The Marais is one of the few areas that Baron Haussmann largely ignored when he was tearing up the rest of the city; for that reason it still retains a medieval feel.

Though very few buildings actually date from the Middle Ages, this warren of narrow streets and picturesque squares is layered with a rich history, which is apparent in the pleasing hodgepodge of architectural styles. The neighborhood’s glory days date from the 16th and 17th centuries when anyone  who was anyone simply had to build a mansion or a palace here. Though the area fell from grace in the 18th and 19th, many of the grand hôtels particuliers (private mansions) survived the slings and arrows of time and were reborn as museums and public archives when the neighborhood was restored in the later half of the 20th century.

Today, the Marais is a fascinating mix of hip gentrification and the remnants of a working class neighborhood. It is at once the center of the city’s gay life, as well as the oldest Jewish quarter, with a heavily traditionalist bent. Some of the city’s best museums are here, and the best boutiques for browsing, so depending on your interests, you could spend a few hours or an entire day here.

But you can approach a boutique if you see the “special offer” sign. Sometimes, select haute couture or pret-a-porter pieces are sold for a relatively small price. And you can always find an exotic or traditional gift in the Parisian shops.

The neighborhood Triangle dOr is the main center of attraction of Parisian luxury shopping and it consists of Avenue Montaigne (with brands like Gucci, Celine, Chanel and Dior), Avenue George V, and Rue Francois next to the Champs Elysees. Rue Faubourg Saint-Honore, on the other side of Avenue Champs Elysees near Metro Saint-Philippe-du-Roule (hosts labels like Versace, Yves Saint Laurent and Hermes). And lets not forget about Louis Vuitton on 101 by Metro George V.

A small advice would be to wear comfortable shoes. A shopping place very famous is Galeries Lafayette and Au Printemps. They are vast and you can get easily tired when you visit Galeries Lafayette, strolling between the floors.

But Paris is not known for fashion but also for antiques. If you like to see or buy antiques, you should not miss Marche aux Puces de St-Ouen.

And if you want to taste tempting food, don’t miss the food shops at Rue Rambuteau, Rue Montorgueil and Place de la Madeleine in the Opra Quarter.

If you still have the budget and the time, I would also like to suggest: the chic Place des Victoires, the Garment District (Sentier) Royal behind the Palais Royal, the Carr Rive Gauche near the Orsay museum, and Rue de Seine, Rue Jacob and Rue du Bac near the Saint-Germain des Prs church. As far as shopping is concerned, you can find anything you want in Paris.

Choose a traveling route using Pass www.ratp.info

At first sight, the Parisian metro seems confusing but, if you are a visitor, you only have 2 choices: use single trip tickets or buy a pass for several days that will allow you to use, without limit, both the metro and the bus.

• Single Trip: €1.60
• Carnet (a pack of ten, single trip cards): €11.40

Paris Visit Pass (is you choose this you will travel without restrictions in a specific number of zones for a specific number of days):

• 1 day pass: €8.80
• 2 days: €14.40
• 3 days: €19.60
• 5 days: €28.30

Museum Pass

Visiting the museums of Paris is an essential thing if you are a tourist. Many of them hold art pieces unique in the world. A Museum Pass is a very good choice and it will help you skip queues and give you access to many of the major monuments like Notre Dame, Arc de Triomphe.

• 2 day pass: €32
• 4 day pass: €48
• 6 day pass: €64

Free Museums

You don’t have to pay a fee in every museum in Paris. Some you can visit for free. For example, all national museums are free of charge on the first Sunday of each month (but you will have to endure the long queues) and if you’re under 25 you can visit the Louvre for free every Friday night (only after 6pm).

Also, other museums offer a free entrance depending on their schedule and they are worth checking out.

Here is a list of a few of the most visited free museums:

• Le Petit Palais- Fine Arts Museum: www.petitpalais.paris.fr
• Musee Carnavalet- Museum of Paris History: www.carnavalet.paris.fr/
• Paris Modern Art Museum: www.paris.org/Musees/Art.Moderne.Ville/
• The House of Victor Hugo: www.musee-hugo.paris.fr/

Parisians respect the lunch time and that is when you will find some good deals. For example, a three Course lunch menu costs around €10 – sometimes with a glass of wine included.

