Paris
Recommended Tours

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Paris, the City of Lights, is a stop on every intrepid travelers list of cosmopolitan cities to visit. Famous sites around the city vary from historical monuments to museums, as well as the famous shopping and restaurants. Paris holds something for everyone, from the art buff to the romantic to Baudelaire’s flâneur, which, roughly translated, is someone who adores wandering around the city merely to absorb the atmosphere and watch the people pass by.

Eiffel Tower

No trip to Paris is complete without a visit to the most famous monument and internationally recognized symbol of the city, the Eiffel Tower. The Tower sits at the top of the Champs de Mars, a beautiful green esplanade, which is perfect for sitting and reading or playing a pickup game of football. After a trip to the top, either via stairs or the glass elevators that allow you to see the views of the city in all her glory, try having lunch at the famous Le Jules Verne restaurant, which is conveniently located at the lower level of the tower: there is a special elevator provided to reach it. If you’d rather dine somewhere a little less expensive (or less overrun with tourists), you have two options: the Tower sits on the line between the 7th and 15th arrondissements. In the 7th, try neighborhood favorite Café de l’Alma, with a terrace view of the river Seine. In the 15th, Le Café du Commerce is the place to go: don’t be surprised if you’re the only tourist there, as this is well-known among natives as a place for excellent classic French cuisine. Either way, if you’re in the vicinity of the Eiffel Tower, take advantage of the proximity of Invalides, where Napoleon Bonaparte is buried.

Bastille

Don’t be surprised if you don’t see an actual monument at the Place de la Bastille: remember that the prison was broken down in 1789, during the French revolution, and the Place, or square, is all that is left. This is no reason not to visit this vibrant neighborhood, however. The Bastille neighborhood is an excellent place to visit both during the day and at night as it is famous for its nightlife. Daytime excursions include the Staint-Martin Canal, which is an excellent place to go relax, especially on the weekends when cars are not permitted, and you are free to sit at an outdoor café and enjoy a few minutes of quiet in the otherwise bustling city. If you’re a fan of the recently released “La Vie en Rose” (French title: La Môme) about the life of Edith Piaf, consider a trip to the museum devoted to her life. Bastille by night is excellent, both for eating and bar-hopping. For an original French-Asian meal that redefines fusion cuisine, try funky Le Zinz. As for bars, try anything along the Rue de Lappe, where swarms of Parisians invade every Saturday night. Le Havanita is more laid-back than some of the clubs and is a great place to get your evening started, while Brazilian club Favela Chic is ideal for dancing the night away.

L’Arc de Triomphe

While the Eiffel Tower is famous for its views of the city, the Arc de Triomphe in the middle of the Champs-Elysées is a far better place to see the city and its famous arrondissement structure. When you’ve finished, take a stroll down the Champs-Elysées, the famous boulevard with the best real estate in all of Paris. Most restaurants on the Champs-Elysées take their privileged location to mean that they don’t have to try when it comes to food—try dining elsewhere, but enjoy window shopping on this famous avenue. When you’ve finished browsing the designer shops, take a little walk over to Place de la Concorde to see the Egyptian obelisk in the center of the square. You’re now on one side of the Jardin des Tuileries, the garden that is attached to the Musée du Louvre. Have a stroll through the gardens before visiting the museum, and be sure to have an African hot chocolate at Angelina’s, on the Rue de Rivoli, which runs parallel to the gardens. If it’s gotten late, you can also drop by the famous Buddha Bar for a drink.

Notre Dame

The famous home of the hunchback is a gorgeous cathedral right on the Seine River. Once you’ve visited it, you have your choice of sights to see. Literary buffs should stop by the Shakespeare and Co. bookstore. While most enthusiasts say it’s nothing compared to its glory days, when it housed homeless writers who have since become household names, a walk amongst its musty shelves seems to bring those times back to the present. A wander through the neighboring Latin Quarter will open your eyes to the wonder of the Greek kebab sandwich: lamb, salad, tomatoes, fries and the famous “sauce blanche,” or white garlic sauce, for a mere five euros. Adjacent to the Latin Quarter, along the quay, you can browse the wares of the bouquinnistes, the booksellers who open shop every afternoon to sell antique books and postcards, as well as touristy trinkets. If you haven’t had your fill of churches, Sainte Chapelle, with its famous stained glass windows, is worth a visit, although be aware that it’s one of the only churches that requires an entry fee. The Institut du Monde Arabe, right behind Notre Dame, is a very interesting place to visit if you’re interested in Arab studies. And at the very top, there is a café which offers the only view of its kind over the top of the cathedral.

Montmartre

Montmartre, of Amélie fame, is home to the Basilique du Sacré Coeur, the gorgeous white church that can be seen atop the mountain from the city proper on a clear day. After visiting the church (no pictures inside allowed), take a stroll down the winding streets behind it, and have a look at the Montmartre vineyards. If you’re lucky enough to be visiting in November, you may be able to pick up a bottle of the wine that is made here. In order to reach the top of the mountain, you must get off the metro at Abbesses. Take advantage of this, and explore the neighborhood. One of the best baguettes in Paris can be found on Rue des Abbesses at Le Grenier à Pain. Travel down further to reach Pigalle, the Parisian red light district. The famous French can-can dancers still perform at Le Moulin Rouge, and you can get tickets to a dinner performance if you like. If not, try a no-less entertaining dinner at Le Refuge des Fondus, where the waiters hoist you over the communal table to reach your seat on the inner bench, and the wine is served in old-fashioned glass baby bottles.

Guided Tours

Walking Tours
Paris Walks (+33 01 48 09 28 40/ http://www.paris-walks.com/)
Paris Walking Tours (http://www.paris-walking-tours.com/)
Classic Walks (+33 01 56 58 10 54/ http://www.classicwalksparis.com/index.shtml)

Bike Tours
Fat Tire Bike Tours (+33 01 56 58 10 54/ http://www.fattirebiketoursparis.com)
Bike About Tours (+33 06 18 80 84 92/ http://www.bikeabouttours.com)
Paris Bike Tour (+33 01 42 74 22 14/ http://www.parisbiketour.net)

Boat Tours
Bateaux Mouches (+33 01 42 25 96 10/ http://www.bateaux-mouches.fr/)
Bateaux Parisiens (+33 01 46 99 43 13 / http://www.bateauxparisiens.com/)
Vedettes du Pont Neuf (+33 01 46 33 98 38 /http://www.vedettesdupontneuf.com/)

Bus Tours
Paris City Rama (+33 01 44 55 60 00 / http://www.pariscityrama.com/index.htm)
Les Cars Rouge (+33 01 53 95 39 53/ http://www.carsrouges.com/)
L’Open Bus Tour (+33 01 42 66 56 56/ http://www.ratp.fr/)