Touring Historical Paris on a Double-Decker

There is no shortage of transportation means inconverted into a large museum dedicated to
Paris, and the public transportation system isimpressionist art. The facade of the building is an
extremely efficient. But touring Paris by metroarchitectural delight.
may not be the most rewarding sightseeingA little detour will have you cross the Seine again,
occasion. That's where the Open Tour deals youand land on Concorde Square, a plaza of
a better hand.awesome dimensions. There stands the Louqsor
Two circuits to discover from the top deckobelisk offered to King Charles X by Egyptian
There are at least two advantages to asovereign Mohammad Ali in 1831. Then it's up the
double-decker: you sit higher so you see farther,Champs Elysees Avenue.
and it smells better on the open deck than atThe lower section of the famous thoroughfare
traffic level. Overall, the top platform is veryhas kept some of its 19th-century charm with its
pleasant excepted of course during rainy days.sidewalks shaded by many trees. It ends at 'Petit
The company which operates the Open TourPalais' and 'Grand Palais', two major exhibition
platform bus offers 4 touring circuits, eachvenues built toward the end of the 19th century,
exploring several well-known areas. The 'Grandand recently renovated. From there starts the
Tour' is the longest, the 'Montparnasse -upper section of the Avenue, which has only
Saint-Germain' a must-do. In my opinion, the otherbecome uglier and uglier ever since the 60's.
two are less interesting.Atop the Champs Elysees stands the Arch of
One of the two major benefits of the Open TourTriumph, a monument commissioned by Napoleon
formula is the multi-lingual commentary pointing atI to celebrate his victory over the Austrian
what you should look at. The other is to allowarmies at Austerlitz. The four pillars of the large
passengers to get off at each stop, visit theRoman-style structure bear the names of the
area, and board the next Open Tourkilling fields where the French tyrant exacted his
double-decker with their 1-day or 2-day passes.death toll on European populations.
Off to the 'Grand Tour'Moving on. Going around the Arch of Triumph and
The 2-hour long "Grand Tour" circuit starts at "Ledown a side avenue, the Open Tour bus proceeds
Printemps", one of the largest department storesto the Trocadero, a majestic structure built in the
in Paris. Its first stop is the old Opera Garnier.Roman Empire style at the end of the 19th
Recently renovated, the Opera house is a finecentury. I believe the Trocadero plaza is one of
example of Second Empire architecture. Itthe two places in Paris from where you get the
shelters the National Ballet Academy wherebest full view of the Eiffel Tower.
11-year old girls start the hard-labor path whichThe Tower is your next destination. The bus
may lead them eventually to the coveted honorcircles around it, going through the midsection of
of being recognized as a 'Star', a soloist ballerina.the Gardens of Mars, a vast expanse of grass
The decker moves on to the Gardens of Palaiswhich lies at the feet of Mr. Eiffel's brainchild. Quite
Royal which have become famous for thea fine site to spend a summer afternoon, soaking
black-and-white striped concrete stumps called thethe sun.
"Buren's Columns". The Louvre museum is aThe Open Tour home stretch leads you back
couple of minutes away. The bus enters theacross the Concorde Plaza, up the Rue Royale
center courtyard through the Arches of Rohan. Itand along the upscale chic Rue St Honore. The
stops between Li Pei's steel and glass pyramid,rich 2-hour tour stops at the gates of the
and the small Carrousel, a small version of theMadeleine Church.
Arch of Triumph which sits at the end of theDetails of some importance
Champs Elysees avenue.The Open Tour company offers 1-day and 2-day
The bus then moves to the central courtyard ofpasses. Those allow you to board and de-board
the Louvre museum where you will admire (orthe company's double-deckers at any stop along
loathe) architect Li Pei's glass pyramid. Therethe tour circuits. Both passes also give you access
again, the contrast between such a modernto take all 4 tours. At EUR25 and EUR28
structure and the classical proportions of therespectively, they are excellent value for money.
Louvre buildings is open to debate.Children's rates are discounted 50% over regular
Then it's off to Notre Dame Cathedral, andrates. The Open Tour should be a thrill for your
crossing the river Seine over the Pont Neuf, theteenage kids. That you can board and get off at
medieval bridge built from 1578 to 1604. Notreany stop ensures they won't get bored, or grow
Dame Cathedral can be toured, and the faithfulimpatient.
can attend a Catholic mass. For theThe website of the operator shows you where
not-faint-of-hearts, the high towers offer ato buy your day pass, where to board the bus,
photo-opp view at the top of a steep flight ofand at what time. Type "open tour Paris" on
stairs. The large plaza which lies at the feet of theGoogle, they come up first.
cathedral often becomes an improvised stage forI leave you on this final note: when you want to
street performers.see as many sites as possible but feel dead tired
The Open Tour then takes you on a long rideafter 3 days of walking the streets, the Open
along the left banks of the Seine, to the OrsayTour double-deckers offer an easy-going way to
Museum. The 19th-century decommissioned trainsoak in some more history and architecture. Good
station was fully renovated in the 80's anddeal!