Paris

The city that launched (at least) 1,000 stories, songs and poems. Paris hardly needs an introduction – but she deserves one. 

 

The city districts, known as arrondissements, spiral outward from the centre like a snail’s shell. The 1st is all grand institutions – the Louvre, the Tuileries, power held in pale stone walls. The 18th leads you uphill towards Montmartre, steep staircases leading to an immense, gleaming cathedral. There are 20 districts in total to explore. 

 

The Seine river curves through it all, 37 elegant bridges linking north Paris to south. When it comes to getting around, you’ll find the métro system is beautifully efficient (look for those iconic Art Nouveau entrances), but the best of Paris still unfolds on foot. 

 

Across Pont Alexandre III, dripping with gold, towards the Champs Elysées. Pausing a while on a bench in the Jardin du Luxembourg, watching children sail toy boats in the fountain. And standing on the Pont de la Tournelle at twilight to watch the Notre-Dame catch the last light. 

 

Rain arrives in Paris almost as much as it does in neighbouring London. Luckily, there are endless museums to shelter in. The Louvre is an obvious choice – the world’s most visited museum, home to the Mona Lisa. But you won’t want to miss the Musée d'Orsay, where Impressionist paintings glow beneath the old train station’s soaring ceiling.