Paris, France

Paris is the romantic capital city of France, and also known as The City of Light.  It is one of the top travel destinations in the world, deservedly so.  It is situated beside the banks of the River Seine in the northern part of France in the heart of the Ile-de-France region.  

TRAVEL INSURANCE FOR PARIS
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Paris is a lively city with so much going on that we cannot possibly cover it all here. The best advice is to check for current events in the city before you go.  There is always plenty of choice, whether your preference is for some sightseeing or the theatre, music, art, museums, opera, shopping, or wining and dining.  

Many visitors to Paris take in a trip to Disneyland Paris(also known as Euro Disney). 
The resort is open every day, all year, and is guaranteed great fun for kids and adults alike.  Eurostar has a direct service from London to Disneyland Paris on some days, otherwise take a train to Paris or Lille and catch a connection to Disneyland. 
Web site:  www.disneylandparis.co.uk. 

The Champs-Élysées (in the 8th arrondissement on the Right Bank) is a very famous and fashionable area for tourists, as well as a major shopping street.   In this area and nearby Avenue Montaigne are several expensive and luxury shops such as Louis Vuitton, Dior, Chanel and Givenchy. There are also plenty of fantastic restaurants, cafes, nightclubs and cabarets in this area.   

July 14th is Bastille Day, so if you are in the city at that time be prepared for celebrations.  It is also a National Holiday in France to commemorate the 1789 storming of the Bastille. 

Montmartre (the 18th arrondissement on the Right Bank) is a popular and historic area and home to the magnificent Basilique du Sacre Coeur de Montmartre (Basilica of the Sacred Heart).  

The Left Bank (Latin Quarter) is popular with young people and students for its lively atmosphere, bars and bistros.  Don’t miss the great view of the city  from the top of the Montparnasse Tower.
  
The famous French gothic cathedral Notre Dame de Paris (Our Lady of Paris) is high on the list of every visitor.  It was built between the 12th and 14th centuries and  is situated on the eastern side of the city.  Notre Dame was of course made famous in Victor Hugo’s book The Hunchback of Notre Dame that featured Quasimodo, the romantically inclined bell ringer. 

The Arc de Triomphe (the Triumphal Arch) stands over 51m (165 feet) and offers terrific views from the top.  It can be found at Place Charles de Gaulle, on the west side of the Champs-Elysees.  

Visitors to Paris have to see and have their photo taken at the famous Eiffel Tower.  When erected in 1889 by Gustave Eiffel it was the tallest building in the world. standing at 300m. 

Art lovers often visit the French capital for its galleries and museums, and there is plenty of choice.  The Louvre is home to the famous Mona Lisa and other valuable pieces of art.  The central reception area is dominated by a glass pyramid, which was featured in the book and film The Da Vinci Code.  Da Vinci Code tours are also available at the museum.  

The Pompidou Centre houses a huge library and modern art museum.  It was named after Georges Pompidou, former president of France.  The exterior design of the building is unique, having been turned ‘inside out’ so that all the pipes, ducts and other elements are brightly painted and exposed to the outside, with the idea being that it would leave more space inside for the displays.

The Musee d’Orsay houses some famous masterpieces from the impressionists such as Monet and Renoir.

The Cité des Sciences et de l'Industrie (Science and Technology Museum) is another popular attraction and reputed to be the largest science museum in Europe. It also includes a planetarium and IMAX theatre.

KNOW BEFORE YOU GO - FRANCE
Visit the Foreign and Commonwealth Office website for updated travel advice for France as part of their ‘Know Before You Go’ campaign. 

As with any major tourist destination in the world be alert to street crime and pickpockets.  Watch your luggage and belongings, especially at crowded public places such as airports, car rental desks, the RER and Paris underground,

If you plan to drive in France or take your car across, be aware of the rules of the road as there are some significant differences.  The FCO website contains advice as well as links to motoring organisations.

Obtain a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) before leaving the UK. However, the EHIC should not be used as a substitute for travel insurance.  Although the EHIC entitles the bearer to free emergency medical treatment on the same terms as French nationals it does not cover potentially expensive medical repatriation, non-urgent, or ongoing medical care. It also does not cover travel-related problems such as lost luggage, cancellation and curtailment, and airline failure.  Be aware that you will need separate travel insurance for problems of this type.

Disclaimer: While we have tried to ensure the information in this Travel Guide is correct we do not accept responsibility for any inaccuracy, or the content of external links.

Inclusion in this Travel Guide does not guarantee travel insurance is available in any country at any given time. Travel Insurance is not available in countries where the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) have issued an advisory against travel.

You are strongly advised to visit the FCO website for updated travel information and general travel advice before you travel.