Paris

One could speculate as to why Paris now sells itself as the "City of Lights" instead of the "City of Love". To some non-Western ears, this may sound too slippery. The fact is, if you stand on the Place du Trocadéro in the evening, there are urban light shows below you that are simply beautiful. First and foremost is the illuminated Eiffel Tower, which stretches out from this position in all its weighty grandeur. Every hour on the hour, it even flashes or changes color depending on the occasion. A stone's throw from the Trocadéro, in the Palais de Tokyo, you can combine an unobstructed view of the Eiffel Tower with an exquisite dinner. "Monsieur Bleu" has one of the most beautiful summer terraces in Paris. If you are also interested in modern art, visit the exhibitions in this monumental 1930s building beforehand. They form the largest collection of contemporary art in Europe.

Needless to say, Paris is home to such an overwhelming number of sights that it's easy to get into a predicament. What to see when and where? Especially when time is short, shopping and eating are equally important. Tip: To avoid long queues at the most famous museums such as the Louvre, D'Orsay or Picasso, it's best to buy a museum pass online in advance. And combine your visit with a stroll through the surrounding neighborhoods. The metropolis is full at any time of year, except in August when the city seems emptier. That's because that's when all of Paris is on vacation by the sea. However, this has the disadvantage that the big chefs are often on vacation and their restaurants are closed. This also affects numerous stores in districts such as Marais, Île St. Louis and the Canal St. Martin neighborhoods. By the way, a city tour with a duck, i.e. in a 2 CV, is great fun. Not just for former students. The advantage is the slim shape of the rocking vehicle. It drives easily through narrow streets. The chauffeur also has lots of interesting stories to tell. Good to know: As of this year, all cars require a new emissions sticker. From Monday to Friday from 8 am to 8 pm, vehicles with a CritAir sticker 5 or higher are not allowed to enter the environmental zone within the Périphérique. There are exceptions for classic cars.

Marais to Forum Les Halles
Newly opened in 2014, the Picasso Museum is one of the most important attractions in the Marais. And of course the romantic Place des Vosges, surrounded by 17th century city palaces of the nobility. On the other side of the Rue de Rivoli is the Village St. Paul
the oldest surviving quarter with narrow alleyways, courtyards, antique stores and cafés. The Jewish quarter is where things get turbulent. This is where tempting boutiques are lined up shoulder to shoulder. For a typical snack, be it strudel, falafel or gefilte fish, "Sacha Finkelsztajn" or "Chez Marianne" opposite in the pedestrian zone Rue de Rosier are the best places. The courtyard of the "Grand Coeur" brasserie is a very cozy place to sit and enjoy French specialties such as foie gras ravioli with porcini mushrooms. On a late summer evening, chilling out on the roof of the BHV Marais at "Le Perchoir" is the order of the day. Forum Les Halles has been redesigned under a magnificent glass roof. In the former belly of Paris, 130 chic stores, luxury deli "Hédiard" and Alain Ducasse restaurant "Le Champeaux" beckon. The whole thing is often accompanied by live music.

Canal St. Martin, Belleville
Bohemian charm is what makes this district north-east of the Marais so appealing, with its wrought-iron footbridges over the canal and tree-lined banks. It is the quarter of and for creative people, for the young and the young at heart, for people who like to browse for the unusual and for unusual fashion from fresh labels. And don't be surprised to find ancient food stores and shabby discount stores alternating with chic boutiques, trendy bakeries and eateries. This is what the Marais looked like before gentrification. Restaurant "Les Enfants Perdus" combines boho flair and fine cuisine, especially as it is run by a Michelin-starred chef. Not necessarily for newcomers to Paris, but for visitors who want to experience a completely different side of the metropolis: If you emerge from the metro tunnels in Belleville, you will find yourself in Black Africa, at least at the weekend. Or on market days among people from 80 nations. Belleville is both a migrant and artists' quarter, the new Montmatre, as they say, but without the kitsch. The private museum "Edith Piaf" is located here and the "Galerie Wolff" is at 78 Rue Julien Lacroix. It attracts collectors from all over the world. And up the hill in the Parc de Belleville, you can indulge yourself. Because the whole of Paris lies at your feet.

