Blackened gargoyles, and a gleaming glass pyramid. Mega department stores and quirky flea markets. Goth 'n' grunge nightclubs and old fashioned Can Can girls. Paris does it all, and it does it with style. If you've only been once, then you've only just scratched the surface.
Whether you're a romantic, a culture vulture, or a foodie, there's loads to keep you busy here. The intimate Marais district is a great place to explore à deux. Cobbled, mediaeval streets are peppered with cosy bars, restaurants and one-off boutiques, and at its heart lies the gorgeous Place des Vosges encircled by thirty six symmetrical slate-roofed houses.
| There's always something new to discover in this stylish, indulgent city... |
With so many museums and galleries, culture vultures can find out about the history of almost anything in Paris - pens, perfume or magic, to name but three. However some of the most popular spots to visit include the Musée Rodin, full of Rodin's enigmatic sculptures including his most famous, 'The Kiss'; the Musée de l'Orangerie where Monet's captivating waterlilies have recently been re-hung; and the Musée de l'Orsay, a converted railway station packed with impressionist paintings by the likes of Renoir, Dégas and Van Gogh. Of course, if you're feeling strong you can always venture into the gargantuan Louvre, where 30 000 paintings hang, including the Mona Lisa.
Foodies will love some of Paris's al-fresco food markets, where pungent cheeses are piled high next to marrons-glacés and buckets of fragrant flowers. Try the Rue Cler, or the Avenue Saxe Breteuil where you can browse with views of the Eiffel Tower. Of course once the shopping is done, the choice of restaurants is mind-boggling, and you'll find great set price menus especially at lunchtime.
You may think Paris is a daunting choice if you're taking the children, but think again, for there's plenty of stress free sightseeing to do here if you choose wisely. Did you know for example, that if you climb the Eiffel Tower in the evening, it twinkles gaily for the first ten minutes of every hour? Or that there's an old fashioned funfair in the Bois de Boulogne complete with gentle rollercoasters, carousels and a circus?
Contrary to popular misconception, Paris can be a very affordable city and hotels in Paris are available that are both charming and comfortable, whilst also reasonably priced. As for where to stay, anyone who considers themselves a French history enthusiast will want to contemplate a hotel in the 7th arrondissement, close to the Eiffel Tower, whereas a culture devotee might prefer the hotels of the quieter (but more expensive) Ile de St Louis in the 4th district, near to the Notre Dame Cathedral. If chic and chaotic is your thing, the Marais locale in the 3rd and 4th districts will be the place to find your Paris hotel. Students and tourists tend to stay in the Latin Quarter (5th arrondissement) which offers cheap hotels and an exciting nightlife.
Whether this is your first visit to Paris or your fiftieth, there's always something new to discover in this stylish, indulgent city.
