Paris Hotels

Eiffel Tower If you come to Paris and haven't climbed the Eiffel Tower you may feel you've missed out on something. One of the main stops on the tourist itinerary, (over six million people ascend the tower each year), this is still one of the best vantage points to see this great city. Although it is a huge folly (many Parisians didn't want it built), it has become the symbol of Paris so don't forget your camera so you can take shots of this 19th Century feat of engineering. The 'Tour Eiffel' is open 365 days a year . During Winter months the lift is open from 09.30 to 23.00 and Summer months 09.30 to 24.00. Ticket prices to ascend by lift.

Luxembourg Gardens The Luxembourg Gardens are very pleasant at the weekends, when you can watch Parisians playing a game of tennis or a round of boules, and there are pony rides and merry-go-rounds for children. Another good time to visit the gardens is in the morning on weekdays, when the park's regulars come to jog and school students do their exercises. At the entrances to the gardens is a guide to the park's many trees. It can be very relaxing to find a seat and pass the time by the Medici Fountain and you can also visit the Luxembourg Palace which is surrounded by flowers and parkland. Afterwards you might want to ascend the Montparnasse Tower nearby. This is a rather unattractive tower block opposite Gare Montparnasse but it offers one of the most impressive views of Paris from the top. Metro: Luxembourg

Fondation Cartier Pour L'Art Contemporain (Foundation Cartier Gallery for Contemporary Art) Proposed by the head of Cartier jewellers in 1984, this stunning glass building has been home to many innovative exhibitions and events ever since. It is worth going to visit if you are interested in recent architecture, but the Fondation also organise evening slide presentations or fashion shows and there is always something interesting on at this venue. Entrance fees: € 5 adults €3.50 concessions. Open 12.00 to 20.00 every day except for Sunday.

Musee Carnavalet (Museum of the history of the City of Paris) This old-fashioned museum in the former Hôtel le Pelletier de Saint-Fargeau, houses an eclectic display of French exhibits and entering it is like stepping back in time. In the 19th Century Baron Haussman founded Musee Carnavalet to display parts of dismantled buildings, but it now shows a huge collection of French art and objects. The museum is arranged chronologically-from the Renaissance to the French Revolution and the Second Empire-but you never know what you might discover, a chunk of the Bastille, an 18th-century street sign, or Voltaire's favourite wine glass. 23, rue de Sévigneé, 01 42 72 41 13 (Fax: 01 42 72 01 61). Métro: Saint-Paul, Chemin Vert. Open: 10.00 - 17.40; Closed Mondays and public holidays. School groups and people over 60 free

Le Louvre One of the great art museums in the world, this treasure house of visual art is not to be missed. Not only will you find Leonardo's enigmatic image of the Mona Lisa, but also work from the Middle Ages and Renaissance Italy. Over 6,000 paintings will keep you busy for hours. Paintings by Cimabue, Piero della Francesca are on display as well as work by British artists such as Gainsborough and Turner. There are also magnificent displays of Islamic and Egyptian antiquities, so plan to be there for some time. Buy tickets in the grand pyramid, the glass structure which is the main entrance for visitors (except for group tours). Open from 09.00 to 22.00, except Tuesday. Tickets cost €7,50 from 09.00 to15.00 €5 after 15.00 and on Sundays. Tickets for special exhibitions in the Hall Napoléon :€7. Combined ticket: €11,50 before 15.00, €9,50 after 15.00 and all day Sunday. The ticket is valid all day, even if visitors leave the museum and return later. Free entry for children up to 18, disabled people with accompanying guest, art students and unemployed people. Tel 01 40 20 51 51 Métro: Palais-Royal / Musée du Louvre

La Grande Arche and IMAX

The Dôme Imax cinema at La Défense One of the first IMAX screens in Europe, this 1144 m² 'hemispheric screen' and amazing digital sound system gives everyone the feeling that they are part of the film. Not only do you get surround sound, but surround image too. The films are shot on special large format film, which makes the images seem so real that you are part of the film. This is a great attraction for both adults and children in the middle of La Defense and a good choice for a rainy day. Dome Imax is located on Le Parvis de la Défense, just next to La Grande Arche, and close to the exit of the La Défense / Grande Arche RER A metro station. Tel: 01 46 92 45 45 to get details of their screenings.