Île St. Louis to St. Germain-des-Prés
The Seine island of St. Louis stretches out in the shadow of Notre Dame, so to speak. A spot for strolling without the tourist hustle and bustle, with picturesque traditional stores, the legendary ice cream store "Berthillon" and the delicious "Amorino" around the corner. Cheese aficionados should not miss the crèmerie "La Ferme St. Aubin". The fragrant pieces are packed airtight to take away. But you could also enjoy them with a baguette and wine for a picnic at Paris Plage (Pont Marie). Then perhaps a shopping spree on the other bank through Quartier Latin and St.Germain-des-Prés? And to catch your breath, a drink on the street terrace of "Café de Flore" or "Les Deux Magots"? The ghosts of famous guests such as Oscar Wilde and Ernest Hemingway have long since fled, but you can still enjoy people-watching. On Sunday mornings, the organic market "Marché Raspail" is a real treat. This is where Parisian high society shops.

Opéra Garnier to Louvre
The hearts of luxury shoppers beat in three-four time in this area. Everything that's big in the fashion world is concentrated here. You could spend hours in the Printemps or Lafayette department stores alone, were it not for the fashion houses, jewelers and watch stores around Place Vendôme and along Rue St. Honoré. And if you still haven't satisfied all your cravings, dive into the underworld. In the underground Carrousel du Louvre opposite the Palais Royal, you will find another exquisite selection of the world's best labels in jewelry, accessories and beauty. If you are also planning a visit to the Louvre on this day, it is best to start with the Louvre first. Either way, "Brasserie du Louvre" is recommended for lunch. The menu offers French classics in a light format. However, the restaurant is famous for crêpe suzette, which has little to do with "light".

Pigalle
Many corners of the legendary nightclub district are shabby. And in front of the Moulin Rouge, tourist buses continue to dump their cargo into the show of the bare-breasted Can Can dancers. But SoPi - South Pigalle - has been around for a few years now. And as the name suggests, a new scene has emerged from a run-down district. According to insiders, it started at 46 Rue des Martyrs with the Rose Bakery - a cool bakery and organic food store between the grime and the wacky red light district. Many "BoBo" (a mix of bourgeoisie and bohemian) stores and restaurants have followed suit, most of which look as if their interiors are from a flea market. This is now the place to live for those who can afford not to give a damn about noblesse. The only establishment that combines the original and new spirit of the district in the finest way is the design hotel "Le Pigalle". Of course, anyone staying here must be prepared for one thing: On weekends, music blares and young people rage in the streets until the early hours of the morning.

Text: Kiki Baron (2017)

DIPLOMATIC MISSIONS

French Embassy Austria
Technikerstrasse 2, 1040 Vienna
Tel: +43 1 502750
Fax: +43 1 50275168
www.ambafrance-at.org

French Embassy Germany
Pariser Platz 5, 10117 Berlin
Tel: +49 030 590039010
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French Embassy Switzerland
Schosshaldenstrasse 46, 3006 Bern
Tel: +41 31 3592111
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Location

Frankreich

Area

105,4 km²

Population

2.244 million

Language

French

Arrival

There are three airports in Paris: Charles de Gaulle, Orly and Le Bourget. Most connections, e.g. Air France or Lufthansa, land at Charles de Gaulle. From there, as well as from the other airports, there are trains and/or buses to the city center. If arriving or departing from CDG during rush hour, we recommend taking the RER train. www.paris-lifestyle.de.From cities such as Frankfurt and Stuttgart, ICE and TGV trains on the new high-speed line will take you directly into the city faster.

In the city:
Thanks to the well-developed metro network, you can get from A to B relatively quickly. However, some stations are long and some are congested, such as the Chátêlet Les Halles junction. It is better to leave your car at home, as parking spaces are virtually non-existent and the chances of scratches or dents are high. If you do bring your car, you will need the new emissions sticker that was introduced this year. There have been several car-free Sundays in the past.
Better check before you travel! Wonderful for undisturbed strolling.

Capital city

Paris

Religion

Mostly Roman Catholic (75%)

Weather

Paris is located in the temperate climate zone. The average annual temperature is 10.8 degrees Celsius and the average annual precipitation is 649.6 millimetres. On average, the most rain falls in May.

Best time to travel

All year round

Climate

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Max. Temperature	7	8	12	15	19	22	24	25	21	16	10	8
Min. Temperature	3	3	5	7	11	13	16	15	13	9	5	4
Hours of Sunshine	2	3	5	6	7	9	8	7	6	4	3	2
Rainy days	10	10	10	9	10	9	8	7	9	10	10	11

Time difference (to MEZ)

MEZ

Currency

Euro

Visa

-

Concierge-Tipp

 

Concierge-Tipp

 

Shopping

 

Kultur

 

Beauty

 

Design

 

Food

 

Hotels