Widely regarded as the most beautiful city in the world, Paris still retains the romance that has made it famous as the City of Love. It is like nowhere else on Earth, a palimpsest of architectural beauty that has been built up, demolished and rebuilt throughout centuries of social repression, bloody revolution, foreign occupation and domestic unrest. Out of the ashes of La Terreur came this greatly anachronistic yet highly modern city, whose elegance, style and sense of fun is unparalleled the world over. There is so much to see in Paris, and a weekend is, unfortunately, too short a time to take it all in. The advice below, however, will help to make a short stay in the most romantic city in the world that much more enjoyable.
Booking.com
Rent a short-term apartment
For short stays, book a short-term apartment, not a hotel. Five star hotels in Paris are world class but those without such a rating are all too often disappointing, poorly situated and shabby. Use a reputable website like Paris Perfect or Paris Luxe.
Go out immediately
Once unpacked, go out immediately and have a drink. Flanerie means being generally lazy and idly carelessly through life. Any self-respecting flaneur will hole up at a pavement cafe with a glass of wine, watching the day idle by. In the more upmarket districts there is nothing more fascinating than to observe the haute couture of the locals who parade by.
Go to the Louvre
The Mona Lisa (La Joconde in French), Antonio Canova's Psyche Revived By Cupid's Kiss and the Venus de Milo may be among its most visited exhibits, but its most socially important and enlightening pieces are sadly often overlooked. Napoleon's ludicrously ornate apartments are not to be missed; they give some sense of the scale of his own sense of self-importance, and host some of the most beautiful rooms in the city.
Go to the Musee de l'Armee
The Hotel Des Invalides in the 7th arrondissement was France's primary military hospital. Part of this enormous edifice serves the same purpose today, but the rest of the building and its courtyards comprise a military parade ground and museum. Its surfeit of weaponry and other militaria can be a little daunting in its sheer size, but young Louis XIV's childhood suit of armour is worth a look for comedic value alone. Napoleon Bonaparte's tomb sits at the rear of the building under its iconic gold dome, and is an absolute must-see.
Saint Germain des Pres: Les Deux Magots & Cafe de Flore
Most people still insist that the Metro is the finest way to get around in Paris. They are liars. An air conditioned cab weaving through Paris' immaculate boulevards and quaint alleyways is infinitely preferable to a cramped Metro carriage, and offers the chance to see all the pomp and splendour of Paris, particularly at night when all is illuminated. Taxis are cheap (minimum fare 5 euros) and are significantly cleaner than the Metro. From the Hotel Des Invalides, hail a cab to follow the the Rive Gauche down to Saint Germain des Pres, the sophisticated 6th arrondissement. Its fashion boutiques, literary cafes and cobbled streets sit on land that ranks among the most expensive real estate in France. Stop for a coffee in the Cafe Flore or Deux Magots, the cafes at the centre of the Existentialist movement, whose famous former patrons include Sarte, Beauvoir and Hemingway among many others.
The Latin Quarter, Notre Dame, Le Marais
Walk along Boulevard Saint Germain, meandering through its small neighbouring alleyways and passages, into the 5th arrondissement, the Latin Quarter. As home of the Sorbonne, France's most famous university and alma mater of some of the world's most influential thinkers, the district took its name from the language of choice of thirteenth century students who populated it. Walk down Rue Saint Jacques to the river bank and marvel at the gothic splendour of France's catholic home, la Cathedrale de Notre Dame. Hunchback fans will be disappointed though; Quasimodo was invented by Victor Hugo at the Paris Council's request to bring more tourism to the impecunious church.
The Ritz Paris: The Hemingway Bar
The Hotel Ritz Paris is a must-see. This former home of Coco Chanel retains some of the magic of the thirties and forties, when Hemingway was a regular at the downstairs bar. Now named in his honour, the tiny wood- panelled watering hole tucked away in the back of the building was renovated by head barman Colin Peter Field, the man widely considered to be the world's best barman. Ask him to make a drink to suit one's mood and he will proffer befitting ambrosial alcohols of the finest quality, to be supped in silent awe whilst gazing at the famous faces all around.
The Piece de Resistance: The Eiffel Tower
The Marmite of French monuments, it is loved and hated in equal measure by Parisians. What is undeniable is the sheer magnitude of Gustav Eiffel's vision. Swamped by tourists during the day, head to the foot of the tower at around 10pm for a shorter queue and the spectacular light show, when the tower sparkles with innumerable white lights on the hour. For the discerning gourmand, book a table at Le Jules Verne, the restaurant on the second floor recently renovated by culinary superstar Alain Ducasse, offering the very finest view of the city with world class haute cuisine.
