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Paris Eiffel Tower, Les Invalides
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Built in 1889 for the World Fair, the tower was saved from demolition in 1909 by the need for a radio antenna. The antennae now are television. It can be seen from almost everywhere in Paris but it does deserve a closer look.
Cross the bridge to foot of this amazing 320 metre high structure, and, if you are prepared to queue, take the lift to the top (always scout to see if there is a ticket window with no queue). The view is like seeing Paris from a light aircraft. Go early in the morning to avoid the worst waits, or late at night to catch sunset. Worry about the bats and moths that die against its frame, attracted by the lights that make it magical by night. French conservationists are persuading the authorities to create dark spots.
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Eiffel Tower | | |
Arc de Triomphe and Champs Elysées
| The Arc that Napoléon intended as a celebration of his victories was not finished when the Battle of Waterloo brought his downfall. It now stands guard over the remains of an unknown solider from World War I, with the eternal flame burning under it. Radiating out from its honking, jammed centre are major roads in all directions.
Every conquest since Napoléon has brought images of the liberators and citizens climbing the Arc. From above it gives a wonderful view through Paris' spectacular centre. Look along the Champs Elysées with the Seine glittering underneath. The Arc's gallery and sculpture merits a pause, particularly François Rude's panels.
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Arc de Triomphe |
| The Champs Elysées was designed as part of a triumphal way out from the Tuileries and planted with elms a century before Napoléon planned his arch. To one side lies the Seine, to the other grand houses of the 18th century many of which are now airline offices. It still has a splendour of its own and hints at the wealth of the Triangle d'Or that stretches away from it towards Faubourg Ste Honoré. Walking down from the Arc towards Place de la Concorde look right and see the great exhibition halls, the Grand Palais and Petit Palais built in 1900 and housing museums and touring exhibitions. | | |
 Paris stimulates the senses, demanding to be seen, heard, touched, tasted and smelt. From romance along the Seine to landscapes on bus-sized canvases to the pick-an-ism types in cafes monologuing on the use of garlic or the finer points of Jerry Lewis, Paris is the essence of all things French.
Gaze rapturously at its breezy boulevards, impressive monuments, great works of art and magic lights. Savour its gourmet selection of cheese, chocolate, wine and seafood. Feel the wind in your face as you rollerblade through Bastille, or a frisson of fear and pleasure atop the Eiffel Tower.
Paris is a city to discover. So see the sights, visit the museums - they're part of the experience. But then jump on the metro or a bus and get off at a place you've never heard of, wander through a quartier where French mixes with Arabic or Vietnamese, poke your head into mysterious shops, have lunch in a local restaurant, or just perch on a cafe terrace with a vin blanc and let yourself fall in love with your very own Paris. |
Area: 105 sq km
Population: 2.15 million
Country: France
Time Zone: GMT/UTC +1 (Central European Time)
Telephone Area Code: There are no area codes in France. You always dial the 10-digit number. Paris numbers always start with 01 Hotels Disneyland, Paris with Expedia Travel |
Events
 Most museums and shops are closed on France's jours fériés (public holidays). When a holiday falls on a Tuesday or Thursday, expect to see a lot of shuttered storefronts on that Monday or Friday as well. The doors of banks are good places to check for announcements of long holiday weekends.
France's national day, 14 July, commemorates the 1789 storming of the Bastille prison, the event that kicked off the French Revolution. Across the country, the holiday is celebrated with serious abandon, especially in Paris, where the day ends with a massive fireworks display and throngs of people in the streets.
Public Holidays
1 Jan - New Year's Day
late Mar/Apr - Easter
1 May - May Day
8 May - Victory in Europe Day
May - Ascension Thursday
seventh Sunday after Easter - Pentecost/Whit Sunday
seventh Monday after Easter - Whit Monday
14 July - Bastille Day
15 Aug - Assumption Day
1 Nov - All Saints' Day
11 Nov - Armistice Day/Remembrance Day
25 Dec - Christmas Day |
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The numbering scheme:
The museums and monuments, are numbered following the scheme used by Haussmann in the 19th century to number the twenty arrondissements: an outward clock-wise spiral starting with the 1st arrondissement. The museums are thus numbered starting with the Musée du Louvre in the 1st arrondissement. Due to the fact that all distances in France are measured from Notre Dame (in the 4th arrondissement) the numbering of the monuments likewise starts there, but otherwise the order follows that of the arrondisements. A simple rule of thumb then is that low numbered museums and monuments are in ``low numbered'' arrondissements. | |
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