At the end of April, I embarked on yet another escapade. Though I had initial plans, they underwent multiple changes due to various unexpected reasons. This time, my destination was the charming city of Paris, one of my favourites cities, often hailed as the capital of love.

While I have visited Paris several times, I have never written about it before. Each visit has left me with countless memories, shared with family, friends, and special people who has crossed my path, for which I am truly grateful.

Paris stands not only as the world’s fashion hub but also as a beacon of art, culture, and cuisine (despite the occasional challenge for vegan options). It is a city where delightful surprises await around every corner.

Seamless Connections and Insider Tips for a London to Paris Eurostar Journey

London and Paris, like closely intertwined siblings, are so near and accessible. Both embody an international metropolitan lifestyle, with London leaning towards the pricier side in comparison to Paris.

Having meticulously planned this journey back in December, my Eurostar ticket only amounted to £58 for a round trip, an absolute steal, especially considering that, in contrast to flying, travellers both depart and arrive directly at the city centre, needing just 45 minutes prior to arrival at the station.

With a good deal of familiarity with the Eurostar service, the journey has consistently been tranquil and pleasant for me (despite the limited and expensive snack options at the onboard café). The Eurostar secret lies in booking the tickets as soon as they become available in the reservation system, which is 120 days before departure.

Originally planned for March, my trip had to be rescheduled due to personal reasons. Subsequent date changes, prompted by the French customs strike, Brexit uncertainties, and various other unforeseen factors, totalled five adjustments. Given the frequent occurrences of French strikes, avoiding long queues at the stations became a priority. Therefore, I availed myself of multiple ticket exchanges, all free of charge, until I settled on what appeared to be a more reliable time: the end of April.

To my delight, this quick two-day trip unfolded exceptionally smoothly. Both outbound and inbound Eurostar trains adhered to their schedules, with no lengthy queues and a streamlined process. I must have been exceptionally fortunate, as I can’t recall experiencing immigration processes, check-ins, and outs so efficiently in any of my past journeys. So there you have it: happy and lucky me 🙂

THE LOUVRE MUSEUM

As mentioned earlier, I had visited Paris on multiple occasions before. However, this time, I felt compelled to embark on a solo journey, enabling me to explore at my own pace without having to adhere to anyone else’s agenda. Topping my list was a direct journey from Gare du Nord to the Musee Du Louvre station, with a quick coffee rendezvous with my new friend, Zohre.

So much can be said about this museum that any attempt would merely scratch the surface. Therefore, I’ll stick to a basic introduction and share my own experience from this particular trip.

The Louvre claimed the title of the most visited museum in the world in 2018, welcoming over 10 million visitors! Originally constructed as a fortress castle in the 12th century, it later transformed into a royal palace in the 16th century, serving as the residence of many French kings from 1546 until 1692.

Amidst the French Revolution, a pivotal decision was made to repurpose the Louvre into a museum, showcasing the nation’s most invaluable pieces of art.

Currently, the Louvre’s extensive collections are categorized into eight different areas, encompassing Egyptian, Greek, and Roman antiquities, along with Islamic and decorative arts, prints, sculptures, and paintings, amounting to over 380,000 objects. These treasures are strategically placed across the three interlinked wings.

After perusing various forums and online recommendations regarding museum access, I discovered that entering through Le Carrousel Du Louvre, via the external stairs leading to an underground shopping area adjacent to The Arc de Triomphe du Carrousel Monument, proved to be a more convenient option. This alternative was particularly appealing as the main entrance, marked by the Glass Pyramid, tended to attract long queues and substantial crowds.

Despite a brief queue upon entering, my access to the museum was swift and uncomplicated, including the security checkpoint. This streamlined experience could possibly be attributed to the fact that it was a Wednesday, a day when the museum extends its opening hours until 10 pm.

Entry is free for residents of the European Union under 26 years old. However, being on the cusp of an age where I must pay for everything, I purchased a standard adult ticket from the machine after passing through the security X-Ray. The cost was 15 Euros, and I opted for an audio guide for an additional 5 euros.

The process was smooth and uncomplicated, allowing me to embark on a full afternoon of exploration, spending over 4 hours leisurely strolling through various areas. A helpful map detailing the museum’s sections can be obtained from the information desk. Additionally, the museum offers a complimentary cloakroom service, allowing visitors to leave their backpacks and move around unencumbered for as long as they wish, a convenient option that suited me perfectly as I preferred not to carry mine throughout the visit. The cloakroom operates similarly to a safety deposit box at a hotel, providing easy access to retrieve belongings.

