When we talk about Paris we immediately think of the ROMANTIC Ville Lumière, with its tree-lined boulevards and welcoming cafés. But for me Paris has always been much more than just a “city of love”. I have always been fascinated by this city and already through the canvases of the most famous artists I dreamed of walking the same streets illuminated by the sun's rays and trapping the magic of the Parisian sky. Thanks to a work experience I was lucky enough to "attend" her for about 4 months and she did not disappoint my expectations.
Looking at the sky of Paris, one cannot help but think of the fascinating paintings of Monet and Renoir. The shades of blue and pink painted with light brushstrokes, the golden reflections that reflect on the clouds as if they were a moving palette of colors, all this makes the Parisian atmosphere an almost pictorial experience.
Then there are the rooftops of Paris, like a scene from a painting by Pissarro or Degas. Their harmonious lines stand out against the sky, creating a unique profile that blends past and present. The warm-toned roof tiles, the chimneys that stand with an aura of history and the skylights that open like windows to the past, all contribute to creating a fascinating and timeless urban landscape.
Together, the sky of Paris and its rooftops seem to tell a story of light and color, a story that has inspired and continues to inspire artists around the world.
This city goes far beyond the stereotypical images of lovers along the Seine: it is a harmony of sounds, colors and cultures that blend into a symphony of unforgettable experiences. Paris is the melody of a accordeon in the alleys of Montmartre, the brush painting the gardens of Versailles and the twinkling lights of the Eiffel Tower dancing in the dark.
You don't forget a trip to Paris and I couldn't wait to take Paolino there. Prepare to immerse yourself in the art, culture and magic of Paris. Welcome to the City of Light!
TipsforTrips: to get around Paris we used the Paris Visits, a pass that allows unlimited travel on the Paris public transport network. The pass is valid for 1, 2, 3 or 5 consecutive days and valid for zones 1-3 or 1-5 – Disneyland ® Paris (zone 5), Versailles Castle (zone 4), Charles de Gaulle (zone 5) and Orly (zone 4) airports -. Depending on the areas chosen, it allows you to travel on the metro lines, on the RER lines (RATP and SNCF), on the bus lines of the Île-de-France (RATP and OPTILE) except those of the Jetbus, Allobus Roissy CDG networks, of the tourist circuits and the Air France shuttles, on the Orlyval line (which connects Orly airport to the RER B) and on the Montmartre funicular. The pass can be purchased online with a fare increase of 7% - the original is sent to your home or directly to your hotel - or at automatic teller machines in airports, metro stations and RERs. The Paris Visite Pass is valid from the first day of use (and not from the day of purchase), a whole day is counted, regardless of the start time of use.
Day 1:
Marais
Let's start our visit to Paris from Marais. Halfway between tradition and modernity, it mixes its Jewish roots and its gay-friendly vocation, becoming one of the most multicultural areas of Paris.
Let's start with the historical one Place de la Bastille, symbol of revolution and change. Today, the square is animated by trendy cafes and shops, but you can still feel the atmosphere of the past. In the center of the square stands the July Column, Columns de Juillet, erected in memory of the martyrs of the revolutions of 1830 and 1848, with the gilded bronze statue of the Genius of Liberty, Génie de la Liberté, by Dumont, on top.
We enter the network of streets of the neighborhood until we emerge at Place des Vosges, one of the most beautiful squares in Paris and the oldest. At the center of the pizza is a beautiful garden and surrounded by beautiful period buildings enriched by porticoes all around characterized by antique shops, art galleries and some cafes.
Let's cross Rue des Rosiers, one of the most picturesque streets in the Marais. In the 1960s it underwent a major restoration which brought to light all its charm and beauty, the neighborhood then began to repopulate, giving life to a lively community rich in culture. Here the contrast between tradition and modernity is evident: falafel "aces" alternate with trendy cafes, kosher butchers with vintage shops. Walking along this street offers a unique sensory experience.
