When in Paris
Paris should be an essential destination for every self-respecting traveller at least once and its European location and the practicality of the Eurostar make it an ideal destination for short trips. Paris is a surprisingly compact city, which also means that even someone just heading over for a long weekend can feel that they've really had a chance to explore the main sites and little-known back streets.
Paris evolved around the River Seine, which still forms the heart of the city. The first settlements appeared on the Ile de la Citie in the middle of the river in 250 BC and by the Middle Ages the city had divided between the academic left bank and mercantile right bank, a distinction which has persisted in some form ever since. Paris now is divided into districts, numbered from one to 20 radiating out from the area around the Eiffel Tower. It's a rare tourist that doesn't visit the 1st district, which is the geographical centre of the city and home to some of Paris' most famous landmarks. However, many of the further afield areas are also worth exploring.
More than ten miles of the Seine's banks are now listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, underscoring the area's history and beauty. Britons recently voted Paris their number one city for a romantic getaway and a moonlit stroll along the banks of the Seine are a must for anyone hoping to impress a lover. More originally, for one month every summer a stretch of the bank turns into an urban beach, known as the Paris Plage. Since 2002, 2,000 tonnes of sand is deposited on part of the Right Bank, with palm trees and bamboo groves completing the tropical picture.
If the River Seine is the heart of Paris, then the Champs Elysees is it spine, running through the west of the city up to the impressive Arc de Triomphe. Close by is the truly iconic Eiffel Tower, the one "must see" of Paris if ever there was one. Returning back towards the centre of the city, visitors are within easy reach of the Louvre, home to the Mona Lisa and Venus de Milo.
Heading further out of the city, Montmartre is worth exploring, if only because its hilly terrain should help work of some of the rich French cakes and pastries that will inevitably be consumed. Originally a village, the area, which is the highest part of the city, was absorbed by Paris and quickly established itself as the bohemian section, counting famous artists such as Van Gogh and Picasso among its past inhabitants. Montmarte is also home to the beautiful Sacre Coeur, the stunning white church that overlooks the city.
The Metro is arguably the best way to explore the various districts of the city, although it is possible, and recommendable, to walk between many of the main sites. Trains run every day from 5.30am to 12.40am. Parisians have a reputation for being aloof, but tourists can try to ingratiate themselves by speaking a little French, even if your language skills don't extend much beyond "bonjour" and "merci". Any visitor to Paris should go armed with two pieces of essential knowledge, however; Parisian drivers don't believe in stopping for red lights and dog owners don't own pooper scoops.
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Introduction
