Paris High Living

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.

The Exclusive Le Walt Eiffel is within walking distance of the Eiffel Tower, on the Left Bank of Paris, approximately a mile from Orly International Airport and 16 miles from Charles de Gaulle International Airport. Local attractions include Notre Dame cathedral, Porte de Versailles, and Palais des Congres.Hotel amenities include 24-hour front desk, laundry/dry cleaning, tour assistance, safe deposit box, laundry services, babysitting, and car rental.Guest rooms feature A/C, hairdryers, mini-bars, direct-dial telephones, and satellite/cable TVs.

The sprawling, elegant terrace of Café de L'Homme is one of those places where you can't help but gloat that you are in Paris. Go there on a summer evening, order from their extensive wine menu, then sit back and revel in the glorious view of the Eiffel Tower before you and the fashionable Parisians beside you. Stay for dinner if you like, but be warned – you're mostly paying for the view. While the French-Asian food on the menu sounds appetizing, in reality, it's only passable. Still, in terms of atmosphere and view, this place is hard to beat. -Barbara Diggs

Climbing the 387 steps to the top of this masterpiece is well worth the effort for the spectacular view. Construction of the first great Gothic cathedral began in 1163 and was largely completed by 1212. The rebuilding of the two transept gates in 1270 marked its completion. The west face is adorned with three richly decorated doorways and crowned with two 69-meter (226-foot) towers. The cathedral is busy at the best of times; especially on Sundays, when much of the building is closed to visitors.

This elegant 80-year-old restaurant is known for its caviar. There is a variety of caviar to choose from. If you are feeling French, Iranian or Venetian, you can pick your choice and then dine luxuriously. The caviar is served with fresh oysters and salmon. The rate per spoonful of caviar is EUR90-215.

Opéra Garnier, named after the architect who designed it in 1862, was immortalized by writer Gaston Leroux in his Phantom of the Opera. The architecture is a mixture of baroque, classical, Greek and Napoléonic styles. Adorned with mosaics, the foyer has a cupola decorated by painter Marc Chagall and an impressive Rococo staircase, which leads to the theater's magnificent reception rooms. Outside, four stone statues represent allegories of Music, Lyric Poetry, Lyric Theater and Dance. Since the opening of the Opéra Bastille, the Opéra Garnier has concentrated on dance.

A visit to Paris is incomplete without indulging in some of its famous clothing and accessories. The golden triangle, a very upscale shopping district, provides you with the opportunity to cater to your secret shopping desires. Wander the following streets for clothes, accessories, jewelry, perfumes and more: Rue François Ier, Rue Pierre Charron, Rue Marbœuf and of course famous Avenue Montaigne and George V. Louis Vuitton, Givenchy, Rochas, Dior, Céline, Chanel, Donna Karan you name it, and it's here. Don't be intimidated by the brand names, for there are plenty of shops offering casual wear and accessories ranging from jewelry to shoes and handbags. A short distance away is a group of department stores standing ready to relieve you of the weight in your wallet. But the guilt of extravagance will be compensated by the glamour of your purchase. After all, anything bought in Paris is hip, isn't it?

Fine footwear, trendy glares, classy handbags, and haute couture ready-to-wear creations - if you're looking for any of these, head to this store. Located at Rue Montaigne, it is a shopaholic's haven. Just make sure you have enough money in your wallet, or else you'll have to leave empty handed. This world famous brand now has chic stuff for home décor as well.

The perfume is popular everywhere around the world. But here it's women's wear all glamorous and ultra-feminine. The new designer who calls the shots at Ricci is Lars Nilsson (formerly with Bill Blass).

When one talks about brands and fashion, Dolce & Gabbana (D&G) is one name that comes to everyone's mind. This stylish brand designs clothes for many Hollywood stars and other known personalities. You can never get tired of looking at its finest collection of shoes, bags, wallets and clothes. D&G stuff is not ordinary. Unless you have the attitude to carry these attires and accessories, don't buy them!

Esacada is a German shop and offers a wide range of prêt à porter clothing. There are also stylish handbags, trendy shoes and other accessories on offer - this place is a shopaholic's paradise. It also has a line of men's fragrances. Magnetism is Escada's latest perfume and is a fine blend of woods and spices.

Chanel—the name needs no introduction. This retail giant's cap has one feature in Montaigne, Paris. Though there is nothing special you will find other than the usual Chanel products, the place is worth a visit for its beautiful and scenic location. You could pick up a variety of things from handbags, shoes, accessories, makeup and of course vêtements. After some heavy duty shopping explore the wonderful locality of Montaigne and experience the difference.

With a list of former regulars that includes Man Ray, Aragon, Picasso and Hemingway, this brasserie has become a Parisian institution. With seating for 450, the dining room is France's biggest. Its decor may have lost some of its sparkle, but the original art deco style, cubist tiling and fresco-covered pillars remain unchanged. Traditional brasserie fare is the order of the day: seafood, Steak Tartare, Cassoulet (meat and bean casserole) and a Meat Curry too.

