The City of Light has the magical ambience for romance, cultural tours, and family vacations. The Medical City gastroenterologist Dr. Jun Ruiz lists the Top 10 attractions you must experience in Paris.
I have always loved family vacations, as they provide the much-needed quality time for priceless bonding moments with our loved ones, build stronger relationships with our parents and siblings, and to escape the demands and stress of our individual jobs.
Family vacations are truly a rewarding time, as these provide opportunities to discover new places together, experience once-in-a-lifetime adventures, and create more meaningful loving memories. In the last ten years, my siblings and I, along with our mother Ely, have had family trips locally and to international destinations, like Singapore and more recently, Paris.
My brother Robert and his wife Jennifer who live in Switzerland had been planning to invite my mother for years to visit them. I advised them that we should make it happen in 2019 while Mom could still travel before some of her medical conditions worsen. We extended the invitation to all of our siblings, and fortunately five out of the six of us could make it. My other brother Butch had planned an earlier vacation with his own family.
Finding a common time was difficult, as I was in the middle of an extensive review for an American examination. Eventually, we all agreed for late September. This family vacation was officially assembled, with my sisters Queenie, Helen, and Cherry Pie, joining my mother and myself to visit Robert in Europe.
Family vacation in Paris
The first tips in preparing a family vacation are to plan early and be flexible in your arrangements. We encouraged everybody to be involved in the planning, as we knew that each has their own individual bucketlist. Being one as a family is important, but we should recognize that not everyone enjoys the same things. By allowing flexibility for some to engage in their preferred activities on certain days, the trip can be more rewarding and avoid unnecessary conflicts with your folks.
Planning the daily itinerary was not easy, as we had 21 days to map out. It was a unanimous choice to include Paris, though half of us had been there before. Paris has so much to offer that one can’t see all of it in a single trip.
A trip to Paris is suited for all type of travelers – for romantic couples, group tours, or family vacations. It is an amazing cultural powerhouse, as the visitor is dazzled by the magnificent architecture, world-class museums, tree-lined boulevards, cafes, and breathtaking views of Paris. Its haute cuisine is famous, and Paris is one of the world’s fashion capitals. This city has inspired numerous artists and writers. There is a lot of love everywhere, and family love in Paris is the perfect vacation.
Paris is steeped in history. The Seine flows through the its heart, and in the river island of Ile de la Cite was where Paris was founded by Parisii Gauls around 300 BC. It has become the center of politics and religion since the medieval times. Paris is the birthplace of the French Revolution. The brilliant militarist Napoleon proclaimed himself Emperor of France in 1804 and pursued his ambition to make Paris the center of the world.
With its incomparable heritage of famous iconic attractions around Paris, the city is a dream destination for our family. We came up with our own Top 10 Must-Experience Attractions in Paris.
- Eiffel Tower
The Eiffel Tower is the most distinctive symbol of Paris, and dominates the skyline. Gustave Eiffel built this extraordinary tower that triumphs over all the archaic monuments of Paris. It was designed for the Paris Universal Exposition of 1889. It may shock people now, but it was savagely maligned by prominent critics at that time. Its graceful symmetry eventually won the people’s hearts. At 312 meters, it was the world’s tallest building until it was surpassed by New York’s Empire State Building in 1931.
The iron lattice tower has three floors. Scaling the heights to the viewing gallery, I was amazed by breathtaking views of the city. That was the highlight of my first visit to Paris in 2011, as I was overwhelmed with euphoria to be inside the open-air tower – an experience akin to my first Disney trip. To get the best picturesque view from a distance, I recommend going to the Trocadero terrace across the Seine. At night, it glitters like a stunning jewel from a 200,000 watt-lighting system. One has to see the tower both during the day and night.
- Notre-Dame
Standing majestically on the Ile de la Cite is Notre-Dame, one of the world’s finest Gothic cathedrals. No other building is more associated with the history of Paris than Notre-Dame. Inside the cathedral’s hallowed walls, kings and emperors were crowned over centuries.
Notre-Dame represents the geographical and spiritual heart of France. The west façade is spectacular, framed by the twin towers, and the carved portals define the glorious entrance. The exterior of the church is decorated with grotesque monster statues of gargoyles and chimeras. Inside are the colorful rose windows containing splendid stained glass and medallions. It was heartbreaking to the world when the roof and spire were destroyed by fire on April 15, 2019. Notre-Dame is currently under reconstruction and is not expected to reopen until 2024. Unfortunately, Mom was unable to admire the interior of the cathedral.
- Musee du Louvre
Right in the heart of Paris is the Musee du Louvre, the world’s largest museum that boasts of the finest collection of more than 35,000 paintings, sculptures and antiquities from the ancient civilizations to the 19th century. It was first constructed as a fortress in 1190, then transformed into France’s largest royal palace, and eventually became a museum in 1793. The Renaissance-style palace that houses the museum is a marvel in itself. The Louvre Glass Pyramid with its seven pools and fountains was added to the main courtyard in 1989.
The most famous painting is definitely Leonardo’s Mona Lisa, the exquisite portrait of a young Florentine woman with an enigmatic smile. My other favorite paintings are The Coronation of Napoleon, Liberty Leading the People and The Raft of the Medusa. The popular sculptures are Venus de Milo, and Winged Victory. It may take two days if you go through all the works. If you have limited time, make a wish list of which items you want to prioritize.
