Sightseeing
Paris might be the most romantic city in the world but first and foremost it's a gateway to Europe. This means it's full of travelling treats and attractions that you won't find anywhere else in the world. We've short listed the sights and sounds that you really shouldn't miss on a trip to the French capital.
Eiffel Tower
This is the tallest structure in the French Capital and at more than 1000 feet high it offers some of the best views of Paris. This tourist attraction is definitively worth a visit - even if you only go up it to satisfy your juvenile desire to spit off the top and hit the unfortunate fellow 1000 feet below you! It's only 30 minutes from our Backpackers Hostel in Paris so why not jump on the Metro and give it a go?
The Louvre Museum
The Louvre is the most visited art gallery and museum in the world. It also gets a massive influx of visitors whenever sales of The Davinci Code increase. Inside this worldly wonder you can gawp in open mouthed disbelief at the Mona Lisa, take in the immense and awe inspiring Liberty Leading the People and get kicked out by security when you try to uncover the Holy Grail by digging through the marble floor. Jump on the Metro near our Paris Backpackers Hostel and jump off at the Palais Royal — Musée du Louvre Metro station.
Musée d'Orsay
The Orsay museum used to be a buzzing train station but now it has been successfully crammed to the rafters with some of the best French art ever created. Here Monet and Renoir rule supreme and the Impressionists have the floor. Art history buffs will feel the Belle Époque buzz as they walk through the museum and the less enthusiastic Backpackers in Paris can amuse themselves with the miniature figurines - proudly strutting their stuff in the gift shop.
The Latin Quarter
You'll find a taste of everything Latin near the Sorbonne University, on the left of the Seine. The name came about because of the amount of Latin spoken around the university, during the middle ages. The area has retained this historic quality and now boasts some of the finest monuments and educational institutes in the world. Better yet it's only 20 minutes away from our Paris Hostel on the Metro.
The Bastille
St Christopher's in Paris and the Bastille have something in common. The Canal Saint Martin. This bad boy is close to the Paris Hostel and also extends north from the marina, bordering the fort. Check it out for a little lesson about the French Revolution, the Tennis Court Oath and the real reason why the Bastille was stormed. The surrounding area is also a hot spot for nocturnal party creatures and the nearby Oberkampf district boasts some of the best bars and clubs in Paris.
Le Marais
Le Marais is one of the most popular districts in Paris and one of the most diverse. It's famous for its Jewish character, the up and coming gay nightlife and the shops along the rue des Francs-Bourgeois - which are open all day on Sundays! In true Dan Brown style, the Knights of Templar were involved in this traveller hotspot too. Back in the twelfth century they cleared the marshland that eventually gave birth to this trendy urban area, which to this date boasts some of the most stunning and traditional architecture in Paris. Here you can get to grips with the oldest streets in Paris and regress back to the Middle Ages with a dose or two of history at the Musée Carnavalet. This is the Historical Museum of Paris and it's totally free to get in. When you're educated up to the eyeballs Le Marais is also a great place to kick back in one of the bountiful bars in the area.
Montmartre
For some of the best views across the city, drag yourself to this 130 meter high district. You can find Monmartre in the north of Paris on the right bank of the river. It's famous for the white-domed Basilica of the Sacré Cœur and the plethora of nightclubs that populate Pigalle to the south. For your informed opinion, Pigalle is alive with armies of tourists and a considerable amount of sex shops. Continuing that education - Montmartre was also the playground of Salvador Dalí, Claude Monet, Pablo Picasso and Vincent van Gogh. You can take a trip to this mountain of the martyr from our Paris Backpackers Hostel and be there in ten minutes.
Père Lachaise Cemetery
This is one of the world's most famous cemeteries and is reputed to be the most visited cemetery on the planet. Hundreds of thousands of people visit the site every year to pay their respects and lay tributes to the three great war memorials. You can the find Père Lachaise cemetery on the Boulevard de Ménilmontant. You need the Philippe Auguste Métro station on line 2 as this brings you out next to the cemetery. 500 meters away is the Père Lachaise station - on lines 2 and 3. The Gambetta Station on line 3 is a favourite among world travellers because it gives them the chance to enter the cemetery near the tomb of Oscar Wilde. When you're in you can also pay homage to Doors front man, Jim Morrison and Light My Fire with a candle or two.
Le Parc des Buttes Chaumont
This former gypsum quarry was created by the reputable Baron Haussmann in 1867 and was later landscaped by Adolphe Alphand and Badrillet. This massive open space is one of the largest urban parks in Paris and the popular attractions include an enclosed waterfall, bridges, man made cliffs, Chinese gardens and most prominently, the Temple of Sybil. This Corinthian monument was built on top of the island at the centre of the park and can be reached through the southern footpath. The park also includes a variety of fun things for kids and a restaurant. It's a great place to mix with the hoards of real Parisians who flock here to enjoy wine fuelled picnics and a spot of relaxation. It's also within easy walking distance of our Paris Backpackers Hostel so you have no excuse not to give it a go.
Parc de la Villette
This park can be found on the border of Seine-Saint-Denis and like the very conveniently located Le Parc des Buttes Chaumont, it's within walking distance of our Paris Hostel. This 25 hectare park was designed by Bernard Tschumi and interestingly enough, it used to be a slaughterhouse. It's the largest park in Paris and is the second largest green space in the city, after the Père Lachaise cemetery. Inside the grounds you will find the biggest science museum in Europe and a whole host of fun things to suit all sorts of travellers.
The Science Museum - Cité des Sciences et de l'Industrie
Cité des Sciences et de l'Industrie is the biggest science museum in Europe and you can find it in the Parc de la Villette. That means that once again we've given you a Backpackers Hostel in Paris that's in a superbly convenient location. The immense glass and steel building was designed by Peter Rice and opened in 1986. There are nearly five million visitors every year and top attractions include the planetarium, the IMAX theatre and special departments for children and teenagers.
The Top Department Stores
BHV
If your trip to Paris puts you in the mood for Romance then the BHV could be the answer. Here you can satisfy all your shopping urges and maybe pick up a date in the romantically reputable downstairs DIY section. The people in this notorious meeting place are generally pretending to be looking for screws in the Le Marais area. Insert bad taste joke here.
Le Bon Marché
This is generally more up market and a little bit quieter than Printemps and Galeries Lafayette.
Le Printemps and Galeries Lafayette
These are the real department stores in Paris and you'll find them right next to each other. They're also on the same Metro line that hooks up to our Paris Hostel. Easy.
