Paris Travel
Anytime you take a Paris vacation, you forget just how large the city really is. There are so many nooks and crannies to explore that covering it in one visit is near impossible. So here’s a quick and dirty overview of some of the areas in Paris that you might be interested in and want to add to your Paris travels. In the upcoming posts we’ll give more information on each of them to help with making your Paris travels easier.
- Place de la Bastille located in the 4th, 11th and 12th arrondissements on the right bank, it is a district of great historical significance, not only for Paris, but for France, too.
- Champs-Élysées in the 8th arrondissement, right bank is a seventeenth century garden-promenade-turned-avenue connecting the Place de la Concorde and the Arc de Triomphe. It is one of the many tourist attractions and a major shopping street of Paris.
- Place de la Concorde at the bottom of the Champs-Élysées, built as the Place Louis XV site of the infamous guillotine. The Egyptian obelisk is Paris’ “oldest monument”. The Place Vendôme which is nearby is famous for its fashionable and deluxe hotels and its jewellers. Many famous fashion designers have had their salons in the square.
- Les Halles in the 1st arrondissement on the right bank was formerly Paris’ central meat and produce market, and, since the late 1970s, a major shopping centre around an important metro connection station. The original Les Halles was destroyed in 1971 and replaced by the Forum des Halles. The central market of Paris which is the biggest wholesale food market in the worldthen moved to Rungis, located in the suburbs.
- Le Marais in the 3rd and 4th arrondissement is a trendy Right Bank district. You can a little bit of everything going on here.
- Avenue Montaigne in the 8th arrondissement, is located next to the Champs-Élysées. The area is home to luxury labels well known world wide such as Chanel, Louis Vuitton, Dior and Givenchy
- Montmartre in the 18th arrondissement on the right bank is a historic area on the Butte, home to the Basilique du Sacré-Cœur. Montmartre has been well known as an area for artists and has many studios and cafés of many great artists in that area.
- Montparnasse in the 14th arrondissement is a historic Left Bank area. It is also famous for artists’ studios, music halls, and wonderful cafes.
- Avenue de l’Opéra in the 9th arrondissement on the right bank is located around the Opéra Garnier. It is the capital’s densest concentration of both department stores and offices. A few examples that are located in this area are the Printemps and Galeries Lafayette department stores, and the Paris headquarters of financial giants such as Crédit Lyonnais and American Express.
- Quartier Latin in the 5th and 6th arrondissements on the left bank is a twelfth-century scholastic center which used to stretch between the Left Bank’s Place Maubert and the Sorbonne campus. Various higher-education establishments, such as the École Normale Supérieure, ParisTech, and the Jussieu university campus, make it a major educational centre in Paris. A lively area with many dining options and night life.
- Faubourg Saint-Honoré in the 8th arrondissement on the right bank is premier high-fashion districts, home to labels such as Hermès and Christian Lacroix.
There are more highlights to note and we will explore them as well in upcoming posts. So, consider adding some of these to your Paris vacation to make it a really wonderful trip and experience.
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Louvre's Mona Lisa
Formally called Musée du Louvre and officially called the Grand Louvre, it is known in english as the Louvre Museum. A well known national monument, the museum is housed in what is the Palais du Louvre. Situated on the right bank of the Seine it is one of the major attractions of those on a Paris vacation. However, it is not for the faint of heart! It is simply huge. And to think that you might wander through it all in one visit is near impossible.
In addition, in recent years it is more difficult to enter the Louvre. You now much go through a security process that is rather extensive for a museum and due to the security the lines have become extremely long. In my experience I’ve found that the best times are first thing in the morning and late in the afternoon to avoid waits of up to one hour. The plus of the security process is that the museum is somewhat less crowded during a visit.
The museum was made even more famous due to the filming of scenes from the Da Vinci code in the museum. Here’s a piece of trivia for you to mention while there to your fellow Paris travel partners, the museum made $2.5 million for allowing those scenes to be filmed.
