Paris sights: From best to bust

MUSTS

Some of the sights of Paris, rank-ordered according to the author’s personal preferences:

Musée d’Orsay: Monet, Renoir, Van Gogh, all in exquisite and comfortable settings.

Île Saint-Louis: This little island neighborhood seems right out of a romantic French movie.

Latin Quarter: shopping, browsing, clubbing, browsing, shopping, clubbing. Repeat.

Notre Dame Cathedral: begun in 1160, plundered in 1790, still amazing in 2010.

Eiffel Tower: Is there a more romantic attraction in the world? You know, if you like that kind of stuff.

Panorama: 360-degree view from the Eiffel Tower

Harry’s New York Bar: The Bloody Mary was born in this former Hemingway hangout; like home the second you set foot in it.

Napoleon’s Tomb: beautiful and profound, housed in a glimmering church caked in gold.

Musée de l’Armée: The greatest military museum in the world could use an editor.

Champs-Élysées: Left me a little cold, but a must for serious shoppers.

The Louvre: the Mona Lisa in a mob setting (especially in summer). No matter what I say, you’re going to go. So go already.

Place de la Concorde: Hardly worth a special trip; you’ll probably pass it anyway.

BUSTS