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Three Things You Must See in Paris

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Three Things You Must See in Paris

If you are planning a trip to Paris this year, you are one very lucky person. While you are there, you might get overwhelmed with all the fun things to do and see. So, we have put together three must-see locations that you should visit before you leave. Each of these locations are super special and you will be amazed by them. Let’s get started, shall we?

Go See the Louvre Museum

One of the most amazing places in the entire city is the Louvre Museum. If you love art, you will be happy to find that this Paris destination is the largest art museum in the world! Since this place is so huge, it will take you many hours to see it all. A great way to learn more about the artwork you will find here is by taking one of the many Louvre tours. These professionally guided tours will allow you to learn much of the rich history that is contained in the walls of this impressive museum. By having a guide to show you around, you will get to learn more than you would on your own.

Disneyland Paris

If you have kids or you are a kid at heart, then you have to go to Disneyland Paris. This amazing theme park has some of the same rides that you will find in the United States and some unique ones. Many of the rides here have their own twist of the original versions which makes them all the more fun. If you plan a visit here, make sure you come early in the morning to beat the crowds of people. Also, this will help you avoid those long lines for rides that are common at this very popular Paris location.

The Eiffel Tower

This is the most iconic site in all of Paris and France. The Eiffel Tower is a beautiful monument that will take your breath away. During the day, you should tour this amazing tower so that you can see the amazing views of the city. But you should also come back at night to witness the beautiful lighting the tower provides. When you do decide to visit the Eiffel Tower, make sure that you are prepared to wait in line because there is normally a crowd of people waiting to get in. You can avoid these crowds if you visit during the winter months. Summer seems to be the most popular time with tourists and you will often have to wait for hours just to get to the top.

These must-see locations should be on everyone’s bucket list. If you are visiting Paris this year, make sure to spend some time at each of these attractions. You will have a blast riding those super cool rides at Disneyland Paris and your heart will pound when you take that ride up the Eiffel Tower lift. After you have had your thrills, make sure that you spend some relaxing time visiting the world’s largest art museum.

Experiencing Paris like a Parisian Local

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Even if you’re just visiting Paris for a short amount of time, having some genuine recommendations from locals can be a great way to experience hidden gems that are well and truly off the tourist track.

We’ve spoken to the travel experts at AutoClick and asked them to tell us about their favourite secret locations in Paris, which we’re hoping will bridge the gap between visitor and local.

Hidden Parisian Gems

Parc des Buttes Chaumont
This park is known for being a summer hangout for many locals looking to escape the heat of the city on a summers evening. Picnics are the order of the day, and you’ll often find couples walking arm in arm looking for a quiet spot to enjoy their dinner.

Top Tip: Visit the park as the evening draws in, for beautiful views of the sunset.

Le Marché des Enfants Rouges
Perhaps you’re staying in an apartment with a kitchen, which means you can do some food shopping at the city’s oldest food market. Although the market is often very busy, you’ll see fantastic tables of fruit and vegetables.

Even if you’re staying in a hotel, the beautiful produce displays will be a real eye opening and a very different experience to the Supermarché!

Vintage Shopping
Paris is known for being home to famous luxurious fashion brands, but just off the beaten track you’ll find some treasures in vintage clothing shops. Be prepared to look through piles of clothes and if you’re after a bargain, then these are the best places to look.

Secret Bistros
There’s more to Paris than expensive bars and restaurants. You might have to travel a little further out to find them (which is where hiring a car in Paris could come in handy) but when you do stumble upon a hidden gem you’ll be pleased you made the journey.

Visit the Temple of Love
Of course, Paris is the most romantic city in the world – but instead of gazing across the city from the top of the Eiffel Tower, or putting a lock on Love-Locks bridge, why not visit the hidden Temple of Love, which is in the middle of a lake in the Bois de Vincennes park.

The Temple of Love is much less well known than some of the other romantic attractions boasted by Paris, so you’re unlikely to be sharing your romantic moment with a crowd.

The lake has rowing boats available to hire, which adds to the adventure.