Perhaps the most famous of all portraits in the Louvre, is Mona Lisa. While worth a view so that you can see her up close, the rest of the museum is actually more interesting. The museum is broken up into several collections. These include:
- Egyptian
- Greece, Etruscan and Roman
- Near East
- Islamic Art
- Decorative Art
- Paintings
- Prints and Drawing
So whatever your interest, you are sure to find a collection or two to enjoy during your visit. I recommend one or two collections at most during a visit and save the rest for another visit. My personal favorites are the Paintings and Egyptian collections and I’ve found that children enjoy both as well making it easier for families to tour the Louvre and enjoy it together.
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Cezanne's Water Lilies
When in Paris on vacation, a stop at the Musée d’Orsay is a definite must for those that want to add some history and culture to their visit. The museum is located on the left bank of the Seine and is located in a former rail station, the Gare d’Orsay. It was converted into a museum in 1986 and now houses an impressive collection of works of art. This stunning Beaux Art building is home to an incredible collection of paintings, sculpture, furniture and photos. What it is best known for is it’s wide collection of Impressionist works of art.
In one stop you can view Renoir, Cezanne, Degas and Monet and many others. There are even some American impressionist on display there as well. Even when traveling with kids, you are likely to be able to make it through these exhibits and this museum without much complaining. Show your children the Pissaro piece which they will easily relate to from their own art works in school.
Since your are in Paris, view the Paris collection as well. It will allow you to travel Paris through time and history. With various works of art you can see the changes in Paris through the centuries.
While you don’t have to spend your entire Paris vacation in museums, at least a stop at the Musée d’Orsay will give you some insight and flavor into the art of Paris and it’s history.
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Paris by Taxi
Taking a Paris vacation is an exciting and wonderful adventure! Sometimes getting everything into a trip is hard. One way that I’ve found to cover a lot of ground that isn’t wearyiing to either me or the kids is taking a night tour by taxi. Paris is the absolutely best city to take advantage of this experience. After the clamor of rush hours is done, and you’ve had some dinner you might want to consider taking a taxi and doing some evening exploring.
Whether you hire a taxi yourself or you have the Conierge at your hotel obtain one for you, make sure that you have a list of places to cover in advance. Also make sure that the driver is able to speak a lanaguage that you know or understand. It makes for a better time and you will learn more as you wander around. Asking the driver for something that he might receommend in the evening hours is also a way to see something that you either forgot or didn’t know about.
Make sure that you set the time limit that you wanted to spend and get an estimate of the cost in advance. Despite what they say, taxi drivers have the abiity to do things of this nature for a fixed fee. If they absolutely refuse you can either move on to another one or negotiate for at least some idea of what it will cost. They simply aren’t going to be as busy at night and your half hour or 1 hour tour is a great bonus on a day!
The sit back and enjoy the ride! With kids this is a wonderful way to begin to settle down from a hectic day of walking on little legs. If you’ve got questions, ask them! I’ve learned more from local drivers at times than any book or tour guide. You might find that this becomes one of your favorite experiences on your Paris travel adventure. I know that it was for me -
Arc de Triomphe
You’ve made the decision, your tickets are booked and you will soon be on your way towards your Paris vacation! However, have you even begun to think of what the top things you want to do while you are there? If not, now is the time do start. I find that it is best to have at least a handful of “must sees” and then a number of other “would be interesting” to see or do. That way you can focus on the “must sees” and feel that you accomplished something without the overwhelming thought of all that there is still to see or do.
Today we’ll give you our list of the 10 Top Paris sites see when visiting. Over the upcoming days we’ll give you a bit more detail about each of these sites so that you can make your own decisions.
So c’mon! Let’s get going on our best Paris vacation ever –
A Visit to the Top of the Eiffel Tower
A Double Decker Bus Tour of the City of Paris
A Twilight Boat Cruise along the Seine River in Paris
Stroll along the Champ Elysees and to the Arc de Triomphe
Notre Dame Cathedral
Musee d’Orsay
The Louvre…..Need we say more?
