PARIS GUIDE

Mention Paris and most people think of style and romance but this vibrant capital city is also France’s and economic and cultural centre.

 

Home to world-famous attractions such as the Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe, Latin Quarter, Louvre and Notre Dame, Paris is where you can indulge in amazing sightseeing, enjoy the spectacles of Le Lido and the Bal du Moulin Rouge or take a cruise along the River Seine.

 

Eating and drinking are amongst the major delights of this beautiful city. Soak up Paris’s ambience whilst taking some refreshment at one of the thousands of bars, cafes and restaurants found on almost every street and boulevard, serving a diversity of food from around the world as well as regional French cuisine.

 

Eiffel Tower

Paris’s most famous landmark was built in 1889 for the International Exhibition making the centenary of the French Revolution. Designed by the architect Gustave Eiffel, at 300m high, the Tower was the world’s tallest building until 1930.

 

The Eiffel Tower is open to visitors daily from 9am to 00.45am summertime, and 9.30am to 6.30pm in the winter. Visitors can choose either the lift or the stairs for the ascent to the first and second floors. Access to the very top is by lift only.

 

On the first floor, enjoy the wonderful views – orientation panels help you identify major landmarks – feroscope, tower-top movement system plus shop, café and Altitude 95 restaurant. The second floor brings more fabulous views, shops and the glass floor-panel for a spectacular view down! At the top, the views over Paris are just breath-taking.

 

Summertime visitors can visit the Tower at night when it is beautifully illuminated. The restaurants remain open too so you can enjoy the marvellous views over a leisurely meal.

 

Arc de Triomphe

The Arc de Triomphe is another famous Parisian landmark. Located at the end of the Champs Elysees in the Place Charles de Gaulle, it is the centrepiece for state occasions throughout the year. Napoleon commissioned the Arc in 1806 to commemorate his victories. Built in the style of the Roman Arch of Titus, it took some 30 years to construct.

 

Visitors can take the steps to the top to admire the view, visit the museum and visit the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier that lies beneath the Arc and see the eternal flame in memory of the victims from both world wars.

 

Louvre

The Louvre Palace is located in the first arrondissement (Paris is divided into 20 numbered areas known as ‘arrondissements’) on the banks of the River Seine. The building dates from the sixteenth century, underwent considerable extension in the nineteenth century and now sports its striking glass pyramid entrance.

 

The Louvre’s huge collection is presented in 8 areas, and includes Egyptian and Roman antiquities as well as paintings and sculptures. 2008 exhibitions include Gabriel de St-Aubin, Jan Fabre, Marie d’Orleans and Babylon. Many visitors of course head straight to the Mona Lisa, the route to which is clearly signed.

 

You can self-guide, take a guided tour or follow one or more of the themed trails, such as the Da Vinci Code. There is also a full programme of events in the auditorium, a huge bookshop and a good selection of places to eat. The Louvre is open daily except Tuesdays and some bank holidays.

 

Notre Dame Cathedral

One of the finest examples of French Gothic architecture, Notre Dame is the seat of the Roman Catholic Archbishop of Paris, although the building itself remains state-owned. Construction began in the twelfth century and its fascinating history includes its pillage during the Revolution when it was used as a food warehouse. Victor Hugo’s ’Hunchback of Notre Dame’ has the cathedral as its setting and, in fact, raised awareness of its disrepair at that time. A fund-raising campaign followed and the cathedral was restored in the mid nineteenth century. In the Second World War, its beautiful windows were removed for fear they’d be irreparably damaged. In 1991, another major restoration programme was initiated.

 

Notre Dame is open daily. Of particular note for visitors are the West Front with its magnificent portals, the Kings Gallery which has 28 statues of the Kings of Judah and Isreal, the West Rose Window, (some of the glass in this 10m diameter window dates back to the thirteenth century) and the Galerie des Chimeres with its famous gargoyles. Access to the towers for close-up views of the gargoyles is to the left of the main West Front.

 

The cathedral has 5 bells, the largest and oldest (1631) of which, Emmanuel, weighs 13 tons and is located in the South Tower which you can visit. The remaining 4 bells date from the nineteenth century – the originals were melted down to make weapons during the Revolution – and are in the North Tower.

 

Le Lido

The Lido, on the Champs Elysees, is home to France’s famous colourful caberet shows. An evening there comprises dinner at 7.30pm followed by shows at 9.30pm or 11.30pm. Alternatively, go for lunch and a matinee on Sundays and Tuesdays.

