Paris

Paris Travel Guide

• About Paris

Paris rarely disappoints. Home to beautiful architecture, arresting art and the world’s finest restaurants, only the hard–hearted will leave the City of Light without falling in love. There is a sense that the people of Paris really know how to live. Lunch is never rushed, the local hairdresser is eternally busy and there is always time for one more glass of red. It’s impossible not to be captivated when walking down one of Baron Haussmann’s long, wide boulevards or the banks of the Seine at sunset. Stand in the shadow of Montmartre’s Sacré-Cœur and see the city open out in front of you, before repairing for an aperitif. Everything revolves around food in Paris. You can eat in 3-star, Michelin luxury at Guy Savoy just off of the Arc de Triomphe or sit down over a steaming bowl of bouillabaisse on Rue de Seine and comfortably claim to have eaten the finest food of your life. Whether it’s a local bistro or renowned hotel restaurant, eating is serious business and something to be savoured no matter the time of day. Head to the Musee Rodin to peer at The Thinker, set among gorgeous gardens which look magnificent whether it’s on a crisp winter afternoon or a hazy summer evening. Take in Monet’s masterpieces at the Musee d’Orsay and battle the crowds at the magnificent Louvre to catch a glimpse of the Mona Lisa. Literature buffs will find a city steeped in writing. Sink a beer at Les Deux Magots, the café loved and frequented by Hemingway, Sartre, Joyce and Brecht and shop for the finest English language books at Shakespeare and Company. The original closed during the WWII, but this 1960s recreation remains one of Paris’s finest institutions for those who value words highly. Shop your way around Le Marais and along the classy Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré, before partying until dawn at some of Europe’s hippest night spots. And be sure to set a date to return, because when it comes to Paris, once is never enough. An exciting major event will take place in the city when Paris will be host to the Olympic Games in 2024.

• Paris History

Paris’ history begins with a Celtic tribe called the Parisii, who set up a fort and a settlement here in the 3rd century. Long-running struggles with the Roman Empire culminated in the conquest of Gaul by Julius Caesar in 52 BC. Paris prospered greatly under the Roman Empire, when it was known as Lutetia. From the late 5th century, as the Romans weakened, Paris was threatened by Attila the Hun, Franks and Germans. Covis I ended up taking power as King of the Franks. The Vikings invaded through the 9th century, leading to the construction of mighty fortresses to defend it. The Capetians ruled out of Paris for eight centuries from the 10th century. When the last Capetian king died without an heir, it led to the Hundred Years War between France and England, followed by the Black Death and then several grisly events surrounding the clash between Catholicism and Protestantism. During the Bourbon dynasty, Cardinal Richelieu influenced the striking Palais du Luxembourg and the rebuilding of the prestigious Sorbonne. By the end of the 18th century, Paris was world-renowned for culture, wealth and philosophy, but after intervening against England in the American War of Independence, France came close to bankruptcy. Then the harvest failed in 1788 and famine swept throughout the country, tensions rose and crowds stormed the Bastille prison on 14th July 1789, starting the French Revolution. After the Reign of Terror came Napoleon and the conquest of much of Europe, spreading the tenets of revolutionary France. He was defeated in 1814. By the time the Eiffel Tower went up in 1889, Paris was enjoying its Belle Époque and was once again the envy of the world. WWI and the Great Depression took their toll, while during WWII the Nazis occupied the city. Spared the widespread bombing that destroyed much of Western Europe’s cities, post-war Paris emerged triumphant and resilient. As the 21st century dawned, it was once again one of the greatest cities in the world.

• Did you know?

• Traditionally, Paris’ history begins with Celts, but the area has in fact been inhabited since the distant Mesolithic period some 10,000 years ago. • With the overthrow of the monarchy during the French Revolution and Robespierre’s Reign of Terror, 2,500 people were executed in Paris. • Napoleon’s nephew became Emperor between 1852 and 1870, but Napoleon III’s reign ended with the disastrous Franco-Prussian War and the declaration of the Third Republic

• Weather / Best time to visit

Paris has an oceanic climate characterised by warm summers and cold winters, but without extreme temperatures thanks to the North Atlantic current. In other words, there really is no bad time to visit one of the world’s great cities.

• spring (March to May) In April, temperatures hover around 11°C (52°F) and cherry blossoms are blooming. The pavement terraces start to fill up as the days get warmer.
• Summer (June to August) offers lovely sunny weather. This is high season and you’ll be sharing the city with thousands of other tourists. Many locals leave Paris in August.
• Autumn (September to November) is a good time to visit – there are less crowds, the locals are back with renewed vigour after their holidays, and the parks are resplendent in autumn colours. You can still sit at a pavement terrace café, sipping coffee and feeling like a Parisian rather than a tourist.
• Winter (December to February) can be cold with temperatures averaging 5°C (41°F) but snow is a rarity. There are a few Christmas markets bringing festive cheer in December. For bargain hunters, January is one of the cheapest months to visit Paris.

