Holiday to Paris

Whether you follow in the footsteps of Hemingway or Picasso, make sure your shoes are comfy for historical walking tours on a city break in Paris. Admire Le Pont-Neuf bridge constructed in 1578 and imagine some 2,000 years of stories along one of the city’s oldest streets, Rue Saint-Jacques. The grand Conciergerie, once a royal palace, was Marie-Antoinette’s prison.

During your short break to Paris, settle in at a sidewalk cafe to see the fabled Parisian fashion scene in action on the streets. For haute couture from the who’s who of luxury brands, look no further than Avenue des Champs-Elysees, one of the streets making up the Golden Triangle. Or for more designer classics, Avenue Montaigne hosts the iconic Dior boutique, along with Louis Vuitton and Chanel.

Set aside plenty of time to tackle the Louvre Museum, home of that lady with the intriguing smile, Leonardo da Vinci’s ‘Mona Lisa’. The epic collection also includes Greek sculptures, such as the ‘Venus de Milo’ and the ‘Winged Victory of Samothrace’ at the top of the Daru staircase. After exploring, re-energise with a masterpiece of Parisian patisseries, pain au chocolat (chocolate croissant), at the museum’s eateries.

Hang out with locals at the trendy wine bars of Canal Saint-Martin before theatre and live music shows. Home to the busy train stations of Gare de l’Est and Gare du Nord, the multicultural 10th Arrondissement blends Turkish restaurants with colourful saris in Passage Brady shops. Photogenic architecture, such as the triumphal arch of Porte Saint-Denis, is a highlight.

Good for: Entertainment, shopping, international restaurants

Love elegant department stores and dressing up for the opera? The best area to stay in Paris is the 9th Arrondissement. See the Paris Opera Ballet at the prestigious Palais Garnier and stroll Grands Boulevards for vintage boutiques in covered arcades. Kids love the Musée Grévin wax museum while night owls are drawn to the buzzing Rue des Martyrs.

Good for: Theatre, family attractions, nightlife

The classic city from postcards greets you in the 8th Arrondissement, the best neighbourhood to stay in Paris for the Arc de Triomphe and the Champs-Elysees. It’s not all about luxury shopping, though. Enjoy spectacular sunsets at Place de la Concorde and go skating in winter under the dome of the Grand Palais. You can’t miss majestic churches, including La Madeleine commissioned by Napoleon.

Good for: Designer shopping, iconic monuments, museums

There are plenty of things to do with family in Paris to keep everyone happy. Hop on the Disneyland® Paris Express shuttle to Disneyland® Paris for a day of theme-park entertainment. A carousel and fairground rides deliver vintage fun at Jardin d’Acclimatation. Sprawl out for picnics on grassy slopes at Jardin du Luxembourg and let the kids burn off energy in the playground.

Hoping the celebrated French fashion sense rubs off on you? Start your shopping in Paris in the Faubourg Saint-Honore district, home to many luxury boutiques. The historic Marais quarter offers a wide range of shopping experiences, but is known for its trendy fashion. Allocate the better part of a day to make the most of the iconic Galeries Lafayette department store.

From the baroque palaces to the museums in Paris, culture fixes are guaranteed in this city. Get a Paris Museum pass for easier access to the tourist favourites of the Louvre, Musée Rodin and the Grand Palais. Go underground into the labyrinth of tunnels at the Catacombs of Paris. Gaze at Notre-Dame Cathedral and marvel at the massive Arc de Triomphe.

In the mood for glamorous cabaret venues, arty bohemian bars or neon-lit clubs? Nightlife in Paris delivers a dizzying array of options, including Opera in the Bastille or late-night discos. Dress your best for exclusive Champs-Elysees clubs or visit local bars in Montmartre after a show at the Moulin Rouge, the birthplace of the French can-can dance.

You’re never far from your next favourite restaurant in Paris, no matter your budget. Save your appetite for the produce markets and cosy bistros of pedestrian-friendly Rue Montorgueil. The Latin Quarter is the place to go for trendy wine bars and trying fried frog legs. For the traditional cafe terraces of a Parisian market street, choose a seat along Rue Cler.

The best free thing to do in Paris is to simply set out for a stroll. It’s free to pop into the Petit Palais and discover fine art. Visit atmospheric Cemetery Pere Lachaise for Gothic gravestones and the resting sites of The Doors frontman Jim Morrison, and poet and playwright Oscar Wilde. It doesn’t cost a cent to stop and smell the roses at Jardin des Tuileries, one of the city’s most popular green spaces.