Eat Oysters!
Paris and France may be well known for Escargot, but if that’s not really your thing, then Huitres (oysters) might be more suitable.

Visit the south of the city to find beautiful seafood bistros, with rickety tables outside.

Top Tip: Get to the restaurant at around 7pm to avoid disappointment and always ask to see the specials menu!

Enjoy a boat tour on Canal Saint Martin
Canal Saint Martin is lined with cafes, galleries and bars, so enjoying a boat tour along here means you might find even more hidden gems to visit later in the day. Choosing the canal over the Seine, means that you’ll avoid crowds (and queues!).

Choosing the Perfect Holiday Apartments in Paris

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It’s probably no surprise to anyone that a vacation to France has made it onto more than one dreamer’s bucket list. From the Eiffel Tower to its world-famous museums, there is more than enough to see and do in Paris alone to keep a visitor entertained for weeks on end. Luckily, at the end of the day, weary travelers have almost limitless options when it comes to choosing where they lay their heads each night. Quaint B&B’s, and charming hotels dot the city’s landscape, and for those wishing to immerse themselves into the culture more deeply, holiday apartments provide all of the creature comforts of home for an extended stay.

Many times it is simply more economical for adventurers to seek out longer-term rentals. Particularly in situations where a trip might be combined with work, or perhaps Paris has been chosen as a jumping off point, or home base for a more extensive trip through Europe. Private apartment rentals are an attractive option in this regard as they offer a more customizable environment, more room, and more freedom to come and go as you please. Not having to worry about the hassles of re-booking expensive hotel rooms, making scheduled meal times, or needing to tip someone every time you reach for a towel leaves you with more time to relax and enjoy your stay on your own terms.

Here is a quick look at some of the options available to travelers visiting the City of Love. Each place offers a different type of hospitality to help you plan your trip just the way you like.

Hotels

When it comes to booking a stay in one of the many stylish, and luxurious hotels of Paris, there are almost as many options to choose from as there are sights to see. You will find small, privately owned motels that provide you with Old World charm, and the unique fingerprint of the proprietor, to large scale and popularly known hospitality chains that cater to travellers every whim. Some of the most extravagant establishments offer Five Star dining and deluxe accommodations designed to please and impress more discerning vacationers. You may need to do a bit of investigating to find the right fit for your personal dream vacation, but your choices are limitless.

B&B’s

The B&B is one the more romantic options for honeymooners, lovers and anyone wanting to add something special to an important anniversary. Travelers looking for a bit more pampering from their vacation will love the “welcome home” atmosphere that most B&B owners offer. The bed and breakfast experience also offers a more personal touch with the local French culture. Home cooked meals are provided, where guests discuss their itineraries and get real insider information from their hosts about where to find the best wine bar or restaurant. The hosts may even let you in on local secret gems, and which tourist traps to avoid. This option is great for anyone looking for a touch of personality on his or her European adventure.

Holdiay Rentals

If you are spending more than a few days then it makes sense to book a holiday rental in Paris. It actually works out to be more economical to rent an apartment, and you will get the experience of living in Paris as opposed to being somewhere purely for tourists. Apartment style living is great for travelers who are looking for a bit more personal freedom than the average tourist.

Apartments vary in size and cost and are plentiful. Most provide traveling tenants the unique opportunity to come and go as they please, just as they would in their own home. Owners usually furnish their rentals with modern amenities like internet and cable tv, and all furnishings are provided. Apartments also let visitors prepare food they buy from local markets in a private kitchen.

Regardless of how you imagine your romantic vacation in Paris, a perfect getaway is waiting to be discovered that will push your experience beyond our expectations.

