The 30 best Hotels in Paris

About Paris

There is never any ending to Paris and the memory of each person who has lived in it differed from that of any other. Hemingway's words are perfect to describe this bohemian, romantic city, called the City of light, that captivates anyone who comes visit her thanks to its magnificent walks by the Seine, its nostalgic cafes and its mysterious corners. Come and get to know the Paris of works such as Rayuela or A moveable feast, let the city absorb you and discover which Paris is your Paris. Now you'll be able to say we'll always have Paris.

Moving around

There's several ways to move around the big city of Paris but the subway is the best one. It's fast and it has several lines that will take you anywhere you want to go. The service starts at 5:00 am until 1:00 am. You also have the suburban train, RER, which operates almost as the subway. The bus is probably the less advisable due to a lower frequency and the traffic. Although, whenever possible, it's better to walk around the beautiful streets of Paris.

Out & About

A city as big as Paris cannot be seen in just a couple of days so it's better to set some essential stops such as Eiffel Tower. There are countless museums and, among them, is the Louvre where you'll be able to admire the Mona Lisa or the Code of Hammurabi. For contemporary art, the place to visit is the Centre Georges Pompidou of which the building is a piece of art in itself. Many of the museums are free the first Sunday of each month. Museums aside, literature lovers must visit Shakespeare & Co bookstore where Hemingway took one of his most famous photographs. Joyce and Fitzgerald also visited the bookstore. Now that we're here, we can take advantage of our location and visit Notre Dame. One of the most famous and most visited cemeteries is Père Lachaise where lie the remains of celebrities such as Balzac, Chopin, Delacroix, Jim Morrison, Oscar Wilde or Édith Piaf. If the weather is good, the best way to enjoy Paris is get lost in its streets, discover its core going down to its catacombs or, during summer, sunbathing in Paris Plages in the banks of the Seine. Another place you can't miss is Montmartre from where you'll be able to admire the city of Paris and let one of the many street artists immortalize you in a portrait. If you dare, you can climb the stairs or choose the easy way and get the cable car that will take you up the hill to the feet of the Sacré Coeur. At night, the best thing to do is walk around Pigalle to admire its lights and its nightlife where you'll find the magnificent Moulin Rouge.

What's going on in

Saint Germain Fair. It takes place from early June to early July with activities for everyone: exhibits, theatre, antiques or all kinds of concerts. It takes place in the 6º arrondissement. Grape Harvest Party. In early October. A lively party which celebrates the wine harvest. Street music festival. The 21st July, the streets of Paris fill with music of every possible style. 14th July . It's the national day which commemorates the storming of the Bastille and the victory of the Revolution. Everybody remembers the Exposition Universelle of 1889 thanks to Eiffel Tower, main symbol and entrance of the world fair. It commemorated the 100th anniversary of the storming of the Bastille. Another worldly known event is the Tour de France that crosses Paris as well as other French cities.

Shopping

In the magnificent Galeries Lafayette one can enjoy a good day of shopping or the marvelous views of the city from the top floor. Faubourg-Saint-Honoré Street is one of the most famous streets thanks to its fashion boutiques and its art galleries and Place Vendôme is the perfect place to buy jewelry. The flea market of Ouen is a must to find hidden treasures.

What's cooking?

To talk about Paris is to talk about cheese, wine, foie, duck and so many other delicious dishes. To taste typical dishes from any corner of the world, you have to go to the Quartier Latin where we will find restaurants from all the world at cheap prices although probably is more desirable to sit quietly in a brasserie or in a charming bistrot to taste a real French dish accompanied with a good wine. Of course, we can't miss the chance to enjoy the exquisite croissants, pain au chocolat or the delicious crêpes. We'll be able to say that we have made the most of our trip only if we have tasted the vast and magnificent variety of French cheeses.

Weather

Weather in Paris is usually unpredictable so it's highly advisable to be prepared for anything. Each season reflects one side of the city, from the melancholy of the rainy autumn to the charm of the sun and the colorful flowers in spring. The best time to visit Paris is during spring when the days are usually sunny, the temperatures are pleasant and the parks start to bloom.

Practical information

As any European Union country, the currency is the euro. Paris is a safe city but you don't want to tempt the thieves so you have to be careful in crowded places if you don't want your holidays to be ruined.

So...

Walk around its streets and feel how time stands still. Immerse yourself in the literary and bohemian side of Paris or discover the most chic face of this cosmopolitan city, mixture of classic and new, melancholic and cheerful, of endless beauty, because you know that, whatever happens, we'll always have Paris.