Paris

Paris, France

It's imbued with history and culture. It's at the forefront of art and fashion. It's here that Picasso, Van Gogh, Rousseau and Hugo tugged at the heartstrings of the whole world with their inspirational creations.

Tourist-centric sites are strewn throughout Paris. Don't cross out Arc de Triomphe, Les Champs-Elysées, Louvre, Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame and L'Hotel des Invalides from your to-visit list. Linger in the bourgeois Saint-Germain-des-Prés where the scents of coffee drift into nostrils. Take in the splendid Le Versailles in the outskirts.

Getting around

• Louvre Museum

  Founded in 1204, it houses a huge collection of 400,000 precious artifacts of different historical periods from around the world.

• Eiffel Tower

  The wrought-iron spire of the 300-meter-high lattice tower pierces the sky, overlooking the entire city. It has become synonymous with Paris and has been etched on the minds of anyone who has or hasn’t been to Paris.

• Notre Dame de Paris

  This “Symphony of Rocks” is widely recognized as one of the finest examples of French Gothic architecture. It boasts a remarkable collection of art treasures dating from the 13th to the 17th centuries. Beautiful engravings adorn its altar, corridors, doors and windows.

• La Seine

  France's second largest river flows through downtown Paris. Spectacular Pont Alexandre III that spans the river connects Les Champs Elysées and the L'Hotel des Invalides square.

• Dining

  Paris is undoubtedly the showpiece of the French fine dining. Seafood, snail, foie gras and steak are all gourmet picks from a menu. A bon-viveur type of life in Paris always starts with taste buds.

  
  
  
• Style

  Myriad luxury brands meet in this city defined by stylish shopping. With designer boutiques, flagship haute couture houses and resplendent art nouveau department stores, no one will walk away with a still fat wallet.