Paris in the Springtime
Our travel packages generally include two or three days of tennis at Roland Garros, leaving clients plenty of time to get to know the in’s and out’s of Paris. I will try to give everyone a head start.
Paris is split into two different “banks,” the left and right, separated by the Seine River. Both sides have their fair share of tourist attractions (e.g. – the Louvre is on the Right Bank, and the Eiffel Tower is on the left). In general, the Right Bank is characterized by ritzier stores, compared with the artsy Left Bank. The famous Champs-Elysees, on the right bank, boasts some of the richest real estate in the world, and is home such stores as Armani and Chanel. The Left Bank is known more for its sidewalk cafes, where American writers such as Ernest Hemingway would frequent (for shopping on the Left Bank, try Le Bon Marche, Paris’ version of Bloomingdale’s).
As far as sightseeing goes, the highlights are obvious – Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame, The Louvre, and Musee D’orsay to name a few. One quick tip: if you only have a few hours and have to pick between museums, I would not suggest the Louvre. There is simply to much to see at the Louvre to make one morning or afternoon visit worthwhile. Instead, try the D’orsay (a far more manageable size), located in an old railway station in the center of Paris. Don’t forget to post a comment with your own ideas or questions!