Notre Dame Cathedral

Paris’ Notre Dame Cathedral is arguably the most stunning gothic cathedral in the world—and is undoubtedly the most famous. Conceived in the 12th century and completed in the 14th, Notre Dame Cathedral was the very heartbeat of medieval Paris. After a period of neglect, it recaptured the popular imagination when 19th-century writer Victor Hugo immortalized it in “The Hunchback of Notre Dame”.


Notre Dame’s dramatic towers, spire, stained glass and statuary are guaranteed to take your breath away. Dig deeper in the archaelogical crypt. Climbing the North tower to get a gargoyle’s perspective of Paris is a must, too.


Notre Dame Cathedral Location and Contact Info:


Notre Dame Cathedral is centrally located on the Ile de la Cité, the area of Paris that divides the city's right and left banks. The Ile de la Cite is surrounded by the Seine River.

Address: Place du parvis de Notre Dame, 4th arrondissement

Metro: Cité or Saint-Michel (Line 4)

RER: Saint-Michel (Line C)

Bus: Lines 21, 38, 47, or 85

Phone: +33 (0)142 345 610
Notre Dame Cathedral Opening Hours:

• Cathedral main hall: 6:45 a.m. to 7:45 p.m. (visitors' circulation is partially interrupted during masses and services)
• Cathedral Towers:
• July-August: 9:00 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.; weekends 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.
• April-June and September: 9:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
• October-March: 10:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
• Towers closed January 1st, May 1st, and Dec. 25th.

Click Here for more information...

Read Full story

Loire Valley

Chateau de Chenonceau

This gorgeous and iconic castle’s history is as interesting as this castle is beautiful. It was built on the River Cher on the site of an old mill a short time in the 11th century. However, the castle did not take its present shape until King Henry II gave the castle to his mistress Diane de Poitiers in 1547. It was Diane de Poitiers that built the arched viaduct over the river and had the immense and imposing gardens built. Upon Henry II’s death, his wife, Catherine de Medici, seized the castle from Poitiers and made Chenonceau her own favorite Loire Valley residence. It was Medici who finished the grand gallery over the bridge across the river, which Chenonceau is known for today. The castle and its extensive gardens are open to the public and after Versailles, it is the most visited chateau in France.

Chateau de Chambord

This huge castle is one of the Loire’s most recognizable due to its uniqe French Renaissance architecture that blends usual medieval forms with classic Italian structures. The winery was built by King Francois I to serve as a hunting lodge, who maintained his royal residences in nearby Chateau d’Amboise and Bhateau de Blois. Perhaps most legendary in this castle is the unique and double helix staircase, which is rumored to have been designed by Leonardo da Vinci and the elaborately decorated roof line, which Froncois I wanted to look like the skyline of Constantinople

Read Full story

le mont saint michel

Le Mont Saint Michel is a small area but extremely picturesque rocky islet in Normandy, in northwestern France, It’s very close to the English Channel. Mont St. Michel is world-famous for its attractive architecture and history as well as for its scenic beauty, attracting over 3 million tourists and pilgrims every year.



The Benedictine Abbey at Le Mont Saint Michel is measured as one of the most fantastic sights in the world.

Set atop a rock bump, often surrounded by rising tidal flows, the Abbey is known universal for its amazing medieval architecture. It’s built between the 11th and 16th centuries AD. Mont Saint-Michel was affirmed a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1979.

Mont Saint-Michel became an important pilgrimage site after the building of Abbey Church in the early 11th century. Throughout its history, Mont Saint-Michel saw buildings constructed and destroyed, although most of the buildings nearby the abbey were constructed during the 14th century AD. Besides the church, the abbey has museums, chapels, shops and small houses dating from the 15th and 16th centuries AD.

Other attractions at the Abbey include the figurine of St. Michael, 15th century Parish Church, the Great Wheel, Museum of History and Maritime Museum. In addition, the views of rising high tides rushing in to surround the Mont Saint Michel are truly breathtaking.

Read Full story

Palace of Versailles

Although most tourists really do come to Versailles simply to visit the palace, and that really is reason enough, there are a number of additional attractions that are certainly worth considering. A number of these tourist attractions are related to the château itself, such as the Palace Gardens, Marie Antoinette's Village / Hamlet, the Grand Trianon and the Petit Trianon, all of which are quite simply spectacular.

Most tour buses simply stop outside of the Palace of Versailles and so visitors wishing to explore the city further may need to make a little extra effort, which they will soon find to be well worth it. Within Versailles itself are some excellent shops and restaurants, particularly around central areas such as the Place du Marché, while close by, tourist attractions include the enormous Arboretum de Chevrèloup and the Désert de Rez Park.

For More...

Read Full story

Disneyland Paris

When people ask me about how to plan for a Disney vacation, I offer the analogy of  a couple of my close friends. One of them obsessively plans every moment of his life and his vacations. As a result, he is lost when the schedule doesn't work perfectly and he often has no fun because he obsesses over the plan.

