Lyssiemay Annoh's Paris.

There is something captivating about Paris. I would have simply said that it is the name – but no, because as the French say, Paris is not merely for sightseeing, it is a place to be lived in.
The 18th-century writer Jean-Baptiste Cresset said: "It is only in Paris that one truly lives; elsewhere one just vegetates."and I agree. The French capital has made a name for itself and earned a top place on most travellers’ list.

So what is it about Paris itself that makes it so special? I must confess that when you first step out of the Eurostar train at Gare du Nord and start navigating your way through Paris, you could be forgiven to think that you were not in Paris because of the predominant immigrant population in those parts of Paris. Nevertheless, begin your journey from the Place de la Concorde and work your way up through Champs Elysées, Georges V, and Place Charles de Gaulle - Etoile, and you will appreciate why Paris welcomes 29 million visitors, 12 million of whom are there on business.

The city has developed a first class infrastructure, with excellent architectural, cultural and historical heritage. Another definite plus for Paris is its excellent transportation system coupled with the 10,000 bars and restaurants, 16,000 boutiques, 145 theatres, 1,460 hotels offering 76,300 rooms and superb transportations connections by land, sea, rail and air.

Shopping

With over 16,000 boutiques in Paris, it is not surprising that it is the world’s capital of fashion and design. If you wish to take advantage of the sales in Paris, then visit Paris in either January or July when all the small boutiques and large stores offer the season’s collections at very reduced prices. The sales last for five weeks and reductions range from 20 to 50%. Some even go as far as 70%. If you are travelling from outside the European Union, you can enjoy a further 12% tax refund. Places like Champs Elysées, Madeleine, Vendome, George-V, Montaigne and Passy in the 1st, 8th and 16th arrondissement offer the very best of Classic French fashion. If you are the trendy type, you can still find something on the Champs Elysées, or better still you can visit Haussman, Grands Boulevards, Saint Honoré, Palais Royal or Les Halles. These are in the 1st, 2nd, 6th and 8th arrondissments. The bold and creative should shop in Abbesses, Keller, Saint-Paul, Charlot, Etienne-Marcel and Tuilleries all in the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 11th and 18th arrondissements.

Other areas like Commerce, Vavin, Sevres-Babylone, Saint Germain-des-Prés, Saint Eustache Fancs-Bourgeos and Valmy offer the “Bobo Chics” and finally, les Pyramides, Odéon, Daumesnil, Ledru-Rollin, Saint-Paul, Belleville, Goute d’Or and Monceau are a haven to the Fusion fashion world. Paris has something for everyone.

Fresh croissants, patisseries, spit roast chicken and gourmet dining

I have always wondered what it would be like to visit Paris and ignore the bakeries in the morning? I cannot walk past a spit roast chicken in a charcuterie and pretend not to see the spit roast chicken on the skewers or opt for simple fast food instead of gourmet dining. Somehow, I do not think that this is ever going to happen because while some of the 10,000 bars and restaurants serve food all day, lunch time is usually from noon to 3pm and dinner is from 7pm to 10pm. Even if you are staying for a few days, indulge yourself in some pastry delights and please taste the spit roast chicken!

Surely, you cannot walk around Paris and not drop into a brasserie, bistro or café either! How else will you taste the famous croque monsieur, a good portion of salade nicoise – the good simple food Enjoying the Seine I think that it would be a sin to visit Paris and not walk along the Seine and its riverbanks. There are thirty-seven bridges over the seine and they are such a delight to walk across. You can stroll with your lover to the Place des Vosges, the city's most perfect square, or to the Promenade Plantée, an elevated garden near the arty Bastille district. If you are not the walking type, Paris by day or night in a Bateaux Mouche or any other river boat is ideal. They offer a wide range of tours, lunch and dinner cruises with commentary. The French capital never sleeps and there is so much to see.

Travel Essentials for Paris
Costs
Travelling to and within Paris can cost as much or as little as you like, depending on the mode of transport you are happy to use.
Eurostar operates up to 18 daily services from London St Pancras International to Paris Gare du Nord with return fares from £69. Tickets are available from eurostar.com or 08432 186 186. Fastest London-Paris journey time is 2hr 15 minutes.' Executive Traveller can affirm that the service on Eurostar is good and even better in the Leisure Select class. Gates close 15 minutes before departure time

Travelling around Paris is very easy and cost-effective. When using the Metro, you can buy a carnet, daily or weekly tickets. A carnet costs 11.20 euros from the automated machines or £12 if you buy your ticket in advance on the Eurostar. With a carnet, you can travel by train, bus or metro; however, watch out for certain RER destinations as tickets vary and Paris is so automated that sometimes assistance is not readily available.

When to go
Paris is an all-year-round destination, but spring is best to see Paris in full bloom. Like every European destination, December to February is the coolest months.
Currency
Euro
Language
French is the official language but most business speak English

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