Booking.com
Leaving Paris
Inevitably the time will come to return home, but fear not. Ernest Hemingway said that "Paris stays with you, for Paris truly is a moveable feast", and his words ring more than true today. A trip to the City of Light will play on in the memory forever.
Author Twinkle Brar
Booking.com
Rent a short-term apartment
For short stays, book a short-term apartment, not a hotel. Five star hotels in Paris are world class but those without such a rating are all too often disappointing, poorly situated and shabby. Use a reputable website like Paris Perfect or Paris Luxe.
Go out immediately
Once unpacked, go out immediately and have a drink. Flanerie means being generally lazy and idly carelessly through life. Any self-respecting flaneur will hole up at a pavement cafe with a glass of wine, watching the day idle by. In the more upmarket districts there is nothing more fascinating than to observe the haute couture of the locals who parade by.
Go to the Louvre
The Mona Lisa (La Joconde in French), Antonio Canova's Psyche Revived By Cupid's Kiss and the Venus de Milo may be among its most visited exhibits, but its most socially important and enlightening pieces are sadly often overlooked. Napoleon's ludicrously ornate apartments are not to be missed; they give some sense of the scale of his own sense of self-importance, and host some of the most beautiful rooms in the city.
Go to the Musee de l'Armee
The Hotel Des Invalides in the 7th arrondissement was France's primary military hospital. Part of this enormous edifice serves the same purpose today, but the rest of the building and its courtyards comprise a military parade ground and museum. Its surfeit of weaponry and other militaria can be a little daunting in its sheer size, but young Louis XIV's childhood suit of armour is worth a look for comedic value alone. Napoleon Bonaparte's tomb sits at the rear of the building under its iconic gold dome, and is an absolute must-see.
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Saint Germain des Pres: Les Deux Magots & Cafe de Flore
Most people still insist that the Metro is the finest way to get around in Paris. They are liars. An air conditioned cab weaving through Paris' immaculate boulevards and quaint alleyways is infinitely preferable to a cramped Metro carriage, and offers the chance to see all the pomp and splendour of Paris, particularly at night when all is illuminated. Taxis are cheap (minimum fare 5 euros) and are significantly cleaner than the Metro. From the Hotel Des Invalides, hail a cab to follow the the Rive Gauche down to Saint Germain des Pres, the sophisticated 6th arrondissement. Its fashion boutiques, literary cafes and cobbled streets sit on land that ranks among the most expensive real estate in France. Stop for a coffee in the Cafe Flore or Deux Magots, the cafes at the centre of the Existentialist movement, whose famous former patrons include Sarte, Beauvoir and Hemingway among many others.
The Latin Quarter, Notre Dame, Le Marais
Walk along Boulevard Saint Germain, meandering through its small neighbouring alleyways and passages, into the 5th arrondissement, the Latin Quarter. As home of the Sorbonne, France's most famous university and alma mater of some of the world's most influential thinkers, the district took its name from the language of choice of thirteenth century students who populated it. Walk down Rue Saint Jacques to the river bank and marvel at the gothic splendour of France's catholic home, la Cathedrale de Notre Dame. Hunchback fans will be disappointed though; Quasimodo was invented by Victor Hugo at the Paris Council's request to bring more tourism to the impecunious church.
The Ritz Paris: The Hemingway Bar
The Hotel Ritz Paris is a must-see. This former home of Coco Chanel retains some of the magic of the thirties and forties, when Hemingway was a regular at the downstairs bar. Now named in his honour, the tiny wood- panelled watering hole tucked away in the back of the building was renovated by head barman Colin Peter Field, the man widely considered to be the world's best barman. Ask him to make a drink to suit one's mood and he will proffer befitting ambrosial alcohols of the finest quality, to be supped in silent awe whilst gazing at the famous faces all around.
The Piece de Resistance: The Eiffel Tower
The Marmite of French monuments, it is loved and hated in equal measure by Parisians. What is undeniable is the sheer magnitude of Gustav Eiffel's vision. Swamped by tourists during the day, head to the foot of the tower at around 10pm for a shorter queue and the spectacular light show, when the tower sparkles with innumerable white lights on the hour. For the discerning gourmand, book a table at Le Jules Verne, the restaurant on the second floor recently renovated by culinary superstar Alain Ducasse, offering the very finest view of the city with world class haute cuisine.
Booking.com
Leaving Paris
Inevitably the time will come to return home, but fear not. Ernest Hemingway said that "Paris stays with you, for Paris truly is a moveable feast", and his words ring more than true today. A trip to the City of Light will play on in the memory forever.
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Author Twinkle Brar
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