Pack your bags to… Paris

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The City of Light is one of the world’s most romantic travel destinations and has it all. Yearning for some seriously beautiful cityscapes and iconic monuments? Consider it done. Hungry for one of the globe’s most famous cuisines? It’s literally on a plate. Eager for a dose of super high culture? It’s all yours for the taking. Yet in all that, are you tired of the old Parisian travel clichés, and keen to discover a different side to the Paris everyone else knows and loves? Well, you’ve come to the right place. So you’ve taken your pick of the abundance of Paris holiday apartments. As one of the world’s most visited locations, there’s no shortage of holiday rentals here, so finding a base in one of the city’s glorious and varied arrondissements won’t prove problematic. All you have to do is focus on the city break to trump all city breaks. Allow us to offer up a few suggestions.

Things to do

What could be more French that hurtling through the country’s capital in an old Citroen 2CV? Unless you’re eating a portion of escargot while you’re at it, not much. Check out the kitsch and genius 4rous Sous 1parapluie who provide chauffeured tours of Paris’s must-see areas while you sit back and take it all in.

Visit Montmartre. This heartbreakingly quaint area of Paris made famous by Amelie isn’t just beautiful; it’s bustling with life, steeped in the cabaret-artisan history made famous by the likes of Toulouse Lautrec. And amongst its eateries, cafes and gift shops, there’s a tiny little vineyard where visitors can book a short tour and taste some of its produce.

Eat dinner on the Seine. Book in on a much-recommended riverboat tour one evening and enjoy a three-course meal while absorbing the city’s sites from the romance of the water. This must be what it would have felt like to be Edith Piaf!

Best time to go

Paris is incredible all year round, but it’s no accident that its synonymy with springtime has endured. As the city bursts into new floral life, the swell of its romantic atmosphere couldn’t get any more acute. But while some argue that the summer months is the best time to visit Paris, taking a trip during winter time also has its magical merits: it isn’t called the City of Light for nothing.

Top 3 Hipster districts to visit

Canal St Martin: This is where the young and in the know hang out these days, catching up with friends and enjoying a beer or two in the dwindling sunlight. Check out its focal point, Point Ephémere, for gigs, exhibitions and the kind of underground Parisian culture nobody else has ever managed to find.

Le Marais: Not strictly orthodox hipster, but cool as alley cats nonetheless. Browse the area’s vintage scene, its boutiques and galleries, and sate your inner culture vulture’s thirst with a glass of something delicious outside one of its many brasseries.

Menilmontant: The 20th arrondissement’s buzzing alternative artists scene is as vibrant today as it was in its famous 1930s heyday. If you like café culture and artist spotting, this is your place.

Insider locations to dine and hangout

We’ve all gotta eat, and who doesn’t want a refreshing biere at the end of a long day taking in the best Paris has to offer? Take a look at some of our favourites.

Eat
Chez Janou
2 Rue Roger Verlomme
75003
+33 1 42 72 28 41
This utterly authentic restaurant in The Marais region boasts Frencher than French cuisine and will have you feeling like a native boho in no time.

Auteuil Brasserie
78 Rue d’Auteuil
75016
+33 1 40 71 11 90
Munch down on some of Paris’s finest Italian food at this restaurant that was until recently an abandoned railway station.

Le Petit Vendome
8 Rue des Capucines
75002
+33 1 42 61 05 88
Ideal (and very popular) for a light lunch, grab a delicious filled baguette and go. Just be prepared to join a long queue!

Bars
Batofar
13 Quai Francois Mauriac
75013
+33 1 53 60 17 00
It’s worth going the distance to reach this boat conversion into a bar and club for a great night out.

Le Sans Souci
65 Rue Jean-Baptiste Pigalle
75009
+33 1 48 74 37 28
This popular bar in the Pigalle area attracts throngs of locals in pursuit of refreshment; a great way to experience the real crust of Paris nightlife.

Experimental Cocktail Club
37 Rue Saint-Sauveur
75002
+33 1 45 08 88 09
If cocktails are your poison, you’ll love this trendy bar where mixologists whip a storm of unusual and delicious drinks.

Four reasons to visit France

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France is one of the world’s most popular destinations and there are many reasons why travellers choose to holiday in the country. One of the best adverts for France is that 80% of the French people who leave home for their holidays actually choose to holiday elsewhere in the nation, rather than going to another country. You can’t get a better advert for a country than the bulk of its population not wanting to holiday anywhere else!

