Paris! You know what it was for me back then? I was actually hoping I would find some “link” to all those French artists who lived there during the 19th century! Here are my places to visit in Paris.

Pyramid of Louvre Museum
Years after my journey Woody Allen has made that Midnight in Paris movie, and I always thought that “he must have heard me thinking” while rushing around the streets of Paris and looking behind every corner, “my thoughts must have been so loud”!
Joking aside, I was in love with French impressionists, with Van Gogh’s work, I read Charles Baudelaire’s Flowers of Evil over and over again – even began to take additional French lessons so that I would be able to read the poems in French. I was in love with the 19th century France all together!
My final paper at the Faculty of Philosophy was on Jean Paul Sartre’s theory of existentialism and his analyses of Baudelaire’s personality according to the Look of Others theory. Etc, etc. You get the picture!
Overwhelming museums
“You will have to rush through Paris museums, since there is no way you are going to be able to see it all. But, try to do one museum at the time and spend at least half of a day there.

The main gate of the Versailles Museum
When you go to Louvre, keep the map of the museum in your hands and just try to close your eyes when going through endless corridors and halls in order to reach the section with the Venus de Milo statue, Nice of Samothrace, Egypt exhibition section, Italian painters, Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa… Otherwise, you will stand still in awe every meter of the way!”, I wrote about my visit back in 2003.

Hall of Mirrors
And when ever I thought about it later, I knew I made the right decision, that was the right way to visit the Louvre for the first time.
Another great museum – L’Orsay! Former railway station that was turned into an exhibition area once and remained as such ever since. Priceless collection of impressionist works, a lot of Rodin’s sculptures, the whole room with Van Gogh’s paintings… Oh, just adorable!
Dreamy Versailles
The Palace of Versailles was another special place. Even though in the suburbs, it’s easy to reach by bus or train. A huge castle of Luis XIV with adorable gardens and fountains that appear before you behind every curve of yet another neat, lush small block of greenery.

Vast Versailles courtyard’s detail
The room of Luis XIV is all decorated in gold, and there is the Hall of Mirrors with 75 meters in length. Mirrors are placed in such a manor that they reflect the light from huge windows on the other side of the hall, and thus it looks as if being covered in windows on both sides. It was so hard to imagine that someone once actually lived here, woke up every morning and went through these corridors. Well, it probably took them more than half an hour just to reach the exit door!
The thing definitely to be aware of when in Paris is that on every corner one can stumble upon a building where some famous writer, poet or a painter once lived. So, don’t be surprised when you see the inscription as such: “This is where Paul Verlaine lived.”
Famous minds in the same district
Have to admit that I was well prepared, had my own “map” of “places to visit in Paris”.

Famous Les Deux Magots cafe
There was the famous building in Saint Germain des Pres district, in Rue de Seine 57 where Baudelaire used to live. The same district was inhabited by Jean Paul Sartre, Claude Monet, Albert Camus. Two famous cafes Les Deux Magots and Cafe de Flore were also the rendezvous of the literary and intellectual élite of the city, Pablo Picasso or Ernest Hemingway being among them! I was like a kid in a candy store!
I remember sitting at the cafe having a quick coffee, thinking how amazing that time must have been with all the great minds gathering in one place, right here!

Baudelaire lived here on Ils Saint-Luis
Had the same feeling in front of the buildings in 22 Quai de Bethune on Ile Saint Louis, where another apartment Baudelaire occupied was, one of many he moved to through out his life. His windows were looking over to Seine and I have stood there, thinking how the river must have looked to the famous poet who wrote Les fleurs du mal here, in this flat!
Seances in Ile Saint-Louis
Known to be a dandy, Baudelaire actually traveled to India when he was 20. He was moving a lot and living in hotels, going out all the time, dressing nicely, painting his hair in green, becoming an opium addict.

The square named after Sartre and Beauvoir
And he was also a member of the so called Hashishins Club (another address in Ile Saint Louis!), where he met famous artists of the time – Theophile Gautier, Gerard de Nerval, Victor Hugo, Alexandre Dumas, Honore de Balzac, Eugene Delacroix. There were monthly seances that were held in the popular Hotel de Lauzun.
Needless to say that I have read a lot about all of them at the time!