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Things to see in Paris

Attractions

• Tour Eiffel (Eiffel Tower)

The emblematic Eiffel Tower towers over the Champ de Mars in the smart 7th arrondissement and its third floor offers a sweeping panorama of Paris. Directly underneath is a fascinating view of the delicate ironwork constructed by Gustave Eiffel, who was commissioned to build the tower for the Exposition Universal in 1889. It’s a long slog up the stairs, but it takes less time than queuing for the lifts. Address: Champ de Mars, Av. Gustave Eiffel, Paris. Telephone: +33 892 701 239 Opening times: Daily 09:00-12:00. Website: www.toureiffel.paris Admission Fees: Yes Disabled Access: Yes UNESCO: Yes

• Basilique du Sacré-Coeur (Sacred-Heart Basilica)

A series of steps lead to the white domed Basilique du Sacré-Coeur, which dominates Montmartre. This church was built between 1875 and 1914 to fulfil a vow made during the Franco-Prussian war. The interior is splendid with neo-Byzantine mosaics and the domed tower offers a spectacular view over Paris. The crypt contains an interesting collection of religious relics and a slide show on the construction of the Basilica. Address: 35 Rue du Chevalier de la Barre, Paris. Telephone: +33 1 5341 8900 Opening times: Daily 06:30-22:30. Website: www.sacre-coeur-montmartre.com Admission Fees: No Disabled Access: Yes UNESCO: Yes

• Musée du Louvre (Louvre Museum)

Constructed as a fortress in the Middle Ages, and rebuilt in the 16th century as a royal palace, it wasn’t until 1793 that the Louvre became a museum. Today, it is the home of some of the world’s most famous artworks, including the Mona Lisa and Venus de Milo. The permanent collection also includes Greek, Etruscan, Roman, Egyptian and oriental antiquities, as well as sculptures, objets d’art, prints and drawings. Address:  Rue de Rivoli , Paris. Telephone: +33 1 4020 5050 Opening times: Daily 09:00-18:00. Website: www.louvre.fr Admission Fees: Yes Admission is free for all visitors on the first Friday of the month after 6 p.m. (except in July and August) and on 14 July (unless it falls on a Tuesday, when the museum is closed). Disabled Access: Yes UNESCO: Yes

• Musée Picasso (Picasso Museum)

This collection of Pablo Picasso’s work is housed in a stunning 17th-century mansion in the Marais. All phases of his art are represented, with preparatory sketches and paintings covering the Blue Period, Rose Period, cubism, classicism and surrealism, and sculptures ranging from a huge plaster head to a small cat. Memorable works include the self-portrait Paolo as Harlequin, the surreal Large Nude in a Red Armchair and poignant paintings of Marie-Thérèse, his lover and muse. Book in advance. Address: 5 rue de Thorigny, Paris. Telephone: +33 1 8556 0036 Opening times: Tue-Sun 09:30-18:00. Website: www.museepicassoparis.fr Admission Fees: Yes Disabled Access: Yes UNESCO: No

• Arc de Triomphe

Commissioned by Napoleon in 1806 to commemorate a French victory at Austerlitz, the Arc de Triomphe has been a defining symbol of Paris since its completion in 1836. Engraved on the arch are numerous victories, while beneath it is the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. The top affords stunning views of Paris and its museum charts the history and construction of the arch, including chilling photographs of Nazi occupation. Address: Place Charles-de-Gaulle, Paris. Telephone: +33 1 5537 7377 Opening times: Daily 10:00-22:00. Website:www.arcdetriompheparis.com Admission Fees: Yes Disabled Access: Yes UNESCO: Yes

• Musée Rodin (Rodin Museum)

Auguste Rodin lived and worked in this 18th-century mansion, and his sculptures populate the grounds today. The Kiss portrays eternal passion frozen in white marble, while The Hand of God gives life to creamy white, half-formed figures. Works of Rodin’s mistress and pupil, Camille Claudel, and paintings by Van Gogh, Monet and Renoir are also on display. Outside, is the godly physique of The Thinker, which contrasts sharply with the decrepitude of the writhing figures of The Gates of Hell. Address: 77 rue de Varenne, Paris. Telephone: +33 1 4418 6110 Opening times: Tue-Sun 10:00-17:15. Website: www.musee-rodin.fr Admission Fees: Yes (free first Sun of the month) Disabled Access: Yes UNESCO: No

