There are many tours available to choose from and your choice will depend upon your interests and the time you have available.

PARIS CITY TOUR

A typical city tour will last about 3 ½ hours, with your guide (and a minibus) taking you to visit the major sites of Paris. Your tour will be presented in English (or French if you choose) and the guides are skilled at explaining the history of each destination and landmark - this ensures that your Paris tour is both an enjoyable and an educational experience at the same time.

If you don’t have enough time for the full tour then shorter tours of paris are also available. Usually lasting just two hours you will geta whistle-stop tour of the key highlights.

On the other hand, if you have more time to spare there are tours that will show you all the major sights and then finish with a pre-organisd lunch, typically at the Eiffel Tower where your table will be ready for you on arrival - no hassle with reservations or availability.

Cruise the Seine River

There are various cruises available on the Seine River, and these are a very popular way to discover the city. Lovely at any time but perhaps most romantic at sunset or after dark, you will see many of the landmarks from your boat. These river cruises often take about two hours to complete.

I want everything tours!

If you want to have a full day of the tour experience you can book one that combines all the elements above - a detailed tour of the parisian highlights, lunch in a restaurant, and a boat tour along the Seine. A great way to start your visit perhaps, while you acclimatise yourself, settle in, and become familiar with the layout of Paris.

Louvre Museum Guide Tours

The Louvre is one of the greatest and most highly reputed art museums in the world…but it is also rather big! You will perhaps get more from your visit on a guided tour showing you some of the many highlights - and perhaps avoiding some of the 400,000 exhibits that are a little less interesting!

A Time for Tightwads

For travelers on a tight budget, winter is the least expensive time to visit Paris. For one thing, airfares generally hit rock bottom. This year in Philadelphia and New York, for example, winter round-trip flights to the City of Light are averaging at only about $360. Since its low season, you will also save a few francs on hotel rooms. (Rates, by the way, must be clearly posted on the door of each room, broken down by season.) Shopoholics will want to visit Paris in January, when Parisian stores hold their traditional annual blockbuster winter sales. You can go home looking très chic, for pas très cher.

Peace and Quiet

Since fewer people vacation during winter, you’ll find that even the usual tourist traps seem less cliché; in fact, they can be downright romantic. You won’t soon forget, for example, the sight of a gentle winter snow wafting onto the Louvre’s stately courtyard as you stand inside its galleries, warmed by the energy of centuries of art. Visit the Louvre during winter, and you might actually get to - gosh! see La Joconde (the Mona Lisa) without having to elbow your way through a thick wall of camera-flashing tourists. You will find also enough tranquility and room to contemplate the canvases in the museum’s plethora of less frequented salons.

On that note, museum-hopping is certainly an enriching Parisian winter pastime. With over 100 to choose from, museum lovers will be wise to buy a Carte Musées et Monuments. For one low price, this card gets you into 65 museums and monuments in the greater Paris area. Options include 1, 3 or 5 consecutive days. (Buy the cards in major metro stations or at major museums.) A comforting post-museum cup of chocolat chaud will make winter memories even more delicious.

Joyeux Noël et Bonne Année

Visit Paris before Christmas, and you will see the city at its cheerful best. Twinkling lights and festive holiday store displays, featuring ubiquitous Père Noëls and reindeer, cast a spell of good cheer on everyone. The city bustles with activity; everyone is busy with their Christmas shopping and preparing for the festivities. Don’t miss the huge nativity set in front of the Hôtel de Ville. Kids will also love sampling the merry-go-rounds that pop up around the city like flowers in the winter. You’ll want to ring in the New Year at Place de la Concorde, where a stunning contemporary light show contrasts against the ancient Egyptian obelisk - which aptly represents eternity.

A Variety of Events

Far from sleepy, January and February in Paris also offer a plethora of events, from the (ho-hum) touristy to the offbeat. If you plan on visiting during these months, however, book your hotel room well in advance. The International Ready-to-Wear Fashion shows (Information: 01-44-94-70-00) are held from mid -January to mid-February, and they quickly eat up many accommodations (at least in the mid-to-high end hotels). For the starstruck: keep your eyes opened: you might well catch glimpses of famous models, celebrities and designers in town.

Ice skaters can show off their skills in the temporary rink on the square in front of the Hôtel de Ville until Feb. 25. Rent skates for just 30 francs and don’t forget to wear warm socks.

Antique lovers will enjoy the Foire à la Feraille de Paris, an antiques fair held in the Parc Floral de Paris and the Bois de Vincennes in the 12th arrondissement. And soccer fans won’t want to miss several opportunities to see Paris Saint-Germain play. Fans can buy tickets at any FNAC store, or by visiting the stadium (Le Parc des Princes 24, rue du Commandant Guilbaud, M: Porte de Saint-Cloud), or by calling 825 075 078. (Call in advance or you might be sorry.) Bundle up and get ready to cheer.

