All about Paris, France: Travel, culture, events, apartments and news

Useful Paris Guides

May 23, 2012

If you are travelling to Paris, France any time soon. You might find our list of handy sites helpful for finding out everything you need to know in order to fully prepare for your trip. Below some of favourite sites on the French capital.

Paris Views

Paris Views

Where to stay in Paris

The areas such as St Germain, Montmartre, Montparnasse and the Champs Elysees areas are particular good areas of Paris in which to stay if you can find suitable accommodation. Consider whether to look for a hotel room or perhaps for what can be a better cost per person, with Paris apartments and hence, self catering facilities and the chance to live more like the locals. The great thing about Paris is that the city offers literally every form of accommodation, with everything from youth hostels and B&Bs through to high end boutique hotels.

Getting to Paris

Getting to the French capital is relatively simple with many forms of transport into Paris. Paris has one of the worlds busiest international airports, is well connected by high speed train and is equally well connected by road. You can several Paris travel guides detailing everything including travel to Paris online with the Holiday-Velvet travel guides. You might also want to check the Air France website for flights.

Further Information

For more useful ideas about travel to this beautiful city, make sure also to read the Paris Travel News blog and about the local culture. Also you might really enjoy reading about the best restaurants in the Champs Elysees area!

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Paris culture

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Buying a holiday home in Paris

According to the French Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs, historical romance capital of the world, Paris is the most popular city tourist destination on the planet, with more than six million visitors each year. Since hotel accommodation is expensive, many frequent visitors to the city opt to purchase a holiday home that they can use and share with family and friends, and rent out to other visitors. Despite the economic downturn and financial volatility in Europe, the Paris property market remains strong and prices are high. Idf you shop around, there are some decent mortgage deals for buying property in Paris, both from UK banks and from banks in France.

Paris property

Paris property

With its historic buildings and the scarcity of property stock, purchasing property, particularly apartments, in central Paris will be expensive. However, since the city has excellent public transportation, it makes good economic sense to look outside of the city itself for a holiday home, where farmhouses and villas with sufficient land for a swimming pool, can be purchased for significantly less than a centrally-located one- or two-bedroom apartment.

Buyers with their hearts set on a pied-a-terre at the heart of beautiful central Paris, should know that the city is divided into 20 arrondissements, or administrative districts, each with an average population of around 25,000. They are numbered one through twenty and are arranged in a clockwise spiral, with number one being at the very center of the city. As with any capital city, not all arrondissements are equal, and the buyer should do his homework, to identify the district which best suits his needs and budget. Some of the most popular are:

4th Arrondissement – Hotel de Ville

Quirky and chic independent stores and a wealth of bars and restaurants around The Marais has made this area popular with both the Jewish and the gay communities. Apartments around the Place des Vosges are the most expensive.

6th Arrondissement – Luxembourg

St. Germain des Pres is popular with foreign residents who want their own little bit of historic, cultural and artistic Paris. This arrondissement, together with the 7th Palais-Bourbon district are the most expensive residential areas in the city.

12th Arrondissement – Reuilly

Popular with first-time buyers, Reuilly represents good value for money, with property prices 30 to 50 percent cheaper here than other districts.

16th Arrondissement – Passy

Buyers with young children flock to Passy and the properties around Auteuil, Muette and Victor Hugo with its family-friendly stores, restaurants and open spaces.

Interested also in Paris family travel?

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Shopping

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Paris Sites: Eiffel Tower

January 16, 2012

Of all the places I have travelled around the world, the Eiffel Tower remains one of my favourite places in the world in terms of sites to stand and marvel at. What a structure. A stunning attraction.

If you only have time in Paris to see one attractions, let it be the Eiffel Tower!

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Attractions, Culture, Paris, Paris culture

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Youth Hostels to Consider in Paris

December 14, 2011

Paris is a city which has plenty of opportunities for budget travellers and backpackers, in addition to those people looking for higher end accommodation and stays in the French capital. Having spent a few nights in many of the youth hostels in Paris, here are my favourite  youth hostels to stay in Paris.

BVJ Louvre Youth Hostel

This is one of the better placed hostels in the city and is close to Le Louvre, Paris and various other attractions. As part of a national chain this is a trustworthy establishment offering a safe and convenient place to stay.

Youth Hostels in Paris

Youth Hostels in Paris

Woodstock

This is a cosy hostel which has a party atmosphere but top class resources as far as youth hostels go. The breakfast is included in the cost and there is a convenient baggage room where you can leave your belongings in good faith.

Le Village

People staying at this hostel have the choice of either staying in double bedrooms or dormitories. The hostel has a great location in the middle of Montmartre which is one of the most popular areas of the city. One of the best things about staying here is the design of the building itself, which is in keeping with the artistic nature of the area. All rooms have private bathrooms.

Peace and Love

This is a fun and friendly place to stay and is especially appealing to those who like to socialise with fellow travellers as the onsite bar sells drinks for much cheaper than elsewhere in the city centre. There is free wifi access and a comfortable tv area, whilst each of the rooms has a shower and sink. Rooms vary in size from double up to 14 bed dorms.

