Visit: The Louvre

Learn about the history of the Palace, and discover the masterpieces it contains as this film takes you inside the Louvre on a private tour. From the Pyramid to the Richelieu wing, and from Greek and Egyptian antiquities to the remains of a medieval castle, The Visit reveals the treasures which delight over 5 million museum visitor’s a year.

It’s a crime against beauty to rush through the Louvre (34-36 Quai du Louvre, tel. 01/4020-5317). To conserve time, purchase your tickets in advance, and bring nothing but yourself and a camera to the museum. This way, you will avoid the long lines at the ticket office and bag-checking window. Of course, there is enough artwork at the Louvre to knock you off your feet for months, but if you come all the way to Paris without seeing the Mona Lisa or the Venus de Milo, then why bother coming in the first place? The plaza outside of the museum is almost as beautiful as the artwork within, and you should strongly consider eating lunch out here.

From the Louvre, hop on the Metro to Notre Dame (6 Place du parvis Notre-Dame, tel. 01/4234-5610). The world famous cathedral is simply awe-inspiring, as the throng clamoring to get inside is hushed the moment it enters the cathedral’s doors. The beauty and solemnity of Notre Dame will stay with you forever.

Bonjour! Welcome to Paris, one of the world's most popular destinations-your passport to a fantastic vacation! From The Louvre's unforgettable painting of the Mona Lisa to Nôtre-Dame's glowering gargoyles to the glamorous can-can dancers at Moulin Rouge, Paris offers the experiences of a lifetime! The city has dominated the political, artistic, and intellectual life of France since the Kings made it their capital in the 12th century. "Paris goes her own way," Victor Hugo once remarked, "and France, irritated, is forced to follow."

You can also enjoy simple, flavorful fare in any café around town. Wake up with a cup of robust coffee and a breakfast croissant. At lunchtime, pick up some pâté and a French baguette, and have an impromptu picnic on a nearby park bench. Share some crumbs with the pigeons, and celebrate (as Hemingway did) the "moveable feast" that is Paris.

During the reign of Napoleon III, Baron Haussmann constructed many of the city's present wide avenues, providing great vistas that showcase the city's many attractions, such as the Arc de Triomphe and the Eiffel Tower. As you explore Paris, you'll see that most of these avenues-such as the famed Champs-Élysées-are lined with trees, fountains, and gardens to enjoy.

On the eastern and western edges, two large forests provide places for Parisians and visitors to picnic and play. Because of its location on the River Seine almost halfway between the English Channel and the eastern border of France with Germany, Paris enjoys a relatively mild climate throughout the year.

Timeless Paris has an ongoing courtship with the future. Monuments rise out of bustling streets where chic boutiques launch the hottest new trends. Museums overflowing with masterpieces share plaza with artists waiting to be discovered at their make-shift stands.

• Paris Tourist Office (French)
• HOT Map of Paris - dynamic street map of the city

Attractions Hit List:

• Champs-Elysées - The most fashionable street in the world.
  
• La Défense Paris's highrise business disctrict features a modern version of the Arc de Triomphe.
  
• Musée d'Orsay- This beautiful 19th century railway station was turned into a popular museum.
  
• Jardin du Luxembourg - This great park was created in the 17th century and opened for the public in the 19th century.
  
• Hôtel de Ville - The City Hall of Paris is a grand building located near the Seine river.
  
• Opéra Garnier - This opulent building in Second Empire baroque style is one of the grandest opera houses ever built.
  
• Panthéon - The crypt of the Panthéon contains the vaults of several of France's famous countrymen.
  
• Place des Vosges - The oldest square in Paris also features the Victor Hugo museum.
  
• Place de la Concorde The largest square in Paris connects the Tuileries with the Champs-Elysées
  
• Place de la Bastille - The French Revolution started here, at the site of the former Bastille stronghold
  
• Les Invalides - This former accomodation for war veterans is now home to several museums, among them a large military museum.
  
• Tour Maine Montparnasse - The largest office tower in the center of Paris features an observatory.
  
• Pont Alexandre III- A beautiful 19th century bridge, decorated with many sculptures.
  
