Paris, France Review

At this point, after traveling via rail, backpack, shuttle and bus through a fair amount of Europe, after all of the incredible sights and cultures that Europe has to offer, I still love Paris best of all.  Around every corner holds an amazing bit of history, a wonderful bistro, a world class museum, or just the experience of a life time. 

Traveling through Paris and all of the adjoining areas is a snap because of their incredibily comprehensive subway system called "Metro".  You can go anywhere on it in the Metro area and even Versailles, or EuroDisney, (although I would recomend skipping that).  Day, week, or even point to point passes are available for a very resonable price.  The very best part of traveling on the Metro is the prepondurance of exceptional musicians echoing through the tiled passageways of your journey from one train to another.  Stringed orchestras, classical pianists, jazz musicians, with every one I encountered with a great degree of talent.  It was amazing.  It made traveling underground something you would look forward to.  The stop at the Lourve is worth riding the subway for all on its own.

While somewhat spendy, you cannot beat the dinner cruises on the Seine.  They are at the dock near the Eiffel Tower and offer a wonderful experience.  Non stop wine, terrific food, complete with a jazz band and stereo typical french singer leaning on, and bouncing from male patron to male patron.  Touristy....maybe a bit, but terrific, and you can't beat Paris at night from the Seine.  To my amazment, there is a Statue of Liberty in the middle of the Seine!  Who knew!!

I stayed on the Left Bank at the Hotel Pont Royal.  Not cheap, but much friendlier price wise than many of the other up scale hotels.  Close to a metro stop, a short walk to Musee d'Orsay, and when you round the corner from the hotel you're looking at the Lourve.  My very favorite aspect of the Pont Royal is their Literary Bar which had loads of books lining the wood paneled walls, and the only spot that offered the only decent martini I had in that trip to Europe.  They claim at the hotel that Hemmingway used to frequent the place, but I found that every haunt in the neighborhood made the same claim.  So maybe, maybe not.  They still make a great martini, and a hotel with great atmosphere.  How great?  Well they were shooting a movie in the hotel on my floor when I was staying in Paris, so they moved me to a suite.  Talk about atmosphere.  Who was I to complain?  Best of all, most of the staff spoke some English.  Trust me, in France bone up on your French language CDs cause its France, and in France your only speaking English is not necessarily their problem.  Don't get me wrong, they're nice people, they just have a bit of the "tude".

My favorite museum turned out to be the Musee d'Orsay.  All of the impressionists are there, and they have the finest woodworking exhibits I have ever seen in my life.  Impossible sculptures from wood.  I would have stated them impossible to build would I not have seen them with my own eyes.  Van Gogh has a whole room exhibition there along with other rooms showcasing his work.  A singular Van Gogh is one thing, Van Gogh after Van Gogh is enough to really weird you out.  Seeing all of his works at one place, at one time, is enough to drive home the point that the boy had some issues.  Here's a tip...if your going to hit more than one museum, (everyone does), buy a museum pass.  You'll beat the long lines, and maybe save some cash in the bargain. 

Go to a resturant, and Bonaparte used to frequent the place.  Go to a bar or cafe, and Benjamin Franklin or Jim Morrison used to hang there.  Hemmingway hung everywhere. The history which surrounds you on every step you take, the dining experiences, (of which I never had one that was less than fantastic),  and the wine, (by the way there is no bad French wine.  Go to the local wine/grocery store and fill up your backpack.  Even with the dollar crashing its still incredibly cheap for the best Bordeaux you'll ever drink), all made Paris the city I would go back to at any given oppertunity.  The whole place is just too cool.  With the exception of Euro Disney of course.