10 Must-Do Things in Paris!
Ah, manicure, our passion and pride! But have you ever wondered why is it called like that? Let us shed some light on this question for you! The English word manicure comes from the French word manucure, and its literal meaning is “care of the hands”. It’s also worth mentioning that this term has its origin in Latin language and is a combination of two words manus, for “hand”, and cura, for “care”. Of course, we could immerse ourselves in the history of Roman Republic and Gaul at this point, but we prefer to focus on the present (ain’t that a nice plot twist?) and share you a list of ten things worth experiencing in modern France. Allons-y!
1. Cruise on the Seine
It is said that Seine is not only a river but also the main street of Paris. Going on a cruise with a boat or a water bus, you can see most of the important monuments, while enjoying a glass of champagne or having a dinner on the river.
2. The Palace of Versailles
One does not simply visit Paris without going inside the symbol of splendor and French monarchy – Château de Versailles. The huge Baroque building is dripping in gold and it is surrounded by gardens known throughout the world, which, nota bene, are a monument, too. What makes them even more special is the thought that Louis XIV himself used to use the same stairs and walk down the same Gardens’ alleys. Let’s be honest, who wouldn’t want to feel royal just like the Sun King for at least a short while?
3. Shopping spree on the Avenue des Champs-Élysées
Les Champs-Élysées is not only the “heroine” of a famous song but also the representative avenue of Paris, which leads to the Arc de Triomphe (Triumphal Arch). There are many restaurants, cinemas, theatres and shops along it – starting from exclusive boutiques of fashion designers, and ending on popular supermarkets. It’s the perfect place to find clothes in Parisian style.
4. French sweetness…
Croissants, éclairs, macarons, crème brûlée, pain au chocolat… Mhhh, yum-yum! French people are in fact the masters of desserts. You can find lots of small pastry shops and cafés where you can have a taste of hand-made, freshly baked sweet snacks.
5. … or savoriness
For those who are not very fond of sweets (yes, such people do exist!), we have good news! And don’t worry, we won’t focus on the most famous national dishes of France, such as onion soup or escargots. This country’s cuisine is also known for its juicy meat, seafood and exquisite cheese. Fans of vegetarian dishes can try, for example, ratatouille, a vegetable stew, originating in Nice, and composed of aubergine (eggplant), courgette (zucchini), tomatoes and bell pepper. Even if it won’t be prepared by a very friendly rat, we guarantee that you’ll enjoy your meal!
6. The Louvre
There was something good for the body, so it’s time for something as good for the soul. The Louvre is one of the biggest museums in the world, and holds almost 350 000 pieces of art. You will not only see there the portrait of Mona Lisa by Leonardo da Vinci but also the statue of Venus de Milo and the famous “Liberty Leading the People” painting by Eugène Delacroix.
7. Moulin Rouge
Moulin Rouge is a cabaret that has operated continuously since the end of the 19th century. Dancers in fancy, exotic outfits, glamour, music and the famous can-can dance are the distinctive features of this place. Thanks to the heart-touching musical with Ewan McGregor and Nicole Kidman, Moulin Rouge has gained an even greater fame. Seeing one of the shows of Red Mill is surely an unforgettable experience.
8. A walk through the Montmartre
Moulin Rouge is located close to Montmartre, probably the most picturesque district of Paris. This place was originally resided by the French Bohemians, among whom were musicians, poets, writers and painters. Did you know that Picasso, Chopin and even Van Gogh used to create their works there? Nowadays, Montmartre is a place full of atmospheric streets, intimate cafés and art galleries.
9. The Eiffel Tower
Of course, our list couldn’t be complete without the most famous Parisian structure. The Eiffel Tower was erected by the Seine river in 1889 for the Parisian world fair and it was supposed to be disassembled after 20 years. However, it became such an important and popular symbol of the city that the Parisian government decided to let it stay. Currently, it has three terraces (just imagine the beautiful views!), while on the second floor you can have dinner in a restaurant. Eiffel Tower is one of the most visited monuments in the world, and… the most romantic place to get engaged (wink-wink)!
10. 20 meters underground
Finally, a proposition for those who are fed up with art, love, sweets and romantic landscapes. The Catacombs of Paris are actually abandoned stone quarries (a small section of them), which hold the remains of more than 6 million Parisians gathered over the centuries. After descending the spiral stairs to a depth of 20 meters, you will be at the start of a two-kilometer-long trail on which you will see statues and décor made of… bones (yikes!). This is not an attraction for faint-hearted people, but it’s surely an adventure worth experiencing.
How do you find our mini guide? All the above mentioned places inspired us to dedicate the first set of our Silcare Collection 2021 series to France, and hence Flexy Madame Pastelle was created! The best thing is that there are many more locations to discover! Let our sets help you decide your next destination – Portugal (Flexy Sunny Fandango), United States (Flexy Hello Manhattan!) or maybe United Kingdom (Flexy Icy Lights)?