Reims, France - Paris, France 15 day trip

About Reims

Reims, is a city in the Champagne-Ardenne region of France. The principal squares of Reims include the Place Royale, with a statue of Louis XV, and the Place Cardinal-Lucon, with an equestrian statue of Joan of Arc. The Rue de Vesle, the main commercial street (continued under other names), traverses the city from southwest to northeast, passing through the Place Royale. Restaurants and bars are concentrated around Place Drouet d'Erlon in the city center. The oldest monument in Reims, the Porte de Mars ("Mars Gate", so called from a temple to Mars in the neighborhood), a triumphal arch 108 feet in length by 43 in height, consists of three archways flanked by columns.

Reims, is a city in the Champagne-Ardenne region of France. The principal squares of Reims include the Place Royale, with a statue of Louis XV, and the Place Cardinal-Lucon, with an equestrian statue of Joan of Arc. The Rue de Vesle, the main commercial street (continued under other names), traverses the city from southwest to northeast, passing through the Place Royale. Restaurants and bars are concentrated around Place Drouet d'Erlon in the city center. The oldest monument in Reims, the Porte de Mars ("Mars Gate", so called from a temple to Mars in the neighborhood), a triumphal arch 108 feet in length by 43 in height, consists of three archways flanked by columns.

About Colmar

Colmar is the third-largest commune of the Alsace region in north-eastern France. The town is situated along the Alsatian Wine Route and considers itself to be the "capital of Alsatian wine". The city is renowned for its well preserved old town, its numerous architectural landmarks and its museums, among which is the Unterlinden Museum with the Isenheim Altarpiece.

Colmar is the third-largest commune of the Alsace region in north-eastern France. The town is situated along the Alsatian Wine Route and considers itself to be the "capital of Alsatian wine". The city is renowned for its well preserved old town, its numerous architectural landmarks and its museums, among which is the Unterlinden Museum with the Isenheim Altarpiece.

About Lucerne

Since the city straddles the Reuss River, it has a number of bridges, the most famous is the Chapel Bridge. Old Town Lucerne is located north of the Reuss River, and has several fine half-timber structures with painted fronts. Remnants of the old town walls exist, complete with 8 tall watch towers. The twin needle towers of the Church of St. Leodegar sit on a hill above the lake. Bertel Thorvaldsen's famous carving of a dying lion is found in a park just off the Lowenplatz, commemorating the hundreds of Swiss Guards who were killed during the French Revolution. The Swiss Museum of Transport is beside the lake in the northern section of the city as well as the Culture and Convention Center.

Since the city straddles the Reuss River, it has a number of bridges, the most famous is the Chapel Bridge. Old Town Lucerne is located north of the Reuss River, and has several fine half-timber structures with painted fronts. Remnants of the old town walls exist, complete with 8 tall watch towers. The twin needle towers of the Church of St. Leodegar sit on a hill above the lake. Bertel Thorvaldsen's famous carving of a dying lion is found in a park just off the Lowenplatz, commemorating the hundreds of Swiss Guards who were killed during the French Revolution. The Swiss Museum of Transport is beside the lake in the northern section of the city as well as the Culture and Convention Center.

About Como

Como is a city and commune in Lombardy, Italy. Its proximity to Lake Como and to the Alps has made Como a popular tourist destination and the city contains numerous works of art, churches, gardens, museums, theaters, parks and palaces: the Duomo (seat of Diocese of Como), the Basilica of Sant'Abbondio, the Villa Olmo, the public gardens with the Tempio Voltiano, the Teatro Sociale, the Broletto (the city's medieval town hall) and the 20th century Casa del Fascio.

Como is a city and commune in Lombardy, Italy. Its proximity to Lake Como and to the Alps has made Como a popular tourist destination and the city contains numerous works of art, churches, gardens, museums, theaters, parks and palaces: the Duomo (seat of Diocese of Como), the Basilica of Sant'Abbondio, the Villa Olmo, the public gardens with the Tempio Voltiano, the Teatro Sociale, the Broletto (the city's medieval town hall) and the 20th century Casa del Fascio.

About Stresa

Stresa is a town and commune of about 5,000 inhabitants on the shores of Lake Maggiore in the region of Piedmont, northern Italy. Since the early 20th century, the main source of income has been tourism. Like other locations on Lago Maggiore, it benefits from spectacular views as well as areas of historical and architectural interest. Stresa is also the venue for the "Settimane Musicali"; one of Europe's important classical music international festivals which is held annually in the summer.

Stresa is a town and commune of about 5,000 inhabitants on the shores of Lake Maggiore in the region of Piedmont, northern Italy. Since the early 20th century, the main source of income has been tourism. Like other locations on Lago Maggiore, it benefits from spectacular views as well as areas of historical and architectural interest. Stresa is also the venue for the "Settimane Musicali"; one of Europe's important classical music international festivals which is held annually in the summer.

About Grenoble

Grenoble is a city in southeastern France, at the foot of the French Alps where the river Drac joins the Isere. Located in the Rhone-Alpes region. The proximity of the mountains, as well as its size, has led to the city being known in France as the "Capital of the Alps". The Bastille, an ancient series of fortifications on the mountainside overlooking Grenoble on the northern side is visible from many points in the city. The Bastille is one of Grenoble's most visited tourist attractions and provides a good vantage point over the town below and the surrounding mountains.

