I. Palais Royal
The infamous black and white column I am standing on is a staple in most tourists' photos. The columns are part of a courtyard that is surrounded by the Palais Royal which used to be a former French palace. This palace invites one to stroll down the arcaded galleries to browse the shops or sit under the chestnut trees and soak up the allure of the gardens. It is a quiet area among the hustle and bustle of the city.
2. Galerie Vivienne
A stones throw away from the Palais Royal lies the Galerie Vivienne. The Galerie Vivienne is one of many passages that can be found throughout the city. The passages were built mostly in the 19th century as covered shopping arcades. Today, most galeries have a variety of shops, cafes, and restaurants. Galerie Vivienne is one of the most popular passages to explore as it has a larger variety of shops than most of the other passages.
3. Galeries Lafayette
The name may be misleading as this location is home to much more than a covered passage. In fact, it is actually one of the most iconic department stores in Paris. The architecture alone is reason enough to stop by. Once you walk through the doors you are greeted with a view of the art nouveau dome designed by Jacques Gruber. The stained glass and ironwork are exquisite! Each floor boasts an impressive collection of products ranging from ready to wear to haute couture, my personal favorite. Although out of budget, it is fun to browse the latest collections from these prestigious fashion houses. Don't forget to go all the way to the top which has a café and outside terrace with an amazing (free) view of the city.
4. Musée de l'Orangerie
The Musée de l'Orangerie is a quaint museum tucked inside the Jardin de Tuileries. If you like impressionism or post impressionism art, this museum is a must. Monet's water lilies are the main attraction and rightfully so. They are absolutely breathtaking. Make time during your visit to sit and soak up this masterpiece! Before visiting this museum I was not aware of the collection on the lower level. This collection displays works of art from artists such as Cézanne, Matisse, and Picasso. Do not leave this museum before going down there! Also, if you have a student visa you will get into this museum for free.
5. Angelina
Technically Angelina is a tea house but I came to Paris with the assumption that it was actually a restaurant that served really deluxe hot chocolate. We went here on my birthday and we of course had to order the hot chocolate. Let me just say that this hot chocolate is every chocolate aficionados dream: hot, rich, and velvety. Oh là là!
6. Champe de Mars
Grab your wine, baguette, and cheese from Franprix or Carrefour and end your day at the Champ de Mars, which is a greenspace right next to the Eiffel Tower. Moriah and I went on Sunday evening to eat dinner and watch the sun set. After sunset, the Eiffel Tower lights up and sparkles every hour. No matter how many times I visit Paris I will always go to the Eiffel Tower in the evening to see the lights. To me, they are magical.