A Day to Paris

Will you love Paris?

One of the bucket list places i need to go must be PARIS, now tick it off with me! 

The Famous Eiffel Tower

Paris is the capital and most populous city of France. It is situated on the Seine River, in the north of the country, at the heart of the Île-de-France region. Within its administrative limits (the 20 arrondissements), the city had 2,234,105 inhabitants in 2009 while its metropolitan area is one of the largest population centres in Europe with more than 12 million inhabitants.

Plan your city break to Paris to ascend the Eiffel Tower, stroll along the Seine, and shop along the Champs-Elysees. The French capital is celebrated as the ‘City of Love’, and is renowned for its world-class cultural offerings and historical attractions. Whether you’re planning a romantic getaway or going to take in the sights, Paris city breaks are the perfect option. We offer cheap short breaks to Paris through a variety of travel options. Arrive directly to the centre of the city via Eurostar, or browse our many cheap flight options. Additionally, we have a great selection of luxury and budget hotels across Paris, including near Notre Dame & the Eiffel Tower.

Deciding on A GIFT

Walking down the Quai Montebello along the Seine river, just across from the always-mesmerizing Notre Dame cathedral, my eyes inevitably end up training on the line of tourist gift shops clogging the other side of the bustling street. I often wonder why, in a city with as many wonderfully zany and intriguing places to shop as Paris, these parlors of kitsch and cheaply made, exorbitant goods get so much foot traffic from tourists. I'm not knocking the seemingly limitless market for an I LOVE Paris tee or an Arc de Triomphe caught in a snow globe-- such trinkets can admittedly serve as great souvenirs, and are often appreciated. But if you've had your fill of such expected fare, are looking for a more original gift from the city of light and aren't sure where to head, we've got just the thing for you. Contributor Colette Davidson has put together a handy guide showing you how to steer clear of run-of-the-mill tourist shops and get your hands on that special something, from rare books to gourmet goodies, bespoke fragrances or design items. Flea markets are also a good bet. You might still end up with some amusingly dated or kitschy items-- such as the Marie Antoinette salt and pepper shakers pictured above-- but you can bet they'll also turn heads and amuse for their originality and charm. more Paris gift shopping guide:

MAY IN PARIS:

First visits to Paris can be daunting: you're certain to stumble upon places of incredible history and beauty on every street corner. It can be difficult to know where to begin and what to see first, drawn as you are into quiet little allées or confronted with a long list of museums and monuments. In our book, most of the city is worth seeing and exploring, but there are some tourist attractions that first-time visitors in particular will want to focus on. Without further ado, here is our list of the city's ten best sights and attractions, elected for their mass popularity, historical importance, or sheer aesthetic appeal. If you want to experience Paris' most essential and iconic places before exploring in more depth, this guide will help you pinpoint what to see and do first.

SIGHTSEEING in the PARIS 

1. Marais Neighborhood

The Marais is one of Paris’ oldest and most visually stunning quarters. First developed in the 12th century, the neighborhood, whose name means "swamp" in French and once was one, went from being a royal favorite under Henri IV and Louis XIII, to falling into ruin after the French Revolution of 1789. Since its revival in the 1960s, it has shone as a center of Parisian artistic and cultural life. It has also significantly gentrified, evolving from a mostly working-class and immigrant neighborhood to one of the most affluent and prestigious areas in the city. This, of course, is not to the liking of all, but whatever your stance, it's undoubtedly made it a stunning place to walk around, eat, drink, and lounge.

The Marais is one of the only areas that preserves the narrow streets and architectural styles of Medieval and Renaissance-era Paris. Most of Paris was overhauled in the mid-19th century under the direction of Napoleon III and architect Baron Georges Eugène Haussmann.

The wide, sweeping boulevards and grey, classical-inspired apartments that characterize places like the Champs-Elysées and Montparnasse are the work of Haussmann, who also modernized Paris by installing sewer and water systems. The Marais has a much different flavor. Its dramatic residences or (hôtels particuliers), artisan’s boutiques, galleries, lavish squares, and fascinating history are worth reserving at least a half-day of exploration for.
Tour Tips:

• The tour should take two to three hours at a moderate pace.
• You can also pick and choose the sights that most interest you and see them in any order. Use my suggestions for eats and drinks to take any needed breaks.
• Make sure to wear comfortable walking shoes and to bring a backpack and reliable city map.
• Rainy days are not ideal for this tour.

2. Saint- Paul-Saint-Louis Church 

Directions:Turn left and stay on the left side of the street.Walk about a block. You should soon reach the St.Paul-St.-Louis Church, which is located at 99, Rue Saint-Antoine.

Interesting Facts:

• Commissioned by Louis XIII and completed by 1641, the Church is one of the oldest examples of Jesuit architecture in Paris. The Jesuit style features classical elements such as corinthian pillars and heavy ornamentation.

• The church was inspired by the baroque-style Gesu Church in Rome.

• The current Lycée Charlemagne was once the church convent. In 1763, the Jesuits (a Catholic order prominent during the Renaissance) were expelled from France, and the convent became a school.

• The church features a 195-foot dome. It is best appreciated from the interior because the columns of the three-tiered church facade hide the dome.

• The Cardinal Richelieu gave the church's first mass in 1641.

• The church was pillaged and damaged during the 1789 Revolution. St.-Paul-Saint-Louis briefly served as a "Temple of Reason" under the Revolutionary government, which banned traditional religion.

• Though many artifacts were stolen from the church during the Revolution, some important works were spared. The most impressive is Delacroix' Christ in the Garden of Olives (1827), which can be seen near the entrance.

