Things to Do in Paris

Cue up a chorus of 'Voulez vous coucher avec moi ce soir?,' pull on your Moulin-Rouge-esque fishnet stockings and head down to the Parisian district of Pigalle, where the notoriously raunchy French cabaret has catapulted the city’s red light district to the top of many must-see lists.

The Pigalle quarter is located in Montmartre and has long nurtured its reputation for the risqué, even taking its name from the 18th-century artist Jean-Baptise Pigalle - famed for his nude sculptures. Pigalle is Paris' red light district, a lively area crammed with neon-lit sex shops, peep shows, expensive strip clubs, and of course, the city's now-legendary cabarets. Leave the kids at home and head out for an evening of adult entertainment, or at least, the opportunity to gasp and giggle at the outrageous displays of tongue-in-cheek erotica.

Don’t be put off by the area's seedy reputation -- a number of hip music clubs and less provocative venues are slowly revolutionizing the area. Many tourists simply want to peek at the infamous shop fronts or pay a visit to the fascinating Musee d'Erotisme (erotic museum), so there's no reason to stay away. Better yet, go back to where it all began by watching a show at one of the famous cabarets. Glittering costumes, bawdy humor, tasteful part-nudity and up-tempo dancing (including the famous cancan) are all part of the show at the world famous Moulin Rouge, still running after over a century.

One of the most striking of Paris’ public squares, Place Vendome's historic architecture meets luxury shopping in a large octagonal space located in the 1st arrondissement of Paris. The majestic ensemble of early 18th-century buildings designed by architect Jules-Hardouin Mansart encircles the plaza. At its heart, the 43-meter Vendome Column towers overhead, topped with a regal statue of Napoleon perched on a white marble pedestal. The landmark statue was erected by Napolean himself, replacing the previous monument to King Louis XIV that had once dominated the square.

The plaza’s houses boast their own historic importance: Polish music composer Frédéric François Chopin died at No. 12 where a museum in his honor now resides; Italian Countess de Castiglione-Virginia Oldoini once inhabited one of the exquisite mansions nearby; and the world famous Ritz hotel, the brainchild of Cesar Ritz, opened its luxurious abodes at No.15 during the early years of the 20th century.

Today a cluster of luxurious hotels, including the Bristol and Park Hyatt, have joined the Ritz, lending the square an air of grandeur and the surrounding buildings dazzle with exclusive jewelry showrooms. Famed for its designer boutiques, car-free avenues and opulent window displays, the plaza’s atmospheric surrounds make it the perfect venue for a Parisian shopping spree.

One of the oldest streets in Paris, running from Maubert place to the Saint Medard Square in Paris' Latin Quarter, Rue Mouffetard is built along the route of an ancient Roman Road. Today, the pedestrianized street is the lifeline of one of Paris' most atmospheric areas, with tourists flocking to visit its lively street market (open every day except Monday) and soak up the quaint Parisian feel.

The Rue Mouffetard market, close by the apartment where Ernest Hemingway once resided, has roots stretching back to as early as 1350AD and remains one of Paris’ most famous street markets. Stretching along the southern half of the street, the colorful market is characteristic of a medieval marketplace with a medley of stalls lining the cobblestones and cabaret singers often busking on the sidewalks to earn a few extra euros. Food is the main produce on offer and there’s an excellent array of fresh fruits, vegetables, meats and seafood. Don’t miss the fragrant cheese stalls, of which there are many, where you’ll be treated to a passionate rundown of France’s most beloved cheeses and might even wrangle a few free tasters.

It’s not only the market itself that holds appeal for visitors. The surrounding buildings, some dating back to the 12th century, house an array of typically Parisian cafés, bistros and boulangeries (bakeries), renowned for their culinary flair. Stick around for a post-shopping lunch and you’ll find plenty of opportunities to sample traditional French delicacies and can satisfy your sweet tooth at some of the finest patisseries and crêperies (pancake houses) in the capital.

Paris’ Arts Bridge, or Pont des Arts (sometimes known as the Passerelle des Arts), runs across the Seine River, linking the Cour Carrée (central square) of the Palais du Louvre on the North Bank with the landmark Institut de France on the South Bank.
The famous pedestrian bridge was first erected in 1802 under Napolean I, but today’s design dates back to 1984 when it was rebuilt following a series of boat collisions and collapses.

Designed by Louis Arretche, the metal arched bridge has not only become an important landmark of old age Paris, but a popular vantage point, affording spectacular views along the Seine. With its wide walkway and picnic benches, the bridge has long been used as more than just a crossing point – artists, photographers and painters flock to the area, and the bridge is regularly used for small-scale open-air art exhibitions. In summertime, the bridge is a popular picnic spot and whatever the weather, a nighttime stroll along the Pont des Arts offers up a dazzling panorama of Paris, framed by the magnificent façade of the neighboring Louvre.

A more recent tradition is the hanging of padlocks from the bridge’s metal fencing – a symbolic gesture carried out by couples who seal the padlock then throw the keys in the river. While the custom is hardly endorsed by the Parisian government, the bridge is nevertheless adorned with hundreds of lovingly clasped padlocks, many inscribed with the names of their one time owners, and many see it as a fitting tribute to the famous city of romance.

Paris has been around for millennia; but it wasn't until 1605, when King Henry IV built what was then-called Place Royale, that a public square was planned into the city's landscape. It's now known as the Place des Vosges, and to this day remains largely unchanged since its inauguration in 1612.

It's easy to call any public area in a major city an “oasis,” but Place des Vosges truly lives up to the description. It's in Le Marais, which is already a relatively quiet arrondissement; but once you step through the arches, the stately residences seem to absorb any city noise and the arcades that cover the sidewalks add to its hushed ambiance. It's a good place to go to take a load off after trekking around the city all day.