Whether you’re spending it alone or with loved ones, a weekend in Paris promises to give you the time of your life. With countless attractions dotted all over the city, Paris will leave you spoilt for choice on what to explore. Inasmuch as that sounds like an advantage, the abundance of choice may cause indecisiveness and could easily have you spending the trip in the hotel, especially if you’ve had a long and cumbersome flight. However, such won’t be the case if you have a great flight and the perfect itinerary. Flight time from Hong Kong to Paris, which is approximately 13 hours, passes by like a breeze when you fly with Cathay Pacific thanks to its award-winning comfort. When you combine this with its reasonably priced fares, it offers the best value for your money. With that handled, here are some of the best things to do for a weekend in Paris. So that you don’t spend your whole trip reading hotel magazines, of course.
Ascend the Eiffel Tower
The Eiffel tower is one of the most recognizable structures in the world and should be on the top of your itinerary when visiting Paris. It is known to be a global cultural icon for France, and the most visited paid monument with about 6.91 million people ascending it in 2015. The tower stands tall at a height of 324 meters which is equivalent to an 81-storey building, making it the tallest structure in Paris. In fact, it was once the tallest man-made structure in the world after it surpassed the Washington Monument during its construction in 1889. It held that title for 41 years before it was dethroned by the Chrysler Building in New York. The tower has three levels for visitors with the first and second levels containing restaurants. The top level has an upper platform that is 276 meters from the ground making it the highest observation deck accessible to the public in the European Union. From this height, you can get jaw dropping vistas of the city of love.
Explore amazing sculptures at Musée Rodin
This museum opened its doors for the first time in 1919, and was primarily dedicated to showcasing the sculptures of Auguste Rodin. It was actually the residence of the famed French sculptor before it was reconstructed into a museum. It contains more than 6,000 of his sculptures including his most popular masterpieces which include The Thinker, The Kisser and The Gates of Hell. Apart from sculptures, the museum also contains 8,000 old photographs and another 8,000 drawings. The lovely grounds that surround the museum contain fountains, a rose garden and a café, which create a relaxing environment when you need a break.
Be inspired by the World’s Greatest Art collection at the Louvre
If you only have time to visit one museum while in Paris, this is the one. You cannot have a conversation about Paris without talking about the Louvre. With a grand total of over 30,000 works of art, The Louvre has rightfully earned the title of The World’s Greatest Art Collection. The museum contains everything from Egyptian mummy tombs to Grecian sculptures. Here you can get up-close with works of art dating from prehistoric times all the way to the 21st century. It was opened in 1793 and has ever since had such a robust art collection that it has become the most visited museum in the world, with more than 9 million tourists visiting it in the year 2019 alone. This activity beckons art enthusiasts and budding artists alike, nevertheless, the Louvre has something for everyone looking to be inspired by some of the wold’s greatest works of art.
Visit the gothic masterpiece that is The Notre Dame Cathedral
The Notre Dame Cathedral, similar to the Eiffel Tower is considered as a Parisian icon. The construction of the Cathedral started in the late 10th century and had its finishing touches completed 200 years later. Once you get to see the cathedral up close, you’ll get to understand why this building took so long to be completed. The amazing details on and inside the building have earned it the title of gothic masterpiece, with some even claiming it is the best cathedral of its kind in the world. Visiting this historic monument will give you a true appreciation of French culture and architecture.