• Centre Georges Pompidou (Georges Pompidou Centre)

Considered outrageous in 1977, the Pompidou Centre, designed by Piano and Rogers, now forms part of the established Parisian landscape. Designed to look like a building turned inside out, tubes, pipes, stairs and fittings race around the outside of the building in an unapologetic display of primary colours. The art on the inside makes the exterior look tame. The centre was extended to cope with the huge numbers of people visiting its expanding collection of contemporary art and multimedia library. Address: Place Georges Pompidou, Paris. Telephone: +33 1 4478 1233 Opening times: Wed-Mon 11:00-21:00. Website: www.centrepompidou.fr Admission Fees: Yes (free first Sun of the month) Disabled Access: Yes UNESCO: No

• Musée d’Orsay (Orsay Museum)

The Musée d’Orsay is a magnificently restored railway station that houses France’s national collection of art from 1848 to 1914. Since opening in 1986, the museum has attracted pilgrims from far and wide to see Manet’s Déjeuner sur l’Herbe (Luncheon on the Grass), five Monet canvases of Rouen Cathedral, ballet scenes by Dégas, and works by Cézanne, Van Gogh, Renoir and Toulouse-Lautrec. Address: 1 Rue de la Legion d’Honneur, Paris. Telephone: +33 1 4049 4814 Opening times: Tues-Wed, Fri-Sun 09:30-18:00, Thurs 09:30-21:45. Website: www.musee-orsay.fr Admission Fees: Yes (free first Sun of the month) Disabled Access: Yes UNESCO: Yes

• Cimetière du Père Lachaise (Père Lachaise Cemetery)

There’s something eerily fascinating about visiting the burial site of celebrities like Molière, Edith Piaf, Oscar Wilde, Chopin and Pissarro. Jim Morrison’s grave lives on in the Cimetière du Père Lachaise as well, a graveyard that occupies 45 hectares (111 acres) on the eastern edge of Paris and takes its name from the Jesuit priest Père François de la Chaise, confessor to Louis XIV. Address: 16 rue du Repos, Paris. Telephone: +33 1 5525 8210 Opening times: Mon-Sat 08:00-17:30, Sun 09:00-17:30. Website: www.pere-lachaise.com Admission Fees: No Disabled Access: Yes UNESCO: No

• Tourist Offices

Paris City Vision Address: 3 Pl. des Pyramides, Paris. Telephone: +33 1 4455 6000 Opening times: Daily 09:00-19:00. Website: www.parisjetaime.com Helpful receptionists can reserve restaurants and hotel rooms, distribute advice about major attractions and sort out city tours. Further tourist offices can be found throughout Paris, including: Gare de Lyon, 20 boulevard Diderot, 12th; Gare du Nord, 18 rue de Dunkerque, 10th; Gare de L’Est, Place du 11 November 1918, 10th.

• Tourist passes

The Paris Museum Pass: Allows free unlimited access to more 60 museums and monuments in the Paris region, including the Arc de Triomphe, Musée National du Louvre, Musée d’Orsay and Musée Rodin. The two-, four- or six-day pass is available from tourist offices, participating museums and monuments, the main métro stations and FNAC stores. It allows visitors to bypass queues but does not provide free admission to special or temporary exhibitions. Alternatively. Website: www.parismuseumpass.fr The Paris City Pass: Encompasses The Paris Museum Pass, the Paris visit travel card (free unlimited travel on the metro, buses and RER within central Paris covering zones 1-3), the Paris Bus Tour, Bateaux River Cruise, a Wine Tasting at O Chateau and a tour of the Paris Opera House, plus other attractions. Website: www.parispass.com

Things to do in Paris

• Become a master in patisserie

For those with a sweet tooth, it’s hard not to be tempted by Parisian patisseries. Bogato’s:  www.chezbogato.fr cute creations are some of the finest in the city and those who can stop salivating over the countertop for just one moment can learn how to make their own masterpieces. Children are welcome too.

• Blade through the city at night

Every Friday, hundreds of rollerbladers glide through the streets of Paris. Strap up and join them. Pari Roller www.pari-roller.com leaves at 10pm from Place Raoul Dautry and returns at 3am. If you prefer a few more thrills and spills, join the boarders and BMXers at Espace Glisse de Paris Address: Imp. des Fillettes, Paris. Telephone: +33 1 4005 6200 Website: www.paris.fr

• Oh I do like to be beside the Seine-side

With sand, parasols and rosy bodies, you could be forgiven for thinking you were on the Côte d’Azur. During July and August, the Parisians get their very own beach along the Seine. Paris Plage:  www.paris.fr features deckchairs, ice cream sellers and a pool for the kids. Get your towel down early.

