Paris Miscellanea – Savoir-Faire To Make Your Visit Even Better

Paris Miscellanea – Savoir-Faire

Before you board that Paris-bound jet there are a few things to learn that will help you prepare for your visit, make your time here more memorable, and satisfy your curiosity. We've already told you about tipping in France, how to ride the Metro, and imparted our top 10 tips for travelers. Now, let's find out where the embassies are, learn a bit about the history of Paris, where Hemingway hung out, and the traces of Napoleon in Paris. Did you know, for instance, that 20% of the entire population of France lives in the Paris metropolitan area?

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Napoleon's Paris

Napoleon's Paris

Walk for a while in the footsteps of France's only modern emperor, Napoleon Bonaparte. Napoleon was a reformer and builder and tinkerer, and most of the results of his tinkering in Paris can still be seen today. Of course you know about the monuments to his military victories, like arches and columns. But did you know that Napoleon built Rue de Rivoli? Completed the Louvre? Started the construction of Église de la Madeleine? He even supplied fresh water to Parisian households.

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Ernest Hemingway's Paris

Hemingway's Paris

The 20th-century American writer Ernest Hemingway will forever be linked to Paris — at least in our minds. He was part of that Lost Generation of ex-pats who lived and worked in Paris in the 1920s, when the city and the writers made an indelible impression on each other. Today, Hemingway's most-read book is his memoir of Paris that was published after his death — A Moveable Feast. Let's go on a virtual visit of the places in Paris where Hemingway lived, worked, drank, and loved.

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Romantic Dinner Cruises In Paris

VIP Dinner Cruise with Bateaux Parisiens
This romantic dinner cruise includes champagne, wine & a classic meal. Choose the Service Privilege option for the best seating, best meal, and the ultimate experience.
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Dinner Cruise by Maxim's of Paris
The legendary Parisian restaurant takes you on a dinner cruise complete with champagne and wine. Choose the 2-hour cruise for a stellar evening in Paris.
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VIP Dinner Cruise with Bateaux Parisiens
This romantic dinner cruise includes champagne, wine & a classic meal. Choose the Service Privilege option for the best seating, best meal, and the ultimate experience.
Reserve your table…

The 5 Top Highlights of Medieval Paris

Medieval Paris

There are only a few medieval buildings remaining in Paris. Centuries of turmoil following Roman rule, including invasions and fires, destroyed much of what was built during the Middle Ages. However, you can still visit a few buildings from the medieval period in Paris — like Notre Dame and La Sainte Chapelle on Île de la Cité. Let's take a virtual walk on the islands and the banks of the Seine to drop in on five of these.

Henry IV's Paris

Henry IV's Paris

He was called "Good King Henry" and he did a lot to improve Paris during his 20-year reign (1589-1610). Henry IV managed to halt religious strife and warfare — and then embarked on an ambitious plan to make Paris a better place to live, to pull it out of its medieval mire. Let's take a short stroll through the Paris of the late 16th century to visit 5 highlights of Henry IV's work that still serve Paris well today.

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Top-Rated Paris Museum Tours

The Louvre's Greatest Masterpieces
Skip the lines and see a lot of art on this professionally guided tour. Choose from a private tour or semi-private (max 6 people.) The top choice.
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Musé d'Orsay Guided Tour
Enjoy skip-the-line access and learn the stories behind the world's greatest Impressionist art at Musé d'Orsay.
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The Louvre's Greatest Masterpieces
Skip the lines and see a lot of art on this professionally guided tour. Choose from a private tour or semi-private (max 6 people.) The top choice.
Check Availability…

Louis XIV's Paris

Louis XIV's Paris

Let us now skip ahead a couple of generations to Henry IV's grandson, Louis XIV, AKA The Sun King, the longest-reigning monarch in European history. Although Louis might be most well known for moving the royal court to Versailles and abandoning Paris and the Louvre, his time on the throne left lasting impressions on Paris, including a compete redesign of the Jardin des Tuileries.

