Paris

Overview

Paris. Of course you should.

You should go to Paris for the culture. For the galleries, and the museums.
You should go to Paris for the pastries, and the people-watching.
For the food, the fashion, the scenery, the sheer joie de vivre…

With so many reasons to go to Paris… you really should go.

There are many great cities in the world. Then there are the world’s Great Cities, of which there are only a few––places of culture, commerce, history, beauty and mystique. No one would argue that Paris is one of the Great Cities. If you’ve been, you know that there’s only one Paris. And yet, Paris is so many things to so many people. Friends of ours in the know tell us that Paris’s nickname, the “City of Light”, comes from the city’s well-earned reputation as a place of enlightenment. Indeed, even a day in Paris can shed light on a lifetime of possibilities.

Paris is divided into districts called arrondissements, arranged in a vaguely circular shape (some say it’s the shape of a snail) on the north and south of the river Seine. There are 20 of these districts, which are sometimes referred to as “the 20 little cities”. Each arrondissement has its own distinct identity, and each invites multiple visits.

Getting around in Paris is a pleasure. Bring your most comfortable walking shoes, as Paris is a city that rewards a good stroll like nowhere else. Frequent trains and buses bring guests from Charles de Gaulle and Orly airports to the city centre. Bike stations are plentiful around the city, presenting a fun, practical and inexpensive way to get around; and Batobus offers a riverboat service that allows you to jump on and off at key points along the Seine. The RATP train is fast, efficient and easy to use.

You go to Paris for culture. Romance. Food. Fashion. Art. Architecture. Scenery. Cheese. Shopping. Galleries and museums. Long walks, and boat rides on the Seine. Pastries. Time travel. Wait a second––time travel? Absolutely: relax in a park, or sidle into a coffee shop, and it’s easy to imagine yourself breathing the same Parisian air as legends like Hemingway, Picasso, and Stein. Whether it’s art or architecture, at every turn Paris rewards with a visual feast. Spend a few minutes transfixed by the work of one of the Masters, and it can feel as if time is standing still.

Going to Paris for the first time? There are definite moments you’ll want to experience. Considering the city from the top of the Eiffel Tower is something you’ll remember for a lifetime. Yes, it’s definitely worth the lineup. Visit the Louvre, because while we all know what the Mona Lisa looks like, seeing her in person is a priceless experience. For art lovers, we’ll recommend the Musée National Picasso in Le Marais: more than 5000 of Picasso’s works, housed in the spectacular 17th century Hôtel Salé. We’ll also recommend multiple visits––Paris is heaven for art aficionados.

Any visitor––first-time or otherwise––to Paris will need to budget for another priceless experience: shopping. If you’re in any way into “retail therapy”, then a visit to Le Bon Marché is an absolute must. Founded in 1852 by Aristide and Marguerite Boucicault as an innovative new concept, today Le Bon Marché represents the finest in Parisian tastes, from leading edge fashion to the ultimate gastronomical experiences.

After the sightseeing and shopping, you’ll want to treat yourself to a decent meal. Of course, in Paris, a decent meal is an exceptional experience. Le Marais is an exceptional foodie district, as are both the 10th and 11th arrondissements. But seriously, it’s Paris––it’s conceivable you’ll find your own personal Best Meal Ever in a tiny café, or even from a street vendor.

It’s impossible to cover everything about Paris in a destination guide on a website. As anyone who has been there will tell you, the City of Light is one of the truly Great Cities––one that has to be experienced