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In many places around the world, the Eiffel Tower is considered as a well known sight and site, with its splendid view of Paris. Not only does the Eiffel Tower offer a wonderful view of the city of Paris, but also from any position in the centre of Paris, one can actually see the Tower standing in all its glory at 300m high.
Even before thinking of a place to stay in Paris, many begin to picture images of the Eiffel Tower. Many children from other European cities have heard of the Eiffel Tower without even visiting France. However, upon hearing the word ‘tower’ to many the Eiffel Tower, or Tour Eiffel, is a familiar expression and seems to fit together perfectly.
The Eiffel Tower, after taking two years to be built, was constructed in 1889 as a commemoration of the centenary of the French Revolution. The mastermind behind this great structure is Gustave Eiffel. At the time of the exhibition in 1889, there was a great deal of objection among artists within France to the mere thought that the Tower would remain. There were also those who feared that the style of the Tower would not fit in with the rest of the Parisian architecture. However, today one can hardly think of the possibility of Paris without the Eiffel Tower.
The stairs inside the Tower reach as far as the second floor. Visitors may also take advantage of elevators to the first and second floors. A separate elevator is available to the top floor which offers an incredible view of the city of Paris. Shops offering souvenirs are available on the various levels. Kiosks are also featured in addition to restaurants at which it is advisable to make advance reservations. It should be noted that due to the popularity of the site, there are often many people waiting for the elevators especially to reach the top level. As a generalization, it would probably best to visit the Tower in the morning hours, in the hope that there will perhaps be fewer travelers at the time of your visit.
There is of course a good choice of accommodation options in the area. As is the case, when reserving a hotel room in most cities, prices will vary according to location. You pay for convenience. Therefore, hotels that are situated right in the city centre will generally cost more than a hotel of a similar standard that is located on the outskirts of the city.
People involved with the operation of the Eiffel Tower are proud to note that, since its construction, over 200 million visitors have visited the site. For those who like figures, it may be interesting to note the following details. The tower was constructed out of 12,000 iron pieces and 7 million nails. The weight of the metal structure is 7300 tons and the total weight is 10,000 tons. There were 18,038 pieces used in the construction and 2,500,000 rivets. The Tower contains 1665 steps and luckily for some, there are also elevators. It is reported that it took a period of 2 years, 2 months and 5 days to complete the construction of the Eiffel Tower.
Tourist items such as puzzles and ornaments featuring the Eiffel Tower are very popular items of merchandise. However, there is nothing quite like seeing the real thing.
Image taken on 2006-11-10 18:52:54 by audinou.
When you have decided to take a city break in Paris, you know that there are going to be many things you are going to want to do. The best thing to do is to divide up your time and to plan ahead, according to what you are interested in.
The best part about Paris is that it can truly be the city of anyone’s dreams. Therefore, the first thing that you need to do as you plan your city break in Paris is decide what you are most into and what you most like to do. Then, you can plan your city break around that.
Sightseeing In Paris
For instance, if you are interested in the sight seeing aspects of Paris, you should plan your city break around that. You can visit things like the Arch de Triumph and the Eiffel Tower, as well as the other historical and tourist attractions of the city.
History
If you are interested in historical and religious areas, you can plan your entire city break around these. You can spend a day touring the different churches, and looking at the ancient runes of the city as well.
Art
If art is more your thing, you can plan your city break around it. You can spend at least one day at the Louvre and then you can visit the many other art galleries and exhibitions that are all over the city. There are enough art museums to keep you in one for every day of your holiday.
Parisian Experience
Of course, perhaps you are simply looking to experience the real life in Paris. You can plan your city break by going to small bookstores and cafes, and by spending the evenings at small restaurants that the locals might visit. This is often a good way to get knowledge of how life really goes in Paris.
Shopping
If you are interested in shopping, you can have an entire city break that is centered around shopping. With some of the biggest and most expensive shopping districts in the world, you can spend your entire break visiting different stores and buying things.
Because Paris is such a diverse and interesting city, you should be able to create a city break that is specifically tailored exactly to who you are and to what you enjoy. This is a great city for anyone to visit, and no matter what you are currently in to, you should be able to plan a holiday that is exactly what you need.
