| There's no need to worry that you will miss the best | | | | couple of hours rather than try to see everything. |
| Paris has to offer when this guide shows you how to | | | | There are other entrances other than the obvious one |
| see it all in only 48 hours. | | | | beneath the glass pyramid at the front door. Tickets |
| Paris is a city of many faces, the narrow streets | | | | can be pre booked online up to a year in advance |
| contain hidden jewels of patisseries, bars and Parisian | | | | which also helps to keep queuing to a minimum. |
| café culture that have attracted visitors for | | | | Walk through the archway in the centre of the main |
| centuries. | | | | building and it will take you out onto the riverbank again. |
| 09:00 | | | | Keep following the Quai de Louvre along the Seine |
| One of the best places to begin your day is at the Arc | | | | until you reach Pont Neuf. Along the way you will pass |
| De Triomphe, the largest roundabout in France's capital | | | | St Germain-L'Axerrois, the royal chapel of the Louvre. |
| and one of the most hazardous in the world. No | | | | Further down is Chatelet, a huge shopping centre |
| insurance company will cover a vehicle travelling | | | | facing the Ile de la Cite. |
| around it, as twelve roads feed into the circle with no | | | | 14:00 |
| clear road markings an and even less clear is who has | | | | Pont Neuf is the oldest bridge in Paris and joins the |
| right of way. | | | | two banks of the river to Ile de la Cite, where Paris |
| Thankfully there is an underpass to get across safely. | | | | originated. The island is home to the Conciergerie |
| The view from the arch down the 1.3km stretch of the | | | | prison where Marie Antoinette was held before her |
| Champs Elysée ends at the Place de la Concorde | | | | execution, as well as many other nobles. But perhaps |
| and a smaller version of the triumphant arch that | | | | the most famous building here is the gothic cathedral |
| stands in the Jardin Tuileries beyond, the Arc De | | | | known as Notre Dame. |
| Triomphe du Carousel. The arch itself offers a fine | | | | Often consider by some as the finest example of |
| panoramic view of Paris from the top, as well as a | | | | Gothic architecture the cathedral was made famous |
| good glimpse of that most famous landmark, the Eiffel | | | | by Victor Hugo and his novel the Hunchback of Notre |
| Tower. | | | | Dame. The flying buttresses used to hold up the |
| 09:30 | | | | immense walls on the outside are a signature feature |
| The walk to the tower first brings you to the Palace | | | | of gothic architecture. |
| Challiot, a complex of four museums dedicated to | | | | There is a plaque on the ground in front of the church |
| French movies, Naval history, a museum of mankind | | | | that marks the spot where begins the measurements |
| and one for French Monuments. The pathway | | | | for the arrondissements, or Parisian suburbs. These |
| between leads down to the gardens of the Trocadero | | | | spiral out of the centre like a snails shell. |
| but the most striking feature is of course the tower | | | | The isle has flower markets as well as some typical |
| just beyond. | | | | pavement cafes to enjoy a caffé au lait and |
| 10:00 | | | | croissant while watching the world go by. |
| The Eiffel Tower was built as a showpiece of the | | | | Afternoon |
| 1889 world Expo, advertising the quality of French | | | | You can spend the time people watching or shopping, |
| steel, incorporating 10,100 tonnes of iron. Gustave Eiffel | | | | either in Chatelet or Les Halles, another huge complex |
| felt his creation was a fine example of French | | | | that offers some excellent retail therapy. For things a |
| engineering. His view sadly was not shared by | | | | bit more thrifty there is the Latin Quarter. |
| everyone. Several attempts were made to take it | | | | Evening |
| down but its role as a radio antenna in WWI was | | | | The Latin Quarter is also a great place to tackle the |
| what eventually saved it. | | | | Parisian cuisine scene. The name does not refer to the |
| Today it is one of the best known Parisian landmarks, | | | | ethnicity of its inhabitants but more to do with the fact |
| attracting thousands of tourists to the top every year. | | | | it was the seat of learning for medieval Paris. Students |
| The length of the queues depends on the time of year | | | | spoke to their tutors in Latin right up until the 18th |
| and time of day. There are two points of entry for the | | | | Century. The alleyways are now filled with little |
| lifts, or there is the alternative of climbing the stairs, all | | | | restaurants, cafes and bookshops that still cater to the |
| 1,710 of them. A great work out for the hips and thighs. | | | | student clientele. |
| If the lines are short it may be wise to take the chance | | | | After dinner try a river cruise to see why Paris has |
| now to make your attempt to reach the top. If you are | | | | earned the name 'city of lights' and you may even |
| lucky enough to reach the third level you may wish to | | | | catch the Eiffel Tower putting on it's sparkly display. |
| spend 1-2 hours to experience it. There are museum | | | | There are plenty of companies offering short cruises |
