Next time you’re travelling through the city of love, catch a glimpse of the past with a tour of the most historic buildings in Paris. Gareth Anderson shares his top picks…
Paris, the city of love and the famous French capital. There’s scarcely another place on Earth with as much history and culture contained in its city walls – the Eiffel Tower, Louvre, Arc de Triomphe de l’Étoile, Musée d’Orsay and Moulin Rouge all call the city home.
And even such an impressive list barely scratches the surface of the number of historic buildings to be found in the city. So next time you’re staying in Paris, why not head off the beaten track to discover some of Paris’ most impressive historic buildings and how they helped shape the beautiful city. Read on for five of our favourites…
1. Basilique du Sacré-Cœur (pictured above)
Proudly guarding the city’s highest point on the summit of Montmarte, the Sacré-Cœur is one of the most recognisable landmarks in Paris, attracting revellers from around the world. Construction began in 1875, but the church wasn’t completed and consecrated until 1919. Architect Paul Abadie designed the basilica, beating 77 other architects for the honour – the building’s style is a free interpretation of Romano-Byzantine features, with many elements symbolising nationalist themes. The site offers stunning views over the city for visitors to enjoy – and if you’re religious, daily mass and confession is also available inside the church.
2. Cathédrale Notre-Dame
Chance upon the Cathédrale Notre-Dame on the Île de la Cité and you’ll see why it’s famous around the world. It’s one of the finest examples of French Gothic architecture – and the best-known thanks to its location in the heart of the city. Completed in 1345, the sprawling cathedral has seen several restorations and was the inspiration for Victor Hugo’s book ‘Notre-Dame de Paris’. Access to the cathedral is free and open daily, and a 35-minute audio guide will walk visitors through the site’s history and architecture in 8 different languages.
3. Panthéon
Located in the city’s vibrant Latin Quarter, the Panthéon is a stunning display of early neoclassicism. Originally built as a church, today the Gothic cathedral is a secular mausoleum for distinguished French citizens, and holds the remains of Voltaire, Victor Hugo, Marie Curie and Alexandre Dumas. The building is a result of a pledge by King Louis XV; he vowed in 1744 if he recovered from his illness he would replace the ruined Abbey of St Genevieve with an edifice that was worthy of the patron saint of Paris. He did recover and the rest, as they say, is history.
4. Palais Garnier
Home of the Paris Opera, the Palais Garnier is one of the most opulent buildings in the city and named after its architect, Charles Garnier. The 1,979-seat opera house was completed in 1875 and designed in the Beaux-Arts style. Its interior must be seen to be believed, and features elaborate marble friezes, columns and statuary portraying Greek mythology. The stunning building was also the setting for the 1910 novel, The Phantom of the Opera, which later inspired the hit musical known to theatre lovers around the world.
5. Hôtel des Invalides
Actually referring to a complex of buildings in central Paris, the Hôtel des Invalides was designed in the Baroque style and inaugurated in 1678. Its chief purpose relates to the military – it contains museums and monuments depicting the military history of France, as well as a hospital and retirement home for war veterans. The tombs on the site contain notable military figures – most importantly Napoleon Bonaparte – and the site’s central dome was the inspiration for Thomas U. Walter’s designs of the United States Capitol.
What other historic buildings do you know and love in Paris? Share with us on Facebook or Twitter.
This week Australia’s Sunrisediscussed alarming statistics on exactly what teenagers are inadvertently sharing on social media streams, including photos, phone numbers, addresses and school details – information that can lead to any number of crimes against young people and their families. In fact, just recently I’ve noticed several profiles of young acquaintances where Facebook security is wide open for the world to see, age and locations mentioned, and various posts seemingly inappropriate out of a ‘friend’ context. This too can lead to criminal activity against the user, as well as harm with regards to personal reputation which can mean the difference between winning a (dream) job or not.
There’s been yet another call for greater education on digital spaces, as well as a plea for parents to participate and be more aware and responsible when it comes to managing use of computers and time spent in the digital realm.
What action should you take?
For ADULTS: Consider training and brushing up on social media skills. Understand what your kids are using, how they’re using it, whether security is appropriate, and whether or not what your children are putting online is appropriate for a world stage. Just because ‘their friends are doing it’, doesn’t make it right, so go with your gut if unsure. There are plenty of tutors and businesses offering individual or group training and assistance, either in person or via a service like Skype. Whether you love or loathe social media, if you have children, you pretty much have a responsibility to understand it. For more information on the type of training available, take a look HERE.
