72-hours in the City of Lights

By: Nicole, Jenna, Annie, Kathleen, Kelsey, and Kristina

Welcome MUDEC students! This is your 72-hour travel guide to help you explore, navigate and make the most of your travels in Paris on a college budget with a limited amount of time. As past MUDEC student’s we understand how difficult it is to truly immerse yourself in a culture in such a short amount of time and on a budget. We hope this guide will assist you while planning and traveling through the City of Light.

Paris is a fascinating city with stylish people, seductive architecture, delicious cheese and wine, and beautiful gardens. Paris is a city full of surprises; take everything in and you will uncover one of the best travel destinations in Europe.

France is the second largest country in Europe, with the fifth largest population in all of Europe. Paris, the capital of France, has around 8.7 million people living in the city. Paris is known around the world for its famous landmarks, museums, parks, and institutions, which brings an enormous amount of tourist to the city each year.

Paris, the city of lights, is a city full of historical tourist attractions that will simply blow your mind away. Of course you have heard about the famous ones such as the Eiffel Tower, however there is so much more to this capital of France than the obvious. These world-renowned monuments that reside all through out the city are must-sees and perfect places to being your sight seeing. With only 3 days it may be a challenge to get through every sight you want to see, but you can do it! The feeling you get from standing on the top of the Eiffel tower or walking under the Arc de Triumph is something you can’t afford to miss and something you will remember forever. So believe us, it will all be worth the walk or the wait. Here is some insight into several of the famous monuments you may wish to visit.

Eiffel Tower: Today this monument has become the global icon of France. It is a massive tower located on the Champ de Mars beside the River Seine, in Paris. This landmark was named after its designer, Gustave Eiffel who built it for the World Fair in 1887-1889. Although this tower is one of the most recognized monuments in the world, at the time it was build Parisians thought it was ugly and insignificant. One of the best parts of the Eiffel is the trip to the top. You buy your tickets on the bottom of the tower and you have the option to take the elevator or walk. I would suggest if you want to avoid the line, the stairs are the way to go plus it makes the trip to the top more memorable.

The Louvre: Known to many as just the Louvre, the full name is actually Musee du Louvre. It is one of the most visited, oldest, and largest galleries and museums in the world. The gallery holds some of the world’s more famous works of art, such as Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa, Madonna of the Rocks, and The Virgin with Child and St. Anne. Located in the centre of the city, between the River Seine and the rue de Rivoli, the museum has had over 8 million visitors in 2009 alone. You may find yourself stressed about making it through the entire museum however it would be smart to choose a few exhibits to focus on because it would take days to see everything in the Louvre.

Arc de Triumph: This is another breath taking monument positioned at the western end of the Champs-Elysees in Paris. It was created in 1806 to honor those who fought in for France, in particular, during the Napoleonic Wars. We would suggest that you climb to the top of this famous arch to get an incredible view of the city. It is a great place to view the shimmering city lights as the sun goes down because during the summer months it does not close until 11pm.

Sacre Coeur Basilica: This beautiful Basilica is located at the Montmartre butte, which is the highest point in Paris. Although this may not be one of sights you hear about before coming to the city, it is a must see attraction. The church was constructed in the late 19th and early 20th centuries and stands as a place of worship as well as a popular tourist attraction. When you visit the Basilica you should definitely go to the top of the dome for an incredible view of the city, and visit the meditation garden, which features a beautiful fountain. Whether you go here to enjoy the history or to pray, you are bound to enjoy your time at this sacred place.

Versailles: The Chateau de Versailles castle is one of the largest palaces in the world and its one of the most visited chateaux in France. If you are into architecture this is a great place to visit! This castle is situated several kilometers Southwest of Paris, and was build by King Louis XIII in 1623. When we walk inside you can enjoy your own sit of headphones for a small fee, which will introduce you to the immense luxury and magnificence of the Chateau including the famous Hall of Mirrors. Before leaving you have to visit the Versailles gardens, which includes around 1,300 fountains and may be the most magnificent part of it all.

There is so much to do and see in Paris that it is impossible to squeeze it all in 72 hours. One could easily make a list of the sites to see and check them off as they go, but we recommend traveling off the path of what is expected of a tourist. Go explore the streets and parks of Paris because you may stumble across a hidden wonder. Every tourist goes to the Louvre to see the Mona Lisa, but what you’re not told is to walk around the Louvre gardens and tulleries right behind the museum. In Annie’s blog she says that it’s a “relaxing place for visitors to walk, eat, and relax. It is definitely worth anyone's time to sit by a pool to sun bathe and have a picnic.”

