PARIS, FRANCE
Paris, France’s capital, is a major European city and a global center for art, fashion and culture. Its picturesque 19th-century cityscape is crisscrossed by wide boulevards and the River Seine.
A fun, touristy thing to do is to visit a lock bridge. Over ten bridges on the River Seine are covered in locks, but the most famous one, the Pont des Arts, had all its locks removed beginning in 2015. Padlocks actually cause structural damage to the bridges, which could lead to collapses into the river. Though I do not encourage placing a lock on a bridge, it’s still worth seeing the thousands of unique “love letters,” if you will. And I know you know that I took the opportunity to place my “Love Letter” on there as well.
I wanted to see Paris in a different way so I hired a private guide to lead me on a walking tour through the streets of Paris. I found this to be the best way to immerse myself into the electric energy of this beautiful city. It was intense and fast paced, but I was able to see everything up close. I was fortunate to have booked this amazing boutique hotel at the Hotel Balzac that gave me a room looking onto the Eiffel Tower. Not close up and personal but the views at night were spectacular just the same. My adventure for the following day was to go to the Tower to get a closer look. Gustave Eiffel built a 300-foot iron tower that could be admired from any corner of Paris, and I believe he accomplished his goal all these years later. A bit crowded at times but well worth a visit.
The Moulin Rouge was next on my agenda. French for “Red Mill,” Moulin Rouge is a cabaret known as the birthplace of the modern cancan dance. The cabaret opened the same year the Eiffel Tower was constructed, and has hosted many guests, from Salvador Dali and Ringo Starr to Ella Fitzgerald and Ray Charles. Look into catching a show to see a revue and the cancan for yourself.
Beyond such landmarks as the Eiffel Tower and the Notre Dame Cathedral, who goes to Paris without a little retail therapy????? Be sure to check out the Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré. Known for its unique café culture and designer boutiques.
Hotel: Hotel Balzac www.hotelbalzac.com
