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A week in Paris

by Claire Chaffey | 23 Jan 2014

When it comes to dream destinations, it doesn’t get much better than Paris. Spend a week in the City of Light.

The Eiffel Tower and Champ De Mars

Nothing says France like the Eiffel Tower, so say bonjour to the grand old dame of Paris. Standing at 320m tall, you can take the steps to the first level to admire the view. From there, take the glass lift to the upper levels. A night visit offers something special, though it’s wise to book. During the day, pick up a baguette, some cheese and a bottle of wine to enjoy on the beautiful Champ de Mars, with only La Tour disrupting your view.

Notre Dame and Hôtel De Ville

No trip to Paris is complete without a visit to the Cathédrale de Notre Dame, a 12th century Gothic masterpiece.

Every year, 13 million people visit the church’s myriad gargoyles and magnificent stained-glass windows. Get there early to avoid the queues. From here, skip over the river to the Hôtel de Ville with its quirky 14th century French

Renaissance architecture. Head further north to the Rue de Rivoli and enjoy some of Paris’ best shopping.

Montmartre and Sacré Coeur

During the 19th and 20th centuries, the quartier de Montmartre was a hub for artists, writers and bohemians who revelled in the culture of peace, love and freedom beneath the spectacular white basilica on the hill.

The Basilique de Sacré Coeur was built in the late 19th century and offers stupendous views over Paris.

Perhaps the most joy, however, is found wandering the steep, cobbled streets of the quarter, with painters, musicians and street artists creating a unique vibrancy.

The Louvre

You could spend a year taking in all that is housed with this mammoth museum, but if you’ve only got a day, do yourself a favour and pre-buy your tickets or you’ll lose a couple of hours waiting in line. Most visitors come to see Da Vinci’s Mona Lisa, but there’s plenty more masterpieces to see if you have the time and patience. If the scale of the Louvre is overwhelming, the Musée d’Orsay is a much smaller option packed with Monets and Van Goghs, or the beautiful l’Orangerie with regular exhibitions is also worth a look.

Champs-Élysées and The Arc de Triomphe

People sing about it, cycle up it, shop along it and dream about it: the oh-so-French Avenue des ChampsÉlysées. If you’re in Paris to shop, this is the place to do it, featuring many of Europe’s most celebrated brands. At the northern end you’ll find the Arc de Triomphe, a war memorial perched in the middle of a chaotic roundabout. Take the underground tunnel and emerge beneath the arc, which you can climb for spectacular views.

Cimetière du Père Lachaise

It’s perhaps odd to suggest that one of the most fascinating places to see in Paris is a cemetery, but the immense Père Lachaise cemetery is a must. With around 70,000 resident souls, it’s a city within itself, and you’ll be fascinated to fi nd who’s there, with celebrities like Jim Morrison, Oscar Wilde, Edith Piaf and Yves Montand attracting thousands of visitors every year. It’s a good idea to pack your lunch and don’t forget to collect a map upon entry, lest you get lost among the graves.

Cruising the Seine

A terrific way to take in the sights is to jump aboard a cruise along the Seine River. One of the best is Bateaux Parisiens, which offers lunch and dinner cruises. There’s something about an evening cruise that you can’t match: a threecourse meal with French wine while taking in the lights of Paris. If boats aren’t your thing, a fun way to get to know Paris is in its most iconic car. 4 Roues Sous Une Parapluie offers a swathe of different tours in their delightful fleet of 2CVs.