Paris
"I love Paris in the springtime."
Cole Porter was right, spring is the classic time to visit this beautiful and glamorous city. The weather is usually warm and balmy, the air is fresh, the trees are decked in fresh green and blossom, and the flowers blooming.
Fewer tourists than in the peak summer months also mean shorter lines for the "must-see" attractions such as the Louvre (the world's largest palace housing the world's largest collection of art) and the Musée D'Orsay (once a railway station now host to the electrifying works of the impressionists and post-impressionists).
But there is much more to Paris than the 5 star tourist attractions. Some examples taken from our eclectic web page: 101 Things to do in Paris.
#8. Ile St-Louis
Arguably one of the most romantic parts of Paris, it's a wonderful place to take a stroll. The island lives in another time zone with its own distinct charm where you will find beautiful houses on single lane cobbled streets, restaurants and interesting shops. It's also home to the famous sorbets of M. Berthillon. Métro: Cité / Pont Marie
#12. Catacombes de Paris
A truly original experience but not for the faint hearted! Visitors to the Catacombes will find themselves 20m (65ft) underground, walking along mile upon mile of corridors stacked with bones. Indeed in 1975 Paris decided to solve the problem of its overflowing cemeteries by exhuming the bones of the buried and relocating them to several unused quarries. An unusual and memorable experience awaits you! 1 avenue du Clonel Henri Rol-Tanguy. Métro: Denfert Rochereau
#20. Puces de St Ouen
The largest of Paris's flea markets, it's easy to loose oneself whilst browsing the acres of fine antiques, covetable curios and general bric-a-brac. Perfect for a Sunday walk. Métro: Porte de Clignoncourt
#28. Fontainebleau
A wonderful alternative to the crowds of Versailles this exquisite Renaissance château is within easy distance of Paris. It is situated in the middle of a magnificent forest which can be explored for hours. It's a great day out and a perfect place to enjoy a picnic. You can also rent a boat on the Etang des Carpes. Getting there is easy with regular trains from the Gare de Lyon
#31. Brasseries
Wonderfully preserved decors, huge platters of see food, perfect steaks, a style of cooking that has been enjoyed by Parisians and visitors for generations, brasseries offer a true taste of Paris.
Recommended to try are:
Au Pied du Cochon (6 rue Coquilliere 75001)
Brasserie Flo (7 cour des Petits Ecuries 75010)
Bofinger (5-7 rue de la Bastille 75004)
Le Balzar (49 rue des Ecoles 75005)
La Coupole (102 boulevard du Montparnasse 75014)
Terminus Nord (23 rue du Dunkerque 75010)
The internet will produce cheap flights (try www.cheapflights.com) but finding good reliable value accommodation is harder. One solution is to stay in a rental rather than a hotel. You will have much more space, freedom to dress and behave as you want, you will be living like a native AND it will be much cheaper!
Coach House Rentals, the leading specialist in short term central London rentals, are now operating in Paris. We have an English speaking reservations team to handle your booking and English speaking Paris management and representatives who will meet you at your rental and show you in, tell you about the local area, answer any of your questions and be on hand to deal with any problems you may have. We will also arrange a car (usually also with English speaking driver) to meet you at the airport and take you to your rental - by far the easiest way to get into the city with lots of bags.
We have some 30 properties on offer including a large family house in the upscale 17th and quality apartments around Montmartre, in the 4th - The Marais and the 5th - The Latin Quarter. Unlike many other agencies, our minimum stay is 5 nights - not the usual 7.
Full details of our services, together with lots of useful information for planning a trip to Paris - including the invaluable "101 things to do in Paris" - can be found on our Paris web site: www.rentals.chsparis.com.
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