Grenoble is a city in southeastern France, at the foot of the French Alps where the river Drac joins the Isere. Located in the Rhone-Alpes region. The proximity of the mountains, as well as its size, has led to the city being known in France as the "Capital of the Alps". The Bastille, an ancient series of fortifications on the mountainside overlooking Grenoble on the northern side is visible from many points in the city. The Bastille is one of Grenoble's most visited tourist attractions and provides a good vantage point over the town below and the surrounding mountains.

About Paris

Stunning, magnificent Paris… here are just a few of the names used to describe the city: "The City of Lights", "The City of Love", "The City of Bridges", and "The City of Fashion." 

Stunning, magnificent Paris… here are just a few of the names used to describe the city: "The City of Lights", "The City of Love", "The City of Bridges", and "The City of Fashion." 

The special atmosphere in Paris is influenced not only by its vibrancy, places of entertainment, restaurants and cafes, theaters and cinemas, museums and historical sites, fashion houses and shops, but, first and foremost, by the architectural planning of the city which was implemented about 150 years ago and completely changed the face of the city. In the second half of the 19th century, France was ruled by Napoleon III, the nephew of Napoleon Bonaparte. During his reign, he, together with his emissary, Baron Haussmann, transformed the overcrowded and neglected medieval Paris into a modern, beautiful city. Their massive urban renewal planning included wide, long boulevards connected by spacious squares, with each boulevard wide enough for a 6-horse chariot to maneuver easily. They built large public parks, theaters, opera houses, and public transportation lines, including the first Metro, which was inaugurated in 1900. They also installed underground sewage and water systems. The Place de l’Etoile (Star Square) is one the most famous squares in Paris. It surrounds the Arc de Triomphe, which was built during the time of Napoleon Bonaparte, and its gates include national symbols as well as the names of more than 500 officers who fought in the ranks of Napoleon's army. Beneath the Arc de Triomphe is the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Following the death of Charles de Gaulle, the square was renamed Place Charles de Gaulle. Concord Square is another of Paris’ most famous squares, and, at its center, there is an Egyptian obelisk. This was the location of the guillotine during the French Revolution. As the excavations for the city’s Metro were taking place, a new raw material was discovered - hard, cream-colored limestone. Baron Haussmann gave instructions that houses were to be built exclusively from this limestone, and the facades of the houses were to be uniform in style. As a result, the streets and boulevards in Paris have a special character - cream-colored stone with black slate roofs, and elaborate iron forges on the balconies. The city’s architecture fits in well with its huge range of attractions. Be sure to notice the decorations at the entrance to the Metro stations. At the beginning of the 20th century, artist Hector Guimard designed these entrances in the Art Nouveau style that dominated Europe at the time. The River Seine, which flows through the city and into the English Channel, has been the lifeblood of the city since Roman times. There are many bridges that cross the Seine, connecting its right bank to its left bank. Paris is surrounded by a ring road, known as the Boulevard Peripherique, which is almost 20 miles long and marks the city’s boundaries. The cities outside the ring road are not part of the Paris municipality but are part of a huge metropolis that is approximately six times the population of Paris itself with 2.2 million inhabitants. Because of the traffic congestion in Paris, it is best to visit the city by train or Metro rather than by a private car. The Metro lines are efficient and easy to navigate, including to the nearby international airports – Orly and Charles de Gaulle. Paris is divided into 20 districts (arrondissements) that are arranged in a clockwise spiral starting from the center of the city. The first district is the heart of Paris, and it includes the Louvre Museum and the island: "Ile de la Cité," home to the Gothic Notre Dame Cathedral. A fire broke out in the cathedral in 2019, and it is still undergoing renovations.  Ile de la Cite is also home to the "Sainte- Chapelle", a renowned church with magnificent stained glass windows. Paris, also known as, "the City of Art," has a rich heritage of culture and art. The Louvre, the most famous museum in Paris, was founded over 200 years ago in what had formerly served as a palace. While the Mona Lisa, gifted to King Francois I by its painter, Leonardo da Vinci, at the beginning of the 16th century is one of the museum’s main highlights, the museum is home to many extraordinary collections of art of all types and includes magnificent gardens, as well. Other outstanding museums in Paris include the Musee d'Orsay, the Picasso Museum, the Musee de la Orangerie, and the Pompidou Center. Wandering through Paris, many visitors are inspired by the city’s romantic atmosphere – its parks, riverside promenades, the sidewalk cafes, and the many stores displaying beautiful clothing and objects- from the world’s most luxurious brands to more affordable options. As darkness falls, the city’s buildings and boulevards become illuminated, giving off a special aura. Be sure to see the daily light show at the Eiffel Tower. The Eiffel Tower has been a Paris icon since it was erected in preparation for the 1889 Paris World’s Fair celebrating 100 years since the French Revolution. Within 10 minutes of dusk, the tower shimmers with golden lights and beacons. The flashing hours vary according to the seasons, and you can check the current hours on the tower’s website, One simply cannot describe Paris without discussing its cuisine! French cuisine is, of course, renowned, and Paris offers exceptional culinary experiences. From Michelin-starred restaurants to charming cafes and patisseries, you can indulge in some of the most delicious dishes, pastries, wines, and cheeses. If you are a foodie, do not miss the market tours – they are unforgettable! For good reason, Paris – the city of art, history, culture, lights, fashion, and cuisine – has been and continues to be one of the world’s most popular tourist destinations!