Essential Paris Itinerary Items

The magical and romantic city of Paris is rich in culture and the arts and has a long colourful history. Whether you are on a short break or a longer holiday, there is just so much in Paris to see and do. You can get to Paris by air, EuroStar from London’s Paddington Station or by ferry and road. Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport is very modern with high glass walls; you almost get a 360 degree view of the planes taking off and landing – quite spectacular! Coming in only behind London Heathrow, it is Europe’s second busiest airport. Moving between the three absolutely gigantic airport terminals requires public transport due to its sheer scale and the airport puts on free shuttles to ferry passengers between them.

It is easy to get into Paris from the airport – choose from taxis, luxury limo transport, car hire or modern high speed train as your mode of transport. Being just 14 miles from the center of Paris, one hour from Brussels and just 10 minutes on the fast train to Disneyland, one can easily see why Paris is such a popular destination for travelers wanting a short break. There are lots of options available for getting around the city. You can use buses, the Metro, and trams. Taxis and private car hire services are also plentiful.

Car hire is not for everyone when on holiday, but if you do decide to take this option, heed a few words of warning before getting swept away by the romance of Paris. Ensure you have read the agreement fully and are aware of any excesses for which you will be liable in the event of an accident. Most specialist insurance products such as gap insurance, car warranties and breakdown insurance should already be taken care of by the hire car company so you won’t need to worry about those things. Make yourself aware of the procedure following a breakdown, and make sure that the breakdown insurance provided gives you 24-hour protection. There may be additional insurance products offered which may cost you more for extra peace of mind, these could include things like windscreen insurance or key insurance, for example. Be sure that you are fully aware of what you are signing, especially as you are in a foreign country.

Don’t forget to be vigilant whilst visiting this bustling city – public transport especially can be very busy and you should take extra care when it comes to your personal belongings. Basic common sense, such as splitting up your spending money and not carrying unnecessary valuables around, is important if you are going to relax and enjoy your holiday. You should secure your travel documents – including travel insurance details – along with any valuables, in your hotel before taking to the city streets for a sightseeing excursion. Once you have the basics covered, you are ready to begin exploring. Among all the fabulous things you could see and do when visiting Paris, below is a selection of the most popular.

Eiffel Tower- The Eiffel Tower is one of the most recognised monuments in the world. You cannot compare a photograph, though, to actually seeing it in person. Its sheer size and the intricacies of the architecture is amazing. A view of a lifetime can be beheld from the top of the tower. The first floor has displays depicting the history of the tower. You can dine at the Altitude 95 restaurant on the first floor. A even more up-market dining experience can be had at the Michelin-starred Jules Verne restaurant upstairs on the second floor, but you will have to book way in advance. Of course, you must go to the Eiffel Tower during your visit to Paris.

Centre Pompidou- If you love modern art and architecture you have to visit the Centre Pompidou. It is more than a mere museum. This place is dedicated to any and all forms of contemporary and modern conceptual art forms. This includes theatre, music, literature and film. The centre – which contains the modern art museum, the public library and the musical and acoustic research centre – was the brainchild of President George Pompidou. His vision was for a centre of entirely contemporary culture. Designed by Renzo Piano, this building is a distinctive architectural landmark in itself.

The exhibits at the Pompidou change regularly, so a different experience is had on each visit. At one of the three book stores you could find a tome on pretty much any type of art imaginable. The design boutique sells souvenirs, gifts and other fun and funky items. You can dine at the Georges, which is on level 6, while enjoying panoramic views of Paris. There is also a lot to see once you leave the museum. Street art and sculptures can be found in abundance on the pavements outside the building. This place is truly a memorable experience.

Louvre Museum- The Louvre Museum is probably the world’s most famous art museum. It is where you can view da Vinci’s most famous painting, the “Mona Lisa”. This, Europe’s oldest museum, was founded over two centuries ago in 1793. The museum has a vast and diverse range of exhibits from Egyptian artifacts to Islamic Art.

If you had days you would likely not even scratch the surface of all there is to explore in this fascinating place. The museum is in fact housed insidethe former French seat of the monarchy – the Louvre Palace. Over thirty-five thousand works of art are housed within eight separately themed departments. The permanent collections are home to masterpieces by Rubens, Vermeer and da Vinci, among others. There are temporary themed exhibits too which focus on a particular artist or artistic movement.

Arc de Triomphe- A climb to the top of the Arc de Triomphe will give you an excellent view of Paris. The Arc de Triomphe is a little over 50 metres high! It was Napoleon Bonaparte who is responsible for this monument’s construction – now a favourite scenic viewpoint with Paris’s visitors. It was commissioned by the man himself in 1806 to commemorate the greatness of Napoleon and his army. The monument is now a French symbol of all things triumphant. Bastille Day celebrations are held here and the Tour de France finishes here. The famous First World War memorial, the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, can be found at this historical site, as well as the eternal flame which also commemorates the fallen that were never identified from both world wars.

Be warned – it’s a fairly arduous climb to the top. The view is well worth the 280-step climb to reach the top. A visit for the architecture alone to this famous French landmark is an absolute must when in Paris.

Musée d’Orsay- The Musée d’Orsay has one of the largest collections of sculptures, paintings, and art pieces produced between 1848 and 1914. This museum showcases the outstanding works of the early modern era. It has works by Monet, Degas, Ingres and Van Gogh. In the permanent collections here you will find everything from neoclassicism, impressionism and art nouveau. This is a must see for all people who enjoy exploring the beginnings of Modern Art.

Paris is both romantic and inviting. Whether you are looking for fine art, amazing architecture or just the buzz of a fascinating and historical modern city, then Paris has something for you. Many visitors to Paris will want to return to once again sample its beauty and ambiance. You can either hire a car to explore the city and surrounding areas, or else use the public transport system to get you around. This place has so much to offer that once you have been here you may never want to leave!

This short city guide was brought to you by the UK’s leading gap insurance and car warranty specialists – the Click4Group.

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