| Top Attractions | | Eiffel Tower | | Sure, it's touristy, but Gustave Eiffel's steel tower, built in 1889 for the Paris World Exposition, still attracts 5000 visitors a day, and they're not all tourists. This 1000-foot-tall tower, once ridiculed, has become the symbol of Paris. Take the inclined elevator to the second level and dine at Jules Verne, one of the city's finest restaurants while all of Paris sparkles at your feet. Or, take the elevator all the way to the top for a sweeping panorama of the city below. | | Paris Flea Market at Clignancourt | | Gaudy jewelry competes with curvaceous, Art Deco furniture. Housewares, vintage clothing, enamelware, jewellery, and glass: the Paris flea market, located just north of Paris in Clignancourt, has something for every taste and budget. This market is a collection of permanent vendors studded with temporary craft and food sellers. Off the tourist path, it's a great place to see a slice of true Parisian life. | | The River Seine | | The Seine is the life's blood of Paris. Bisecting the city, this peaceful river contains a true cross-section of everyday life. From the Bouquinistes, the booksellers that line the quais, to the young couples embracing by the water, half hidden from view, from the ornate, 19th century bridges to the gothic towers of Notre Dame, life along the Seine is vital and dynamic. Be part of the river by enjoying a quiet romantic, riverboat dinner, or take a leisurely stroll along its beautiful banks. | | Seine River Dinner Cruise | | Orsay Museum | | Housed in a converted 19th century 'belle epoque' train station, the Orsay Museum is devoted to 19th century French art, most notably that of the Impressionist painters, such as Monet, Renoir, Degas, Cezanne, Utrillo, and Renoir. Head right to the third floor where these painters' masterpieces are displayed simply against white walls, allowing their brilliance to shine without adornment. Also worth seeing is the museum's comprehensive Art Nouveau collection, including furniture, glass, jewelry, and art objects, many by Henri Guimart (designer of the original Paris Metro stations). A café underneath the huge railroad station clock is a nice place to rest and offers a sweeping view of the River Seine below. | | |  Save your feet - Segway through Paris | | | | Champs Elysees | | Chic, dynamic, and quintessentially Parisian, The Champs Elysees runs between the Arc de Triumph and the Place de La Concorde, and offers sweeping vistas of the city as well as great people watching. Lined with movie theaters, fashion houses, banks, and cafes, this wide boulevard takes the pulse of Paris. Relax with a café au lait at a curbside bistro table and watch the city stroll by. | | Louvre | | Once a royal palace, the Louvre is now an art lover's mecca. One of the world's most important museums, this huge collection is best enjoyed by dividing the tour into smaller sections. It is impossible to see everything in one visit, or even in several. Highlights of the Louvre include da Vinci's Mona Lisa, the Venus de Milo, and the Winged Victory of Samathrace. The sprawling, 17th century palace is highlighted by architect I.M. Pei's striking, modern glass pyramid entrance. | | Places to Hang-out and Chill | | Montmartre | | Once the haunt of artists such as Pissarro, Renoir, Toulouse-Lautrec, and Utrillo, Montmartre today is a tourist hangout. Centered around the Place du Tertre, Montmartre is filled with cafes, tourist shops, and curbside artists. A glimmer of its old charm remains in the narrow, cobblestone streets and the bawdy beer emporiums here. Set on a butte, high above Paris, Montmartre offers a spectacular view of the city. | | Place des Vosges | | The Place des Vosges and the surrounding Marais (literally, the marsh) district, are located in the oldest area in Paris. Originally planned as housing for 15th century nobility, the Place des Vosges is an architectural marvel. The three and four-story townhouses that line the square have chiseled stone facades and an arched promenade circling the ground level. This arcade is filled with shops, cafes, and art galleries. Over the last two decades, this area has been restored to its former glory and is now filled with trendy apparel shops, antique stores, used bookstores, and interesting restaurants. This avant-garde neighborhood is also home to two fascinating museums: The Picasso Museum, filled with the artist's early and mid-career work, and the Carnavelet Museum, housed in a 15th century mansion that once belonged to Madame de Sevigny (famous for her 17th century letters describing daily Parisian life) and dedicated to the history of Paris. This compact neighborhood is perfect for a stroll, a little culture, and a great meal. | | | | See all Paris Tours | | | | Other Attractions | | Sainte Chapelle | | The Sainte Chapelle is a high Gothic, 13th century gem, nestled among the government buildings on the Ile de la Cite, near Notre Dame Cathedral. Sainte Chapelle was originally built by King Louis IX as a private royal chapel with the dark, drab lower chapel reserved for servants. The upper, royal, chapel is reached by ascending a narrow, spiral staircase. As soon as your head reaches the upper floor, the sheer beauty of this room strikes you. The floor-to-ceiling stained glass windows, each depicting a Bible scene, have been meticulously and brilliantly restored. They encircle the entire chapel, and are truly breathtaking. For a more leisurely look, attend one of the frequent chamber music concerts here. | | The Paris Fashion Museum | | This lesser known museum, right next to the Louvre, is a tribute to the great French fashion designers, past and present. Gowns by Givenchy, Dior, and St. Laurent; Chanel suits; and Schiaparelli accessories are displayed in this four-story gem of a museum. Of particular interest is Bridgette Bardot's Dior wedding gown that hangs suspended from the fourth-level ceiling. | | | | |
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