The Louvre is divided into three distinct wings, each named after prominent figures in French history: the Denon Wing, Richelieu Wing, and the Sully Wing.

The Sully Wing

Sully Wing is dedicated to the memory of Maximilien de Bethune, Duke of Sully, renowned for his contributions to transforming the country’s agriculture and commerce. This wing stands as one of the oldest sections of the museum. Upon entering, visitors encounter a series of medieval city walls pathways. I found the path easy to navigate, and the various objects and pieces along the way tell the captivating story of the museum from the Middle Ages, a narrative intricately intertwined with the evolution of the rapidly growing city of Paris.

In this section, I found an extensive collection of French and Greek/Roman antiques, along with decorative arts from various corners of the world. During my visit, I focused primarily on the Egyptian antiquities, exploring the Sphinx, sculptures, mummies, and other artefacts that narrate the rich tales of ancient Egypt. This particular wing became the focal point of my time spent at the Louvre.

Here, my specific interest was drawn towards the Athena de Palladium, particularly after my trip to Velletri last March. I discovered that this piece was unearthed there in 1797 and later transported to the Louvre.

My favourite pieces are shown below:

The Denon Wing

Denon Wing is dedicated to the first director of the museum, Dominique-Vivant Denon. Within this section, you’ll find renowned works of Italian and French paintings, along with Greek, Roman, and Etruscan antiquities.

Some of the most iconic pieces housed in the Denon Wing include La Gioconda, famously known as the Mona Lisa, the Venus de Milo, and the Winged Victory of Samothrace, among many others.

The Richelieu Wing

Richelieu Wing is dedicated to the memory of Cardinal Armand Jean du Plessis, a French bishop and faithful minister of Louis XIII, is named after a patron of the arts and the creator of the French Academy. While I did not personally visit this wing, it houses Napoleon’s apartments, along with a collection of French and European paintings and sculptures, as well as decorative arts from the Middle Ages, Mesopotamia, and Ancient Iran.

THE CAVEAU DE LA HUCHETTE

I had an interest in visiting this location since my last trip to Liverpool in March, where I learned that the creation of the famous Cavern Club was inspired by this place. Similar in construction with tunnels and thick brick arches, the entry fee is 13 Euros.

The Le Caveau de la Huchette building dates back to the 16th century but has been functioning as a Jazz club for over 70 years. Noteworthy about this place is its design, reminiscent of a maze-like cellar. Since transforming into a Jazz club, it has hosted artists from America and across Europe. The venue gained recent fame after being featured in Damien Chazelle’s film, La La Land.

The club features live artists every evening, with jazz bands entertaining the diverse audience, offering the opportunity to revel in the joy of dancing amidst a unique and captivating atmosphere. This legendary venue promises an unforgettable Parisian night. Accompanied by my friend Zohre, we had the pleasure of witnessing the performance of the Swedish trumpeter, Bjorn Ingelstam. Watching couples dance the night away to the tunes of this talented artist and swing band was a truly enjoyable experience.

PARC DE LA VILLETTE

This marked my final visit before returning to London. Accompanied by Zohre, who not only introduced me to many new French words but also strolled alongside me, exploring this area that was also new to her.

The Parc de la Villette is one of the largest parks in Paris, spanning over 55 hectares of land. Situated in the northern part of the city, we arrived at the Porte de la Villette metro station and traversed the park, concluding our journey at the Porte de Pantin metro station. We relished the scenic view of the lake, observing various venues and people strolling around.

The picture below showcases La Geode, a stunning 36-meter-diameter dome designed by Adrien Fainsilber. This mirror-like structure is composed of stainless steel, forming a sphere that reflects the sky—a truly captivating piece of art in the heart of the park.

The park is not merely a park but also a hub of entertainment, featuring several venues, museums, concert halls, various performance stages and theatres, numerous children’s playgrounds, and the music conservatory.

Entering the park through the Place de la Fontaine, we also discovered La Grande Halle de la Villette, currently hosting an impressive exhibition on Tutankhamun, the renowned Egyptian pharaoh of the 18th dynasty. La Grande Halle is a cultural center and musical venue that was once a warehouse, originally part of various slaughterhouses.

I also had a Couchsurfing French–English language exchange at a pub on Rue de la Huchette with my friend Zohre. Following that, we took a leisurely stroll along the Seine River promenade, relishing the sight of various cruises passing by and the iconic Pont Neuf.

Special thanks to Zohre and Bertrand from the CS community, for their guidance and hospitality during my visit.

A walk in Paris provides lessons in history, beauty, and in the point of Life. – Thomas Jefferson

Je ne regrete rien!

Love 💖

 

From Jenny