Paris feeds the mind, pampers the body and refreshes the soul. Holidays in Paris can instantly make you feel better – especially if there’s a nice coupe de champagne winging its way through the brasserie tables. On the cultural side, there’s the revamped Musée de l’Orangerie in the Tuileries Gardens, which houses Monet’s famous series of eight 20ft-long lily paintings, Les Nymphéas, as well as the riverside Musée du Quai Branly displaying ethnic treasures from around the world. Oh and, of course, the Louvre with its famous painted lady and her enigmatic smile. Paris has grand palace hotels for accommodation as well as workaday small hotels for smaller budgets. Paris has been a favourite destination for centuries but even after all these years, you’ll still find an unflinching belief in haute couture and restaurants serving delirious food.
Hopeless romantics
Shameless foodies
Devout fashionistas.
Queues for the Louvre - there are plenty of ways to buy tickets in advance, see www.louvre.fr.
Taxis are notoriously hard to find at night. Rather than wait in the street, find the nearest taxi rank. A white light means they’re free. Some attractions are free on the first weekend of every month. The Louvre is one of them, but you should get there early to avoid the queues Most small restaurants stop serving dinner fairly early. If you’re trying to find something to eat after 11pm, head for the Champs Elysées.
Paris has a relatively mild climate. Average summer temperatures are around 20°C/68ºF but can be much warmer. In winter the daily average is around 4.5°C/40ºF. It can be cool and damp but no-one picks a holiday in Paris just because of its weather.
Flights from London to Paris take approx 45 minutes. Eurostar runs a train service between London, Ashford and Paris. London to Paris by train takes less than three hours.
Driving is on the right. There is no reason to hire a car if your holiday is just Paris.