Venere Travel Blog» France

Top Five Extravagant Things to do in Paris

Anita Choudhary — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 17:00:47 +0000

So you’ve been to Paris and seen the sights – walked down the Champs-Élysées, visited the Notre Dame, discovered that the Mona Lisa is smaller than what you expected, travelled to the top of the Eiffel Tower and marveled at the Sacre Coeur. Think you’ve seen it all? Try something extravagant next and see a side of Paris you have not experienced before. Warning: you’ll need cash, and lots of it.

Treasure Trove of Musée du Louvre

Abha — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 17:00:59 +0000

A rich assortment of artwork from different parts of the world adorns the Musée du Louvre, Paris. Works from a broad span of time, Prehistoric Period to mid-nineteenth century, enhance diversity of the permanent collection. The erstwhile fortress and the home of royalty the Louvre was transformed into a museum in the late eighteenth century. And, the building has been renovated many times and improvements are on going.

5 stylish and trendy hotels in Paris

Linda Koscova — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 17:00:25 +0000

Looking for a hotel in Paris to stay during your visit of the “city of love”? The following five hotels are definitely good choices.

Living a fairy tale in Carcassone

Gabriela Ordenana — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 16:57:35 +0000

Have you always dreamed about visiting a real medieval castle? Well, Carcassone is the perfect place to make your dream come true. Nearly three million people visit every year this fortified medieval hilltop where the entire city is a castle. UNESCO declared La Cite, the fortified upper city, as World Heritage Site in 1997.

Best Vineyards in France

Grace A. — Fri, 23 Sep 2011 16:00:24 +0000

If there is one aspect of the French culture that they are famous for, it is the wines that they produce. The following is a listing of the top wine regions in France and the best wineries in each. photo by derekGavey Alsace – primarily a white wine region, the Alsace region is situated along [...]

France: In a Land Called Champagne

Daniele — Fri, 09 Sep 2011 16:00:23 +0000

Home to the great Champagne houses of the world, this quiet town shares its name with the best sparkling wine ever made. The region’s celebrated vineyards produce the finest grapes in all of France, and as many will swear to, the whole world. Yet, this picturesque town, with medieval chateaus and villages nestled in virgin Mediterranean forest, is far more than the wine that has made its name famous. The region of Champagne is said to be a representation of the nobility and elegance of France’s natural beauty, culture, art, architecture, religion and importantly, its food and wine.

Top 5 Tips When Visiting Paris

Gabriela Ordenana — Mon, 01 Aug 2011 16:00:03 +0000

It’s simply the most beautiful city of the world, what else can we say about Paris?! When planning a visit to France’s capital, you may want to consider some of these tips to help you enjoy your trip.

Palais Garnier: A Grand Stage for Art and Entertainment

Abha — Sun, 17 Jul 2011 16:00:06 +0000

The Palais Garnier, also known as the Paris Opera, Opera Garnier or Opera de Paris, is an architectural masterpiece of the 19^th century, where ballet and opera have been entertaining and evoking overwhelming emotions of a diverse range for years. It took one and a half decades to build the opera house designed by Charles Garnier. The house in the ninth arrondissement of Paris, France can seat more than 2,000 people. The opulent structure boasts a colossal crystal chandelier, weighing about eight tons, in a gold and red horseshow-shaped auditorium; and a roomy stage to accommodate as much as 450 performers. The building is embellished with statuary, columns and vibrant marble friezes. Statues of noted composers- Beethoven, Mozart and Rossini- share space with that of Greek gods. Use of gold leaf, cherubic nymphs and shinny velvet is characteristic to the Baroque style of artwork. It has inspired designs of many other buildings located across the world: the Juliusz Slowacki Theatre in Krakow, Poland, the Amazon Theatre in Manaus, Brazil and the Hanoi Opera House in Vietnam.

5 Popular Upscale Hotels of Paris

Abha — Sun, 26 Jun 2011 16:00:08 +0000

Sumptuous ambience of some hotels tells stories that guests cherish forever. Jays Paris, Hotel Luxembourg Parc, Hotel des Academies et des Arts, One by The Five and Four Seasons Hotel George V Paris belong to the same league. All the five upscale hotels, located close to one or the other famous landmark of Paris, France, host uber the rich. A fine collection of work of arts, antique furniture and tapestries, and state-of-the-art gizmos complement contemporary designs. However, natural light-filled bathrooms and regal bedrooms are privilege of travelers with very deep pockets only.

How to see Paris like Amelie

Phil McDonald — Tue, 14 Jun 2011 16:00:00 +0000

If you are looking for inspiration to book a trip to Paris, France, then watching one of the most charming and sumptuous films every made, Amelie, would certainly seal the deal. It is what La Dolce Vita was for Rome and most Woody Allen films are for New York. Here are some of the best locations to include on your trip around Paris with the film Amelie.