At dinner time, many restaurants offer good deals but not as cheap as lunch menus. The Latin Quarter (opposite Notre Dame) is the place where you will find the largest concentration of budget eating but you should check out other areas too.

Coffee Break

If you are tired of strolling or just want to stop for a coffee, you will have a large variety of offers. The cheapest coffee (or whatever drink you may want) will be in bars. Also, sometimes the price depends on the place you sit at. If you go inside and sit on a table, a sum between 10%-50% could be added on to your bill. If you sit on the terrace- considered a premium spot – some places could double your bill. Besides that, you should always be aware on the size you order. You may want to specify before when you order. Otherwise, many restaurants and bistros often give you the largest measure.

Sleep (and eat) outside Paris center

If you decide to escape the center of Paris, you will reach The Boulevard Peripherique – the road that circles the city and defines the limits of Paris. Outside this road, there are the suburbs and all the prices drop considerably.

If you want to find a cheap hotel but still be next to the city, pick one close to the city limits. The price for a room is, most of the times, a fraction of the price in center town. Sometimes, by sitting outside the city limits you are closer to some tourist objectives. depending where you base yourself you could be closer to many of the major sights than

Rent and apartment

If your stay in Paris surpasses a few days, it would be cheaper to rent an apartment rather than stay in a hotel, or even hostel. All apartments are equipped with a kitchen and this way you can also save money on food costs and cook it yourself. It’s worth hunting looking around as good offers can be found even if you’re staying just one or two nights.

Find the Supermarkets

Supermarkets are hard to find in center Paris if you don’t look around carefully. But most of the times there are supermarkets or small shops around many of the major attractions.

Franprixwww.franprix.fr, Monoprix www.monoprix.fr and Atac www.atac.fr are a few of the largest chains in the city and they are not far away. Grab something to eat and have a picnic in one of the city parks. You will feel like a true Parisian.

Book Ahead

Plan your trip carefully and by booking ahead a hotel or hostel, you will save some money for sure. A clear example is booking a train. If you do that online at www.voyage-sncf.fr, you can save up to 75% compared with buying it at the station. The same example applies to some museums and even restaurants.

Gustave Eiffel was the French engineer that designed The Eiffel Tower and it took just over two years to build. The construction started in 1887 and finished piece is 342 meters high, weights 7000 tons, has 2,5 millions rivets and it is made of iron. Till 1930, the French tower was the highest in the world. In 1930 the Empire State Building was constructed and it settled as the highest building in the world. At this moment, The Eiffel Tower is one of the most important and most popular attractions on the globe. Statistics say that since it was opened, approximately 210 million people have visited it.

In the beginning, the tower was meant to last only twenty years and then to be dismantled. But the success it had among the tourists and the fact that it was a perfect place for communication devices, were the two main reasons why The Eiffel Tower still stands in the heart of Paris.

The tower is built on three levels and has two restaurants. Although the prices at these restaurants are a bit high, treat yourself to eat in this unique spot and take a look at the whole city. One of the restaurants is called Altitude 95 and it is located at the first floor. In order to make a reservation, just call +33 (0) 145 55 20 04. On the second floor you will find the other restaurant, Le Jules Verne and you can book a table call + 33 (0) 145 55 61 44. On the ground level, the first floor and the second one you will find many souvenir shops where you can grab a beautiful reminder.

If you want to get there, the best way is to take the metro and stop at Trocadero Station. From there you only have a short walk till you see the tower. Also, don’t forget to visit the Eiffel Tower by night. The spectacular view and the illuminated tower will amaze you. Also, go there on sunset time and admire the city right from the last floor.

Many people are familiar with this museum if they have read The Da Vinci Code but few people know that this museum started as a 12th century fortress, guarding over Paris.

Since then, over hundreds of years, the gallery has been enlarged and has become what it is today. An interesting fact is that, for a short while, king Louis XIV lived in the Louvre. After his short stay there, in 1674, he moved to the sumptuous Palace of Versailles and left the Louvre to house the Royal Collection.

