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There are two opera houses in Paris, which are the Opéra
Bastille and the Palais Garnier that hosts the Opéra National de Paris. There are also
many different rock venues in Paris that play host to a large number of international
performers. Of course, Paris entertainment
is also popular for its many dance clubs, nightclubs
such as Stringfellows or Club Med, and cabaret shows such as The Lido and the Moulin Rouge, which has become famous throughout the
world for its can-can and glamorous yet risqué dancing and choreographed routines.
Of course, there are the usual monuments and
attractions which we all go an see when on holiday in Paris, such as the Eiffel Tower, the Arc
de Triomphe, the Notre Dame Cathedral, walking
along the Avenue de Champs-Elysees with all
its glitz and glamour and visiting the Bastille
Square, which was the original site of the Bastille Prison.
Yet there are also some more recent landmarks that
attract millions of visitors each year, such as La Grande Arche in the business district of
La Defense to the West of Paris or The Center Nationale d'Art et de Culture Georges
Pompidou, also known as the Beaubourg or the Pompidou
Centre, which is a giant, futuristic arts centre located in the Beaubourg district of
Paris, the Cite de Sciences which is great
for the whole family and has and after all that walking you may want to rest your feet at
one of the many restaurants in Paris where
you can try the wonderful French cuisine.
But we cannot forget about the fabulous museums in Paris
with popular ones such as The Louvre, where you
can get to see the Mona Lisa painting, yet there are so many unusual museums from the home
of Victor Hugo who wrote the Hunchback of
Notre Dame, through to the Cité des Sciences that has a movie theatre called the Géode,
which was the first ever in France and then you can even explore a real submarine or the sewers at the Musee des Egouts, located on the Left Bank under Quai
d'Orsay.
Another attraction are the Catacombs of Paris
(its official title is "les Carrieres de Paris") and are a famous burial place
with its network of subterranean tunnels and rooms yet again located underneath Paris and
you can go on an official tour through the old quarries.
And taking a stroll along the banks of the River Seine in
Paris will offer visitors an unforgettable experience, and by being able to get to see the
sights from a completely different perspective, perhaps having a meal on the traditional Bateau Mouches long-boats while cruising the Seine at the same time, will provide
some unforgettable memories, which can be even more memorable of an evening when all of
the famous monuments are lit up.
There are also numerous different festivals and events that are held in Paris every year,
which peak during the summer months and include open air jazz concerts, the famous Tour de
France that finishes on the Champs Elysees, Bastille day that commemorates the storming of
the Bastille and so many other different concerts, fairs and markets that there will
always be something for you to enjoy.
However, there is not as much going on during the month of August when a lot of Paris
shuts down and you will find that many family owned restaurants and bistros in Paris shut for this month,
although the many of the hotels in Paris
do stay open and there are often some bargains to be found at these Paris hotels
during August. But the city does make up a beach, yes you read correctly, a
beach! Known as the Paris Plage, with
activities such as volleyball, trampolines, a floating swimming pool, deckchairs for
sunbathing, free WiFi, etc it has become a big hit for the stifling weather.
Yet, for those of us who would like to get away from the hustle and bustle of the capital,
the Ile de France region becomes an ideal place, offering
a multitude of nature, history, art and culture, but all within easy reach of Paris and
only a short distance from the notorious Peripherie.
So instead of just a short cruise on the river Seine going through Paris, did you realise
that there are more than 500km of navigable waterways to be discovered, as well as many
more kilometres of footpaths and historic sites along its beautiful rivers and canals, and
whether you are on foot or aboard a boat it is a fantastic, yet a tranquil way to
experience more of the region around Paris and be inspired.
But not far from Paris again in the Ile de France region, you will discover rich
picturesque countryside and forests all within a short distance of the periphery and it
boasts many chateaux and castles such as the Chateau de Versailles and Chateau de Chantilly, three National Parks and
four National Forests that allow you to get away from it all and enjoy the natural beauty
of France along with the slow pace of French country life.
So with its stunning scenery, idyllic towns, peace and tranquillity, along with the
abundant wildlife that await its visitors, it is the perfect setting for a drive in the
country, an invigorating walk or a typical French picnic in the open air.
And although Paris still tends to have that allure as a destination for lovers, there is
also an enormous amount to do for children of all ages and the adults that still have
those tendencies! Disneyland Paris
with all of its magic is obviously one of those destinations, along with Parc Asterix that has the largest wooden
roller coaster in Europe, but you could also have a day out at Sea Life Val d'Europe, which is the largest aquarium
in the region, or perhaps you would like to pick your wits against the only interactive
maze in the world and go to a wildlife safari park at the Chateau de Thoiry.
So from interesting and historic towns, to the centre of Paris, back out to the forests
and national parks, to the amusements or the
glitz and glamour, Paris has something for everyone of all ages to enjoy, but just make
sure that you have allocated enough time to experience this incredible region of France
and its capital city Paris.
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