The Ten Best Things about Winter in Paris

1. Holding hands and drinking hot cocoa with someone you love in an obscure neighborhood café.
2. Midnight mass on Christmas Eve at Notre-Dame.
3. The amazing Christmas displays that adorn the Champs-Elyssées and the Boulevard Haussmann.
4. Bargain hunting at Paris’ traditional January sales (les soldes d’hiver).
5. New Year’s Eve light show at the Place de la Concorde.
6. Cheering PSG onto victory at Parc des Princes.
7. Ice skating in front of the Hôtel de Ville.
8. Museum-hopping.
9. The absence of long lines at Paris tourist traps.
10. Saving big bucks on airfare and hotels.

The church of La Madeleine is located north of Place de la Concorde and is one of the famous landmarks in Paris. The church is notorious for its size and history. It resembles a large Greek temple.

History

The construction of La Madeleine began in 1764 during the reign of Louis XV, and designed by architect Pierre Constant d’Ivry using plans based on the St-Louis-des-Invalides Church. When d’Ivry died in 1777 his designs, which can be seen in the Musée Carnavalet, were dismissed by his successor, Guillome-Martin Couture. He decided to raze the unfinished building and start with a new design, this time based on the Panthéon. Both of the designs were not accepted and work stopped between 1790 and 1806.

Napoléon then decided that a Temple of Glory to his Grande Armée should be built, and Pierre-Alexandre Vignon was authorized to draw up the plans. After doing away with the remaining efforts from 1790, building started on what was to be a beautiful Greek temple. The commemorative role of the edifice was lost when the Arc de Triomphe was completed in 1808, and again the focus of the structure became unknown. In 1814, Louis XVIII confirmed that the Madeleine should be a church, but in 1837 it was nearly selected to be the first railway station of Paris. Finally, in 1842 it was consecrated as a church.

Exterior

Modelled on a Greek classical temple, the church is surrounded by 52 Corinthian columns 20 metres tall in Doric style and fronted by a huge pediment depicting The Last Judgement. At the front, the columns are topped with a sculpted frieze.

Interior

Inside, a theatrical stone sculpture of “Ascention of Sainte Marie Madeline” built in 1837, being swept up to heaven by two angels, executed by Charles Marochetti (1805–67), draws your eye to the high altar. The half-dome above is decorated with a fresco by Jules-Claude Ziegler (1804–1856), a student of Ingres; entitled The History of Christianity, it commemorates the concordat signed between the church and state after the end of the Revolution, and shows all the key figures in Christendom.

The church also boasts a pipe organ, built by Cavaillé-Coll in 1846. Nowadays the organ is still used for concerts. The church’s interior is otherwise rather dull and gloomy, heavy with gilt-edged marble.

Surroundings

On the east side of the Madeleine church is one of the city’s oldest flower markets dating back to 1832, open every day except Monday; while nearby are what must be Paris’s most luxurious public toilets, with ceramic walls and wooden doors with stained glass, preserving their original 1905 Art Nouveau décor. But the greatest appeal of place de la Madeleine is the famous “Fauchon” delicatessen shop, in the northeast corner. And, down the west side for rich gourmets and window-gazers you’ll find the smaller Hédiard’s, as well as caviar, truffle and spirit specialists.

Other Useful Information

Opening hours: 7.30am - 7pm (Monday-Saturday) 7.30am -1.30pm and 3.30pm-7pm (Sunday)

How to get there: Metro line 8 or 12: Madeleine

‘I love Paris in the springtime’ goes the song but, if you can take the heat, August is a very good time to go, as many of the Parisians have gone on holiday and it is perfect for finding a restaurant in Paris where you can eat outside, it’s what actor John Malkovitch does. September isn’t bad either as the Parisians are back from their holidays with their batteries recharged and the tourists hopefully have dropped off a bit so you will find a good bistro or brasserie that won’t be too crowded.

You don’t have to go without the beach either as the Paris authorities have created a beach and swimming pool along the Seine, complete with palm trees.

There are so many places to eat in the capital city of the ‘Haute Cuisine’ country which range from the grand restaurants with 3 Michelin stars via the large brasseries, to the humble bistros, but do not be fooled; even the most humble eaterie will have great food because the Parisians are a discerning bunch of eaters. A tip to wise, if you are out and hungry, just look for the brasserie that has a crowd of locals and you can pretty much bet that the food is pretty good.

For those who take a more structured approach to their eating we have supplied a list of restaurants in Paris that encompasses all those categories, the one thing they all have in common is that you will find them interesting in both food and décor. Sadly if you are vegetarian, like me, you will find a limited bill of fare but the omlettes are great. If you are vegan, you are in the wrong country.

