What to do in Paris

Paris by Air Pano (Creative Commons)

When you think of a city that has it all, Paris is hard to beat. It’s one of the most popular destinations on the planet and draws people from all corners of the globe.

Often portrayed in the movies as the epicentre of romance, culture and beauty, Paris delivers on all three fronts in real life.

If you really want to explore the city, the best way is to walk. That way you get to see all the charms that Paris has on offer, and as the city centre is quite compact, and with so many iconic sights to take a pause at – most just a few hundred yards from each other – you won’t feel exhausted at the end of the day. However, when you do feel like taking a break, you can make use of the metro system, which is easy to navigate.

If you only have limited time to spend in Paris, there are some must-see places. Probably first and foremost would be the Eiffel Tower. You can view it from the ground, of course, but booking tickets to go up the first two levels or even to the summit is well worth it. Book online and you’ll be able to skip the longest part of the queue too. From the top – or second level – you can really get Paris in perspective, before you head off to the next attraction.

Two of the most celebrated churches are Notre Dame and Montmartre. Notre Dame is right on the Seine and entrance is free – always a bonus. If you’re lucky, you may catch a concert rehearsal and get to appreciate just how good the acoustics are inside the cathedral. Montmartre is a metro journey away, unless you’re feeling really fit, and sits atop a hill to the north of the centre, offering magnificent views of the city below.

Montmartre by Lebreton (Creative Commons)

There are art galleries and museums galore, but one place you almost ‘have to’ visit is the Louvre. There is a huge collection of art and sculpture here, and you could spend days exploring this one museum, but if you’re in a rush, check in on the Mona Lisa and the Venus di Milo before you leave.

As well as all the art and culture that this French city is famous for, there are some great sports events that take place there too. The Tour de France always finishes on the Champs Elysées and if you’re there on Sunday 27^th July 2014, be prepared to share the experience with thousands of others.

Slightly earlier in the summer, in May, we’ll see the French Open at the Stade Roland Garros take place in Paris. This is one of the four international Grand Slams in tennis, and this year, Rafael Nadal is going for his ninth victory. He already holds the record for the most wins at Roland Garros and according to betting websites like www.bet365.com/news/en/betting/ he is favourite to win again this year. You may not be able to get tickets, but you can always watch in a Parisian bar and soak up the atmosphere that way.

As well as taking in the biggest sights and perhaps catching a couple of sports events, one of the best ways to experience Paris is to just wander the smaller streets, allowing yourself to get lost and then find where you are a few turns later, to enjoy the magical city at its best.