Paris
The romantic capital, built on an arc of the River Seine so it's
divided in two - Rive Droite (right bank) and Rive Gauche (left
bank) being the more bohemian. Paris has 20 Arrondissements (districts)
of which the "first" is the city centre, and the
remainder spiral clockwise out from this. Whether you come
to Paris to see the sights and world class art, or to have veritable
feasts during your stay, then this cosmopolitan City of Light will
give you a warm welcome.
Paris is served by two international airports: Charles
de Gaulle (14 miles to the north east) and Orly (9 miles to the
south), both with excellent services into the city. Of course,
there's also the Eurostar service from London which runs right
into the city centre.
- Browse the windows along the Champs Elysées which stretches
from the Arc de Triomphe to Concorde square, and is the most
famous boulevard in Paris otherwise know as "the most beautiful
avenue in the world" (La plus belle avenue du monde).
With its pavement cafes, luxury and speciality shops along with
the wide granite pavements and shady trees, you'll understand
what all the fuss is about.
- There are 3 large cemeteries which are popular with visitors,
Père Lachaise, Montparnasse, and Montmartre, Maps may be provided
at the main office of each cemetary. They give locations
on tombs and places of rest for writers, artists, politicians,
musicians and celebrities.
- Flea Markets, Marche aux puces de la Porte de Vanves, held
on a Saturday and Sunday up until 1 pm at avenue
Marc Sangnier and all day at avenue Georges Lafenestre.
- Cathedrale Notre-Dame de Paris is
a masterpiece of gothic architecture. The cathedral and
its treasures are open to the public (except during the religious
services held throughout the day). Individual and guided
tours are available and did you know that road distances are
taken from the "0km" point which is on the square
in front of the cathedral entrance.
- Basilique du Sacre Coeur de Montmartre,
access to the basilica is free and open from 6am to 10.30pm.
The Dome and crypt are open from 10am to 5.45 pm and you can
see another view of Paris for a few euros.
- Place de la Concorde, formerly known
as Place de la Revolution where a guillotine was installed
and thousands of executions took place including that of King
Louis XVI.
Other popular attractions include the
Chateau de Versailles, Disneyland, the Louvre, Centre Georges
Pompidou, Espace Dali, Le Musee d'Orsay, Musee Rodin and Musee
Picasso,
Popular attractions inlcude, Sacre-Coeur, Cathedrale de Notre
Dame, Chateau de Versailles, Cimetiere de Pere Lachaise, Disneyland
Paris, Marche Buci, the Louvre, Place de Pigalle .
Most of the cemeteries in Paris are beautifully laid out and lots
of the tombs and memorials
Paris has some of the worlds best restaurants, and the country
is renowned for its regional dishes so you must make food top
of your list. Eat like the natives do, take your time and
order every course: entree, plat, dessert. Have wine and
coffee too !
Nightlife? The famous Moulin Rouge caberet and the Place
de Pigalle in general for people watching. Lido de Paris
with the legendary Bluebell Girls. Stroll the banks of the
River Seine with your loved one or even take a night time tour
of the river on a Bateaux Mouches - and you'll see why it's called
the City of Light. |