Paris is one of the most attractive cities for tourists in the world. Indeed, here almost everyone can find something interesting for themselves - this applies to art lovers and connoisseurs of history, and connoisseurs of fashion or gastronomy.
Paris museums
The city is famous for the abundance of a wide variety of museums. The most famous is the Louvre with a collection of masterpieces of world art created before the beginning of the 20th century. Among the attractions of the Louvre - the richest Egyptian collection, as well as numerous exhibits found by French archaeologists in the Near and Middle East. Also in the Louvre you can see many works of European painting, including the famous La Gioconda by Leonardo da Vinci.
Impressionist lovers should be interested in the Musée d'Orsay, while contemporary art can be enjoyed in the center of Georges Pompidou, one of the most original buildings in Paris.
In Paris, you can find very unusual museums, where you should go alone or with friends. These include the Sewerage Museum - you can see the history of the development of the underground part of the city. Be careful - the smell in this museum is quite unpleasant, as you descend directly to the sewage. One of the darkest places in Paris is the Catacombs, the dungeons into which the remains from the old Parisian cemeteries were transferred. There they will be able to tell you about the specifics of the French funerary culture of different eras.
Some Parisian museums can be accessed free of charge on one of the Mondays of the month.
Theaters in Paris
Paris is known as a major European center for theatrical arts. If you find it difficult to watch a dramatic performance without knowing French, then the Paris Opera is quite accessible to foreigners. Tickets there are quite expensive, but there are various discounts for young people and students. Foreigners can also take advantage of these bonuses.
Traditional cabarets have also survived in Paris. The residents of the city themselves rarely visit them, so the performances are designed primarily for tourists. The Parisians themselves are much more popular, for example, circus performances. At the beginning of September, every year in the La Défense district, a street arts festival is held with performances by comedians, jugglers, and acrobats. The festival is held outdoors and all performances are free to attend.
Fashion and gastronomy
Paris is famous for its trendy shops. The easiest way to shop is in large malls such as Galeries Lafayette. You can also find shops of the world's leading manufacturers of clothing and accessories on the Champs Elysees. The best time to come to Paris to shop is during the sales, which take place in January and July every year. Such sales are a real opportunity to purchase goods of expensive brands with a discount of 30 to 80%.
Gourmets can also find a lot of interesting things in Paris. In the morning, fairs are held several times a week in different parts of Paris. On them you can buy farm cheeses, pates, meat, as well as fresh bread, a wide variety of vegetables and fruits. Delicious ready-to-eat meals are also sold here - fried chicken, sausages with stewed cabbage, couscous.
If you are not in the market, visit the butcher, fish and cheese shops - there you can find much fresher and more interesting products than in supermarkets. Parisian restaurants are also worth your visit.
Please note that many restaurants are only open at lunchtime and in the evening, from 12:00 to 14:00 and after 19:00.
When choosing a place to eat, don't be afraid to deviate from the tourist routes. Pay attention to the fullness of the hall - there is often a queue at good restaurants with reasonable prices.