• Spend a day at the races

The Hippodrome de Longchamp www.france-galop.com is the most famous horseracing track in Paris. The French equivalent of the Grand National, the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe Lucien Barrière, is one of society’s most important events, held at the beginning of October. If you can’t make it, Sunday meetings are best for atmosphere.

• Swim in the city’s most stylish pool

Paris is so achingly fashionable that even their swimming spots are dripping in style. Jump in at the Club Quartier Latin, an art deco swimming centre that centres on the beautiful Pontoise pool Flounce the dress code and don your most modish bathers for their night sessions with underwater music. Address: 19 rue de Pontoise, Paris. Telephone: +33 1 5542 7788 Website: www.clubquartierlatin.com Flounce the dress code and don your most modish bathers for their night sessions with underwater music.

Paris tours and excursions

• Paris tours

Driving tours For the ultimate way to see Paris, take a tour in a patriotically coloured Citröen 2CV. Paris Authentic runs trips in the cute 1950s cars which chug round the city’s attractions on themed jaunts. The ‘Da Vinci Code’ tour is popular, as is a romantic drive around Paris, but nothing quite compares to the ‘Moulin Rouge by Night’s. Telephone: +33 6 6450 4419 Website: www.parisauthentic.com Walking tours Paris is such a beautiful city to walk through, and travelling at such a sedate pace really gives you the chance to think about what you’re seeing. Walks on a variety of themes are offered by Paris Walks, including ‘Hemingway’s Paris’, ‘The Village of Montmartre’, ‘The Marais Circuit’ and many more. Tours depart from various métro stations, which are listed on the website, and last for around two hours. Telephone: +33 1 4809 2140 Website: www.paris-walks.com

• Paris excursions

Disneyland Paris Disneyland Paris is located between the airports Roissy-Charles de Gaulle and Orly. It boasts over 50 attractions, the newest addition being the “Star Tours: The Adventures Continue” that catapults you into space. Other attractions include themed hotels, restaurants, bars and cafés, as well as shops, spas, a golf course, tennis courts, a Sea Life Aquarium and Davy Crockett’s Adventure Park. Don’t miss the shows, parades, special events and highlights like Disney’s Halloween Festival or Disney’s Enchanted Christmas. A highlight is undoubtedly the opportunity to meet your favourite Disney characters; the Disney princesses, Goofy and Mickey Mouse and many more are all there. Telephone: +33 1 6030 6053 Website: www.disneylandparis.com Giverny The great Parisian painter Monet lived in countrified Giverny from 1883 until his death in 1926. Situated 80km (50 miles) northwest of Paris, the house in which he painted his last, vast water lily canvas, is open to the public as Musée Claude Monet. Drive on the A13 from Paris to Bonnières then onto the D2+33 1 to Giverny. The train from Gare St-Lazare station goes to Vernon, from where visitors should take a taxi or bus. Telephone: +33 2 3251 2821 Website: www.fondation-monet.com

Shopping in Paris

Paris has a great name for food, for fashion and for fine literature and if your aim is to find something chic and exquisite, you won’t be disappointed. It’s important to remember, though, that Paris is also a thriving cosmopolitan city that excels as much in international food, edgy fashion and modern art as it does in classic Chanel silhouettes. Don’t come expecting a bargain, though. Shopping in Paris is for the well-heeled rather than the bargain basement brigade.

• Key areas

Those who enjoy intimate, friendly boutiques should head for the Marais 4th arrondissement, whereas Rue des Francs-Bourgeois sells designer kitsch. The exclusive designer shops are in the 8th arrondissement, enclosed in the golden triangle formed by avenue des Champs-Elysées, avenue Montaigne and rue François 1er. The rue du Faubourg St-Honoré also houses big-name designers like Hermes and Saint Laurent. There are a growing number of concept shops which bring together fashion, art and music all under one roof, including Colette and the hip LE66 in the glamorous district of the Champs-Élysées.

• Markets

Expensive antiques can be found at Le Louvre des Antiquaires, beside the Louvre Museum on place du Palais Royal. For bric-a-brac, there are the renowned weekend marchés aux puces (flea markets), including porte de Vanves and St Ouen/Porte de Clignancourt. For flavours from north Africa, head to the fresh fruit and veg market the Marché Barbès in Boulevard de la Chapelle in the 18th. For the more traditional French flavours of cheese and foie gras, visit Marché Beauvau (also known as Aligre market) in the 12th or Place Maubert in the 5th.

• Shopping centres

Paris has some legendary department stores. The oldest is Le Bon Marché on 24, rue de Sèvres, which opened in 1838 (Metro stop is Sevres – Babylone). Forum des Halles in the 1st arrondissement (Metro stop is Les Halles) is another major centre. Other department stores in Paris include Printemps and Galeries Lafayette which can be found throughout the city.

