Entertainment in Paris

With its incomparable historic sites and the rich art collections of the Louvre, Paris is often thought of as the most famous museum in the world. But Paris’s culture is not just about the past; the city of light also celebrates cinema and music, and the nightlife is becoming as exciting as that of London or New York.
The biggest source of entertainment and wonder in Paris is the city itself. It’s full of architectural treasures, and each street, park and district has something to offer. Think of the contrast between the stylish St-Germain-des-Prés with its luxury shops and the picturesque Montmartre, with its painters in the Place du Tertre. (more…)

Shop in Paris

We bet there are a lot of people who still believe that Paris is the most expensive city in the world (not true!) and that there is little or next to nothing that they can afford to bring home, apart from an Eiffel Tower key chain and a bottle of Chanel No.5. Paris is a shopper’s dream, of course, and the “glitteratiâ€? will feel quite at home in the Haute Couture shops found on Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré and Avenue Montaigne in the 8th arrondissement. Top quality shoes, bags, and leather goods are the province of Rue du Cherche-Midi and rue de Grenelle in the 6th. Truly trend-setting fashions may be seen in the shops on Rue Etienne Marcel and Place des Victoires bordering the 1st and 2nd arrondissements. Some of the better-known emporiums of Haute Couture and jewelry include: Cartier (8th), Celine (8th), Chanel (1st & 8th), Chaumet, Christian Dior (8th), Christian Lacroix (8th), Piaget, Yves Saint Laurent (16th), and Van Cleef & Arpels (8th). (more…)

Getting Around in Paris

Paris is well equipped in the area of public transport, which is administered by the state owned company RATP. The easiest way to get around Paris is by the metro (subway) which runs daily from 5:30am-12:30am. Transportation maps are available at subway stations. Tickets can be purchased singly or in books of 10. They are available at the stations and from tobacconists and must be validated before boarding.
It is also necessary to have the ticket available at the end of the journey. The best buy is a Paris Viste ticket which is valid for 1-5 days and can be used interchangeably on the subway, bus and rail service to some destinations. Buses run daily from 6:30am-8:30pm. The RER (Réseau Express Régional) suburban express network has five lines (A, B, C and D) covering five zones and running from 0500-0000. (more…)