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For STUDENTS: If you are, or know of, a student who is spending a lot of time online – potentially because you/they write, blog, aim to work in PR or media, then perhaps consider a valuable extra-curricular course like Mini Media Bootcamp. A critical element within this particular six week digital/email course is ‘using social media appropriately’ so that it benefits a user’s future (rather than hinders opportunity). It’s six-weeks (at about two to three hours per week) time well-spent for not only an industry ‘heads up’, but to learn how to fully manage the host of digital resources now within easy (sometimes too easy) reach of our fingertips.
Got social media questions, or know a student 16+ interested in working in publishing or media? I’m here to help – simply CONTACT using the form.
I’m so lucky to edit one of Australia’s coolest and most beautiful city lifestyle magazines, Get it, and am proud of the creative team who have outdone themselves this month. Check out the gorgeous cover and fashion shoot behind-the-scenes video featuring Seeing Eye Dogs Australia …
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Want more? You’ll find Get it Magazineon Facebook and Twitter,
I was recently contacted by a TravelLiveLearn.com reader who is excited to be touring Europe this summer with our fab mates from Expat Explore. As it’s her first time on tour in Europe in the summer, she was keen to know what she should take, and she was confused by the plethora of information available on the Internet. Being that this seemed like a valid travel query, I’ve decided to post my answer and suggestions here for anyone else lucky enough to be touring through Europe in 2013 (bliss!).
Summer tour packing tips:
High heels are not required. You definitely do need flip flops, comfortable walking shoes (there’s LOTS of walking which is fine, but you need comfy, supportive shoes that aren’t too worn), and one other pair of casual type shoes that will double for if you go out or want to wear something different to dinner – I’d suggest an easy-going, pretty pair of wedges or mid heels – an ‘all rounder’ kind of shoe. Regarding clothes and shoes, you will find that you wear the same things over and over, and a lot of the items you pack ‘just in case’ (eg. high heels, a pretty shirt that you don’t wear often, a new skirt…), you won’t wear at all. It will be hot, so think of what you feel most comfortable in when you’re at home in summer – that’s what you end up wearing all the time!
Regarding medications, obviously if you have a particular condition (eg. asthma), be prepared. Perhaps buy a packet of travel sickness tablets in case you get motion sickness from the coach or plane. If you’re in any way unsure if you get sick while travelling, get some to have on hand – always better to be prepared, and these are generally sold over the counter in pharmacies. I would always also bring a packet of paracetamol, non-drowsy antihistamines (eg. Zyrtec or cheaper generic brand), a pack of Nurofen (Ibuprofen), and not that we needed it, but I always carry something for diarrhea. Ladies, if you tend towards urinary tract problems, it’s probably a good idea to take Ural sachets (or similar), just in case. I’d also suggest taking a multivitamin with you (or Berocca), to keep your immune system up to speed. They’re exciting but long days.
You will also need a good sun cream (for face and body) – essential! – and perhaps insect repellent is a good idea too.
Prescription medicinals – Chat to your doctor in advance regarding any potential issues with health, anxiety, sleeping or illness, and make sure any prescription medication is properly labelled.
Pack light! Start a list before you go that only includes what you would wear in the summer you’re used to. Leave room in your bags, because you’ll want to stock up on food and alcohol at supermarkets along the way – trust me, this is the cheapest and most efficient way, especially if you’ve already invested a fortune in your trip already for example, if you’ve had to fork out for an airfare from the other side of the world to get to Europe/UK in the first place.
Another reason to pack light – it’s cheap enough to buy various season-appropriate clothes on the road, and let’s face it, you’ll be going shopping anyway (it’s half the fun)! Pack your comfiest shorts/skirts/tshirts – this is what you’ll live in. I am not a shorts person, but I think 90% of days on the road I lived in a denim skirt, t-shirt or singlet, hat, walking shoes and socks. All the other rubbish I had in my bag was just annoying to carry around! Also you won’t need jeans I don’t think – it’s too hot at that time of year, and they’re heavy. Pack a light cardigan or long-sleeved shirt, but remember, you can layer with singlets and t-shirts if it’s at all chilly anywhere (which I doubt it will be).
Enjoy the summer! If you have other packing tips for travelling Europe please do share, either in the comments below, or find us at Facebook.com/TravelLiveLearn or Tweet @sarahblinco.
If you’re considering a trip with Expat Explore, read about our first-hand experience HERE (we had a blast!).