• Opening hours

Most shops in Paris are open Monday to Saturday 09:00/10:00 until 19:00/20:00 and close between about 12:00 and 14:30 for lunch. Many shops close completely for the month of August so if there’s a place you’ve set your heart on, double check before you travel.

• Souvenirs

If gold and glittery miniature Eiffel Towers is what you’ve always wanted, you’ve come to the right place. Street stalls line the pavements en route to this icon, selling every possible reincarnation of the metallic tower you could dream of. Mona Lisa tea towels, jigsaws and T-shirts are also in plentiful supply. For more upmarket souvenirs, there’s Chanel No 5 or a classic Chanel suit to pick up at the worldwide designer HQ.

• Tax information

Tax information Sales tax ranges from 5-20%, varying widely between what are regarded as essential items and luxury goods. Non-EU visitors can obtain a tax deduction of 10% on purchases of over €425 in any one day, by obtaining a form at the relevant shop and presenting it to customs on departure. For more info and advice go to: www.angloinfo.com

Restaurants in Paris

France lives up to its stereotype: it really is a country that is passionate about its food. Paris rises to the challenge with a menu that embraces quality, diversity and tradition. Eating times are less strict than in the rest of the country, but many restaurants do close between lunch and dinner. In general, avoid places that overlook tourist sights such as the Louvre or the Eiffel Tower, as prices tend to be higher and the quality much less. On the whole, though, it’s difficult to find a bad meal in Paris. The Paris restaurants below have been grouped into three pricing categories: Expensive:  (over €120) Moderate:  (€40 to €120) Cheap:  (under €40) These prices are for an average three-course meal for one person and for a bottle of house wine or cheapest equivalent; they include tax and service charge. Most restaurants include tax and a 12-15% service charge in their prices. If service is good, guests will often leave an extra €2 tip or the small change from their bill, if they pay in cash. If service is not included, it is customary to leave a 12-15% tip.

Expensive

• Guy Savoy

Cuisine: French Chef Guy Savoy’s eponymous restaurant is a three Michelin-starred, blow-the-budget kind of deal. Tucked away behind the Arc de Triomphe, diners can either plump for the three-course lunch or 12-course tasting menu, both of which change according to the seasons. Wine pairing is well worth the extra and there’s even a champagnematching menu for those who prefer bubbly. From the art on the walls to the attentive service, everything about this place is a cut above. Address:  Monnaie de Paris, 11 Quai de Conti, Paris. Telephone: +33 1 4380 4061 Website: www.guysavoy.com

• Le Jules Verne

Cuisine: French Alain Ducasse, a man dazzled with Michelin stars, opened a restaurant in the Eiffel Tower in 2007. Under the eye of Ducasse, chef Pascal Feraud serves elegant French food, such as spit-roasted saddle of lamb and confit of shoulder, some 125m (410ft) off the ground. The price may be as steep as the tower, but it’s not bad considering the view. Address: Tour Eiffel, Avenue Gustave Eiffe, Paris. Telephone: +33 1 4555 6144 Website: www.lejulesverne-paris.com

• Taillevent

Cuisine: French As if two Michelin stars weren’t proof, the moment you are greeted at the doors of Taillevent, you know you are in for a special meal. Inside, the décor is formal but sedate with blonde wood panelling and tasteful pieces of modern art. For three generations, the Vrinat family have ensured guests feel at home with impeccable service and an inviting atmosphere. Spelt risotto with golden seared frogs legs is just an example of what your gastronomic senses are in for. Address: 15 rue Lamennais, Paris. Telephone: +33 1 4495 1501 Website: www.taillevent.com

Moderate

• la Boissonnerie

Cuisine: Seafood The cosmopolitan vibe of this sensational seafood restaurant isn’t just drawn from its swanky St Germain setting. Fish has garnered a reputation as one of Paris’s finest spots for a leisurely lunch or late night meal, with orange fish soup its signature dish. The dining room is cosy and you eat in close quarters with other diners, but that just makes for a more convivial experience. Booking vital. Address: 69 rue de Seine, Paris. Telephone: +33 1 4354 3469 Website: www.fishlaboissonnerie.com

• La Coupole

Cuisine: French This elegant Parisian brasserie originally served the market traders at Les Halles before it moved to the suburbs of Paris. The restaurant still offers hearty traditional fare such as oysters, French onion soup with a cheesy crust, steaks and a choice of pork offal dishes (try the hallmark grilled pigs’ trotters), all washed down with robust house wine from the owner’s own vineyard. Address: 102 boulevard du Montparnasse, Paris. Telephone: +33 1 4320 1420 Website: www.lacoupole-paris.com