French Riviera Nightlife

Anita Choudhary — Sun, 12 Jun 2011 16:00:28 +0000

Filled with all the glamour and glitz that any tourist could desire, the French Riviera is situated on the French coast of the Mediterranean Sea and is famous for events and places such as the Cannes Film Festival, Monaco, and St. Tropez. However, it is a gambling Mecca for many as well and one of the more favorite tourist shopping venues in southern Europe. The biggest problem with visiting the French Riviera is the fact that there are rarely times during the year when it isn’t crowded with international visitors.

Paris Dancing Venues

Anita Choudhary — Fri, 03 Jun 2011 16:00:00 +0000

Two words say it best whenever you are talking about Paris – c’est magnifique! The city is not only the capital and largest city in France, it is considered by many worldwide as the cosmopolitan capital of Europe. Paris is literally brimming with art, cuisine, culture, fashion and history as well as having the reputation of being one of the most beautiful and romantic cities in the world. As a result, Paris is still one of the top tourist destinations in the world.

Top 5 Local Dishes to Try in Paris, France

Allan Dumayas — Mon, 23 May 2011 16:00:47 +0000

If there’s one thing the French are proud of, it is their cuisine. The birth of the diverse French cuisine started in the middle-ages - the time of the aristocratic bourgeois and the working-class peasants, just before the French Revolution. Each of France’s regions that time has a distinctive cuisine which is acceptable to both classes. As history progressed and geographically speaking, these regional cuisines are destined to meet up in the middle of France which is in Paris.

Paris Museum Pass: Big Savings for Culture Vultures

Abha — Wed, 18 May 2011 16:00:58 +0000

Paris, France abounds with museums. A diverse range of themes is covered in the museum; drawings, furniture, literature, music, painting, photography, stamps, sculptures, and tapestries, to name but a few. If you are a culture vulture, invest in Paris Museum Pass. The pass will give you complimentary access to more than sixty museums and several monuments located in the Paris region, including the city. For instance, Musée du Louvre, Musée d'Orsay, Cité des Sciences et de l'industrie, Tours Notre Dame, Conciergerie, Arc de Triomphe, Domaine de Versailles, Château de Vincennes, and Maison d'Auguste Rodin. However, free access is limited to permanent collections only.

5 fun facts about the French Riviera

Grace A. — Mon, 16 May 2011 16:00:26 +0000

Come and rub shoulders with the rich and famous this summer in the pristine French Riviera! Warm sunny days, elegant resorts and gambling through the night, this long stretch is found along the beautiful Mediterranean Sea from the town of Cassis in France till the border between France and Italy and includes many well-known cities in France like Nice, Cannes, Monaco, and Saint Tropez.

Top Bistros of Paris

Abha — Wed, 27 Apr 2011 16:00:15 +0000

In Paris, France, many of the French-style, small, informal bars or restaurants—called bistros—offer gourmet food at affordable rates. Generally, set menus are cheaper than a la carte menu. A set menu may be comprised of a starter, main dish, and dessert. You can save substantially by ordering from the set menu while dining at the bistros of the French capital Paris.

Top 3 Parisian Department Stores

Abha — Mon, 18 Apr 2011 16:56:43 +0000

Plush department stores in Paris draw large crowds of tourists like its famous landmarks- Notre Dame and Eiffel Tower. Many of these stores boast impressive architectural elements in Art Nouveau style. These modern consumerist temples offer a complete shopping experience. Do not worry about money, just window-shop, enjoy a snack if you like, spot the celebrities, take pictures, and watch the world go by.

Carnaval de Nice: How to spend a great time!

Abha — Tue, 25 Jan 2011 17:00:22 +0000

Carnaval de Nice 2011, one of the major European carnivals, will kick off on February 18, 2011 at the Place Masséna facing the Bay of Angels in Nice, the largest city of the French Riviera.

Photo by debs-eye

This time many activities will be either truly Mediterranean or inspired by the country, as the 2011 carnival theme is “King of the Mediterranean (Octopus 1st)”. The lively musical event will break monotony of the dull white winter for about three weeks.

Paris Sights Across The Banks Of The Seine

Abha — Wed, 19 Jan 2011 17:00:29 +0000

The Banks of the Seine in Paris were inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage Site (WHS) List in 1991 for its excellent urban riverside architecture, including wide boulevards and spacious squares, designed by Haussmann, which inspired town planners of 19th and 20th centuries across the world.

Even noted painters visited the river Seine looking for inspiration. The WHS covers Île Saint-Louis and Île de la Cité, natural islands in the river, and a number of architectural masterpieces erected along the river. The area stretches between Notre Dame and Saint-Chapelle in the east and the Eiffel Tower in the west.

5 Fun Facts about Disneyland Paris

Will Joce — Mon, 10 Jan 2011 17:00:52 +0000

Disneyland Paris has had its share of controversy, catastrophe and crisis, but its position in the pantheon of top European and world tourist destinations has been assured for many years now. No matter whether you fall into the equally vocal ‘love it’ or ‘hate it’ camps, here are five fun facts about the eternally divisive yet popular theme park resort.

Serious planning to bring the Disney franchise to Europe followed the immediate success of the Disney theme park in Tokyo in 1983.