The increasing variety of
river cruise itineraries is making the non-coastal capitals of Europe more
accessible to cruise travelers. Paris, France, is a perfect example: it’s 150
miles from the English Channel, and ocean-going ships must dock at the port of Le
Havre or at Rouen. River cruise ships, however, can travel up the winding Seine
river right into Paris, docking near the Eiffel Tower and other incredible
sights in the City of Lights.
From the river, you’ll see some
of the dozens of bridges that cross the Seine, including Pont Neuf, which connects
both banks of the Seine to Île de la Cité, where Paris began. The island is
home to the Cathedral of Notre Dame de Paris; climb the stairs inside the
towers for a wonderful view of the city. There’s also Sainte-Chapelle, a royal
chapel in the Gothic style; and the sobering history of the Conciergerie
prison, where thousands of prisoners awaited execution during the French
Revolution.
In addition to the Eiffel
Tower, be sure to see the Arc de Triomphe, the magnificent arch that Napoleon
intended as a monument to his military success. From the arch, follow the
boulevard Champs-Élysées to Place de la Concorde, the city’s largest square. While
King Louis XVI and other noteworthy Parisians were guillotined here during the
French Revolution, much of the square’s history has been peaceful. Today, it’s
decorated with fountains, statues and the stunning Luxor Obelisk.
Monmartre is a hilly
neighborhood watched over by Sacre-Coeur, the Basilica of the Sacred Heart. The
beautiful dome and the gardens are open to the public. The steps are a popular
place to sit in the evening as the lights of Paris come on.
Paris’ Musee du Louvre is
simply one of the finest art museums in the world. Everyone wants to see the
Mona Lisa and the Venus de Milo, but there are also enormous collections of paintings,
prints, drawings and sculpture, plus antiquities from the Greek, Roman,
Egyptian and Asian empires.
Beyond its monuments and
museums, Paris is full of charming streets lined with unique shops, exceptional
restaurants and delightful cafes. Plan to spend a few days in the city before
or after a cruise on the Seine, and you’ll dream of the day that you can
return! For more information, talk with Anita, your Cruise Holidays personal
cruise expert.
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