Paris, the City of Lights, is a modern European city with attractions for every type of traveler. Whether you're backpacking on a student's budget or tripping the light fantastic, there's something for everyone.
The most reliable and economical way to get around Paris is by using their underground subway system, or Metro. Metro stations are located conveniently throughout the city. Purchase a packet of tickets from the vendors or automated machines located in the stations. Each ticket is good for one on/off portion of travel. There are also passes you may purchase for a week's worth of travel. Don't spend all your travel time underground, though -- there's lots to see in Paris by foot. The Seine snakes through Paris providing a unique opportunity to see the sights. Take a river cruise for a relaxing way to see major Parisian sites like Notre Dame, the Pont Neuf, the Eiffel Tower and the Grand Palais. Try a night cruise to really experience the City of Lights.
No trip to Paris is complete without a trip to the Eiffel Tower. Built in the 1880s, the Eiffel Tower was constructed to commemorate the centennial celebration of the French Revolution and was a feature of the 1889 Paris Exposition, a World's Fair. Rising 984 feet into the air above the Seine, the Eiffel Tower is a striking feature on the Paris landscape. Elevators take tourists to the top where they can enjoy a breathtaking panorama of the city.
The Louvre is one of the most famous museums in Europe, housing such artistic treasures as Da Vinci's Mona Lisa, the Nike of Samothrace and Delacroix's Liberty Leading the People. One the palace of kings, the Louvre opened as the national museum of France in 1793. The museum is 652,300 square feet. Plan to spend at least a full day in this sprawling building filled with antiquities, sculpture, objets d'art, paintings and artifacts. Take a break from art gazing and picnic in the Tuileries Gardens just outside the Louvre and along the Seine. There are beautiful fountains and lovely spots for relaxing and people watching.
High atop a hill in the north of Paris is the neighborhood of Montmartre, now an artists' enclave and home to the basilica of Sacre Coeur, noted for its unusual Byzantine architecture. In the 1800s, many artists lived and worked in Montmartre, including Picasso, Modigliani, van Gogh, Renoir and Degas. The artistic flavor of the neighborhood continues, with sidewalk artists and charming shops and bistros. Take time to wander the winding streets and steep steps of Montmartre.
Though not strictly in the city of Paris, the Chateau de Versailles is not to be missed. Be sure to allow yourself at least a full day to explore Versailles as there is lots to see. Buses and trains run frequently from Paris to Versailles, and the trip takes about 40 minutes. Once a royal hunting lodge, King Louis XIV expanded Versailles in 1669 and it became the official royal residence from 1682 until 1790. Today, Versailles is a museum to French history with painstakingly preserved buildings, art, artifacts and gardens to enjoy. While there, be sure to explore the famed Hall of Mirrors, the King's Chamber the Petit Trianon that was Marie Antoinette's favorite, and the spectacular gardens.
