Aptly named the City of Light, Paris is famously one of the most romantic places in the world. It ticks all the boxes, offering wonderful cuisine, chic shopping boutiques, and myriad historical landmarks, museums and green spaces. It’s a deservedly popular place to visit as part of your European cruise.
Rather than trying to cram every famous attraction into your itinerary, it’s best to pick two or three and enjoy them properly. You’ll inevitably miss many wonderful things Paris has to offer, but what better excuse for a second trip?
Climb the Arc de Triomphe
One of the most famous monuments in Paris, the Arc de Triomphe is located at the western end of the Champs-Élysées. It was commissioned by Napoleon I in 1806 to commemorate his army’s victory at Austerlitz, but circumstances prevented it from being inaugurated until 30 years later. Since then, it has become an icon of the city.
With some perseverance and a pair of sturdy legs, it is possible to climb to the top of the Arc de Triomphe for some extremely rewarding sights. Or you can just enjoy the panoramic view of Paris at the terrace while sipping your beverage of choice.
Tour the Louvre
The Louvre Museum is the art lover’s dream come true. Housing more than 400,000 items, you can spend an entire week here and still not be done! But since you only have one day, it’s highly recommended to take one of the guided tours offered by the museum, for a fascinating overview of the most famous works.
The museum itself was originally the Louvre Palace, a fortress built in the 12th century under Philip II. After Louis XIV chose the Palace of Versailles as his permanent residence, the Louvre initially became the place to house the royal collection.
The Louvre’s most famous works include the Mona Lisa by Leonardo da Vinci, and Egyptian antiquities.
Stroll the Tuileries Garden
If you are wiped out from touring the Louvre, the Tuileries Garden is your perfect respite. It’s a public garden that starts from the Louvre and goes all the way to the Place de la Concorde.
The garden dates back to 1559, when the widow of Henry II, Queen Catherine de Medicis, decided to build a new palace and a garden to go with it. Thanks to her, now all visitors have the perfect idyllic spot to escape the hustle and bustle of Paris.
Got more than one day?
If you are fortunate enough to spend more than one day in Paris, you’ll never run out of options. You can take in the night view at the Eiffel Tower, pay a visit to the Notre Dame Cathedral, walk along the Seine River, or go to the highest point in Paris at the hill of Montmarte.
Anthem of the Seas has a romantic Paris and Bruges cruise planned, called The Royal Experience. Take a look at our thoughts on this wonderful trip, and other romantic features of Royal Caribbean’s new ship!
Image credits: Lima Pix, greg westfall, Kosala Bandara, darcyadelaide, Joe deSousa
