My Fifteen-Day Grand Tour of Europe
Chapter 29: The Royal Heritage of Paris, the Louvre Museum and an Enchanting Cruise on the River Seine
By Lokanath Mishra, M.A., LL.B., IRS (Retired)
On 25th July 2026, our second day in the beautiful city of Paris was devoted to exploring its royal heritage, world-famous museums, magnificent gardens and the timeless beauty of the River Seine. Every hour of the day introduced us to another chapter of French history and culture. Paris is not merely a modern capital but a city where the legacy of kings, emperors, artists and philosophers continues to inspire visitors from every corner of the globe.
For all four of us—Lokanath Mishra, Basanti Mishra, Basant Mishra, and Puspita Mishra—this day became one of the most memorable experiences of our European tour.
Morning Visit to the Royal Palace
After breakfast, we proceeded to the Palais Royal (Royal Palace), one of the historic landmarks of Paris.
The palace was originally built in 1633 for Cardinal Richelieu, the chief minister of King Louis XIII. After Richelieu’s death, it became the residence of the French royal family and later played an important role during the French Revolution.
Although it is no longer the residence of the President or the royal family, the palace remains an important historical and cultural monument. Today it houses government institutions, galleries and beautifully preserved courtyards.
The elegant architecture, graceful arcades and peaceful surroundings reflected the refinement of French classical design.
Walking through the palace complex, we imagined the many kings, queens, statesmen and artists who had once passed through these magnificent halls.
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The Royal Garden
Adjacent to the palace lies the beautiful Palais Royal Garden (Jardin du Palais Royal).
The garden is famous for its:
- Perfectly trimmed trees.
- Colourful flower beds.
- Marble fountains.
- Symmetrical pathways.
- Classical sculptures.
- Quiet atmosphere.
The French have perfected the art of formal garden design, where geometry, balance and harmony create an atmosphere of elegance.
Visitors from around the world enjoy sitting beneath the trees while appreciating the peaceful surroundings.
The garden reminded us that even in the centre of a busy city, nature can provide serenity and beauty.
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French Garden Culture
France has a long tradition of landscape gardening.
Royal gardens were designed not merely for beauty but also to demonstrate order, discipline and harmony between human creativity and nature.
Many gardens established during the reigns of Louis XIII and Louis XIV continue to inspire landscape architects throughout the world.
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Visit to the Perfume Store
Before lunch, we visited one of Paris’ famous perfume stores.
France is internationally recognised as one of the world’s leading producers of luxury perfumes.
Although the town of Grasse in southern France is considered the perfume capital of the world, Paris serves as the global centre for marketing and luxury perfume brands.
We learned how perfumes are produced from natural flowers such as:
- Rose.
- Jasmine.
- Lavender.
- Orange blossom.
- Iris.
- Violet.
Modern perfumers also use carefully developed aromatic compounds to create distinctive fragrances.
The production process involves:
- Cultivation of fragrant flowers.
- Careful harvesting.
- Extraction of essential oils.
- Blending of aromatic ingredients.
- Ageing and quality testing.
- Bottling in beautifully designed containers.
The perfume industry combines agriculture, chemistry, artistry and fashion.
Visitors from every country purchase perfumes as souvenirs because French fragrances have earned an international reputation for quality and elegance.
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Visit to the Louvre Museum
In the afternoon, we reached one of the greatest museums in human history—the Louvre Museum.
Originally built during the twelfth century as a fortress, it later became a royal palace before being transformed into a public museum during the French Revolution.
Today the Louvre houses one of the world’s largest collections of art and historical objects.
Its galleries contain masterpieces from:
- Ancient Egypt.
- Greece.
- Rome.
- Mesopotamia.
- Renaissance Europe.
- Islamic civilisation.
Among its most celebrated treasures is Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa, perhaps the most famous painting in the world.
Although it is impossible to see the entire museum in a single visit, even a brief tour leaves visitors amazed by humanity’s artistic achievements.
The Glass Pyramid
Standing in front of the Louvre is the famous Glass Pyramid, inaugurated in 1989.