Another way to explore the city is by taking a stroll down the Avenue des Champs d’Elysees. The street starts off at the Arc de Triomphe and ends at the Place de la Concorde; it is known to be one of the most famous streets in the world (http://hubpages.com/hub/Le-Champs-dElysee). High scale stores, cafes, theatres, and hotels line the avenue. Although everything is expensive and overpriced in this area, as a tourist it would be a loss to not explore the culture and atmosphere of this famous avenue.

Being a college student, we all want to know where to go for great nightlife. A popular trend among the Miami students on this trip was to spend their time at the park facing the Eiffle Tower. Amy describes her experience at night by the tower, “At ten o’clock the Eiffel Tower glittered in firefly-like lights as everyone ‘ooh-ed’ and ‘awe-d.’ After several minutes, the light show stopped but restarted at the top of every hour. My friends and I continued to hang out and live up the night for the next couple hours in the lawn, singing and dancing the night away.”

Another source of free after-dark entertainment is to watch the shows at the tip of Ile de la Cité, behind Notre-Dame. It is comparable to the Sundowner Festival on the Boardwalk in Key West, Florida. The performers there consist of fire-eaters, jugglers, magicians, mimes, and musicians. It’s known to attract a young crowd, so it’s the perfect setting for us college students looking to have a good time! Check out the Frommers website for more great tips on nightlife: http://www.frommers.com/destinations/paris/0062010030.html

Another fun way to spend your night in Paris is to do a pub-crawl. It’s one of the easiest ways to see a variety of fun and popular bars and clubs. They usually include a flat fee, which includes free drinks and sometimes even a t-shirt. A popular pub-crawl in Paris is called the Funky Paris Pub Crawl, which goes to five different hot spots for night life. You can easily see what their pub-crawl includes by checking out their Facebook Group (Funky Paris Pub Crawl) or visit their website to see when the next pub crawl is coming up! http://www.funkymaps.com

Paris is synonymous with good food whether it is their crepes, cheeses, bread, or wine. French mealtimes vary from American mealtimes. Breakfast is usually served from 7 – 10am and consists of croissants, a baguette, and coffee. It is almost impossible to find eggs and bacon in Paris. Lunchtime is usually noon to 2:30pm. We suggest going to a café for lunch to grab a sandwich or salad. Cafes are great if you are short on time and money, as we college students tend to be. Most Parisians eat dinner around 10pm, but restaurants will start serving dinner at 7:30pm. Cafes are also one of the only places in Paris that serve wine by the glass, everywhere else you have to buy a bottle (bummer, right?).

We suggest going to a Brasserie or a Bistro for dinner. They are more casual than a restaurant and are open all day long until midnight. They tend to be louder and more crowded too. You won’t need a reservation to get in these places and they usually offer outside seating. For one dinner, we suggest having a late picnic at the park next to the Eiffel Tower. Bread, cheese, and wine are great and cheap picnic foods. Every hour from 10pm to midnight you can experience the picturesque view of the tower lighting all the way up to the top.

We also suggest trying a crepe as a midday or late-night snack. The sketchier looking crepe stands usually are the best tasting ones. Paris is one of the only cities that understood tap water. So to save some money, ask for a pitcher of tap water rather than buying the bottled water. Paris’s water is perfectly fine to drink. In France you will have to ask to receive the bill and the tip is already

included in the price of the meal. Lastly, don’t expect separate checks. You will need to keep track of who owes what.

Wondering how to get to all these places without ruining your cute new shoes or having your feet covered in blisters? In that case we suggest using the metro or looking into a ticket for the hop on hop off bus tour.

The metro is probably the most popular mode of transportation for both tourists and locals with its colorful lines (red, yellow, blue, etc.) connecting to places all throughout Paris. According to Jenna’s blog that you will read below, it is said that every building in Paris is within 500 meters of a metropolitan. From what we’ve heard this holds true. People we know have stayed at hotels and hostels all throughout Paris but everyone has recommended their location due to the fact that it was close to a metro station. The perk of being close to the station is waking up, hopping on a train and arriving at your destination within minutes. Another perk is that single tickets only cost 1.50, but living on a college budget, these one-way tickets can add up fast. Instead, we recommend buying the 3-day pass for only 15 Euro. This will save you the hassle of buying a ticket every time and will make your pocket a little heavier so that you have more to spend on other things like souvenirs and wine. Check out http://paris.conciergerie.com/travel_paris/paris_public_transportation.php for further details.

