Five Hidden Attractions of Paris

Catacombs of Paris (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

By []Henri Barbusse

Everyone knows about the most famous sights for a holiday in Paris: Notre Dame, the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, the Arc de Triomphe. It's true that no trip to France's capital should pass up the big sights, especially if it is your first visit. But there's more to Paris then just these big five - it is a city that rewards careful exploration with a number of hidden highlights. As a Paris airport transfer driver, I've been all over the city, and hear plenty of visitors talking about the highlights of their trip. Away from the major sights, there are some hidden gems that people consistently rave about (when they can find them!): here are five of the best unusual sights to see on a holiday in Paris.   

Paris in a Day

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By Pollux Parker


When you say France, the first thing on people's mind is Paris. Truly, this city, which has been hailed as the "City of Lights" is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world. It is home to two landmark attractions: Eiffel Tower and Louvre Museum as well as a dozen more of equally impressive structures and sights that you should really see at least once in your life.
If you're privileged to visit this city but you only have one day, do not fret. You can still make the most of it by planning your itinerary well. One good way to maximize your trip is to make use of the Paris Metro. The train system of the city is very efficient that you can get from one place to another within a few minutes. Download a map of the train and study it very well before you trip.
Aside from Eiffel Tower and Louvre Museum, you can see other attractions like Notre Dame, Arc de Triomphe, and Centre Pompidou, among many others. Don't forget to plan your meals as well. With so many sights to see in one day, you might choose to ignore your growling stomach. Don't. You need to eat so you'll have the energy to walk around.
Another great way to maximize your time is to ride the open top bus that goes around the city. Also a wonderful tip is to buy attraction admission tickets online so you can save time from falling into long queues when get to these places.
Pollux Parker is an adventurer who loves discovering secret island getaways in each country he visits. Pollux also likes to collect French Flag and buy inexpensive French Flag.

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Is Spring The Best Season To Spend A Month Or More In Paris?

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"April in Paris" is a ballad that probably inspired more spring vacations in the City of Light than any advertising campaign ever did, with its lyrical descriptions of "chestnuts in blossom" and "holiday tables under the trees." The fact is, April in Paris is generally chilly and rainy, and although the fabled chestnut trees are indeed blooming, along with lilacs and wisteria, one would probably rather avoid lunching under dripping trees.

Arc De Triomphe, Paris - All Roads Lead to the Roman Arch

Image by wallyg via FlickrBy Derek F Wright
The Arc de Triomphe in Paris occupies a location in the Place de l'Etoile at the western end of the Champs-Elysees and at the centre of a star of twelve major avenues. No wonder, then, that the roundabout immediately circling this triumphal arch is particularly busy with traffic. Anyone studying an aerial view of the avenues radiating from the Place de l'Etoile would conclude that all roads must lead to this stunning Roman arch.
After all, the Arc de Triomphe was modelled by its architect, Jean Chalgrin, on the first-century Arch of Titus located on the Via Sacra, Rome. The Parisian version, dating from 1806, was commissioned after Napoleon's victory at Austerlitz, his greatest triumph, and dominates the landscape at 50m in height.


Yet the view of the Arc de Triomphe was not always so easy. Located on the right bank of the Seine, the arch was only subject to rationalisation of its environment under the supervision of Baron Haussmann, who was appointed by Napoleon III in 1852 to "modernise" the city. Haussmann redesigned the Place de l'Etoile and created the long avenues that give the arch its perspective.

Prior to Haussmann, the city echoed its medieval background, with winding streets and worn-out houses. Haussmann adorned the surroundings of the Arc de Triomphe with tree-lined boulevards, spacious gardens and buildings of uniform heights.

With its strong military feel, as conjured up by iconography of French youths fighting bearded Germanic warriors, the Arc de Triomphe became a destination for troops to parade after military campaigns. The French paraded there in 1919 and 1945, the Germans in 1871 and 1940.

Probably the most daring journey to the arch was by a pilot by the name of Charles Godefroy who flew his bi-plane through it in 1919 to celebrate the end of the First World War.

Nowadays, if you want to get there, you'll have to take the RER or the Metro and get off at the Charles de Gaulle-Etoile stop. You'll have to take an underpass to get to the arch as the roundabout is far too busy.

If you want to learn more about the Arc de Triomphe, visit http://www.iwanthotelsinparis.com/paris-attractions/arc-de-triomphe.shtml. After your visit you might want to stay in one of the nearby hotels in the Champs-Elysees area of Paris.

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The Paris Top 10 Sights

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Paris is unsurpassed in it's natural beauty, charm and history. First time visitors are often overwhelmed by the sheer amount of attractions to see, and how to fit it all into their limited time.
No wonder so many people return to Paris!
However, if you only plan on going to Paris once, you will want to see the best that Paris has to offer. With so many sights and attractions to see, it's very difficult to narrow the field of choices, but there are some sights which shouldn't be missed.
With that in mind, here are the top ten sights in Paris, chosen because of their historical significance, popularity or natural beauty.


