Paris has a long history that helped to shape the history of France. The area of Paris has been inhabited for around 700,000 years, although the city itself only dates back as far as the third century BC. Today, Paris is considered the one of the romantic centers of the world and it is a popular destination for all tourists.
The most famous attraction in Paris is the Eiffel Tower. A trip to the top of the tower will afford you a stunning view of the city. If you are not one for heights, try to see the tower in all its glory at night when it is lit every hour with a ten minute display of 20,000 white lights. You cannot visit Pairs without going to the Notre Dame Cathedral. It is built with French-Gothic styled architecture and if you walk around the parameter, you can view the flying buttresses that support the building as well as its famous gargoyles. On the first Sunday of the month from October to March, you can climb the 387 steps of the North Tower for no charge and an excellent view. Make sure to visit the famous monuments of the Arc de Triomphe and the Grande Arche de la Defense.
The Gothic Sainte-Chapelle's walls are a stunning example of stained glass windows that are well worth a visit. You must spend time in the Louvre which is home to Leonardo da Vinci's famous "Mona Lisa." Musee d'Orsay contains one of the greatest impressionist collections in the world. The Center Pompidou is another excellent art gallery, containing a huge collection of modern and contemporary art. These are only a few of the many art galleries in the city.
There are a vast number of open air flea markets in Paris that sell food, flowers and many other things. The most impressive of these flea markets is Marche aux Puces which is well worth a visit even if you are just going to have a look. For a relaxing break within the city, stroll along the banks of the River Seine. Paris is made up of 20 arrondissements or neighborhoods and each one has a different character. It is interesting to walk through a few of them to get the feel for the city as a whole.
Paris is the most visited city in the world and as such it also boasts the widest choice of hotels in the world. These come in all variations of price and style. You can choose from approximately 75,000 rooms in around 2,000 hotels, aparthotels, youth centers, rental apartments, private rooms or campsites. Besides for the type of accommodation you wish to stay in, you must choose the area. If you have never been to Paris before, choose a central arrondissement as you will most likely to be able to walk to most of the major attractions that you wish to see. If you are familiar with the city, you may choose according to nightlife, style, centrality, specific attractions you wish to see or many other things.