8 Superlative Bridges Of Paris

8 Superlative Bridges Of Paris

As we may have mentioned (once or twice) we love the bridges of Paris. In a city both defined and separated by its river, the bridges are critical links that pull the sections of the city together.

There are thirty-seven bridges spanning the waterway, spread over the thirteen kilometers the Seine travels through Paris. Inspired by an article from the City of Paris that awarded certain of the bridges superlative titles like The Most Sumptuous and The Most Graceful and The Most Poetic, here's our presentation of the "mostest" of the bridges of Paris.

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Experience the Splendor Of Versailles

Versailles with Priority Access + Gardens
Skip the long lines to experience the grandeur of Versailles on a guided tour. Stroll through the stunning gardens with your guide, then visit Marie Antoinette's estate.
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Half-Day, Skip-the-Line Tour of Versailles
If you don't have a full day, this popular half-day tour of Versailles includes priority access with an expert guide. The small-group ensures personal attention and includes transportation right from your hotel.
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Versailles with Priority Access + Gardens
Skip the long lines to experience the grandeur of Versailles on a guided tour. Stroll through the stunning gardens with your guide, then visit Marie Antoinette's estate.
More information…

Marie Antoinette's Paris

Marie Antoinette's Paris

Marie Antoinette, the unluckiest queen in history, was married to Louis XVI, who was Louis XIV's great-grandson. Although she lived most of her reign at Versailles, she and Louis spent their last years in Paris, at the Palais des Tuileries in the gardens of the same name. Let's spend a day in Paris walking in M-A's footsteps and then visiting the poignant settings of her last days.

Van Gogh's Paris

Van Gogh's Paris

Vincent Van Gogh's life was short (he killed himself at age 36) and his time in Paris was even shorter, only two years. But it was during his time here that he was exposed to French artists, including the Impressionists and their followers. His style moved away from the somber tones of the Dutch Old Masters to the brighter, more colorful paintings that he is now famous for. Let's go up the hill to Montmartre to see where he lived and what he painted in Paris.

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Our Most Popular Day Trips from Paris

Spend a Day in the Champagne Region
Your driver gathers you from your Paris hotels for a small-group tour led by an expert guide to the Land of Champagne for a day-long tasting of the bubbly. Inclues lunch & tastings.
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Visit the Historic D-Day Beaches
A day trip to the landing beaches of Normandy is one of the most popular day trips from Paris. Visit the monuments, museums, and dedicated cemeteries, as well as the beaches themselves
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Visit the Historic D-Day Beaches
A guided tour to the landing beaches of Normandy makes for one of the most memorable day trips from Paris. Visit the monuments, museums, and dedicated cemeteries, as well as the beaches themselves.
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Paris – The World's Healthiest City to Visit

Paris Street Market, photo by Mark Craft

Already the top destination for landmarks, culture, museums, and food, Paris has added another distinction, and another reason to come back time and time again. International travel organization TravelSupermarket named Paris the top healthy destination city, beating out not only all other world capitals but Vancouver, Miami, and San Francisco. Let's take a look at the data and why Paris came out on top.

The History of Paris

The History of Paris

The first settlement at what is now Paris was founded over 2,300 years ago. The first Parisiens were the Parisii, the Celtic people who were the original settlers. They were followed by the Romans, and then there were Franks and Gauls and the Vikings and a lot of other people.

Vikings? Learn more in our 3-part biography of the City of Light.

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Delicious Activities in the Marais

Marais Food & Wine Tour
Walk through the historic Marais neighborhood with a food-expert guide to visit traditional food & wine shops, while tasting iconic Parisian foods.
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Cheese & Wine Tasting in a Paris Cellar
In the cheese-aging cellar of a Paris fromagerie discover 7 classic French cheeses and the wines that pair with them. Lots of sampling!
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Cheese & Wine Tasting in a Paris Cellar
In the cheese-aging cellar of a Paris fromagerie discover 7 classic French cheeses and the wines that pair with them. Lots of sampling!
Check Availability…

Sites of the Paris Commune Of 1871

Sites of the Paris Commune Of 1871

The Franco-Russian War of 1870 was one of the the most useless and foolish wars in the history of France. At the end of its short duration Emperor Napoleon III had fled the country, leaving Paris in a shambolic state. In the resulting political power vacuum a spontaneous radical, socialist, and anti-religious republic was established in the city called the Paris Commune.