So why does France attract so many visitors? Here are just a few good reasons.

Land of history and heritage

France is packed with amazing cathedrals and chateaux, as well as beautiful sites such as Mont St Michel. Where France can let the visitor down, though, is the way in which sites of special historical interest are sometimes presented. Some of the guided tours around magnificent buildings such as the Palais de Versailles can be dull, so make sure to read some Trip Advisor reviews before booking a particular tour. You may have more fun just paying for the entry and going round by yourself.

The great outdoors

There’s a wealth of different landscapes to enjoy in France and, in many of them, you can cycle, bike and hike your way through beautiful territories. A great example would be the wine route in areas such as the Route des Grands Crus in the Côte de Beaune in Burgundy, where the fields are covered in hectares and hectares of vines, dotted with beautiful villages. For the more adventurous, there’s canyoning to be done – whether you choose the Verdon Gorge in the South East, the Chamonix Valley or around Mont-Blanc or the French Riviera. Canyoning is a mix of different sports, including abseiling down waterfalls, caving, climbing and rafting and it is a great way to get an adrenalin rush in beautiful and dramatic scenery.

Sampling the different wines of Burgundy is all part of the fun
[By Philip Larson]

Be a part of something big

You can always tie in your French trip with a big sporting event. Every year, the Tour de France weaves a different route across the length and breadth of France, and it can be great to stay somewhere near the route so you can stand by the roadside and cheer on the cyclists. In the build-up to the leaders and the peloton passing through, there’s also the lively atmosphere of the caravan – a stream of different merchandising vehicles that travel the route ahead of the cyclists. Though the cyclists will pass in a blur of helmets and lycra, it’s a great spectacle.

Next year sees a massive sporting event being hosted in France, when the finals of Euro 2016 take place in June and July. Nine cities, including Marseille, across France will host different matches, with the opening game and the final taking place at the Stade de France in Paris. The French are hosting the event for the third time and international football betting odds at the time of writing have the host country at around 4/1 to win the tournament, behind the 2014 World Cup winners Germany. Even if you don’t get tickets to any of the games, the atmosphere is sure to be lively while Euro 2016 is on in la belle France.

Paris

Notre Dame on the Seine in Paris
[By  dalbera]

Need we say more! Paris is a city that seems to be on most people’s travel bucket lists. The city is one that has always been linked with romance, beauty, art and history, and always will be. Paris is easy to navigate on foot, or using the public transport systems, and the different quarters all have their own appealing features. Few would visit Paris without seeing the Eiffel Tower (even if they don’t go up it), taking a trip along the River Seine and visiting museums such as The Louvre and churches such as Notre-Dame.

Whatever the main reasons for wanting to visit France, few people will be disappointed. As well as all the amazing places to visit and see in France, part of the fun of a French holiday is soaking up the culture – things like the croissants and pain au chocolat for breakfast, and the wonderful food you’ll be served in all types of restaurant. Then there are everyday things such as watching (or joining in) a game of boules with the old guys in the village square, settling into the slow pace of life in the countryside where you might have rented a gite, or people-watching on the beaches.
With generally clement summer weather, French holidays have a magical ambience to them. It’s no wonder people return again and again to this beautiful country.

Hotel vs holiday apartment in Paris

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Paris

Paris is one of the most visited cities in the world, and for good reason – it’s a beautiful city. Seriously, it’s amazing. It is a place you have to see for yourself to understand why it is so popular. With such demand to visit you will notice once you start planning your trip how expensive hotels are compared to other capital cities in Europe. With such high prices and little value for money it is worth considering renting a apartment when staying in Paris.

When it comes to renting a holiday apartment many people may just assume that this type of accommodation is limited to beach resorts, but apartment rental is a common form of holiday accommodation in Europe. Apartment types can range from studio apartments, to homes with multiple bedrooms. You will find that you can get a much bigger place for the same money you would have spent on a hotel room.

