TEFL in Paris: 7 things you have to see in the French capital
If you’re planning to TEFL in Paris but aren’t sure where to begin with all the incredible landmarks in the French capital, this guide has you covered. We’ve scoured from the Eiffel Tower to the exhibition rooms of the Louvre to bring you seven of the most impressive and unmissable sights in the city. Don’t skip them…
Eiffel Tower
Some landmarks simply need no intro. The Eiffel Tower is one of them. It’s a symbol of Paris, and France, and Europe as a whole. It rises over the palaces and riverbanks on the west side of the city, scoring the skyline with a height of 324 meters. Built in the late 1800s for the World’s Fair, it’s now a must for anyone visiting this town, whether they’re doing TEFL in Paris or just passing through. You can take an elevator to the top floor to enjoy the views if you like, but we prefer settling in for a French picnic of cheese and baguettes on the Champ de Mars just below, when the sun is shining, of course!
Père Lachaise Cemetery
A pilgrimage to Père Lachaise Cemetery is a great way to honor some of the artistic and political greats of the 20th, 19th, and 18th centuries. Yep, this prestigious burial ground hosts some of the most totemic names in literature and music. The great pianist Chopin lies within, as does writer Oscar Wilde, and philosopher Marcel Proust. Others might be making for the famous resting spot of Jim Morrison of The Doors.
Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Paris
Ah, the Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Paris – one of Europe’s most romantic structures. Gothic spires loom in front while flying buttresses crown the back. Sadly, the whole church was decimated by a fire back in 2019. However, reconstruction works are in full flow, and it’s expected to be restored to its former glory and then some by 2024. Today, you’ll have to make do with he views from out front. They’re not bad at all, especially as they include the medieval stonework and the cobbled lanes of the historic Ile de la Cite.
Champs Elysée
The Champs Elysée is up there with 5th Avenue and the Fashion Quarter of Milan as one of the chicest shopping strips on the planet. Look one way and there’s Gucci. Look another and there’s Louis Vuitton. Those names are interspersed with flagship stores that bear the logos of Adidas, Lacoste, Zara – the list goes on. Basically, this is for those doing TEFL in Paris who need a little touch of retail therapy. It’s also got some striking sights, like the Arc de Triomphe at its far northwestern end.
Montmartre
The area of Montmartre will transport you to the Paris that you’ve seen on the postcards. Here, zigzagging staircases shoot up steep hillsides to cobbled plazas. There are tree-lined streets that pass jazz bars and wine outlets. There’s always something going on in the evening, and breakfast is heralded by the smell of fresh croissants from the artisan bakers. Up higher, the district comes crowned by the mighty Sacré-Cœur, a dome-capped basilica that’s surrounded by balconies that have sweeping views of the metropolis. Talk about awesome places to see the sunset!
Canal Saint-Martin
Anyone looking to enjoy the café culture and nightlife of the French capital while doing TEFL in Paris simply has to know about the Canal Saint-Martin. Cutting through the western side of the city as it drifts off the Seine River, this long waterway of barge-bobbing quays and plane tree-speckled avenues is one continuous run of coffee joints, beer bars, and wine bistros. We especially love the area past the Stalingrad metro stop, the Le Bassin de la Villette. There, you’ll find open-air swimming spots in the hot summer months, along with rows of boules courts and Parisian drinkeries that spill onto the canals. It’s, simply, lovely.
Louvre
If you only have time to see one museum in Paris, surely it should be the Louvre. There’s no getting around it – this is unquestionably one of the most incredible cultural institutions in the world. It’s housed in a colossal palace that dates all the way back to the medieval era, right on the side of the Seine River. Inside, you’re looking at a collection of nearly 40,000 objects. Some really stand out from the crowd, like the Mona Lisa by Leonardo, or The Fortune Teller by Caravaggio. Oh, and don’t miss a selfie with the great glass pyramid outside – it’s one the icons of France.
Have you been and done TEFL in Paris? Have you got some things that you think should be on this list? We’d love to hear about them in the comments below. Or, if you’re ready to get qualified and teaching English in places like France, be sure to head over to our courses page to get started…