by : Abeliafduxbury

If you are planning to visit Europe then you must stay at least a couple of days in one of its largest cities, Paris; over the years it has become one of the most visited cities in the world. For most people visiting Paris, a short stay is often the way they first see the city; with a great deal to see and do that really a week is needed.

This city is also equally well known for its gothic architecture and markets; the Eiffel Tower, the Arc de Triomphe and the Louvre must not go unmentioned. Traveling through the city of Paris can be very enjoyable; the Metro underground train network will probably be the main method as it runs regularly and reaches every part of the city.

You can't miss the Eiffel Tower, mainly because it's over three hundred meters high; it's visible throughout most of the city but the views from the top of this huge steel structure are even more impressive. In the evening the illumination means it can be seen for many miles; it is possible to take organized tours which tell the story of the Tower and the history of France.

The famous Paris Avenue 'the Champs Elysees' must also receive a visit; if you want to see famous, designer label shops and the restaurants, this is the place. This is an 'up-market' area that attracts thousands of tourists each day; the exclusive five star hotels situated in this more select part of the city might be out of most visitors' price range.

This city is also the home to the renowned Louvre Museum; it houses over three hundred thousand exhibits but not all of them are ever on display at the same time. There are so many exhibits here they cannot all be viewed during a short stay in Paris; the Venus de Milo is displayed here and of course the Mona Lisa. Over the years, Paris has been home to many of the world's famous artists; chances are that you will have the opportunity to see a number of famous paintings whilst you're visiting.

Of course, Napoleon commissioned the construction of the Arc de Triomphe, another Paris landmark; the names of his generals are engraved on its surface and another of those 'must have' photo land marks. It also features an observatory to take in surrounding views; it can be found in Charles de Gaulle Place at the intersection of twelve avenues including the Champs Elysees.

We can only cover a small sample places to visit; and these major attractions are probably best viewed as part of a guided tour, some of which are actually free. It's an unfortunate fact that a Paris short stay vacation will only include some of the attractions; this article has not even discussed the topic of medieval castles and gothic churches which the city has in abundance.