However, if you don’t think of yourself as the next Christopher Columbus (aka you aren’t good at navigating) and aren’t sure of all that Paris has to offer, we’d recommend the Hop On Hop Off Tour. As you’ll read in Jenna’s blog below, she says that “spending money on the ‘hop on hop off’ bus was the best decision made the entire trip”. This ‘hop on hop off’ bus consists of a double-decker bus that takes you to major sites all over France as you ‘hop off’ to explore the site and then ‘hop’ back on to get to the next one. It’s only 29 Euro and the tour includes commentaries in 10 languages as you visit almost all the sites included in the map above.

Book ahead of time and you’ll save yourself the hassle of doing it once you’re there! Visit http://www.pariscityrama.com/visit-paris-by-day/visit-hop-on-hop-off-tours/visit-paris-l-open-tour/110A195.html to learn more information.

If neither of these options suit your fancy then walking is always a good old fashioned way of travelling, but you’ll have to wear your best walking shoes because the best things to see are spread ALL over the city. Walking from the Eiffel Tour to Sacre Coeur could take over an hour, but if you have the time and the endurance the walk would definitely be scenic and worthwhile. Plus, walking is free, and free is always a great thing while travelling abroad, especially as a college student.

Whether you choose to take the metro, hop on the ‘hop on hop off’ bus, or walk from place to place always make sure to carry a map because you never know when you’ll want to stop to eat, find a new monument, or search for your way back home! Transportation can seem stressful, but if you come prepared we know that you will see all that you need to see in just 72 hours!

Paris is full of excitement and so many things to see, both planned and totally unexpected. Our goal is to prepare you for your action packed 72 hours as best as we can.

First and foremost, you’ll want a centrally located budget hotel or hostel to provide a safe and clean place to sleep, and if you’re lucky, a free breakfast. Here are two hostels that we know from personal experience will fill your shelter needs (and free wine if you’re interested!)

- Hotel Darcet & Andre-Gill Hotel both include:

o Great location

o Private bathroom

o Complimentary breakfast

o Safe and clean atmosphere

o Friendly staff

o Linen

When booking a hotel or hostel for the weekend it may be difficult to find a cheap place that is within walking distance of the all of the tourist locations so we suggest finding a hotel nearby a metro stop. You’re best bet is near the Place de Cliché stop.

Additional Tips in regards to…

Packing:

-Always pack a pair of jeans and don’t forget your rain jacket! We know from experience that in the early months of summer Paris may still be cold and drizzly, so you don’t want to be left in the cold.

-Although Paris is very fashion forward, we can guarantee it’ll be worth it to wear comfortable shoes. There’s a lot to see, so skip the blisters and choose comfort!

-Remember the Notre Dame and Sacre-Coeur we mentioned earlier? Well you won’t be experiencing any of their beauty if you’re showing off your shoulders. So don’t forget to pack a cardigan or scarf to cover up!

Transportation:

-Save the energy and brain power of thinking how many times you’ll be using the metro and buy the 3-day pass. This way you can rest your feet without the burden of purchasing yet another ticket, not to mention you’ll be surprised how many times you use this form of transportation

-Avoid taking the bus- it gets very crowded and difficult to push through the mob of people. If it is not an option though, hold your possessions close and don’t leave your companions’ side

Money:

-Nothing is free! If a vendor tries to put the bracelet on your wrist, understand that you’ll be paying for it, and avoid signing any petition—there’s a fee for that, too!

-Always have spare change for bathrooms; you may find yourself being faced with a 50-cent charge when nature calls.

-The service charge is included at restaurants… no need to tip!

Safety:

-As always, stick with your group. Girls shouldn’t travel with any less than three.

-Pick pocketing DOES exist!! Keep your possessions close, purse closed, and always leave an extra debit card and important documents in a safe place for backup.

-Avoid aggressive vendors, they’re very intent on making money and will do what it takes.

-When staying in a hostel with other tourists that aren’t part of your group, lock your bags to the bed, and also lock them shut.

Feeling stuck in a rut? We’ve got your back! Just follow this itinerary we’ve created for the ideal 72 hours in The City of Light.