• Les Apotres de Pigalle

Cuisine: Tapas Les Apotres de Pigalle offer tapas style meals or in French “Assiettes a Partager” meaning small shared dishes. Specialising in both South American and European dishes best enjoyed with a friend or two and some beers. Reservations are a must as the restaurant fills up fast thanks to the excellent food and atmosphere. Address: 2 Rue Germain Pilon, Paris. Telephone: +33 6 5121 6966 Website: www.lesapotresdepigalle.com

Cheap

• Breizh Café

Cuisine: French Embrace the cliché and tuck into a crêpe or two at this delicious crêperie in the Quartier Marais. Start savoury, with a buckwheat crêpe served with cheese and mushrooms, and then move on to the sweeter side of life. Taste bananas, chocolate, crunchy sugar and freshly squeezed lemon juice all washed down with lashings of cider. Great value, great fun. Address: Quartier Marais, 3rd, 109 rue Vieille du Temple, Paris. Telephone: +33 1 4272 1377 Website: www.breizhcafe.com

• Café Med

Cuisine: Mediterranean Right at the heart of touristy Paris sits this little budget gem. Getting a table in the tiny single-room restaurant may not be easy, but it is worth the wait. Savour a starter, main and dessert crêpe for a low, set price. The food may not win any Michelin stars, but it’s honest and substantial, and the relaxed dining space is somewhere nice to linger. Address: 77 rue St Louis en L’Ile, Paris. Telephone: +33 1 4329 7317 Website: www.thefork.fr

• La Bourse et la Vie

Cuisine: French The art of top-notch steak frites has been disappearing in Paris in recent years under the deluge of ‘healthy’ snack bars. This, though, is a carnivore’s paradise – a red meat oasis that defies current fashion to serve up no-nonsense food with an equally no-nonsense owner on hand to scare the living daylights out of diners. The sumptuous chips are fried in animal fat and the creamy pepper sauce is sublime in a restaurant that effortlessly evokes the sultry Paris of old. Address: 12 rue Vivienne, Paris. Telephone: +33 1 4260 0883 Website: www.labourselavie.com

Paris Nightlife

Paris may have a reputation for classic beauty, art, history and fine food, but rest assured, when it comes to nightlife, the city has every kind of diversion for every kind of taste too. From opera to hard rock, intimate bars to throbbing nightclubs and every type of tourist kitsch, it’s impossible to be bored by the City of Lights after dark. Tickets for concerts and shows of all kinds can be purchased at FNAC Telephone: +33 825 020 020 Website: www.fnac.com or Carrousel du Louvre Telephone: +33 1 4316 4710 Website: www.carrouseldulouvre.fr

Bars in Paris

• Le Bar du Bristol

Considered one of the best cocktail bars in Paris, Le Bar du Bristol is a fantastic place for those after a luxurious night out. You can order off the menu or have it custom-made by the bartender. This place receives great reviews. Address: 112 Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré, Paris Telephone: +33 1 53 43 42 41 Website: www.oetkercollection.com

• Moncoeur Belleville

This traditional Parisian bar has become a go-to spot for those after a traditional French watering hole. Locals throng on the pavement terrace which affords stunning city views, but the interior is every bit as enticing come nightfall. The coffee is to die for and unlike tourist hotspots, you’ll get change from a €5 note. Be sure to have a few glasses of pastis (anise-flavoured spirit) before you switch to caffeine. Address: 1 Rue des Envierges, Paris. Telephone: +33 1 4366 3854 Website: www.moncoeurbelleville.com

• Panic Room

For a more arty atmosphere, head to the ground floor of the Panic Room. This exciting cocktail bar also comes with a nightclub downstairs for live music acts, electronic and dance music. Address: 101 Rue Amelot, Paris. Telephone: +33 1 58 30 93 43 Website: www.panicroomparis.com

Clubs in Paris

• Rex Club

For more than 40 years, this club beneath the historic Grand Rex cinema has drawn the cream of electronic music from around the world. An early stomping ground for French pioneers like Laurent Garnier and Daft Punk, the Rex Club still puts on some of the city’s best nights. Want to truly immerse yourself in the sound? A quality 70-speaker set-up makes that an inevitability. Address: 5 boulevard Poissonière, Paris. Telephone: +33 1 4236 1096 Website: www.rexclub.com

• La Station – Gare des Mines

Address: 29 avenue de la Porte d’Aubervilliers, Paris. Telephone: +33 9 73 26 11 47 Website: www.lastation.paris

