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7th Arr
Paris - 7th Arrondissement
First destination stop for those heading to Paris will almost always be the Eiffel Tower in the 7th arrondissement. Seeing the majestic tower is almost surreal -- and certainly exciting -- but visitors beware: the lines will be long, the tour busses will seem to have the advantage, the food (unless you call ahead at least three months in advance to dine at Jules Verne) is expensive and atrociously bad, and once you get up top, you'll have this gorgeous view of Paris -- without the Eiffel Tower in it! Still, you have to go. Best to arrive first thing in the morning, before it even opens, to beat the lines (this way you'll also beat the lines you'll have to wait on to get to one elevator after another once on the tower). If you don't plan to do the Eiffel Tower pre-opening, then don't be too ambitious with your schedule for the rest of the day -- a visit planned at the wrong time, can eat into the better part of a day. Another head's up... as easy as it is to get around Paris, the Eiffel Tower's metro stops seem to be quite some walking distance. Other things to do in the 7th arrondissement: Another first-visit must-do if you want a smaller musuem than the Louvre: the Musée d'Orsay is the second most visited museum in Paris. Les Invalides has Napoleon's Tomb inside, and is as majestic as it is astounding. The outside of Hôtel des Invalides -- especially approaching it at sunrise or sunset from Pont Alexander III, is amazing. Perhaps the most underrated must-do on a first trip to Paris is a visit to the Musée Rodin -- after marveling at the sculptures inside and out, plan a lunch in the garden, simply because it's a gorgeous place to be. For shopping, nothing will beat Le Bon Marché and it's glorious la Grande Epicierie de Paris.
Destinations in the 7th Arr
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7th Arrondissement Monuments
Each Quarter of Paris has its own personality and charm but there's something luxurious about this area. It’s chic, historical and architecturally splendid. How can you miss, with Les Invalides, Napoleon's Tomb, the Musée de l’Armée or the great art museums like the Rodin and the d’Orsay? How can you beat the walk along the Champs de Mars in the shadow of the Eiffel Tower. It takes only a few minutes to see why the wealthy residents of the Marais moved here in the 18th century. History buffs and people who want to study architecture will enjoy the seventh arrondissement. Aside from the great gardens leading up to the Eiffel Tower, the Ecole Militaire and Les Invalides, there are quiet streets, museums and the French National Assembly. -
Musée Guimet
The Guimet Museum is the national museum of Asian art, home to the largest collection of items of its kind housed in four fantastic floors of historic artifacts. The collection was started by Emile Guimet who traveled to Egypt and Asia, amassing a remarkable collection of art pieces from the areas. The museum now includes items from Afghanistan, Pakistan, Cambodia, Indonesia, Vietnam, China, Korea, India, and Japan. The collection of stone statues of Buddhist figures on the ground floor is astonishing, and is telling of the other works to come as you visit each floor. -
Musée Maillol-Fondation Dina Vierny
I had to visit the Maillol Museum after seeing its poster in the metro—the striking picture of a lady with small off-centered pupils was the representative piece for the China Gold exhibition. The museum houses contemporary and modern art and sculpture. The exhibition showcases works from thirty-five Chinese artists chosen by curator Alona Kagan who address the paradoxes of Chinese society, often the struggle between tradition and modernity through video, sculptures, paintings, and installations. The exhibition runs until October 13, 2008. The museum also has impressive collections of Matisse and Maillol works, which are on permanent display. -
The Eiffel Tower
The number one tourist destination in France is, of course, the Eiffel Tower, which is snuggled up on the left bank of the Seine in Paris’ chichi 7th arrondissement. Whether you’re interested in climbing up to the very top, viewing original parts of the tower, taking in some exciting temporary exhibits (such as ice skating on the first-floor rink or diving with Dolphins), dining in an exclusive restaurant, or simply marveling at this emblematic landmark from the ground, there is plenty to do at, around, or under this 1,000-foot monument.
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A Terrific Market Street
Rue Cler Market: Open weekdays, all day Saturday, Sunday mornings. Many of the stores are closed on Mondays.
The thriving markets, which Parisians flock to, have helped the 7th arrondissement maintain its village feel. Twenty years ago, the rue Cler was a nice little pedestrian street, great for our weekly shopping trip to a few favorite stores for meat, fish, greens, and cheese. Over the years, it has expanded and flourished! There are more food shops, specialty food stores and simple choices than any market street in Paris. There is a growing pedestrian area, crowded with locals from morning to night - especially popular on Sundays before the traditional family lunch. From a local neighborhood market street two decades ago, it has been transformed to a Paris-wide destination for food lovers.
