A beauty with many faces - France's metropolis is always fascinating. City of love, fashion, gastronomy, art or even the City of light. Paris has always been a metropolis for which the best was just good enough, a city of superlatives. For many centuries, Paris is lively political, economic and cultural center of France and one of the great metropolises of the world.

Place des Vosges Henry IV finished this square in 1612 is not only one of the oldest but also the most architecturally harmonious square in the city. The 36 pavilions are framed by arcade passageways where elegant art galleries and restaurants are situated. M 1: Saint-Paul, M 1, 5, 8

Bastille Notre-Dame On the square was already 2000 years ago a roman temple. In the interior of the nave find 9,000 people space. Particularly impressive are the three big portals entrances, the huge arches around the choir and the rosettes with a diameter of more than 10 m. Mon-Sat 8am-6.45pm, Sun 8am-7.45pm, entrance free. M 4: Saint-Michel, RER B, C: Saint-Michel-Notre Dame

Ile de la Cité and Ile Saint-Louis The two with a bridge connected islands are now among the most expensive residential areas of the city (1./4. Arr.). M 4: Cité

Jardin du Luxembourg Most famous park in the center of Paris, near the Sorbonne University. On the available chairs, you can doze in the sun or watch the kids in boats large pool drive (6. Arr.), RER B: Luxembourg

Saint-Germain-des-Prés As the Latin Quarter is also available this quarter on the left side (rive gauche), are traditionally regarded as the intellectual center is, while rive droite, the right bank, was formerly rather bourgeois. The literati district has its core in addition to the eponymous church on the Boulevard Saint-Germain. (6. Arr.), M 4: Saint-Germain-des-Prés

Arc de Triomphe On the impressive visual axis between the small bow at the Louvre and the great arch of La Defense rises the 50-meter-high landmark. The view from up there is phenomenal, especially at this place sternenförmig twelve avenues converge. daily. April-Sept. 10am-11pm , Oct.-March 10am-10.30pm, 8 Euro, M 1, 2, 6/RER A: Charles de Gaulle-Etoile

Montmartre While the tourists at the foot of the highest hill of Paris to the Place de Clichy and the Pigalle of cheap Sexgeschäften angeblinkt be consumes the higher the former village of Montmartre artists glory of bygone days. From the stairs in front of the Basilica of Sacre-Coeur, you have a splendid view of Paris. (18. Arr.), M 2: Blanche, Anvers, M 12: Abbesses

Place de la Concorde The monumental space of Paris is a city of superlatives: From his heart out, the 3000-year-old Egyptian obelisk from Luxor, you have the whole Champs-Elysees to the Arc de Triomphe in front of you. (8. Arr.), M 1, 8, 12: Concorde

Eiffeltower (Tour Eiffel) Without the Eiffel Tower Paris would not Paris. The 300-meter-high landmark was long the tallest building in the world. From the first platform in 115 m height offers you an impressive panoramic view of Paris, from the top level of 274 m in height, the view on clear days until well into the Paris basin. daily 9.30am-11pm. Champ de Mars (7. Arr.), M 6: Bir Hakeim

shopping In the Avenue Montaigne and the Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honore are all well-known houses - Armani, Chanel, Dior, Gucci, Hermes, Lacroix, Max Mara, Versace and others, represented. M 4: Alésia Clignancourt With more than 3,000 dealers its the world's largest flea market. There you can get everything. Marché Vernaison, 130, av. Michelet (18. Arr.), M 4: Porte de Clignancourt. Debauve & Gallais The 200-year-old, elegant chocolaterie is like a jeweler's shop. 30, rue des Saint-Pères (7. Arr.), M 4: Saint-Germain-des-Prés. Le Bon Marché The oldest department store of the city is over 150 years the symbol of luxury and lifestyle. One of the best footwear and fashion departments of the city with all major brands. The deli department is a real experience. 24, rue de Sevres (7. Arr.), M 10, 12: Sevres Babylone                                                                                                                        Printemps  The largest shoe department in Paris and the biggest beauty department in the world, with some 200 brands in stock. The lingerie department is the stuff of fantasy and on the second floor French designers APC and Zadig et Voltaire sit side by side with Dolce e Gabbana and Moschino; Miss Code targets teens with jeans and sportswear. The ninth-floor terrace restaurant sports an art nouveau cupola. 64 bd Haussmann, 9th                                                                                                                     Galeries Lafayette This department store has revamped its fashion, beauty and accessories sections, and opened a lingerie department on the third floor. Le Labo and Trend have introduced progressive designers, and over 90 established names occupy the rest of the first and second floors. On the third floor Lafayette Homme is a must. Lafayette Gourmet has exotic, high-end foods, and the second-biggest wine cellar in Paris. The exquisite domed ceiling in the main shop is photogenic, and there’s a rooftop café. 40 bd Haussmann, 9th

