Paris vacation Tips
May 25, 2008 - Posted in Travel
As the second largest city in Western Europe, Paris is a great place to visit; over the years it has become one of the most visited cities in the world. For most people visiting Paris, a short stay is often the way they first see the city; the desire to stay longer is strong as there is so much to see and do.
It is known for its wonderful buildings, style, excellent food and wine; the Eiffel Tower, the Arc de Triomphe and the Louvre must not go unmentioned. Traveling around Paris is relatively easy for visitors as well as locals; the Metro underground train network will probably be the main method as it runs regularly and reaches every part of the city.
At almost 1,000 feet high, the Eiffel Tower is an impressive sight; it provides stunning views from the top and is visible throughout most of the city. In the evening the illumination means it can be seen for many miles; taking a tour at the same time will teach you much more about this remarkable structure.
The famous Paris Avenue ‘the Champs Elysees’ must also receive a visit; with shops, cafes, and restaurants littered along the wide pavements, it is a ‘must see’ for every visitor. This avenue may be select but it attracts large numbers of visitors daily; most of the five star hotels are located here but more affordable hotels can be found further out.
This city is also the home to the renowned Louvre Museum; with almost a third of a million exhibits, you will not be able to see everything in one trip. There are enough art exhibits to keep you occupied for more time than your short stay in Paris would allow; many of the world’s art collections are housed here, which includes the renowned ‘Mona Lisa’. What makes Paris special is the number of artists that have been attracted to this great capital; painters like Monet and Picasso spent many years here and a large number of their art works can be seen in Paris today.
Of course, Napoleon commissioned the construction of the Arc de Triomphe, another Paris landmark; engraved with the names of generals that commanded his troops, it has become a popular photo spot for tourists visiting Paris. Many people do not know that an observatory was included in the design which affords great views of the surrounding area; in particular those obtained along the lanes that lead from it.
This city has a huge variety of places to visit, many of these have not even mentioned here; although no trip would be complete without seeing these, they are probably best viewed as part of a guided tour, some of which are actually free. On your short say in Paris you will only see a small sample of what is available for a visitor; this article has not even discussed the topic of medieval castles and Gothic churches which the city has in abundance.