Some of the Best Brasseries in Paris Parisians have always frequented the Brasseries

Lipp
Boulevard St Germain, 75006
Métro: St-Germain-des-Prés
If you are on La Rive Gauche (The Left Bank) this is the place to see or to be seen.
It is huge, historic, and a foodies paradise.
33 01 45 48 72 93
Balzar
49 rue des Écoles, 75005
Métro Cluny La Sorbonne
Parking : Ecole de médecine, Soufflot
The unofficial canteen of the Sorbonne, even intellectuals need good food, as they have for decades,
John-Paul Satre for one decided that ‘I am therefore I eat’.
Tel 33 01 43 54 13 67
Fax 33 0144 07 14 91
Au Boeuf Couronné
188 boulevard Jean-Jaurès, 75019
Porte de Pantin (métro ligne5)
Opened in the 1930’s, refurbished in the 1950’s as the name suggests a great place to eat meat.
It has to be as it is the meeting place for animal traders and butchers.
Tel : 01 42 39 44 44
Fax : 01 42 39 17 30
Mollard
115 rue Saint-lazzare, 75008
01 43 87 50 22
Unlike Britain, eating around stations is not a depressing experience, here you will eat some of the finest sea food dishes in a beautiful art nouveau surrounding.
Boffinger
5-7 rue de la Bastille, 75004
01 42 72 87 82
Travel to Alsace without leaving Paris and enjoy a sumptuous Art Deco surrounding at this traditional brasserie. Although the menu is traditionally Alsace, there is an English translation.
Le Café du Commerce
51 rue du Commerce, 75015
01 45 75 03 27
A definite summer eating place as it has an opening roof, who would have thought it was once the local for a now defunct auto industry whose favourites were the excellent meat dishes. traditio
Charlot- Roi des Coquillages
12 place Clichy, 75009
01 53 20 48 00
Another Art Deco palace, noted for its sea food dishes that do not stint on its portions. A lively scene where all your senses are catered for.
La Coupole
102 boulevard du Montparnasse, 75014
01 43 20 14 20
If you think this place is big you’re right, when it opened in 1927 it was the largest in Paris, it’s Montparness and still has original artwork on the walls. The food will not disappoint either.
Julien
16 rue du Faubourg-Saint-Denis, 75010
Métro Strasbourg Saint Denis (Ligne
01 47 70 12 06
A listed historic brasserie that was once a traditional working mans café, with Art Deco surroundings like this Macdonalds has a long way to go, as for the food, Mc D isn’t even in the running.
Le Grand Colbert
4, rue Vivienne, Paris, 75002
01 42 86 87 88
You will be surprised to find that this is actually a reconstruction of an 1850’s brasserie. That doesn’t put off the regular clientele who flock here for the food, or to be seen. doesn’t

Some of the Best Grand and Opulent Restaurants in Paris

Restaurant du Palais-Royal
110 Galerie Valois, 75001
01 40 20 00 27
The contemporary yet simply prepared French food lives up to the surroundings.

Lassere
17 Avenue Franklin D Roosevelt, 75008
01 43 59 53 43
A great summer venue with its’ opening roof, once the favourite haunt of famous surrealist Artist Salvador Dali who must have enjoyed the equally famous sole with asparagus cream.

Prunier
16, av Victor Hugo, 75016
01 44-17-35-85
Prunier was a once a household name, it is still a favourite with the in-crowd who enjoy their seafood and caviar served in an elegant Art Deco surrounding.

Hôtel Plaza Athénée
25 avanue Montaigane, 75008
0153 67 65 00
This restaurant is the home of the Haut Cuisine renaissance and if money is no object you will get the finest food in the finest of surroundings of anywhere in the world.

Le Grand Vefour
17 rue de Beaujolais, 75001
01 42 96 56 27
A superb mix of classic and current dishes that appeals to the discerning diner.

La Méditernanée
2 Place de l’Odéon, 75006
01 43 26 02 30
Some come for its magnificent terrace, some for its stunning seafood, what ever it is, they do come.

Some of the Best Cool and Chic Restaurents in Paris

L’Ambroiserie
9 place des Vosges, 75004
01 42 78 51 45
The place to go when you tire of Haute Cuisine because the Haute here is of Everest proportions.

L’Apicius
20 rue d’Artois, 75008
01 43 80 19 66
A stones throw from Les Champs-Elysees, where else would you go to eat the finest calfs head in Paris whilst walking in film maker, Luc Bessons’ garden.

L’Arpége
84 rue de Varenne, 75007
01 47 05 09 06
Possibly one for the well healed vegetarian, as master chef Passard features vegetables in his cuisine in a big way. The meat eaters will definitely not be disappointed either.

L’Astrance
4 rue Beethoven, 75016
01 40 50 84 40
A true foodies Mecca where chef Barbot dazzles and delights the palates of the Parisian beautiful people.

Guy Savoy
18 rue Troyon, 75017
01 43 80 40 61
3 Michelin stars and worth every one. Impeccably chosen ingredients cooked to perfection. Gourmands will think they have died and gone to heaven.

Tertasse Mirabeau
5 place de Barcelone, 75016
01 42 24 41 51
If you are getting bored by the old décor then try this neuveau-bistro with its’ modern design and great cuisine.