Late last week I got talking to a lovely young lady who is excited to be heading off on a five week European / UK adventure with her partner at the end of the year. The only downside of this plan is the cost. She and her partner freely admit to being ‘newbies’ when it comes to planning a big, international trip like this, so they trustingly took the word of a travel agent and organised most of the trip via an agency − total spend, already at $20,000 which only covers four weeks travel, flights (return from Australia) and some meals.
While I am one of ‘those people’ who books everything online, I do appreciate travel agents often have access to better deals and inside knowledge, and therefore still do provide a very valuable and hassle-free service. But, the more my new friend talked, the more it seemed that in this instance, she and her partner had been taken advantage of for being a bit naive on this front. She agrees wholeheartedly, and had even done a little research herself when her gut was telling her something wasn’t right, only to discover that various prices had been inflated and unnecessary elements of the trip booked.
In this case, they are going to cut their losses and do their best to save while travelling. She’s more confident on the options to save from now on, as we’ve outlined many ways to cut costs on the road in both the UK and Europe. Inspired by this sticky travel issue though, I wanted to share these seven ways to avoid being ripped off, for beginners at the long haul adventure trip:
1. Get a second opinion. There are plenty of travel agencies out there, each with their own affiliations, and while there’s nothing wrong with that, it is imperative you discover the best deal for your circumstances.
2. Trust your gut. Most of the time you’ll be treated well and fairly (I’ve consistently had excellent experiences with helpful travel agents). If you feel something is wrong though, see point one − seek another opinion and further information. Don’t book until you’re 100% content with the itinerary and that the price is reasonable.
3. DO compare and research. There’s really no excuse not to. Read reviews, search flights, accommodation, tours … there’s a lot of great options out there (bookable from within and outside of your home country) and it’s worthwhile investigating whether you’re actually getting a good deal or not.
4. Ask questions and query costs − don’t just assume somewhere like London, Tokyo or New York, for example, is expensive, just because you’re told it’s so. After a little practice, you’ll discover everywhere is indeed expensive if you’re travelling like a tourist un-armed and unprepared with knowledge; and on the flip side, using a little nouse will take you a long way to travelling really economically without compromising fun.
5. Call out to friends on social media and/or those linked on TripAdvisor. Ask for their tips on what to do, how to get around and any outstanding experiences with accommodation, tour operators, destinations you’re considering and so on.
6. Don’t always feel obliged to eat in a restaurant if you’re on a tour (if it’s not already included in the price you’ve paid). Supermarkets and convenience stores are awesome overseas – cheap, and offering delicious meals and snacks. Stock up where possible; this includes alcohol!
7. Buy clothes for a different climate when you get there. If you’re heading to the UK, Europe or USA from Australia, for example, the climate is totally different, and in Australia you’ll pay a fortune for clothes that might end up sitting in your suitcase because they’re either too warm or not warm enough. Believe me, the last thing you want to be doing is dragging heavy and unnecessary winter clothes around while travelling! And, why would you buy expensive scarves, beanies, hats, jackets at home, when you can buy on your trip (for probably a third of the price)? By buying ‘on the ground’ you’re not only better equipped to find a great deal and buy appropriately for what’s actually happening weather wise, but you get to enjoy the fun of a shopping trip as well! Win-Win. On this note, whatever you do, pack light. Remember, it’s cheap enough to buy toiletries and many basics on the ground, so don’t carry ‘spares’ of everything – it’s inconvenient and you will discover that you won’t use most of it!
Extra info: our top picks for travelling and touring in the UK and Europe
Toiletries and travel essentials: Boots and Superdrug – everywhere in the UK
Warm clothes, essentials and accessories – Primark, UniQlo, H&M (particularly for basics, footwear and warmer thermals), Zara, Accessorize or markets like Camden Markets in London(for scarves, hats, gloves…)
Jackets – if you only need a warm jacket for the duration of your trip, why not score a bargain at thrift stores/pre-loved shops like TRAID or Oxfam in the UK (and you’re helping out charitable organisations as well). You’re sure to find a warm, stylish coat, appropriate for the climate, but at an unbeatable price. If you don’t need the item(s) at home, drop back into a charitable donations box before you leave.
Tours – check out Expat Explore; or consider a cruise – we had a good experience with MSC Cruises
Hi, we’re Sarah & Cooper. Welcome to Travel Live Learn! We’re Aussie expats currently living in the UK (for the third time!) with our adorable Westie, London. Our mission? To inspire you to embrace a life of adventure—whether it’s travelling longer, relocating to the UK or Europe, or exploring the freedom of remote work and digital nomadism. Enjoy your time on our site! We'd love to stay in touch: subscribe for our weekly stories, updates and remote work job opportunities direct to your inbox.
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