High-class events
Visit Paris on the 13th or 14th of July to witness the joys of Bastille Day. A military parade takes place on a public holiday, and you can enjoy celebrations in the parks and along the Seine, enjoyed by families and friends. Luxury hotel bookings fill up fast, so advanced reservations are advised. Longchamp Racecourse, on the banks of the River Seine, hosts flat races from March to November and regularly sees crowds of 50,000 on popular race days. The year's highlight is the Prix de L’Arc de Triomphe, which takes place over the first weekend of October. The event is arguably the most prestigious flat race in Europe, attracting the finest horses, owners and trainers.
The best restaurants are in Paris
Paris is known for its incredible cuisine; you can choose from hundreds of fine dining establishments. When selecting where to dine, consider one of the ten Parisian restaurants holding three Michelin stars. Epicure in Le Bristol Hotel is known for having one of the most refined wine lists in the World, and the super exclusive Guy Savoy, near Pont Neuf bridge, is known for its gourmet cuisine and its famous artichoke soup with truffle. Discover delicious cuisine cooked by local chefs, looking down bustling side streets away from the tourist spots. The clientele has been lured off the beaten track by great food and a comfortable atmosphere if a restaurant is busy with diners in these areas.
Art in Paris
There is an abundance of art to see in Paris, and everyone should visit the Louvre at least once during a trip to the city, but there are other galleries and museums with fine exhibitions. The Musee Marmottan-Monet houses the most incredible collection of Monet’s work worldwide.
Found in the 16th arrondissement, the old mansion house displays more than 100 of Monet’s paintings, many of which were donated by the artist’s son. This gallery is often very quiet, offering visitors the time and space to stand back and appreciate what is on offer. For art from the 20th and 21st centuries, a visit to the Paris Museum of Modern Art on Avenue du Président Wilson is highly recommended. The gallery offers 10,000 pieces of art displayed in chronological order to demonstrate the development of movements and techniques.
Shopping under ornate glass roofs
Designer stores line the Champs-Elysées, and this famous street is a popular destination for a significant number of shoppers. For something uniquely Parisian, it is worth visiting the Grand Boulevards district in the 9th and 11th arrondissements. Here, between the theatres and cafes, are covered passages (Les Passages Couvert) with beautifully decorative glass roofs, ornate wrought iron fixtures and intricate mosaic floors. The Gallerie Vivienne is the most glamorous of these arcades and a great place to start, but go along any of the thirty or so passages to discover boutiques, jewellery shops, antique showrooms, tearooms, and old-style restaurants. Jean-Paul Gaultier has his flagship store here, and Christian Louboutin has a place as well, but there are also unknown designers waiting to be discovered.