Let's explore this brief (two months), turbulent chapter in the life of the city by visiting some of the historic sites of this revolutionary and bloody period.

The Shocking History of the 16 Mayors of Paris

History of the Mayors of Paris

Paris didn't have a mayor until the Revolution — but that experiment only lasted 5 years. There have been long gaps of time without mayors, and the mayors Paris did have came and went… via the guillotine or being eaten by wolves. It's (seemingly) a tough job, but these 16 people have stepped up. Let's take a look at the highs and lows of the mayors of Paris through the centuries.

The Unsung Hero Of Paris Modernization

Unsung Hero Of Paris

How did Paris change from a jumbled medieval city into a modern wonder in the 19th century? You may know about the work undertaken by Napoleon III and his prefect Baron Haussmann who, starting in the 1850s, created broad boulevards, an improved sewer & water system, and thousands of hectares of new parks — turning Paris into a fabled City of Light.

But you may not know about the city planner who started it all, Claude-Philibert Rambuteau, who, under France's last king, took the first steps towards transforming Paris into a modern space, starting back in 1833. Let's take a look at his fascinating story.

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Find Hotel Deals for Your Dates in Paris

Check the complete list of Paris hotels to find current sale prices on rooms in every arrondissement. Save 10%, 20%… or even more!

Paris Hotel Deals
Find hotels in the Latin Quarter, Saint Germain, the Right Bank, the Marais, near the Eiffel Tower.
Search for your hotel

Find Hotel Deals for Your Dates in Paris

Save on hotels in every arrondissement of Paris – the Latin Quarter, Saint Germain, the Right Bank, the Marais, near the Eiffel Tower. Save 10%, 20%… or even more!
Search for your hotel

The Paris Exposition of 1900

The Paris Exposition of 1900

It was the biggest world's fair ever. The Paris Exposition of 1900 covered 543 acres and featured 83,000 exhibitors. Fifty millions visitors saw the marvels of the new century — talking pictures, electricity, the Paris Metro, Gare de Lyon, the 1900 Olympic games, and even the premier of matryoshkas, those Russian nesting dolls.

Nine Highlights Of The Paris Universal Expositions

Highlights Of The Paris Universal Expositions

The exposition of 1900 wasn't the only world's fair held in Paris. In fact, there were eight Paris Expositions Universelles staged between 1855 and 1937, and each one showcased recent inventions or innovations or artistic & design trends. Many of the ideas that first appeared at the Paris Universal Expositions have changed our world. Come with us on a time-traveling adventure to look at nine of them.

Herbin Fine Ink – Writing Tools of the Masters

Herbin Fine Ink

In 1670 an adventurous French sailor named Jacques Herbin brought back ideas and ingredients from India to create his first sealing wax. A few years later, Herbin introduced fine writing inks that became the go-to tool for emperors, writers, and calligraphers. 350 years later the company remains a Paris institution.

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Delectable Food Tours in Paris

Discover the Food & Wine of the Marais
Visit the top food & wine shops in the historic Marais, tasting the best of French foods. There's plenty of sampling on this small-group tour.
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Cheese & Wine Tasting in a Paris Cellar
In the cheese-aging cellar of a Paris fromagerie you discover 7 classic French cheeses and the wines that pair with them. Lots of sampling!
Check Availability…

Cheese & Wine Tasting in a Paris Cellar
In the cheese-aging cellar of a Paris fromagerie you discover 7 classic French cheeses and the wines that pair with them. Lots of sampling!
Check Availability…

The Paris Bus System – 500 Years Of History

History of The Paris Bus System

We love riding the Paris buses — they're a great way to get around while seeing the best of the city. Predecessors of the Paris city bus system date back five hundred years, to Louis XI and the intercity Royal Postal Service transportation system. Two hundred years later Louis XIV, AKA The Sun King, instituted the first Paris intramural public coach company.

