(A Guest Blog by Kayla Blanchard
(Pictured at the Gardens of Versailles)
Bonjour de Paris!
I have been in France for over a week now! I was lucky enough to visit the country a week before my classes started to visit a good friend who had been studying abroad for the spring semester. My friend gifted me a journal she wrote with of all the best restaurants, cafes, pretty views, museums, sites, brunch options, parks and insider tips. Included below are the top museums and sites to see in Paris! Contact me if you would like the additional lists. J
· Louvre- Go to the line for reserved groups and tell them that you are a French student, they may let you in, otherwise you might have to wait in a 2-3 hour line! Ah!
· Musee d’ Orsay
· Musee Rodin
· Picasso Museum
· Musee L’Orangerie
· Centre Pomidou- modern art museum, you can study here too!
· Palais Garnier- you can buy 10-euro tickets easily before show time, less crowded on weekdays, ticket office is in the back!
· Galaries Lafayette- beautiful building filled with Gucci, Dior and more!
· Rue de Rivoli- So… many… places…to… shop!
· Catacombs- arrive 30-45 minutes before it opens to avoid a 3 hour wait in line
· Pantheon
· Saint Chapelle- known for its beautiful stained glass windows, you will be in awe!
· Shakespeare & Company- Books are overpriced but they are always having fun events!
· Notre Dame- Free to go inside with student visa! Go to the top for free! Also, church service on Sunday’s, go to the international service! J
· Sacre Coeur- After going inside explore the artist district behind it!
· Picnic along canal Saint Martin
· Rue Montegrueil- lively street with yummy food!
· Pere Lachaise Cemetery- lots of famous people buried here such as Oscar Wilde!
· Marche Aux Puces St. Owen- magic is in the center
· Saint Etinne- beautiful and underrated church
· Congiergerie- Marie Antoinette’s prison cell
· Trocadero- metro stop with the perfect view of the Eiffel Tower
· Fashion Exhibitions! Jean Paul Gaultier, Yves St. Laurent, Lanvin in Musee Galleria
· Marches des Enfants Rouges- get some strawberries from the cute old man in the back of the market!
My friend who put together the lists is Montana Moore. Montana is the service chair for Lonestars and has previously been involved with other organizations and clubs on campus! Let me know if you are planning on studying abroad in Paris for the fall or spring semester and would like to meet with Montana to talk about her experience! I am studying abroad this summer for only a month so I will not have as much information as Montana but I would love to meet with you too!
Hope your summer is going swell! Here’s to more adventure
