Create First Class Memories in the City of Light

A departure from Paris’ Medieval Gothic cathedrals such as Notre-Dame, Sacré Cœur is a stunning example of Romano-Byzantine architecture. Its travertine facade is a gleaming white beacon atop the city’s highest point, Montmartre. In fact, its elevation gives you incredible views of Paris from the basilica’s courtyard. Inside, the basilica is just as grand as its exterior. Colorful mosaics and stained glass windows are energizing, and the church's four-keyboard grand organ is one of Europe’s best. Climb to the top of the dome for a panoramic vista that rivals the view you had from the window of your first class flight to Paris.

One of the city’s first garden cemeteries, Père Lachaise is a peaceful, picturesque cemetery filled with beautiful markers and memorials. The cemetery houses some of the world’s most celebrated artists, authors, musicians and politicians. The Doors’ Jim Morrison was laid to rest in Père Lachaise Cemetery, as were Frederic Chopin, Georges Seurat, Isadora Duncan, Oscar Wilde, Honore de Balzac and countless others. The largest park and the biggest cemetery in Paris, Père Lachaise Cemetery covers 110 acres and officially dates back to 1804. Ironically, the cemetery was also the site of the Napoleonic Wars’ Battle of Paris and the massacre of the “Communards” in 1871. The latter is commemorated in the bullet-ridden Communards’ Wall on the grounds of the cemetery.

Versailles is gorgeous, but large crowds can often make it inaccessible at the height of travel season. The remarkable Vaux le Vicomte offers a glimpse of Paris’ high life, and its grounds were designed by Versailles’ architects. The 1,200-acre grand estate was built in the 17th century for Nicolas Fouquet. The chateau itself was the ground-breaking creation of the French king’s architect, Louis Le Vau. The formal gardens are equally stunning, 100 acres of intricately manicured hedges and well-placed fountains. For a special treat, schedule your visit to coincide with one of the two Saturdays a month that the fountains are scheduled to perform their beautiful water show. Be sure to stay at the chateau until nightfall to enjoy the Saturday evening candlelight displays.