Some of the Best Affordable Bistros in Paris

Aux Lyonnais
32 rue Saint-Marc, 75002
01 42 96 65 04
Alain Ducasse-owned bistro, say no more.

Le Baratin
3 rue Jouye-Rouve, 75020
01 43 49 39 70
People come for the food, not the décor, so should you.

Le Repaire de Cartouche
8 boulevard des Filles-du-Calvaire, 75011
01 47 00 25 86
Modern bistro cuisine with a hint of Normandy.

le Régalade
49 avenue Jean-Moulin, 75014
01 45 68 58
Birth place of the modern bistro chic and still packing them in, get there early if you want a table.

Chardenoux
1,rue jules-Vallès, 75011
01 43 71 49 52
Traditional home cooking for the workers for over a hundred years and still going strong. They must be doing something right, must be the food.

Le Vieux Bistrot
14 rue du Cloître Notre Dame, 75004
01 43 54 18 95
If you are feeling pious and hungry after a visit to Notre Dame you can do no better than to sample their menu of traditional home cooking.

Finally, after sampling the delights of the restaurants in Paris, or if you are hot and thirsty, with money to burn, go to one the most chic beautiques called Colette in rue St Honore. In the basement is a water bar that serves over a 100 different exclusive waters from around the world. Jack Daniel drinkers may wish to sample the Tennessee spring water, in its own, limited edition crystal bottle made by Swarovski. At around $65 for less than half a litre, lets hope you get to keep the bottle.

Author and article credits

Ian Richards webmaster of http://www.facialwizard.yourpower2be.com and http://www.yourpower2be.com website for Women that Men love to browse.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ian_Richards

Paris is the number one tourist destination in the world. That might seem surprising, considering what an expensive place it can be. But there are so many jewels just lying around this great city to dazzle even the most jaded tourist, that it is no wonder that people come back again and again.

Here is a list of seven categories of free destinations in the city. If you dedicate one day to each category you will have a full week of first class sightseeing in this unique city. So buy your “carnet” of tickets at the local metro station (11.10 euros for ten tickets), or better yet, get a weekly pass for the public transport, (you’ll need a small ID photo and some ability to negotiate in French) and take in Paris for a week, for free!

1. Churches.

I picked this category for day number one, because I always recommend that people arrive on a Sunday, to avoid the bustle of other days. Notre Dame has ten million visitors per year. It’s no wonder: the cathedral has been the symbol of Paris for many centuries, and it is an architectural monument of astounding intricacy and beauty. And entrance is free. If you go on a Sunday morning, you can stay for the mass or you can quietly stand on the sides, while the ceremonies are performed and listen to the choir.

However, there’s a good chance that you find the ten million fellow tourists a turn-off. No matter, there are hundreds of beautiful churches throughout the city, all open many hours of the day. Try Saint-Eustache, the parish church of Les Halles to hear its famous organ. The church is in a state of disrepair, but it is redolent with the spirit of working class Paris.

And everyone knows Sacré-Coeur, the kitschy but beautifully decorated early Twentieth Century sand castle which dominates the northern Paris skyline, and the ancient Saint-Germain-des-Pres. But there are also others that are less well known and quite interesting as well: stroll to Saint-Paul in the Marais with its Delacroix painting, or get way off the beaten track and visit St-Denis de la Chapelle on rue de la Chapelle in the north of the city, where Joan of Arc heard mass in 1429 just before re-entering the city.

2. Parks.

Save this for one of the sunny day of the week: you should have two or three. The Tuileries and the Jardin du Luxembourg are on everyone’s must-see list, and rightly so, but there are many others, like the scenic Parc des Buttes Chaumont and the Parc Montsouris, or the modern park at La Villette. However, these parks are very large, and maybe you didn’t come all this way to spend the day so far from urban delights.

So take in some of the smaller squares, gardens and green plazas that are so seamlessly integrated into the neighborhoods, like the Square du Temple next to the town hall of the third arrondissement. A possible itinerary: start out somewhere along the unusual little park called the Promenade Plantée. It is constructed on an old elevated right of way that used to hold a railway line that ended at a terminus where the Bastille Opera now stands. It is a long and narrow garden that feels like a conveyor belt of tranquility passing by the facades of middle class apartments and over neighborhood streets.

At the end of the park you will be close to Place de la Bastille, where you can have lunch at an outdoor table at a brasserie, then continue on to the beautiful Place des Vosgues, a small square park surrounded by royal apartments dating from the seventeenth century.

3. Cemeteries:

Yes, cemeteries. It’s not so ghoulish as one might think, and in fact, the Père Lachaise cemetery has been quite a mecca for Jim Morrison fans for decades already, but don’t miss Edith Piaf, she’s there too.

Other musicians and artists can be found at Montmartre: the iconic pop singer Dalida, and the dancer Nijinsky, or at Montparnasse: Serge Gainsborough. After saying hello to Serge, you can stroll along and find the grave of Mexican dictator Porfirio Diaz. If your musical taste is more classical, check out the de Passy cemetery near Trocadéro, for Fauré and Debussy.