Confirming the distinctly cultural and modern nature of this neighborhood is its majestic appearance Center Pompidou. Designed by the Italian Renzo Piano and the Englishman Richard Rogers, it is a futuristic structure with great visual impact that is decidedly in contrast with the historical urban context in which it is inserted. This immense building is entirely dedicated to modern and contemporary European art where the most famous works of Surrealism, Pop Art and Minimalism mix with the masterpieces of Picasso and the works of Expressionism.
TipsforTrips: In the evening, going up to the top floor, you have a splendid view over the whole of Paris: the view extends from Eiffel Tower until very white Sacré-Cœur.
Right next door Igor Stravinsky Square adds yet another hint of quirkiness to the place. In the center is the extravagant Fountain of Automates, a beautiful fountain built in 1983 using original aluminum sculptures that move thanks to the power of the water jets. The contrast of the shapes and colors of the fountain and the majesty of the buildings that surround it make it a colorful and bizarre place.
Latin neighborhood
In the afternoon we move to Latin neighborhood, one of the most picturesque corners of Paris. Frequented mainly by students and writers, it mixes the vintage flavor of cinema, cafés and jazz clubs with new trends from all over the world.
Let's start from the very famous Boulevard Saint-Michel characterized by Fountain Saint-Michel, an imposing bronze statue of St. Michael. On the right we walk along Rue de la Huchette one of the oldest but most touristic and lively streets of the Left Bank, which dates back to 1200. In the evening it comes alive with nightlife among taverns, bars, clubs and theatres.
We continue to Rue de la Bucheriea, in particular to number 37 to discover a small jewel on the left bank: the bookshop Shakespeare and Company. The first bookshop was opened by Sylvia Beach in 1919 at number 8 rue Dupuytren and then moved in 1921 to 12 rue de l'Odéon, where it remained until 1941, when it was closed due to the German occupation of Paris and was never reopened. In the twenties it became a meeting place for writers such as Ezra Pound, Ernest Hemingway, James Joyce and Ford Madox Ford. In 1951, another bookshop was opened by George Whitman, in the current location, with the name of Le Mistral and, upon his death by Sylvia Beach in 1964, it was changed in her honor to “Shakespeare and Company”. In the 1950s the bookstore was the base for many of the writers of the Beat Generation such as Allen Ginsberg, Gregory Corso and William Burroughs. The bookshop serves both as a book shop and a reading room. Inside you can still breathe the spirit of all that was and of all “trumbleweed” who have passed there, a place made of stories and ideals.
Hours: Monday to Saturday: 10am to 8pm.An unmissable stop is the Pantheon, a masterpiece of neoclassical architecture as well as one of the most emblematic monuments of the capital. Built as a Catholic church dedicated to Sainte-Geneviève during the French Revolution, the building was deprived of its religious functions and became a secular mausoleum for the "grands hommes de l'époque de la liberté française". Today it houses the remains of figures such as Victor Hugo, Rousseau and Voltaire.
Hours: from 1 April to 30 September: from 10.00 to 18.30; from 1 October to 31 March: from 10.00 to 18.00. Closed: 1st January, 1st May and 25th December.We don't miss a relaxing break at Jardin du Luxembourg, which surround the magnificent Luxembourg Palace of the same name. The garden, in addition to presenting beautiful flower-filled avenues, is full of statues and monuments such as the famous Medici Fountain, the Statue of Liberty created by Frédéric Bartholdi, the bust of Charles Baudelaire, the statue of Beethoven and the Observatory Fountain.
We end the day at Rue Mouffetard. This long, cobbled street is certainly one of the most authentic in Paris and has an ancient history: in Roman times it was the connection between Paris and Rome. Here we stroll among boulangerie, fromagerie and wine bars, always crowded cafes, vinyl shops, bookshops and vintage shops. The atmosphere welcomes you and hosts you pleasantly.
Day 2:
Père-Lachaise Cemetery
We dedicate the entire morning to Père-Lachaise Cemetery. Located in the 20th arrondissement of Paris, it is one of the largest cemeteries in Paris, but also one of the most famous in the world. Although when it was built - in 1804 - it was snubbed by Parisians who did not want to bury their loved ones far from the city, today it is instead the burial place of many illustrious people, artists, writers and musicians, making it a site full of history and culture.