Paris
Monograms provides traveler's access to a Local Host®, so you will have someone on hand to answer those vacation questions pertaining to Paris. Our Local Host will ensure that you feel comfortable and welcomed while on vacation and help you maximize your time so you can enjoy Paris. No waiting in line at the concierge desk or trying to ask your waitress at breakfast directions to the shopping district. Simply ask your Local Host® about Paris and you'll be on your way in no time. Plus, your Local Host® will share local Paris insights and share suggestions for getting off the beaten path, leaving you more time to create lasting vacation memories that are yours alone.
Meet a Local Host® in Paris
Hello, my name is Kenia. I am one of the Paris Monograms Local Host® and really enjoy greeting Monograms' guests. I have lived in Paris for 15 years and it is a pleasure helping people to discover the city for the first time, or to enjoy a return visit. I still remember the first came I came to Paris, its stunning monuments, its elegance and its natural beauty really impressed me. There are fabulous art collections to discover, delightful restaurants, and the romantic Seine. We look forward to meeting you, we are always happy to make new friends.
Montmartre & Sacré-Coeur
Try a walking tour of the Montmartre district, where artists such as Picasso and Van Gogh worked. Visit the pristine, white-stone Sacré-Coeur Basilica which features one of the world's largest mosaics, and a massive 19-ton church bell. From the steps outside, enjoy wonderful views of the city and immerse yourself in the Parisienne joie de vivre (joy of life).
Musée d'Orsay, Pompidou Center
Stroll through centuries of artwork at the Musée d'Orsay, which houses an extensive collection of impressionist masterpieces by Monet, Degas, Renoir, and Cezanne. Drop by the Pompidou Center, an architectural wonder, to view the art movements represented such as Fauvism, Cubism, Surrealism and Abstract Expressionism.
The Marais District & Place Des Vosges
Le Marais is one neighborhood that shouldn’t be missed. This area is full of charm, filled with smart and stylish boutiques, ethnic bakeries and eateries. Visitors can also explore the nearby Place des Vosges, a French National Heritage Site since 1954. Celebrated writer Victor Hugo’s home has been turned into a museum within the square.
Jardin du Luxembourg
Inspired by Boboli Gardens in Florence, the Jardin du Luxembourg contains over a hundred statues, monuments, and fountains. The gardens are featured prominently in Victor Hugo’s novel Les Misérables, and offer a variety of activities for children, such as puppets, rides, and slides.
Shakespeare and Company Bookstore
In the Roaring 20s, this quirky bookstore on the Bohemian Left Bank was the meeting place for some of literature's greats, like Hemingway, Fitzgerald and Joyce. It continues to serve as a cultural magnet for struggling writers and visitors alike.
Seine Bridges – 5 Favorites
Find your favorite bridge, there are 37 and they are all different, from plain to gilded and from new to over 400 years old. Five of the most popular: Pont Neuf is the oldest bridge in Paris dating back to 1578, the time of King Henry III. The Pont Royal, which gets its name from its royal benefactor King Louis XIV, is arguably one of the most used in Paris. This is not simply because of its beauty, but for its ideal location near the Louvre Palace and the Tuileries garden. Pont Alexandre III is an ornate bridge that is immediately recognized for its beautiful decorations of lampposts, cherubs and nymphs and gilt gold. It was built as a symbol of the relationship between the Russians and French and is named after Tsar Alexander the III. The Pont des Arts was the first metal bridge built in Paris. Arts seems to be a perfect name since the bridge has been the source of inspiration for numerous painters and artists. The Pont au Double is a single arch bridge made out of cast-iron. Initially built as a bridge to carry patients to the hospital, it collapsed in 1709, and was replaced with the bridge that is seen today.
Markets and Specialties
Ask your Local Host how to get to the flea market for affordable objets d'art, or visit one of the food markets. See rainbows of fresh fruit and vegetables, soft palettes of bread and colossal wheels of cheese. And when you're ready for dessert, specialty stores abound -- from tarts and pastries to crêpes and pain au chocolat. Other specialties include onion soup with a fresh baguette, coq au vin (a classic chicken dish), croque-monsieur, quiche Lorraine, escargots, steak-frites and famous French wines and champagne.
Shopping – Galeries Lafayette
Shop at haute couture boutiques on the Rue du Faubourg Saint Honoré, or on Avenue Montaigne. Use your included specially arranged discounts at the famous Galeries Lafayette, or check out the Printemps department store.
Île de la Cité – Saint Chapelle & Conciergerie
Visit "Île de la Cité", one of natural islands on the Seine, to admire the beautiful stained glass windows of Sainte Chapelle and see the Conciergerie, best known for its function as a prison where revolutionary celebrities like Robespierre and Queen Maire Antoinette were put behind bars.