MER-13565 COVER 2011.indd - Merton College - University of Oxford

What is the best way to spend a morning
in Paris?
Take it easy. Paris is not a city that should
be rushed. Start out with a croissant, coffee
and a newspaper in a café. Then a stroll
through the Luxembourg Gardens, taking
in the Luxembourg Palace and the fountains
is always a great way to start the day. The
gardens are always a bit quieter before
lunchtime.
… an afternoon?
Depending on your frame of mind, you
could head to one of the many museums
or exhibitions. The Musée d’Orsay, in
the magnifi cent former train station, has
an extensive collection of impressionist
and post-impressionist works. The Musée
Picasso, housed in a 17th-century mansion,
is really worth a visit for its collection as
well as for the impressive backdrop. The
Musée Rodin and its gardens are often
overlooked, but should be on the list if you
have time.
If you want to get a real taste of city life,
it’s best to avoid the Champs Élysées, and
instead take a velib’ (the bicycles for hire)
or walk around the different districts of the
city. The Marais area (east of the Pompidou)
offers some wonderful architecture, and in
the Grand Boulevards area you can discover
the historic galleries and passages from the
18th and 19th centuries and their quirky
boutiques. For more sporting types, take
in some fabulous views and the bridges
rollerblading along the quais of the Seine.
Stopping for a macaroon and hot
chocolate at Angelinas on the Rue de
Rivoli, or one of the famous Ladurée cafés
is a must. Plan ahead though, as you will
probably have to queue on the weekend.
… an evening?
If you’re looking to keep it simple: drinks
and dinner in a light-hearted ambiance
head over to the lively Rue Montorgueil
area. Café Etienne Marcel does some
great cocktails. The rue Montorgeuil and
perpendicular rue Tiquetone offer some
very good restaurants with a wider variety
of cuisine.
To try something a bit different, La
Bellevilloise in the 20th arrondissement is
a bar and restaurant with a stage that often
hosts eclectic musicians. The Jazz bars
situated near Châtelet, the Duc Du Lombard
or the Sunset Sunrise are two low-key clubs
popular for their good range of concerts.
If your French is up to scratch, get tickets
to one of the theatres on Rue Caumartin.
Otherwise there is normally something on
at Salle Pleyel and the Opera Houses.
Where is the best view?
While most would head to the Eiffel Tower,
there are several other options to get a good
view with fewer queues and spending less
money. The Montparnasse Tower, one of
the tallest skyscrapers in France, is a good
choice for those who want an easy trip –
you can go to the bar on the 56th fl oor and
get a drink while taking in the landscape,
great for sunset views of the city. If you’re
willing to put in a bit more effort, climbing
the steps up to the very top of the Sacre
Coeur is really worth it. Other places to try:
top of the Pompidou Centre, the top of the
Arc de Triomphe
What is a good day trip from Paris?
Art lovers should defi nitely head to Giverny,
a few hours west of Paris, where Monet
spent the fi nal 43 years of his life and where
he drew the famous Japanese bridge series.
MERTON CITIES | PARIS
POSTMASTER | 2011
FEATURES
You may be jostling among the masses,
but the gardens are kept in magnifi cent
condition and are still breathtaking.
The Château de Versailles is always a
good option for visiting both the palace
itself as well as its gardens. You can easily
spend a very full day, taking a boat on the
Grand Canal, exploring Marie Antoinette’s
hamlet built in the style of a Norman
village, the Groves, the Ballroom and the
Colonnade. Try to book tickets in advance
to avoid queuing.
Alternatively, the lesser-known 14thcentury
Château de Vincennes to the east
of the city has been open to the public for
the past few years. Nearby, at the Vincennes
park, you can join the families and couples
boating on the lake.
What is Paris’ best kept secret?
Its parks. Aside from the well-known parks
(the Tuilleries, Luxembourg, Place de
Vosges to name but a few), Paris doesn’t
have a great reputation for its green
spaces. But there are several treasures not
so frequently visited by the tourists where
you’ll fi nd the Parisians congregate in all
seasons, for meeting friends, playing with
their children, reading a book or simply
taking a nap under a tree. The Butte
Chaumont in the 19th arrondissement is
a favourite with the locals, as its unusual
composition, featuring cliffs, a grotto, and
lake with exceptional panoramic views over
Paris make this a popular place for walks
and a picnic.
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