Les Invalides and Napoleon’s Tomb
Montmartre and Sacre Couer Basilica
Saint Chapelle Church
And for good measure, we throw in an evening tour of the city of Paris by taxi.
Whether you chose to explore one of these or all of these, taking a trip to Paris will be an incredible experience.
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Going to Paris on vacation? There’s no need to worry, as Paris can ensure you not only of a romantic getaway but also of an entertaining stay. Paris has a long list of tourist attractions and activities that you won’t end up being bored on your vacation.
To start with, identify which areas you want to go to. If you’re bringing kids along on your Paris vacation, don’t fret as there’s a Disneyland resort where you can take them if all other activities fail to grab their attention. Disneyland offers a train that tours you around the area.
You can also enjoy a romantic evening by attending a show in any of the magnificent theaters in Paris. Whether there’s a featured musical performer or a play, these shows usually include a three-course meal when you purchase a ticket so you can savor fine dining with the wondrous entertainment.
You may also be interested in joining a tour when in Paris. The Palace of Versailles Tour will definitely pique your interest as this well-known tourist spot shows a magnificent array of golden hues. A bastion of power in the late 1700s, its majestic towering façade with the Hall of Mirrors is chock full of stone marble.
With its vast cultural heritage, travelers will walk through the history of the palace and its previous tenants. Included in the tour is a peek through the Grand Royal Apartments and the Queen’s reserved quarters.
Outdoors, the Palace also offers a serene view with its lush greenery and regal statues. Special mention should go to the marble vases originally from renowned painter Charles LeDrun, who was the preferred artist of the royals of his time. These very same vases decorate the beautiful garden. The tour lasts about 4 hours so don’t forget to sleep soundly the night before and wear only walking sandals.
A visit to the Eiffel Tower includes a cruise for you and your partner, and this is usually part of a travel package that is appreciated by most romantics out there. First off, a tour guide explains Western Paris’ rich history. Then you can stop by the Eiffel Tower and enjoy the majestic view.
Another tourist attraction would be the Three Loire Valley Castles. Among the castles, there is one called Cheverny which features 17th century furniture. Amazingly, it is still the original owners of the castle who manage the place. Chambord is where French kings go to for a reprieve.
To relax, travelers can sit down at the popular Garden of France and enjoy a wonderfully prepared three-course meal along with it. Aside from castles, the Chemonceau gardens will provide you a fantastic view of the River Cher.
Before going to Paris for that wonderful getaway, remember to learn a little French so you can adjust to the locals a bit better while you’re touring the place. Best of all, enjoy the trip.
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If you want to spend the weekend with your partner, then go on a romantic cruise in Paris. Romance has always been a vital ingredient in Parisian ambiance. A cruise on those adorable glass boats will not only entice you with its full course meal but also with fabulous entertainment.
Embark on a romantic cruise in Paris with your special someone and experience the getaway of a lifetime. No work, no phone calls, nothing can dissuade you from enjoying this luscious experience.
Choosing a cruise in Paris.
There’s the Bateaux Parisians cruise for two that includes a complimentary pickup at the hotel where you’re staying to avoid any inconvenience. As guests, you are treated to a sightseeing trip on board the cruise ship through the Seine River. Once dinner is served, it’s the beginning of 4 hours of a special evening together, dining under the bright Parisian sky.
What to enjoy on the cruise in Paris.
The cruise begins on the left of the Seine River bank, and leaves from the imposing view of the Eiffel Tower. Towards the rest of the Seine River you will go, basking in the splendid Parisian scene that will mesmerize you. From the beautiful skylight to the wonderful architecture you pass by on board the cruise ship, it’s a visual spectacle that will leave you hungry for more. The ride is more romantic with the presence of talented performers whose music will ring true to the Parisian beat.
