Paris travel guide
The Paris Travel Guide from The Great Hotels Organisation is free for all Paris travellers.
Paris, said to be the most romantic city in the world, is certainly one of the most beautiful. Paris is a collection of fascinating small districts each with its own particular style and personality. Tourists to Paris will not only be able to feast on delicious cuisine but also the extravagant shops and marvellous cultural monuments and museums to be found here.
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Paris Travel Highlights- landmark and attractions
- Paris is one of the world’s leading cultural centres, attracting over
30 million visitors each year. Brimming with museums, monuments,
fashionable bars and attractive restaurants, the city is renowned for
its elegance and panache. Not forgetting its passion for literature and
fashion, it also holds a variety of quaint bookshops and luxury
designer stores. Boasting a rich historic past, the city is home to
some of the world’s most iconic landmarks including the Eiffel Tower, the Arc de Triomphe, and the Champs-Élysées.
Paris is a luxurious place to experience. The city lines both sides of the River Seine,
and is part of the “Île-de-France” region - the most popular of the 22
French provinces. As the River Seine runs directly through the centre
of the city, the Left Bank and Right Bank were established, with the Left Bankbeing the area for a bohemian lifestyle. A home to scholars,
philosophers, and poets since medieval times, taking a walk around the
area brings you to historical sites and areas such as the Latin Quarter, where you can sit at a pavement café and philosophize the afternoon away.
Stroll down the Saint Germain de Prés and Montparnasse districts
for more artsy cafés and intellectual gatherings, where none other than
T.S Eliot, Matisse and Hemingway frequented. The Left Bank is also home
to the Eiffel Tower, Paris’ most famous landmark.
The Right Bank appears modern
and business orientated, but doesn’t lack any of the spectacular
architecture the left side holds, because it’s home to the Arc de Triomphe.
The monument commemorates the French army as well as the strong French
history and enables the past and present to combine by sitting side by
side with the modern retail stores along the avenue. Wander down the Champs-Élysées for fabulous luxury and specialty shopping.
- paris culture
- Paris is brimming with historical monuments of which you can explore and view the city from. The Louvre Museumhad humble beginnings as a royal fortress, once being the palace of
King Louis XIV, but opened as a museum in 1793. Gradually exhibits took
over most of the building and today you can visit the museum for
concerts, lectures, readings and performances, workshops and guided
tours. Another dramatic building to visit is the National Library,
known as the Bibliothèque Nationale de France.
Originally founded at the Louvre, it became the first free public
library in the world in 1793. The four L-shaped buildings hold more
than 10 million volumes collectively, and surround a landscaped garden
for visitors to observe.
The ‘City of Love’ offers a truly unforgettable experience, revealing
your inner romantic and paving the way for ambition. A city you’re sure
to fall in love with, Paris is the place to discover your dreams and
run with them. - where to shop
- The city of Paris is packed with luxury department stores, designer
boutiques, charming bookstores and antique markets. For the
Fashionista’s of the world, Paris is a dream destination.
Famous for its designer boutiques the Triangle d’Or is the heart of Parisian luxury shopping, consisting of the 3 main shopping avenues close to the Champs Élysées(Avenue Montaigne, Avenue George V, and Rue Francois 1er). Explore
designer stores such as Dior, Chanel, Hermès, Louis Vuitton, Lancome,
Givenchy, Christian Lacroix, Cartier and Yves Saint Laurent.
Treat yourself to a personal shopper in Au Printemps shopping centre at Boulevard Haussmann,
where you can explore one of the world’s largest perfume selections and
eat a relaxing lunch under the dazzling “Art Nouveau” Cupola. Locate
designer goodies in Printemps du Luxe,
get your purchases delivered directly to your hotel, or simply gaze
over Paris from the panoramic viewing terrace. Another popular
department store is the Galeries Lafayette,
also at Boulevard Haussman, where you can shop ‘til you drop in the
luxury boutiques and snap up some bargains in the summer sales. The
store’s levels are divided into designer, contemporary, seductive,
escapism, young and children, so there’s plenty of luxury goods to
choose from!
- where to eat and drink
- There's a host of good quality restaurants in Paris - a city renowned for its exceptional cuisine. Here you are guaranteed to experience gourmet food at its very best, bon appetite!
These are our favourite restaurants in Paris:
Alcazar
A fashionable restaurant serving a variety of delectable seafood dishes
www.alcazar.fr
Restaurant Le Bamboche
Delicious inventive cuisine, which will leave its diners yearning for more...
www.lebamboche.com
Emporio Armani Caffe
You can't get more chic than this - a designer cafe serving delicious Italian cuisine
www.emporioarmanicaffe.fr
- annual events
January
Salon du Mariage - the perfect place to visit if you're planning a dream wedding
FebruaryInternational Agriculture Show - held each year at the Porte de Versalles Convention Center, Le Salon d’Agriculture is where you can go to sample some of the finest examples of French cooking.
MarchParis Fashion Week - this is the place to go and see the latest catwalk creations
Paris Film Festival - fans of independant films should not miss this chance to see films made by renowned and up-and-coming directors
April
Paris Marathon - watch the runners and admire their sheer determination!
May
Annual Jazz Festival - a must for jazz lovers everywhere
June
French Open - famous golf tournament, held at the Le Golf National course each year
JulyBastille Day - the most important date on any French calendar, visit Paris to watch the grand festivities
August
Classical Music Festival - numerous open-air concerts held in The Parc Floral
September
Art Paris - a grand exhibition of paintings, photography, video and sculpture
OctoberLe Salon du Chocolat - the Carrousel de Louvre hosts tastings and demonstrations by renowned chocolatiers
NovemberArmistice Day - on November 11th each year, a wreath is placed at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier to commemorate those who lost their lives in both world wars
DecemberInternational Boat Show - go to view some of the most spectacular vessels in the world
- Iconic paris
- When one looks upon Paris as an iconic city the first thing that springs to mind is an image of the Eiffel Tower. Most people also associate the city with romance, art, pavement cafes, fine-dining and the stunning River Seine.
Useful links for Paris
Paris Tourist Travel Guide- Hotels for Paris Travellers
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