Cars Online
Property Search
Online Dating
Got something to say? 
One night in Paris ? the city not the heiress ? is somewhat like sitting down to a decadent five course meal and nibbling on the bread sticks. Sure, they?re tasty, but unless you succumb to the delights of that fine French cuisine (and champagne!), you are going to be disappointed.
You?ll need at least a week in the world?s fashion capital to bask in the rich cultural heritage, explore its blood-soaked history and indulge in its culinary delights. Unfortunately, the City of Light also happens to be one of the world?s more expensive destinations, so it?s a good idea to prioritise. To help you out, we?ve put together an itinerary of essential attractions.
Admission: ?12 (elevator), ?4 (stairs)
The Eiffel Tower, has had over 220 million visitors since it was built in 1889 for the World Exhibition (celebrating the centenary of the French Revolution), but it was almost torn down in 1909 because some Parisians found it unsightly.
Designed by Gustave Eiffel, it was the tallest structure in the world, at 300 metres, until the Chrysler Building went up in 1930. It is made up of 12 000 iron pieces and approximately seven million nails, which is something to think about as you slog up countless stairs to get that panoramic view of Paris.
Champs-Elysees
Admission: free.
One of the most famous avenues in the world, the tree-lined Champs-Elysees stretches from the Place de la Concorde, where you will find the Petit Palais (home of French presidents since 1873) to the cinemas, theatres, cafes and luxury shops near Place Charles de Gaulle.
The avenue, which is named after the ?Elysian Fields? ? where, according to Greek mythology, happy souls dwelt after death ? is used for all major celebrations such as New Years Eve and Bastille Day.
Admission: ?9
The Arc de Triomphe ? testament to Napoleon?s military might ? dominates the Place Charles de Gaulle. Commissioned by Napoleon in 1806 to commemorate his own victories, the Romanesque arch was only completed in 1836 after he had been ousted from power.
However, his military legacy endured ? the arch is adorned with reliefs commemorating his battles and is engraved with the names of his generals. It also pays tribute to soldiers from the First World War.
The top of the arch features a viewing platform, but you have to climb 234 stairs to reach it. The only safe way to access the base of the arch is through an underground passageway that surfaces on the even-numbered side of the Champs-Elysees. You can buy tickets to the platform in this passageway.
Admission: free, but additional charge (approximately ?7) if you want to visit the towers or crypt.
The home of Quasimodo, this gothic masterpiece is located on the Ile de la Cite ? a small island in the heart of Paris. The cathedral, which took over two centuries to complete (1163 ? 1345), is 128 metres long and has two 69-metre towers. Adorned with statues, gargoyles and several large beautiful rose windows, the cathedral was ransacked during the French Revolution, but has subsequently been restored.
Check out the impressive 7800-pipe organ, attend a mass or climb the 387 stairs of Quasimodo?s tower.
Admission: free
Located on the top of the Montmartre hill, this Roman-Byzantine place of worship was built in 1873 by Paul Abadie. It was funded by contributions from Parisian Catholics as penance for the Franco-Prussian War of 1870-1871. The massive building has managed to retain its bright white facade despite the city?s pollution because the Chateau-Landon stones used produce self-bleaching calcite when they are exposed to rain.
Admission: free
Slightly macabre perhaps, but the Cimetiere du Pere-Lachaise is worth checking out because it is final resting place of a number of significant historical figures.
Named after the spiritual advisor to Louis XIV ? Pere Francois de la Chaise ? the 44-hectare graveyard is full of beautiful sculptures and monuments. Buy a map from a vendor outside the cemetery and track down the graves of Jim Morrison, Oscar Wilde, Gertrude Stein and Maria Callas.
Admission:?13.50 -15 (palace only), ?20 (day pass)
Take a trip to a Parisian suburb of Versailles and visit the palace that was home to Marie Antoinette. Built by the Sun King, Louis XIV, in an attempt to consolidate his power, the palace has become a symbol of the absolute monarchy which he espoused.
A day pass will give you access to the state apartments of the king and queen, where you will be able to see the tunnel Marie Antoinette used to escape during the French Revolution and the Hall of Mirrors, where the Treaty of Versailles was signed after World War I.
Place de la Bastille
Admission: free
Bastille Day (14 July) celebrates the day in 1789 on which the notorious Bastille stronghold was stormed triggering the start of the French Revolution. The stronghold was originally built (1382) to protect Paris from invasion, but was turned into a prison for political prisoners by Richelieu. The building was destroyed two days after it was captured by the crowds, but avid historians can still visit the square where this revolutionary event took place.
Admission: ?9 or ?13 (includes temporary exhibitions)
A trip to Paris is incomplete without visiting one of the most famous art galleries in the world. Home to the Mona Lisa, Venus de Milo and Winged Victory of Samothrace, the Louvre has approximately 35 000 works in its permanent collection.
The Louvre, which was built in various stages during the 16th century and originally housed the royal art collection, was first opened to the public following a decision by the Revolutionary Committee in 1789. The controversial glass pyramid, which allows light to filter in to the underground floor, was commissioned by the late French president Mitterrand and was met with mixed reviews because it clashed with the surrounding architecture.
To avoid the massive queues (well, some of them anyway) buy your ticket in advance and use the underground shopping centre entrance.
Admission: ?12 (free for children)
The Centre Pompidou is almost as famous for its unusual architecture as it is for its modern art collection. Commissioned by the French president Georges Pompidou in 1969, the architects were selected from a competition which attracted 650 entries.
The winners Richard Rogers, Renzo Pian and Gianfranco Franchini broke with convention by moving the functional elements to the outside of the building to create more space for the art. They colour-coded each of these elements ? water pipes (green), escalators (red), air conditioning (blue) and electricity (yellow) ? so that the building itself became a work of modern art.
The National Museum of Modern Art, which is housed in the centre boasts a collection of 60 000 works, including those by Matisse, Kandinsky, Miro and Picasso. The centre also contains a library, bookshop and movie theatre. Originally designed to accommodate 5000 visitors on a daily basis, the centre frequently has over 25 000 visitors a day.
MSC Sinfonia and MSC Melody return to SA shores this summer, offering over 60 cruises!
A nuclear plant that's never produced one watt of power is the Philippines' latest attraction.
Haven't booked a winter getaway? With over 10 000 properties, our booking engine can help...