• Experimental Cocktail Club

Anyone after more than a small glass of red should make for the Experimental Cocktail Club, a mixology bar that takes its inspiration from New York City’s best concoction joints. The drinks are inventive and a world away from the ready mixed tipples that have come to dominate the drinks scene in less salubrious surroundings. Arrive early as tables are hard to come by. Address: 2nd, 37 rue St-Sauveur, Paris. Telephone: +33 1 4508 8809 Website: www.experimentalcocktailclub.com

Live music in Paris

• Caveau de la Huchette

A jazz mainstay in Paris for the last 60 years, Caveau de la Huchette has hosted the likes of Memphis Slim, Harry Sweet Edison and Dany Doriz in the past. Far from being a fingers-in-your-ears club, dancing is encouraged, and has been since 1946, the heady days of be-bop. Address: 5 rue de la Huchette, Paris. Telephone: +33 1 4326 6505 Website: www.caveaudelahuchette.fr

• La Cigale

This is a favourite for touring indie bands, cultish French rockers and cutting-edge musicians. The vibe is sweaty and lairy, making this one of the best music venues in Paris. Cabaret and flamenco sit alongside Seu George and Mark Ronson. Always check out the venue website before visiting. Address: 120 boulevard de Rochechouart, Paris. Telephone: +33 1 4925 8999 Website: www.lacigale.fr

• Point Éphémère

For music that floats across the water, Point Éphémère offers a great place to sip an aperitif and overlook the tranquil Canal Saint Martin. This converted warehouse contains studios for both professional and amateur dancers as well as exhibition spaces, art workshops and creative conferences. Its mainstay, however, remains live music that reflects an ever-changing city. Address: 200 quai de Valmy, Paris. Telephone: +33 1 4034 0248 Website: www.pointephemere.org

The Parisian Food and Drink

Paris is awash with good food – it’s France, after all. From Michelin-starred restaurants to neighbourhood bistros, speciality hole-in-the-wall outlets and weekly markets teeming with fresh produce it’s enough to make even the most avid foodie blush. There’s really no faulting a place where you can find stalls selling only mushrooms. But life in Paris doesn’t only revolve around the act of eating; there’s no end of inviting places for a good drink too. Complete strangers will strike up conversations about where to buy the cheapest good wine as much as they’ll bring up the idea of straight-out-of-the-oven baguettes. Whether it’s vin rouge, absinthe or craft beer that appeals, Paris has it all.

• Baguettes

Baking bread is a dedicated culinary practice in Paris, and these long loaves of bread, called Baguettes, are the basis of many recipes of Parisian cuisine. Made of a lean dough of flour, Baguette is the star of every bakery shop in Paris that you can find every 5 kilometers on the streets of the city. The influence and importance of Baguette can be estimated by the fact that the office of the Mayor holds a competition called “Meilleure Baguette de Paris” every year to award the best Baguette baker in Paris.

• Chocolate Croissant

Chocolate croissant, also called Pain au chocolat in French, is a delicacy you won’t regret tasting! Made of layered dough like a pastry in a crescent shape filled with chocolate inside, pain au chocolat is served directly from the oven in every Paris Bakery, alongside the traditional croissants.

• Eclair

There is nothing better than trying eclairs to satisfy your sweet tooth! An eclair is made using choux dough and is filled with cream and flavored icing of different kinds. The classic chocolate filling is the most demanded flavor in eclairs by Parisians. This slender puffed bar filled with the goodness of sweet ingredients will surely make you love authentic French cuisine.

• Macarons

Macaron is one of the top delicacies of Paris, which is as pleasing to the eyes as it is to your taste buds! Macarons are a perfect option to munch on with coffee or tea in the morning. These small sandwich cookies are the bomb of tastefulness in literal senses and, thus, are the unrivaled king of cookies worldwide.

• French Cheese

Cheese is the heart of French gastrology. French people consume 30 kilograms of Cheese every year, with more than 400 varieties of cheese available. France’s naturally prepared and fresh cheese is famous for tasting heavenly with red and white wine! Cheese making is also a traditionally carried forward activity in Paris that is fascinating for visitors to watch and learn the art of cheese making. Fromagerie, Camembert, Brie, and Roquefort cheese are the must-try categories in Paris.

• Oysters

You can’t get enough Oysters in Paris. It is a must-try food in France for the fact that France is a pioneer in Oyster consumption and export throughout the world. This fact makes it evident that the country has the best methods of preparation of this seafood. The best oysters are found in the winter season and are ranked 0 to 6 according to the size of the oysters, 0 being the largest.

•  Steak Frites

Not to anybody’s surprise, French fries are French! Steak Frites is the best pocket-friendly meal option in Paris. A grilled or fried steak is paired with fried potato fingers and salad to make a flawless dish loved by all Parisians. So, in France, don’t stop yourself from trying these delicious frites at all.

