesque fishing village and site of a British landing during D-Day.

The best way to see Bayeux is to walk around Old Town.

If you have kids, you will not want to miss the Game Festival in May every year.

Where are your favorite things to do in France?

This guest post is contributed by Vera Marie Badertscher, A Traveler’s Library for What a Trip

Vera Marie Badertscher wishes to thank the Bessin-Normandy Tourism office in Bayeux, and Fanny Garbe for help in assembling this information. All pictures are the property of and used with the permission of Vera Marie Badertscher.

Things To Do

900-year-old Preah Vihear temple on Cambodian border

On July 8 in Quebec City, Canada, UNESCO, (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) announced 27 new additions to the organization’s list of cultural and natural heritage sites. Formed in 1945, UNESCO “seeks to encourage the identification, protection and preservation of cultural and natural heritage around the world considered to be of outstanding value to humanity.”

New UNESCO Cultural Sites:

• Preah Vihear Temple (Cambodia)
• Fujian Tulou (China)
• Stari Grad Plain (Croatia)
• Historic Centre of Camagüey (Cuba)
• Fortifications of Vauban (France)
• Berlin Modernism Housing Estates (Germany)
• Armenian Monastic Ensembles in Iran (Iran)
• Baha’i Holy Places in Haifa and Western Galilee (Israel)
• Mantua and Sabbioneta (Italy)
• The Mijikenda Kaya Forests (Kenya)
• Melaka and George Town, historic cities of the Straits of Malacca (Malaysia)
• Protective town of San Miguel and the Sanctuary of Jesús de Nazareno de Atotonilco (Mexico)
• Le Morne Cultural Landscape (Mauritius)
• Kuk Early Agricultural Site (Papua New Guinea)
• San Marino Historic Centre and Mount Titano (San Marino)
• Archaeological Site of Al-Hijr (Madâin Sâlih) (Saudi Arabia)
• The Wooden Churches of the Slovak part of Carpathian Mountain Area (Slovakia)
• Rhaetian Railway in the Albula / Bernina Cultural Landscape (Switzerland and Italy)
• Chief Roi Mata’s Domain (Vanuatu)

Four countries- Papua New Guinea, San Marino, Saudi Arabia and Vanuatu- are new to the list.  Have you been to any UNESCO sites?