Paris

From the bourgeois chic of the 16th arrondissement to the trendy shopping and nightlife of the Marais, and from the literary legends of Montparnasse to the quaint side streets of picturesque Montmartre, Paris has something to offer everyone. Whether perusing the quayside bouquinistes, trekking the infinite halls of the Louvre, or dancing jusqu’a l’aube (till dawn) at Le Queen, every minute of a stay in Paris will overwhelm your senses and surpass your expectations from one pleasure-filled moment to the next.

Paris is an interesting dichotomy of subtle inspiration and unrelenting challenges.

Wander along the Île Saint-Louis in the middle of the night and you may peek into a doorway to find a painter passionately splashing colours onto a canvas in his studio, smell the sweet aroma of warm morning bread from a boulangerie, or hear the low tones of a trumpet player practicing below in the moonlight on the quay. Come morning, hordes of tourists and rushed businesspeople flock through the streets and descend into the snaking halls of the metro, causing some of the most jammed traffic and congested sidewalk choreography you can find anywhere.

A first venture into the most visited capital in the world will present you with unique perspectives into culture, history, fashion, gastronomy, and the arts. At times it can be a strenuous task to navigate through such a complex urban metropolis, but ultimately worth it many times over. Once you familiarise yourself with the metro system and overcome the initial shock, you can begin to enjoy all the intricate complacencies of Parisian life.

The city’s 20 arrondissements are laid out in l’escargot, a snail-shaped pattern of quartiers, spiraling out from the centre, and each with its own distinct flavour, so that a stroll from one to the next often feels like you are passing through villages rather than traversing a city.

The métro system is easy and efficient, and often an interesting form of entertainment on its own, with performers and musicians taking advantage of the sometimes very long commutes. This underground labyrinthine system has over 300 station stops, which means you are never more than a ten minute walk from one. Often it will suffice to walk to the nearest métro station to get your bearings when you are lost. If you are in Paris for three days or a week, it is usually worth it to buy a three day metro pass or a weekly carte orange instead of individual tickets. However, Paris is a very walkable city, and some of the most magical moments and beautiful scenes can unfold along random wanderings through cobbled backstreets and ancient passages.

You can't get lost in Paris as long as you know where the nearest métro or RER station is. Outside every station, and on most busy streets you will find maps of the local area.