| rooms to view with details on the tower's construction | | | | from Ile de la Cite up the river to the foot of the tower |
| and history. Otherwise it pays to arrive early. | | | | and back. |
| 12:00 | | | | 08:00 |
| Beneath the tower lies the Champ de Mars, a | | | | An early start is essential to avoid the queues, |
| landscaped green area that leads to the Ecole Militaire. | | | | whether you are taking in the Louvre, or a bit of it at |
| Further on to the left of the military school is the Hotel | | | | least, or reaching the top of the Eiffel tower. Other |
| Des Invalides, the site once used as an armoury that | | | | museums and galleries worth a couple of hours |
| supplied the gun wielding revolutionaries in 1789. | | | | discovering include the Musée D'Orsay, Musée |
| Follow the riverside along Quay D'Orsay down | | | | Rodin, Musée Picasso and the Georges Pompidou |
| towards Pont Alexander III. Cross the bridge an walk | | | | Centre. |
| towards the Petit Palais and the Grand Palais down | | | | Alternatively if you want to experience art, culture and |
| Avenue Winston Churchill. Both palaces are now art | | | | extravagant wealth you can take a train ride out to |
| galleries devoted to modern and ancient artworks, | | | | Versailles, the summer palace built by Louis XIV. The |
| permanent displays as well as new artists. Straight | | | | humble beginnings as a hunting lodge were soon |
| ahead you rejoin the Champs Elysée that will take | | | | transformed into an elaborate complex of gardens, |
| you down to Place de la Concorde. | | | | summer houses, follies, fountains and the immense |
| 13:00 | | | | royal residence. |
| The Place de la Concorde is the finishing point for the | | | | Afternoon |
| cycle race the Tour de France as well as the historical | | | | One of the most popular places to visit in Paris is |
| site of the French Revolution. The square is worth a | | | | literally the dead end of town, the Cimetiere du Pere |
| few moments to remember it was originally called | | | | Lachaise. The most visited graves include Oscar Wilde, |
| Place du Revolution, and home to 'Madame Guillotine'. | | | | Gertrude Stein, Edith Pilaf and Jim Morrison. If your |
| The Obelisk gifted by Mohammed Ali in 1831 came | | | | interest is piqued by the macabre then don't miss the |
| from Luxor and marks the spot where many French | | | | catacombs. 1.6km of tunnels stretch beneath Paris |
| nobles met their end during the French Revolution. The | | | | housing the remains of millions of residents from |
| square would have been filled with peasants eager to | | | | overflowing cemeteries in 1785. |
| see their former employers going for the chop in 1789 | | | | Late afternoon |
| and during the reign of terror that followed. | | | | A great way to finish is to spend the rest of the day |
| You can leave the traffic behind for a bit now as you | | | | at Montmartre, a much more lively location. The steps |
| enter the Jardin des Tuileries. The fountains and | | | | to Basilica du Sacre Coeur at the top offer a fine view |
| pathways were once part of Palace Tuileries but it | | | | over the city as well as plenty of street performers |
| burnt down during some violent revolutionary riots. | | | | and a chance to reflect on the day. The area of |
| In the gardens you will find statues and artworks on | | | | Montmartre is synonymous with art and the bohemian |
| display, including one of Joan of Arc, the peasant girl | | | | lifestyle. Although a bit more commercial these days |
| who led an army against the English in the 15th | | | | the streets and squares are full of life and artists. |
| Century, and later burned at the stake as a heretic. | | | | Evening |
| The end of the gardens is marked by Napoleon's Arc | | | | Restaurants and bars attract locals and tourists alike, |
| de Triomphe du Carousel, another little present to | | | | where you can while away the evening with a bœuf |
| himself glorifying his achievements. The horses, or | | | | bourguignon or plat du jour. Just down the hill is Place |
| Quadriga, on top are copies of the ones sitting above | | | | Pigalle, famous for the Moulin Rouge, the red light |
| the door of Basilica San Marco in Venice which he | | | | district and other stage shows. The boulevard is filled |
| was made to give back. | | | | with bars and cafes that open onto the street until |
| 13:30 | | | | very late. |
| If you spent 20 seconds in front of each piece of art in | | | | From the left bank to the right Paris is filled with class, |
| the Louvre you would be there for 3 months day in | | | | style and culture. Even in just 48 hours you can |
| and day out. There are literally millions of artworks by | | | | experience all the best that this wonderful city has to |
| thousands of artists covering centuries. Of course the | | | | offer. |
| most famous one would have to be Leonardo Da | | | | Katy Hyslop has been a tour guide and teacher in |
| Vinci's Mona Lisa. | | | | Europe for the past 6 years. |
| It is advisable to devote a day or at least a morning to | | | | She now keeps the crew in line at the Plus Office in |
| visit some of the museum rooms. One way is to pick | | | | Italy. If you wish to know more about opening times |
| a style or century that interests you and devote to it a | | | | and entry feesthen click here. |