Paris in springtime

by Clive
(UK)

Paris In The Springtime

Paris in the springtime is the subject of countless songs, poems, and films. I was curious to see what all the fuss was about, so I jetted out not knowing I wasn’t the only one on a destiny to discover the magic of Paris. There were plenty others just like me but I didn’t quite mind the crowds – they actually added to the vibrancy of the city. I also found Parisians to be very friendly and pleasant people.

The highlight of my visit was going up the Eiffel Tower. Spectacular views of Paris can be seen from its three platforms — especially the topmost – with the panorama at its best one hour before sunset. Its almost like riding up the London Eye but even better.

During my visit, I learned that the Eiffel Tower was once the tallest structure in the world at 300 metres until in 1930 when the Chrysler building in New York overtook it.

I was back again at night to enjoy a tranquil view of the tower from École Militaire. It looked splendid by night, illuminated from inside with a sweeping searchlight at the top to give the impression of a lighthouse.

I’m a huge art lover so I wasn’t going to conclude my visit to Paris without stopping at Hotel Sale - located in the lovely neighbourhood of Marais – which apparently houses the largest collection of works by Picasso in the world. The museum does not just display Picasso's works, it also has paintings that he bought or was given by contemporaries such as Matisse, Cezanne, Braque, Renoir and Miro as well as his collection of African masks and sculptures.

Hotel Sale was the only museum I happened to visit while in Paris but if you’re planning on visiting any museums there, be warned that most of them don’t allow use of cameras or flash photography inside.
Other noteable attractions I visited where Notre Dame de Paris, located at the heart of Paris and that of France, the Hotel De Ville which serves as Paris City Hall, the slopes of Montmartre where you can find the famous Moulin Rouge plus other attractions such as the Sacre-Coeur church and its beautiful mosaics, the La Conciergerie - located by the Seine on Ile de la Cite – which was an original part of the Royal Palace. The 164 metres high Arc de Triomphe was another place I stopped by – however, I didn’t get to go inside or see the small museum it houses as I had run out of time.
Because I was living in Hotel du Cadran, which was right off Rue Cler, I couldn’t help but stop by the Rue Cler Market, an open market where you can buy baguettes, cheese, bottle of wine, cuts of meat, and desserts, if you’re looking to have a taste of local french food and drink. The market is open seven days a week but try to get there early as it becomes extremely crowded after 11am on Sundays.

There where many other places I could have visited if I had the time such as Sainte Chapelle, Musee du Louvre, Musee d'Orsay and Atelier Brancusi.

I hope to go to Paris again next winter and am looking forward to free skating at the outdoor ice rink at the Hotel De Ville, amongst other things. I also hear that the festive markets are particularly good