Jan 21, 2019
Meet Boris from Paris in Person. He is a tour guide who knows Paris inside out. He shares the most interesting thing that you can find in every one of Paris's 20 arrondissements. In case you're unsure of the spelling from his list, I've added the places to the notes below.
See all the pictures plus a little more on the official Earful Tower website here.
The list!
1st. The Saint Germain Auxerois church: Enjoy the difference between the medieval and classical styles - and keep an eye out for the flamboyant gothic features.
2nd. Place des Victoires. Check out the lovely houses built around this roundabout that were the inspiration for the Haussmannian reconstruction of Paris. Transport yourself to the 17th and 18th century.
3rd. Find the Library of City Archives on rue Pavée, a beautiful collection of books and a stunning building too.
4th. The oldest house in Paris is at 11 rue François Miron. It's a 14th century building that’ll make you feel like you're walking in the Paris of yesteryear.
5th. Arene de Lutèce, a Roman arena from 2,000 years ago right in the centre of Paris.
6th. Beaux Arts with the first museum in the world opened in the former church of St Augustin.
7th. Square Rapp for the art nouveau architecture, and find the beautiful buildings all stacked together. At 29 Avenue Rapp you’ll find one of the most stunning facades in the city.
8th. Go and find the Chapelle Expiatoire tomb of Louis XVI at the site of the former mass graveyard of the French revolution.
9th. The Quartier Drouot is a great collection of stores for buying second hand goods. Feel free to haggle for better prices, but the shop owners are very experienced at the game - so good luck.
10th. Rue Faubourg Saint Denis, once a dodgy area, now the hottest street in the city. It’s authentic, you’ll find Parisians there, and it’s quickly becoming the new Marais.
11th. Take a stroll between Square Trousseau and the Bastille and pop into the smaller side streets, it’s like stepping into the rural 19th century.
12th. Musée des Arts Forains - or the museum of circus art - is collections of circus paraphernalia from the late 19th century. It’s a bit spooky - if you’re scared of clowns don’t go!
13th. Check out what the locals call Petite Alsace on Rue Daviel, little villas, overgrown gardens, it’s the cutest countryside setting you’ll find in Paris.
14th. Parc Montsouris, designed by Mr Haussmann himself, right on the edge of the district and a fantastic place for running (considering the steep slopes).
15th. Go to the top of the Tour Montparnasse, it’s easily the most hated building in Paris, but it’s not so bad when you’re inside. Check out the restaurant and the viewing deck on the top.
16th. The forest known as the Bois de Bologne houses the Louis Vuitton foundation, which is brilliant to even look at from the outside. The exhibitions inside are always worth the price of entry too!
17th. Walk along the charming Rue des Lévis then find the museum of Banque de France cité de l'economie et de la monnaie (museum of coins and economy). The building has recently been renovated, looks medieval, but it’s from the second half of the 19th century.
18th. Walk around the residential section of Montmartre and find the Kosak chocolate shop at 106 rue Caulaincourt. They’re highly specialized and good quality - perfect for the foodie who wants world class chocolate.
19th. Visit the Parc des Buttes Chaumont, which is very hilly but a good getaway from the tourist sites. Find the artificial lake in the middle and climb to the canopy at the top, and enjoy the amazing view from the top.
20th. Find the ever-changing street art on rue Denoyez and flaneur through the surrounding streets to find even more of the city's newest art craze.
Well that's it. Check out the official site on Tuesday for this full list with pictures.
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