• Crepes

Crepes is yet another interesting, easily found street food adored in Paris. The best part of crepes is that they can be eaten even while walking and save you time in the mornings when you are in a hurry. Plus, you can find street side stalls for crepes every few steps in Paris. This basic, delicious, and filling food is a must-try!

• Duck Confit

Paris is a dreamland for those who crave poultry now and then. The French method of cooking duck is very different, which makes the Magret de canard and confit de canard the most mouth-watering bird meat.

• Escargot

Escargot is the French word for snail, a classic French appetizer. They are served with their shells and taste like the gravy they are drenched in. Escargots are so famous in Paris that you can find them in literally every food outlet in the city, ranging from Michelin star bistros to small-scale restaurants. Every place has its unique recipe for cooking these delicious snails.

• Parisian beers

The Parisienne, the Môme, the Charbonnière, the Baleine, the Montreuilloise … The local beer scene has been flourishing in Paris in recent years. Some are veritable institutions, like Gallia, brewed from 1890 to 1969 and then taken over by two young entrepreneurs in 2009; others come from micro-breweries which have given a new impetus to this drink by proposing organic or new flavours. Taste them at home or in one of the many bars and restaurants serving them.

• French Wine

From Bordeaux and Burgundy to Alsace and Beaujolais, tasting wine in Paris is a given, but vin naturel is de rigeur. Natural wines are considered a step up from organic, usually with low or no sulfites added. The supply of wine bars here is endless, so be sure to spend some time at one (or several) to discover what Parisians are drinking.

• Champagne

In 1697, when Dom Perignon, a Benedictine monk and cellar master, tasted accidental bubbles in his wine, he cried, “Come quickly! I am drinking the stars!” And so the methode champenoise was born, meaning all champagne is technically sparkling wine, but not all sparkling wine is champagne. Champagne is typically made with chardonnay, pinot noir, or pinot meunier grapes, and must come from the Champagne region in northeastern France. Top-selling brands, most of which you’ll have seen on shelves in the United States, are Moët & Chandon, Veuve Clicquot, and Nicolas Feuillatte. Obvious spots to enjoy une coupe in Paris are classic luxe destinations like the Hemingway Bar and Le Bar du Plaza Athenée, but a low-key Parisian favorite is Dokhan’s Champagne Bar with its choice of 250 different varieties.

• Paris open-Air Markets 

Paris has more than 80 specialized, covered, and open-air markets, where you can find a variety of only-in-Paris products. The oldest market, the lively Marché des Enfants Rouges in Haut Marais, dates back to 1615, but locals come here to eat more than to buy produce. Try the decadent Burger Fermier des Enfants Rouges. Near Bon Marché Rive Gauche, the open-air traditional Marché Raspail, selling everything from strawberries to scarves, takes place on Tuesday and Friday, with a decent-sized organic market on Sunday. Held every Saturday, Marché Biologique des Batignolles is a quieter market experience where you can buy directly from the producers; items for sale include fresh produce, olive oil soap, makeup, cheese, and jams. Look for the Bastille’s Colonne de Juillet monument to find your way to the 100 stalls that take over Boulevard Richard-Lenoir on Thursday and Sunday. Marché Bastille is one of the city’s biggest food markets, known for its cheese, poultry, and fish as well as its art and handmade gifts.

• Food and Drink Festivals

France is a paradise for foodies, and each region is characterized by its own distinctive French cuisine and products. Paris and Ile-de-France are central regions where almost anything from the country is available. When it comes to choosing delicacies to try in Paris, you are spoilt for choice: over 9,000 restaurants, something like 1,800 pastry shops, and weekly farmer’s markets proposing delicious French food in every Paris arrondissement. But it is not only about restaurants and other food establishments: Paris food culture also means fantastic French food festivals and wine fairs all year round. So get your taste buds ready: this is the list of the best French food festivals in Paris that you cannot miss. If you plan a trip to Paris during the coming months, check the upcoming Paris food events; perhaps you can add one or two food fairs to your Paris checklist.

Hotels in Paris

The hotels of Paris encourage lingering. Whether you’re in the City of Light for business or pleasure, there’s a hotel here to suit your style, mood, and budget—and to tempt you to stay longer. They occupy every kind of space, from repurposed historic mansions to barges on the Seine river, everywhere from the beating heart of the city to up-and-coming neighborhoods. And just when you think there couldn’t possibly be another new hotel to enhance the experience, one comes along to the Paris landscape alongside tried-and-true institutions to make a lasting impression. No matter what you’re looking for in this trip, our list of Paris’s best hotels has you covered. Feel like you can’t choose only one? That’s reason enough to return.