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Paris Travel Guide

About Paris

Paris rarely disappoints. Home to beautiful architecture, arresting art and the world’s finest restaurants, only the hard–hearted will leave the City of Light without falling in love.

There is a sense that the people of Paris really know how to live. Lunch is never rushed, the local hairdresser is eternally busy and there is always time for one more glass of red.

It’s impossible not to be captivated when walking down one of Baron Haussmann’s long, wide boulevards or the banks of the Seine at sunset. Stand in the shadow of Montmartre’s Sacré-Cœur and see the city open out in front of you, before repairing for an aperitif.

Everything revolves around food in Paris. You can eat in 3-star, Michelin luxury at Guy Savoy just off of the Arc de Triomphe or sit down over a steaming bowl of bouillabaisse on Rue de Seine and comfortably claim to have eaten the finest food of your life. Whether it’s a local bistro or renowned hotel restaurant, eating is serious business and something to be savoured no matter the time of day.

Head to the Musee Rodin to peer at The Thinker, set among gorgeous gardens which look magnificent whether it’s on a crisp winter afternoon or a hazy summer evening. Take in Monet’s masterpieces at the Musee d’Orsay and battle the crowds at the magnificent Louvre to catch a glimpse of the Mona Lisa.

Literature buffs will find a city steeped in writing. Sink a beer at Les Deux Magots, the café loved and frequented by Hemingway, Sartre, Joyce and Brecht and shop for the finest English language books at Shakespeare and Company. The original closed during the WWII, but this 1960s recreation remains one of Paris’s finest institutions for those who value words highly.

Shop your way around Le Marais and along the classy Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré, before partying until dawn at some of Europe’s hippest night spots. And be sure to set a date to return, because when it comes to Paris, once is never enough.

An exciting major event will take place in the city when Paris will be host to the Olympic Games in 2024.

Key facts

Population:
2.148.271 (2020)
Latitude:
48.862724
Longitude:
2.343746
A digital image at https://illuminoto.com

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Saint James Paris

The Saint James is steeped in weird and wonderful history. A one time hot-air balloon field (some still take off today) and school for France's most talented students, nowadays it is one of Paris's hottest addresses. Situated in a 19th century chateau on the edge of the city centre, rooms are a blend of belle époque decadence and modern luxury. Beyond the bedrooms, the library bar, with a terrace affording views across town, is what makes this hotel really special.

Hotel Dupond Smith

This lush Marais bolthole isn’t obscenely overpriced but will leave you feeling pampered and prepped to take on the area’s myriad coffee stops and macaroon shops. Its furniture is by Phillipe Starck and its wallpaper by Hermes. Sleek and stylish, make sure you dress the part for this classy Parisian hotel.

Ritz Paris

Situated on one of the smartest squares in the city, the Ritz Paris is the capital’s most celebrated hotel and is the very essence of luxury and discretion. The lobby gleams with marble, chandeliers and impressive floral arrangements from designer Djordje Varda, while the oriental carpets, soft to the touch, soak up the sound. It has a magnificent swimming pool and fitness room, as well as a health spa.

Hôtel Arvor Saint Georges

Owner Nadine Flammarion has taken a fresh and fun approach to interior design with bright white walls and splashes of colour bringing out the atmosphere at Hôtel Arvor Saint Georges. Novels, deckchairs and striking art prints contrast with the otherwise Spartan approach. Arvor has 24 rooms and six suites and the location makes it perfect for strolling through Montmartre and soaking up some creative inspiration.

Hôtel Darcet

Hotel Darcet offers 32 modern and comfortable rooms right in the heart of Paris. Perfect for travellers and business people alike, the prices are also very reasonable. The hotel is also conveniently located just a 10-minute walk to Saint-Lazare station.

 

Hôtel Banke

A new addition to the Derby Hotel chain, Hôtel Banke is a refurbished bank found in the desirable Opera district in Paris. The lobby’s grandiose circular interior, capped with a crystal-domed ceiling, gives way to thickly carpeted hallways and designer sofas. Both single and double rooms are modern and pleasingly functional. The trendiness factor borders on gauche, but with this location who cares.