Notable landmarks in Paris that you will pass by on your cruise are the Notre-Dame, the Louver Rose, and a number of the city’s wonderfully constructed bridges. On board you are welcomed by the most hospitable staff to assist you with your every need. You get to have the best seat in the house, not to mention the finest wine and champagne.
After-cruise entertainment.
Your romantic cruise in Paris does not end with the cruise itself. Your courteous hosts will direct you to the Lido show on the Champ de Elysees to enjoy the rest of the evening with half a bottle of the most luxurious champagne for you to consume. You can party the night away or keep romance in the air by just spending your time with your loved one.
If after the Lido show you prefer to take a little trip to the city downtown, a horse-drawn carriage ride is the next best thing. More romance equals a ride on the elegant stagecoach so you can truly enjoy the rest of the night.
Getting back to the hotel.
You don’t have to worry about getting a cab or how you’re going back to the hotel, even if you feel a bit tipsy with the wine. Once again there’s a complimentary transport back to your hotel.
In the hotel, a relaxing hot tub bath together is a must. Light up some candles to keep the romantic theme and remember to put on some music. This special evening is for you and your loved one so turn off those mobile phones to keep away from any potential disturbance. Settle down and savor the superb evening together on your Paris getaway.
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Paris has so much to offer the touring vacationers, that it can be overwhelming to find the best hot spots, so we put this article together for you to help you find the best locations.
The finest food in Paris:
There is a huge variety of superb dining locations in Paris. Not only will you find a barrage of Paris fine dining restaurants that will cater to your taste, there are also numerous other eateries that you can go to. Best of all, there are brochures that list which places offer the finest food in Paris.
In choosing where to eat, think about what you’d like to see on the menu. For pizza lovers, Paris is the perfect place for pizza. Chocolate lovers will also be delighted in the most accomplished chocolatiers showcasing their skills with their magnificent sweets. Jean-Paul Hévin serves the most exquisite chocolate pieces with cheese fillings.
Paris is a pastry heaven, thus the most sought after croissants can be found here. Café Paris is where croissants are to die for, plus you get to savor the lovely Notre-Dame. The remarkable Shambala Restaurant is within the Le Meriden hotel, where you can take pleasure in their fine dining dishes even at odd hours. After dinner you can relish a drink at the hotel bar.
Huge bargains:
Most hotels around Paris are starting to feature wireless Internet, including majority of the popular commercial shops. Tourists can now connect to the World Wide Web at no charge all over the city. You’ll be able to connect anywhere in Paris in a few years’ time. Best of all, you can get a kick out of chatting with relatives and buddies back home as you lounge in a cozy outdoor café, as Paris is slowly featuring snug chairs al fresco.
Night life:
Paris showcases a wide range of pubs and bars. If you fancy a drink, go party in one of the coolest areas within the city, the Shambala Bar inside the Le Meriden hotel. With pulsating music from the DJ, inviting furniture, VIP seating, and cocktails you’re sure to have fun dancing the night away under the blinking lights.
Want some ballroom action? The Le Divan Du Monde is the ideal location for you. One of the better known concert halls in Paris, you’ll definitely revel in enjoyable Arab music. Having the La Fourmi Café just right across the road is a plus when you’re looking for a place to rest after a night’s worth of boogie and tango.
Other hot locations in Paris:
The Montmartre is within our list of top places to visit in Paris. Visit during sunset so you can marvel at the wonderful view of the city’s highest point, the Sacre Coeur. Aside from that, you will enjoy walking through its winding streets where famous artists and painters have trodden as well. Wonderful meals plus live street music and a gorgeous backdrop add to the scenic vista that you get from visiting the Montmartre in Paris.
Plan your trip to Paris by checking out the best deals on our site. There you will discover a number of articles that will provide you with ample information on the hottest locations in Paris. Feel free to contact your local travel agency to find out more on Paris travel packages and to ensure an enjoyable trip to Paris on a bargain.
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