Overview

The capital of France is crossed by the Seine, the second-largest river in the country, measuring 776 km (482 mi). One could say the river divides the City of Lights in two territories that, throughout the centuries, have each preserved their incredible splendours. A ride on a bateau-mouche (river boat) will allow you to admire the two banks that are linked by magnificent bridges.

Attractions

The Right Bank

Champs-Élysées Avenue, a choice attraction for all visitors, is 1,880 m-long (6,168 feet). It begins near Place de la Concorde, which is easily recognizable thanks to the Obelisk of Louxor dating from the 13th century BC, and ends not far from Place Charles-de-Gaulle. It also features the glorious Arc de Triomphe. In 1921, the Unknown Soldier was buried under this monument to commemorate those who died during the Great War. South of the avenue stand the Grand Palais, displaying various exhibits, and the Petit Palais, showcasing collections belonging to the Musée des Beaux-Arts. The Palais de Chaillot, facing the enormous Trocadéro basin, was built during the Exposition Universelle of 1937. Its two wings feature several museums as well as the Théâtre National and the Cinémathèque.

A tour of the Right Bank would not be complete without a visit to the Louvre, the capital's mythical museum, whose many exhibit rooms are found in different buildings that have been transformed according to the whims of the various regimes. The museum is home to Leonardo da Vinci's famous Mona Lisa. The Opéra Garnier (1875), for its part, symbolizes the magnificence of the Second Empire.

The lovely district of Le Marais is filled with hôtels particuliers (private mansions) dating from the Renaissance and the 17thcentury. Here you will also find the Picasso museum, the Carnavalet museum and Place des Vosges, whose no. 6 was once home to the illustrious Victor Hugo. The unusual and bold Centre Georges Pompidou (or Beaubourg), dating from 1977, is still a remarkable exhibition site. To immerse yourself in the heart of old Paris, a stroll on Île de la Cité is a must. From there, you can admire the Notre-Dame cathedral, a wonder of French architecture, and the Conciergerie, cradle of the 1789 Revolution.

The Left Bank

In line with the Palais du Chaillot is the Eiffel Tower, whose construction was scheduled for the Exposition Universelle of 1887. It is made of three levels, respectively featuring a museum, a restaurant and a panoramic lookout. Under the tower is a bust of Gustave Eiffel sculpted by Antoine Bourdelle. From the splendid Alexandre III bridge, head to the Invalides, a veritable shrine to the French military. The Musée d'Orsay used to be a train station and was designed by Victor Laloux. It is unique for its sumptuous glass roof and showcases, among other collections, the works of French painters and sculptors such as Renoir, Monet, Manet, Degas, Carpeaux and Rodin.

The Left Bank is enlivened by renowned neighbourhoods such as Saint-Germain-des-Prés and the Quartier Latin. The former, home to the city's oldest cathedral and the Delacroix museum, represents without a doubt the post-Second World War years, along with famous names like Juliette Gréco, Boris Vian and Les Frères Jacques. The Quartier Latin, for its part, is dedicated to knowledge thanks to the Sorbonne and the Collège de France. North of the Collège de France, beyond Boulevard Saint-Germain, is the medieval church of Saint-Séverin. East of the magnificent Palais du Luxembourg, which includes the garden of the same name that was immortalized in song by the late Joe Dassin, is the splendid Panthéon, built according to the wishes of a convalescent Louis XV. The Musée de Cluny displays a collection of medieval objects as well as one recalling the days when Paris was under Roman reign.

Leaving the heart of Paris, head to the Bois de Boulogne to enjoy a refreshing, almost bucolic stroll by foot, on bicycle or on horseback. Montmartre is the preferred neighbourhood of famous painters and writers such as Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, Pablo Picasso, Braque, Modigliani and Apollinaire. It also features the Espace, displaying a collection of sculptures and illustrations by Salvador Dali, the stunning Roman-Byzantine Sacré-Coeur basilica, and the Musée de Montmartre, a display of the neighbourhood's artistic heritage. A funicular offers visitors a panoramic view of the area.

Going Out

In Paris, the abundance of shops and markets is absolutely delightful. There is something for everyone here, no matter the size of your pocketbook. Paris is the capital of haute couture and ready-to-wear, as you will see at Faubourg Saint-Honoré and Avenue Montaigne. The Quai Voltaire, with its many well-known antiques shops, will satisfy all lovers of the genre. The Marché aux Puces de Saint-Ouen (flea market), the most popular in town, is a treasure trove for those with a nose for bargains. In their kiosks along the Seine, booksellers offer prints and both rare and recent books, a must for collectors.

Parisian cafés are truly legendary. Les Deux Magots, a vestige of the 1920s, and the Café de Flore, second home to existentialists Simone de Beauvoir and Jean-Paul Sartre, are still, according to some, the most famous. Paris, synonymous with rejoicing and feasting, also offers quality dining establishments such as Fouquet's, Chez Maxime and Brasserie Lipp, as well as cabarets such as Les Folies-Bergère, Le Lido and Le Moulin-Rouge.

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