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Culture

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A Short History of L’Arc De Triomphe

November 15, 2011

L’arc de Triomphe is one of the most iconic structures in the city of Paris and attracts millions of visitors each year. Aside from the obvious fact that the structure of L’arc de Triomphe is so huge, the other main draw to it is the history and the significant that it has seen over the years.

When the Emperor Napoleon returned victorious from the battle at Austerlitz in 1806, he commissioned work to begin on the arc as a tribute to the event, and indeed the arc went on to become a memorial for members of the French army who died in battle over the years. After taking two years to lay the foundations of the arc it was not long before the now famous structure began to take shape. The first time the residents of Paris were actually given a clue as to what the completed structure would look like when Napoleon had a wooden version erected for his wedding day in 1810, but it was during king Loiuse-Phillippe was on the throne towards the middle of the 19th century that the arc made real progress.

Paris attractions

Paris attractions

Many of the most significant battles and wars in which the French have participated since the arc was erected are now commemorated in or on the arc, including the famous tomb of the Unknown Soldier, an unnamed soldier who died in the First World War, whose remains are in a coffin in the chapel within the arc.

The arc has been the backdrop for many famous marches through Paris, including the notorious German invasion parade which was mirrored by the allies when they reclaimed the country.

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Art, Attractions, Culture, Day Trips, Paris culture

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5 Paris Ideas for Family holidays

October 14, 2011

A Paris family holiday trip can be just as exciting as if you were just a couple on a romantic holiday, given that Paris can be an excellent family location.

Paris Family travel ideas

Although Paris is a romantic playground for grown-up visitors, you might be surprised to find out how kid-friendly this cosmopolitan city is under the surface.  With proper planning, even sites that kids might consider stuffy can turn into grand adventures and the sites adults think are just for kids can be the highlight of their trip!

Tour the Carousels

Tour the Carousels- For a full day adventure that can be beautifully folded in with sightseeing activities, have a treasure hunt to find the all the exquisite carousels tucked around Paris.  In the process, the family will wind up visiting sites like the Luxembourg Gardens, the Sacre Coeur in Montmartre, the Jardin Des Tuileries and even the Eiffel Tower.  Some carousels are double-deckers with not only the traditional painted high

Paris walks

Paris walks

horses but gondolas for the adults to ride in luxury and sexy mermaids that tempt even the teenagers. Smaller toddler carousels have enchanting fanciful creatures that are just the right size for their first ride on a merry-go-round.

Sandcastles on the Seine

Sandcastles on the Seine – Although scoffed at by many when it opened in 2002, the series of manmade beaches along the Seine known as the Paris Plages developed  into a success by offering individual themes like swimming spots, sandy beaches or launches from which to explore the Seine in a kayak or canoe.  Often you can catch a free concert in the evenings, but to find an open spot amid the coveted strips of sand to build a sandcastle is challenging but part of the fun.

Science Museums

Science Museums – Reputed to be the finest science museum in the world,  the Universcience complex  embraces both the ornate Paris Science museum (the Palais de la Découverte)  built in the 1930s and the sparkling new Paris Science Museum (Cité des Sciences  et de l’Industrie at the Parc). Interactive exhibits help kids (and adults) develop a richer understanding of the scientific method. The Geode IMAX theatre  features films for the older kids and the Children’s Cité is designed especially for pre-school children with age appropriate exhibits where they can play for 90 minute sessions with pure abandon.

Theme Parks

Theme Parks – Definitely Disneyland Paris attracts the most visitors (and heated debate) but don’t overlook other amusement parks that may not be flashy but are just as entertaining.  The Parc Aserix is Disney’s main rival, sporting the biggest wooden rollercoaster in Europe. Spend a day roaming the France Miniature Map with its fascinating bird’s eye view of the French countryside that covers 12 acres with exquisitely detailed scale models including recognizable landmarks. The Aquaboulevard is the world’s largest indoor water park and the complex also houses cinemas, sports facilities and restaurants.

Paris Zoos and Aquariums

Zoos and Aquariums – The animal and undersea kingdoms are well represented in and around Paris and expeditions to the aquarium or zoo are entertaining and educational for all.  There are two aquariums, Sea Val d’Europe is the biggest with over 30 displays but the CinéAqua has (originally the Aquarium du Trocadero) has undergone major renovations to add more marine related attractions.  The traditional 15 acre Parc Zoologique de Vincennes it is within metro riding distance of the city center and has long been home to exotic and endangered species from around the world.  If you have access to a car, you can drive through the Parc Zoologique de Thoiry  safari park, but  be prepared to do plenty of walking as well to get even closer to friendly animals like the sea lions, giraffes and even get up close and personal with France’s first visiting komodo dragons.

About the author:Lela Lake is a life-long Paris lover and writes for Hostelbookers.com, the budget travel specialists. You can browse the site’s selection of Cheap Paris Hotel or enter their Love Paris competition for the chance to win one of four free trips to the City of Light. Find out also about family travel insurance or ideas for Paris travel insurance.