One easy search for city breaks, short breaks & weekend breaks. Enjoy hand-picked hotels combined with flights or Eurostar.
Image taken on 2009-05-06 18:27:43 by travellingred.
Shopping In France
France is the ultimate shopping destination for the sophisticated consumer. It offers everything from the ultimate in haute couture to perfumes to wines and cheeses. And shopping in France is not the
utilitarian experience it can be elsewhere. Rather it’s a serious activity that demands attention and a certain flair.
First we look at Paris where the shops make up an important part of the fabric of the city’s cultural identity. Then we’ll head to Bordeaux which offers more than just its famous wines.
Shopping In Paris
Think of Paris and you think of designer fashions, perfumes, and accessories with brand names famous for their chic the world over. But of course they come with hefty price tags. Here’s a tip. Bargain seekers should do their window shopping at the grand fashion houses to get a feel of what’s in vogue. Then head to the budget shops and markets to get similar items at pennies on the dollar.
If you’re short on time you can get all your designer labels under one roof at one of the large French department stores. The two queens, les grands magasins Printemps and Galeries Lafayette, sit side-by-side on Boulevard Haussmann in the 9th arrondissement. Fully exploring them could take days.
If you want the real Paris shopping experience, head for one of the unique wonders of the city – the galleries or passages. These are glass-roofed shopping arcades that date back to the 19th century. They ooze charm and transform rainy days into episodes of romance and discovery.
Don’t’ forget that Sundays are closing days for most stores in Paris. But fear not, one of the city’s many flea markets will provide a great alternative shopping experience.
Shopping In Bordeaux
Bordeaux is truly one of Europe’s best kept shopping secrets. In the scenic charm of the city you’ll find the world’s most popular brand names: Cartier and Rolex for watches, Hermes and Christian Lacroix for fabrics and clothes, Louis Vuitton for luggage, Mont Blanc for pens, the list is endless.
Bordeaux is home to the longest pedestrianised street in Europe. Rue St. Catherine runs from the stately Place de la Comedie to the student district near the place de la Victoire. And its entire length is graced with some of the country’s premier shopping outlets.
Bordeaux’s epicenter for shopping is known fittingly as the Golden Triangle. This triangle contains the prime shopping zones of the Allées de Tourny, the Cours de l’Intendance and the Cours Clemenceau. In its heart is the Place des Grands-Hommes, where you’ll find Bordeaux’s most prestigious outlets.
If such luxury doesn’t tempt you, don’t worry. Bordeaux is home to a plethora of chain stores that offer good value purchases. And the local boutiques offer distinctive items without the brand name mark ups.
And of course don’t forget the wine. The Bordeaux region is France’s premier wine making area and you can get sublime local vintages by the bottle or by the case.
For shoppers who want to spend some time in France, check the internet for cheap France hotels and find Paris hotels or cheap Bordeaux hotels.
Alistair White has been in the travel industry for over 20 years and is the founder and CEO of Cheaper Than Hotels. Cheaper Than Hotels offers cheap France hotels , like cheap Paris hotels.
France is renowned as a shopping city but you have to choose your times well. Shop hours are Monday to Saturday from 10am to 7pm. Many small shops close for a two-hour lunch break. Thursday is the best time for late-night shopping. Many stores stay open until 9 or 10pm. Sunday shopping is generally limited to tourist areas and flea markets.
Shopping In Paris
If you want an authentic Paris shopping experience, you need to get away from the elegant outlets on the grand boulevards and to head to the flea markets. Paris has three main flea markets. Once haunted mainly by rogues and gypsies, the flea markets of Paris are now popular with everyone and a good place to look for bargains and serendipitous finds.
The first of the three main Paris flea markets is in Porte de Montreuil. This is one of the cheaper flea markets. It mainly hawks old clothes, furniture and other household items. The second is in Porte de Vanves which sells a wide range of bric-a-brac. The last one is located in Saint-Ouen / Porte de Clignancourt. This is the most famous and often simply known as the Paris Flea Market.
It’s best to visit flea markets in the morning. They’re quieter and there’s more to buy. The Paris Flea Market is the place to buy antiques. It is located in a working-class district so rents are low and also is a cash-driven business. So costs are low and so are the prices.
