Paris is the capital of France and the second largest city of Western Europe; it has the ability to please everyone and is often referred to as The City of Lights. For most people visiting Paris, a short stay is often the way they first see the city; with a great deal to see and do that to really a week is needed.
This city is also equally well known for its Gothic architecture and markets; it is the home of the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre and many other famous tourist attractions. Visitors to Paris as well as its citizens can travel around Paris easily; there is a superb underground rail system called the Metro which is efficient and easy to understand.
At almost 1,000 feet high, the Eiffel Tower is an impressive sight; it can be seen from any point within the city and the superb views just can’t be matched by those looking at it from the ground. Illuminated at night it dominates the city’s skyline; it is possible to take organized tours which tell the story of the Tower and the history of France.
If you plan on spending some of your traveler’s checks in Paris, then a trip down the Champs Elysees is an essential part of a trip; it will present you with many famous designer shops and good restaurants. This avenue is well worth a visit to see how the wealthy live; most of the five star hotels are located here but more affordable hotels can be found further out. More affordable holiday information is available at teletext flights along with cheap airfares and travel information.
The city’s famous museum, the Louvre is huge and worth a visit if you have the time; it holds in excess of 300,000 pieces of art, which cannot possibly be seen in a single visit. The problem is a Paris short stay will only ever provide a glimpse of what can be seen here; the Mona Lisa and the Venus de Milo statue just two of many appreciated works of art. What makes Paris special is the number of artists that have been attracted to this great capital; many of whom left large collections of their paintings here like Monet and Picasso.
Another famous Paris attraction is The Arc de Triomphe which was built within the first decade of the nineteenth century; the names of his generals engraved upon it to honor them and his troops. A little known fact is that there’s a viewing observatory built into the building allowing the whole area to be viewed; in particular those obtained along the lanes that lead from it.
Obviously, these are not the only places to visit; although no trip would be complete without seeing these, they are probably best viewed as part of a guided tour, some of which are actually free. On your short say in Paris you will only see a small sample of what is available for a visitor; this article has not even discussed the topic of medieval castles and gothic churches which the city has in abundance.
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