The Eiffel Tower: When you mention Paris, most people automatically think of the Eiffel Tower. The Eiffel Tower was built for the 1889 World Exposition. When the tower was first unveiled, the populace thought it was a towering monstrosity, and it was nearly torn down. Since then, more than 220 million people have visited the Eiffel Tower, and it has become a national icon. The tower is beautiful to behold when lit up, and offers a spectacular view from above, or below.



Notre Dame Cathedral: The Notre Dame took over a century to build, and was once the center of medieval Paris. It is probably the most beautiful cathedral in all of Europe.



Arc de Triomphe and Champs Elysees: The Arc was built by Emperor Napolean, and offers a fantastic view. No trip to Paris is complete without seeing the sculptures and reliefs that adorn the arch. The promenade offers some spectacular shopping opportunities, as well as an assortment of cafes.



Versailles: Versailles was home to the King of France, as well as the seat of their government for more than 100 years. A walk through this remarkable palace, will ensure you feel like your walking in the footsteps of nobility. Inside is the Hall of Mirrors, which consists of 250ft of sheer glass. The Louvre: The Louvre is home to some of the most famous works of art in the world.



Pere Lachaise Cemetery: The crypts are amazing to behold, and there are some extremely famous people buried here. Including Jim Morrison, Oscar Wilde and Richard Wright of Pink Floyd fame.



Seine River Cruise: See the majesty of Paris glide by while riding in a glass boat. You'll get to see the Eiffel Tower, old historic bridges and even the Notre Dame Cathedral.



Musee d'Orsay: One of the most visited museums on the planet, the Musee d'Orsay has the largest collection of paintings and sculptures produced between 1848 and 1914. If you're a lover of art, then this is a sight you won't want to miss.



The Sorbonne: Founded in 1257, the Sorbonne is one of Europe's oldest universities, and many a great thinker has wandered its halls.



Sacre Coeur and Montmartre: This basilica dominates the highest point of Paris, and was consecrated in 1909. It boasts gold mosaic interiors, and offers a magnificent view of the city below.

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Vacationing in Paris - Venture Beyond the Eiffel Tower

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Paris is a Mecca for tourists who are drawn by many iconic landmarks like the Eiffel Tower and the Arc de Triomphe. Many travelers, however, locate lesser-known Parisian gems that give them a completely unique travel experience. From architectural feats to historical landmarks, this cosmopolitan capital remains one of the most romantic and beautiful cities in the world.



Paris is overflowing with history and continues to be influential in the spheres of culture, fashion, art, design and food. It is known as the City of Light with its motto proclaiming its staying power, "She is tossed by the waves but is not sunk." For those seeking a unique experience in the incredible city, exciting opportunities are around every corner. The Centre Culturel George Pompidou, for example, is not as well-known as other Parisian tourist destinations, but hosts millions of visitors each year. Opened in 1977 to house literature, art and cinema, this groundbreaking vision of architect Le Corbusier attracts artists and visitors alike.




Other attractions include La Defence, a business district stretching over 400 acres that is recognized for its stunning skyscrapers and underground circulation as well as the more than 60 modern art sculptures and monuments. The infamous Catacombs of Paris contain the bones of more than six million people, many of whom were believed to be killed during the French Revolution. Maximilien Robespierre and Jean-Paul Marat, influential figures in the Revolution, are believed to be buried there. Tourists from around the globe have visited the catacombs since 1867.



Another location rich in history is the Pere Lachaise Cemetery which has become a silent oasis in the midst of the many busy Paris neighborhoods. It offers rich vegetation comparable to any of the more well known parks in Paris. One can spend hours looking for tombs of famous icons buried there including French singer Edith Piaf, Irish writer Oscar Wilde and American rock legend Jim Morrison.



From the cemetery it is easy to stroll through the nearby city of Belleville. Literally translated into "beautiful town," this neighborhood is home to outdoor markets and large numbers of artists and musicians from around the world. The multicultural community creates a rich and unique environment unlike anything else in Paris. It is in this area that the least expensive city hotels will be found along with other exotic and interesting restaurants.



Though the Eiffel Tower and The Louvre are must-see attractions for a first-time Paris visitor, there are hundreds of galleries, restaurants, monuments and regions to explore. Rich in history, glitz and glamour, you'll be sure to find something new every time you embark on a Paris vacation.

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Stephen Daniels is an acclaimed Netbiz SEO 2.0 researcher. When you vacation in Paris, he highly recommends Paris apartment rentals managed by Glamour Apartments. They offer affordable rental contracts for studio apartments, luxury suites and family dwellings in nearly every unique neighborhood of the city.



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