Catherine Le Nevez - Paris

Welcome to Paris

In the springtime, the autumn, the winter or the summer, this romantic city seduces every moment of the year.

No matter the season, Paris has a timeless familiarity, with more recognisable landmarks than any other city in the world. The graceful wrought-iron spire of the Eiffel Tower, the broad span of the Arc de Triomphe standing sentinel above Paris most glamorous avenue, the Champs-lyses, the gargoyled Notre Dame cathedral, lamplit bridges spanning the Seine and art nouveau cafes spilling onto wicker-chair-lined terraces are indelibly etched in the minds of anyone whos visited the city and the imaginations of anyone who hasnt (or at least not yet). But despite initial appearances, Paris cityscape isnt static: there are some stunning modern and contemporary icons too.

Whether you seek a cosy bistro, a secret supper club or a triple-Michelin-starred temple to gastronomy, youll find every Parisian establishment prides itself on exquisite preparation and presentation of quality produce, invariably served with wine. Enticing patisseries, boulangeries (bakeries), fromageries (cheese shops) and crowded, colourful street markets are perfect for packing a picnic to take to the citys parks and gardens. And a host of culinary courses offer instruction for all schedules, abilities and budgets.

Parisians are synonymous with style, and fashion shopping is the citys forte. Browsing emerging and established designer boutiques and flagship haute couture houses is a vital part of any visit. Youll also find uberhip concept stores, quirky home and garden shops, and resplendent art nouveau department stores, along with a trove of vintage shops and flea markets, atmospheric bookshops (including the green-metal stalls of the bouquiniste secondhand booksellers lining the banks of the Seine), some adorable childrens wear and toy shops, art and antique dealers, venerable shops selling state-of-the-art professional cookware and, of course, gourmet food and wine shops galore.

OLIVER STREWE / GETTY IMAGES

Why I love Paris

By Catherine Le Nevez

Paris grandeur is inspiring but what I love most about the city is its intimacy. Its quartiers are like a patchwork of villages, and while its one of the worlds major metropolises with all of the culture and facilities that go with it theres a real sense of community at the local shops, markets and cafes that hasnt changed since my childhood. Yet because every little village has its own evolving character, Im constantly discovering and rediscovering hidden corners of the city.

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With an illustrious artistic pedigree Renoir, Rodin, Picasso, Monet, Manet, Dal and Van Gogh are but a few of the masters who lived and worked here over the years Paris is one of the great art repositories of the world. In addition to big-hitting museums like the worlds largest, the Louvre, the Muse dOrsays exceptional impressionist collection, and the Centre Pompidous cache of modern and contemporary art, there are scores of smaller museums housing collections in every imaginable genre.

Paris Top 16

Eiffel Tower ()

No one could imagine Paris today without its signature spire. But Gustave Eiffel only constructed this graceful tower then the worlds tallest, at 320m as a temporary exhibit for the 1889 Exposition Universelle. Luckily, its popularity assured its survival beyond the World Fair and its elegant art nouveau webbed-metal design has become the defining fixture of the citys skyline. Head here at dusk for the best day and night views of the glittering city, and toast making it to the top at the sparkling-new champagne bar.

Eiffel Tower & Western Paris

PETER LANGER / CORBIS

Muse Rodin ()

The lovely Muse Rodin is the most romantic of Paris museums. Auguste Rodins former workshop and showroom, the 1730-built Htel Biron, is filled with Rodins own sculptural masterpieces like the marble monument to love, The Kiss, as well as creations by his muse and protg, sculptor Camille Claudel, and other artists whose works Rodin collected, including Van Gogh and Renoir. But the real treat is the mansions rambling, scented sculpture garden, which provides an entrancing setting for contemplating works like The Thinker.

St-Germain & Les Invalides

AUGUSTE RODINS SCULPTURE, THE KISS
PETER BARRITT / CORBIS

Louvre ()

The Mona Lis a and the Venus de Milo are just two of the priceless treasures resplendently housed inside this fortress turned royal palace turned Frances first national museum. Stretching a whopping 700m along the Seine, the worlds biggest museum can seem overwhelming, but there are plenty of ways to experience it, even if you dont have nine months to glance at every artwork and artefact here. One of the best is its thematic trails from the Art of Eating to Love in the Louvre.

Louvre & Les Halles