Thursday, March 05, 2020

The Paris Museum Pass

The Paris Museum Pass offers free admission to dozens of sites in Paris, including most of the top attractions. Is it worth it?

That depends!

Before you go investigate which sites you want to see and how much those will cost. It could very well be worth it.

The pass also includes a Metro card, so you'll be able to use public transportation at no additional cost.

There is also a savings of time as most attractions allow pass holders to skip the entry line and go directly in.

For our short 3-day visit, we did not get the pass. We spent around 180-200 Euros total for the attractions and transportation we needed. The pass was 155 Euros per person.

It's worth investigating though before you go.

Wednesday, March 04, 2020

Arc de Triomphe



If you haven't walked enough while in Paris, here's your chance to work out your legs with a 284-step climb to the top of the Arc de Triomphe.

Once you're at the top, you have stunning views in all directions. Stare down the length of the Champs-Élysées, or get a great photo of the Eiffel Tower or the golden-domed Invalides.

In addition, spend some time watching the chaotic traffic below as 12 boulevards feed into one roundabout.

Tuesday, March 03, 2020

Sainte Chapelle cathedral




I've been fortunate to visit some very impressive cathedrals in Europe, but I was absolutely stunned by Saint Chapelle.

It's relatively small compared to many of Europe's cathedrals, and the 11 Euro entry fee seems high, but it is beautiful inside.

This is a two-level cathedral that was built to house the supposed crown of thorns that was placed on Jesus' head. King Louis IX paid three times as much for the crown as he did to build the cathedral.

The second floor of the cathedral is where you'll find the splendor. Fifteen stained glass windows line the walls depicting more than 1,100 scenes from the Bible. It will take your breath away.

Sainte Chapelle is located on Ile de Cite, a few blocks from Notre Dame. Walls around Notre Dame include pictures and descriptions of the fire that destroyed part of that cathedral in 2019.