Rick Steves Best of Paris
Rick Steves Best of Paris
Notable moments
- 02:00 Visiting the Eiffel Tower
Rick Steves visits the iconic 1,000-foot-tall Eiffel Tower, demonstrating how pre-booking tickets online allows visitors to skip long queues at the base. He rides the open-view elevator through all three levels, admiring panoramic views across Paris before walking down the internal steel staircase to examine the 1889 lattice ironwork up close.
Eiffel Tower, Paris, France - 03:57 Cruising the Seine River
Passengers ride an open-air river boat cruising along the Seine River through the heart of Paris while listening to guided narration. The boat passes underneath historical stone bridges like Pont Neuf and Pont Alexandre III, offering waterside views of Notre-Dame Cathedral and the Musée d'Orsay.
Seine River, Paris, France - 07:23 Exploring Sainte-Chapelle Chapel
Rick ascends a narrow spiral staircase inside Sainte-Chapelle to reveal the upper chapel's breathtaking 13th-century stained glass windows. Fifteen massive glass panels tower toward vaulted ceilings, illuminating medieval biblical scenes surrounding a grand golden reliquary altar.
Sainte-Chapelle, Paris, France - 10:56 Food Shopping on Rue Cler
Rick tags along with local resident Nathalie to shop for dinner ingredients along the market street of Rue Cler. They stop at a greengrocer to pick vibrant heirloom tomatoes, visit a butcher for fresh lamb chops, choose truffle Camembert and aged Comté at a cheese shop, and select wine and fresh flowers.
Rue Cler, Paris, France - 18:23 Dining at a Traditional Bistro
Rick dines with French guide Thierry at an outdoor table of a neighborhood bistro, sampling traditional specialties like French onion soup topped with melted cheese and classic escargot in garlic butter. They discuss French dining customs, explaining courses from apéritifs to main dishes, crème brûlée, and post-meal espresso.
Paris, France - 27:17 Touring Louvre Museum Masterpieces
Visitors enter the Louvre Museum through I.M. Pei's glass pyramid into expansive galleries containing thousands of historic art treasures. Rick navigates the grand hallways to view world-renowned sculptures and paintings, including the Winged Victory of Samothrace, Venus de Milo, and Leonardo da Vinci's Mona Lisa.
Louvre Museum, Paris, France - 38:52 Exploring Montmartre Artists Square
In Montmartre's Place du Tertre, local artists set up easels under colorful umbrellas to paint portraits and streetscapes in the footsteps of Impressionist masters. Afterwards, visitors gather on the monumental stone steps of Sacré-Cœur Basilica to enjoy sunset views over Paris.
Place du Tertre, Paris, France - 40:42 Touring Hall of Mirrors at Versailles
Rick explores the Palace of Versailles, walking through the famous 240-foot Hall of Mirrors adorned with gilded statues, ornate chandeliers, and painted vaulted ceilings. The tour moves out into the vast manicured gardens, showcasing grand fountains, sculpted hedges, and water canals created for King Louis XIV.
Palace of Versailles, Versailles, France - 47:12 Jazz Night at Caveau de la Huchette
A lively crowd of locals and tourists gathers in the stone cellar of Le Caveau de la Huchette, a historic Latin Quarter jazz club. Couples energetic swing dance on the stone floor to a live jazz band featuring saxophone, electric guitar, piano, and double bass.
Caveau de la Huchette, Paris, France - 53:08 Vintage Citroën 2CV Night Tour
Rick and travel partner Steve ride through Paris after dark in an open-top vintage Citroën 2CV driven by a private driver. The night drive passes brightly illuminated landmarks including the Arc de Triomphe, the Louvre Pyramid, and the sparkling Eiffel Tower.
Paris, France
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