- The Arc de Triomphe
At the end of the Champs-Elysees in the Place de Gaulle proudly stands the powerful and imposing 50-meter high Arc de Triomphe. It is considered the “most illustrious symbol of French history”. This monument was commissioned in 1806 by Napoleon to celebrate France’s victories. The triumphal arch was not completed until 1836, and Napoleon’s funeral procession passed beneath it 4 years later. Today, the arch is the site for victory celebrations and parades.
Sculptures depicting heroic images of victorious battles are proudly exhibited. In the center lies the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier with its symbolic eternal flame. There is a viewing platform at the top that offers one of the splendid views over Paris.
- Champs-Elysees
It is the most famous street in Paris and one of the most popular avenues in the world. The breadth of Champs-Elysees is spectacular with its wide sidewalks, as shady chestnut trees line the boulevard and gaslights enhance the elegance. The cafes, restaurants, theaters, and upscale shops that flank Champs-Elysees attracts thousands of people. This is the part of Paris one wants to see and be seen at. This Parisian quarter exudes wealth and power, as it is home to the French president, embassies, five-star hotels, and the chic haute couture. This is part of Napoleon’s Triumphal Way, where Parisians celebrate national events. A stroll along Champs-Elysees is a must-do Parisian experience.
Originally a swamp land, this avenue was designed in 1667 and eventually became the elegant Champs-Elysees. It was the fashionable meeting place for the haute bourgeoisie in all of Paris, and the nearby location of former royal palaces, like the Grand Palais and Petit Palais.
- Sainte-Chapelle
Some of Paris’ finest architectural masterpieces are reflected in the churches and chapels. Sainte-Chapelle, also located in the Ile de la Cite, is a jewel of Gothic architecture. It has been described as ethereal, magical, and the “gateway to heaven”.
Sainte-Chapelle was built by Louis IX in 1248 to house the relic of the Crown of Thorns. It is famous for the magnificent stained glass windows. Two chapels were designed, standing one above the other. The Lower Chapel is only seven meters high, and the rich polychrome decoration overshadows the architecture. After climbing the staircase to the Upper Chapel, I was captivated by the heavenly vision. Fifteen towering stained glass windows, nearly 15 meters high and surrounded by arches, soar to the blue vaulted roof with golden fleur-de-lys. There are 1134 scenes in splendid kaleidoscope of red, blue, green, gold, and purple. This setting illuminates the whole church with wonderful shades of vivid colors. I find the Window of Christ’s Passion as the most beautiful window.
- Sacre-Coeur
The Basilica of Sacre-coeur (Sacred Heart) is one of the most photographed landmarks of Paris. The style is a blend of Romanesque and Byzantine. Its spectacular white outline watches over Paris from its highest point in Montmartre Hill. Sacre-coeur was erected as a memorial to the 58,000 French soldiers killed during the Franco-Prussian War, took 46 years to build, and completed in 1923. The interior is not as impressive as Notre-Dame nor Sainte-Chapelle, but people flock to this church for the panoramic views over the city, especially during sunset. One can watch the finest free vistas, either from the terrace in front of the church, or climb up to the top of the cupola, like what Robert and I did. Admire the Great Mosaic of Christ, a Byzantine mosaic, inside the church.
- Pantheon
The Pantheon is the fitting final resting place for France’s great figures of the past. Among the men with tombs worthy of a memorial include those of the writer Victor Hugo and the philosopher Voltaire. However, it was originally built as a church dedicated to St. Genevieve. It was intended to look like the Pantheon in Rome, hence its name. I enjoyed watching Foucault’s Pendulum inside, as it reminded me of my high school science days.
- Jardin du Luxembourg
The landscaped gardens of Luxembourg provide an oasis for those wanting to escape the hustle and bustle in Paris. It is a favorite with Parisians, one of the largest (25 hectares) and most beautiful parks in the city. The Palais du Luxembourg with its broad terraces encircling the octagonal pool serves as the centerpiece of the park, and is home to the French Senate. There are leafy paths, lovely fountains, impressive statues, and a boating pond. Our family spent a relaxed afternoon in the park, and my mother enjoyed the vibrant flowers and plants in the gardens.
- Chateau de Versailles
The top day-trip from Paris has to be Versailles. The spectacular palace is located 20 kilometers southwest of Paris. This stunning chateau is overflowing with opulence and grandeur, and was made infamous by Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette. In 1837, it was transformed into a museum of French history. The most luxurious hall is the celebrated Hall of Mirrors, which has 17 broad windows and matching number of arcaded mirrors. The many lavish furnishings include paintings, tapestries and statues. The gardens are formally styled, manicured, and symmetrical with fountains, pools, statues, and topiary.
There are other spectacular attractions in Paris that are worth considering in our top list, like the Musee d’Orsay, Dome des Invalides, Opera Garnier, and Galeria Lafayette, but our space in this article is limited. Even with my nine days over two trips to the City of Light, there are still so many to see but so little time.
Our family very much enjoyed and savored this European vacation, not only for the quality time in Paris but the rest of our journey in Switzerland and Rome. This family vacation was so inspiring, since love comes fully from the heart. After all, the love of a family is life’s greatest blessing. VOL. 19 ISSUE 2 FEBRUARY 2020
