posted by Vacation Home Rentals on Mar 5
Rich in arts and culture, Paris is a magical city with a long and colourful history which has become famed for romanticism. Whether visiting Paris for just the day, a weekend or much longer, you will find no shortage of wonderful things to see and do. You can reach Paris quickly and easily from London – by ferry, chunnel or air. Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport is very modern with high glass walls; you almost get a 360 degree view of the planes taking off and landing – quite spectacular! With nearly fifty-eight million passengers last year, it is Europe’s second busiest airport after London Heathrow. Moving between the three absolutely gigantic airport terminals requires public transport due to its sheer scale and the airport puts on free shuttles to ferry passengers between them.
You can easily get into the city of Paris via high speed train, taxi, limo or private car hire; all of which are available at the airport. The huge international airport is a mere fourteen miles from the centre of Paris, Brussels is just one hour away, and Disneyland is only ten minutes transfer by train – making Paris a highly popular European weekend break destination. Getting around Paris is easy and there are many available options. Public transport around the city is available via bus, tram or the Metro. Taxis and private car hire services are also plentiful.
Car hire is not for everyone when on holiday, but if you do decide to take this option, heed a few words of warning before getting swept away by the romance of Paris. Always make sure to read the rental agreement fully so that you know exactly what you will be covered for in the event of an accident, this includes any excess charges which you may be liable for. Most specialist insurance products such as gap insurance, car warranties and breakdown insurance should already be taken care of by the hire car company so you won’t need to worry about those things. Always clarify details of what to do and who to call if you do break down, and make sure the cover provides 24-hour call-outs. There may be additional insurance products offered which may cost you more for extra peace of mind, these could include things like windscreen insurance or key insurance, for example. Be sure that you are fully aware of what you are signing, especially as you are in a foreign country.
Take special care of your personal belongings whilst travelling around this bustling city, as complacency could easily lead to a misadventure just as in any other big city. Using basic common sense, like not taking all of your spending money out with you, will help you avoid any unpleasantness which could put a dampener on your trip. You should secure your travel documents – including travel insurance details – along with any valuables, in your hotel before taking to the city streets for a sightseeing excursion. Now the basics have been covered, the exploration can begin. A brief outline of just five of the multitude of sights and attractions which Paris has to offer is given below.
Eiffel Tower- The Eiffel Tower is one of the most recognised monuments in the world. However, all the pictures in the world don’t compare to seeing it in person. Its sheer size and the intricacies of the architecture is amazing. The view of a lifetime can be admired by taking the lift all the way to the top. The history of the tower is depicted in the displays on the first floor. There is also a restaurant on the first floor, Altitude 95, for which early booking is advisable. A even more up-market dining experience can be had at the Michelin-starred Jules Verne restaurant upstairs on the second floor, but you will have to book way in advance. The Eiffel Tower is a must see when in Paris.
Centre Pompidou- If you love modern art and architecture you have to visit the Centre Pompidou. There is much more to it than a mere museum for modern art. This place is dedicated to any and all forms of contemporary and modern conceptual art forms. You can find exhibitions, displays and celebrations of all art forms including theatre, music, film and literature. President Georges Pompidou was the inspiration behind the museum. He envisioned a cultural centre focused entirely on contemporary creations. Designed by Renzo Piano, this building is a distinctive architectural landmark in itself.
Exhibits at the Pompidou are always changing so you get a new experience each time you visit. At one of the three book stores you could find a tome on pretty much any type of art imaginable. Fun and funky gifts and souvenirs can be purchased at the museum’s design boutique. You can dine at the Georges, which is on level 6, while enjoying panoramic views of Paris. Once you leave the centre there is still plenty to see outside. Street art and sculptures can be found in abundance on the pavements outside the building. You will certainly find the experience a memorable one.
Louvre Museum- The Louvre Museum is probably the world’s most famous art museum. Leonardo da Vinci’s “Mona Lisa” is kept here. The Louvre, Europe’s oldest museum, was founded in 1793. The range of exhibits on display in the Louvre – from Egyptian artifacts to Islamic art – is as vast as the place itself.
It would take you weeks to explore it in its entirety. It is housed in the Louvre Palace which was the former seat of the French Royalty. Eight themed departments hold over thirty-five thousand different pieces. In the permanent collections you can see masterpieces by Da Vinci, Vermeer, and Rubens. There are temporary themed exhibits too which focus on a particular artist or artistic movement.
Arc de Triomphe- A climb to the top of the Arc de Triomphe will give you an excellent view of Paris. It stands at a height of just over fifty metres! It was Napoleon Bonaparte who is responsible for this monument’s construction – now a favourite scenic viewpoint with Paris’s visitors. Commissioned in 1806, it was Napoleon’s monument to his own military genius and to the greatness of his army. The monument is now a French symbol of all things triumphant. Bastille Day celebrations are held here and the Tour de France finishes here. The famous First World War memorial, the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, can be found at this historical site, as well as the eternal flame which also commemorates the fallen that were never identified from both world wars.
You need to be fairly fit to undertake the climb to the top – it takes a bit of work. The view is well worth the 280-step climb to reach the top. A visit for the architecture alone to this famous French landmark is an absolute must when in Paris.
Musée d’Orsay- The Musée d’Orsay has one of the largest collections of sculptures, paintings, and art pieces produced between 1848 and 1914. You will find many early modern period artworks showcased at this museum. Housed within are works by Van Gogh, Degas, Ingres and Monet. In the permanent collections here you will find everything from neoclassicism, impressionism and art nouveau. If you have any interest in modern art, then this is a must-see for you.
The city of Paris is inviting and romantic. Whether you are looking for fine art, amazing architecture or just the buzz of a fascinating and historical modern city, then Paris has something for you. Many visitors to Paris will want to return to once again sample its beauty and ambiance. You can easily explore the city and surrounding areas by either public transport, car hire or private car service. After one visit to Paris you may never want to leave, on account of all the amazing things this city has to offer!
This short city guide was brought to you by the UK’s leading gap insurance and car warranty specialists – the Click4Group.