 

Montmartre

Situated in the eighteenth arrondissement in the north of Paris, photogenic Montmartre is dominated by the domed Basilica of Sacre Cœur. Montmartre is chiefly known for its artistic community. Picasso, Salvador Dali, Monet and Van Gogh all worked here. Its artistic community still thrives today and you can visit the many galleries and the Place du Tertre to see local artists at work.

 

Montmartre has been a place of religious significance right from the third century when Saint Denis, the first Bishop of Paris, was martyred. Work on the Basilica of Sacre Cœur began in 1875 following the Franco-Prussian War in 1870. It was completed in 1914 and dedicated in 1919. Visitors can admire the stunning white stone, the vast interior, the beautiful mosaics, the tranquil gardens and of course the stunning views from the top of the dome.

 

Pompidou Art Centre

Opened in 1977, the Pompidou Art Centre houses France’s leading collection of modern and contemporary art. It also has a huge library, cinema, theatre, 3 bookshops and a design boutique as well as cafes and a restaurant.

 

Its contentious architecture with colour-coded external ducts was designed by Renzo Piano and Richard Rogers. However, the building was a victim of its own success and, in 1997, it had to close for major renovation, not re-opening until 1 January 2000.

 

It is open daily except Tuesdays and 1 May. On Thursdays, it remains open for evening visitors until 11pm. Guided tours are available, those in English on Sundays at 3pm.

 

The Seine

At the heart of Paris flows the slow-moving River Seine, its name meaning ‘sacred river.’ The sides of the river are known as the Right Bank (north) and the Left Bank (south), which visitors can enjoy strolling along.

 

Probably the nicest way to enjoy the river is by boat – the famous bateaux mouches provide a commentary on the famous sights and landmarks. Highlights include the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame, the Louvre, Les Invalides (housing Napoleon’s tomb) and of course the many bridges, such as the Pont Neuf and Alexandre III bridge. Some of the bateaux mouches companies offer lunch and dinner cruises - evening cruises are especially popular due to the lovely night-time illuminations.

 

During bad weather, the Seine’s waters may rise to flood alert levels. Such was the concern in 2003 that 100,000 works of art normally stored in underground rooms were moved out of the city to safety.

 

Luxembourg Gardens

The Luxembourg Gardens are by the Luxembourg Palace, home to French Senate, on the Left Bank next to the Latin Quarter. It is the largest park in Paris and is much loved by Parisians and visitors alike. It has formal lawns and paths, beautiful flowerbeds, fountains and over a hundred statues and sculptures. You can visit the Orangerie, elegant greenhouse, and the gardens are home to beehives and orchards.

 

Particularly popular is the ‘Grand Bassin’ octagonal pool where children can play with model boats. There are also children’s pony rides plus a children’s puppet theatre

 

Over and above the wonderful dining that Paris offers (see below), the city has some wonderful gastronomic shops, from the larger ‘Grand Epicerie’ and ‘Lafayette Gourmet’ to a host of specialist boutiques selling honey, mustard, truffles, foie gras and even snails.

 

Parisian chocolate shops are a must. Usually small, family-run businesses, the recipes are often a closely guarded secret. Head for the chocolate boutiques on the Left Bank – for a real treat, go to Debauve &Gallais or Tanrade. For delicious hot chocolate, try Chez Angelina, Viennese cafe, or for a chocolate visit with a difference, head to the Chocolate Barge moored on the Seine by the Bibliotheque Nationale. For the truly chocoholic, the next Salon du Chocolat (Chocolate Exhibition) is at the Porte de Versailles between 29 October and 2 November 2008.

 

Paris is also particularly renowned for its wonderful patisseries and the city has some outstanding boulangeries. Maison Kayser in the Latin Quarter, for example, sells some 60 varieties of speciality breads whilst the bread at Poilane (sixth arrondissement) is still baked in a traditional wood-fired oven. If you have a sweet tooth, perhaps you’ll be tempted to visit Boulangerie Bechu (sixteenth arrondissment) to sample their pains au chocolat orange or coco-banane.

 

Shopping

When visiting Paris, you are in the one of the world’s best shopping cities. Many visitors make a bee-line for the top – and very expensive – brands along the Champs Elysees. However, there is plenty of shopping for the discerning, be that for fashion, jewellery or gourmet goods.

