Paris breaks

Arc de Triomphe

2011-02-05T03:09:00.000-08:00

From the Place de la Concorde all the way to the top of the Champs-Elysees, you will discover the Place de l'Etoile which is known today as the Place Charles de Gaulle. And, at this busy place lies the Arc de Triomphe. Climb to the top for one of the best views of Paris. No, it doesn't go as high as the Eiffel Tower. But since Paris is relatively flat, the vantage point at this height is actually better. The Arc de Triomph brings in 1.7 million visitors on Paris Breaks each year.

Paris Breaks to Pigalle

2010-10-09T11:20:00.000-07:00

Pigalle is a popular area foe Paris Breaks, full of life with bars and cafes, nightclubs, restaurants and hotels. Everything for the tourist is there including the beautiful Sacre Coeur but you have to be broad minded because Pigalle is most famous for being one of the Red Light districts in Paris.

So we have the famous Moulin Rouge club, which now has a red windmill on top, just so you know where you are, and also some other revue clubs and plenty of peep shows and sex shops.

Eurostar Breaks to Lille

2010-09-03T05:37:00.001-07:00

P1000213.JPG
Originally uploaded by LindaH

As an alternative to Paris breaks, Eurostar deals to Lille can seem very tempting. The Eurostar tickets are slighty less expensive, and you might expect general expenses to be less in the North of France than in the country's most famous city and the world's favourite tourist destination, Paris.

And indeed Lille does have an attraction of its own, most notably its flemish heritage which gives it a flavour and ambience which is both French and also Belgian at the same time. The food in particular is quite remarkable, and then there is the propensity for visitors to Lille to drink beer rather than wine on any occasion.

Paris - Ile de la Cité et Notre-Dame

2010-09-01T01:06:00.001-07:00

Paris - Ile de la Cité et Notre-Dame
Originally uploaded by Añelo de la Krotsche

Fantastic picture of Paris at night with the Ile de la Cité and Notre-Dame all lit up taken by one of the Paris Breaks group members on Flickr. I was taking a break in Lille myself, which is a lovely city but no real substitute for Paris, although both are well served by the Eurostar.

Champs-Elysées Verts

2010-05-23T10:40:00.001-07:00

Champs-Elysées Verts
Originally uploaded by etnobofin

Nature capital project greens the Champs Elysee for Paris breaks in May

Paris Breaks via Stratford

2010-04-27T04:34:00.000-07:00

Everybody knows you can get Paris breaks from St Pancras Station in London, and some that you can also catch the Eurostar at Ebbsfleet and Ashford but not much has been written about the new Straford International Eurostar station in East London. That's because of the 2012 Olympics probably, which delayed the opening of this new intersection transport hub. Stratford International was in fact built at the same time as the fast high speed link from St Pancras to the channel tunnel, but it couldn't be opened straight away because of the work surrounding the site for the London Olympics in 2012.
But now Stratford is open, you just have to get a special bus service through the building site, from Stratford mainline railway station, platform 11. The Eurostar trains themselves, from St Pancras, don't stop at Stratfrd International yet, and there is still some dispute as to whether the London to Paris trains will stop at Stratfrd during and after the Olympics, but the high speed South Eastern trains service does stop at Stratford, so you can take a very fast train from Stratford to Ebbsfleet, Ashford and then on to Dover or Canterbury or use this route to connect with the Eurostar.

From Paris Breaks Flickr Group

2010-04-11T09:04:00.000-07:00

Here are some pictures recently posted to teh Paris Breaks Flickr group.

Paris - Rue de Rivoli et Tour Saint-Jacques

Paris Rue Mouffetard

Paris - Montmartre

2010-01-06T01:26:00.001-08:00

Paris - Montmartre
Originally uploaded by Añelo de la Krotsche

Paris - Montmartre next to the Sacre Coeur is a very touristy area but not without its charms.

Pompidou Center Reopens

2009-12-17T09:40:00.000-08:00

Pompidou Center Reopens: "Workers at the Georges Pompidou Centre in Paris have suspended a strike that had shut down the museum for three weeks."

Workers at several other major French museums and cultural institutions went on strike in sympathy, including the Musée d’Orsay, Notre Dame Cathedral and the palace at Versailles, but have since reopened.