This sample itinerary provided a well rounded Parisian experience for the majority of MUDEC students, see what you think:

Day 1:

-If you’re arriving in the evening, take this time to explore the back streets. Think outside of the tourism box and eat at a small, quiet French restaurant to get an authentic Parisian meal.

-After a long day of traveling, take a load off! Sign up for a pub crawl or check out the previously mentioned nightlife… Paris will not disappoint you.

Day 2:

-Hop on and Hop off the double decker bus to all of your desired destinations. But save the Eiffel Tower for last because…

-You should save a buck by having a picnic in the front yard of the Eiffel Tower. Don’t forget to stay late and see the tower in all of its glittery glory at the top of the hour. On the menu: baguette, cheese, wine, and chocolate.

Day 3:

-Wake up early and get to the Palace of Versailles. Take your time to smell the roses (in the gardens, that is).

-Take advantage of Paris’ metropolitan scene: stroll up and down Champs d’Elysees. Step off of the main road and you’ll find some fashion forward purchases that will meet your budget.

…hungry for a snack? You’re in the perfect area to grab a Nutella crepe or try the pistachio gelato!

The Basilica of Sacré Coeur; A Hidden Treasure of Paris

Finally arriving at the top of 134 steep, cracked steps, I was thrilled to have finally reached the summit of my destination in the Montmartre district of Paris. As I squinted against the sun while establishing my bearings, the reason for my ascent came into focus- The Basilica of Sacré Coeur. While the climb to the Sacré Coeur left me wishing I had my inhaler and my calves feeling like they were on fire, the work to reach the top of the hill and the basilica was absolutely worth the hike. As if my lack of breath wasn’t already sufficient, as I gazed out from the crest of the hill to what seemed like a view only found in magazines. All of Paris was looking up at me, leaving me with a feeling of invincibility all the while humbling me and leaving me honored to have the chance of a lifetime to explore Europe.

As I turned my focus back to the basilica, which began construction in 1875, I was astounded that a church with such stunning views and breathtaking architecture wasn’t the most popular in Paris. Built in a Romano-Byzantine architectural style, which traditionally gave rise to Baroque and Neoclassical architectural styles, the basilica displays very elaborate designs with large statues of canonized saints placed symmetrically around the basilica. While the Byzantine style, when represented in its purest form, shows little symmetry, the Sacré Coeur is built with near perfect symmetry when viewed from the front. The following site has great additional information on the architecture of the basilica- http://sacre-coeur-montmartre.com/us/butte.html. Having arrived at the butte from the side, I initially thought the church was completely unsymmetrical. As I made my way around the towering domes and ornate statues standing guard over the entrance, the symmetry of the church struck me like a ton of bricks. Already having a fascination for churches, I was stunned I hadn’t heard more about an amazing church that had, in my opinion, the most spectacular views of the city of Paris. Having chosen to visit the church based on its proximity to my hotel, I felt as if I had found my own little wonder of the world.

The Sacré Coeur, which boasts a massive bell tower, which until the Eiffel Tower was build, was the highest point in the city. While access to the tower is not open to the general public, it is not at all necessary to appreciate the majestic, picturesque views provided from the top of the hill. As I turned my gaze from the church to the views of the city in the distance, my gaze fell upon the Eiffel Tower, then the Arc de Triomphe, and finally to the Louvre. As complete bliss and astonishment began to fill me from feet up (possibly due to the blood rushing through my feet back to my heart) I found it hard to comprehend that I was truly in Paris, living the life many only dream of.

My mind then wandered to the question of how a Roman Catholic Church came to hold such an impeccable location in Paris. As I began to ponder this question, I recalled the power the church has held throughout the ages. Following the rise of Christianity, the Church has continued to be a superpower in the world, costing countless lives and boasting a massive following. The Sacré Coeur, unlike many other churches, was built entirely through donations from Parisians, which acts as a superior demonstration of the dedication many people hold to religion.