Many remarkable art galleries and boutiques are found on the Faubourg Saint-Honoré, an avenue of upscale commerce in Paris. For art enthusiasts, a walk down this avenue becomes a truly memorable experience. The galleries, which are mostly concentrated between Place St-Phillipe-du-Roule and Avenue de Marigny, offer some of the most exceptional work by contemporary artists and beautiful French furniture. This avenue also supports Paris' reputation as a world center for fashion as many famous designers such as Guy Laroche, Nina Ricci, Givenchy, and Chanel maintain boutiques here. A walk along the avenue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré, filled with impressionist art and pulsating fashion, is guaranteed to leave an impression.

Stretching for two kilometers (one mile) and lined with trees, les Champs-Élysées has become the center for festivities and official parades. It is a magnet for tourists and for the multitudes who enjoy evenings spent strolling along the broad and picturesque avenue. The many cinemas, cafés, and restaurants tempt visitors to rest their legs for a few hours, tired from walking by the designer boutiques, banks, and embassies also situated in this chic neighborhood. The avenue was originally created in 1667 by André Le Nôtre, Louis XIV's gardener, in order to improve the view from the Jardin des Tuileries. The avenue was lenghtened at the end of the 18th Century, to run from the Place de la Concorde to the Arc de Triomphe.

Originally known as place Louis-XV, this square was created between 1755 and 1775 by the architect, Gabriel. Renamed Place de la Révolution in 1792, a guillotine was installed and 2800 executions took place including that of King Louis XVI. Louis-Philippe christened it Place de la Concorde in 1830. The Louqsor obelisk, a gift from the Viceroy of Egypt to King Charles X of France, has been standing in the center of the square since 1840. The eight statues representing France's largest cities and the two fountains were also added at this time. The square is home to one of Paris' most prestigious hotels, the Hôtel Crillon.

Closerie des Lilas is a chic American bar in Paris. Hemingway, the famous writer, wrote The Sun Also Rises sitting in this bar. The gourmet restaurant here is very expensive due to its location and delicious cuisine. You can sit at the brasserie le Bateau (the boat), which has a more relaxed atmosphere and affordable prices.

Founded in 1730 by the former pastry chef of Versailles, Patisserie Stohrer is Paris's oldest – and arguably tastiest – pastry shop. Here you'll find a glistening array of delicacies such as Tarte aux fraises des bois (wild strawberry tart), Puit d'amour (lemon and saffron custard-filled pastry), and, the Stohrer specialty, Baba au Rhum (rum-soaked pastry). If you can tear your eyes away from the culinary goodies, spare a glance for the store's ceiling and wall panels: the elegant murals date back to the mid-19th century. One can well understand why Queen Elizabeth II specially visited this shop in 2003 – it's thoroughly sublime. -Barbara Diggs

Only a few people know that the third largest museum worldwide used to be the main residence of French kings and emperors for six centuries. The Old Fortress was erected in 1190 under the reign of King Philippe Auguste to protect the kingdom from the invasion of northern tribes (the Vikings). During the 14th Century, the palace was extended under Charles V and became from time to time a royal residence. The greatest changes in the original palace were made under King François I. The medieval Grosse Tour was destroyed and replaced by a sumptuous palace, still considered a masterpiece of Renaissance architecture. In 1594, Henri IV decided to build a passage between the Tuileries Palace and Louvre Palace, still known as the "Great Gallery." The "Cour Carrée" was part of a vast program conducted under Louis XIII and Louis XIV to embellish the king's residence and is a symbol of the classical period. After Louis XIV moved to Versailles, the Louvre knew a static period. The most recent construction is the Glass Pyramid erected by Leoh Ming Pei under French President Mitterrand, which is now the main entrance to the museum. With 35,000 pieces and a surface of about 68,746 square meters (740,000 square feet), the Louvre cannot be taken in in one day.  -Aurélie Pichard

In this picturesque restaurant, you can eat the best delicacies and meals from the Auvergne region. Try the famous Aligot (a kind of baked potatoes with aligot cheese) or the Tripoux (a type of tripes). If you are not hungry enough for a whole meal, try the cheese plate or the Charcuterie plate (different kinds of cooked meats). They have great wines here. Don't hesitate to ask the owner for advice if you are confused. She'll help you find something that goes with your meal. If you don't have time for a seated lunch or dinner, ask for some sandwiches to go. You'll have a hint of the great taste of their products. Bring home a souvenir: at EUR60, you'll get their famous galoches (clogs). Reservations are accepted until 8:30p.

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.

A very popular place in the intellectual-chic quarter of St. Germain-Des-Prés. Its legendary terrace was the meeting-point for great writers and thinkers in Paris. Ernest Hemingway regularly popped up at the bar, and no wonder that Paris' best bookshop set up shop next door. The legend lives on; it's often full of people sipping a Kir Royal after shopping in the Armani store opposite. A novel addition to the typical Parisian café-restaurant menu: there are mixed platters of salad and cold meats, but also a dish of the day (rustic chicken ratatouille, cold salmon, etc).

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.

The Exclusive Le Walt Eiffel is within walking distance of the Eiffel Tower, on the Left Bank of Paris, approximately a mile from Orly International Airport and 16 miles from Charles de Gaulle International Airport. Local attractions include Notre Dame cathedral, Porte de Versailles, and Palais des Congres.Hotel amenities include 24-hour front desk, laundry/dry cleaning, tour assistance, safe deposit box, laundry services, babysitting, and car rental.Guest rooms feature A/C, hairdryers, mini-bars, direct-dial telephones, and satellite/cable TVs.