PARIS
Area: Cities
Country: France


Location:
In N-central France, 128 miles from the sea at Le Havre; 185 miles S of Calais. Airports: Orly 9 miles S; Charles de Gaulle 16 miles NE; Beauvais 42 miles N.

Telephone code from UK:
33

Website:
http://www.paris-touristoffice.com

Position:
Straddling a loop of the River Seine at a historically convenient crossroads for trade.

Description:
Paris is one of the world's great cities, and arguably one of the most beautiful. Over the centuries kings, emperors and five republics, attracted by its geography, climate and natural resources, have chosen Paris as their capital. Paris is for lovers, but for just about anyone else too. Popular sights range from the iconic Eiffel Tower and the world-famous Louvre to the dramatically gothic Notre Dame, the swanky Champs-Elysees and the ultra-modern La Defense. An amble within a half-mile radius of the central hub of the Place de la Concorde with its fountains and 3,000-year-old obelisk offers monuments, museums and diversions to rival those of anywhere in the world. The capital, to even the most blase visitor, is inexhaustible. Additional pleasures include the grand boulevards, formal gardens such as the Tuileries, superb 18th-century colonnaded mansions flanking the rue Royal and the numerous cafe terraces where one can sit and watch the world go by. When you are tired of walking, river boats called "bateaux mouches" _ particularly atmospheric at night _ are a memorable way to see the city. Despite its annoyances _ chain smokers in restaurants, sometimes impatient waiters and dog mess on the streets _ Paris somehow never fails to be civilised. It is bisected by the snaking River Seine, creating a left (Rive Gauche) and a right (Rive Droite) bank. The left (S) bank is synonymous with the arty Bohemians of the Latin Quarter, while the right (N) bank is associated with conservatism and commerce. The city is divided into 20 districts called "arrondissements" _ each with its own distinct personality _ which follow a spiral pattern from the centre outwards. These are bounded by the "peripherique", or ring-road motorway, which circles the centre. Two million people live within this area, which is only a maximum of 7» miles across, with another 8 million in the suburbs beyond.

Suitability:
Paris is cosmopolitan and urbane, and there is something here for practically everyone. It is a popular choice for romantic weekends throughout the year. The downside is the traffic, the hustling pace of life and the prices. Paris can be reasonable, even cheap, with good housekeeping, but it is also easy for expenditure to spiral out of control in the main tourist areas. While meals and wine in restaurants are relatively reasonable, prices for a cup of coffee can eat into a budget with frightening speed.

Accommodation:
There are 1,500 hotels of all categories, from luxurious palaces to small family-run places. Prices are generally lower than in London. It is increasingly rare these days not to have a lift and shower or bath. One of the great luxuries in Paris is space, so unless you are in a traditional palace, a room is likely to be small for its price. As with most cities it is a case of weighing up the importance of three factors: price, standard and location _ probably compromising on at least one unless you have an unlimited budget. Some self-catering apartments and aparthotels are featured by tour operators as an alternative to traditional hotels. Straightforward apartment buildings are usually referred to as "residences". However, do not be deceived by the modern custom of some trendy small hotels to include the word in their name when, in fact, they offer only normal hotel rooms.

Shopping:
The world capital of fashion and famed for its "haute couture". Large, enticing department stores on both sides of the river include the traditional Bon Marche, the sophisticated Samaritaine and the sprawling Galeries Lafayette. Renowned fashionable shopping areas of the rue Faubourg Saint Honore, the Madeleine, the Left Bank and the Grand Boulevards; trendy boutiques in the Marais, Place des Victoires and rue Etienne Marcel; the jazzy, middlemarket Forum des Halles shopping mall (Chatelet les Halles Metro); innumerable small independent shops. Many street markets and at weekends sprawling flea markets (most fairly commercial) at points on the peripherique.

Entertainments:
Details about events for the week can be obtained from the Tourism and Convention Bureau or can be found in two "What's On?" magazines available at newspaper kiosks. The London-based magazine, Time Out, publishes a highly informative guide to the city which is available free from the tourist office. Daytime: sightseeing, art galleries and museums. A museum pass for one, three or five days allows unlimited visits to all 70 of the city's museums and monuments at reduced cost. Strolling along the banks of the Seine with its beautiful bridges. Nightlife: throughout the year there is a densely packed schedule of festivals, theatre, ballet, opera, cinema and classical or pop concerts. Old favourites such as the Moulin Rouge and the Lido still draw crowds. The Bastille, with its music and piano bars, is a good place to begin the evening. St Michel, Pigalle, and especially Les Halles are the main areas for bars and nightclubs. There is a lively club scene, and music from most parts of the world can be heard. Sophisticated nightlife doesn't get going until after midnight, and on Saturdays traffic jams on the boulevards are quite common at 2am.

Eating:
French cuisine is widely considered to be the best in the world, which is reason enough to visit the capital. The French take their food very seriously, making it difficult to get a bad meal. National dishes, such as duck a l'orange and steak in Bearnaise sauce are often found in English restaurants. For the more adventurous there are snails and frogs' legs. Healthy eating seems to have passed the French by. Sauces laden with butter and cream feature heavily. Rich chocolate mousse, creme caramel and pungent cheeses are common desserts. Patisseries sell exquisite pastries, from flaky croissants to tartes aux pommes (apple tarts). Dinner in the evening is more of an event, and correspondingly more expensive, than lunch. There is a bewildering range of restaurants; the safest criterion is the number of customers. The best-quality cooking comes from the French regions, N Africa and Vietnam, reflecting the city's cultural mix. Set menus represent particularly good value. Careful research will usually produce something to suit any taste or pocket.

Public-transport:
The incredibly efficient and reasonably priced Metro puts London's Underground to shame. Its comprehensive, reliable and frequent service is augmented by express trains labelled RER (Reseau Express Regional), an efficient bus network, two suburban tramways and taxis. Several ways of securing advantageous fares are advertised at Metro stations and most tobacconists. A "carnet" of 10 Metro tickets offers significant savings. A Paris Visite pass, valid for Metro, bus and RER trains for one, two, three or five days, is good value. Free maps of the public transport systems are available at Metro stations. 15,000 taxis operate in the city, with fares considerably lower than in London. A frequent bus service operates between Charles de Gaulle airport and the centre.

Local-excursions:
River trips, day and night; panoramic bus tours, day and night; visits to famous cabarets; the impressive Versailles chateau and gardens, Chartres, Disneyland Paris.