"Paris" a Capital of France

As the capital of France, Paris is a large city; also known as affectionately as the City of Lights. Paris short stays are primarily taken by couples wanting a romantic weekend; there is so much to see and do that often only the main tourist attractions can be fitted in.


It is renowned for its wonderful gothic inspired buildings and street markets; plus sights like the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre and many other places that are havens for tourists, both home grown and international. Traveling through the city of Paris can be very enjoyable; there is a superb underground rail system called the Metro which is efficient and easy to understand.

You can't miss the Eiffel Tower, mainly because it's over three hundred meters high; it can be seen from any point within the city and the superb views just can't be matched by those looking at it from the ground. In the evening the illumination means it can be seen for many miles; if you are really enthusiastic you can take a tour where the guide will tell you how this beautiful tower was built.

The famous Paris Avenue ‘the Champs Elysees' must also receive a visit; it's where you will find all the top class hotels, shops and restaurants. This avenue is well worth a visit to see how the wealthy live; it is also where most of the five star hotels are situated but thankfully hotels tend to be cheaper once you move away from the city center.

This city is also the home to the renowned Louvre Museum; it contains almost a third of a million exhibits and is in fact one of the biggest art museums in the world. There are enough art exhibits to keep you occupied for more time than your short stay in Paris would allow; some of the world's most important art collections including the infamous Mona Lisa are on display. Over the years, Paris has been home to many of the world's famous artists; the likes of Monet, Picasso and many others lived in the city for years and some of their work can still be seen today.

The famous 19th century edifice built on Napoleons instructions, the Arc de Triomphe, is also in Paris; the names of his generals are engraved on its surface and another of those ‘must have' photo land marks. Many people do not know that an observatory was included in the design which affords great views of the surrounding area; in particular those obtained along the lanes that lead from it.

Obviously, these are not the only places to visit; these are however, the most popular with regular tours arranged, many of which are either free or at a subsidized cost. A Paris short stay vacation will probably be best suited as just a taster of the city; the churches, cathedrals and other museums will just have to wait for another time.