food                                                                                                                                                                         Le Dome du Marais Under the stylish glass dome and in the conservatory-like room, there are only a few tables so that an intimate and elegant atmosphere is for sure. Sun/Mon closed. 53 bis, rue des Francs-Bourgeois (4. Arr.), M 1: Saint-Paul L'Escargot             Montorgueil Traditional restaurant in the empire style. daily. 38, rue Montorgueil (1. Arr.), M 4: Etienne Marcel                           Le Train Bleu Without a doubt the most beautiful train station restaurant in the world. In the 11 meter high spaces you feel like you sit in Versailles. daily. Gare de Lyon, 1. Etage, (12. Arr.), M 1, 14/RER A, D: Gare de Lyon                                                        La Grande Cascade Right next to the great waterfall in the Bois de Boulogne. Menu from 70 Euro. daily. allée de Longchamp (16. Arr.), M 1: Porte Maillot                                                                                                                                                  Astier This is a bastion of traditional food: the aroma of fine French cooking, unbridled contentment on diners’ faces, frantic ordering across a crowded, unassumingly decorated room. Home-made terrines lead the way, so go for the chicken liver or seafood versions. Tender lamb sweetbreads are served generously with mousseron mushrooms, and the accompanying gratin dauphinois is sinfully good. Book for the bargain lunch menu. 44 rue Jean-Pierre-Timbaud, 11th                                                                                Allard This fine, traditional bistro has a pre-war feel, an impression confirmed by the kitchen, which sends out the sort of glorious Gallic grub you come to Paris for. Start with sliced Lyonnaise sausage studded with pistachios and served with potato salad in delicious vinaigrette, or maybe a sauté of wild mushrooms; then try roast Bresse chicken with sautéed ceps or roast duck with olives. Finish up with the tarte fine de pommes. 41 rue St-André-des-Arts, 6th

where to stay                                                                                                                                                             Hôtel de Nesle Already in the entrance hall with its roof made of dried flowers you enter in a different world. Magnificent garden and a terrace with sculptures. 20 rooms. 7, rue de Nesle (6. Arr.), M 4, 10: Odéon                                                                       L'Hôtel Unique circular atrium. Huge room in the baroque, empire, art deco or japanese style. In the vaulted basement pool and hammam in the nature of roman baths. wonderful restaurant. 16 rooms, 4 appartments. 13, rue des Beaux Arts (6. Arr.), M 4: Saint-Germain-des-Prés                                                                                                                                                         Nouvel Hôtel A hotel that is actually an insider tip. Especially popular is somewhat more expensive Room 109 with direct access to the garden. Even four-bed rooms are there. 28 rooms. 24, av. du Bel-Air (12. Arr.), M 1, 2, 6, 9/RER A: Nation                                       Regents Hôtel In Paris, it’s a treat to find a budget option with style, and this discreet hotel located in a quiet street is a lovely surprise, its courtyard garden used for breakfast. The reception rooms are a sunny Provençal blue and yellow, and the bedrooms are comfortable with new bathrooms. Some of them have modest balconies. 44 rue Madame, 6th                                                      Hôtel Madeleine Opéra This bargain hotel is situated just north of the Eglise Madeleine, in the heart of the city’s theatre and grands magasins districts. Its sunny lobby sits behind a 200-year-old facade that was once a shopfront. The 24 rooms are perhaps a touch basic, but are still pleasant enough, and breakfast is brought to your room every morning. 12 rue Greffulhe, 8th                   Hôtel Chopin Nicely located in a historic, glass-roofed arcade, the Chopin’s original 1846 facade adds to the old-fashioned appeal. The 36 quiet and functional bedrooms have salmon-coloured walls and green carpet. All in all, the Chopin is a low-cost favourite. 10 bd Montmartre, 9th                                                                                                                                                        Hôtel Duc de Saint-Simon A lovely courtyard leads the way into this popular hotel situated on the fringes of St-Germain-des-Prés. Of the 34 romantic bedrooms, four have terraces over a closed-off leafy garden. It’s perfect for lovers, though if you can do without a four-poster bed, there are more spacious rooms here than the Honeymoon Suite. 14 rue de St-Simon, 7th

Train Trains from southern Germany, Austria and Switzerland, arrive in Gare de l Est. The express train "Thalys" from Cologne ends at the Gare du Nord. Both stations are connected to the Métro, the Gare du Nord at the suburban RER line B. Other stations are Gare de Montpellier from Bordeaux and Gare du Lyon from Lyon.

Plane Flights arrive usually on the north of Paris situated airport Charles-de-Gaulle (CDG). Air France arrives usually at terminal 2. The RERstation is connected between 4.56am and 12.11am with trains to the centre (Châtelet-Les Halles): 8 Euro. A taxi costs to te centre 43 Euro.

public transport Completed by the city running underground subway (RER) and buses the metro almost reachs every corner of Paris. Metro and RER only drive between 5.30am to 12.30am. A single ticket costs 1,40 Euro. Or a ten card block for 10,70 Euro which is cheaper. The week ticket »Carte Orange« (Mon-Sun) you can get inthe city for 15,70 Euro.