As I turned my gaze from the city back to the basilica, I noticed how incredibly white and vibrant the exterior of the church appeared. To me, it seemed like a sort of divine intervention to witness a church so pure and white. I found myself caught between feelings of skepticism and bewilderment. Naturally, I thought the church had recently undergone reconstruction and restoration, an explanation to the pure white color. When I read a pamphlet from the basilica, I learned that my assumption as to the color of the church was incorrect. The stone that composes the walls of the church was quarried in Chateau-Landon, France. The region surrounding Chateau-London is rich in travertine, a stone that constantly extrudes calcite that in tern keeps the basilica white despite aging and pollution. The following link is a great explanation of travertine and its used in architecture today-http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Travertine

The Basilica of the Sacré Coeur doesn’t simply showcase the power and might of the Catholic Church. It also serves as a place of worship for thousands as well as the destination of countless pilgrims on religious journeys. Moreover, the basilica serves as a constant reminder of the transition of architectural styles throughout the ages. After enjoying the unimaginable views of Paris, I feel it is safe to say the Basilica of SacréCoeur is truly one of the treasures of Paris.

Beneath the Glitter of the Palace of Versailles

I remember first seeing a picture of Versailles and learning about Louis XIV, (also known as the 'Sun King') in my seventh grade French class. Now that I have meandered through the adorned corridors and stared towards the painted ceilings in awe - I surely cannot imagine a palace more beautiful or elegant. As I grew older however, and began to focus my studies throughout high school and also through college on European history, I gained a different perspective on the Sun King and his humble abode. The Palace of Versailles serves as the utmost reflection of French
nationalism and glory. However, beneath its glitter and grandeur lies a history of political complexity that sheds a different light upon the great palace and his majesty.
A certain amount of background concerning the reign of Louis XIV and the expansion of the palace of Versailles is important for anyone to truly appreciate and gain a deeper understanding of what they see after paying 25 euro and wandering around the tremendous palace and expansive grounds. Versailles served as the capital of the kingdom of France from 1682-1789 but now is a wealthier suburb of Paris. In 1682 with the Treaty of Nijmegen, Louis XIV decided that his government as well as his court would permanently convene in Versailles. Versailles is located over ten miles away from the city center. Knowing myself, I was certain that I would not spend my entire weekend in France exploring solely the city of Paris. My friends and I climbed to the top of the Eiffel tower, sipped authentic French wine and nibbled on French bread and rich crepes. We also strolled along the Champs-Elysées, of course shopped and toured the Louvre. Despite all of the rich history that is embodied in the city center of Paris, a rich and complex piece of the nation's history lies outside of Paris itself. That being said, Versailles seemed to be the perfect day trip and given the fact that I have yet to enroll in one French language or European history class that did not discuss the impact of Louis XIV and the Palace of Versailles - I decided to see for myself what all the buzz was about. By metro it took my friends and I over an hour to reach Versailles. Geographical placement typically is not circumstantial. Louis XIV intentionally developed the grand palace away from the city center as he desired to acquire a greater consolidation of power separate from the main population.
Looking like stereotypical tourists, my three travel companions and myself acquired audio guides that were permanently attached to our ears throughout the tour of the palace. Walking through each room of the palace, we discovered the purpose intended for each space. Almost of all of these revolved around the etiquette surrounding the King himself in the form of painstakingly traditional and drawn out ceremonies that celebrated his every day. I suggest that before visiting the palace you research Louis XIV and life at the palace. An online interactive source for research is http://en.chateauversailles.fr/history-. Louis XIV feared that his court would revolt against him and thus he kept them close, living in or around the palace and all these tensions and fears become immediately evident after exploring the grounds and the various traditions attached to each room and corridor of the palace.
Geography almost always tells a story. In the case of the Sun King and his palace, the actual physical landscape of the palace reflects the cultural system and the absolute monarchy that was in place during the reign of Louis XIV. Ultimately, the expansive palace caused greater damage than good and the excessive spending and flaunting of French national glory along with other French political issues largely culminated into the French Revolution. So, if you choose to remove yourself from the night lights of Paris and escape to Versailles for a day, I suggest that you take a moment to reflect upon the true meaning and consequences of the Versailles Palace and grounds. Allow yourself time to take in the outstanding beauty and extravagance like you may never see again. However, it makes theexperience all the more interesting if you envision yourself as a peasant living within an hour of such a place, or even as a member of Louis XIV's court, restricted everyday by the intense paranoia of the Sun King. Attached to a geographical location is typically an explanation and beneath that explanation is typically a light into the culture of the time period and its people and also a story that unravels the truth beneath the glitter and glory.

