Visit the Palais Royal

People watching is one of the great Parisian traditions and the Palais Royal is a spectacular place to partake in it.

This palace and garden is located near the Louvre and features people of all forms mingling and relaxing in the famous courtyard. In the 1780s, the gardens were enclosed and filled with cafes, theaters and shops.

Paris' Newest Museum

Looking for something new in Paris? Try the Musée du Quai Branly. The museum is a vast showcase of non-European cultures devoted to "bridging the gap" between civilizations. Some 3,500 items are permanently on display from masks, to statues, to costumes and more. The museum was designed by Jean Nouvel and features a huge space divided into four zones to represent four continents with a central path or “river” for visitors to wander through.

Arènes de Lutèce

This Roman arena, where wild beasts and gladiators once did battle, once accommodated 10,000 seated spectators. Visible as late as the 12th century, it fell under rubble until the site was rediscovered in 1869. Arènes de Lutèce is now home to a lush garden and attracts skateboarders, football players and boules players.

Bastille Day!

If you've never caught this French celebration, you must. The show is stunning. Not quite like us Americans are used to on Fourth of July, Bastille Day isn't a parade of high school marching bands and baton twirlers, but a showing of military might.

The grand finale, apparently a first for the 14th of July, was seven parachuters carrying flags of France, the EU and the UN who landed in the center of the celebration.

The Seine on Canvas

Walk along the Banks of the Seine near Asnières

This print, titled Walk along the Banks of the Seine near Asnières, was painted by van Gogh in 1887 when he lived in Asnières.

Asnières is a suburb 5 miles out of the center of Paris and was a popular artist's commune at the turn of the 20th century. Many impressionists, including Gauguin, Renoir and van Gogh, flocked to this idyllic community along the Seine to live and set up their easels.

The Seine on Canvas

Banks of the Seine, Vétheuil

Depicted here by Claude Monet, the Seine has countless landmarks along its banks. Notre Dame Cathedral sits along its shore, as does the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, the Grand Palais, Musee d'Orsay and the Hotel des Invalides. Monet, one of the founders of French Impressionist art, painted many of his most famous works when he lived along the Seine in Argenteuil.

The Seine on Canvas

Bougival 1876

The Seine is captured here by the artist Alfred Sisley, depicting one of the more than three dozen bridges inside the city that cross the river. Some of the most famous include the Pont Louis-Philippe and Pont Neuf, the latter which dates back to 1607. Dozens more span its waters outside of the city. Some examples include the Pont de Normandie, one of the longest cable-stayed bridges in the world.

The Seine on Canvas

The Seine at Asnières

The Seine is arguably the heart of Paris. Its waters have flowed in and out for centuries, and it was the main route of transportation and protection for Paris. Tours by boat are highly recommended (especially at night) for a new and charming perspective of the city of lights.

Above is the Seine as painted by Pierre-Auguste Renoir.

A Roman Church in Provence

A roman church gleams golden in the setting sun as storm clouds shift above in this idyllic Provencal town. Provence is littered with these old stone monuments, often situated in the heart of the town, built for gathering, loving, and worshipping.

A Week in Provence

This colorful display typifies Provence; a relaxing break at an afternoon cafe. Ice cubes ring in glasses, and a plate of fresh tomatoes, olives, and peppers drizzled in olive oil. The pace is slow and the conversation always top notch.

A Week in Provence

Check out this charming village near Nyons, Provence. The streets aren't even wide enough for a car to pass through. In fact, the streets aren't even streets at all, but pathways leading to staircases.