Notre-Dame and Left Bank. Paris has been continuously inhabited for over 2,000 years, and this three-mile walk through the center of this cultural capital shows its rich history. We'll start where Paris did, on Ile de la Cité, dominated by the towers of cathedral Notre-Dame. Next, a foray onto the Left Bank, home to scholars, artists, and bohemians. We'll marvel at the colorful stained glass of Ste-Chapelle, and see the prison where Marie Antoinette pondered the guillotine. Allow four hours to lace together 80 generations of history: from Celtic fishing village to Roman city, bustling medieval capital, birthplace of the Revolution, and the bohemian haunt of the 1920s café scene. Best of all, for the entire walk, you're immersed in the fully-modern, globally-connected world of today's Paris. Don't forget to download the handy PDF companion maps. Sightseeing nitty-gritty: Many sights in this walk charge admission that is covered by the Paris Museum Pass, a great time- and money-saver, as it allows you to skip ticket-buying lines (2 days/€32, 4 days/€48, or 6 days/€64). Notre-Dame Cathedral is free, open daily 7:45–19:00, modest dress encouraged, tel. 01 42 34 56 10, www.cathedraledeparis.com. Metro stops Cité, Hôtel de Ville, or St. Michel. To climb the Notre-Dame Tower costs €8 (covered by Museum Pass, but no bypass line for pass-holders) and is open daily April–Sept 10:00–18:30, also June–Aug Sat–Sun until 23:00, Oct–March 10:00–17:30, last entry 45 min before closing; to avoid crowds in peak season, arrive before 10:00 or after 17:00. The Deportation Memorial is free, open daily April–Sept 10:00–12:00 and 14:00–19:00, Oct–March 10:00–12:00 and 14:00–17:00, tel. 01 49 74 34 00. Shakespeare and Company Bookstore is open daily 12:00–24:00, 37 rue de la Bûcherie, tel. 01 43 26 96 50. Sainte-Chapelle costs €8, covered by Museum Pass, and is open daily March–Oct 9:30–18:00, Nov–Feb 9:00–17:00, last entry 30 min before closing. It's at 4 boulevard du Palais, Mo: Cité, tel. 01 53 40 60 80, www.monum.fr. Expect a line to pass through security. The Conciergerie costs €7, covered by Museum Pass, and is open daily April–Oct 9:30–18:00, Nov–March 9:00–17:00, last entry 30 min before closing, 4 boulevard du Palais, Mo: Cité, tel. 01 53 40 60 80, www.monum.fr. Find WC's in front of Notre-Dame, at Sainte-Chapelle, the Conciergerie, and cafés. For more specifics, consult my guidebook. This is excerpted from Rick Steves' Paris 2010. Copyright 2009 Avalon Travel. Related information at www.ricksteves.com.
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