Paris Vacation Guide: Sights, Shopping, Day Trips

If you’re looking for a holiday destination that offers romance, history, culture, endless shopping opportunities, fine dining options as well as casual cafes, a wealth of entertainment and is just a hop, step and a jump away from the rolling hills of the countryside, look no further than Paris.

City Tour

This amazing city has something to please the most discerning of travelers and the number of cheap holiday accommodation offering comfortable accommodation renders it extremely affordable. Start your holiday with a city tour; it’s a great way to see the famous sights including the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, the Notre Dame Cathedral and the Arc de Triomphe.

Champs Élysées

The Champs Élysées is one of the most famous streets in the world; a leisurely stroll along the western end will reveal a lively entertainment district of cinemas, shops, restaurants and cafes. Further along you should see the Parc Monceau, a beautiful park with manicured gardens and charming statues that is home to Paris’ largest tree- an oriental platane that is over two hundred years old.

Shopping

The shopping is world famous in Paris; there are haute couture boutiques, department stores, fabulous open-air markets, specialty chocolate stores, fresh produce vendors, bakeries, book stores and more. Mainstream shoppers should head to the two major department stores in Paris ‘Printemps’ and ‘Galeries Lafayette’. If you’re looking for the unusual, head to the flea markets – the three major ones include the ‘Saint Ouen’, ‘Port de Vanves’ and ‘Porte de Montreuill.’

Day Trips

Paris offers a number of day trips that are well worth the effort. Recommendations include the Palace of Versailles –it has some exquisite gardens and a fascinating Hall of Mirrors and The ‘Palais de Fontainebleau’. The ‘Palais de Fontainebleau’ is an excellent place to start exploring French royal history as it was once home to Napoleon and his wife Josephine.