The cemeteries of Paris are brimming with the graves of famous people and a directory at the entrance of each one will give you an idea where to find each, (bring a notebook to make a map for yourself, as you may get disoriented by the many lanes).

4. Museums:

Unless you have the good fortune of being in Paris on the first Sunday of the month, when the state museums are free, you may find that the museums in this city can be quite pricey. However, one absolutely wonderful museum, Le Petit Palais, has a free permanent collection (one pays to see the seasonal exhibits). This beautiful Beaux Arts building, built for the Paris Exhibition of 1900, is a marvel in itself, and the artwork it houses in its permanent collection, particularly rich in late nineteenth century art, is nothing to sneeze at.

The permanent collection at the Museum Carnavalet is also free. This collection is dedicated to the history of Paris. Also don’t forget the attraction of museum bookstores, they are worth a visit all by themselves. I like the Louvre store, Les Invalides and the gift shop at Centre Pompidou.

5. Exhibits:

Many exhibits charge entrance, especially if they are housed at a museum. However, there are some bright exceptions. The City Hall, (L’Hôtel de Ville), puts on free exhibits all year round, often two of them concurrently. These are always of a very high quality and well worth the visit. Several public areas of this beautiful building are also open, free of charge, to group visits.

Check listings for free exhibits at other public buildings, where the architecture can be just as beautiful as the art.

Some ideas: the National Archives, the old National Library. Or put on your best upper class airs and prance into any of the art galleries that line the posh boulevards.

For an weekend day of antiquing and collectibles, there is nothing like the enormous flea market and antiques quarter at Saint-Ouen, but if jostling through the crowds is not your style, then go for the covered arcades that stretch from rue Faubourg Montmartre and twist down across boulevard Montmartre into the second arrondissement. They are full of small shops of collectibles that will fit far better in your luggage that a faux Louis XV armoire.

6. Views:

There are great memorable views of Paris,. Who can forget a glimpse over the rooftops while riding up the escalator at Pompidou, or from the Eiffel Tower, the Montparnasse Tower or the Arc de Triumph? But there are free vantage points that are just as thrilling.

Crowds gather in awe on the steps of Sacré-Coeur not only to look up at the whipped cream architecture, but also to look back at the city laying like a carpet before it. Start there and walk back downhill through Montmartre to the department store district for another view that is truly spectacular: the one from the 9th floor of Printemps department store.

There are several Printemps buildings so be sure to enter the Beauty store and take the elevator up to the café-restaurant. One can sit at a table, but it is also possible to simple stroll around on the terrace without buying anything and take in the view from this great spot right in the heart of the city. See how many landmarks you can identify among the rooftops that stretch like a jungle canopy around you.

Then find your way back down to the streets, without stopping to shop in the great store. Impossible? Be sure to have your passport with you if you come from outside the E.U., you may get the sales tax refunded, which is like a ten percent discount on your purchases.

7. New Districts.

The image that we all have of Paris may be the Champs Elysées or the other great Hausmannian era boulevards, and the romantic bridges, like the Pont Alexandre III, but Paris also includes several newer districts where modern development has been concentrated, so as to preserve the urban fabric of the city.

Take the metro out to La Défense to see an extensive modern planned city. There is an exhibit of the history and development of the district right there on the Place de la Défense. Then go clear across town to the 13th arrondissment, where the National Library is only one of the many new structures.

Cross the river on the elegant new pedestrian bridge, the Passarelle Simone De Beauvoir, to the Bercy district where fine modern structures like the Ministry of Finance line the waterfront. Walk over to the Cinémathèque Française, housed in the former American Cultural Center, a modern structure designed by Frank Gehry.

Now that you have saved all that money on sightseeing, you can afford to dine in a good French restaurant. The sky is the limit on prices here, but there are still bargains to be had. The better brasseries offer moderately priced meals that are often excellent.

So ignore the fast food golden arches that tempt you with their convenience and complete your day with a real steak (do not allow them to bring it to you rare: there is only a fine line between rare and raw in France!), and a bottle of fine wine (almost anything that is served from a bottle with a cork is fine wine in France.)

And enjoy your stay in the surprisingly inexpensive city by the Seine.

Article credits and author information

Dominic Ambrose, a native New Yorker who has been living in Paris for the past two years, is a writer and script-reader for an independent film company. Take a look at his new entertainment blog at http://www.dominicambrose.com/blog/ and his website at http://www.dominicambrose.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Dominic_Ambrose

An endless amount of fun can be had in Paris for under $20, even in the capital of haute couture and high-end cuisine.

The Louvre offers reduced ($8 per ticket) prices Wednesday and Friday nights and free admission to those under 26. It’s free on the first Sunday of the month, and always free to visitors under 18.

The Musee d’Orsay drops its prices on Sundays and Thursday evenings, and it’s free on the first Sunday of the month.

