No city boasts such a hedonistic blend of food, fashion and art quite like Paris. It’s easy to see why year in, year out Paris remains the number one tourist destination in the world.
Since the 18th century (the Age of Enlightenment) Paris has been hailed the centre of education, reason and ideas and as a result aptly named the City of Light. In 1928 Paris was the first European city to light its main street (the Champs-Elysees) with gas lanterns and so the name remains.
To this day people are in awe of how far the lights of Paris extend and there’s no better place to take them all in than from the top of the Eiffel tower.
With almost seven million people visiting the iconic landmark each year – they can’t all be wrong.
Paris Information
Population: Approx. 2,193,031
Time Zone: UTC +1
Languages: French (official)
Currency: Euro €
Currency Exchange: Purchase your euro cash and travellers cheques before you leave Australia
Paris Climate
Typical of Western Europe, summers in Paris buzz, with average daily maximums reaching a pleasant 25°C (77F) and lows around 14°C 957F). Occasionally the mercury rises over 32°C (90F).
During the cooler months, frosts are a regular occurrence with temperatures usually dropping to around 3°C (37F) overnight, reaching a maximum of 8°C (46F) during the day. Having said that, recent winters have seen temperatures in the city plummet to -10°C (50F) and in some cases -20°C (68F). This has brought with it heavy snowfall uncharacteristic of the regions oceanic climate.
Autumn and spring have also been experiencing change with unstable temperatures during both seasons, so make sure you pack for all seasons during this time.
Generally Paris is not considered a rainy city with fairly consistent monthly rainfall averages of around 54mm.
Paris Airport
Name: Paris-Charles de Gaulle Airport
Website: http://www.aeroportsdeparis.fr/
Partner Airline: Etihad Airways
Car Rental:Mates rates on all car hire with our preferred partners
Around Paris
Along with being one of the world’s leading business and cultural centres, Paris also ranks as one of Europe’s greenest cities. Tour de Paris by hiring one of 20, 000 bicycles available for rent through the Velib bike sharing system – a great way for locals and tourists to see the city, which thankfully is flat.
Spend a day shopping and café hopping along the Champs-Elysees where you can also see the Arc de Triomphe. Visit the world’s largest and most famous museum the Louvre. The sheer size of it will have you working up a ferocious appetite so spend the afternoon picnicing in nearby Tuileries Garden.
Make your way to the Our Lady of Paris (Cathedral Notre Dame de Paris) and marvel at the French Gothic Architecture. There are regular tours of the cathedral held each day.
No trip to Paris would be complete without a visit to the Eiffel Tower. There are lifts that will take you to the very top. Of course if you took the stairs, you could justify savouring a crepe filled with hazelnut chocolate or lemon and sugar once you have returned to the bottom.
As with most other European cities a quick day-trip could have you exploring a completely different aspect of a cities culture - Paris of course is no exception. Enjoy a family day out at Disneyland Paris or a historical tour of the landing beaches of Normandy.
A bus tour around the champagne region of Reims or a wine tour of Burgundy, all are perfect examples of why people love to holiday in Paris.
Hotel de Suede St Germain
3 Star property
The Hotel de Suede St.Germain is centrally located within walking distance of the Saint-Germain-des-Pres Boulevard, the D'Orsay and Rodin Museums and the Left Bank shops. This charming property is a wonderfully tranquil residence with an inner garden and a view over the park, inviting you to enjoy a comfortable and relaxing stay in Paris.
Hotel Migny Opera Montmartre
2 Star property
Ideally located in the heart of the capital, in a quiet street at the foot of the beautiful Montmartre Hill, the Hotel Migny Opera Montmartre is the perfect base to explore the Parisian wonders. This family run hotel is housed in a typical, early 20th century Parisian stone building.
Hotel Cervantes
3 Star property
Hotel Cervantes, totally renovated in 2009 and completely non smoking, is housed in an elegant 19th century building located in a small and peaceful street of the 8th district in Paris about 300 meters away from Rome, Europe and St Lazare subway stations.
Color Design Hotel
2 Star property
Set in a peaceful street in the heart of the most fashionable area of Paris, between the Bastille and the Gare de Lyon, the Color Design Hotel will charm those who love strolling through this historic quarter from Faubourg St Antoine to the Place de Vosges.
Dining
Parisians source their food from all manner of providores. From the markets with their selection of fresh produce to the specialist purveyors of French bread, cheese and wine, to the three-star Michelin restaurants there is something to delight every taste and every budget when visiting Paris.
The epitome of French cuisine can be found in the beautiful dining rooms of the Michelin restaurants. Dine at L’Ambroise(9, place des Vosges) and you will take a step back in time.
The 17th-century period house serves one of the most romantic diners you’re ever likely to experience. Likewise a diner enjoyed at Le Meurice is unrivalled - home to one of Paris’s most beautiful dining rooms, 228, rue de Rivoli.
Where art is on the menu there’s usually a price tag to match. For those wanting to immerse themselves in a more affordable aspect of Paris food culture than a visit to a bakery and a sunny spot on the grass will have you feeling French in no time. In fact the simple enjoyment derived from eating the humble baguette is now a guaranteed experience – as a matter of law. Enacted in 1993, the “French bread law” stipulates that all baguettes de tradition must be mixed, kneaded, leavened and baked on premise and never frozen. They must be additive-free and only contain the four heralded baguette ingredients - wheat flour, water, salt and yeast. Some of Paris’s best baguettes can be found at Djibril Bodian Le Grenier à Pain Abbesses) 38 rue des Abbesses.
No trip to Paris would be complete without a visit to coveted macaroon purveyors, Laduree. Since 1982 people have been sampling their version of this delicate Parisian treat and if the almond, vanilla, strawberry and pistachio flavours don’t have you hooked, one of the more abstract versions surely will. You can find them at 78 Champs-Elysees.
Shopping
Paris is the epitome of style. With Paris fashion week held twice each year, the world’s most luxurious brands and of course, haute couture it’s a fashionistas holy grail. When you visit the Avenue Montaigne, home of flagship boutiques Chanel, Louis Vuitton, Dior and Givenchy it’s easy to see why.
For the rest of us, a more realistic view starts at the Champs-Elysees. Here shopaholics can revel in the opulence of Cartier and Vuitton and emulate high-end fashion house style at the likes of global brands Zara, GAP, Sephora and Nike.
Bargains by anyone’s standards however can be found at Rue St Placide. Here you can explore the best young designers and rummage through high-end brand discount stores selling the remnants of last season stock.
Most stores in Paris are closed Sundays, the perfect opportunity to spend a day exploring one of the cities many flea markets. Try your luck at Porte de Montreuil avenue de la Porte de Montreuilfor clothes and furniture.