One of the biggest benefits of renting an apartment is that you have a kitchen, which will mean you will be able to save money on food costs, especially if you are staying over a longer period of time. And obviously the more in your family/party, the more you will save.

Another benefit of staying in an apartment is the feeling of “living like a local”. Your apartment will most likely be in a residential street so you will not stand out like a tourist. You will be coming and going just like the locals do, going shopping at the local supermarket and getting to know the corner cafe.

Apartments are most suitable for longer stays. If you are just staying for the night then a hotel is probably more convenient. Chances are you wont have time to shop for food, and you wont have to pick up the keys.

When looking for an apartment it is best to go through a website that has pre-screened apartments for you. Sites like Housetrip offer holiday apartments in Paris. And if you don’t know which neighbourhood to stay in (or Arrondissement as they say in Paris), they also have a useful guide of where to stay in Paris. Going through a website agency you can read reviews by other guests of the apartment (by people who have actually stayed there, so no fake reviews) and they will have a clearly written process on how to get to the apartment.

Visiting Disneyland Paris from UK? Some Information about Disneyland Paris Tickets

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Disneyland Paris is one travel destination that has remained top on the list of many holiday makers who always come back. For a place to be visited repeatedly, it has to be very attractive. This means that Disneyland Paris tickets are always on demand. There are some families who go there every holiday. This can be attributed to the fact that there is always something new with every visit.

Disneyland Paris constitutes of two parks: Walt Disney Studio Park and Disney Park. It is recommended that you use a park map to choose which among the two would offer you a better experience. Your choice should also be guided by your budget. AttractionTix are budget-friendly if booked in advance.

Since this is a popular destination, long queues are sometimes inevitable. To fully utilize your time and have maximum fun, you can get Fastpass tickets from fastpass systems which are installed in machines around the park. The tickets are free of charge and allow you to enjoy other attractions as you wait for your time slot for popular rides such as Buzz Lightyear’s Blast and Pans Dream Flight.

This holiday destination can be used for celebrations such as birthdays, short or long holidays. There are so many activities such as sight-seeing in Disneyland Paris so you can be sure to get total value for your money as you purchase a ticket. If you live in UK, this is a perfect family weekend getaway. Before booking your travels be sure to familiarize yourself with the ticket options. One ticket offer includes unlimited admission for 4 days to the two parks for the ticket price of three days. You should regularly check for new and better offers as well during the year.

In most cases, short breaks do not exceed five days. You will find tickets for 1-5 days which will match the family weekend trip period. The cost of the ticket depends on the number of days, whether you are interested in one or the two parks and the number of adults and children in your holiday group. Children range from 0-11 years.
For example, if your visit is one day and you prefer to visit the two parks for celebrations, the ticket costs £49 for adults and £44 for children. For total calculation, put the quantity of the tickets you want before you add to basket. These are details for one of the tickets but when you visit the website you will access more ticketing information. There are more Disneyland Paris tickets on the website.

Top Dream Wedding Venues

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Okay, so these wedding venues may be a tad out of our price range, but we can always dream. Although your wedding budget may not cover these exclusive venues, they may just give you the inspiration you need to arrange your big day. Here are the most luxurious and magical locations from across the world.

Claridge’s, London

The crème de la crème of London’s rich and famous visit Claridge’s for premium luxury. Booking a wedding in this decadent hotel will mean your every whim is taken care of, including the organisation of your big day. A complimentary event co-ordinator is thrown in for good measure.

Whether you’re looking for grandeur or intimate chic, Claridge’s has got something for everyone’s taste…as long as that taste is expensive. You’ll even get your own beautiful dressing room for the bridal party.

Ice Hotel, Jukkasjarvi, Sweden

The famous Ice Hotel is the ultimate winter wedding venue. If a festive, snowy landscape charms your socks off, you’ll be enamoured with the reindeer-drawn sleigh, packed with fur blankets. Obviously, you’ll have to adjust your wedding dress for the cold climate.

Everyone can fall asleep in one of the five star ice rooms after a glimmering celebration in the ice bar. Even the church is made of ice!

