Paris Travel Information

Posted on Wednesday, October 19, 2011

When it comes to Paris, words fail. No description or superlative comes close to capturing the magic of the inimitable "City of Light." It's not just the culture…or the history…or the people, architecture, or food. It's all of those things-plus, so much more. Whether it's day, night, winter, summer, spring, or autumn, in Paris, the very air feels enchanted. Certainly, few places have as many recognizable icons: Notre Dame, Eiffel Tower, Arch de Triumph, Louvre. Whether you're shopping along the Champs-Élysées, cruising down the River Seine, taking in a cabaret show at the historic Moulin Rouge, strolling through the artist village of Montmartre, or simply basking in the city's je ne sais at a sidewalk café, Paris will make a lasting impression on you.

Quick Facts:

Population: 11 million
Language: French
Currency: The Euro 1€ =100 Cents
Time Zone: GMT +1

Weather: Paris is renowned to be most beautiful in the spring. All year round though the city is a delight with sizzling summers and coat wrapped winters.

Popular Sights:

Arc de Triomphe - Built to commemorate Napoleon’s victories, this impressive arch is a symbol of French pride. Eiffel Tower - The definitive symbol of Paris, and indeed France, the Eiffel tower dominates the city skyline. At night from atop its viewing decks Paris sparkles and earns its name as the ‘City of Lights’.
Champs Elysees - This is Paris’ grand boulevard and a great place to stroll and soak up the atmosphere of elegant stores, restaurants, theaters and hotels.
The Seine - The lifeline of the city, this river makes its way under numerous bridges - perfect for romantic moments. Take a boat trip down the Seine or just stroll along its banks and discover this great city.
The Louvre - Paris artistic soul may come from the artist quarter of Montemarte, but it is stored in The Louvre. Within The Louvre lies a myriad of paintings and sculptures. Not least the world’s most famous painting – the Mona Lisa.

Shopping:

From famous designer boutiques on the Champs Elysees to the charming antique dealers and art shops around the city, Paris has shopping options for every taste.

Enjoy looking for great buys such as perfume, silk scarves and wines in designer stores. Haggle over books at a flea – markets along the Seine and bargain for perfect pieces in antiques stores.

Cuisine:

Parisians take food very seriously and the City of Lights is world famous for its array of bistros, cafes and superior restaurants. Meals are sumptuous, creative and often have many courses, all washed down with great French wine.

Notable dishes are Beef bourguignon (beef stew with wine, herbs and vegetables) and bouillabaisse (fish stew). Be sure to indulge and enjoy the endless selection of freshly baked pastries like Croissant and Éclaire and taste the many fantastic French cheeses.

Top Ten Boutiques in Paris

Posted on Saturday, March 12, 2011

On a Trafalgar tour you can expect to see all the top sites such as the Eiffel Tower, the Champs Élysées, the Arc de Triomphe and Notre Dame Cathedral, but if you’re going to have an unforgettable holiday in one of Europe’s most fashionable capitals, you’ll want to look the part - it is Paris Fashion Week soon after all!-  so do take advantage of Paris’s many unique boutiques.

As well as our personal favourite Paris past-times, such as taking a scenic cruise on the Seine River, admiring Impressionist art at Musée d’Orsay, a visit to the Fragonard Perfumery and Museum, and an excursion to Louis XIV’s Palace of Versailles (one of the world’s grandest, with its spectacular ornamental gardens) here is our pick of the top 10 boutiques in Paris, so you can spend, spend, spend!

1. Kookai Stock, 82 rue Réaumur, 2nd, Metro Réaumur-Sébastopol, Paris. Open Monday to Saturday, from 10.30am to 7.30pm.

As you’d expect from a boutique nestled in the tailoring district of Paris, Kookai Stock features a large shopping space filled with past-season garments with discounts as big as 70% off. Let the super friendly staff help you pick the perfect Parisian top for a mere €9.

2. Chanel 31, rue Cambon. 75001, Paris. Open Monday to Saturday, from 10am to 7pm.

It wouldn’t be right to have a top 10 shopping list for Paris without mentioning Chanel. It may be right out of most visitors price range, but a trip to Paris would not be complete without a least a short window-shop or browse of the designer brand which is the essence of chic Paris.

