Au revoir Paris

Wow! I cannot believe 8 weeks in Europe are already over. I am so grateful for the opportunity to study with the University of Utah Business School in Barcelona and Paris. It was an awesome way to receive Utah credits and spend time in these beautiful cities. As I am adjusting to being in the US, I am completing my last post for this class. In the next few days, I will also update blogs posts with pictures from some of my weekend trips the last couple of weeks.

The first arrondissement is referred to as premier in spoken French and is on the right bank of the Seine River but includes the west end of the Ile de la Cite. It is full of many of Paris’s iconic sights and many souvenir shops. It is one of the smallest neighborhoods in Paris but packed with many attractions. The most recent population of this neighborhood is 17,614 with a density of 9,692 people per square kilometer. 

Tourist Attraction- The Louvre. This museum is the largest art gallery in the world and very easy to get lost in. It is known for the Mona Lisa but there are many other amazing art pieces that get over looked. 

Architectural Object- Musee de l’Orangerie. This art gallery includes Claude Monet’s Water Lilies and is a beautiful building.

Most Interesting Site- Tuileries Garden. This garden is a massive area across the street from the Louvre. It has a couple ponds and many chairs to hangout in the sun or shade. It also has a carnival with a 200 feet high Ferris Wheel. 

Commercial Business-Erick Kayser. This bakery has many locations around Paris with amazing bread and other pastries. It was recommended in the The Sweet Life in Paris by David Lebovitz, which I read for my Paris class. 

3 Star Hotel- Timhotel Le Louvre. This hotel is just a quarter mile from the Louvre, but is on a quieter street away from the crowds of tourists. 

The fourth arrondissement includes the rest of Ile de la Cite and the Ile Saint-Louis and extends to the right bank of the Seine River right next to the first arrondissement. It is also a small arrondissement with many iconic areas. The Centre Pomidou is in this arrondissement and offers many different art collections along with a beautiful view of the city of Paris. There are also many little streets with shops and cafes. The most recent population is 28,192 with a density of 17,620 inhabitants per square kilometer. 

 Tourist Attraction- Notre Dame. This is a medieval catholic church with free entry and is one of the most famous landmarks in Paris. One thing that I never noticed is that the third statue standing on the left side is holding a head. He was beheaded for converting to many people and apparently people pray to him when they have headaches. I am surprised that I never noticed the headless statue. 

Architectural Object- Tour Saint Jacques. This tower is in the Square of Saint Jacques and it was built between 1509 and 1523.

Most Interesting Site- Hotel de Ville. This is the headquarters or city hall of Paris and has been there since 1357. There is a big square in front of it that has a lot of different events throughout the summer.

Commercial Business- Givenchy. This is a French luxury clothing and perfume brand with stores all around the world. 

3 Star Hotel- Hotel de Nice. This hotel has a small entrance but is close to some of the most iconic places in Paris. The rooms are authentically decorated. 

The ninth arrondissement is referred to as nuevième. It is on the right bank of the Siene River. It includes many shopping areas and the Palais Garneir, which host the Paris Opera.  This neighborhood has a range of things to do with many bigger shopping areas and museums to lots of small parks. The most recent population was 60,275 with a density of 27,649 inhabitants per square kilometer.                                 

Tourist Attraction- Galleries de Lafayette. This is a beautiful shopping center that has been around since 1912. It offers a variety of shopping, including luxury brands such as Armani, Chanel, Dolce & Gabana and many more. 

Architectural Object- Marie du IX Arrondissement. This building was built in 1746 and hosts the city hall of the ninth arrondissement. 

Most Interesting Site- Passage Verdeau. This is one of many secret passage ways in Paris. Each one has unique stores including books, antiques, souvenirs, and cafes or bakeries. 

Commercial Business- Le Bonheur Des Dames. This is a nice quilt store in one of the passage ways with unique Paris gifts and other quilting products. 

3 Star Hotel- Best Western Hotel Opera Drouot. This hotel is nearby a couple of the shopping passage ways and the oldest basketball court in the world. It is also a great location with quick access to all of the attractions in Paris. 

I wanted to compare some of the same things in both cities, so this week I am comparing gym prices in these neighborhoods of Paris. In first arrondissement, the CMG Sports Club is a block away from the Louvre with lots of great equipment. It has a 80 euros start up cost with 80 euros a month membership or 90 euros a month without a commitment. This includes 17 other CMG clubs in Paris and they offer a discount for 60 euros a month for people between 15 and 25 and over 65. In the fourth arrondissement, Keep Cool offers membership beginning at 32.90 euros a month with a registration fee of 129 euros. This gym is very close to the Seine River and the membership includes locations around France. In the ninth arrondissement, Gym Suédoise offers unlimited memberships for 330 euros a year or 35 euros a month without a commitment. This gym offers lots of different classes and access to locations around Europe.