Centre Georges Pompidou, the home of modern art, is also free on the first Sunday of the month

Stop by a newsstand for a 55-cent copy of a weekly publication named Pariscope. It provides lists of free cultural events, gallery exhibits and church concerts. It’s all in French, but easy to translate

The stunning and opulent Opera Garnier has cheap seats available on the day of a performance, and many churches hold free classical concerts, usually on Sunday afternoons.

Walking up the Eiffel Tower is cheaper than riding the elevator — and a good way to work off all of those croissants and baguettes that you’re sure to stop and buy! Even if you take the elevator up, consider walking down for the breathtaking view

Of course, we always need to stop and eat during a busy day of sightseeing in Paris. How about a picnic in Paris? A lot of people don’t know that behind the Notre-Dame there is a very nice park with shade trees and park benches. The beautiful grassy lawn in front of the Eiffel Tower is always a popular spot; Luxembourg Gardens, the possibilities for a picnic in Paris are endless.

As you wander the streets, you’ll find dozens of food shops and supermarkets in every neighborhood.. You can choose a baguette, some fromage (cheese) add some fruit, and you’re nearly ready. You could purchase a sandwich made with a crusty baguette, some ham and fresh cheese, or perhaps you’d like to add some fresh vegetables and a bottle of wine to your gourmet picnic. Don’t forget to bring a corkscrew - and a couple of glasses or plastic cups.

There are many ways to travel around Paris for your sightseeing, but the absolute best and easiest way to get around in the City of Paris is the Metro. There are metro stops everyplace; it’s clean, safe, and easy to navigate. Stop at any Metro station information window, and pick up a free Metro map, buy a carnet of tickets (ten tickets) for about $14, and you’ll be on your way.

Of course the best way to see Paris is on foot! There’s nothing quite like walking along at your own pace, stopping to gaze at a beautiful window display, smelling the fragrant scent of fresh baquettes, or stopping at a sidewalk cafe and having a leisurely cup of coffee

Once you begin strolling around Paris, you’ll find endless possibilities. There is wonderful architecture to discover with a self guided walking tour. There are many wonderfully talented artists setting up shop along the banks of the Seine and around Montmarte. Even just sitting on the grass at the foot of the graceful Eiffel Tower, holding hands with the one you love is an experience you’ll cherish forever, and it’s completely free!

Enjoy your budget vacation in Paris!

Author and article credits

Terri is a successful businesswoman who shares her passion for travel with her husband, James. They specifically like to pursue budget travel options, and share their adventures at Traveling Tuttens

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Terri_Tutten

As one of Europe’s most enduring romantic and historical cities, Paris has continued to capture the attention of travellers from around the world for centuries. British holiday-makers in particular have enjoyed a long relationship with Paris, partly as a result of its close proximity but also due to its sophisticated allure. But if you’ve been to Paris many times before and you’re looking for something new to enjoy in France’s spectacular capital city, make sure to visit in July when Bastille Day celebrations take over.

Bastille Day, or Fête Nationale, is held every year on July 14th and is France’s most important national holiday. In itself, Bastille Day doesn’t exist to remember the storming of the Bastille in 1789 - an event that’s long been held up as a symbol of the birth of the modern French nation - but rather is a commemoration of the Fête de la Fédération which took place a year later. The Fête de la Fédération was essentially a huge feast that was held to celebrate the uprising of the constitutional monarchy in France, which many people consider to be the mark of the end of the French Revolution.Today, Bastille Day sees celebrations take place all over France and in Paris in particular. One of Bastille Day’s primary features in Paris is a huge military parade that takes place on the Champs-Elysées. Here, you’ll find the President leading the parade, with jets flying overhead in formation, as the march moves from the Arc de Triomphe to the Place de la Concorde while the fire brigade brings up the rear.

In fact, the fire brigade plays a large part in Paris’ Bastille Day celebrations. The night before Bastille Day sees a range of balls and parties being held all across the capital, and firefighters are at the centre of these bals des pompiers. Bastille Square is also a popular venue for dancing on the eve of the Fête Nationale and there’s a big outdoor Gay Ball for people who fancy a slightly more ostentatious celebration.

After the Bastille Day military parade, the partying in Paris continues in thrilling style. Crowds of people congregate at the Champ-de-Mars to watch the fireworks at the Trocadéro; most bars and clubs will also stage their own celebrations, so if you don’t get a good view of the fireworks, you won’t feel left out. If you’re in France on Bastille Day but can’t make it through to Paris, there’s no need to fret, every town and village in France has its own unique way of celebrating Bastille Day.

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Andrew Regan is a freelance online journalist

With so many regular flights to Paris departing from the UK everyday, you’ll find it easy to revel in the Bastille Day celebrations without having to leave your normal routine for too long. After all, you wouldn’t want to miss out on a memorable experience of modern France’s founding ideals - liberté, egalité and fraternité - would you?

