Paris city breaks - Create your perfect Paris holiday

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Gai Paris! City of lights! City of love!
Paris is all things to all people - a cosmopolitan nightclub, an artsy escapade, a gastronomic adventure, a tour down history's grand boulevards.

Situated in the north of the country in the Île-de-France region, Paris is the capital and largest city in France. The city is built on the banks of the River Seine and is densely populated with about two million in the city itself and almost twelve million in the Paris metropolitan area.

The lifestyle in Paris is one of its major draw cards and Paris has been recognised as one of the ten most liveable cities in Europe, as well as being ranked among the ten greenest European cities.

The Paris Region is also the powerhouse of the French economy and contributes more than 25 percent of France's GDP. Tourism plays an important part in the economy of Paris as it is one of the most popular destinations in the world, attracting more than 45 million visitors annually.

A Brief History of Paris

The signs of the earliest settlements in the Paris region date from around 4200 BC.

The Romans claimed the area in 52BC with Roman settlements remaining there for hundreds of years. In the fifth century the area was colonised by Germanic Franks and then in the ninth century Paris was plagued by continual Viking invasions and occupations.

The city was briefly occupied by the English in the fifteenth century but returned to French rule and was again capital of the country in 1436. It remained under French rule for another 400 years until it was occupied by the Russians for a brief period in 1814.

There have been several periods of major disease throughout history and the Parisian population was devastated by the Black death in 1348, as well as the plague in the fifteenth, sixteenth and seventeenth centuries and cholera epidemics in 1832 and 1849.

During the 19th century there was massive growth in industry which began the modernisation of Paris into what we know today.

The Exposition Universelle of 1889 showcased a technically advanced Paris to the world and brought to the city the 'temporary' structure of one of Paris' most famous landmarks - the Eiffel Tower.

The city was miraculously spared in World War One and the ensuing inter war period became a golden age in the art and culture scene in Paris. Dark days returned however, when Paris fell to the Germans in June 1940, and it was not until four years later that the city was once again liberated.

In the post-war years Paris recovered quickly and there was a great transformation of many neighbourhoods into social estates which were less industrialised than in the past. The Paris of today is a vibrant, living city with a history so rich it oozes out of every stone and brick, and can be seen in the faces of its people.

Things to See and Do in Paris

The list of things to see and do in Paris is almost endless, with museums, art galleries, cathedrals and monuments on almost every block of the city.

Some attractions not to be missed include amazing historical landmarks such as the Arc de Triomphe - the 'Triumphal Arch' in the Place Charles de Gaulle that celebrates those who fought and died for France in the in the battles of the Napoleonic and French Revolutionary wars. The Eiffel Tower - the 'temporary structure' that is now one of Paris' most iconic and beloved landmarks. Be sure to get there early as there are always crowds waiting to buy tickets.

The Louvre is probably the most famous art gallery in the world. It houses many great works of art and is most notable for being home to the Mona Lisa

There are also famous buildings including the Assemblée Nationale dating from the early 18th century and the seat of the French Parliament, and Chateau de Versailles - probably the most beautiful chateau in all of France.

The Arènes de Lutece in the Quartier Latin is an ancient Roman amphitheatre from the first century and is one of the most significant Gallo/Roman ruins in Paris. The Catacombs of Paris (l'Ossuaire Municipal) are located in an old stone mine where bones of around six million bodies from Paris' overcrowded cemeteries have been stored. This fascinating part of French history has been open to the public for more than 140 years.

Paris is not short of spectacular churches either such as the impressive Notre Dame Cathedral, an incredible Gothic Cathedral which was the inspiration behind The Hunchback of Notre Dame; the Sacré Coeur Basilica which offers a marvellous view of Paris from the of the highest point in the city; and La Sainte Chapelle which is one of the most beautiful cathedrals in the whole of France right in the heart of Paris.

Paris is also home to many museums that display works of specific masters or artistic styles, such as the Picasso Museum, Rodin Museum, Musée Marmottan-Monet and Musée de l'Orangerie.

There are so many events held in Paris throughout the year that there is likely to be something on during any visit. Annual events include Chinese New Year in February, Spring Fashion Week in March, Fête de la Musique and the Gay Pride parade in June, Bastille Day Parade on July 14th, le Tour de France which culminates under the Arc de Triomphe on the last Sunday of July, the Paris Plage in July and August, Jazz à la Villette in September, a second Fashion Week and Nuit Blanche in October, Festival de l'Automne in November.. the list goes on!

Sports

Apart from the amazing art and culture scene, Paris is also home to several international sporting events.
The French Tennis Open starts on the last Sunday in May and runs for two weeks attracting the best tennis players from all over the world.

