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For your first day in Paris, take a classic walking tour with an English-speaking guide to take you to all the main sightseeing spots. It only costs about 20 euros per person for 3.5 hours but you get to see all of Paris on the first day and allows you to go back and re-visit any of the sights for the rest of your holiday or go elsewhere. Wear comfortable shoes as there is a lot of walking and bring your camera!
Since this was our first visit to Paris, we weren't sure how to best spend our time. We came across Aeon's site and ended up taking a tour. We were, all in all, pleased with our tour and guide. She was knowledgeable and willing to answer any of our group's questions - even our most ridiculous ones. And, trust me, we had a few since we were there during the Metro workers strike in 2007. She was willing to start our tour later due to us not being able to get to the meeting point in time.
This is a comprehensive guide to all contemporary and modern art, both public and galleries, throughout Paris. Many hidden treasures and biogs of loads of artists. Great weekend with it.
A site that allows visitors to select restaurants, things to do with kids, attractions and some local inside information and bring this information together into an itinerary which can be emailed to family and friends or just printed out for later reference. Beats hurrying off to travel offices to find out what's on.
Most Paris visitors obviously look for the essence of France as they wander the city, but I found something exceptional and different in the Monique Wells "Discover Afro-American History in Paris" tours.
The haunts of Josephine Baker and James Baldwin come to life, and you see the wonderful Chateau Rouge area - a brilliantly vibrant mix of colours and cultures, boutiques and restaurants. Paris' varied international and colonial history is brought to life.
Best history/guidebook ever - Andrew Hussey's "Paris The Secret History" Penguin 2006. Extraordinarily interesting.
The very best way to explore Paris is on foot – but where is it worth going?
Last time we were in Paris we discovered ‘Paris Walks’. The company is run by an English couple and offers two-hour guided tours for 10 euros, usually starting at a metro station. We went on the Medieval Latin Quarter walk and saw some fascinating sights that we wouldn’t have stumbled on ourselves.
When in Paris pick up a copy of Les Yeux et les Oreilles, a small free pocket guide to entertainment in Paris. Lists most events including free ones, it's what the Parisians use. Ask for it in any bar in Bastille, region of rue de lappe.
When you've finished at the Louvre, shopping for haut couture or antique jewellery, drop into the bar at the Hotel de Vendome and let the charming and knowledgeable staff make arrangements for the rest of your day, whatever your budget - and desires.
They know every nook and cranny of the city and will send you off feeling like you have had the five-star experience without any of the cost - it worked for me.
Failing that, hop on the metro to Pte de Clignancourt for the fabulous street market. Saturday to Monday 7am to 7.30pm.
Too much Paris ground to cover and so much information? This interactive area map has a district-by-district guide to the sights in each arrondissement in Paris.
Includes famous monuments, malls and markets, famous avenues, best scenic views and parks, where to picnic.
Perfect for planning your Paris shortlist.
Surfing the net, I was looking for something for my weekend in Paris, la ville lumiere. I found this guide with basic information about this town with also a printable pdf version.
Obviusly it doesn't describe all about this town, but at least, it is a good point to start. There is also a detailed map of the metro.
www.nozio.com/en/Europe/France/Paris/destination_guides/Paris.htm
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