The Paris Traveler

Today’s guest post is from Mary Jo Manzanares, Travel & Culture Channel Editor and travel blogger at Flyaway Cafe.
One of the most famous museums in the world is the Louvre, or more correctly the Musée du Louvre, and it was one of the items that was high on my Paris must-see list. It is located on the Right Bank (of the Seine) in the 1st arrondissement.
Originally a palace, the museum is now home to some of the most world-famous works of art, including the Mona Lisa, Winged Victory, and Aphrodite/Venus de Milo. It opened to the public in 1793, …read more

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This is a guest post from Mary Jo Manzanares, Travel & Culture Channel Editor and blogger at Flyaway Cafe
 
As is often the case when travelers get to talking, the discussion soon turns to places we’ve been, places we’re going, and places we want to go.
One of my favorite recent trips was to Paris.

The photo was taken on a visit to the Louvre.  The statuary was in a garden atrium area of the museum, and is just one of hundreds of pieces on display.
I recently had the opportunity to watch some sculptors at work, and that has given me a …read more

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 I am a lover of art in all its forms.  When I step inside the Louvre, I stand in the central court and struggle with which wing to enter first.  I know, no one out there is boo-hooing over my dilemma.  Living in Paris allows one the luxury of taking in ancient Egypt one day and Asian art the next.  One rainy afternoon, I focused my visit on sculpture.  Nothing else.  I didn’t allow for other works to distract me and walked away with such an appreciation for how “soft” and sensual…… 
 
or full of motion……
 
marble can become in the right …read more

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Put your pencils down people.  You have had plenty of time to try and figure out how my mind works….if indeed you have figured that out, please let me in on the secret, ok?  So, answers to this week’s haiku:  
 little eye contact, even less personal space, get me out of here

 Here you have a very crowded métro car, which is not even as crowded as they are capable of getting.  In some instances there would be absolutely no way to pull back and take a picture as there’s just a crush of bodies wanting to get to work in the morning …read more

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The museums of Paris have what I would consider some of the best shopping around.  Their gift shops are filled with amazing goodies–reproduction jewelry from their collections, scarves, books dedicated to specific exhibits and even the tried and true Mona Lisa mouse pad.  Even their cheesy attempts at consumerism come out looking not so bad! For a price, (the exchange sucks!) you too can get a hold of some of these fun things right from the comfort of your living room.  Boutiques de Musees is a site that has gathered the best from all the individual gift shops and put them in …read more

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 Walking through the Tuileries gardens is a part of each day that I spend in Paris.  I plan my route so that I can enjoy all it has to offer either on my way to where I am going, on my return or both.  That’s how much I enjoy being here.  It is always crowded,  but especially so on weekends when residents and tourists literally “promenade” the gravelly through fare.  I love trying to picture what it must have been like at the turn of the century, much like the movie “Gigi” with carriages, and picnics and flirtations.  All those …read more

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There’s lots of ways to get around Paris–traditionally walking is good, using the metro and walking is good or taking the bus and walking is good too.  Even a combination of the three–which I always try to avoid–is not as good, but works.   
If, however, you are a bit more adventurous and want to make transportation an event,  I have a few ways that will allow you to get a feel for the lay of the land, see the sights and have a good story to tell back home.  

 On a beautiful, sunny day I really can’t think of a …read more

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If you’re thinking of coming to Paris soon, then you’re right in time for this year’s Nuit Blanche which takes place October 6! “Nuit blanche” (white night) is an expression meaning, “staying up all night.” More often than not it’s used in the context of “partying all night.” I mean, come on, we’re in Paris afterall, but it’s for any reason that keeps you awake all night long.
This is the sixth year that Paris is putting on a Nuit Blanche and just like the Fête de la Musique, what began in Paris, has once again taken off and has now …read more

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I recently sent one of my poems (not this one) to be included in the Jack Kerouac exhibit that will be taking place on the 23rd of September in Paris at the Cabaret Pirate in front of the BNF (Bibliothèque Nationale de France), which got me to thinking….  How could I have not seen that my poem, This Is Paris To Me, fits in perfectly with my blog! 
                                                                                     THIS IS PARIS TO ME
Cobble stone streets; and chic cafés.
Strolling down the Champs Elysées.
Going into the Madeleine,
or riding the Bateaux Mouches on the Seine.
That is what you must do and see,
but this …read more

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Are you disheartened when you see the long lines at all the “must see” places in Paris like the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre? Just the idea of spending literally hours waiting to go somewhere or see something when time is short need not be your reality while visiting the City of Lights!
“How?” you ask. Well you can cross your arms, blink three times and spin around like you’re some sort of genie and hope that everyone in front of you has disappeared!
Or you can consider buying the Paris Pass which not only gives you free public transportation, free entry …read more

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