The Cité des Sciences in Paris Located in the La Villette Park in Paris, the Cité des Sciences is the French national technology and science museum. As part of renovation of the eastern side of Paris, this building was turned into a museum in 1984 and architects transformed these former industrial buildings into one of the most remarkable science parks in Europe. The Cité des Sciences is not just for curious adults, it also has a children's section called "La cité des enfants". The complex is located in the La Villette park and a good opportunity to get out of the city centre and relax for a day http://www.cite-sciences.fr La Cité des Sciences30, Avenue Corentin Cariou Tel: 01 40 05 81 41 Metro: Porte de La Villette Buses: 150,152, 250A There are also parking spaces at the museum. Closed on Mondays Opening hours: 09.00 to 18.00

Rue Montorgueil Rue Montorgueil was voted Paris's best street market by Frommer's in 1999. Discover what Parisians enjoy doing when they aren't dining out…and wander along this busy market at the weekend. Open Sunday mornings. Métro: Sentier.

The oldest houses in Paris. There is some disagreement as to which of the following medieval might actually be the actual oldest house, but both are fascinating to look at from the outside. One is located at the 51 rue de Montmorency, not far from rue Montorgueil. It was the house of Nicolas Flamel and his wife, Dame Pernelle, and was built at the beginning of the 14th Century. Nicolas Flamel allowed poor people to live upstairs as long as they said daily prayers such as Pater and Ave Maria for the dead as a form of payment. The second house is located at 3 rue Volta (metro station: Arts & Métiers). It was also built in the 14th Century. This house is fascinating because it shows what a typical shop looked like in Western Europe in the early 1300's. The building is half timbered and there are actually two shops (which are amazingly still in use). The medieval shop keeper used to open the two horizontal shutters: one was kept in a low position to put the goods on display and the second was placed higher up to protect items from the rain. However, the shopkeeper stayed outside to keep an eye on the display and to alert customers to his products. He kept his door open all day but everything was sold outside on the street. In the evening, he closed the door and shutters and if he was rich enough he had a flat upstairs but he was more likely to live with his family in the shop on the ground floor.

Musée Rodin The rather grey, government building-dominated area between L'Hotel d'Invalides and St. Germain has many impressive 18th-century mansions, but this is the only one open to the public. The Musée Rodin is a lot more relaxed and intimate than Le Louvre and less crowded, too. Awe-inspiring bronzes and marbles can be found in the quiet rose garden, and the astounding "Gates of Hell" at the museum's entrance are worth seeing on any trip to Paris. The shop also has some exquisite things for adults and playful, inventive books and toys for children. Open every day except Mondays

La Cité de la Musique Located in Parc de la Villette, this lively museum based in a modern building is a brilliant way to spend an afternoon. The Cité de la Musique in Paris is like a concert hall inside a museum. Visitors can listen to sounds on infrared headphones, and as you walk across the room you can hear classical music played by the beautiful old instruments in front of you. This is a brilliant way to bring to life the French national collection of music instruments and entertain all the family. The Cité de la Musique also has a concert hall with lots of live musical events planned and the French national conservatory of music is nearby.The Cité de la Musique is situated at the southern end of the large La Villette park. Children will enjoy both the Cité de la Musique and the Cité des Sciences as well as playing in the surrounding park. Cité de la Musique, 221, Avenue Jean-Jaurès Tel: 01 44 84 44 84 Metro: Porte de Pantin Parking is also possible at the Cité de la Musique The

Pompidou Centre The Centre Pompidou is one of the most popular and unusual buildings in Paris. It was designed by architects Renzo Piano and Richard Rodgers as an art and cultural centre which aimed to bring art and culture to everyone, not just the art world elite. It has been incredibly successful, and after a recent overhaul, has some impressive galleries inside. There is a permanent collection including some famous names (Klee, Kandinsky, Braque, Picasso, etc.) but the temporary exhibitions are always excellent, often introducing some up and coming artists to the Parisian scene. Its 1970's industrial style of architecture is in striking contrast to the surrounding houses of one of Paris' oldest districts but there are lots of alleys nearby to wander down after a trip up the escalators on the outside of the Pompidou Centre…if you ever get bored. There is also an excellent art library and a café inside the building so this is unlikely.Place Georges Pompidou 75004 Paris.