3. Eiffel Tower 

The Eiffel Tower (French: La Tour Eiffel, [tuʁ ɛfɛl]) is an iron lattice tower located on the Champ de Mars in Paris. It was named after the engineer Gustave Eiffel, whose company designed and built the tower. Erected in 1889 as the entrance arch to the 1889 World's Fair, it was initially criticised by some of France's leading artists and intellectuals for its design, but has become both a global cultural icon of France and one of the most recognizable structures in the world. The tower is the tallest structure in Paris and the most-visited paid monument in the world; 6.98 million people ascended it in 2011. The tower received its 250 millionth visitor in 2010.

The tower is 324 metres (1,063 ft) tall,about the same height as an 81-storey building. During its construction, the Eiffel Tower surpassed the Washington Monument to assume the title of the tallest man-made structure in the world, a title it held for 41 years, until the Chrysler Building in New York City was built in 1930. Because of the addition of the antenna atop the Eiffel Tower in 1957, it is now taller than the Chrysler Building by 5.2 metres (17 ft). Not including broadcast antennae, it is the second-tallest structure in France, after the Millau Viaduct.

The tower has three levels for visitors, with restaurants on the first and second. The third level observatory's upper platform is 276 m (906 ft) above the ground, the highest accessible to the public in the European Union. Tickets can be purchased to ascend by stairs or lift (elevator) to the first and second levels. The climb from ground level to the first level is over 300 steps, as is the walk from the first to the second level. Although there are stairs to the third and highest level, these are usually closed to the public and it is generally only accessible by lift.

Best Paris Sights and Attractions

Some cities have only a handful of main attractions worth spending more than a few minutes on, and this is certainly not the case of Paris: even after several visits, there's always more to see. But on a first vacation to the city of lights, you'll need to narrow down a bit to pinpoint the places and attractions that aren't just notable-- they're essential.

• Top 10 Paris Attractions
• Top Paris Monuments and Historical Sites
• Top Ten Paris Museums
• Top Contemporary Art Museums in Paris
• Top Paris Churches and Cathedrals
• Top Day Trips Outside Paris
• Top Traditional Paris Cafes
• All About the Seine River: History and How to Enjoy It
• Readers' Favorite Pictures of Paris
• Visit Paris in Two Days
• Best Impressionist Museums in Paris
• 9 of the Weirdest Shops in Paris

Best of Paris on Budget 

If you're like a lot of travelers these days, you may be looking for ways to make your Paris vacation more compatible with a slimmer budget. While Paris is endlessly associated with luxury goods, gourmet food and hotel rooms with idyllic views of the Eiffel Tower, it can also be a very friendly destination for limited budgets if you know where to look.

• Top Free Things to Do in Paris
• Free Paris Museums
• Top Free Annual Events in Paris
• Top Budget French Restaurants in Paris
• Reader's Favorite Budget Restaurants in Paris
• Budget Shopping in Paris
• Paris Flea Markets Guide
• Top Budget Hotels in Paris
• Top Summer Festivals in Paris
• Top Student-Friendly Paris Cafes

Best Places to Shop in Paris

Paris has rightly gained a place as one of the world's centers of high fashion, and that means that even some of the more accessible boutiques often carry less expensive versions of the latest runway trends. Paris is also a great place to shop for antiques, rare books or that special gift-- so get going.

• Top Paris Shopping Districts
• Top Paris Department Stores
• Top Paris Concept Stores and Boutiques
• Budget Shopping in Paris
• Top Shopping Malls in Paris
• Top Perfume Shops in Paris
• Top Tips for Surviving Paris Annual Sales
• Shops Open on Sunday in Paris
• Christmas Shopping in Paris
• Best Paris Flea Markets
• Complete Guide to Paris Food Markets
• Best Bookshops in Paris
• Top (Permament) Outdoor Street Markets
• Best Gourmet Foodshops in Paris
• Traditional Riverside Booksellers in Paris
• Reader's Shopping Tips and Pictures
• Paris Pharmacies Open Late or 24 Hours
• Paris Americana: US Grocery Items

Best Places to Eat (and Taste) in Paris 

Cities such as London and Barcelona are giving Paris a run for its money in the gastronomic department these days, but the city of lights arguably retains the place of honor where fine cuisine and goodies are concerned. La tradition française is still upheld as a gold standard for cuisine. Find out below where to get a taste of that prestige.

• Paris Food and Dining: A Complete Guide
• Top Gourmet Restaurants in Paris
• Top Budget French Restaurants in Paris
• Top Vegetarian and Vegan Restaurants in Paris
• Most Romantic Paris Restaurants and Dining Options
• Top Paris Restaurants Open for Christmas
• Top Paris Wine Bars
• Top Paris Bakeries
• Best Pastries (Patisseries) in Paris
• Best Fast Food Options in Paris
• Best Falafel Restaurants in Paris
• Top Japanese Restaurants and Grocers in Paris
• Top Paris Chocolate Shops
• Best Ice Cream and Gelato in Paris
• Best Hot Chocolate in Paris
• Best Macarons in Paris
• Laduree Macarons and Tearoom: A Favorite For The Sweet-Toothed
• Top Gourmet Markets in Paris
• Best Traditional Cafes in Paris
• Top Student-Friendly Cafes in Paris
• Traditional Paris Farmers' Markets
• American-Style Restaurants and Bars in Paris

Suzanne Ho

Reference List:

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http://goparis.about.com/od/sightsattractions/ss/MaraisTour_10.htm
http://goparis.about.com/
http://0.tqn.com/d/goparis/1/0/u/-/-/-/PA140054.JPG
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eiffel_Tower
http://goparis.about.com/od/planningyourtrip/u/bestofparis.htm#s1
http://www.viator.com/tours/Paris/Best-of-Paris-Tour-Including-Versailles-and-Lunch-at-the-Eiffel-Tower/d479-5045BESTOFPARIS