If you’re looking for the perfect New Year break, Paris has all you could wish for and more. The city of love is perfect for a couples getaway. Single? Not to worry, fall in love with a city instead, it’s romantic, idyllic and will never disappoint you.
Paris is such a talked of, romanticised city it almost sounds too good to be true, until you experience it yourself. It’s the perfect New Year break to get lost somewhere new and inspiring! Be it in a group or alone, Paris is for everyone. Being the fashion capital of the world, I had definite high hopes of the city which first unveiled Dior’s iconic ‘New Look’ in 1947, revolutionising the post war fashion masses.
If fashion is your forte on your trip, the Avenue des Champs-Elysees a must stop destination; home of Dior, Givenchy, Gucci, Cartier, Balenciaga (do we need to say more?), you can covet shoes and clothes to your heart’s content. There are also high street stores available on the opposite side of the infamous street for those stylish yet savvy savers amongst us. For ornate and individual items the best place I found to shop was the little one off boutiques around the streets of la Fayette, offering unique, customised and one off pieces for competitive prices. You could literally get lost browsing the quirky and kitsch feels of each of the stores.
If your trip is a romantic one you can take a relaxing boat trip down the river Seine, enjoying France’s finest yet affordable Champagne (you’ll be amazed at how low-cost it is for good quality). Along the Seine itself are the adorable padlock bridges, with it’s upcoming tradition where couples write their names on a lock, attach it to the fence and throw away the key in symbolism of a lasting relationship. If you want in on this romantic tradition there are the not so adorable street venders selling locks as cheaply as €1.
The Eiffel Tower is an obvious must see if it’s your first trip; top tip: if you have the time to spend and want to beat the queues opt for the stairs up to the first floor, it provides a great view and plenty of exercise if you’ve over indulged in wine and aperitifs during your stay. For more things to see and do there are a range of cinemas, aquariums and more pharmacies than you can shake a stick at, they really are on every corner!
For food options I recommend visiting one of the many Patisseries and indulging in a crepe for breakfast and wandering out of the centre towards Montmarte for dinner, a culturally diverse spot good for people watching (there are plenty of painters and street dancers) and where it’s advisable to climb to the top of the Sacre-Coeur for the highest viewing point of all of Paris. There are gorgeous restaurants in the picturesque streets around; with brickwork covered in flowers and balconies over spilling onto the tiny cobbled streets. The menus range for traditional French cuisine to a mixture of Italian, German and English incorporated dishes to suit all manner of tourists.
Thrill seekers and adventurists need not worry of finding nothing to do in Paris as it’s famously home to everyone’s second favourite Disney resort, Disneyland. For €50 you get an all access pass to both theme parks and the array of shops and restaurants in the area. There are parades, shows and a spectacular fireworks display at the end of every evening, fun for the kids and amazingly atmospheric for people of all ages. For the forever young hearted there are a host of Disney hotels, and for those who can tear themselves from staying in the heart of the city of love, the park is easy to access via the metro, which runs late into the night if you plan to stay late.
So if you want a trip with family, friends or a special someone, Paris has endless activities and sights you could never tire of. It’ll have you screaming J’adore and never wanting to leave.
For information on Christmas events in Paris and more for the New Year, visit www.en.parisinfo.co
