Paris makes urban vacations great

Paris is the most visited city in the world. There are not too many urban areas that people on vacation go to visit, but Paris is one. Paris is a unique city that is designed for walking. Plan to bring comfortable shoes and get lots of exercise. Paris is a centre of art, fashion and education. It is also a great place for people watching of all sorts. The weather in Paris is mild the year around and makes for great night outings.



Hotels in Paris can be very expensive, but there are great ones that will fit a slim pocketbook. As a tourist, don't hesitate to choose a good hotel. Hotels in Paris can be had for less than $200 a night with some preplanning on your part even during the busy season. Since Paris is a tourist city, it makes sense for your first visit to pick an off season time. This will help you see more of Paris itself and spend less times waiting in lines. It will also let you see the "real" Paris as some of the strictly tourist shows will be closed.



It you must see Paris during the high tourist season; plan your day when the crowds are low at the more popular tourist attractions. For example, the Eiffel tower is open to midnight each day. A night visit is spectacular and often less crowded. Most museums are less crowded before 10:30 and after 3:30 pm. The midday hours are great times for napping, people watching from the cafes and visiting less travelled sites you want to see.



Paris is divided into 20 districts and the downtown districts run from one to seven. Staying in districts six or seven will allow you to go wherever you want easily, and both have great evening local entertainment. The downtown districts have more expensive motels and a more urban business feel.



Paris surrounds the River Seine, and many sites are located by what bank of the Seine they are near. It is well worth your time to learn the locations of your hotel and places you want to visit as they relate to this landmark. Paris has one sister city, Rome. Parisians feel that only Rome matches its great ambiance.



While in Paris, places to see are the Louvre, Luxembourg Gardens, the Champs-Elysees (main street in Paris) and the Eiffel tower. If you enjoy visiting cemeteries or are a big fan of Napoleon, you can visit his grave site at the Invalides Museum. The patriarch of the Bonaparte family still retains the title of Prince, and the family has a yearly event at the tomb of Napoleon on his birthday.



Paris is a singular city that is one of those places that is a pleasure to simply be in its great atmosphere. Learning some French will also definitely help your trip along, although many residents of Paris speak several languages.