Musée de l'Institut du Monde Arabe

2009-11-28T00:59:00.001-08:00

Musée de l'Institut du Monde Arabe
Originally uploaded by AndyRob

The Musée de l'Institut du Monde Arabe is near the Jardin des Plantes accessible by batobus on Paris City Breaks

Designed in 1987 by architect Jean Nouvel and funded by 22 different, mostly Arab countries, it includes expositions on calligraphy, decorative arts, architecture, and photography produced by the Arab/Islamic world, as well as insights into its religion, philosophy, and politics. There's a bookshop on-site, a replica of a Medina selling high-quality gift and art objects, and archival resources that are usually open only to bona-fide scholars. Views from the windows of the on-site Moroccan restaurant encompass Notre-Dame, l'Ile de la Cité, and Sacré-Coeur.

Paris - Charonne, Rue de Bagnolet

2009-11-21T11:20:00.001-08:00

Paris - Charonne, Rue de Bagnolet
Originally uploaded by Añelo de la Krotsche

Paris - Charonne, Rue de Bagnolet

In the 18th Century, wealthy Parisians liked to come to "their Belleville countryside". They had fine residences built there, now demolished. At number 148, Rue de Bagnolet, there are still some of the last vestiges of the Château de Bagnolet and the Ermitage pavilion, which was most notably a meeting place for counter-revolutionaries, in times before they were guillotined.

Undiscovered Paris

2009-11-10T01:44:00.000-08:00

Well to be honest there aren't any undiscovered districts in Paris at all but it can feel a bit special if you get to know a new part that is a little off the beaten Paris breaks pathway. Here I am sitting next to the fountain in the place de la contrescarpe in the Rue Mouffetarde, also known as the old latin quarter.

It's a great little area to get away from the big boulevards and busy traffic in most of Paris, and imagine you are in a small French provincial town or village, bacause that's what it feels like.

Art Paris Breaks

2009-10-06T09:30:00.000-07:00

Paris Breaks for Art

Sometimes dedicating entire Paris breaks to Art is completely justified. Paris is a kind of epicentre when it comes to all sorts of cutural heights and art is perhaps the archetype. I'm not talking about tacky charicature buskers in the square next to the Sacre Coeur but about fine art in all its forms. Architecture, painting, sculpture and especially nodern art with its installations and experiential exhibitions. All of this is based on history with famous and up and coming artists being drawn to Paris from all over the world in a succession of waves that have continued throughout the centuries.

The Picasso museum in Paris is currently closed for extended refurbishment but the Rodin is well worth a visit just to start off with, if you are a new to artistic Paris breaks. After that you can find all sorts of gems just by following your nose or sensibilities.

Paris Breaks from a Height

2009-09-05T22:30:00.001-07:00

paris-2008
Originally uploaded by sabrimurat2007

On Paris breaks you get several opportunities to get realy high up above Paris and see the beautiful city from a birds eye perspective. The Eiffel tower is an obvious choice, but there is also the Tour Montparnasse, other tower blocks, and the butte de Montmartre.

Paris Breaks on Facebook

2009-08-19T09:04:00.000-07:00

Paris Breaks on Facebook

Sacré Coeur seen from Boulevard de Rochechouart

2009-07-02T01:52:00.001-07:00

Paris - Le Sacré-Coeur vu du Boulevard de Rochechouart
Originally uploaded by Añelo de la Krotsche

One of the delights of Paris breaks is to catch a glimpse of some famous or unknown distant architecture from up a side street. This is one such moment, the Sacré Coeur seen from Boulevard de Rochechouart

Latin Quarter Paris Breaks

2009-06-28T03:06:00.000-07:00

Latin Quarter Paris Breaks 5th Arrondissement - Quartier Latin

The Latin Quarter, quartier latin or 5th Arrondissement has long been the intellectual centre and heart and soul of Paris, as well as becoming a major tourist area. Bookshops, colleges, churches, clubs, student dives, Roman ruins, publishing houses, street musicians, world foodie restaurants and expensive boutiques characterize the district. Since the founding of the Sorbonne in 1253, the quarter was called Latin because students and professors spoke the Latin language, long before one particular dialect had become standardised as modern French. Follow in the footsteps of Descartes, Verlaine, Camus, Sartre, James Thurber, Elliot Paul, and Hemingway as you enjoy Paris breaks in the latin quarter. Changing times have brought Greek, Moroccan, and Vietnamese immigrants, among others, offering everything from couscous to fiery-hot spring rolls and souvlaki. The 5th arrondissement borders the banks of Seine, and you'll want to stroll along the quayside at quai de Montebello, checking the secondhand book shops with everything from antique Daumier prints to yellowing copies of Balzac's Père Goriot in the shadow of Notre-Dame.

