A City for All Tastes and Budgets. (Paris)

Member Name: dkm1981

Product:	Paris
Date:	02/03/09 (185 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: The atmosphere, the sights, the food

Disadvantages: None - I love it!

-Introduction-

You might think this a long review, but it's only because there is so much to say about Paris. It's a fabulous city, with a great atmosphere and so much to do that it's impossible to get bored. People say that it's an expensive city, but there really is something to cater for all tastes and budgets.

-General Information-

Paris is in the north of France and is its largest and capital city, with a population of just over two million. It is situated on the river Seine and is split into twenty arrondissements (municipal boroughs). The main tourist areas are:

*The Marais - literally means 'swamp' but is home to some of Paris' trendiest bars, impressive museums and amazing Renaissance buildings.

*The Islands - made up of two islands. The larger Ile de la Cite is home to the famous cathedral of Notre-Dame. The smaller is Ile St-Louis which is a charming village like area, full of small boutiques, art shops and bakeries.

*The Louvre - Home of the world famous museum that houses arguably the greatest art collection in the world and is an eclectic mix of old and new architecture.

*The Champs-Elysees - An avenue of the world's finest shops crowned by the fantastic Arc-de-Triomphe and the tomb of the unknown soldier.

*Trocadero - Where you will find, amongst beautiful gardens and impressive residential streets, the towering symbol of France that is the Eiffel Tower.

*Beaubourg and Les Halles - Home of the controversial Centre Pompidou, which houses Paris' modern art museum and looks like it was built inside out, with escalators and piping on the outside.

*The Quartier Latin - The student side of Paris, located on the left bank of the Seine, is a maze of small streets brimming with every kind of restaurant, shop and quirky museum you can imagine. The Quartier Latin is also home to the historic Sorbonne University.

*Montmatre and Northern Paris - Possibly the most romantic - and certainly my favourite - area of Paris, this is the best place to go for fantastic views of the city from the Sacre-Coeur church. It's also the home of Paris' famous red-light district which includes the gaudy-yet-entrancing MoulinRouge.

-The Must-See Sights-

There are thousands of things to see in Paris and after ten visits, I still find things I've never seen before. However, these are the 5 things that you can't miss in my opinion.

1. The first thing you think of when you're planning a trip to Paris is the Eiffel Tower. It is visible from almost all parts of the city, but is not really in walking distance from the centre. The area around the tower is an obvious tourist trap, overflowing with over-priced cafes, people selling tacky souvenirs and queues of people.
You can go to three floors in the tower, by means of lifts in each of the four 'spokes'. Get there early though because the queues are unbelievable both to get up and come back down. When I went, I only made it to the second level because I was very conscious of the swaying of the tower! I think it's about ten Euros to go all the way to the third level and if you're feeling energetic, you can cut that amount in half by using the stairs rather than the lift!
I have only been up the tower once for two reasons. The first is the queues and the second is the fact that any photos taken from the tower obviously won't include Paris' most famous land mark!

2. The Louvre is possibly one of the most famous museums in the world and depending how much its contents interest you, you could devote an afternoon or your whole trip to its millions of exhibits. Stop first outside to really appreciate the size and grandeur of the place and have a look at I. M. Pei's controversial Pyramide, a colossal glass structure which offers a complete contrast to the intricate features of the rest of the building.
Inside, you'll find most people making a bee-line to the Mona Lisa which is housed behind thick bullet proof glass. Even if you fight your way through the masses to the front, you'll find museum personnel preventing you from taking pictures. It's not to be missed though. You can also find works by Bottecelli, Rembrandt and Goya to name a few.
Price-wise, it's about 8E to get in, with same day readmission allowed or about 5E after 3pm and on Sundays. It's free entry on the first Sunday of each month and is closed on Tuesdays.

3. The Sacre-Coeur offers fantastic views over the whole of Paris. The church itself is a white concrete affair that is very mediocre by Parisian standards, but the area around it is well worth a visit. In summer the main square is brimming with outdoor restaurants, artists peddling their works and people soaking up the atmosphere.
In front of the church is a grand staircase on which you will often find people sitting in groups, perhaps strumming a guitar or playing Frisbee. If you want to see the real, romantic Paris, this is definitely the place to go, with plenty of people milling around at all times.

4. The Quartier Latin is another place to go to find the real Paris. As I said earlier, it is the student area and is full of bookshops, cafes and fountains. Here you will find the Sorbonne University and the Pantheon, which houses Foulcault's Pendulum - the experiment that proved the earths rotation.
Whilst you're here, be sure to try the kebab's served in the hundreds of little takeaways. Nothing like our after-drinks heartburn givers, these are pieces of pork from the spit with salad and chips all wrapped up in a naan bread with sour cream and are a delicious yet cheap meal that will make you're mouth water - mine is just writing about it!