Strolling around Paris, Pantheon in the distance
I even went to the Montparnasse cemetery where Sartre and Baudelaire were buried, leaving a small note on their graves. The later was buried between his mother whom he adored, and his stepfather whom he despised. It was so symbolic, there were two sides of him even in death…
Well, you see – that was one memorable journey for me, not just another trip abroad. I did buy an Eiffel Tower souvenir of course (so touristy of me). But I have also brought back Baudelaire’s book of poems, Les fleurs du mal, in French!
Next: KNOCKING ON MONET’S DOOR (4)
The full France SERIES
Özlem Soydan
Oh amazing! I would feel like a kid in a candy store, too. Some famous Turkish authors and artists lived in Paris for awhile as well.
WorldGlimpses
Really? Well, yes, everybody went to Paris back then, even artists from Serbia. I’d go too, if I could have gone through time first. 😀 Would take you with me, I promise! 😉
Özlem Soydan
Great! 🙂
kathymarris
What a lovely overview of Paris. It really is one of the most beautiful cities in the world. I would love to see the palace at Versailles.
WorldGlimpses
You would love Versailles, it’s a huge, immensely decorated royal palace with so much history! 🙂
Travel Imagez
Paris is a melting pot of artists back then. I had the chance of seeing their work in Louvre. I regret not going to Versailles though. Next time!
WorldGlimpses
Don’t you just love how you miss out on couple of “must sees” when traveling and you just have to go back? Oh, I know I do! 😀
Suman doogar
Like the picture of the hall of mirrors, Paris is indeed beautiful and full of culture & art
WorldGlimpses
It makes it so charming and unique. 🙂
Baia Dzagnidze
I haven’t visited Paris yet, but from what I hear one should plan a whole new trip just for the museums
WorldGlimpses
Yes, museums are overwhelming, there’s no way to see them all. But one should make a visit according to his/her preferences, that way it’s doable. 🙂
Zoya
You really did see a different side of Paris! I’ve been to Paris twice and on both trips we rushed from one tourist spot to another. Not that I’m complaining, the Louvre was one of my best museum experiences yet. But I’d love to visit the area where Claude Monet lived – it must be so charming walking in those streets and reflecting on all the creativity that was born there!
WorldGlimpses
It is lovely, believe me. Next time you visit, put a day aside to go on a day trip from Paris. I loved it, it’s probably obvious! 😀 Check out the next Glimpse, it’s all about Giverny. 😉
Paula - Gone with the Wine
Paris is always wonderful! This was a great take on what places to visit there. I have not yet visited the Versailles but I hope to be able to go back soon. There is so much to see and do in Paris.
WorldGlimpses
So true! That’s why one just has to go back few times. 😉
Ami Bhat
I so wanted to do Versailles when I was in Paris and seeing it here on your post makes me that ache even stronger. It looks so gorgeous. And then of course, I have to admit that I have not seen the other parts as you have described here. Time to plan a trip again.
WorldGlimpses
I don’t think it’s even possible to see it all in one take. Next time you go, do the Versailles, it’s even more beautiful in person. And after that, well, one at the time. 🙂
Sandy N Vyjay
We have been to Paris for a short stay and had to cram in a lot of things. Museums of course need lots of time and we need to come back to enjoy them. The Louvre of course is the crown jewel, however as you mention, the museum is so rich and fascinating, you are likely to get lost unless you remain focused.
WorldGlimpses
You can get lost and miss out on things you wanted to see, but you’d see many other masterpieces… but you’d have to come back the next day… Overwhelming! 😀
PackYourBaguios
I’ve only been to Paris once, and it was only for a couple of days. As a lover of art, I really need to plan another (longer) trip!
WorldGlimpses
Oh yes, it takes a bit of time. But I’m sure you’d love the adventure! 🙂
Wanderlust Vegans
Ah Paris. It looks so beautiful and all the art. We didn’t make it there on our European adventures. Hopefully, we make it one day. We definitely have to go back to Europe!
WorldGlimpses
Fingers crossed you’ll come again soon! 😉
bruceschinkel19
What a fun post! I love picturing in my mind that I’m retracing the steps of people of historical significance whenever I travel, so i totally get your excitement at these locales!!
WorldGlimpses
So glad there are more of us! 😀 Thanks, it really was so much fun! 🙂