Paris - La Pyramide du Louvre

2009-06-13T13:20:00.001-07:00

Paris - La Pyramide du Louvre
Originally uploaded by Añelo de la Krotsche

The pyramid at the entrance to the Louvre has become one of the many iconic pieces of modern architcture in Paris

Paris Breaks to the 5th arrondissement

2009-06-06T12:25:00.000-07:00

The fifth arrondissement is the latin quarter and perfect for lively Paris breaks with a youthful feel, cosmopolitain cuisine and swinging nightlife.

This is the famous Left Bank, which to Londoners looking at the Paris city map looks more like the southbank but never mind that. This is teh country which has 15 days in a fortnight afterall.

So what os there to see in the 5th, well there's the Pantheon - a big temple like structure on the top of a hill with a large dome, there's the zoo and gardens and Jardin des Plantes, and the Museum of the Arab World.

The area still has a significant student presence, with several universities and schools of higher education being located in the 5th arrondissement but a lot of students and faculty have been forced to more affordable areas such as the 13th arroondissement.

So it's a tourist area now, with affordable hotels and restaurants for visitors and plenty to see and do.

Euros for Paris Breaks

2009-04-05T01:34:00.000-07:00

The fall of the GB Pound against the Euro meant that Paris Breaks are more expensive, so there's been some resolve to take more short breaks in the UK and postpone Paris breaks until better days. The only trouble is that we miss Paris.

We miss the atmosphere, the wandering streets, planned architecture unexpected surprises, the Seine, food and drink and everything else about our favourite city.

Paris Breaks in the snow

2009-02-13T09:57:00.001-08:00

Paris under the snow
Originally uploaded by Gregory Bastien

If you are in continental Europe in January you might expect some very cold weather but Paris breaks in the winter are still very exciting and spring is really only just around the corner.

Paris Breaks with Velib Bicycle Rental

2009-01-13T01:19:00.001-08:00

Paris Breaks by Bicycle

The Velib or Velo Libre free bicycle rental scheme is now massive in Paris. It's a great way to get around in the city and after taking out a nominal one euro per day subscription, each one way rental is completely free as long as you complete the journey withing one half an hour. That should be long enough to get where you want to be and you don;t need to worry about finding another bike to get back again because they are everywhere.

photo by P.Yoruba

Eurostar Deals to Paris

2008-11-21T08:02:00.000-08:00

Continental Paris in the winter can be pretty cold compared to the temperate UK but on the other hand if there are some nice Eurostar Deals going then it can be tempting to cross the channel for a bit of shopping before Christmas or to go to the museums, jazz clubs etc.

It seems that Eurostar Deals to Paris are getting busier so it pays to book well in advance, as always.

Concierge Paris Breaks

2008-11-09T15:25:00.001-08:00

Concierge Paris Breaks
Originally uploaded by Andyrob

Today, the Conciergerie is a museum situated next to The Palais de Justice or law court. The Conciergerie makes an impressive sight especially at night on on Ile de la Cite at the south end of Pont-au-Change. The Conciergerie was used as a prison during the French Revolution and became a most fearful place. Amongst those imprisoned here were Thomas Paine and Mary Antoinette.

Jardin des Plantes

2008-09-24T14:14:00.001-07:00

Jardin des Plantes
Originally uploaded by Andyrob

A nice place to visit if you have time or are on extended Paris breaks is the Jardin des Plantes. Literally the garden of plants, there is also a zoo!

Eurostar Deals FAQ

2008-09-04T01:57:00.000-07:00

Notices a simple but handy Eurostar Deals FAQ

Could do with some more information about the best Paris Hotel and Eurostar deals combined because I never know which ones to look at first and the eurostar site isn't necessarily the easiest to find your way around for the hotels, nor always the cheapest I suppose.

