Paris, a romantic getaway for architecture nerds
- The fussy tourist
- Sep 6, 2019
- 4 min read
Updated: Nov 16, 2019
No city is more romantic than Paris. Throw in a bunch of cathedrals and restaurants and you'll have the perfect mini-break for a couple of architecture nerds!
With its 200 churches, Paris is one of the best destinations in the world for religious architecture. This guide is for people who already visited the city and its museums and want now to dive into its religious buildings. Here are my top five picks for a slow pace, architecture packed, 3-days tour.
Day one
The first highlight to hit as soon as you are in the city, is without a doubt, Notre Dame. The cathedral is definitely my number one pick in Paris and one of my favorite religious buildings in the world. This architecture beauty was hit by a terrible fire in April 2019 and is now closed for restorations. Nonetheless, its timeless facade and bell towers, untouched by the fire, still preserve the original magnificence and are worth a visit. The outside of the cathedral is decorated with the famous gargoyles, monstrous figures carved in stones that bring the facade to life. The inside of this 12th century church is also ornated by particular details and enriched by the light filtered by the stained glass windows.
While you are on the Île de la Cité, you have the chance to hit another masterpiece of gothic religious architecture. The Sainte-Chapelle was intended to house precious Christian relics, and made the already powerful French monarch head of western Christianity. It contains 15 stunning stained glass, each 15 meters high, depicting 1,113 scenes from the Old and New Testaments recounting the history of the world until the arrival of the relics in Paris.
Take your time visiting these first two highlights and then walk South to the Monnaie district. Here you can find little restaurants and markets and enjoy the Parisian nightlife. On your way back, don't forget to stop on the river and admire Notre Dame by night.
Day two
The morning of the second day is dedicated to my second and third picks. They are both located in the famous neighborhood of Montmartre, that you can easily reach by bus or train. The Sacre Coeur Basilica dominates the summit of Montmartre hill, the highest point in the city, with its unique structure and dome. This relatively new church, is one of the most important historical and religious landmark of Paris. If you want to visit the Basilica at your pace and avoid crowds, I recommend to get there at opening hour. Being an early bird will be rewarded not only with a hassle-free visit: if you skipped breakfast you can stop at my recommended cafe (see Where to eat section) for a rich brunch!
There is much more to see in Montmartre besides Sacre Coeur. Get lost in its alleys, make a stop at the famous vineyards and make some time for an overlooked highlight. Not everybody knows that Montmartre parish church is not the famous Sacre Coeur, but the small medieval church of Saint-Pierre-de-Montmartre. This Romanesque and Gothic structure, dating back to the 12th century, was renovated in different architectural styles due to multiple damages suffered through time, but still preserves a unique medieval charm and is absolutely worth a visit.
After lunch and maybe a quick stop at the hotel to rest and get changed, you can spend the evening in the St Victor neighborhood. The highlight of this part of town is the Pantheon, but the surrounding area is very lively and you can take a walk or have an aperitivo in one of its many bars and bistros.
Day three
If you really want to dig deep in French history, you need to get away from the city center and reach Saint-Denis Abbey. At only half an hour by train from Ile de la Cite, this church is a medieval landmark and royal monument. The now cathedral, holds the graves of prominent historical figures like Charles Martel, Pepin the Short and Emperor Charles the Bald. In 1815, the anniversary of the death of Louis XVI, the ashes of the guillotined king and of Marie-Antoinette were transferred from the cemetery of the Madeleine to Saint-Denis as well. The church is richly decorated by Romanesque and Gothic art and incredible stained glass windows.
One night of your tour must include the most famous Paris landmark: the Tour Eiffel. You can easily reach this highlight from the city center by bus and then walk to the Trocadéro Gardens to enjoy the view. The Tour is lighted up every night and offers a perfect background for tons of romantic pics.
Where to eat
The Hardware Société Paris | Montmartre | $$ | hardwaresociete.com
At a 2 minutes' walk from the Sacre Coeur, this cozy little place is perfect for a luxurious breakfast or brunch. Desserts are definitely the highlight, but the kitchen serves also quiches and savory pies and pastries.
Le Petit Plateau | Île de la Cité | $$ | lepetitplateau.paris
Perfect spot for a quick lunch before or after visiting Notre Dame. This cozy little bistrot serves comfort food prepared with elegance. Everything is delicious, from the soups, perfect for a rainy day, to the generous quiches, to the finger-licking desserts.
Chez Casimir | Gare du Nord | $$ | lapointedugrouin.com
Another perfect spot for a nice slow-paced lunch while visiting the city. This casual restaurant serves traditional Breton food. Seafood and mussels are cooked perfectly and seasoned beautifully. Sunday buffet brunch is excellent and at 30$ per person.
Where to sleep
Apartment WS Hôtel de Ville - Musee Pompidou | Les Halles | $$$ | www.booking.com/hotel/fr/apartment-ws-de-ville-musee-pompidou
Cozy and polished rooms situated in an elegant building in Les Halles, near the Musee Pompidou, at a 15 minutes' walk from Notre Dame. These mini apartments are equipped with a big bathroom and small kitchenette.
Interactive map
Use this map to plan your itinerary and get directions to highlights, restaurants and accommodations on the go.
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