The museum was opened to the public in 1793 and it showed only 537 paintings on display. The public were allowed free entry and every body was pleased: "it is perceived as a major accomplishment and very well received". These days, the collections in the Louvre change constantly and also the amount of art works as exhibitions are frequently renewed. In this moment, The Louvre Museum gathers approximately 380.000 pieces. Among these pieces there are famous ones, like Mona Lisa, but also a lot of rare exhibits from all over the world, showing the history of mankind.

The Egyptians

Almost 50,000 pieces are gathered in the Egyptian exhibition in the museum. The Louvre collection is among the world’s largest. The exhibition is supervised by The Large Sphinx and is spreads in 22 rooms. A valuable piece on display is the Gebel-ei Arak knife from 3400 BC.

Greek and Roman

This collection reunites statues and artifact from the Neolithic to the 6th century BC, and many of them are the oldest in the world.

Islamic Art

An important collection belongs to the Islamic culture and sums up over 10,000 exhibits. Among these pieces are ceramics, glassware, wood and ivory. In the museum you will be able to see 3 pages of the Shahnameh, an epic poem written by Ferdowsi in Persian.

Paintings

The painting collections are mostly formed by French paintings of French artists (almost two-thirds of the museums 6.000 paintings) and close to 1,200 pieces are European. It is a fact that Mona Lisa is one of the most important paintings of humankind but the tourists should not hurry and rush through the collections and neglect the other paintings. They should get a real feel of the enormous work on display.

The time you will need to explore the halls of the Louvre is a full day but you will feel rewarded in the end. Many people and specialists like to devote whole days to specific areas of the museum. Once, Alberto Giacometti said, "I’ve been fifty thousand times to the Louvre. I have copies everything in drawing, trying to understand".

Its architecture is one of a kind and it is the oldest and most beautiful cathedral ever built in the City of Light.

The father of the cathedral is Bishop Maurice de Sully. In the late 10^th century he took it upon himself to remove the old cathedral and replace it with a new one, more beautiful. He demolishes everything in the surrounding areas and decided to build his masterpieces there.

A few years later, the Bishop died. But even after his death, the construction continued and in almost 200 years, in between 1163 and 1345, the bishop’s beautiful dream came true. Many people consider that 200 years was a very short period for building such a masterpiece. The cathedral is located in the center of Paris, at Point Zero. It is said that a person who steps on its stones will for sure, one day, return.

The architectural style is Gothic. The facade is mostly made of marble and raises majestically, with two main towers, an impressive rose window. The church is beautifully decorated with statues and gargoyles and on the outside it is surrounded by marvelous flying buttresses, a distinctive mark.

Just a mere attempt at reinforcing the walls, the buttresses are reviled for the elaborate contrast to the clean face of the facade. Many people claimed that they looked like forgotten scaffolding and because of that the building had an air of unfinished work. Besides that, the buttresses passed into public favor and now are recognized for their beauty.

But The Notre Dame Cathedral is not only recognized for its amazing facade but also for the masterpieces on the inside. The soaring arched ceilings and the walls on the inside melt with the elaborate windows in the same gothic architectural style. On the northern and southern walls, two large rose windows stand. The painted panels show different biblical scenes and characters. Because of the high level of analphabetism, painting the panels with biblical scenes was a fast and clear way of reaching the public and telling them stories from the Holy Bible.

Besides these attractions, The Treasury of Notre Dame is another thing to be seen. This treasury holds sparkling chalices, plates and robes made of gold, silver, and jewels. Their design is often elaborate and extremely beautiful. Many people say that these valuable pieces were used to hide the greed for wealth and power and mix it with religious terminology. And, as history says, this was the reason that fueled the reformation: the contrast between a the life of luxury of the politicians and church people and the rest of the people.

It is hard to describe the feeling one has while visiting this amazing cathedral. Words like: admiration, beauty, glory are some that can be used to describe it. The towering, ceilings make you feel small and insignificant while admiring this beautiful piece. Only you can decide, if you go there.

Even before we started the trip, I made a plan in my mind. I wanted to spend one evening on a boat cruise on the Seine and a Cabaret show at Lido. This was just for the first night. On the second night, I wanted to take a stroll in the Bastille quarter. I had my mind set on my plan!

Most people call Paris – The City of Light. But this beautiful town is not just that. It is also a city of music, accents, images and people faces! And when you think of a night in Paris and the Parisian nightlife, anything you want is at hand.