Can you take your own drinks on board the Eurostar to Paris?

2008-07-11T06:38:00.000-07:00

Since alcohol has been banned from public transport in London some people have been wondering if it's OK to take your own drinks on board eurostar trains to Paris.

Here is a run down of the Paris Eurostar situation:

As it was Christmas Eve, and we’d already missed half the family-fun, we decided have some Christmas Eve fun on the journey – Eurostar to Paris and then a train to Normandy.
When I went to Paris with the marvellous other half who surprised me for my birthday we enjoyed our own croissants and champagne all the way there, at 8am, and apart from some disapproving looks about our early morning boozing from passengers, no one else said anything at all. Yes, I’ve certainly seen it done, in fact the couple opening their bottle managed to spill/spray it all over the place, the Paris Eurostar staff even helped clear it up, which is a fairly strong indication that they’re ok with it.

Ask for double rations each time the trolley goes past, so long as the train isn’t too packed they’re happy to give you as much wine as you can drink (8 of those little bottles in my case tho that was before the high speed line knocked half an hour off the drinking time to Paris). Ages ago we held a dinner party on the way to Brussels by Eurostar.

I’ve had the misfortune to share a carriage with a very large and raucous hen party, all knocking back copious amounts of champagne in a most indiscreet manner (pink, natch).

So yes the overwhelming majority opinion is that yes, you can be as anti-social as you like and the won't touch you for it on the Eurostar to Paris

Museo Picasso

2008-07-06T05:16:00.001-07:00

Exterior and garden of teh Hotel Sale in Paris which houses the extensive Picasso Museum in the Marais quarter.

Pic by Daquella manera

Paris Breaks in the Marais, place des Vosges

2008-07-02T05:52:00.001-07:00

Place des Voges is a busy courtyard in the fashionable Marais quarter not far from some famous shops and the Picasso Museum

photo by Pete Reed

Metro

2008-06-20T08:18:00.001-07:00

Port en Bessin painting in Paris

2008-05-15T08:08:00.001-07:00

Port en Bessin
Originally uploaded by Andyrob

This painting of the Normandy fishing port of Port en Bessin hangs in the Musee D'Orsay gallery in Paris.

Harbour at Port-en-Bessin at High Tide
by George Seurat

Pedestrian Bridge - PASSERELLE DE SOLFERINO

2008-05-04T04:38:00.001-07:00

Pedestrian Bridge - PASSERELLE DE SOLFERINO
Originally uploaded by Andyrob

This is an interesting and useful pedestrian bridge in Paris which connects the Musee D'Orsay with the right bank of the Seine.

Notre Dame from the rear

2008-04-07T12:31:00.001-07:00

Notre Dame from the rear
Originally uploaded by Andyrob

One of my favourite views of Notre Dame is from the rear so you can see all the flying buttresses.

Eurostar congratulates the new owners of Ebbsfleet United Football Club

2008-02-22T03:53:00.001-08:00

Eurostar congratulates the new owners of Ebbsfleet United Football Club
Originally uploaded by Andyrob

Eurostar is a sponsor of Ebbsfleet United, and user of Ebbsfleet International station which is on route from London Kings Cross St Pancras to Paris.

Sacre Coeur, Paris

2008-02-10T12:59:00.001-08:00

Sacre Coeur, Paris
Originally uploaded by Andyrob

This is the famous Sacre Coeur, Paris on the hill at Montmartre. There's a funicular railway but it wasn't working

Dalida

2008-02-10T12:55:00.001-08:00

Dalida
Originally uploaded by Andyrob

Dalida was a singer and comedienne in Paris. This statue is in a leafy square around the back of Montmartre

ST Martin

2008-01-27T09:20:00.001-08:00

DSCF0047.JPG
Originally uploaded by Andyrob

Walking around the streets is one of the best things to do on Paris breaks, and you never know what you might find.

This picture shows a typical old building with a narrow end where two roads intersect sharply. That because Paris isn't built on a boring square grid system like some other cities I won't mention. Let's just say that Paris breaks beat transatlantic flights any day.