Paris Uncovered: Boulevards, Bakeries & Hidden History

Paris, the legendary capital of France, is a timeless masterpiece. Beyond the romance and the famous movie-like streets, it is a massive cultural powerhouse filled with world-class art, architectural icons, and an unparalleled cafe culture. Here is your ultimate guide to loving Paris!

1. The Landmarks You Can’t Miss

• The Eiffel Tower & Trocadéro: The ultimate symbol of France. For the best views and photographs, head to the Trocadéro steps across the river just as the sun goes down and the tower starts to sparkle with thousands of golden lights.
• Montmartre & Sacré-Cœur: Wander through the winding, cobblestone streets of this historic artists’ village up on the hill. At the top sits the white Sacré-Cœur Basilica, offering a spectacular panoramic view of the entire city layout.

2. Paris Fun Facts

• The Eiffel Tower Grows: The giant iron structure actually changes its height depending on the weather! During the hot summer months, the thermal expansion causes the metal to expand, making the Eiffel Tower grow up to 15 centimeters taller.
• An Underground Empire: Beneath the beautiful streets of Paris lies a massive labyrinth of ancient tunnels. A section of this is the Paris Catacombs, which holds the neatly stacked bones and remains of over 6 million people relocated from overflowing city cemeteries in the 1700s.

3. The Food Scene

• The Classic Bistro Culture: Paris is defined by its sidewalk cafes. Sit outside at a traditional brass-lined bistro, order a Café au Lait and a buttery, flaky croissant, and simply spend an hour watching Parisian fashion and life pass by.
• The Baguette Law: Bread is a serious matter in France. There is an official annual competition to find the “Best Baguette in Paris.” The winning baker wins a cash prize and gets the prestigious honor of supplying fresh bread to the French President at the Elysée Palace for an entire year.

4. Practical Travel Tips

• Say ‘Bonjour’ First: The golden rule of French etiquette is to always greet a shopkeeper, waiter, or hotel receptionist with a polite “Bonjour” (or “Bonsoir” at night) before asking a question. It opens doors and guarantees much friendlier service.
• Skip the Louvre Queue: The main pyramid entrance to the Louvre Museum always has massive lines. Instead, look for the lesser-known underground entrance via the Carrousel du Louvre shopping mall, which is usually much faster.