Blenheim Palace, Oxfordshire, England

A more old school approach to weddings: a friggin’ palace. Blenheim Palace is a gorgeous stately home that was built in the 1760’s. Now its resplendent rooms are open to wedding parties and will make you feel like a true prince or princess. Have your photos snapped in the 2,100 acres of parkland and even enjoy a firework display over the lake.

Hotel Plaza Athenée, Paris

Die-hard romantics, you’ve got to have your wedding in Paris…it’s the rule. The quintessentially French Hotel Plaza Athenée is every Francophile’s dream venue. Drool over showstopping chandeliers and ornate mirrors. Alternatively, have an outdoor wedding in the charming courtyard garden.

Finish off the day with a night in the Eiffel Suite, offering floor-to-ceiling views of – you guessed it – France’s trademark building. Parfait!

The Plaza, New York

You’ll feel an affinity with the city that never sleeps, in the run-up to your wedding day. For an exciting and stylish ceremony, you really can’t top The Plaza. This is grandeur, turn of the century style.

Have a classic, champagne reception in the bar and get your very own butler to wait on you hand-and-foot in one of the luxury suites, with a private terrace and views of central park.

Nunsmere Hall, Cheshire, England

Now for a more affordable destination, Nunsmere Hall is a stunning Edwardian house that stands alone on an island, surrounded by lakes. This wedding venue in Cheshire has everything you could want from a location.

The immaculate gardens are picture-perfect and you can enjoy a flute of champagne with your guests, on the south-facing terrace. This venue is perfect for small weddings, but if you still want to invite all the extended family, you can take the festivities to Nunsmere’s glorious marquee, beautifully furnished with Chinese lanterns.

Paris versus London: Which city is the fairest city?

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Two countries separated by a minute stretch of water, England and France are almost side-by-side. Despite a chequered history between the two countries, each is as rich and diverse as the other. Two capitals joined by a single train line, but which is the fairer of the two?

While Paris has the baguette, London has the doorstop sandwich. Where London has Big Ben, Paris has the Eiffel Tower.

Paris is known as the City of Light and is officially recognised as the world’s most romantic city.

Start your trip to this beautiful area with some pre-booked AttractionTix, where you will find all the magic of the USA’s premium theme park waiting for you in Paris. Wild rides, your favourite characters and so on – a trip to Paris without seeing Eurodisney would be like a trip to the beach without dipping your toe in.

Listing Paris’s great museums and galleries is like creating a world-leading group of cultural institutions – the Musee D’Orsay, the Louvre, Notre Dame… But often the essence of a city is to be found in exploring the streets. And from the alleyways along the banks of the Seine to the winding paths of Montmartre, Paris is certainly picturesque.

Why not try the climb up to Sacré Coeur and enjoy the beautiful views of the city? At 130 metres high, the sights are spectacular. But if you’re more interested in boutique views than city panoramas, head down to Les Halles. From there you can explore some of the best shopping streets Paris has to offer before making your way onto the grand boulevard of the Champs Élysées where designer stores meet macaroon shops and the famous Parisian café culture.

If you decide to visit London, you should buy some London Eye tickets for the views, head to Bond Street for the designer stores, and take a trip down to the South Bank for refined riverside culture and entertainment.

If possible, it seems London has grown even more diverse in the past five years. There really is something for everybody in England’s capital. The food market at Borough, the antiques of Bermondsey and the new pop-up dining scene are major attractions that bring tourists in their thousands to London every day.

It has cultural institutions of its own to shout about, too. Take the Natural History Museum, the Science Museum and the Victoria and Albert Museum, all within a stone’s throw of each other in the heart of South Kensington. Each is a day out in itself.

And yet again, there is much to be said for exploring a city, and the quiet streets and mews of Mayfair and Chelsea are the perfect places to get lost for an hour or two.

Both London and Paris have their qualities, foibles and mysteries that make them unique. Despite French officials themselves claiming that London was a superior city as reported in the Evening Standard in 2010, you and I know that each has its own appealing je ne sais quoi.