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Today, you are in Paris, and you need a place to picnic. There are so many possible locations, that I could never list them all. I’m inclined to suggest going to the square in front of Notre-Dame, the very center of the city, and finding some steps or a wall to sit on and use as a table. A lot of people don’t know that behind the Notre-Dame there is a very nice park with shade trees and park benches. There’s also the square du Vert Galant at the other end of the Ile de la Cité too, and just before it, the quiet and shady place Dauphine. This adds up to four places on this one island in the Seine.

There are also the places that come immediately to everyone’s mind. You can sit along the sunny banks of the River Seine and enjoy the fresh air, while you do a little people watching. The beautiful grassy lawn in front of the Eiffel Tower is always a popular spot; Luxembourg Gardens, the possibilities for a picnic in Paris are endless.

Storer is a famous and award winning Boulangerie-Patisserie that bakes excellent baguettes among other things. I think rue Montorgueil is one of the best market streets in the city and you’ll find dozens of food shops and supermarkets all on a single street. You can choose a baguette, some fromage (cheese) add some fruit, and you’re nearly ready. You could purchase a sandwich made with a crusty baguette, some ham and fresh cheese, or a delightful croque monsieur, which is sort of an inside out grilled ham and cheese sandwich. Add a bottle of wine, head to the park, and have the romantic picnic in Paris that you’ve always dreamed of.

Are you wondering if it’s legal to drink wine in the park in Paris? There are actually very real open bottle laws that the mayor of Paris has passed to reduce public drinking but they are very selectively enforced. The average picnicker probably won’t encounter them unless they are clearly drunk or publicly offensive but they are law nonetheless. The law is clear; it’s illegal to have an open bottle of any alcoholic beverage in a public park. The reality is to be discreet and you’ll be treated discreetly by the police. The police may approach people having picnics and ask them “please hide the wine bottle”, followed by a polite “bon appetit” as they move on. Just be aware that technically it is against the law.

When you’ve finished your picnic, you might want to finish with something sweet. You should try a delicious crepe while you’re in Paris - the vendors prepare them in front of you, and will fill them with your choice of filling; be sure to try a fresh crepe dripping with nutella. The warm, sweet nutella drips down your fingers, and is so delicious to savor.

Soon you’ll be sitting on a blanket spread on the grass with the one you love, gazing into each other’s eyes and toasting each other with a glass of wine, maybe watching the sunset over the Seine. Enjoy your picnic in Paris. Bon appetit!

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Terri is a successful businesswoman who shares a passion for travel with her husband James. They share their travel adventures and the many ways to travel on a budget at Traveling Tuttens

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The first arrondissement lies in the heart of Paris on the Seine River’s right bank. It includes the western part of Ile de La Cité, one of the two Parisian islands. This district was once the heart of the Roman city of Lutetia. It occupies less than a square mile (less than two square kilometers) with a declining population of under seventeen thousand. But it employs more than sixty thousand people and attracts lots and lots of tourists. Here are some of the reasons why.

Les Halles was the city’s central market, covered in 1183. Read Zola’s 1873 novel Le Ventre de Paris (The Belly of Paris) for a timeless picture of this unique setting demolished in 1971 and replaced by a huge underground modern shopping center, the Forum des Halles. The world’s largest underground transportation station Châtelet-Les-Halles serves a half million train passengers and a quarter million subway passengers daily. Make sure to see the historic Gothic Church of Saint-Eustache where young Louis XIV received communion. This church is home to several Rubens paintings and holds organ concerts in the summer.

The Musée du Louvre (Louvre Museum) greets more than eight million tourists a year, more than any other art museum in the word. It was called the Musée Napoléon in honor of all his war booty; which was eventually returned to the rightful owners. The initial “Castle of the Louvre” was founded in 1190 at the western edge of Paris to defend the city. The oldest standing building was begun in 1535. The Louvre contains almost four hundred thousand objects including twelve thousand paintings. Two of its most famous items are the Mona Lisa and Venus de Milo. Plan to spend a lot of time in this fabulous museum.

The Sixteenth Century Tuileries Palace was built for Catherine de’ Medicis, the widow of Henry II. Louis XIV lived there while waiting for the Palace of Versailles to be built. The Tuileries Palace was later used as a theatre but its gardens remained popular among the local upper crust. Louis XVI and family stayed there under house arrest and the building was stormed during the French Revolution. Subsequently both the revolutionaries and Napoleon used the buildings. Both Joséphine and Marie-Louise had magnificent bedrooms. Unlike Paris City Hall and parts of the Louvre, the Tuileries Palace was not rebuilt after its destruction in 1871. The Tuileries Garden covers about 63 acres (25 hectares) and includes the Galerie Nationale du Jeu de Paume, a contemporary art museum. There is a lot of talk about rebuilding the Palace. The original plans and many photographs are archived, and the Palace furniture and paintings were safely stored prior to its destruction. The cost of rebuilding is estimated at about $400 million (300 million euros) supposedly financed by subscription and not by taxes.

