A Tale of Two Cities: London and Paris

Everyone has favorite cities they would like to visit or have visited. Two of mine are London and Paris and this is my tale of two cities.

London

London, my beautiful home town. The place where I grew up in the late 50s and 60s, where my playground was old bomb sites and freedom came as standard for children. Even though we were quite poor, my childhood was filled with love and joy, and still gives me tingles when I think of all the fun we had. My memories, though possibly a little skewed with age, are all wonderful. :)

The River Thames

There is so much to see and experience in London, and I could spend forever talking about it. Central to almost everything I do when I visit is the river Thames. Growing up, our apartment was opposite, and I would watch the boats go up and down all day, ferrying oil, cement, coal and other goods. Back then the riverside was filled with warehouses and wharfs, but now they have been turned into luxury apartments and walkways.

Waterloo Bridge

Waterloo Bridge is one of my favourites as the views from there are spectacular: St Paul’s Cathedral, The London Eye, The Palace of Westminster, Big Ben, all iconic landmarks. This is a great place for taking a river cruise (at the London Eye Pier) as they go to Greenwich (the home of time), the newly revitalised Battersea Power Station, Putney Bridge (the start of the famous boat race) and the fabulous 02 arena.

Tower Bridge

Tower Bridge is truly beautiful with its magnificent tall towers dominating the skyline. It overlooks the Tower of London, one of the most incredible places in the whole of London. The bridge opens around 800 times a year to let boats pass underneath, and is a spectacular sight to see. Visitors are allowed inside the towers and, for the very brave, there is a glass floor to walk across!

Big Ben

The clock of Big Ben, real name Elizabeth Tower, is known the world over, as it is the focus of our New Year celebrations. On the opposite side of the river is The London Eye, where fireworks light up the night sky as the colourful celebrations begin, marking a new year.

Buckingham Palace

Although not the most beautiful of our palaces, its location in central London is fabulous, surrounded by parkland and the iconic marble statue of Queen Victoria. The palace is used mostly for special occasions such as The Trooping of the Colours and State Visits, as many of The Royals now live at Windsor Castle for much of the year.

Covent Garden

Covent Garden used to be the old fruit market for London, but is now a place of entertainment and fun filled with street theatre, open air cafes, singers, musicians, antique fairs, and it is also home to the world famous Covent Garden Opera House. Close by is where most of the West End plays are housed, and has a wonderful atmosphere both day and night.

Afternoon Tea Bus

After all that sightseeing, what could be better than to put your feet up and relax with afternoon tea, and maybe a glass of bubbly, and take a tour around the city? You will see many famous landmarks including Trafalgar Square, Hyde Park, Piccadilly Circus, Kensington Palace, Westminster Abbey, Buckingham Palace, Horse Guards Parade, and so much more. :)

Paris

Ah, Paris… the City of Love! Having lived in France for a while, Paris is my second favourite city and in some ways is quite like London. It has, at its core, a beautiful river, amazing architecture, museums, street cafes, underground trains, iconic buildings and a vibrant, busy atmosphere.

The Seine

Once again, the river is my favourite place. Taking a boat up the Seine is a beautiful way to spend either an afternoon or a summer evening. You can catch a boat at ‘the Port de la Bourdonnais’ which is near the Eiffel Tower, or ‘the Port de la Conférence’. In the summer time, there are boats which offer cruises with musical entertainment or dinner.

Montmartre

With its stunning Sacre Coeur Basilica, Montmartre sits at the top of 222 steps, with incredible views over Paris (there is a funicular if you prefer). With its cobbled streets, street cafes, entertainers and artisans, including in its heyday Pablo Picasso and Henri Matisse, it is a fabulous place for a leisurely stroll, take in the view and enjoy the atmosphere. The quaint streets with colourful cascades are charming, and have a bohemian atmosphere. 

The Latin Quarter

The Latin Quarter is one of the oldest parts of Paris, dating back to Roman and Medieval times. It is a stunning place to visit, especially at night when the buildings are lit up and the lively ambience, restaurants and cafes take on a new magic.

Eiffel Tower

This is definitely not one to be missed! The views are spectacular and the atmosphere often one of a carnival, especially in the summer. At night the tower is lit up with thousands of sparkling lights and looks spectacular.

Notre Dame Cathedral

Notre Dame is the most famous Gothic cathedral and, unfortunately, had a devastating fire in April 2019. However, after a lengthy restoration it is now almost finished and is expected to reopen at the end of 2024. Although entry to the cathedral is free, you will need a ticket to climb to the top of the towers.

Bus Tour

As in London, there are many tours around Paris; some hop on, hop off ones. If you really want to push the boat out you might like to try the Toqué Tour with 5-Course Dinner and Champagne. What could be more romantic in the City of Love?

Let’s Have a Conversation:

Have you been to Paris and London? If not, are they on your bucket list? Which are your favorite places there? When are you planning to visit?