After sunset, a new segment of society emerges. The same people that by day were into museums and parks, in the night they are all about jazz bars, cafes, disco and house dance clubs and theatres. Paris is all that and even more. Of course, all comes with a price tab.

The second name that Paris has, The City of Light, is an expression you will be able to acknowledge only after the sun sets. That is when an amazing array of neon lights are lit up and they all could light up Times Square. And the amazing thing is that not only the bars and pub are lighted up but also the museums, the monuments and bridges, the streets, even the narrowest ones and all the classic buildings. Of course that all the places to have fun in: bars, pubs, clubs and terraces, probably have a huge electricity bill.

But that’s the Parisian way! If you were in any other place you would probably go to bed around 10 or 11 pm but not if you are in Paris.

You could compare Paris by night to an amoeba that sparkles. For a very long time, the Bastille quarter was THE place to go out at night. Bastille has kept an excellent and eccentric nightlife, with a large number of cafés, restaurants and bars. But another place emerges as the place to go out in the evening: Rue Oberkampf the place of clubbing.

In my mind, I wanted to go to Bastille, thinking that maybe the spirit has “cooled down” a little bit. But what was I thinking? I remember how a long time ago the French stormed the Bastille Prison and started the French Revolution. But right now, nobody is trying to get out of Bastille. It’s a fact!

If you go there, start with the main plaza, Place de la Bastille. There you will find bars, dance clubs, jazz lounges. You have a lot of places to choose from. The Chantier Interdit is part bar, part lounge and part club. The Bar Bat has couches and chairs facing out on the street and a big plasma TV. The Tribar has a nice comfortable lounge. And don’t think you will go home early! Many places stay open till around 5am.

You will see that the spirit in the Bastille is a contrast to Paris by day. And don’t forget to read the weekly Pariscope, an entertainment guide with a section in English. Also, if you are looking for fun, take the English-language bimonthly Boulevard. Both of them are full of information on the nightlife in the Bastille and in general, in Paris. Also, don’t forget to check out the program of theatres and restaurants.

If you ask 10 people to tell you what they like, you could get 10 different opinions. Because Paris is just that: a multicultural city with a lot of places to discover and have fin in. And you will need a couple of hours to get used to Paris nightlife. Don’t resist the temptation to go to Paris. It is an amazing city and you will for sure want to go back, just like I did.

If you manage to go to Paris this year or any other year, you have here a list of places you should visit:

Hotels

You are on a trip so why not stay in a luxurious hotel? Hotel Plaza Athenee, Hotel de Crillon, Hotel Meurice, Four Seasons George V Paris and Intercontinental Paris le Grand Hotel are waiting for you. Because they are well known and respected hotels, the prices are high and you should always book months ahead to make sure you find accommodation there. Some of them even book years ahead, especially on Valentine’s Day.

The Eiffel Tower

The distinctive mark of Paris is the magnificent Eiffel Tower. The 300 m /984 foot tall metal structure was built in 1889 and million of people have visited since then. You can reach the top level by climbing the stairs but you have to be in a very good shape to do that. If you are not or you don’t want to try that, use the elevators. Your trip to Paris will be unforgettable and extremely romantic if you go there.

The Champs-Elysees

A simple walk on the famous Champs-Elysees, will open your eyes to see many romantic images and will get you in a Parisian mood. While there, also go to Arc de Triomphe. It was built by Napoleon Bonaparte in the early 19th century to celebrate one of his victories. For sure you have seen it in a movie and it will make your jaw drop. Besides that, probably the best area along the Champs-Elysees is between the Place de la Concorde and the Rond-Point. You will find traditional areas and more modern ones

Edith Piaf’s Birthplace

If you are a romantic and want to celebrate you trip to Paris in a romantic way, visit Edith Piaf ‘s memorial house. She is one of France’s best-known singers and, years after her death, she continues to have many fans. Listen to some of her songs before you go there. You may be familiar with one of her most popular and acclaimed songs: "La Vie En Rase." Piaf was born in the Belleville district of Paris and that is the place where you have to go and pay homage.

