Viator Paris

Impressionist art is just what it sounds like – paintings that give the viewer an impression of the subject, rather than a photo-like realism. It started in the mid- to late-19th century, and it took the art world by storm – and still inspires artists today.

No trip to Paris, especially for first-timers, is complete without a trip to the Eiffel Tower. But one look at the crowds gathered at the ticket offices under this soaring landmark, and suddenly you have better things to do. Except, what if you could skip that line, and head right to the very top? If that idea interests you, we have some secrets to share.

Paris is an art lover’s dream – from the hallowed halls of the world’s top museums to edgy galleries and innovative street art, there’s something to admire no matter where you look. But, that being said – here’s where to look!

It would be a big mistake to think of the Louvre as only a storehouse for the past. Although the collection is an historic one and is set in the magnificent ex-palace building which has been an art museum since the late 18th century, contemporary directors of the museum have their feet firmly planted in the 21st century as shown by the new Islamic wing due to open in summer 2012.

On my many trips to Paris over the years, I had never visited the Centre Pompidou. And I have to tell you, I am so glad I finally went.

104 Centquatre in Paris is an artists’ studio and exhibition space that’s reenergizing artistic life in Montmartre. Once home to visionaries such as Picasso, Dali, Monet, van Gogh, Montmartre inevitably became trendy and gentrified and too expensive for artists to inhabit.

A few weeks ago, I was lucky enough to take a behind-the-scenes tour of the brand new renovations at the Musee d’Orsay in Paris. The museum did a lot of work and it was nothing short of incredible!

Because I was with a Skip the Line: Musee d’Orsay Small Group Tour, I was able to skip the long, tedious line outside. Once we were inside the museum, we got a quick peek of the new renovations, and then went on to tour the rest of the museum.

Paris is a city so rich in tradition and history that it can be easy to miss the contemporary cultural scene. Make sure you don’t overlook the emerging and talented young artists whose work is on display at the Slick Contemporary Art Fair, which runs from 20-23rd October in 2011. Located in a 2000-square-metre marquee on the Esplanade between the wonderful Palais de Tokyo and the Museum of Modern Art, Slick will show thousands of new artworks with everything from painting and sculpture to new media and video installations.