Paris - The City of Romance

By Dara Ward

SUMMARY: Paris Capital of France and City of Romance. Few words conjure such whimsy as ‘Paris’. Whether you have visited or not, the mere mention of France’s capital, creates images of romance. While it is true that the city remains a city of love and lovers, to restrict its appeal to this is to ignore the wide range of its attractions. First time visitors must see the Eiffel Tower, the Notre Dame De Paris and the...

Few words conjure such whimsy as ‘Paris’. Whether you have visited or not, the mere mention of France’s capital, creates images of romance. While it is true that the city remains a city of love and lovers, to restrict its appeal to this is to ignore the wide range of its attractions.

First time visitors must see the Eiffel Tower, the Notre Dame De Paris and the Arc de Triomphe. Families can now enjoy the much-improved Disneyland Paris, located less than an hour away from the centre of the city. Culture vultures can visit the visiting exhibitions to the Grand Palais or the Cite de Science. Of course, the must-see in this regard is the Louvre. Once a tourist trap due to its inclusion of Leonardo’s Mona Lisa, now it is as visited (rightly or wrongly) for its importance to the plot of the book and film, the Da Vinci Code. Indeed, if you are a fan of either, guided tours of all the Parisian locations included in the Code can now be enjoyed. It is a novel way of seeing the city.

Paris is known for being an expensive city and, sadly, this is still the case. However, with some planning ahead, there are plenty of ways of saving money here. If you don’t mind the cold Parisian accommodation costs drop dramatically during the winter, from November to March. Likewise, prices of flights to the city drop during this time. Another option is to take the Metro while travelling throughout; it is safe and easy to use. Or you might be surprised by Paris’ hostels or budget hotels. All are cheap but many are extremely comfortable, centrally located and are welcoming to old and young alike, not just an option for the backpackers among you. But Paris’s greatest asset is free, its ambiance itself.