The bus system has run on horse power, steam (a failure), gasoline and diesel, but plans are now in place to replace all fossil-fuel buses with more environmentally-friendly options by 2025. We'll save you a seat on the electric bus. Meanwhile, read the fascinating history of the Paris bus system in thirteen easy chapters!

Tour Montparnasse & Its Makeover

Tour Montparnasse

Jutting up into the sky far above the rest of Paris, the blocky skyscraper Tour Montparnasse is the most incongruous element on the Paris skyline. It's been heartily disliked by Parisians and visitors alike since it was opened in 1973 — so much so that planning bylaws were put in place prohibiting any other skyscrapers to be built in central Paris.

Tour Montparnasse is now undergoing a makeover to modernize it and bring it up to new green standards. But, will this expensive renovation change anyone's opinion of the tower? Let's look at the past, present, and future of this building.

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Go Deeper Into France: Day Trips From Paris

Loire Valley Chateaux & Wine Tasting Trip
Journey to the magical castles of the Loire Valley in on a day trip that also features a guided tasting of the best regional wines. This small-group tour travels in a luxury Eurovan.
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Mysterious Mont Saint-Michel
The magnificent floating island of Mont Saint-Michel is a sight to behold. Travel through the picturesque Normandy countryside with an expert guide on a day trip from Paris that includes a cider tasting
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Loire Valley Chateaux & Wine Tasting Trip
Journey to the magical castles of the Loire Valley in on a day trip that also features a guided tasting of the best regional wines. Your small group travels in a luxury Eurovan.
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Paris Movies

Paris Movies

Can't make it to Paris this year? Want more of Paris once you get home? We find the movies can be the next best thing to being there. We've built our own library of favorite Paris movies, and it's a wonderful way to rekindle our memories of the City of Cinema — or to get us in the mood for our next trip!

Read our guide to classic Paris movies to help pass the time until you next make it across the Atlantic.

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Paris Movies Quick Links

We'll Always Have Paris… Books

We'll Always Have Paris Books

When we're not in Paris we're reading about Paris. Sometimes we grab an old favorite from the bookshelf, but we really like to dig into new books about Paris and France. So, go visit our Paris book page, where we review some of the nicest books about the city. Think of it as the City of Light Book Club. In addition to those in the linked article, here are a couple of recent reviews —

The Population of Paris

The Population of Paris

Since it was founded as Lutetia, the population of Paris has grown from a couple of thousand Gauls to over two million Parisians, and has gone up and down over the centuries. Find out when Paris was even more densely populated than it is now. Do you know the current population?

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The Highest-Rated Paris Activities

Cheese & Wine Tasting in a Paris Cellar
In the cheese-aging cellar of a Paris fromagerie you discover 7 classic French cheeses and the wines that pair with them. Lots of sampling!
Check Availability…

VIP Dinner Cruise with Bateaux Parisiens
This romantic, VIP dinner cruise is the #1 nighttime activity. Be sure to choose the Service Privilege option for the best seating, the most champagne, and the ultimate experience.
Reserve your table…

VIP Dinner Cruise with Bateaux Parisiens
This romantic, VIP dinner cruise is the #1 nighttime activity. Be sure to choose the Service Privilege option for the best seating, the most champagne, and the ultimate experience.
Reserve your table…

Climate in Paris

Climate in Paris

It's nice to know what weather to expect on your arrival in Paris. We can't predict anything for certain, and the climate in Paris can be quite temperamental (pun intended) but we can make a good guess about what it's going to be like at the time of year you arrive. Learn about the Paris seasons and weather patterns to help plan your trip.

Canadian & US Embassies in Paris

Canadian & US Embassies in Parisv

The only time you're ever likely to need an embassy is if your passport has been lost or stolen or if you have become stranded. In case of emergencies like these help is at hand in Paris for US and Canadian citizens at their respective embassies.

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