3. Saint-Ouen Flea Market, 140 rue des Rosiers 93400 SAINT-OUEN, Paris.
OK, it’s not quite a boutique, but Saint-Ouen Flea Market has so much to offer the shopper who has it all – for a fraction of the price. Originally the Market was a trading spot which joined Paris and Saint-Ouen in the 1800s, born when the traders grouped together to sell their curious wares. Head here for unique souvenirs and bargain vintage trinkets. It may be open every day, but weekends tend to be much busier.

4. Agnes b., 6, rue du Jour, 75001 Paris. Open Monday to Friday from 11am to 8.30pm.

For a boutique that Paris is famed for, head to the urban Agnes b., the original of which is on rue du Jour. Shunning advertising, Agnes Trouble, who started her shop in the 1970s. chooses instead to support young designers and artists through her in-house galleries, giving the Agnes b. boutique a boho feel.

5. Christian Louboutin, 38, rue de Grenelle, Paris. Open Monday to Friday from 10am to 6pm.

Christian Louboutin is a name we’re all familiar with, owing to the Parisian shoe designer’s oh-so-sexy yet still super comfortable high heels, which are cherished the world over. Visit the Christian Louboutin boutique in Paris to see kooky yet sumptuous style, and if you’re feeling particular caught up in the romance of Paris, perhaps you’ll purchase a pair.

6. Parfums Frederic Malle, 37, rue de Grenelle, Paris. Open Monday to Saturday 10am to 9pm and Sunday 12am – 6pm.

No trip to Paris would be complete without a visit to one of the city’s perfumeries, and which better boutique than one of the city’s oldest, and just over the road from Christian Louboutin. Have a spritz of the classic designer scents and you might even want to buy some as a very chic souvenir.

7. Printemps, 102 Rue de Provence, 75009, Paris. Open from Monday to Saturday from 9.30am to 8pm.

Printemps is by no means a secret, but many visitors to Paris may overlook the vast department store, but that would be a mistake. Printemps’s impressive art nouveau building is filled to the top with France’s favourite fashion, lifestyle and cosmetics brands. Our tip: head to the top floor cafe for unrivalled views of the Eiffel Tower.

8.  Kiliwatch, 64, Rue Tiquetonne, 75002, Paris. Open from Monday to Sunday from 11am to 7pm.

Men in tow may be yearning for a seat (or hearty French lunch) by now, but the most stylish among them are probably after a slice of Parisian style for themselves. Male shoppers should head to Kiliwatch for a great range of vintage menswear. Of course, there’s plenty of women’s vintage fashion in Kiliwatch too!

9. Monoprix, 21 Avenue Opéra, Paris. Open Monday to Saturday 9am to 9pm.

If you’re on a budget during your tour of Paris but would still like to dip into the city’s effortless style, then a visit to Monoprix is essential. As ‘the French version of Marks & Spencers’,  you can expect great-value essentials that are perfect for travelling in, and are excellent quality as well as unique.

10. Comptoir des Cotonniers, 12, Place St. Sulpice, 75006 Paris. Open Monday to Saturday 10am to 7pm.

For the ultimate in effortless Parisian chic, head to Comptoir des Cotonniers, where you’ll find elegant essentials which are at much more affordable prices than most of Paris’s famed boutiques and designer names.

After shopping in chic boutiques and elegant department stores, just sit in an outdoor café and watch the world go by – it’s just like a fashion show! And when the sun goes down, there is still more than enough to keep you busy. Parisian nightlife is truly legendary. Perhaps try a cabaret at the Nouvelle Eve or a champagne show at the Moulin Rouge or wander through the Latin Quarter and dine out in Bohemian Montmartre.

Don’t forget Giverny, the home and gardens of the Impressionist painter Claude Monet or visit Disneyland Paris located just outside the city. If you have already visited Paris, then you know why we are inviting you back to discover one of Europe’s most beautifully planned cities.

Browse through Trafalgar France tours.

Shopping in Paris

Posted on Friday, February 12, 2010

Although more often travel to Paris for it’s museums and sights than for it’s nightlife, there are some big nights out to be found int eh ‘city of light’. The Latin Quarter, Bastille and the Montmarte/Moulan Rouge district along the Avenue de Clichy provides some great venues for those seeking nightlife, 7 nights a week while the Champs-Elysees is home to Le Queen and Man Ray. More than enough to keep any European party animal occupied until the sun comes up.  If you are seeking something slower paced, there are also several jazz clubs, pubs and cafes.