Shopping In Nice
Nice has its share of the affluent, both residents and visitors. So there’s no shortage of shops catering for the jet set.
Nice is a delightful city for a shopping stroll. You can browse the boutiques along pedestrianised rue Massena, place Magenta, avenue Jean-Médecin, rue de Verdun, and rue Paradis. This is mainly the preserve of high-end chain stores along with a few shoe shops, boutiques and restaurants. Pick up your Sonia Rykiel, Giorgio Armani and Louis Vuitton items here.
When you have over indulged with designer fashions, and in the mood for some arts and crafts, Atelier Contre-Jour at 3 rue du Pont Vieux is the place to go. It offers painted-wood handicraft items such as picture frames, painted furniture, and silk lampshades. Plus, many artists have their studios and galleries in the side streets of the old town near the cathedral.
Nice is also famed for street markets. There’s the Marché aux Fleurs flower market, Marché à la Brocante, the main flea market. Another flea market at place Robilante on the port opens Tuesday to Saturday between 9am and 6pm. The summer months sees a nightly arts and crafts market on cours Saleya catering mainly for tourists.
For shoppers who want to spend some time in France, check the internet for cheap hotels in France and find hotels in Paris or cheap Nice hotels
Alistair White is the founder and CEO of Cheaper Than Hotels. Cheaper Than Hotels offers cheap Nice hotels.
Image taken on 2009-08-24 18:22:11 by stukinha.
Image taken on 2007-01-25 08:07:50 by david.nikonvscanon.
Shopping In France
Few people give shopping the same energy, enthusiasm and thought as the French. Whether it’s a trip to the market for lunch ingredients or to an elegant boutique for a new evening gown, they give it their all. For you to truly enjoy the French shopping scene have to do the same.
France is home to a multitude of grand department stores, chain stores, small boutiques and flea markets. But a new concept in French shopping is the parapharmacie. It’s a mixture of chemist shop, health-care store, and beauty product vendor. Factory outlets are also becoming very popular selling off discounted items in boutique-like shops.
Shopping In Paris
It’s easy to spend all your time in Paris browsing at the boutiques and chain stores but for a real Paris shopping experience, you really have to head to the flea markets of which Paris has three. The former haven of gypsies and hustlers, Paris’s flea markets of Paris are visited by everyone in search of a bargain and a lucky find.
The flea market at Porte de Montreuil is one of the cheaper ones. It specialises in old garments, furniture and other household objects. Porte de Vanves flea market sells a bit of everything. The flea market at Saint-Ouen / Porte de Clignancourt is the most celebrated and is often just referred to as the Paris Flea Market. This is the best place to buy antiques. It’s location in a low-rent area so costs are low. Plus it’s a cash only business. This makes it a great place to pick up a bargain but you really need to know what you’re doing.
Flea markets are best visited in the morning when they’re quieter and have more goods available.
Shopping In Nice
Nice is a haven for the jet set and the well-heeled tourist, and the shops, boutiques and markets are ready to cater for them.
The heart of chic shopping in Nice is rue Paradis is a pedestrianised road running north-south linking Place Magenta with Avenue de Verdun. All the luxury designer and jewellery shops are located here making it a window shoppers’ paradise.
For a more relaxed outdoor shopping atmosphere head for the Cours Soleya market in the old town of Nice. This colourful pedestrian district is a favourite meeting place for locals. The streets are lined with stalls and terraced cafes and restaurants. Tuesday to Sunday sees the flower market and fruit and vegetable market, and there’s an antiques fair on Mondays. On summer evenings there’s a nightly arts and crafts market catering mainly for tourists.
Other markets worth visiting in Nice include the Marché aux Fleurs flower market and Marché à la Brocante, the main flea market. Another flea market at place Robilante on the port opens from Tuesday to Saturday from 9am to 6pm.
For shoppers who want to spend some time in France, check the internet for cheap hotels in France and find hotels in Paris or cheap Nice hotels
Alistair White is the founder and CEO of Cheaper Than Hotels. Cheaper Than Hotels offers cheap Nice hotels.
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