| | Overview (Source: Frommers) |
Discovering the City of Light and making it your own has always been the most compelling reason to visit Paris. If you're a first-timer, everything, of course, will be new to you. If you've been away for awhile, expect changes: Taxi drivers may no longer correct your fractured French, but address you in English -- tantamount to a revolution. More Parisians have a rudimentary knowledge of the language, and France, at least at first glance, seems less xenophobic than in past years. Paris, aware of its role within a united Europe, is an international city. Parisians are attracted to foreign music, videos, and films, especially those from America. Though Paris is in flux culturally and socially, it lures travelers for the same reasons as always. You'll still find such classic sights as the Tour Eiffel, Notre-Dame, the Arc de Triomphe, Sacré-Coeur, and all those atmospheric cafes, as well as daringly futuristic projects such as the Grande Arche de La Défense, the Cité des Sciences et de l'Industrie, the Cité de la Musique, and the Bibliothèque François-Mitterrand. Don't forget the parks, gardens, and squares; the Champs-Elysées and other grand boulevards; and the river Seine and its quays. Paris's beauty is still overwhelming, especially at night, when it truly is the City of Light. Back to Top Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change wi
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| History (Source: WCities) | Top | Cities with so many intact historical sites are rare. Monuments, museums, squares and gardens, in all their beauty, remind us of the extent to which Paris is and always has been in demand. It has been a theater in which major events have been staged, an intellectual, political and economic reference point since its foundation, and the residence of kings for several centuries. A city of the people and the middle classes, rich and poor, proud and sometimes treacherous, cosmopolitan yet insular. This cultural and sociological mix gives Paris an irresistible charm. France’s political, economic and cultural capital had modest and strictly rural beginnings; it started as no more than a little Celtic fishing borough, established in 3rd century BCE in the middle of the Seine on the Île de la Cité. The fortified and prosperous Lutèce appealed to Caesar and his Roman army’s greed, and they appropriated it in 52 BCE as one of the first Gallo-Roman cities. The first mention of the name Paris appeared in 207 CE, when the civitas parisiorum (literally meaning city of the Parisians) stretched from the left bank of the Seine to the thermal springs of Cluny. Paris quickly attracted the favor of two saints who were to contribute to its construction. Saint Denis was the first Christian bishop to be beheaded by the Romans in 280 CE; his remains now lie in the Saint-Denis Basilica . Saint Geneviève became the patron saint of Parisians after miraculously repelling the invasion of the Hu
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| When To Go (Source: Fodors) | Top | The City of Light is magical all year round, but it's particularly gorgeous in June when the long days (the sun doesn't set until 10 PM) stretch sightseeing hours and make it ideal to linger in the cafés practicing the city's favorite pastime—people-watching. Winter can be dark and chilly, but it's also the best time to find cheap airfares and hotel deals. April in Paris, despite what the song says, is often rainy. Summer is the most popular (and expensive) season, and at the height of it, in July, Paris can feel like a city under siege, bursting at the seams as crowds descend en masse. Keep in mind that, like some other European cities, Paris somewhat shuts down in August—some restaurants are closed for the entire month, for example—though there are still plenty of fun things to do, namely free open-air movies and concerts, and the popular Paris Plage, the "beach" on the right bank of the Seine. September is gorgeous, with temperate weather, saner airfares, and cultural events timed for the rentrée (or return), signifying the end of summer vacation.
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| How To Get There (Source: WCities) | Top | Getting There By Air Two airports take care of the enormous amount of traffic flying in and out of Paris: Paris-Charles de Gaulle, handling most international flights and Orly, taking care of most domestic routes. You can find important information about all Paris airports at: http://www.aeroportsdeparis.fr/ Charles de Gaulle Aiport ( CDG ) Looking like something from the future or just out of George Orwell's mind, Paris-Charles de Gaulle International Airport ( CDG ) ( +33 1 4862 2280/ http://www.aeroportsdeparis.fr/ ) resides 22.5 kilometers/14 miles northeast of Paris. Not only is the structure a bit imposing, but the mass of humanity trying to move from point to point in the airport can make for a frustrating and confusing experience. But most of the airport's customer service representatives are quite friendly, speak English, and are more than willing to help you. Free ADP shuttle buses ( each color coded green or blue depending on terminal ) connect the three terminals, which are loaded with shops, restaurants and bars, play areas for the kids, ATMs, information booths and currency exchange centers. Parking is ample and a number of hotels are perched in the center of the airport grounds. Most international airlines descend into Paris-Charles de Gaulle at some point. Major carriers include: Air Berlin ( +33 811 025 102/ http://www.airberlin.com ) Air Canada ( +33 825 880 881/ http://www.aircanada.com ) Air France ( +1 800 237
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| What To Do (Source: WCities) | Top | With its incomparable historic sites and the rich art collections, Paris is often thought of as the largest museum in the world. But Paris' culture is not just about the past; the City of Light also celebrates cinema and music, and the nightlife is as exciting as that of London or New York. Museums Paris has more than 60 museums, so chances are you will find one to accommodate your tastes and interests. They are usually open from 10a to 6p and most of them have a weekly late day, staying open until 9p (generally on Wednesdays or Thursdays). Public museums are usually closed on Tuesdays and private museums often close on Mondays. Let's begin with the king of them all, the Louvre with its magnificent glass pyramid. It houses without a doubt one of the most remarkable collections of paintings and sculptures in the world, including two legendary works: the Venus de Milo and the Mona Lisa by Leonardo da Vinci. Another major and highly popular museum–with 2.5 million visitors each year, the Musée d'Orsay is home to one of the most comprehensive collections of Impressionism masterpieces. The Georges Pompidou Center , also known as Beaubourg, has always divided Parisian opinion: its avant-garde architecture has been compared to a multicolored steamboat launched in the belly of Paris. If you are with kids or interested in science, the Cité des Sciences et de l'Industrie in La Villette is not to be missed. Learn about human evolution at the Museum of Natural Hi
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