An "Eye-full" Tower View

After walking by the Moulin Rouge, throughout the Louvre, through the surroundings gardens, down the avenue Des Champs Elysees, and around the Arc de Triomphe, Will, Matt, and I decided to continue our walk-a-thon to the tall structure whose tip was peering over the treetops in the distance. This, of course was the Eiffel Tower, the most visited monument in the world and tallest building in Paris, France. Needless to say, our feet were tired and our bodies were definitely upset with us, as we had easily walked ten miles that morning (see map of Paris tourist attractions). Yet, we were overwhelmed with anxious excitement to finally see the tower we’ve learned about for our whole lives.

Since we could see the tip of the Eiffel over the trees and buildings surrounding us, we put away our maps and headed in the direction of the tower. I ignored the blisters forming on my feet and the sweat on my brow and trudged ahead. I kept telling myself, “It’s a beautiful day, and I’m in Paris about to see THE Eiffel Tower—what’s there to complain about?” After weaving through crowds, walking up and down stairs, marching through city streets, and running across busy intersections, we finally approached the serene Seine River with our momentous destination just over the other side. We excitedly half-ran across a concrete bridge and were immediately welcomed by a beautiful garden (http://www.tour-eiffel.fr/teiffel/uk/actualites/page/news_list.html?f=10&Year=2010#News200 ). The bright green trees and colorful flowers marked a path that led us to a cute restaurant hidden among the greenery with a perfect view of the Eiffel Tower. Since we had been walking for about five hours nonstop, we decided there was no better way to celebrate our accomplishment in this glorious city by sipping on a glass of rose wine in a gorgeous garden underneath the warm sun while looking at the Eiffel Tower. Will, Matt, and I kept telling each other, “This is the life!” It truly was an unforgettable afternoon.

Later that day (and after a few more miles of walking), the three of us met up with the rest of our group for an evening picnic on the lawn in front of the tower. The brownish-gray structure looked even prettier at sunset as hundreds of other onlookers gathered with their friends for a summer evening of wine, baguettes, and tower-viewing. Our group sat on the damp grass and munched on Nutella and bread as the sun continued to set behind the tower, which was now illuminated by bright lights. We were in awe at how surreal this seemed, as the scene we watched looked like something only seen on TV or in a postcard. At ten o’clock the Eiffel Tower glittered in firefly-like lights as everyone “ooh-ed” and “awe-d.” After several minutes, the light show stopped but restarted at the top of every hour. My friends and I continued to hang out and live up the night for the next couple hours in the lawn, singing and dancing the night away.

On the subway home, I couldn’t get the image of the glittery tower or the memories I made that day out of my head. I am just one the 200,000,000 people who have visited the tower and been impacted by its beauty since its construction, yet I felt especially awestruck as I thought about everything the Eiffel Tower represents. As we learned in class last week, everything that we see today is a product of history and a reflection of changes in people, places, and territories. The Eiffel Tower can be viewed as not only a symbol of the city of Paris, but as a representation of the geographical history of Europe.

The Eiffel Tower (tourism, history: http://www.tour-eiffel.fr/teiffel/uk/ ; history, facts: http://corrosion-doctors.org/Landmarks/eiffel-history.htm) is an iron lattice tower constructed on the Champ de Mars for the 1889 World’s Fair. At the time of construction, Paris was a thriving city in terms of arts and culture as well as the economy. The Eiffel Tower was built as the entrance arch for the fair and to commemorate the centennial celebration of the French Revolution—a period of radical social and political changes in France. The tower was only supposed to be a temporary structure dismantled in 1909. However, the Eiffel tower soon held a cultural significance, in addition to being valuable for communication purposes. Therefore, the City of Paris decided to keep the structure intact.

As a symbol of France, the Eiffel Tower represents the historical development of the French people into a nation-state. Since it was built in part to remember the French Revolution, the structure is a symbol of the accomplishment of political freedoms and the development of modern ideologies. The current territory of France is a result of revolutions and wars such as these. In addition to developing into a territorial state with a republic government, France and its people have acquired a national identity, which is also signified by the Eiffel Tower. The French share common history, language, and customs that are the result of historical events such as the French Revolution or the World’s Fair.

When I think of France, I will think of walking, baguettes, and wine, among others. Most of all, I will remember the Eiffel Tower and its impact on my Parisian experience as well as the significance it holds for the French people.

An Underground World

To the average tourist, like me, the hustle and bustle of the French lifestyle can be overwhelming at first. Foot traffic is everywhere, and people whizz by speaking rapidly in foreign languages that are not easily distinguishable. Automobiles are not popular above ground, but in its place exists an entirely different world underground.

