| With thirty million visitors each year, Paris | | | | which has come to symbolise Paris. Designed |
| is one of the most visited places in the | | | | by Gustave Eiffel, it was built in 1889 to |
| world. This is not surprising as it is the | | | | commemorate the centenary of the French |
| leading cultural, business and political | | | | Revolution. Up until 1930, it was the tallest |
| centre and holds influence in fashion and | | | | building in the world. There are 1652 steps |
| gastronomy. | | | | to the top and it has three platforms. The |
| | | | second platform offers exclusive dining at |
| It has also been described as the most | | | | the Jules Verne restaurant. The top platform |
| romantic city in the world with many couples | | | | has a bar, shop and the office of Gustav |
| enjoying honeymoons, anniversaries or just a | | | | Eiffel. The views are breathtaking |
| romantic weekend. Paris evokes images romance | | | | particularly just before sunset. |
| and bohemian lifestyle. Paris is a haven for | | | | |
| artists and street performers, cafe culture | | | | Arc de Triomphe |
| and people watching and a certain 'joie de | | | | |
| vive' | | | | The Arc de Triomphe is a spectacular monument |
| | | | conceived by Napoleon to celebrate victory in |
| The Louvre | | | | battle. Completed in 1836, it provides a |
| | | | focal point for French patriotism. The tomb |
| Attracting up to six million visitors each | | | | of the Unknown Soldier lies under the arch, |
| year, the Louvre has been open since 1793. | | | | commemorating the dead of the two world wars. |
| Its collections are renowned worldwide. One | | | | From the roof there are spectacular views of |
| of its greatest treasures is the Mona Lisa | | | | Paris, including the Louvre and Place de la |
| painted by the great man Leonardo de Vinci. | | | | Concorde. Access to the arch is through a |
| Made ever more popular by the publication of | | | | tunnel as traffic around the arc is |
| the Da Vinci Code, thousands of people come | | | | notoriously bad. Inside the arc there is a |
| each day to stand and stare at this enigmatic | | | | museum documenting its history and |
| portrait. She is well protected behind glass | | | | construction. |
| from the air and flash photography. There are | | | | |
| a number of 'thematic trails' where you can | | | | Notre Dame Cathedral |
| wonder at ancient Greek sculptures including | | | | |
| the famous Aphrodite or Italian renaissance | | | | Although mass is still held here, the |
| paintings and so much more. The guides are | | | | cathedral is owned and maintained by the |
| impressive in their knowledge of the | | | | state. The building is a fine example of |
| collections. | | | | French Gothic architecture. Construction |
| | | | began as early as 1160. It has undergone many |
| The building is impressive with the 'Glass | | | | changes and is still being restored today. |
| Pyramid' being the focal point. Built by I.M. | | | | The cathedral is named after Our Lady of |
| Pei, it was inaugurated in 1989 amid some | | | | Paris and displayed within its walls is an |
| controversy. Rumours were spread that the | | | | extravagant sculpture known as the Virgin of |
| pyramid was constructed from 666 panes of | | | | Paris. |
| glass - a number associated with the devil. | | | | |
| These rumours were further fuelled with | | | | Moulin Rouge |
| references in Dan Brown's novel. As your | | | | |
| guide will tell you, there are actually 673 | | | | What better way to spend an evening than a |
| panes of glass that make up the structure. | | | | visit to the Moulin Rouge - Paris's most |
| The impact of Brown's book is such that there | | | | famous theatre. The Cancan dancers performed |
| are now special Da Vinci Code trails that | | | | by beautiful girls were immortalised by |
| unravel fact from fiction. | | | | Toulouse Lautrec. Many famous artists have |
| | | | performed here including Ella Fitzgerald, |
| Eiffel Tower | | | | Frank Sinatra, Elton John and Edith Piaf. You |
| | | | can be sure of a great night out in true |
| The Eiffel tower was a temporary structure | | | | Parisian style. |