The Six Nations Rugby Tournament is held in February and sees France, Wales, Scotland, England, Italy and Ireland battle it out for traditional rugby honours.

The Paris Marathon is held in April and attracts up to 40,000 runners every year.

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Local Flavours

There are countless cafes and restaurants throughout the city and the art of fine dining has been an important part of the city's culture for more than two centuries. Less expensive restaurants are usually crowded and you may be seated next to strangers, but it can be worth it just for the experience. It is best to book well in advance to ensure getting a table at any of the finer restaurants.

Although there are speciality dishes from all over France and beyond available in Paris, some of the local flavours to enjoy while here are traditional pastries and breads including baguettes, croissants and sweet or savoury filled crepes, game meats (including boar and venison) as well as some amazing more traditional meat dishes, and seafood such as fresh mussels, sea snails, lobsters and oysters. Of course, no trip to Paris would be complete without sampling frogs legs and 'escargot and fois gras'.
 

Getting In and Around Paris

Charles de Gaulle International Airport is the main airport in Paris and the RER subway goes direct to the centre of the city. Most major cities around the world have flights to Paris.

It's not recommended to drive in the centre of Paris. The traffic is very busy and it's almost impossible to find a carpark. Taxis are relatively cheap but it's often quicker to walk or take the metro - especially during the day.

On foot is the best way to see all the sights. It's possible to walk across the city in a few hours and there are many walking tours available in the capital, which is a great way to ensure you see as much of the city as possible.

Travelling by bicycle is another great way to see the city and there are many bike rental shops around. The streets are easy to travel and motorists are also very mindful of cyclists - maybe due to the hefty fines imposed for hitting a cyclist.

By far the best way to get around the city is by subway, known as the Metro. There are 16 metro lines that criss-cross the city and trains leave every few minutes. The trains run from 5am until 12:30am week days and till 01:30am on Sunday mornings.

When travelling outside the city limits you will need to use the RER rail network. This is a different system from the metro and requires it's own tickets. Be sure to have the correct ticket as failure to do so will result in a hefty fine - and ticket inspectors won’t hesitate to nab ignorant tourists! The other option is to hire a car, and there are plenty of Paris car hire places at the airport and around the city.

There is a comprehensive bus system that runs through the city. It can be quite complicated but it offers routes to areas the metro doesn't service.

Another great way to see the city is by boat, which takes a circular route past many of the most famous sites in Paris. You can buy a single or multiple day ticket which allows you to hop on and off as many times as you like.

Paris Weather

Paris experiences warm summers and cool winters with the nearby Atlantic ocean moderating the temperature extremes. Summer in Paris is warm and is thought by many to be the best time of year to visit, however this is peak season and many of the attractions are usually very crowded. Although Paris rarely gets any snow it can be beautiful to stroll through Paris in winter when the air is crisp and the crowds are small. Spring and Autumn are generally cool and wet and also less crowded than in summer.

Good to Know

Restaurants and cafes are usually very crowded as space is often at a premium. If you plan to dine out it is best to book far in advance as many of the finer restaurants are booked out months ahead.

Driving in Paris is risky as the traffic is very dense and it's almost impossible to find a carpark. It's best to use the Metro to get around the city.

If taking the metro for a journey of only one or two stops in Paris it is often just as quick to walk instead. The metros generally run terminus to terminus but in peak hours they might terminate before the end of the line. This can be difficult to know so listen carefully to all announcements (in French). If the train starts going in the opposite direction you can be pretty confident what's happened! Children under 4 years get to travel free of charge on metros and busses. Transferring metro lines can often mean walking up and down many flights of stairs so if travelling with a lot of luggage it might be easier to travel by bus.

The French are generally very warm and helpful but like in any country be sure to be courteous, polite and smile a lot if asking for assistance. It is best to target younger Parisians for help as they are less likely to be in a hurry and their English is often much better than older generations.

Some very helpful phrases in French are "Parlez-vous anglais?" (do you speak English?),"Pourriez-vous m'aider?" (could you help me?), and "Excusez-moi de vous déranger" (I'm very sorry to bother you).

Staying at Paris

There is an amazing range of accommodation in Paris ranging from cheap backpacker/hostel type dorms, to top class 5 star hotels with correspondingly high class rates. Peak season is from the end of spring and all through summer as well as the traditional Christmas season. Prices for accommodation are in line with the rest of Europe's major cities. In peak season it is important to book your Paris hotel in advance to avoid a frustrating trek looking for a room. However most hotels will cheerfully offer suggestions for alternative places to stay if they are booked out.