Below the congested city of Paris lies the metropolitan, a complicated bus system that can be navigated by maps consisting of lines of different colors that represent buses that take people to various places. Upon arriving to Paris, France on the fast speed train from Mets, we were immediately thrust into this crazy underground world. We went to the tourist information desk first thing and were told to take line 2 to line 4 and get off at Place de Clichy. To us, it sounded like the man was speaking a foreign language, ‘the metro language’, but to him he was simply trying to help us find our way to Hotel Darcet. The metropolitan existed as early as 1845, but the first line was not completed until July 1900. Since then the metro has become one of the main means of transportation in Paris and the various colored lines on maps are just a way of life for those that live in this beautiful city. In fact, this transportation system is seen as a model of efficient public transportation. The metropolitan consists of 14 lines, 300 stations, and over 3,500 cars. It is said that every building in Paris is within 500 meters of a metropolitan and from my experience this weekend this holds true. Our hotel was a mere two minute walk from the station and anywhere we needed to go we could get to via connecting metro trains. Sometimes, like in our trip to the Louvre, it was a one stop shot on Line 1, but other times, we had to take as many as 3 connecting buses to reach our final destination.

Upon jumping onto the train station for the first time, I found myself extremely overwhelmed. A few of the people I was with were instant naturals at navigating the various colored lines of the buses, while others just sat there helplessly waiting for others to figure it out for them. I found myself in the middle. Sometimes I was able to quickly decipher where we were headed and how we needed to get there and other times the environment around me was too overwhelming for me to concentrate. The underground atmosphere was filled with scents of body odor and old perfume that made my nose wrinkle, hundreds of people dashing from one line to another that moved faster than I could blink, and dirty railings that forced me to keep my hands in my pockets. To some, this underground world created natural boundaries that helped people easily get from one place to another. To me, it was an unknown confusing world that left me feeling less confident than my usual self.

After a few minutes of waiting, the horn blew and the metro came to a screeching stop. Instantaneously, herds of people started pouring in and out of the various sliding doors. People pushed and shoved to get to where they needed to be before the doors closed and as soon as they did I felt trapped. People were standing shoulder to shoulder on all sides of me and I could barely see my feet, let alone try and protect my belongings from being taken from me. This is the first time I realized how overpopulated Paris truly is. Since 2005, inequality in France has been evident, especially in Paris. The 11.7 million inhabitants form one of Europe’s largest metropolitan areas, but (http://www.thetransportpolitic.com/2010/01/19/paris-officials-push-huge-suburban-transit-investment-to-increase-metropolitan-mobility/) much of the population lives hours away from the city center via public transportation. This fact, along with many others, is one of the main reasons why so many people are forced to take public transportation and why the metropolitan world underground seems to be a territory of its own.

After our first time navigating the city alone we realized that the metropolitan in France truly can be considered a model of efficient public transportation. We were able to find our way the entire weekend without getting lost. Surprising, right? We thought so, too, but we learned quickly that as long as you know where you are, where you’re going, and how to read the map then travelling shouldn’t be hard. This is easier than it sounds. For our first trip, we decided that we would meet our friends at the Louvre at 10:00 sharp. To make this happen we decided to leave at 9:15 which gave us plenty of time to figure out where we were going without getting overwhelmed. To get there, we had to take line 1, which I learned after some research was the first line completed and has been called line 1 ever since. The line used to run from Porte de Vincennes to Porte Maillot but has since been extended to run from Château de Vincennes to La Défense, which is what we used it for on our first trip. (http://www.discoverfrance.net/France/Paris/Paris_metro.shtml ) .

After leaving Paris, I now feel confident about navigating the metropolitan world and would willingly accept the challenge to take on the fast paced, claustrophobic lifestyle that exists under the streets of France.

C'est La Vie, Paris

Paris was more than anything I have ever imagined. For something that I had seen in countless movies, I really didn’t know what to expect.

Something that instantly popped out at me was the size of Paris. Pulling into the train station, I was surrounded by a range of diverse people, which made me think back to the reading section on populations. I thought about how Europe’s population has gone up and back down throughout the centuries, but Paris didn’t look like it was currently struggling in the population department. It seemed that everywhere we went, there were people, and a large diverse group of people at that. As one of the most populated metropolitan areas in Europe, it is also a large tourist region.

