Oo la la in Gay Paris!!!

Springtime in Paris, what a wonderful time to be in such a lovely city. With its wide boulevards lined with sycamores, quaint side streets with hidden gardens, and large parks, the city is alive with greenery and flowers. The city itself is arranged in districts, spiraling out from the center of town, with the higher numbers on the outskirts and along walk or Metro ride back to the center of things.
The sites to visit are vast in number and diverse to, from the Crypts of Notre Dame, to the French Impressionists at the Musee d'Orsay, to the incomparable Mona Lisa(is it really Leonardo in drag) and other masterpieces in the Louvre, to the indescribable view from the Eiffel Tower. Plus there is a myriad of smaller museums, galleries and monuments scattered around the city.
One thing to keep in mind is not to hurry from one place to another. Parisians to not run, but stroll, and enjoy the architecture from the Beaux Arts and Art Nouveau periods of Paris's building heyday. If going a long distance, the Metro is well laid out and easy to use. Metro passes are a good investment, they provide a specific number of consecutive days of Metro travel. Also available in the Metro Stations are visite passes. These also are for a specific number of days and provide access to the major sites. The best benefit is line jumping, with the pass you head to a separate line to enter which is usually 1/10 the length of normal admission line. Thre important exclusions from the visite pass are the Opera Garnier, Notre Dame's Towers and the Eiffel Tower, more on them later.
Starting with the Ile de la Cite, Notre Dame's imposing Gothic architecture is amazing. Begun in the 12th Century, building took almost 170 years to complete. One of the earliest examples of Gothic architecture with soaring arches and flying buttresses, it endures today. The climb up the north tower is made easier with an elevator( the reason for no line jumping) and the view is breathtaking. A farther climb up the south tower is accomplished through a narrow stair, so if claustrophobic, skip this part. The famous gargoyles are visible from the first gallery.
What card carrying gay man does not know at least one song from Phantom of the Opera? The Opera Garnier is the location for this production, and it is actually built over a small lake. The large chandelier is still suspended under a dome that was redone by Marc Chagall. The grand staircase with its various colors of marble hearken back to a bygone age of regally dressed men and women attending the performance.
The most noticeable landmark is the Eiffel Tower. Rising up along the left bank of the Seine, it was originally supposed to be dismantled after the World Exposition. Even with protests from many of Paris's more enlightened populace, the tower was allowed to stay. The ride to the top is accomplished by two elevator rides. At the first level is a post office so, drop you postcards there for an Eiffel Tower postmark. The view is spectacular during the day or after sunset with the city ablaze in lights below.
For a gay old time in Paris, head to the Marais. The former Jewish ghetto just east of the Louvre. The area is full of restaurants, cafes and bars. One aspect of Parisian bars, you can buy a bottle of liquor that they will serve you on subsequent visits, much better buy then nightly drinks. Check out the Damron Guide for the latest listings.
For souvenirs the selection is vast. There are quint local shops or the major stores like Printemps or Galleries Lafayette, along with teh major Paris fashiopn houses. Just remember some food products are NOT importable. Wine is allowed, but meats and cheeses are strictly forbidden. I recommend bringing a packing tube with you. Between the Seine and the Louvre, street vendors set up stand and you can purchase a watercolor of Paris actually painted by a Parisian, the packing tube ensures it will get home safe.
So if Springtime in Paris is the vacation you and you partner have always desired, now is a good time to go. With travel down and the dollar gaining strength against the euro, bargains are plentiful. Check out Damron Vacations to the best advice and experience in planning your trip. The knowledgeable staff will help with all the details.