Romantic Paris

Paris is the cosmopolitan capital of France and - with 2.2 million people living in zone 1 (Central Paris) and another 9.9 million people in the suburbs (la banlieue) - is one of the largest cities in Europe. Located in the north of the country on the river Seine, Paris has the reputation of being the most beautiful and romantic of all cities, brimming with historical associations and remaining vastly influential in the realms of culture, art, fashion, food and design. Dubbed the City of Light, it is among the most popular tourist destinations in the world.

Central Paris is officially divided into 20 districts called arrondissements, numbered from 1 to 20 in a clockwise spiral from the centre of town. Each arrondissement has its own unique character and selection of attractions for the traveler.

One of the best value and most convenient ways to see the sights of Paris is with the Paris Museum Pass (previously known as Carte Musées et Monuments), a pre-paid entry card that allows entry into over 70 museums and monuments around Paris. Those there are too many to list, highlights include: Notre Dame Cathedral, the Eiffel Tower, Père-Lachaise Cemetery, the Louvre, Musée d'Orsay and the Picasso Museum.

A secret, tranquil world in the heart of Paris Left Bank, Relais Christine is a 16th century mansion, surrounding a flower-filled cobblestone courtyard and hidden behind pretty, entrance gates. Originally a 13th century abbey, the hotel retains some fascinating historical features, has a delightful garden, an atmospheric drawing room and bar, as well as an inviting spa. The ambience is cosy and relaxing with rich warm reds and browns and striking oil portraits in the drawing room, which has its own honesty bar. Both the spa and the breakfast room have stunning vaulted, stone ceilings and the rooms and suites are a stylish mix of contemporary and classic French furnishings. The garden suites and two other rooms have their own private terrace; perfect for a peaceful afternoon spent reading a book. Discover the unique cellar spa and indulge in a massage. Then, explore Saint-Germain-des-Pres and the Latin Quarter, before dining in one of several gastronomic restaurants close to the hotel. Relais Christine is a Small Luxury Hotels of the World property.

One of the city's most interesting markets, it's made up of the covered Marché Beauvau (open since 1777) and an open-air market in the surrounding square with produce as well as flea-market stalls. Aligre is both well supplied and typically Parisian. It's a great place to get an insight into life in the capital and shows off its cosmopolitan side with numerous Asian and North African shops located around the market. Don't get there too late or you'll find all the good things have gone.

A popular attraction and a famous landmark, Port des Champs-Élysées offers tourists a scenic view and a glimpse into some significant historical sites. An enjoyable way to see the city, tourists can rent one of the tour boats and sail through to various landmarks. The Pont Alexander III is one of the important sites. A symbolic structure, this bridge features a 107-meter (351-foot) wide arch. Visitors can also take a look at some vintage boats harbored at the port.

The arch is a site of memories, current events and celebrations. The lists of the dead will move you. And the cars that drive around the monument will terrify you! Standing in a direct line between the Louvre and the Grande Arche de la Défense, the monument links the past with the present and offers amazing views. A truly impressive landmark, 50 meters (164 feet) high and 45 meters (147 feet) wide, Paris would not be Paris without it! Open daily from 10am.

With a charmingly 1920-style interior, well-priced fare and a lively clientele, La Marine has established itself as a local favorite. The kitchen serves up a full menu of both contemporary and traditional French cuisine, with a strong emphasis on seafood and "home-cooking" (just the way Grandma makes it). The hearty food is inexpensive (EUR15) at lunchtime and is popular among local businesspeople. During the evening, the atmosphere becomes somewhat fancier, a change that is reflected in the clientele and also in the menu, which can double in price (EUR30). During peak hours, the restaurant can be packed, so be sure to arrive early or venture outside to the terrace to get away from the crowds.

La Maison du Chocolat (House of Chocolate) is where chocolate lives! And no ordinary chocolate either: only the very best cocoa beans of the finest origin are used in this shop's products. The highly original chocolates and pastries created by the designer Mr. Linx, combine unexpected ingredients. He has earned an excellent reputation beyond the borders of France. The chocolate éclair may seem pricey, but it really is one of a kind (very high cocoa content!).

This is a wonderful place for people who like everything from the Périgord region, especially truffles. Cooking with them is an art and here you'll find every form that exists: fresh (beginning every March), dried and in sauces. This shop doesn't only sell truffles, though. You will also find other products from the same region: foie gras, confits and more. This is a real paradise for food lovers!

La Bastille used to be the area where furniture was made, and cabinet-makers, joiners, and other artisans were regular patrons of this traditional bistro. Today, the atmosphere remains homey, with gingham tablecloths on the tables, and the restaurant is so full, it's ready to burst. Salad with warm goat cheese, beef with Bearnaise sauce, Gratin Dauphinois, and homemade desserts are just some of the unpretentious dishes offered here. Expect to pay EUR30-EUR40 if ordering à la carte.

This tiny chocolate shop may be located in an unglamorous part of the 10th arrondissement and is decidedly lacking in swank, but who cares? The chocolate is superb and the prices are as unpretentious as the neighborhood. Le Furet Tanrade, which has been fabricating chocolates, jams and other confections since 1728, obviously knows what it's doing. All chocolates are handmade and range from classic pralinés and truffles to exotic hemp-infused ganaches. The chocolates are unlabeled, so you'll have to ask for help or take your chances. But given the high quality of these delights, it'd be hard to go wrong. -Barbara Diggs

Paris just wouldn't be Paris without the Eiffel Tower. Designed by Gustave Eiffel for the 1889 World Fair, at 300 meters (984 feet) it was then the world's tallest building. Not everyone was happy when it was first built; many considered it an eyesore and wanted it pulled down, but today it is one of the world's most visited monuments. The first and second floors can be reached using the stairs, and elevators take visitors to the magnificent view at the top.