Restaurants

Food is important but restaurants are also a place to spend time, talk and enjoy the atmosphere. Before you go on your trip, ask for suggestions and see the reviews on some of the restaurants. Many people like the small places rather than the huge ones. These ones have a true French cuisine that is famous everywhere and there are many dishes that you will like. Also, don’t get tied down to just one restaurant, even if you like it a lot. Go to many of them and experience the diversity of the French food. As an advice, try: Alle, Le Bistrot Du 7Eme, Chez Andre and Le Celedon.

Saint- Germain-de-Pres

You want to have a true Parisian experience? Go to Saint- Germain-de-Pres and stay with students from the prestigious Sorbonne and other locals in the clubs there. Don’t forget to take your Eurobucks because Paris is not a cheap city and don’t miss the surroundings too.

I know that it seems like I am obsessing over this but Paris is my favorite city and it makes me feel at home the moment I step out of the plane.

Each time I visit it I find some new place I haven’t discovered yet and it gets even closer to my heart. So I have put up a list of my top five Parisian landmarks.

La Tour Eiffel

The Eifel Tower, a masterpiece of construction is one of the most important landmarks of Paris. What more could I say about La Tour Eiffel, as Parisians call it, besides all the things you may already know. It is an icon, an architectural wonder and, in the same time, a sight for all eyes.

You will not miss it. It is visible from almost any point in Paris, especially if you walk on the banks of Seine Located on the Left bank, it’s sprawling lawn beneath it’s metal legs is called the Champ de Mars. It will be a welcoming sight for you. After crossing the Champ de Mars, take the elevator or walk the stairs and go to the top or mid level and see Paris in every direction. If you want to avoid the queues, go early in the morning or late at night. If you are in a good shape, climb the stairs. It doesn’t matter how you get up their. It will amaze you and take your breath away.

Also, go down till the middle of the tower and look up. You will have a great view. And don’t forget to kiss the one you love while you are there. The old tales say that that will guarantee a return visit…. It worked for me!

A Boat ride on the Seine

Next to visiting the tower, riding the boat on the Seine is my next favorite Parisian thing to do. The famous and romantic river has quite a few boats that will provide an exciting and special experience. And this trip on the boat will also help you get around and enjoy the sights from a very different angle, other than on solid ground. Do this at night also and you will feel like a true Parisian. And in the morning, buy a freshly baked baguette, a hunk of cheese, a bottle of fine French wine and enjoy a little picnic while you are on the boat. You will feel the time pass slow and truly enjoyable.

A Walk in the Park

Paris is about gardens and parks. One of the most famous is the Grandest of all Gardens, Jardin du Luxembourg, located in the Latin Quarter. The incredible gardens have hosted many artists that did their canvases here. Even now you will find some of them still painting there. Also, in these gardens many writers have written their poetries or novels. It is a park for everyone.

Children love playing with their boats in the pond or riding the ponies. In this time, the adults take a break to sit, read or listen to music. The park is also the home to the Palais du Luxembourg, a magnificent palace built by the wife of Henry IV, Marie de Medici, in 1612.

These days, the palace holds the French Senate, with tours available at request in advance. And while you are in the park, stroll a little and find beautiful Medici Fountain.

Speaking of artists,

Musee de Orsay

I love the Impressionist paintings and if you are like me, this museum is the place to go. It is situated on the Rive Gauche, (the left bank) and is an old converted train station that was brought back to life as a great Museum of art. Go on the top floor. There you will find the Impressionist masters and their works: Monet, Van Gogh, Renoir, Manet, Degas, Rodin or Cezanne, I have just named a few just. There are many more to see and admire up close and personally. Periodically you will find exhibitions with the finest pieces of art and sculptures. You will need just a few hours to see the whole museum and for us it has been a cheerful experience. Also, don’t miss the Art Deco furniture exhibits, a design born in Paris.

Off with her head

And now, you will have a special view, something a bit gloomy but filled with history and beauty: the Conciergerie. This Medieval and imposing gray structure is quite formidable. It has huge turrets and the best view you can have is if you sit on one of the boats or from across the river. You may find the building a bit frightening. It was initially used as a prison, during the French revolution and many prisoners found their death under the knives of the Guillotine. You can take a tour and see the cell that held Marie Antoinette before she was beheaded, for example. Or other cells where other famous prisoners were held. Many of them have interesting writings on the walls. Besides that, take some time to see the St. Chapelle, the "Chapel to the Kings" just behind the main buildings. It has a lot of historical significance.

