Paris is intoxicating. Enchanting, beautiful, magical, exciting, invigorating- no sobriquet can ever be an exaggeration when it comes to describing Paris. If there's one city which is the ultimate in tourist paradises, it's got to be Paris. The glitter and the glamour of Paris are legendary- but so is its beauty, its history, its taste for the good life. World-famous landmarks are round every corner here; joie de vivre is the order of the day- and every day is a celebration.

There's plenty to see here. La Tour Eiffel- that oft-photographed structure- is of course the pièce de resistance; but there are other attractions too. The serene Seine to cruise down; and the gardens- Jardin des Tuileries, the Jardin du Plantes or the Jardin du Luxembourg- to picnic in. The famous Champs-Elysées to stroll on, and the imposing Arc du Triomphe to admire. Palaces and prisons, museums and squares, historic quarters and magnificent churches- you could spend a lifetime in Paris and not get bored.

Paris has more than a hundred museums, including such must-sees as the world-famous Louvre (home to the Mona Lisa and Venus de Milo); the Musée d'Orsay, a fine repository of modern art, and the war museum known as the Musée de l'Armée. Wander along to the impressive Cathedrale de Notre Dame de Paris, or spend a while at La Madeleine, its opulent gold-plated walls highly reminiscent of a Greek temple. Walk through the delightfully wicked quarter of Montmartre up to the white-domed Basilique du Sacre-Coeur; and then step down from divinity into profanity to party with the rest of Paris at the famous Moulin Rouge.

Take a conducted tour of the historic Bastille Prison, or get a hefty dose of culture at the Centre Pompidou. Meander through Place de la Concorde and Place Vendome (the latter's central pillar supposedly built from the melted iron of 1,200 cannons!). Sip a glass of exquisite Burgundy at a roadside café; sit on a bench by the quiet Seine, watch life go past- and fall in love with Paris.

Making your way here…
Paris tops tourist popularity charts across the world, and options for getting here are a dime a dozen. Air France and a vast number of other airlines have regular flights to Paris' Charles de Gaulle (Roissy) and Orly International Airports; and a massive number of trains (both the high-speed TGV and the SNCF) connect the city to almost every other big city in Europe- including London, via the Chunnel. Gare du Nord is the railway station where all international trains come in.
Alternately, you can get to Paris by road- coaches from across the border come in at Gare Routiere Internationale du Paris-Gallieni, or you could drive into the city from just about anywhere in Europe.

…and getting around
Paris' metro and the RER (also a train system which actually links Paris to its suburbs) are just about the cheapest- and easiest- way of getting around this sprawling city. Buy a daily pass (which will allow you travel on the metro, the RER and the city's buses) and you can get around pretty economically. Taxis are a more expensive alternative; and the many cruises down the Seine, though not strictly a `way of getting around' are great for seeing Paris from a different angle. Some parts of the city, including Montmartre and the area around Champs-Elyseés, are best seen on foot.

A Roof over Your Head…
-Depends very much on how much you're willing to spend. Paris is inundated by so many tourists, it's not surprising how many options this city offers for accommodation. For the glitterati, of course, the Ritz, the Le Crillon and their like are the obvious choices. But for those looking a little lower down the range, there's a vast range of hotels, inns, hostels and student dorms (some of the most interesting in the Latin Quarter).

… a Good Meal, a Great Bargain and more
You won't go hungry in Paris- that's a guarantee. All the way from haute cuisine to around-the-corner bistros, brasseries, cafes and creperies where you can get just about what you want- Paris has it. Eateries spread out across the entire city, but Montmartre, Marais, the Latin Quarter and Les Halles are some of the best places to go prospecting!

Ever the shopper's paradise, Paris is also where all the best boutiques, the big brands and the most fashionable tags can be found- check out Montaigne, Place des Victoires, Les Halles and Place Vendome. If your budget's limited, go bargaining in the flea markets (the marches aux puces) which spring up in virtually every neighbourhood.


…and one Last bit of Advice
Paris may be tourist mecca, but it can also be prohibitively expensive- so if you're watching those euros, here's a tip. Shop around for hotels before making a booking, and buy yourself a Paris Visite pass as soon as you get there. It's a tourist card, easily available at the city's international terminals, which allows travel on the metro, the RER and the city's bus system, besides entry to some of Paris' most popular sights.
As far as food' concerned, picnics, with bread and cheese, are not just cheap but also a great way to enjoy Paris' lovely gardens- or you can eat at the local cafes (check out ones where you don't see tourists!).
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