PODCAST #6: Paris France
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Podcast recorded: Paris France on 13 October 2005
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Overview
Paris is a magical city. A mention of its name immediately evokes an image of style, sophistication and glamour. And without a shadow of doubt this is one beautiful city, whatever the season. The broad boulevards and clever layout of the city means you can see the various famous landmarks in most cases lined up through careful town planning over the centuries. And as it was occupied by the German Nazi’s during the second world war, it’s buildings and historical architecture escaped the hammering and destruction that so other major European cities on either side of the war went through.
As I travelled to Paris on this trip on the Eurostar – my most favourite and recommended way to get from London to Paris – I was trying to remember just how many times I have visited the city. I think it must be close to 20 times. And for a wide range of reasons and with a wide range of experiences – from camping as a student way back in the summer of 1980 through to attending some very glamorous meetings at one of the most ridiculously expensive hotels to, more usually, as a tourist popping over from London for a weekend break or for a work meeting.
This week on the podcast I am going to take a look at Paris and, as usual, give you “My Travel Review” of this stylish city and let you know what you absolutely must do if you visit.
This week’s podcast topics:
- The Eurostar and the Channel Tunnel (short history and review of the service)
- A short history and facts about Paris
- The 6 places or things you absolutely must do if you visit Paris. Things you could do all of in a packed few days visit.
- A place to stay that is very central
- Post Bag with listener comments and feedback – including “My Travel Reviews: Correction Section” where I correct some errors in a previous podcast
- Another travel podcast I like listening to you may want to take a listen to (iPod Traveller)
Eurostar and Euro Tunnel
- Euro tunnel (information and booking): click here
- Channel Tunnel (the website of the company with some history, facts etc): to follow
History and facts about Paris
- Overview: Click here
- Chronological history: Click here
10 Places/ things you must do if you visit Paris
There are 6 sites that the tourist board says annually get visited by some
- City Tour: Paris L’Open Tour (open topped bus with over 50 stops. 1 or 2 day tickets @ 25 – 28 euros. Hotels sell tickets.
- Other options: bike tours, walking tours, film tour
- Eiffel Tower
- Official site: http://www.tour-eiffel.fr/teiffel/uk/
- Louvre
- Official Site: http://www.louvre.fr/llv/commun/home_flash.jsp?bmLocale=en
- Champs-Elysees Promenade (From the Louvre up the Champs-Elysees including Arc de Triompe du Carrousel and Tuileries Gardens to the Place de la Concorde up to the Arc de Triomphe)
- http://www.discover-paris.info/sightseeing_arc.htm
- Arc de Triomphe: http://www.paris.org/Monuments/Arc/
- Musee D’Orsay
- Official Site: Click here
- The Seine
- Ile De La Cite (island in the Seine which includes the Notre Dame cathedral)
- http://www.pariserve.tm.fr/English/paris/cite.htm
- http://www.discover-paris.info/sightseeing_ile.htm
- Pompidou Centre
- Official website:
- Official site: http://www.lido.fr/ (new show: Bonheur)
- Versailles
Then of course there is also Disneyland Paris and the more French based Parc Asterix Theme Parks if you have longer to stay
Where I stayed
Marriot Champs Elysees: Hotel website
A nice hotel with comfortable rooms, great gym and right in the heart of the buzzing tourist centre and within easy walking distance of Arc D’Troimpe
See my hotel room video: http://www.mytravelreviews.co.uk/hotelvideos/0507_Marriot_Paris.MPG
I have also recently also stayed at the Sofitel Rive Gauge. Click here to see that hotel room:
http://www.mytravelreviews.co.uk/hotelvideos/0505_Sofitel_Rive_Gauge_Paris.MPG
Post Bag
Comments and thoughts? Email me: click here
Another great travel podcast
Take a listen to iPod Traveller which looks at travelling in Europe at budget and low cost based on the extensive experience of the presenters: Click here
Next Week
Dusseldorf, Germany