My Fifteen-Day Grand Tour of Europe
Chapter 28: Paris – The City of Light and Romance
By Lokanath Mishra, M.A., LL.B., IRS (Retired)
On 24th July 2026, our memorable European journey entered another glorious chapter as we travelled towards Paris, the capital of France, one of the most influential countries in European history. After leaving Geneva, our luxury Star Tour coach travelled through the picturesque countryside of France. The entire journey was filled with breathtaking natural beauty and impressive examples of modern infrastructure.
The French countryside presented a completely different landscape from the snow-covered Alps of Switzerland. We saw vast stretches of fertile agricultural land extending to the horizon. Fields of wheat, barley, maize and sunflowers waved gently in the summer breeze. There were also vineyards producing grapes for the famous French wines. The neatly divided farmlands, modern irrigation methods and highly mechanised farming reflected the remarkable progress of French agriculture.
Throughout the journey, we travelled on some of Europe’s finest highways. These multi-lane expressways were smooth, well-maintained and carefully designed with safety barriers, service stations, emergency facilities and electronic traffic systems. Long bridges crossed rivers and valleys, while tunnels pierced hills wherever necessary. The highways demonstrated how modern engineering could connect cities efficiently without disturbing the natural environment.
The green countryside, rolling hills, small villages with beautiful churches, dense forests and distant mountain ranges made the journey itself one of the most enjoyable parts of our European tour.
Arrival in Paris
By afternoon, we entered Paris, one of the world’s greatest cultural capitals.
Paris is often called “The City of Light” (La Ville Lumière) because it was one of the first European cities to introduce extensive street lighting during the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. It is also known as the city of art, fashion, literature, philosophy and romance.
Situated on the banks of the River Seine, Paris has been the capital of France for many centuries and has played a decisive role in European politics, culture and science.
The city immediately impressed us with its magnificent boulevards, historic buildings, elegant bridges, beautiful gardens and disciplined traffic.
A Brief History of Paris
The history of Paris dates back more than 2,000 years.
Originally, it was a settlement of the Parisii, a Celtic tribe living along the River Seine.
The Romans later conquered the region and established the town of Lutetia.
During the Middle Ages, Paris became the political and cultural centre of France.
From the twelfth century onwards, it developed into one of Europe’s leading centres of education, religion and commerce.
The city gained worldwide prominence during the French Revolution of 1789, which transformed not only France but also influenced democratic movements across the world.
Paris has witnessed periods of monarchy, revolution, empire and republic, each leaving magnificent monuments that continue to attract millions of visitors every year.
The Eiffel Tower
Our first destination was the world-famous Eiffel Tower, undoubtedly the greatest symbol of Paris.
Designed by the French engineer Gustave Eiffel, the tower was constructed between 1887 and 1889 for the Exposition Universelle (World’s Fair) commemorating the centenary of the French Revolution.
Initially, many artists and intellectuals criticised its design, considering it an eyesore.
However, with the passage of time, the Eiffel Tower became the pride of France and one of the world’s most recognised monuments.
The tower stands approximately 330 metres high, making it one of the tallest structures in Paris.
Millions of tourists visit it every year.
Our Visit to the Third Level
We ascended the Eiffel Tower and reached its third level, the highest observation platform open to visitors.
As the lift rose steadily upwards, we could see Paris gradually unfolding beneath us.
From the summit, the panoramic view was simply breathtaking.
We could clearly observe:
- The River Seine winding gracefully through the city.
- Countless historic buildings.
- Wide boulevards.
- Beautiful parks.
- Museums.
- Churches.
- Bridges.
- Residential neighbourhoods extending far into the distance.
Standing at such a height, we realised why Paris has inspired artists, poets and writers for centuries.
The cool breeze and magnificent scenery created an unforgettable experience.
The Champ de Mars
Below the Eiffel Tower lies the Champ de Mars, a vast public park where thousands of visitors gather daily.
Families, tourists and local residents enjoy picnics, photography and relaxation while admiring the towering monument.
The beautifully maintained lawns add to the elegance of the surroundings.
The Seine River
The River Seine is the lifeline of Paris.
Flowing gently through the city, it divides Paris into the Left Bank and the Right Bank.
More than thirty beautiful bridges span the river.
The river has played an essential role in the city’s history by supporting trade, transportation and urban development.
In the evening, we spent time near the Seine, enjoying the peaceful atmosphere and watching tourist boats glide beneath the illuminated bridges.
The reflections of the city’s lights upon the calm waters created a magical scene that words cannot fully describe.
Arc de Triomphe
We also visited the magnificent Arc de Triomphe, one of France’s greatest national monuments.
It was commissioned by Napoleon Bonaparte in 1806 after his victory at the Battle of Austerlitz.
The monument honours the soldiers who fought and sacrificed their lives for France.
The names of distinguished generals and important battles are engraved upon its walls.
Beneath the arch lies the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, established after the First World War.
An eternal flame burns continuously in memory of the unidentified soldiers who gave their lives for their country.
Standing before this monument, we paid our respects to all those who sacrificed themselves in defence of their nation.
Place de la Concorde
Our city tour also passed through the famous Place de la Concorde, one of the largest public squares in Paris.
This historic square witnessed many important events during the French Revolution.
Today it is beautifully decorated with fountains, statues and the ancient Luxor Obelisk, which was gifted to France by Egypt.
The square now symbolises national unity and reconciliation.
The Grand Boulevards
As our coach moved through the streets of Paris, we admired the city’s grand boulevards, elegant buildings and carefully planned avenues.
Much of modern Paris owes its appearance to the nineteenth-century urban planner Baron Georges-Eugène Haussmann, who redesigned the city with broad roads, public parks, impressive buildings and improved sanitation.
His visionary planning transformed Paris into one of the world’s most beautiful capitals.
Paris by Night
As darkness gradually descended, Paris became even more enchanting.
The illuminated monuments, sparkling bridges and lively streets justified its title as “The City of Light.”
Thousands of people gathered near the Eiffel Tower to witness its famous nightly illumination.
The Eiffel Tower Sparkling Lights
At 11:00 p.m., we had the privilege of witnessing the closing light display of the Eiffel Tower.
For several minutes, thousands of sparkling lights covered the entire structure, making it appear like a giant diamond shining against the night sky.
The spectacle was breathtaking.
Visitors from every corner of the world applauded and photographed this unforgettable moment.
The sparkling lights symbolised not only the beauty of Paris but also the brilliance of human creativity and engineering.
Parisian Culture
Paris has long been recognised as one of the world’s leading centres of:
- Art.
- Literature.
- Fashion.
- Music.
- Philosophy.
- Architecture.
- Fine cuisine.
It is home to numerous museums, theatres, universities and cultural institutions.
French cuisine, perfumes, luxury fashion and artistic traditions have influenced cultures across the globe.
The people of Paris take great pride in preserving their historical monuments while embracing modern progress.
Reflections
Our visit to Paris became one of the crowning experiences of our fifteen-day European tour.
The fertile French countryside, modern highways, magnificent Eiffel Tower, historic monuments, peaceful River Seine and dazzling night illumination together created memories that will remain with us forever.
Standing on the third level of the Eiffel Tower and later watching its glittering lights reflected upon the waters of the Seine, I realised why Paris has inspired millions of visitors for generations.
Paris is not merely the capital of France; it is a living museum of history, architecture, art and human achievement. It demonstrates how a nation can preserve its glorious past while continuing to lead in culture, science and innovation.
As we concluded another memorable day of our European journey, our hearts were filled with gratitude for having witnessed one of the world’s most beautiful and historic cities.
(To be continued in Chapter 29…)