One Summer in Paris
​Seeing the City of Lights

Eiffel Tour

Possibly the most famous man made monument in the world, and it's grandeur didn't disappoint. It was beautiful by day and by night, but the hourly light show that begins after sunset was absolutely dazzling. Beware- pick pockets scour the lawn looking for unassuming tourists.
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Tout le fromage

Paris is a cheese lover's dream. Every color, every flavor, every spice, and every texture. They have it all and it's all fresh. It's affordable, and the fromagerie people are enthusiastic about helping you pick out just the right stuff. 

Arc de Triomphe

Another iconic Paris monument, located the end of the equally iconic Champs-Elysees. There's not much to it really, but you're obligated to swing by and snap a photo  of the most famous roundabout in the world.

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Wandering the Parisian Streets

There are so many sites to see in Paris, it's easy to spend the majority of your day walking from point to point, or riding the metro. Don't forget to take a leisurely stroll, just as the Parisians do, to get out and explore the local neighborhoods. You know never what you'll find.

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Montmartre

This is the place to go for a grand view of Paris. Sacre-Coeur or "Basilica of the Sacred Heart" is located on Montmartre, a large hill in the city's 18th arondissement. It's also the nieghbhorhood where Van Gogh once lived. In addition to the church you can explore a variety of shops and cafes.

The Catacombs

You don't want to miss the catacombs, whether you're a horror fan or a history buff. You'll wander through the labyrinth of human bones, learning about the city's cemetery crisis. It's cold, damp, dark, and morbidly awesome.

Sainte-Chappelle

This spectacular Gothic church was built in the 13th century to house Christ's crown of thorns. It's hard to fathom a building that old still standing, much less in decent shape. Inside you'll find stunning stained glass windows stretching from floor to ceiling that depict scenes from the Old and New Testaments.

Notre Dame

Possibly the most famous church in the world outside the Vatican, Notre Dame is one of the many "must see" sites of Paris. A tip though- skip the hours long line to get inside by buying an affordably priced ticket to a concert inside. We attended a Gothic chorale performance after Notre Dame was closed to tours for the day. Afterwards, the church was ours to explore with no crowd and no extra admission fee.

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