Paris is the capital of France

Paris is the capital of France and the second largest city of Western Europe; ideally situated along the banks of the river Seine. No visit to Europe would be complete without a short stay in Paris; it is almost guaranteed that a second, longer stay will be required.

It is famous for many famous buildings and locations; these include the Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe, markets and a history only matched by a few other European cities. Traveling through the city of Paris can be very enjoyable; the Metro underground system is easy to understand, efficient and reaches everywhere even the most enthusiastic tourist would want to visit.

No visit would be complete without a trip to the top of the almost 1,000 feet tall Eiffel tower; it provides stunning views from the top and is visible throughout most of the city. In the evening the illumination means it can be seen for many miles; taking a tour at the same time will teach you much more about this remarkable structure.

A trip down the Champs Elysees is encouraged when you visit Paris as this is the city's most famous street; if you want to see famous, designer label shops and the restaurants, this is the place. 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.

The city's famous museum, the Louvre is huge and worth a visit if you have the time; it holds in excess of 300,000 pieces of art, which cannot possibly be seen in a single visit. A short stay in Paris only ever allows a small appreciation of what is on offer; approximately 8 million visitors a year come to see the Venus de Milo and the Mona Lisa, both of which are on display. Paris has attracted world famous artists for hundreds of years; these include Monet and Picasso who very fortunately left some of their work here for all to enjoy.

Of course, Napoleon commissioned the construction of the Arc de Triomphe, another Paris landmark; the names of his generals are engraved on its surface and another of those ‘must have' photo land marks. A little known fact is that there's a viewing observatory built into the building allowing the whole area to be viewed; it can be found in Charles de Gaulle Place at the intersection of twelve avenues including the Champs Elysees.

You will not be at a loss for places to visit whilst in the city; but these should certainly not to be missed because many offer regular guided tours, some at little or no charge at all. Most people find their Paris short stay vacations exciting but only see a glimpse of what's on offer; those attractions that cannot be seen will still be there the next time you visit.