Paris
Paris is the most stylish capital in Europe,
and arguably the most captivating. The weight of history
and famous events rest surprisingly lightly on the
city, which has remained a vibrant and glamorous
city despite the deprivations of invaders, war,
and class upheaval. While London may have usurped
Paris as the key city in the European sphere, Paris
still rightly clings to its status as an international
pacesetter in fashion and the arts.
Paris was for centuries the jewel in the crown
of the French monarchy, and even today the rest
of France grumbles about the undue political and economic
influence of this sprawling metropolis. The French
rulers - from Louis XIV to Napoleon, and (in more
recent times) President Mitterand - have made Paris
into a symbol of the preeminence of the State, with
broad, sweeping avenues and monumental architecture
on a scale that few cities can match.
Paris is one of the favourite weekend destinations
for Brits and for expats living in London. There
are always plenty of affordable weekend packages
offered by travel agents, various travel websites,
airlines, cross-Channel ferry operators, and of course
the Eurostar train network.
So where should a weekend in Paris start? No visitor
to Paris can escape the lure of treasure houses such
as the Louvre and the Musée d'Orsay,
the iconic Arc de Triomphe and Eiffel Tower,
and the soaring architecture of Notre Dame
and Sacre Couer. These are the 'must see' sights
for the first-timer, and even regular visitors to
Paris can't help but be lured back to these places
for another taste.
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Perhaps the most immediate pleasures of Paris
are to be found in its street life and parks.
The relative compactness of the city also makes it
possible to explore and experience the individual
feel of the different city quarters. Few cities
offer such an enticing range of street cafés,
bars and restaurants - from the most modern and
trendy to the traditional establishments that have
served generations of Parisiens and tourists alike.
To get away from it all or to recover from your explorations,
you can always find a shady corner in the parks such
as the Garden Tulieres or Luxembourg. Always allow
plenty of time in your weekend just to walk through
Paris and experience street-life and the beautiful
parks.
Paris is divided into two halves by the River Seine,
with the Right Bank being home to the grand
boulevards and many of the key places of interest,
including the Louvre and the Les Halles shopping
precinct. The Left Bank has a noticeably
different feel, and its reputation as a Bohemian,
intellectual haven is still partially true today.
With some of the best bars and restaurants, not to
mention some enjoyable nooks and crannies to explore
on foot (particularly around St-Germain and St-Michel),
the Left Bank shouldn't be missed.
Paris makes a great base to explore outlying gems
such as the Cathedral at Chartres and the grand
Chateau at Versailles. Disneyland Paris
and Parc Asterix can also be easily visited
from Paris.
A trip to Paris simply must include a visit to at
least one museum, although there are enough
with exceptional collections to keep you busy
for weeks. Many Parisien museums have reduced fees
for under-25s, are often free for children, and reduce
their fees by up to half on Sunday. Most are closed
on either Mondays or Tuesdays and, if you plan to
see more than a few during your stay, it's a good
idea to invest in a museum pass (one day F80,
three consecutive days F160, five consecutive days
F240).
Getting There
A 'short break' is a great way to visit Paris - these
typically include return tickets on the 300 km/h
Eurostar train and a centrally-located hotel.
For those who want to organise your own thing, you
can:
Arrive by air - Paris' two airports
(Roissy-Charles de Gaulle and Orly) are on the outskirts
of the city, although transport services and times
to the centre are fairly good. Visit Air
France or British
AIrways for details.
Arrive by train - Eurostar
trains leave London Waterloo several times per day
for Paris Gare du Nord.
Arrive by Sea - P&O
cross the channel several times a day to Calais.
More Information
Check Time
Out for more Paris information and the latest
events and offers.
Visit the Stena P&O Ferrryport Online Ticket
Sales, Timetables and Information site at www.ferryport.com
or by clicking on the logo above.
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