By contrast, another friend never plans anything, but just goes with the flow. While this is perhaps less obsessive than planning every detail, it is just as bad. When he goes on trips he is always lost, never knows where to go and often spends much of his time trying to figure out what to do.

My suggestion is to adopt a happy medium between the two extremes. Sketch out a general idea of what you want to do each day. Check out some of the touring plans offered in guidebooks, and use them as a general guide for how to proceed each day (IE: On Magic Kingdom day, start in Fantasyland, then Adventureland, etc). But keep the plans flexible enough that you can adapt to change.

When to Go

The crowds fluctuate throughout the year. The busiest times of the year tend to be around holiday and during the summer. It makes sense to assume that the times kids are off match up with the times of year the park is more crowded. Remember that some of the holiday schedules in Europe are different than those in the United States, so be sure and check to see if you are going during a crowded time.

Here are the current hours from now until the end of the summer 2002:

Disneyland Park

January 7th to March 8th, 2002

10.00 - 20.00 from Monday to Friday

9.00 - 20.00 on Saturday and Sunday

March 9th to March 17th, 2002

10.00 - 20.00 from Monday to Friday

9.00 - 23.00 on Saturday and Sunday

March 18th to July 5th, 2002

9.00 - 20.00 daily

July 6th to September 1st, 2002

9.00 - 23.00 daily

Walt Disney Studios Park

March 16th to July 5th, 2002

9.00 - 20.00 daily

July 6th to September 1st, 2002

9.00 - 21.00 daily

Parades and Shows

Disneyland Paris offers a variety of shows during the year. Currently there are three major shows and two parades being offered.

Mickey's Winter Wonderland: A seasonal show featuring Mickey Mouse, it is shown at the Chaparal Theater in Frontierland.

Minnie's Birthday Surprise: A special show featuring Minnie Mouse shown at Videopolis in the Magic Kingdom

Winnie The Pooh: Pooh and friends offer a daily show at the Castle Stage in Fantasyland.

Wonderful World of Disney Parade: A daily parade at Main Street in the Magic Kingdom.

Main Street Electrical Parade: The classic parade hits Europe

Disney's Magic Music Days: During March and April the park features musicians from all around Europe, much like the local schools features at Disneyland in California and at Walt Disney World. For details click: Magic Music Days

Disneyland Paris offers detailed information on show times

Click here to check daily parade and show schedules: Parade Times

How Long Should I Stay?

Disneyland requires two or three days for a thorough visit, not counting travel time. Since every vacation has a time limitation, I strongly suggest you look at what you really want to do and set priorities. Then you can plan a reasonable pace and see and do those things that are most important to you and everyone in your party.

Other places to go

Disneyland Paris is located a short ride from the magical city, and there are tour packages which offer time at Disneyland and time in the city. You can also see a number of historical sites all around France, and England is only a short train ride away, with a station located right at the park gates.

Good Information to Know

The Disneyland Paris web site offers lots of good information. If you want to access the information click here

Phone Numbers

General Information and Park Hours.

International - 00 44 990 03 03 03

For more...

Read Full story

Basilique du Sacre-Coeur

The Basilica of the Sacred Heart also called as Basilique du Sacré-Coeur, balanced at the very top of Butte de Montmartre (Montmartre Hill), was built by Parisian Catholics as an act of contrition after the Franco-Prussian War of 1870-71. Construction began in year 1873, but the basilica was not holy until 1919. The basilica's domes are a well-loved part of the Parisian skyline.

A 234-step climb up narrow twisting staircases takes you up to the dome, which affords one of Paris' most stunning panoramas. It is, however, outside on the steps where the action takes place - lovers, buskers, locals and foreigners all join to take in the vistas and each other.

Read Full story

Arc de Triomphe Profile and Visitors' Guide

The Arc de Triomphe is recognized as a symbol of Parisian pomp and elegance around the globe. Erected by the Emperor Napoleon in 1806 to commemorate France's military prowess, the 50 meter/164 foot tall Arc de Triomphe crowns the west end of the Champs-Elysées, the city's most famous avenue, at the juncture known as the Etoile (star), where 12 prestigious avenues radiate out from the arch.
Because of its significant place in Paris history-- evoking both joyful and dark historical memories-- and its iconic status, the Arc de Triomphe is found on any list of Paris' top tourist attractions.
Because of its significant place in Paris history-- evoking both joyful and dark historical memories-- and its iconic status, the Arc de Triomphe is found on any list of Paris' top tourist attractions.


Arc de Triomphe Location and Contact Info:


The Arc de Triomphe is located at the west end of the Avenue des Champs-Elysées, on the Place Charles de Gaulle (often also referred to as the Place de l'Etoile).


Address: Place Charles de Gaulle, 8th arrondissement

Metro: Charles de Gaulle Etoile (Line 1, 2 or 6)

RER: Charles de Gaulle Etoile (Line A)

Phone: +33 (0)155 377 377

Visit the website

Read Full story