The city of Paris is one of the best capitals in the world thanks to its traditional charm and myriad attractions, which draw millions of visitors to France every year. Many of those who visit the enchanting destination are spoilt for choice when it comes to accommodation, with Paris hotels at the top of the list of amenities.
Situated on the banks of the river Seine in northern France, Paris is a global city famed for its entertainment, media, fashion and artistic contributions, as well as its political and cultural standing in Europe and beyond. The city is blessed with a plethora of recognisable landmarks, which have had their pride of place in many a Hollywood film, books and magazines that have helped to spur people’s interest in visiting.
None of these attractions is more recognisable than the Eiffel Tower, which is easily accessible from many Paris hotels dotted all over the capital. Located on the Champ de Mars in Paris, the tower was originally built in 1889 as a temporary structure but was hated by Paris’ artistic and literary elite who thought it was an eyesore. However, it went on to become a global icon of France and it is now impossible to visualise the French capital’s skyline without the Eiffel Tower somewhere in the background.
The tallest building in Paris, the tower is one of the most-visited paid monuments in the world and has three levels, which offer those staying in hotels in Paris spectacular views of the city. Visitors can not only climb the tower to see how beautiful and architecturally stunning the capital is, but also tuck into the much famous French cuisine available in its restaurants. Since its creation there have been a number of duplicates in cities across the world, but none measures up to the original.
Tourists staying in Paris hotels should not end their visit without dropping by the world’s largest museum, which is home to famous creations from some of the most talented artists the world has ever seen. Located on the right bank of the Seine, the Louvre is not only the most visited art museum in the world, but a historic monument in its own right. Visitors to the museum can see some 35,000 works of art and artefacts, which are spread across eight departments and three wings that are sure to leave even the most discerning person intrigued.
As well as viewing treasures from Egyptians, Etruscans, Greeks and Romans, people visiting the museum can see decorative arts, paintings, prints and drawings. The painting and sculpture section of the museum is arguably the most visited, with many people lining up to see Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa, which is the Louvre’s most popular attraction. The painting was the centre point of Dan Brown’s book The Da Vinci Code, which was adapted into a major Hollywood motion picture starring Tom Hanks.
Other notable attractions worth checking out while in Paris include the Arc de Triomphe, which is the city’s second most iconic monument and Notre-Dame cathedral, an important religious building constructed between 1163 and 1334. The Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Jesus of Paris, the Place de la Concorde, which is one of the city’s major public squares, the prestigious Avenue des Champs-Élysées and of course Galeries Lafayette department store in boulevard Haussmann should all be added to the itineraries of any exploration tour of the capital.
And after checking out the Centre Pompidou, one of the best-known sights in Paris thanks to its exposed pipes and air ducts and contemporary art collections, why not treat yourself to a culinary delight? French cuisine is renowned the world over as the best and being in Paris presents the perfect opportunity for visitors to experience it firsthand. There is an endless array of Michelin-starred restaurants for those staying in Paris hotels to choose from, although even those that are not yet starred could still offer some nice surprises.
Like many major cities, Paris is home to a number of opera houses offering entertainment to visitors and locals. The largest of these entertainment venues in Paris are the 19th century Opéra Garnier and Opéra Bastille. Everything from classic ballets and operas to more modern productions can be enjoyed at these and other opera houses in the city. Theatre has been at the heart of Parisian culture for centuries and visitors can also have a slice of this tradition by seeing what is on offer at the aforementioned venues and other theatres across the capital.