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Attractions, Culture, Paris, Paris culture

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Visiting Aquaboulevard in Paris

October 11, 2011

When looking for a fun family activity to enjoy in Paris you should look no further than the Aquaboulevard water park. The park is a mixture of indoor and outdoor space which boasts a superb range of slides, pools and activities for all of the family to enjoy.

Aquaboulevard is the largest urban water park in Europe and is superbly well designed to be exciting and attractive to children whilst also catering for adults. There is a surprising amount of space to enjoy simple swimming or splash about with the kids, especially as the indoor pools are connected to the outside which are equally fun on a rainy day as they are in the sun.

Paris Beach

Paris Beach

As well as long windy slides there are smaller ones designed for younger children and various other water features to explore. For the adults there are spa pools and also sauna facilities available on site. Other features of the park include crazy golf and picnic areas.

Travelling from the centre of the city to Aquaboulavard is easy as you can just jump onto metro line 8 in the direction of Balard, take the tram in the same direction, take a mainline train on line c to Boulevard Victor or take the short journey in a hire car. You should be able to get to Aquaboulevard in half an hour or less from the city centre.

Paris beach as it is sometimes also called is a great idea both for its tourist value for the city coffers and for its fun value for local and for visitors. It seemed like a crazy idea in its infancy but the idea have continued over recent years and now seems to have its place set in stone as it were.

Find more Paris travel ideas from the Holiday Velvet Online travel guides series.

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French Open Tennis Tournament

July 10, 2011

There are many professional tennis tournaments in the world each year, but there are four which are considered to be the best in the world. The French Open Tennis Tournament is amongst these tournaments and is contested each year at Roland Garros beginning in the month of May.

French Open

French Open Tennis Tournament

Each time the tournament begins, the best players in the world congregate in Paris to battle it out for one of the most coveted titles—an event which grabs the attention of the world’s media and mesmerizes the residents of Paris as well as the thousands of tourists who travel to Paris especially to witness the event.

The French open is played on clay and is widely considered to be the most important clay contest in the world.

Clay is a surface which favours the player who is able to really apply spin to the ball, and is conducive to a style of play that you cannot find in any of the other major tournaments.

The French open event is contested over a two week period which means that there are plenty of opportunities for the sports and events fan to gain access to the event and enjoy watching a game on one of the many courts at Rolland Garros.

Many of the courts only have small stands whilst there are a few courts which can accommodate significant numbers of people, with another due to be built over the coming years.

Visiting the French Open will give you a great opportunity to explore Paris and all of the city’s fabulous attractions.

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Attractions, Day Trips, Paris, Sports

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5 Modern Attractions to Visit in Paris

June 24, 2011

Although the historical attractions in Paris are undoubtedly one of the best tourist features the city boasts, there indeed are plenty of other sites not worth neglecting; and below is a brief guide to the 5 modern attractions to visit in Paris.

Pompidou Centre

Pompidou Centre

The Pompidou Centre

This is a great example of state of the art architecture, which confounds beyond Paris as it is home to the largest modern art museum in Europe, standing as a great modern attraction.

Stade de France

This stadium is a modern attraction that was built specifically for the world cup in 2002 and is the height of modern stadia. You can visit here to take a tour, admire the size and design of it or to take in one of the many world-class sporting events and concerts which take place here.

Grande Arche de la Defense

This is yet another modern attraction in Paris, and a cousin of L’Arc De Triomphe which is also found in the city. It was built in the 1980s and is similar in size to its historical relative. It’s located within a modern business park but also has luscious greenery from which you can admire this feat of architecture.

Les Halles

Last but not least in our list of 5 modern attractions in Paris is this huge shopping mall in the centre of the city – Les Halles, which is home to hundreds of shops, cafes, restaurants and entertainment venues varying in size and nature.

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Art, Attractions, Museums, Paris

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5 Traditional French Desserts to Enjoy in Paris

May 6, 2011

One of the most celebrated aspects of French culture is the food. Whilst the savoury dishes take most of the spotlight, there are also countless high quality French desserts which you simply must sample. Below are just some.

Crepes – This is the continental cousin of the pancake with which we are so familiar. Crepes are generally very thin and can be enjoyed with a variety of sweet and savoury fillings, although if you wish to be truly traditional you can enjoy them with Cider in keeping with the Brittany tradition.

French Desserts

French Desserts

Creme Caramel – Not to be confused with its cousin, Creme Brulee, this is a custard desert which is topped off with a layer of caramel. This is an extremely sweet but entirely satisfying dish which has spread around the world, but there is nothing quite like the way the French make it.

Gateau aux Noix – This is a walnut cake which can be made in a variety of different ways. Whichever way you try it, you are assured to find yourself a new favourite dish.

Tarte aux Fruits – This is a dessert which can be enjoyed hot or cold. The fruity taste makes it an ideal treat to enjoy on the summers day. The fruit is laid on top of the flan as opposed to in the actual mixture itself, so there are a number of different ways to tackle this provincial favourite.

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Culture, Food, Paris, Paris culture

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