Paris is just one of those places that feature on almost everyone’s dream destination list, simply because it’s a city of magic, a place where delightful surprises await you around every corner. Cathay Pacific shares some attractions you should definitely visit:
Attend a city-wide street concert
Fête de la Musique (the festival of music) has taken place in Paris every year for the past 35 years, bringing the music lovers from around the globe to celebrate music in its many forms. Time your trip from June 21 and you’ll be able to catch a glimpse of some of the best local and international bands, solo singers, drummers and DJs live in various parts of the city. They play on pavements, in parks, in the streets and even in museums, inviting crowds to come through and enjoy a full day and night of free entertainment.
Explore the city’s cinema scene
Paris is considered the birthplace of cinema, with the first known commercial film screening for the public taking place in 1895. It’s no wonder that Paris is home to over 100 movie theatres and cinemas, with around 300 films – from art-nouveau films to the latest blockbusters – running every week throughout the city. Le Champollion, or “Le Champo” as it’s affectionately known, is an independent cinema located in Paris’s Latin Quarter and more commonly frequented by the city’s students.
Watch ballroom dancers twirl about on a river bank
On warm summer evenings, hordes of people flock to the banks of Port Saint-Bernard, located in the stunning Jardin Tino Rossi which stretches along the River Seine, simply to dance the night away in the company of other like-minded Parisians. Find a partner and join in if you like – there’s everything from ballroom to salsa and tango dancers in the crowd – or take a stroll along the Tino Rossi waterfront to see some of the incredible sculptures displayed in the open-air museum. Jardin Tino Rossi is open throughout the day and free to enter. You can even pack a picnic basket to enjoy along the banks of the River Seine.
Learn to say ‘I love you’ 311 different ways
Spanning an impressive 39 square metres, the I Love You Wall (Le mur des je t’aime) in Paris’ Jehan-Rictus Square was created by two artists as a rendezvous location for lovers and a lasting monument to eternal adoration. Covered in 612 lava tiles, the wall features the words “I love you” in 311 different languages, including all 192 languages of the United Nations, the perfect way to end a romantic getaway.
Visit the Instagram-worthy Canal St Martin
Canal St Martin is undoubtedly one of the trendiest places to visit while you’re in Paris during the summer months (June – August). The canal is a modern, eclectic centre of activity – the epicentre of modern Parisian culture – and has become the meeting place of the city’s artsy crowd, with locals coming in their numbers to enjoy a long, lazy afternoon on its banks. Browse the array of boutiques and concept stores that line the two streets that run parallel to St Martin, many of which feature a variety of weird and wonderful items to take back home with you as a souvenir.