I know it is hard to limit Paris to just five places because it has a lot to offer and these are the first that popped in my mind. You are welcomed to read more about Paris and add other places to this short list. From my part, I am sure more will come.

So if you haven’t been there or you are planning your trip, you are in for a treat.

First of all, if you are thinking that in order to have a great time in Paris you need to learn French, you are wrong. I have seen that this issue is sometimes a point of concern for travelers to Paris and an occasional complaint from those who have been.

Never forget that you are a tourist, a visitor. Things will be different to get used to the idea. This fact is true for any trip, whether you go outside the US or within if you visit other regions. So don’t expect to feel comfortable all the time. And don’t force yourself to image that you have to know everything because is not true. This is true in restaurants, shops, when taking public transportation, visiting churches, and more. Many times, the local people don’t like travelers because they expect all to be just like home. Accept change and try to work with that.

Sometimes you will feel uncomfortable but try to remember that much of the fun in foreign travel is the discovery of new places, people and customs. This is why you left home: to discover the new.

Another issue for foreign travelers to Paris is the language. If you don’t speak French you will have a little challenge but that’s shouldn’t restrain you from visiting or keep you from having a great time. Us too expect tourist to speak English when they come to our country, the Parisians are the same, although, in Paris, and in many European citiesm English is like a second conversational language.

Do your part and try to learn a few words of the new language if you can. Learn how to say: hello, good by or thank you; how to ask for the bathroom and similar easy phrases. Get a little help and buy a set of tapes and a small phrase book and practice. Don’t worry about having a perfect accent. The people will for sure appreciate the effort and they will show you courtesy. And a friendly smile and all will go smooth and you will have a great trip.

One other hand, acknowledge the fact that, when traveling, we have in many countries the reputation as “ugly Americans,” loud and rude. It is, of course, a generalization but try to remember this. Keep in mind that the recent development in Afghanistan and Iraq some foreigners may develop some sentiments about America that are not all the time positive. Don’t give the locals more reason to resent you. Be gentle, diplomatic and pleasant. Observe the local customs and try to adjust your ways. Also, people will ask for your opinion so be careful about what you say.

Don’t forget to pack a good guide book. There is a huge offer on the market and you will have where to choose from. Take a small one so that you can carry it around while walking. I have used the books from Frommer’s and Fodor’s. they were excellent because they also offer ideas for things to do, maps, suggestions for dining and hotels plus reviews. You will have a lot of useful information at hand.

I never go on a trip to a new place without one of these, regularly updated. Prices and ratings are usually included, and you can form an opinion and adjust your budget accordingly. Also they have the hours and days of operation so that you don’t miss going to a particular museum on your last day.

Another thing you must have in your purse or pocket is a good map that is easy to carry around. I bought the heavy duty, triple-fold laminated maps called Street Smart in many cities and they are amazing. They have the major tourist attractions visibly marked (museums, churches, shopping centers, parks, etc.) with symbols for the different types of buildings and attractions. Besides that, on these maps you can find the subway stations and other transportation lines and stops. It is great if you want to know how to get to a church, museum or other attractions. Fit the map in your pocket or purse and get them out when you need them. If it rains or you use it frequently, it will now break because it is laminated.

Another small advice is to take a good digital camera with plenty of batteries. Take them at home because overseas they are expensive. Take lots of pictures. They will be your memories of your tour to Paris. And look around for the rules about taking photos. Many museums, galleries and churches do not allow photography. Respect their wishes. There is a good reason to do that.

And even if you have a good map and you know it map by heart, you could get lost. Paris is a big city. Don’t be scared. Unless you are on a strict time schedule, I encourage you to enjoy the discovery of a new street you didn’t expect and try to figure out by yourself where you are and where you have to get.

And do as the locals do. Mingle and window shop, stop in a café, take a few pictures, and just wander around. Ask for directions and talk to people. You will get good advice and a smile. When you decide to visit certain areas, you could take a cab. It costs money, but you will not get lost.

So pack your bags and hop on the plane. Paris is waiting for you!

Stay tuned for more recommendations on things to do and see in Paris.