In the meantime why not visit the Palais Royal, former home of Cardinal Richelieu in spite of his vow of poverty. Many other bigwigs lived there over the years. During the French Revolution a guy nicknamed Philippe-Egalité (Equality Phil) became popular for opening the Palais-Royal gardens to all Parisians. His oldest son Louis-Philippe was King of France from 1830 to 1848. An Abbé wrote a little poem about the garden “Dans ce jardin on ne rencontre ni champs, ni prés, ni bois, ni fleurs. Et si l’on y dérègle ses moeurs, au moins on y règle sa montre.” (”In this garden one encounters neither fields nor woods nor flowers. And, if one upsets one’s morality, at least one may re-set one’s watch.”) A nearby café was the rallying point for the taking of the Bastille. Today’s Palais Royale is the center of many government offices and some building of the Bibliothèque Nationale (Nationale Library) most of which have been relocated to less interesting parts of town.

The Comédie-Française or Théâtre Français is France’s only state theater and one of the few with a permanent troupe. It is often considered the home of Molière but in fact he died before it was built. During the French Revolution it was closed and the actors were imprisoned. The Comédie-Française is the current resting place of the heart of Francois-Marie Arouet, more commonly known as Voltaire.

For a break from all this history you may want to visit Paris’s second-oldest department store La Samaritaine on the banks of the Seine River. By the way, its name comes from a hydraulic pump with a guilded sculpture of the Good Samaritan located near the Pont Neuf (New Bridge), Paris’s oldest bridge. The store was closed for safety reasons in 2005 and may not yet have reopened. The plans are to make it more upscale upon reopening.

If you feel like splurging consider the Hôtel Ritz, which was originally built as a private home in the early Eighteenth Century. The word ritzy comes from this hotel and similar lodgings in London and Madrid. A part owner was the world-famous chef Auguste Escoffier who revolutionized French cuisine and once trained Ho Chi Minh as a pastry chef. Famous guests include Ernest Hemingway, F. Scott Fitzgerald, Marcel Proust, Charlie Chaplin, and Coco Chanel, who lived there for over thirty years. This hotel was the last stop for Dodi Al-Fayed, son of its owner, and Diana, Princess of Wales before their tragic demise in August, 1997.

Of course you don’t want to be in Paris without sampling fine French wine and food. In my article I Love French Wine and Food – A White Beaujolais I reviewed such a wine and suggested a sample menu: Start with Cuisses de Grenouilles (Frogs Legs). For your second course savor Quenelles de Brochet (Poached Fish Dumplings). And as dessert indulge yourself with Galettes de Pérouges (Pérouges Pancakes). Your Parisian sommelier (wine steward) will be happy to suggest appropriate wines to accompany each course.

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Levi Reiss has authored or co-authored ten books on computers and the Internet, but to be honest, he would rather just drink fine Italian, French, or other wine, accompanied by the right foods. He teaches classes in computers at an Ontario French-language community college. He knows what dieting is, and is glad that for the time being he can eat and drink what he wants, in moderation. His central website is www.wineinyourdiet.com devoted to the health and nutritional aspects of wine and its place in your weight-loss program. His global wine website is www.theworldwidewine.com. Visit his other websites devoted to Italian wine, Italian travel, and Italian food.

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If you are a wine lover and you love to travel as well then you should know about the opportunity to travel to France for some of the most prestigious wine tasting events in the world. Paris is famous for much more than its monuments and museums like the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre. The area is also known for producing some of the best wines in the entire world.

Since a wine merchant organized a famous wine tasting in Paris in 1976 the secret has been out. This wine tasting event consisted of nine tasters including eight of the top wine tasters in France. This was set up as a blind tasting so that the judges would not know the identity of the wine being tasted.

This inaugural event kicked off the popularity of wine tasting in Paris that we see today. Now you will find the events included in almost every tour that you may take it the city. There are a great deal of wine bars in the Paris area which have scheduled events. One of the almost comical comments I heard regarding why the French are such good wine tasters is that they are good spitters, but it is true that this is a desirable talent to have to avoid dribbling wine down your chin.

If you plan to sample the delicious French cuisine at any of the restaurants in the city, and I can’t imagine why you wouldn’t, great quality wine will be served. In Paris, wine is just another beverage and is a daily staple in the diet of most people in France as well as in other areas of Europe. Some of the wine bars in Paris that have scheduled wine tastings include Chateau, which offers economical wines, Willi’s which prides itself on having over 250 selections to choose from. There are many wine bars in Paris and you will have no problem finding one that will suit you needs. These establishments open early and stay open for the majority of the day and not only will you be able to drink there but you will be able to eat as well.

The experience of tasting wine in Paris is one not to be missed, if you have a chance to go to Europe make sure that you make time in your schedule to spend a couple of days in Paris to take advantage of the great wines available there. You can also visit some of the shops and bring home some of the wines that you will not find anywhere else.

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Gregg Hall is an author living in Navarre Florida. Find more about wine and Wine Racks and Gifts at http://www.oldworldvineyard.com

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