When you walk down the avenues and boulevards of Paris, everything you could possibly want is always just a few steps away. From legendary galleries and museums whose names are renowned across the world, like The Louvre and the Musée d'Orsay, to striking modern buildings and great places to shop and explore, the city offers endless opportunities.
More than two million people reside in the French capital, making it a remarkably diverse place where you can find an enchanting blend of historical and cultural influences. Even if you're here for just a brief stay, you can find so many different sides of Parisian culture just by wandering from street to street.
Of course the Paris skyline is famous throughout the world in its own right, lined with iconic buildings that you'll recognise from countless paintings and photographs. From the medieval religious grandeur of Notre Dame cathedral to the civic showpieces of Arc de Triomphe and the Eiffel Tower, you will be spoilt for choice when it comes to finding photo opportunities.
Venture out of the centre of town to the bohemian Montmartre district, home of the Moulin Rouge as well as the graceful Basilique du Sacre Coeur greeting you at the top of the famous steps. When you look out across the city from this vantage point, you'll see the towering modernist structure La Grande Arche among the rather different, glittering buildings that make up the city's La Défense business district.
The best way to get around the city is to use the Paris Metro system, a quick and cheap means of transport. Or you may prefer to explore the city on foot, losing yourself amid the beautiful buildings and down the narrow side-streets. Walking down the bustling Champs-Elysées is a thrill in itself, whilst the cosy bars of Le Marais and the charming spots you'll find in St-Germain-de-Prés and St-Michel are all worth taking the time to explore.
And of course no visit to Paris would be complete without enjoying a taste of the two things the French capital is most enduringly famous for: food and fashion. Whether you find yourself craving a coffee and a croissant at a pavement café or a fine dining experience at one of the city's myriad of great restaurants, you won’t be disappointed. And then when you've mustered up enough energy to go exploring the shops, head for the famous Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honouré where you'll find some of the world's leading fashion houses.