 

Along the Haussman Boulevard, for example, the Parisian department stores of Galeries Lafayette and Le Printemps offer the superb fashions and perfumes, whilst there is a huge choice of fashion houses on the Avenue Montaigne, the rue du Faubourg St Honore and the rue de Sevres.

 

If you prefer lots of shops under one roof, then try Les Halles which houses 180 shops or ‘Les Quatre Temps’ shopping centre at La Defense. Or, if markets appeal, you have a choice of over 70! Among the best known are the gastronomy market on the rue Mouffetard (near the Pantheon) and the Marche du Boulevard Raspail that specialises in organic produce. And, if time and pocket allow, take a stroll in Montmartre for a piece of Parisian art to take home too.

 

Dining

Paris is considered one of the dining capitals of the world with its thousands of restaurants, bistros, bars and cafes with menus reflecting cuisine from every corner of France, its former colonies as well as international food from around the globe.

 

For formal dining, choose from the many chic restaurants – either traditional offering classic French cuisine or the fashionable hotspots with contemporary décor and menus. For a more informal meal, you may prefer a cosy bistro or perhaps a brasserie. Bistros are usually family-run, the fare home-made and the décor typically Art Nouveau. Brasseries are a more lively option, being large and often open until the early hours with a choice of full meals or snacks. Lighter meals are served in the many café-restaurants with terraces wonderful for watching the Parisian world go by, whilst increasingly wine bars will offer daily specials.

 

Ideally, head to non-tourist areas where the Parisians prefer to dine. Fixed price menus are less expensive than dining a la carte and look out for value-for-money house wines. Water, coffees and chasers can be very expensive and it’s worth double-checking prices before you order!

 

However, many visitors do make for the popular hotspots. Counted among these are Café de Flore, the so-called existentialist café, and its arch-rival Les Deux Magots with its annual literary award. Both are located on the Boulevard Saint-Germain in the sixth arrondissement and were patronised by some of the world’s greatest writers, thinkers and artists – Camus, Sartre, de Beauvoir, Hemingway, Wilde and Picasso.

 

6 January, Fete des Rois

If you’re in Paris on 6 January, you’ll find ‘Galettes des Rois’ king cakes - in the patisseries. These traditional Epiphany cakes celebrate the Kings visiting the newborn Christ. Made from puff pastry and almond flavoured paste, each galette contains a tiny charm (une feve). With family and friends gathered, the youngest person hides beneath the table and decides who should have each slice. The person whose slice contains the ‘feve’ becomes King or Queen for the day and wears a paper golden crown.

 

New Year to 9 March, Montparnasse

Paris has several ice-rinks over the winter. The one at Montparnasse is free, though there is a modest charge if you wish to hire your skates.

 

24 June, Quai St-Bernard

Spectactular mid-summer fireworks display.

 

July, Champs Elysees

The final stretch of the Tour de France is along the Champs Elysees, together with the cyclists’ lap of honour.

 

July and August, Paris Plage

Each summer, on the Right Bank near the Pont Neuf, you will find a stretch of man-made sandy beach, complete with palm trees and parasols for relaxing sunbathing. Petanque, volleyball and entertainment are available plus a swimming pool for cooling down in the summer heat.

 

September, Presidential Guard

Visit the Caserne des Celestins, home to the Presidential Guard and learn about the life and work of this distinguished regiment.

 

October, Grape Harvest, Montmartre

2008 sees the 47^th Montmartre Grape Harvest Festival. Once an important vine-growing area, just 1,500 bottles of Clos Montmartre wine are now produced each year. The festival celebrating its arrival includes a Bacchus parade, musicians, fireworks, regional produce stalls and of course wine-tastings. The festival is normally attended by the Mayor of Paris. As for the 1,500 bottles of wine, they are auctioned and the proceeds donated to local charities.

 

December, Night of the Horse, Porte de Versailles

As part of the annual horse show, the Nuit du Cheval is a colourful show with stunts, team riding and displays.

 

Paris Tourist and Convention Bureau, Main Office

27 avenue des Champs Elysees (eighth arrondissement)

Paris

 

Tel: (00 33) 836 68 31 12

 

Metro: Charles de Gaulle Etoile or George V

 

Please check precise details and dates with event organisers before making your holiday and travel arrangements.

 

Copyright: Holiday France Direct 2008