Paris: the capital city of France, full of romance.

Pere Lachaise

Paris, the capital city of France is in the Ile-de-France region and is the international capital for art, fashion, style and romance.

With the romance that Paris perceives, it is the number one destination for UK tourists and with over 30 million travellers per year from around the world, it is no wonder that this city has so much to offer.

Paris entertainment has always been at the forefront of the world in terms of quality and variety and from film, dance, opera, jazz, concerts, ballet, rock festivals and cabaret, there is always some form of entertainment on offer to suit all tastes, no matter what the time of year you decide to visit this vibrant and cultural city in France.

There are two opera houses in Paris - the Opera Bastille and the Palais Garnier that hosts the Opera National de Paris. There are also many different rock venues in Paris that play host to a large number of international performers and Paris is also popular for its many dance clubs, nightclubs, and cabaret shows such as the Moulin Rouge, which has become famous throughout the world for its can-can, plus a multitude of different festivals that are held in Paris every year.

Of course, there are the usual monuments and attractions which we all go an see when visiting Paris, such as the Eiffel Tower, the Arc de Triomphe, the Notre Dame Cathedral, walking along the Avenue de Champs-Elysees with all its glitz and glamour and visiting the Bastille Square.

There are also some more recent landmarks that attract millions of visitors each year to Paris, such as La Grande Arche in the business district of La Defense or The Centre Nationale d'Art et de Culture Georges Pompidou, also known simply as the Beaubourg or the Pompidou Centre.

Another attraction are the Catacombs of Paris, which are a famous burial place with its network of subterranean tunnels and rooms located underneath Paris and you can go on an official tour through the old quarries.

And the banks of the River Seine in Paris will offer visitors an unforgettable experience by being able to get to see the sights from a completely different perspective, while cruising in a boat and perhaps sampling the French cuisine at the same time.

Around Paris

City Hall

However, for those of us who would like to get away from it all, the Ile-de-France region of which Paris is the centre becomes an ideal place, offering a multitude of nature, history, art and culture, but all within only a short distance from the periphery.

Within the Ile-de-France region, you are able to discover more than 500km of navigable waterways, as well as many more kilometres of footpaths and historic sites along its beautiful rivers and canals.

You can also discover rich picturesque countryside and forests all within a short distance of the periphery and the region boasts three National Parks and four National Forests that allow you to get away from it all and enjoy the natural beauty of France along with the slow pace of French country life.

With stunning scenery, idyllic towns, peace and tranquillity, along with the abundant wildlife that await its visitors, it is the perfect setting for a drive in the country, an invigorating walk or a typical French picnic lunch in the open air.

And although Paris still tends to have that allure as a destination for lovers, there is also an enormous amount to do for children of all ages and the adults alike!

Disneyland Paris with all of its magic is obviously one of those destinations, along with Parc Asterix, but there are also some great modern museums that provide interaction, making learning fun.

And from interesting, historic towns, to the centre of Paris, back to the forests and national parks, to amusements or glitz and glamour, Paris has something for everyone to enjoy, but make sure that you allocate enough time to experience this incredible region of France.

About the author:

Martyn Davis, European Traveller, Author and Business Development Manager.

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