Paris is the capital of France and the second largest city of Western Europe; it's location straddling the banks of the river Seine make it a beautiful city to visit. Many couples decide to take short stay in Paris as it is probably the most romantic city in the world; if you have more time, it will make for a remarkable holiday, with many great sites to see.

This city is also equally well known for its Gothic architecture and markets; it is the home of the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre and many other famous tourist attractions. Like most European cities, Paris is easy to get around; the Metro underground train network will probably be the main method as it runs regularly and reaches every part of the city.

It wouldn't be possible to visit this city without a trip to the top of the famous steel structure known as the Eiffel Tower; it can be seen throughout most locations around the city. Illuminated in the evening, it is one of the most beautiful sights in the entire city; if you are really enthusiastic you can take a tour where the guide will tell you how this beautiful tower was built.

If you plan on spending some of your traveler's checks in Paris, then a trip down the Champs Elysees is an essential part of a trip; you can see beautiful shops, sit and drink coffee from the many cafes or have a meal in a first class restaurant. This avenue is well worth a visit to see how the wealthy live; the exclusive five star hotels situated in this more select part of the city might be out of most visitors price range.

This city is also the home to the renowned Louvre Museum; it holds in excess of 300,000 pieces of art, which cannot possibly be seen in a single visit. Even on a short stay in Paris, this is a an art lovers paradise; approximately 8 million visitors a year come to see the Venus de Milo and the Mona Lisa, both of which are on display. What makes Paris special is the number of artists that have been attracted to this great capital; many of whom left large collections of their paintings here like Monet and Picasso.

Of course, Napoleon commissioned the construction of the Arc de Triomphe, another Paris landmark; to honor his generals (and his troops) he had their names inscribed upon it. A little known fact is that there's a viewing observatory built into the building allowing the whole area to be viewed; it is located in Place Charles de Gaulle where twelve of the city's main avenues start, including Avenue de Champs Elysees.

Obviously, these are not the only places to visit; but these should certainly not to be missed because many offer regular guided tours, some at little or no charge at all. It is fair to say that you won't see everything on a Paris short stay of two or even three day break; anything else on your 'to see' list can wait for your next trip.

The focus of this article has been on having fun in Paris, to take sensual delight in traveling there. The city, it's said, gets seated in the blood, forever transforming visitors who've made her acquaintance.