Something that makes the population in the region so massive is the urban feel that people get when they come to this infamous city. From our class readings we learned why people wanted to move in cities instead or more rural areas. After seeing Paris, I now know why they wanted to do this. Living in a city there are more opportunities to get work. With a city like Paris, they also use the Seine River as transportation of goods and people. This made me understand more of the urbanization that went on in Paris’s history because people wanted to able to access the things that the city had to offer, like it’s resources.

Going to such an infamous city made my preparation a little different, because there was so much to cover in so little time. When reading my European guide book, something that I found interesting was the fact that my it mentioned that we should save the money from splurging on museums and spend it on the amazing French food. I disagree with this because I almost would have to say to do the opposite. Although French food is great, it’s also pricey. If I wrote my own travel book, I’d say the opposite and that spending the money on museums and sights is more of a pleasure because you get a full perspective of what the city has to offer. And that is exactly what we did.

In my case, spending money on the ‘hop on hop off’ bus was the best decision made this entire trip. This is a double-decker bus that takes you all over France to the major sights. And I must say, it was the best 29 Euro I’ve ever spent! This was the perfect way to see everything in Paris at once, especially if it is your first time to the city.

We literally got to see everything we wanted to see in just one day. My group and I also had the perfect day to do this, it was sunny and warm! We sat on top of this bus and got to drive all over Paris. The only challenge we had come our way, would be dodging tree branches!

Hopping on the bus, we were apprehensive to get going and start seeing all of the destinations. Were we going to have to get out at every stop, or would we be able to pick and choose what we wanted to see? I was really unsure of the whole idea, but I was later proven wrong.

First stop on the ‘hop on hop off’ tour, the Louvre. The Louvre was extraordinary and huge. It wrapped around the whole area we were in. It looked like a large palace from the outside, but filled with windows. I couldn’t believe the size until we actually went into the building and realized how lost we were. Divided into different genres of art like Renaissance and Greek, our first stop would be to find the infamous Mona Lisa. Once we found her section, I realized that the Mona Lisa was super small. I’d say about the size of an 8X10 picture. I was really shocked when I saw this because this is a globally recognized piece of art that almost everyone knows about, and it was so much smaller than I ever imagined. For something that contains so much history, I was really shocked to see its real size. This tour was a great way to learn more about the different genres of art and also the history of Europe. Geographically, this made me think of how much history is behind the works of art in the Louvre. This made me take into consideration the history that I was witnessing. After touring the museum I realized that the guidebook was wrong and it was definitely worth the trip and money!

Our next stop would be the Arc de Triumph, which I really didn’t know that much about. But when we drove up to it on our bus, I got more of a sense of its historical significance and meaning to the city of Paris. After seeing its large size and beautiful artistry engraved in the stone, I wanted to look more into why this was so symbolic to the people of France.

The Arc de Triumph is a monument in Paris that honors those who fought for France during the Napoleonic Wars. Something that I definitely observed on the monument was that at the top of the arc there all are of the names of generals and wars that were fought. Designed by artist Jean Charlgrin, this one of the most famous monuments in Paris its location is significant to its Parisian symbolism. Its location at the right bank of the Seine is also significant to its cultural meaning to the French people because it is also located by other historical monuments like the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre. This monument reminded me of last weeks theme of the different history’s of the cultures we are learning because this monument stands as a reminder to all of those who fought and risked their lives during that time. For some more information, I looked here, http://bit.ly/T35Nj

After this stop, we traveled on the tour bus to the Eiffel Tower. Which is another symbol to the people of France. This iron tower that is also globally known, stands 1,063 feet tall and is said to be the same height as an 81-story building. As a prominent symbol to France and Paris, it tells a lot about the history of the country. I didn’t know a lot about this figure until I looked more into it online. Originally made for a World’s Fair marketing the celebration of the French Revolution, it was often criticized by the public. Many did not like this “eyesore” and were certain that it did not fit in the region that it was in. Since it is the tallest building in Paris, many can see it from miles away, which made many people apprehensive at first. When looking at this though, I saw a lot of history and cultural symbolism because this is a piece of art that is known by all people in the world.

Although I went into the trip not knowing a lot about Paris, or even France for that matter, I came out knowing more than I expected to find out in a little amount of time. This weekend changed my perspective of Paris, and Parisian people. I recommend going to this city, because once you do, you’ll fall in love with it just as I did.