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After the Tour Eiffel, the Louvre and the Arc de Triomphe. After Notre Dame, Sacre Coeur and shopping on the Champs-Élysée. After the Pantheon, the Pompidou and the Gardens of Versailles, youre going to need a vacation.
Simply put, you need a lifetime or two to explore Paris. And even then you will not have exhausted its many allures. Assuming you're the type who may tire easily of crowds, queues and the rush for what’s next, here are a few ideas for something different the next time you visit Paris.
Why not start where Paris began and visit Sainte-Chapelle on the Ile de la Cité? This often-overlooked chapel in the heart of the city is a must for anyone, let alone St. Louis travelers. King Louis IX — for whom our fair city is named, had this unique chapel built in order to house the Crown of Thorns in the thirteenth century.
Imagine the entire room consisting of stained glass and you've got it. You're completely surrounded on all sides by light and color and the Christian story as told through glass. Binoculars may be cumbersome to carry but you'll be glad you brought them for this. There is nothing quite like Sainte-Chapelle anywhere in the world so be patient when trying to find it. If you're lucky you'll see it on a partly cloudy day for the full effect of the sun's rays as the clouds turn the glass on and off just for you.
Get there when it opens at 9:30 a.m. and you'll have the place for yourself for the most part. Or at least for a little while. En route, allow yourself some extra time to get lost. You won't mind if you do. Incidentally, you'll want the metro stop “ Cité.” This will place you in the right neighborhood but you may need to ask the natives for directions since Sainte-Chapelle is located within the Palais de Justice — home to several Parisian courts of law. Never mind the gendarmes and their AK- 47s — their presence is routine for the court officials who work there.
Spiritually energized, it's back to the metro. This time for a stop at Pont-Neuf along the Seine. Here you’re after one of Paris’ largest shopping centers, La Samaritaine. In Paris everything is art — including the department stores. The guidebooks will provide all you need to know about Samaritaine's Art Deco interior, and with the exception of what will surely be a few interesting sales, your destination is its roof!
The roof of La Samaritaine is, first and foremost, FREE. Better yet, fun! And once you've taken in the panoramic view of Paris grab a table and enjoy its rooftop cafe. No matter the dish, odds are you're in good hands with French cuisine — so experiment with something new. You'll need energy to endure your next stop anyway.
From the Pont Neuf metro stop, go to the Pont-de-L'Alma. This will involve switching trains a couple of times, but by now you’re a pro. Here you’ll emerge from the metro ready to cross the Seine to “Les Égouts” — the sewers of Paris. Why not? Lunch will have been over for at least 20 minutes by the time you arrive. Besides, only the French can turn a sewer into one of the most fascinating museums you'll ever set foot in.
Les Égouts offers you an underground look at the history of Paris while wading through the politics of water, waste and health. Grab a souvenir magnet from the gift shop since no one will believe you back home.
Speaking of health, for the remainder of the afternoon a little time with Claude Monet ought to do the spirit some good. You'll need to cross the Pont-de-L'Alma by foot again and catch the metro on the other side to La Muette. You're now further west but not far from the Seine.
From the metro, look for Jardins du Ranelagh. It's an unforgettable park on the way to an even more unforgettable Musee Marmottan. Only a handful of museums the world over have the trance-like effect of the Marmottan.
You'll consider pitching a tent here since you won't want to leave. The museum houses one of the greatest concentrations of Monet's masterpieces in the world. And this, thanks to his son who donated the majority of his father's works in the early 1970s.
The Marmottan closes at 6:00 p.m. — but stay to the end, 'cause who knows when you'll be back. Besides, dinner in Paris is typically a later affair.
Zen Explorer
www.zenexplorer.com
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