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It as been a few years since we last stay in Paris.So this year we decided to have 4 days in the city before visiting the Christmas market in Northern France.We found it quite hard to find a hotel the ones in the centre round the Champs Elysees area are very expensive.
We looked at La Defense the business area where prices are lower.These hotels are full most of the time and get a lot of wear and tear and poor reviews.Plus you have to pay around 20 euros a day on top to park the car.
So we picked a hotel a little further out an Ibis hotel in Nanterre a suburb of Paris.This was a nice clean hotel with good reviews and free parking under the building.They served as much as you wanted breakfast for about 7 euros we had a nice clean room and enjoyed our stay there.You can check the Hotel out here Ibis Hotel Nanterre
When you stay on the outskirts you need to check on the public transport.The 258 bus route from outside the hotel took you to La Defense metro station about 3 miles away.Bus seemed to be every 5 mins I have never seen so many people get on a bus before but it was part of the experience.In the metro station line 1 takes you to most of the tourist destination in Paris.
Our Hotel Breakfast
On our first full day in the city we took the metro line 1 to the Louvre museum.You get off more or less under the glass Pyramid you pass through a marbled shopping street and straight into the ticket area.It took about 5 minutes to get the 12 euro entrance tickets because it was the middle of December there was only a small queue.
The museum covers several buildings and floors you need to be fit if you want to see it all.We got in just after opening time and made for the Mona Lisa first.You can get close to the picture and join a line moving passed it so you can take a photo without any one in front of you.
The thing I liked most about the museum was the building itself the painted ceilings the floors the views from the large windows.Doing all this walking makes you hungry the museum as several eating areas at reasonable prices for Paris.
Louvre museum
For our second day it was a walk round the Champs Elysees and the nearby streets.So it was back to La Defence metro line 1. You can get off at the Champs Elysees or the stop before Franklin D. Roosevelt. Which is where we got off as it is nearer the Arc de Triomphe end of the street.
If you like shopping arcades and cafes this is the place to be.Most of the big brands like Gucci and Louis Vuitton have store on the street One thing that surprised me was the number of Cinemas on the street. I counted 7 / 8 multi screen cinemas you do not see that in the UK.
From the Champs Elysees we headed towards the Opera and Boulevard Haussmann.To visit Galeries Lafayette where most of the top designer brand have a stand.It is worth a visit just to see the glass domed ceiling.
Ground floor of Galeries Lafayette
The Christmas market if you are in Paris just before Christmas at the top end of the Champs Elysees is a large market on both side of the street
For our last day in Paris we decided to visit the Pere Lachaise cemetery.To see some of the graves of the famous people who have been buried there over the last 200 years.As it was a Sunday morning we decided to drive there about 5 miles from our hotel.There was little traffic and we got lucky and manage to park outside the cemetery main gate in the last parking spot.
We arrived just before 9 am just as they opened it took us about an hour to find Jim Morrisons grave not easy to find.We spent a couple of hours walking round and found several of the famous people buried here.As we were leaving I saw a couple of groups with local guides.It is such a large place if you want to see everything you are probably better with a guide.The cemetery is still being used so there is very little in signs to guide you.
SHORT BREAKS are available, including in July and August, minimum 4 nights.
Le Pressoir is a fully restored 200 year old thatched Breton cottage with the traditional ridge of flowers including irises. Exquisite and attractive it has breathtaking views, colourful flower borders and lots of character inside.
A magnificent setting beside the River Blavet with glorious views of the entire valley. Several superb sandy beaches within 20-30 minutes' drive. Private heated swimming pool with security alarm installed & discreet fence to ensure child safety. Set in 3 acres of gardens. Free WiFi available for guests.
Doelan photo gallery a selection of pictues of this little fishing village and port in Brittany.Hotel and cottage accommodatiom in Brittany
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Detached stone village house located in Veules-les-Roses One of the most beautiful French village, on Normandy's coast. The house is located close to
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Courseulles sur mer Normandy France see our travel guide and photos of the Normandy coast and visit to the town.Find your hotel and cottage accommodation for your holiday
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Concarneau market photo gallery a selection of pictues of the market at the holiday resort of Concarneau taken during our recent visit to Brittany.Hotel and cotage accommodation
Cherbourg France a City and Port in Normandy. See the photos of our visit and travel info.
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Cayeux sur Mer seaside town Somme estuary see our photos and travel guide.
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Beautiful converted farmhouse in 8000 m2 of picturesque garden. House comprised of large farmhouse kitchen, dining room, lounge, master suite comprising
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price 219 000 euros Hello, I'm Virginia All from France. For sale my 3 bedroom house, in the old city center of a very nice typical catalan village named
Cabourg Normandy France our visit to this seaside town on the Normandy coast see our photos and travel guide.Hotel and cottage accommodation in Cabourg
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Berck-sur-mer French seaside town photos and travel guide of our visit.Hotel and cottage accommodation in Northern France
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Kerascoet photo gallery pictures of this hidden village in Brittany.Cottages and hotels in the area
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Blangy le Chateau a small village in Normandy France.This is one of our favourite places see our photos and travel guide.Hotel and cottage accommodation for your visit
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Beussent a small village in the Pas de Calais area see the photos of our visit and guide.Hotel and cottage accommodation for your holiday
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A charming stone semi-detached house with a gîte attached to renovate A large garden located in a small hamlet close to the towns of Magnac Laval and
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Battle of Azincourt 1415 France guide and photos of the battlefield.Hotel and cottage accommodaton in Northern France
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Barfleur France visit the fishing Port seaside village in Normandy near Cherbourg. See the photos of our visit and travel info.
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Azincourt site of the Historical battle photos and travel guide.Hotel and cottage accommodation in Northern France
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Audierne travel guide and photos of our visit to the seaside port in Brittany France.Hotel and cottage accommodation for your stay
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The city of Arles France see our photos and travel guide.Hotel and cottage accommodation in the area
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Arras a town in the Pas de Calais region see our photos and travel guide of our visit.Hotel and cottage accommodation in Northern France
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Arromanches les bains our journey down the Normandy coast to visit the town see our photos and travel guide.Hotel and cottage accommodation for your stay
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Apt France Old market town in Provence see our photos and travel guide.Hotel and cottage accommodation for your visit
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Albi France is an old French town in the Midi-Pyr�n�es region photos and travel guide.Hotel and cottage accommodation for your holiday
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Aire sur la Lys photo gallery pictures of our visit to this busy town in Northern France,Hotel and cottage accommodation
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Yport Normandy small fishing village now a tourist spot photos and travel guide.Hotel and cottage accommodarion in Normandy for your holidays
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Honfleur Market Normandy held on a Wednesday and Saturday morning behind the old church travel guide and photos.Places to stay for your holidays
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Villerville Normandy France a short distance down the Normandy coast from Honfleur photos and travel guide.
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Villedieu les Poeles photo gallery. pictures taken on our visit to this village in Normandy.
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Paris France
Venus de Milo in the Louvre museum
The picture everybody wants to see at the Louvre the Mona Lisa
Galeries Lafayette
Louis Vuitton store on the Champs Elysees
Gucci store on the Champs Elysees
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