PARIS - STAY FOR LESS "Euros"

PARIS, the Capital of France & the City of “Romance”, is a thriving Metropolis of culture, character & croissants, first settled by the Celtic Parisii tribe on the Isle De La Cite, in the middle of the River Seine, around 2BC. In any large City the location of your Hostel is all-important, to be near the Centre is usually best, but Paris is a challenge as it's so spread out GB, however, has put together this Guide to assist first time travellers to experience the highlights of Paris.

ACCOMMODATION

NO 1 – BLUE PLANET HOSTEL at 5 Rue Hector Malot (next to Gare de Lyon Rail Station) tele 01 43 42 06 18 – Email hbl@hostelblueplanet.com – E21 pn inc. automated breakfast in 2 to 4 bunk rooms on 5 floors some with en suite showers but sep wc's - sheets E2 extra but free if you mention you found recom. on www.goldenbackpacker.com. It has a small friendly café style sitting area with microwave & dishes, TV, Internet & drinks m/c's on ground floor & strictly No Smoking . It's a well-managed Hostel in a lively part of Paris, full of flavour & French character.

Reserve - International Des Jeunes Auberge at 10, Rue Trousseau (near to Bastille Monument.) tele +33 01 47 00 62 00 – E-mail: aij@aijparis.com - E15 pn inc break – 2,3,4 bedrooms (sep. showers/ wc's) – No self – catering but café sitting area, Internet & drinks m/c – pity Smoking Allowed . In a quiet street with good restaurant over the road & interesting area.

Special Recommendation – Hotel Henry 1V, at 25 Place Dauphine on Isle de Cite (just over the Pont Neuf, Bridge) tele 01 435 444 53 – E26 single/ E 56 double rooms incl breakfast, sep bathrooms but some en suite for extra. This Hotel is a gem, for its location & authenticity in the most Central & ideallic position of original Paris – worth checking out!

FOOD – Nearest supermarkets for self caterers at No 1 Hostel is G20 just around corner but the best deals & selection is at the FRANPRIX Supermarket on Place D'Aligre, which has an ample selection of frozen, fresh foods & wines, also a small provisions shop at rear of Rail Stn. is open on Sundays. The morning market near the Bastille has excellent fresh produce & also delight to walk around. Then there are the World-renowned Paris Restaurants & Patisseries as the French are said to be in love with food and all the social aspects of its consumption

TRAVELLING AROUND – Walking around Paris is a pleasure but the Metro (forget Busses) is recommended to reach the far sights of Paris to give you a prime start, then walk back. There is a good free Metro Route Map to help you find your locations & links. A single ticket costs E1.40 for a 2hr journey but you can buy a “carnet” of 10 tickets for E12 (no day tickets) at Metro stations. Keep your tickets until you're out of the Metro to prove you've paid as lots of people can be seen jumping over the entry gates.

1. Notre Dame Cathedral – built 1163 to 1330, see South Rose Window, Gargoyles & Hunch Back?
2. Tuilleries Gardens – place to rest out on lay back seats, around the fountains, in the sunshine.
3. Eiffel Tower - stand under the base & look up at this awesome World icon “ Mechano” construction.
4. Arch de Triomphe – from the central base watch the traffic mayhem all around this great Arch.
5. Champs Elysees – the walk along this wide impressive boulevard is a French tonic
6. Sacre Coeur Basilica – high on a hill this imposing “Icing Cake” Church looks over a Paris vista
7. Montmartre – the Artistic District, on way to the biggest Sunday Market at Clignancourt
8. River Seine – walk beside this majestic River with all through Paris, the Eiffel approach is special
9. Pompidou Centre – a futuristic Arts Centre, with lots of attractions for a rainy day or just to rest out
10. La De fence Area – modern Commercial “Skyscraper” Paris with the icon Grand Arch, Metro trip.

CHARGE SIGHTS NOT TO MISS

1. Eiffel Tower - walk stairs to upper floors 1&2 with ex. Museum, Shop & Café - lift to very top
2. Louvre Museum – home of Mona Lisa & Venus d Milo &1000's of other “borrowed” exhibits
3. Hotel Des Invalides – former soldiers Rest Home, now Napoleon's final resting-place

* John, Suki, Amy, Sue – Jugen, Ross – Gary & Demi, James

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