This is the definitive travel guide for visitors requiring a short break stay in the "City of Love" - Paris. If you wish to take a short break from the UK or if you are an overseas visitor and you wish to take a side trip to Paris before, during or after your visit to UK Britain or Ireland, and you only have a limited amount of time to explore this wonderful city - this is the best travel directory & guide around for how to get the most out of 3 or 4 days in Paris.

And, even if you plan to stay longer, what better way to introduce yourself to Paris than with a few days sightseeing?

Some people say Paris has a certain 'je ne sais quoi' ('I don't know what') - and they say that because words fail them. Paris can be romantic, historic, enchanting, hectic, magical, frustrating, dynamic and relaxing... it is, quite simply, a fantastic city.

Yes, the icons make it special - the Eiffel Tower, the Arc de Triomphe, the Place de la Concorde, the Louvre, the Seine, Notre Dame and so on - but it's the atmosphere and the Parisiens that make it so much more memorable.

According to the French, everything poisons you, so why not embrace everything with vigour while you're here - wine, women, song, rich sauces, tobacco, conversation - whatever! Life is for enjoying - joie de vivre!

A couple of Tips for Visitors:
The French have long endured a reputation for arrogance. However this is usually the tourist's fault for showing a lack of manners. By and large, the French (and Parisiens!) are reasonably polite, helpful, multi lingual - (speaking good English) and now have, dare we say, better customer service skills than their British counterparts...

However, while most Parisiens now speak English, all it takes is a couple of pleasantries 'en Francaise' to break the ice. Imagine French tourists in New York, London or Sydney trying to get by only speaking French. Surely they too would return home thinking the inhabitants were unfriendly and unhelpful. This is not to say you need a crash course in French - but a simple 'bonjour', 'merci' or 'au revoir' can speak volumes, especially when out shopping. It is customary to greet a shop owner when you walk into his/her shop. To browse without saying 'hello' is rude.

Shaking hands is customary when meeting someone and, once familiar, a fleeting peck on each cheek is the norm, and if you are really European hip, a third "air kiss" to the cheek...

The other tip is to mind how you cross the road. To the French, roads belong to cars and, once having crossed, mind how you cross the footpath - the locals are still tardy in picking up their pooches doggydoos, (although recently there has been a real improvement)!

So, welcome to Paris - if you require any assistance in planning a visit, drop us a nice chatty email and we will help you with a personalised itinerary, cost and obligation free.