5. The Champs Elysees is an avenue which runs from the Louvre up to the Arc de Triomphe and houses some of the finest restaurants and shops in the world. You can see concept cars in the many car show rooms, ogle the price-tags in the Louis Vitton shop and even stop for an (over-priced) steak tartare. At the top is the Arc de Triomphe which you can climb to the top of for impressive views back over the avenue and the Louvre or in the other direction to the Eiffel Tower and the Grand Arch De La Defense.

-Other Places-

*Museums - don't miss the modern art gallery in the Centre Pompidou where you'll find a collection of the most obscure things you've ever seen!
If you are a fan of Dali like me, there is a small gallery up near the Sacre-Coeur where you can see and buy some of his most famous pieces.
The fabulous Rodin gallery includes a garden and house full of sculptures, including The Kiss and The Thinker - it's easy to wander round and not too imposing.
The much grander Invalides is a former military hospital with a gold domed roof and moat that houses the tomb of Napoleon.

*Shopping - definitely head to Les Galleries Lafayette, which is a department store on three floors, housed in a fantastic building near to the Opera House. It really is a shoppers paradise with everything from Bench to Moschino and Ted Baker to Manolo Blahnik.
For the ultimate in luxury shopping head to the Ritz Hotel, just off the Champs Elysees, which is surrounded by the likes of Breitling, Gucci, Louis Vitton and Armani.
For more down-to-earth shopping, you can't beat wandering around the many bookstores, music shops and gift shops of the Quartier Latin. This is also a great place to get all your tacky Eiffel Tower souvenirs!


-Getting Around-

The best way to see Paris is undoubtedly on foot. We usually set off in the direction of a specific place or building and see what we can stumble across along the way and believe me, there are some gems to be found.

If walking isn't your thing (as with any big city, you can't avoid it altogether) there is the efficient, simple and cheap to use Metro underground train network, which comprehensively covers all the main sights. Last time I went, you could buy a book of ten carnets (tickets) for 11E. A ticket gets you as far as you want to go as long as you don't leave the network - once you go through a barrier, you'll need another ticket to get back in again.

-Where to Stay-

There is something to suit all budgets in Paris, from hostels to the grand 5* hotels. You do find that rooms are small and that buildings are tall and thin, as space is at a premium in Paris.

If you want to be in the thick of it, I would recommend the Montmatre or Quartier Latin areas, as they are both close by to numerous restaurants and facilities, are well connected by the Metro and have some of the big sights on your doorstep.

I usually stay at a place called Hotel Perfect, which is about 50E a night for a double room with private facilities (it is officially a hostel), is in the northern Montmatre - close to the Sacre Coeur and the Moulin Rouge - and the staff are very friendly. You can book directly with them on their website (just Google Hotel Perfect in Paris).

-Where to Eat-

Paris is probably the gastronomic capital of the world and, as a result, you can find some fantastic food. I tend to wander around the Quartier Latin or the square near Montmatre until I find something that appeals.

The best value meals tend to be the 'prix fixe' basically a set menu, that is available in most restaurants. The choices on a set menu usually include French onion soup or mussels, steak or bourguignon (a red wine stew that is delicious) and chocolate mousse or crème brulee.

If you are on a budget, try the kebab shops that I mentioned earlier. Or make like the Parisians and head to a bakery for a baguette and some ham or cheese and find yourself a space on one of the bridges or on the steps in front of the Sacre-Coeur - it makes for a fun and cheap evening.

-Excursions out of the City-

If you do fancy a change of scenery, there are a couple of places just outside of the city that are easily accessed courtesy of the RER high speed train.

*The Palace of Versailles
A fantastic palace that was home of the Sun King. No expense was spared when building this home and the sheer luxury of it will leave you astounded. It is expensive to get in and once again you will find yourself at the back of one of those pesky queues.
If you just want to explore, there is plenty to keep you entertained in the perfectly manicured gardens which feature ornate fountains and square trees! For the kids, there's a full-scale play village and thatched farm and if you're feeling a little worn out, there's a small train that will ferry you around for a small charge.

*EuroDisney
Just 40 minutes by train outside of Paris is the magical kingdom itself. There are two parks - Disneyland and Walt Disney Studios, both of which are brimming with the characters that we all know and love! It's about 40E for a day pass, to one of the parks and about 50E for a pass to both (I think - please don't quote me on that).
If like me, you are a child at heart, then make sure you allow yourself one day to head out here - it's ridiculously cheesy and very expensive (although everything but your food is included in the price of the ticket), but it's an unmissable experience!

-Summary-

Paris is a city that should be on everyone's 'place to go before I die list' because it really is a fantastic place, with something to do whatever your taste and budget.
I hope you've found this review useful and that it helps you to fall in love with Paris the way that I have.
If there's anything I haven't covered (!) just drop me a line and I'll be happy to talk some more!

Thanks for reading!

Summary: Paris is a city that should be on everyone's 'place to go before I die list'