Nearly 2.5 million visitors each year come to see the largest collection in the world of impressionist artwork, found in the splendid Musée d'Orsay. The building itself, called the Gare d'Orsay, was built for the World's Fair of 1900. During World War II, it was used to welcome freed prisoners. Once the train station (the Gare) fell into disuse and the adjacent hotel closed down in 1973, the building was threatened with demolition. However, it was decided to instead transform the building's function to house a collection of art from the second half of the 19th Century. It was inaugurated in 1986 under the governance of François Mitterand. The principal gallery of the ground floor, 138 meters long (453 feet) and 32 meters tall (105 feet), is a reminder of the building's history. Among the masterpieces in this gallery are the scandalous Enterrement à Ornans by Gustave Courbet and the Glaneuses by Jean-François Millet. Fans of impressionism should head directly up to the fifth floor, where works by the greatest masters of this genre are hung in galleries 29 to 48. In order of appearance, these include La Classe de danse by Degas, Still Lifes by Manet such as L'Asperge, Le Bal du Moulin de la Galette by Renoir, and La Gare Saint-Lazare, La Cathédrale de Rouen or the Nymphéas by Claude Monet. Works by Van Gogh in gallery 35 and Cézanne in 36 follow, the small galleries 37 and 38 contain pastels by Degas, and galleries 43-44 are devoted to Gauguin's paintings of Tahiti. Decorative arts are located a few flights down, worth visiting notably for the impressive collection of Art Nouveau. While on this floor, don't miss the terrasse Rodin, where L'Homme qui marche is located, and worth taking the time to appreciate. For a short rest to help absorb this astonishing collection, visit! the Café des Hauteurs on the third floor or the restaurant on the sixth floor. Also don't forget to check out the beautiful Hotel Le BelleChasse, which is walking distance from here. -Aurélie Pichard.

This brasserie is listed as a historic monument for the beautiful Art Nouveau décor that takes you a step back in time. Not only is the setting marvelous, but the menu is extremely appetizing. Dishes span the classics of French cuisine. Try the Sole cooked a la plancha with Bearnaise sauce, Cassoulet d'oie Maison or the Profiteroles with Chocolate. The restaurant can seat up to 170 people.

Tired of Paris, the Sun King (Louis XIV, who enjoyed likening himself to Apollo, God of the arts, peace and the sun) commissioned architects Louis le Vau and Jules Hardouin to build the château of Versailles in 1668, on the site of his father's small hunting lodge. It became the largest palace in Europe, accommodating up to 20,000 courtiers at a time. Charles Le Brun, the painter, designed the interior, whose highlights include the Royal Apartments and the Hall of Mirrors. The Grand Trianon (1687) and the Petit Trianon (1762) are also in the park. The former, built in stone and marble, housed Louis XIV's mistress, while the latter, a small manor house, was home to Louis XV's mistress.

A glorious red and gold, 18th-century dining room, resplendent with mirrors and chandeliers, greets guests as they enter. Within its palatial boundaries, Chef Guy Martin displays magical culinary artistry, as he skillfully whips up his trademark dishes like Tourte d'Artichauts et Légumes Confits and some divine concoctions, such as Ravioles de Foie Gras à l'émulsion de Crème Truffée. Business lunches are often organized during the day, but, at night, a romantic atmosphere takes over. The staff takes excellent care of all your gastronomic needs, so feel free to make demands. However, patrons naturally respond to the formal and courteous atmosphere, so make a mental note about table manners! Don't let the long names on the menu intimidate you. Indulge, and let the flavors linger. Even longer lasting, however, are memories of this splendid dining experience.

Paris is the cosmopolitan capital of France and - with 2.2 million people living in zone 1 (Central Paris) and another 9.9 million people in the suburbs (la banlieue) - is one of the largest cities in Europe. Located in the north of the country on the river Seine, Paris has the reputation of being the most beautiful and romantic of all cities, brimming with historical associations and remaining vastly influential in the realms of culture, art, fashion, food and design. Dubbed the City of Light, it is among the most popular tourist destinations in the world.

Central Paris is officially divided into 20 districts called arrondissements, numbered from 1 to 20 in a clockwise spiral from the centre of town. Each arrondissement has its own unique character and selection of attractions for the traveler.

One of the best value and most convenient ways to see the sights of Paris is with the Paris Museum Pass (previously known as Carte Musées et Monuments), a pre-paid entry card that allows entry into over 70 museums and monuments around Paris. Those there are too many to list, highlights include: Notre Dame Cathedral, the Eiffel Tower, Père-Lachaise Cemetery, the Louvre, Musée d'Orsay and the Picasso Museum.

A secret, tranquil world in the heart of Paris Left Bank, Relais Christine is a 16th century mansion, surrounding a flower-filled cobblestone courtyard and hidden behind pretty, entrance gates. Originally a 13th century abbey, the hotel retains some fascinating historical features, has a delightful garden, an atmospheric drawing room and bar, as well as an inviting spa. The ambience is cosy and relaxing with rich warm reds and browns and striking oil portraits in the drawing room, which has its own honesty bar. Both the spa and the breakfast room have stunning vaulted, stone ceilings and the rooms and suites are a stylish mix of contemporary and classic French furnishings. The garden suites and two other rooms have their own private terrace; perfect for a peaceful afternoon spent reading a book. Discover the unique cellar spa and indulge in a massage. Then, explore Saint-Germain-des-Pres and the Latin Quarter, before dining in one of several gastronomic restaurants close to the hotel. Relais Christine is a Small Luxury Hotels of the World property.