Paris holidays

Cafes, cocktails and culture

Every quartier in Paris dances to its own tune. Fill your trip to Paris with bohemian cafes in Montmartre and the leafy boulevards of the Marais.

Gaze out across the glittering skyline with a rooftop cocktail, live it up among the spirited students of the Quartier Latin, soak up the arty vibes around the Sacré-Coeur or push the boat out in a luxury hotel along the Champs-Elysees.

Anything feels possible on a short break in Paris

Sneaking off for a romantic weekend in Paris? No problem. The City of Light is also the City of Love. Smooch in style on the banks of the Seine, get lost amid the high-end glamour of Saint-Germain, give the credit card a worthy bashing at one of 100 Michelin-starred restaurants and take a turn around the legendary Louvre.Weekend breaks to Paris come bursting at the seams. Why not chuck yourself into the village-like atmosphere of Montmartre, creative playground and historic hangout of Picasso and Toulouse-Lautrec? The steep streets are peppered with hidden cafes and backstreet bars, all perfect for pondering life over a glass of vin rouge or a cheeky absinthe. It's the kind of place where anything feels possible

Alternatively kick off your Paris weekend break by diving into the hipster scene of the Marais, a magnetic muddle of boutique hotels, cutting-edge brasseries and a whole lot of beards. The area might be notoriously pricey, but people-watching is free and there's no place better to do it. Often compared to Manhattan's SoHo, it's somewhere to weave between vintage shops, duck into darkened corner bars and feel oh-so Parisian, just for one day.

Even on short breaks to Paris, you really can take in so much, and this is a great spot to instantly feel in the thick of things.

Audrey Hepburn hit the nail on the head: Paris IS always a good idea. Every season has its charms, but Paris breaks really are a year-round joy.

The city in springtime is the blossomy stuff of Hollywood legend. Summer draws the biggest crowds, creating a spike in airfares and hotel costs and, at the same time, many locals skip town to hit the beach. On the bright side, dozens of free open-air concerts pop up in the parks, making long summer evenings more than peachy.

As autumn sets in, tourist numbers and accommodation prices calm down, while trips to Paris during build-up to Christmas are a sheer twinkly delight.

Put it this way, you're not going to be stuck for things to do in Paris. Not by a French country mile.

The city has something to see around every corner, from star attractions to hidden gems and alternative eye-openers. The big hitters live up to every ounce of hype, so here's a rundown of the top five must-see attractions in Paris.

The Eiffel Tower

Impossible to miss, the Eiffel Tower is one of the world's greatest icons. Every first-timer to Paris should experience the thrill of taking the lift to the top and gazing down upon the city. It's enough to give you goosebumps. Head up after dark for a different, far more twinkly, take on the skyline. Before you leave, sip a glass of bubbly at the top-floor champagne bar, built into the structure of the tower. Splurge on a meal at the Michelin-starred Jules Verne Restaurant on the second floor or enjoy a chic picnic at the far less pricey 58 Tour Eiffel on the first floor.

The Louvre

Paris is home to more than 150 museums, ranging from world-famous art galleries to more alternative exhibitions. However, the crowning glory is undoubtedly The Louvre, officially the most-visited art museum in the world and home to masterpieces such as The Mona Lisa. If you've got cash to spare, book a private tour with your own dedicated art expert, skipping the queues and dodging the crowds in the process.Arc de Triomphe

Standing proudly amid the kind of traffic that can take a few years off your life just by looking at it, the Arc de Triomphe is Parisian through and through. Anchored in the star-shaped Place Charles de Gaulle at the western end of the Champs-Elysées, the Arc is also home to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. For a small fee, you can trek up the 284 steps to the top of the Arc, where you'll be treated to sweeping views over the city and Eiffel Tower. If you head there in time for sunset, it's a real stunner.

Montmartre and Sacré-CoeurWander into the fruity past of Paris into the arty, village-like Montmartre, thick with festival atmosphere and bohemian spirit. Nowadays, the steep cobblestones leading up to the Sacré-Coeur can feel something of a tourist circus, but veer off the main drags and you'll find hole-in-the-wall bars and buzzing cafés. Once home to struggling artists, absinthe sippers and can-can dancers, it's a place where the past lingers in the streets. Centre Pompidou

Leave the past and look into the future at the Centre Pompidou, a cultural hub and contemporary art gallery that is guaranteed to get you thinking. Designed by Renzo Piano (of Shard fame) and Richard Rogers, cutting edge doesn't even begin to cover it. The inner workings of the building are visible on the outside, with colour-coded tubes and gizmos to indicate their function - red for elevators, green for plumbing, yellow for electricity and blue for air-con. Go, hang out, and be blown away for a few hours.