Panoramic Paris

A Comprehensive and Leisurely Overview:

See the major sights of the romantic “City of Light” with a knowledgeable local guide. Begin along the famed Champs-Élysées, viewing the Arc de Triomphe, commissioned by Napoleon in 1806 to commemorate his triumphs. Pass many of Paris’s classic highlights, including the Palais Garnier opera house, the celebrated Louvre Museum with its I. M. Pei–designed glass pyramid entrance and the Paris Town Hall. Continue into the Latin Quarter, then drive by Saint-Germain-des-Prés, Luxembourg Gardens, Musée d’Orsay, Place de la Concorde and the beautiful and recently restored Grand Palais and Petit Palais. See the Les Invalides complex of military buildings, which houses Napoleon’s Tomb and the École Militaire (Military School). Cap your excursion with an iconic view of the Eiffel Tower from Champ de Mars.

The mystery of Tim’s missing underwear was solved this morning when the Executive Housekeeper knocked on our door and presented him with a package. She kept apologizing over and over about the confusion and ended up not billing us for any of the laundry from yesterday. We told her not to worry about the mix-up, but we did appreciate the gesture.

Tim and I had originally signed up for an all-day Scenic Paris and Highlights of the Louvre optional excursion, but it was cancelled several weeks ago. Instead, we’re taking the included tour and plan to visit the Louvre on our own.

As we departed for our Panoramic Paris shore excursion, the weather was cloudy, foggy, and chilly. Luckily, it was not raining. Panoramic bus tours often get a bad rap, but good ones can provide a great overview of a new city. I have been to Paris many times, and I felt today’s tour was one of the good ones. Since this was Tim’s first visit, I’m glad that he was able to get an overview of this amazing city.

We drove past most of the major sights in Paris, with little overlap from yesterday’s drive from the railway station. As always, trying to photograph buildings from a moving bus is a challenge, especially in a city like Paris and on a gloomy day like today. 

For someone who has never been to Paris, circling the Arc de Triomphe and driving down the Champs-Élysées, the city’s grand boulevard, is always a highlight. We passed the Grand-Palais and caught a glimpse of the Pont Alexandre III Bridge before circling the Place de la Concorde so that everyone could see this impressive public square and try to catch a view toward the Arc de Triomphe and the gates of the Jardins des Tuileries.

Grand-Palais, Pont Alexandre III Bridge, and Views from Place de la Concorde toward the Arc de Triomphe and Jardins des Tuileries

As we drove along the Seine, we had fleeting views of the bridges and buildings across the river on the Left Bank. A few of these included the Palais Bourbon, the Musée d’Orsay, and the Pont Neuf, the oldest standing bridge across the Seine. After passing the Conciergerie, a former courthouse and prison, we caught our first glimpse of the towers of Notre-Dame. Our driver then dropped us off in front of the Hôtel de Ville, the city hall of Paris, so we could begin our walking tour.

Palais Bourbon, Musée d’Orsay, and Pont Neuf

Conciergerie, Towers of Notre-Dame, and Hôtel de Ville

We crossed the Seine to the Île de la Cité and walked toward the construction site surrounding the Cathedral of Notre-Dame. The city has done a good job of including photographs, progress reports, and other information on the construction walls that surround the site. The goal is to complete the restoration of the cathedral by 2024.

Interpretive Panels around Notre-Dame's Construction Site

We'll Have to Return to Paris so Tim Can See the Interior of Notre-Dame

We then crossed to the Latin Quarter, where we were given time to explore on our own. Tim and I made a beeline to Shakespeare and Company, an English-language bookstore and Left Bank literary institution. What a fabulous place! I could have spent hours browsing through the extensive selection. We connected again with our group and passed the small church of St. Julien-le-Pauvre and a few medieval buildings before re-boarding our bus in front of the Sorbonne.

Sarah and Tim, St. Julien-le-Pauvre, Square Viviani, Shakespeare and Co., and Medieval Buildings

As we drove around the Luxembourg Gardens and saw its palace, our guide pointed out a building that still retains traces of bullet holes left during the battles for the liberation of Paris during World War II. Following the Seine once more, we could now see the buildings on the Right Bank. Across the river were the Louvre, the Place de la Concorde, and a better view of the Grand-Palais.

Luxembourg Palace and Garden and Scars from World War II

The Louvre, Place de la Concorde, and Grand-Palais

Before returning to our ship, we turned inland for a closer look at Les Invalides and its dome, the École Militaire, and the Champ de Mars, a large public greenspace. It was here that we were able to get a clear (or as clear as possible on such a cloudy day!) shot of the Eiffel Tower.

Les Invalides and Dome, École Militaire, Champ de Mars, Eiffel Tower and Tim and Sarah

One thing that we learned, and saw, today and yesterday is that all of Paris is under construction, and barricades are everywhere. It seems that every landmark building is in the process of restoration. The simple reason – to present Paris at its best for the Summer Olympics in 2024. One of our guides factiously suggested that it would be better for us to return to Paris in 2025 – it will be especially beautiful then!

As we stepped back onboard, we were greeted with a shot glass of virgin tequila sunrise. That was a nice surprise.