• Le Parc des Buttes Chaumont - A park in the 19th arrondissement featuring steep hills and a 100ft high waterfall.

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The mark of a great city is the many different impressions it can leave on any one person. When I say Paris, what do you think of first? The Eiffel Tower? The Louvre? The Arc de Triomphe? Notre Dame? Do you think fashion, romance, food, or fun? It is this diversity that elevates Paris to the top of any list that tries to compare the world’s best cities.

Paris is a city that simply cannot be fully appreciated on a limited time budget. To hurry through Paris is to miss the city’s entire point. This is a place for strolling, for enjoying life, for smelling the flowers and tasting the wine. Ten million people call Paris home, and they get to enjoy these simple pleasures every single day.

Of course, for tourists, it is not that easy, as you have to fit centuries of history and culture into a few short hours or days. This leaves many people frustrated, as they hustle past the Mona Lisa in the hopes that they can enjoy Notre Dame for a little longer. By the time they see the cathedral, they’re already calculating how long it will take them to get to the Eiffel Tower. And at the top of Eiffel Tower, they are trying to figure out how to fit in dinner and shopping on the Champs-Elysees before departing, always departing too soon.

If this is to be your itinerary, the best thing to do is pare it down. The above-mentioned attractions are pretty much automatic for every Parisian visitor. You will have to be extremely picky beyond that if you want to see anything else. Get the most out of your stay by planning it in advance. Start early and leave late. But whatever you do, don’t rush, or you’ll miss what the city is all about. There’s a reason that the phrase joie de vivre is in French. One visit to Paris, and you’ll understand.

Obviously, Paris has enough attractions to last a lifetime. For cruise passengers, spending a day or two in Paris is almost a tease, with every sight leaving you wanting more time to enjoy and appreciate it. Keeping your time constraints in mind, this guide will attempt to focus your sights on the truly must-see attractions in the City of Lights. This can all be completed in a day, if needed, but hopefully you can at least spread it out over two.

Back to the Metro, and you’ll be on your way to the Eiffel Tower (Champ-de-Mars, tel. 01/4411-2323), the most recognizable structure in the world. The lines to take an elevator to the top are usually enormous, no matter what time of the day you visit. If you’re in shape, conserve your time and patience by using the stairs. There are little Eiffel Tower anecdotes at every landing, so you will be educated as you exercise.

You cannot climb all the way to the top, however, and quite frankly, you wouldn’t want to. An elevator takes everybody all the way to the zenith. The view afforded there is obviously stunning, and you may want to take the time to sign your name on the wall. Everyone else already has. If you have time, catch your breath and sit on the grass at the beautiful Jardins du Trocadero.

The Arc de Triomphe (Place Charles-de-Gaulle-Etoile, tel. 01/5537-7377) stands at the end of the Champs-Elysees. Measuring 163 feet high and 147 feet wide, the arch took thirty years to complete. An elevator will take you to the top, although you can choose to use the stairs if you would prefer.

A panoramic view of the Eiffel Tower and the bustle of Champs-Elysees awaits you at the top. Complete your Parisian whirlwind day with some dinner at a fine French bistro and shopping along Champs-Elysees, and you’ll have seen the best that Paris has to offer.

France is a canvas painted with a blend of the old and new, the serene and glamorous. Aromatic wines, legendary cuisine, grand palaces and sweeping vistas are all a part of the enchanting design.

The city's Left Bank is considered to be its intellectual heart, and includes the famed Sorbonne University, chic neighborhoods, and the renowned Latin Quarter.

The Right Bank is home to businesses, elegant shops, The Louvre, and much more. Traffic in Paris is heavy and parking difficult to find; your stay will be more pleasurable if you use public transportation.

The Métro and bus systems are excellent and inexpensive. Remember, however, that the Métro does not operate between 1:00 a.m. and 5:30 a.m., and bus service stops between 9:00 p.m. and 6:30 a.m. Paris offers innumerable restaurants, from superlative three-star eateries as rated by the Michelin Guide, to very Parisian-style brasseries, to friendly family places off the beaten path.