Designed by the renowned architect I. M. Pei, the pyramid serves as the museum’s main entrance.
Initially controversial because of its modern appearance beside the historic palace, it has since become one of Paris’ most recognised architectural landmarks.
Constructed from hundreds of glass panels supported by a delicate steel framework, the pyramid beautifully combines modern engineering with classical architecture.
The contrast between ancient stone buildings and transparent glass symbolises the continuity between history and modern civilisation.
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The Artistic Tradition of Sculpture
During our tour of Paris, particularly around museums, gardens and public squares, we observed numerous statues depicting both men and women, some of them unclothed.
Many visitors from cultures where public nudity is uncommon may initially find these sculptures surprising. However, in the context of European art history, such statues are generally intended to represent idealised human beauty, mythology, heroism or allegorical ideas, rather than to provoke or encourage inappropriate behaviour.
Many of these works were inspired by the artistic traditions of ancient Greece and Rome, where the human body was studied as an expression of physical perfection, strength, harmony and divine creation.
Renaissance artists such as Michelangelo revived this classical tradition, believing that careful study of human anatomy enabled artists to portray the dignity and beauty of the human form.
Similarly, Indian art also includes sculptural traditions depicting the human body in temples such as Konark, Khajuraho and other historic sites. These sculptures are generally understood within their religious, cultural and artistic contexts.
Thus, the statues we saw in Paris should be appreciated as works of art and historical expression rather than viewed outside their cultural and artistic setting.
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Evening Cruise on the River Seine
As evening approached, we embarked upon a delightful boat cruise on the River Seine, one of the most memorable experiences of our stay in Paris.
The Seine flows through the heart of the city, connecting many of its greatest monuments.
As our boat glided gently across the calm waters, we admired the illuminated skyline of Paris.
The reflections of historic buildings shimmered beautifully upon the river.
During the cruise we viewed many famous landmarks, including:
- The Eiffel Tower.
- Notre-Dame Cathedral (from the river).
- The Louvre Museum.
- Musée d’Orsay.
- The Conciergerie.
- Historic bridges such as Pont Alexandre III and Pont Neuf.
- Elegant riverside buildings and embankments.
The beautifully illuminated monuments created a magical atmosphere.
Soft lights reflected upon the water while visitors from different countries quietly admired the beauty surrounding them.
The River Seine has served Paris for centuries by supporting transportation, trade and urban development.
Today it remains one of the city’s greatest attractions and has been recognised as part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
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Paris by Night
Nightfall transformed Paris into an even more enchanting city.
Historic buildings, churches, museums and bridges glowed beneath carefully designed lighting.
The city truly deserved its title “The City of Light.”
The peaceful atmosphere along the Seine, combined with the magnificent architecture, made our evening unforgettable.
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French Culture
France has profoundly influenced world civilisation through:
- Literature.
- Philosophy.
- Painting.
- Sculpture.
- Architecture.
- Fashion.
- Music.
- Science.
- Human rights.
The ideals of the French Revolution—Liberty, Equality and Fraternity—continue to inspire democratic societies around the world.
The French people take great pride in preserving their artistic heritage while embracing scientific progress and innovation.
Reflections
Our second day in Paris deepened our appreciation for French history, art and culture.
The Royal Palace reminded us of the grandeur of the French monarchy. The Royal Garden demonstrated humanity’s ability to harmonise architecture with nature. The Louvre Museum displayed the artistic achievements of countless civilisations, while the Glass Pyramid symbolised the successful blending of tradition and modernity.
The evening cruise on the River Seine became the perfect conclusion to an unforgettable day. Watching Paris illuminated beneath the night sky, with its monuments reflected upon the calm waters of the river, filled our hearts with admiration for one of the world’s greatest cultural capitals.
The artistic statues that we encountered throughout the city also reminded us that every civilisation expresses beauty through its own artistic traditions. When understood in their historical and cultural context, they represent humanity’s enduring search for beauty, knowledge and creative excellence.
As we concluded our visit to Paris, we carried with us memories that will remain cherished throughout our lives.
(To be continued in Chapter 30…)