In love with the city | Paris

Why go?

Paris is the city of love, and it is so easy to fall in love in Paris, if not with another person with the city itself. There are so many reasons to visit France’s capital city. With a population of more than 12 million Paris is the largest metropolitan area in Europe.  One of the world’s leading business and cultural centres, Paris has influence in global politics, education, entertainment, media, fashion, science and art making it one of the world’s major global cities.

What to do?

A trip to Paris is not complete without a trek up the steps of the Effiel Tower, though many Parisians have never made the trip themselves. Built for the 1889 World Fair and centenary of the French Revolution, the 300 metre tower is a radical feat of engineering as well as a symbol of Paris.

You can spend the entire weekend at the Louvre and still not see every piece. With around 35,000 works of art on display, from Greek to Roman antiquities to Egyptian objects and Renaissance paintings the museum covers a vast spectrum of civilisation. Enter the IM Pei’s glass pyramid and wander around the three wings. Must sees include the Marly horses, Delacroix’s Liberty Leading the People, Rueben’s paintings for the Medici cycle and of course Da Vinci’s Mona Lisa.

Damaged during the French Revolution, but restored to its former magnificence the Notre Dame Cathedral is a Gothic masterpiece. The rose window, twin towers, doorways with rows of saints and sculpted tympanums are inspiring. Climb from the north tower to the south to appreciate the masonry that was built between 1163 and 1334. 

Check out the jazz scene with a rich host of venues that show live gigs. Sprinkled across the left bank are traditional clubs like the Caveau de la Huchette (www.caveaudelahuchette.fr) – a medieval cellar that has been transformed into a jazz club over 60 years ago and Au Duc des Lombards (www.ducdeslombards.com), across the river.

Catch a glimpse of one of the many cabarets while in Paris. The classic shows are am all-evening extravaganza with male dancers and magicians to complement the lady dancers. The dancing is perfectly sychronised, the costumes are beautiful and the entire night is perfectly respectable. Whether its Le Moulin Rouge (www.moulinrouge.fr), Le Lido (www.lido.fr) or the Crazy Horse (www.lecrazyhorseparis.com), a night of cabaret is a must-do while in Paris.

Where to stay?

Ideally located in the Marais, the Duo hotel (www.duo-paris.com) is decorated with imagination in an opened out contemporary style. It is perfect for visiting Paris on foot due to its central location.

Stay a boutique hotel decorated in a trendy, arty style at Le A (www.paris-hotel-a.com) on the Champs Elysees. Each of the 26 rooms contains a unique work of art by French artist Fabrice Hybert.

In the heart of Saint-Germain-des-Pres, though in a calm street is the Hotel Del Ami (www.hotel-bel-ami.com). The contemporary hotel is designed by Christian Lalande and is pleasant without frivolity or madness. Enjoy the jazz concerts every Thursday evening or the relaxing spa after a long day of roaming around the city.

Where to eat?

Take a bite of the legendary scallops at the Jules Verne Restaurant (www.lejulesverne-paris.com) on top of the Effiel Tower whilst enjoying the views that may stretch for over 65 kilometres.

Le Meurice Restaurant (www.lemeurice.com) at the well-known Le Meurice hotel is worth the extra pennies. The three-starred restaurant features the finest traditional ingredeints of French cuisine with the creativity of nouevelle cuisine. With china specially created by Limoges for the restaurant the dining room is as beautiful as the food is delicious.

Try the Gillardeau oysters and home-made duck foie gras with dried pear from Tourin at Au Petit Riche (www.restaurant-aupetitriche.com). The authentic French cuisine, along with one of the most impressive wine lists from the Loire Valley is served in an Old Paris house which attracts art collectors for lunch and theatre goers for dinner.

Right next to the Champs-Elysees, Savy is the oldest and one of the last typical bistros of the area. Established in 1923, the typical terrior cuisine as well as the décor have remained the same over the years. Enjoy the finest charcuterie, cheese and top Aubrac meat in this French bistro.

After a trip to Notre Dame, cross the road to Berthillion (www.berthillion.fr) for the most celebrated ice-cream in town served with lashings of fresh cream and a host of delicious flavours made from natural ingredients since 1954.

How to get there?

Airmalta operates flights to Charles de Gualle airport on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday with return flights on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Flights from 27 October to 2 November cost €354.15, including tax, at the time of going to print.

Airmalta also fly to Orly airport on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday with return flights on Monday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday. Flights from 27 October to 3 November were priced at €279.10, including tax at the time of going to print.

Though Ryanair does not operate to Paris they operate flights in and out of Marseille on Monday and Friday. Flights from 28 October to 31 October cost €164.02, including tax at the time of going to print. Direct trains operate from Marseille to Paris. The train journey takes approximately 3 hours.