From The Times
March 7, 2009
Budget Paris: romance, not rip-off
One of the most expensive cities in Europe? Not if you know where to look. Here are six favourites places to visit free
Lynne Wallace Hogg
Cathédrale de Notre-Dame
One of the first Gothic cathedrals built in northern France, with construction work starting in 1160. Free guided tours in French every weekday at noon and on Saturdays at 2pm. English tours are on Wednesdays at noon. Free organ concerts on Sundays start at about 4pm.
Métro: Cité
Cimetière du Père Lachaise
Opened in 1804 when the rest of the city's cemeteries were overflowing and further burials were banned, this cemetery soon became the ultimate symbol of richness and success. The number of famous people buried here is too numerous to mentiàon, but free maps of their final resting places are available at the entrances. Probably the most famous residents include the Doors lead singer Jim Morrison, Edith Piaf, Oscar Wilde, Chopin and Proust.
Main entrance on bd de Ménilmontant. Mon-Fri 8am-5.30pm, Sat 8.30am-5.30pm, Sun 9am-5.30pm.
Métro: Père Lachaise
Promenade Plantée
This stretch of disused railway line that runs along a viaduct has been converted into an elevated walkway with beautiful trees and flowers. The walk is about 4.5km, but if you don't fancy the whole length the first part of the walk by the viaduct is probably the most attractive stretch.
Starts near the beginning of av Daumesnil, near the Bastille Opera House; access at all times.
Métro: Bastille or Gare de Lyon
Le Mur des Je T'aime
A 40 sq m monument made of enamelled lava with 311 "I Love You" inscriptions in 250 languages to Paris, City of Light and Capital of Romance.
The I Love You Wall, Square des Abbesses; access at all times.
Métro: Abbesses
Maison de Balzac
This is where the novelist moved in the 1840s. The house preserves his study, where he would write for 16 hours at a time for weeks on end. It was in this study that he wrote La Cousine Bette and Le Cousin Pons, among other works. The museum presents personal souvenirs belonging to the writer and his family, numerous original editions, manuscripts and illustrations.
47 rue Raynouard Passy. Tues-Sun 10am-6pm; free access to permanent collections.
Métro: Passy
Marché aux Puces de St-Ouen
The world's biggest flea market, which welcomes 200,000 visitors each weekend. Stalls sell proper antiques, not second-hand junk.
Between the Porte de St-Ouen and Porte de Clignancourt, 48, rue Jules Vallès Saint-Ouen; Sat-Mon 9am-7pm.
Métro: Porte de Clignancourt
FreeToDo Travel Guide France costs £8.49 from Waterstone's Bookshops or directly from FreeToDo Travel Guides (01848 331876, www.freetodo.net)
No comments:
Post a Comment