Making The Best Of Paris

Paris is Paris – never mind whether you go there on work, on holiday or as part of an educational tour. There's a magic about the city that you really can't find anyplace else in the world. This is not just the capital of France, situated in its beautiful location on the Seine but also the fashion capital of the world. Taking a guided tour of Paris is best for first time travelers because you get to see all the places that you just have to see.

The first on the list of importance of course is the Louvre. The entrance to this wonderful repository of art is beautiful indeed. The fountain right in front with its walkway as well as the area around the museum is beautiful. Once you go inside, what strikes you right away is the huge pyramid and this is especially riveting when it is all lit up. Up a winding staircase inside, you can go up to a salon to get a haircut.

Then, don't miss the Place de la Concorde or the Le Jardin des Tuileries, the magnificent fountain at the Palasis Royal. They are both in the same area and they are a wonderful sight at night, with the fountains and the lighthouses ablaze with light. Also a must-see at night is the Champs-Elysees, the famous French archway that you can drive through with tree-lined avenues on either side.

If you are taken to a place with a windmill sitting atop a massive building, you'll know you are at the famous or should we say extremely popular cabarets of Moulin Rouge – in fact, the name means red windmill. Don't miss the Notre Dame Cathedral or L'Hotel de Cluny that was built as a stopover place for monks when they visited the city. Today it is a medieval arts museum showcasing gorgeous tapestries from a bygone era and framed by beautiful Gothic windows.

Paris from up above is also a sight to behold. The flight along the Seine will give you a bird's eye view of all the monuments. Sailing down the Seine is also as wonderful especially at night with all the buildings on both the banks lit up. The view of the Eiffel Tower in particular is spectacular with its lights and its fountains. A day trip will show you the old ivy-covered stone lining the river, with its huge rings of iron from days gone by. The river flows a bit below the street level and it is lush with trees with their foliage bending towards it, interspersed at intervals with old bridges and gardens on the banks.

Paris by day or by night can cast its spell on you, all that beauty and all the old world charm co-existing peacefully with the new. It's a city of beauty, it's a city for romance, it's a city for style, it's a city for gourmet food and entertainment. And it's a city that you just can't miss.