Paris Travel

Overview
Paris, commonly referred to as the City of Light, is well known as one of the most fashionable, beautiful, and romantic cities in the world. From its blend of ancient and modern architecture to its cozy high-end cafes, there is certainly something to please everyone within the city's walls. The city is almost circular in shape, surrounded by hills on all sides, and divided in half by the River Seine. There are 20 districts that make up the inner city, and each is numbered as its spirals clockwise from the 1^st district. The center of the city is the Île de la Cité, home of the Notre Dame cathedral and the Palais de Justice. Stretching from the northern bank of the Seine are the government and business districts and the Marais and Bastille quarters. South of the river is the university of the Sorbonne, the main district for academics. The 1^st six districts, found in the center of the city and clustered around the River Seine, are the location of the majority of tourist attractions. The suburbs found outside of the city's walls are called La Banlieue, and they are mostly residential areas.

Sightseeing Attractions
The city of Paris is covered with museums, and, if you're planning to take a day to visit as many as possible, it may be a good idea to purchase the Carte Musées et Monuments. This pass, which can be purchased through the city's tourist office, covers admission to over seventy hotels within the city's limits. If you prefer instead to visit only the few best museums Paris has to offer, you'll absolutely want to check out The Louvre, the Musée d'Orsay, the Centre Georges Pompidou, the Picasso Museum, the Rodin Museum, the Delacroix, the Invalides, the Carnavalet, and the Jeu de Paume. These museums can all be found in the city's first seven districts. Paris is also the home to many fantastic landmarks. For just a brief tour of the wonders of Paris architecture, make sure to visit the Eiffel Tower, the Père-Lachaise Cemetery, the Catacombs, the Arc de Triomphe, the Notre Dame Cathedral, the Sacré Coeur, the Sainte Chapelle, the Pantheon, the Chateau de Versailles, and the Grand Arche de la Defense. However, keep in mind that you could spend weeks in Paris without ever seeing all of the sightseeing attractions that the city has to offer.

Nightlife
To go to Paris without shopping is impossible. Covered in high-end department stores, the fashion capital of the world lives up to its reputation. However, if you're planning to shop in the city, come prepared to spend a decent chunk of money. Paris is one of the most expensive cities in the world. For dining, the first six city districts have the largest selection of restaurants. Trendy, upscale restaurants can require advance reservations, and, often, the best places to eat are those corner cafes where you'll find so many of the locals dining. The more tourist-oriented a restaurant is, the higher its prices will be. Paris is also a popular drinking city, and you don't have to go far to find a bar or nightclub. There are many places that are popular amongst afternoon drinkers, such as the Bastille; however, most of Paris' bars and nightclubs stay open until around 6am.