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To be footloose and fancy free

The classic and the contemporary are always rubbing shoulders in the exotic city of Paris

STANDING TALL The Eiffel Tower is the biggest landmark of Paris

History loves this city and it keeps coming back to us in so many ways. Be it the students' revolution, the integration of immigrants or The Da Vinci Code, Paris has always been in the thick of things. One of the most glamorous capitals of the world, the city makes for an ideal holiday destination and is quite accessible and affordable to all kinds of tourists.

Travelling in and around Paris is quite easy. Divided into circles or arrondissements, this capital has a fantastic metro system to boast off. Within city limits (till the 16th arrondissement), you are sure to find an Underground metro station, 200m from anywhere.

A bit of French

If you are planning to stay a while, the best way to save money and time is to buy a weekly pass for the first two zones of the city. A map of the metro lines is a must and a few lines in French — Où est? and Merci beaucoup ("Where is it?" and "Thank you") — can prove useful.

The stations themselves are quite attractive. For instance, at the Louvre Trivoli, you can see artefacts displayed along the platform. Tuilleries has a mini-rain forest.

To get a feel of the local culture, just stop and listen to the roadside musicians. They are auditioned and only the best are chosen to play in the Underground.

Walking in Paris is another kind of dream. Just to wander along the quays of the Seine and zigzag on its many bridges is like living in a painting. Each bridge and quay has its own personality. The Quai de Victor Hugo is colourful with a row of bookstalls where one can pick up old books, stickers, posters and other vintage knick-knacks.

The most picturesque stretch is from Tour Eiffel to Notre Dame, walking past all the well-known monuments and museums of Paris. Every year, during the Fête de la Musique on June 21, this stretch is dotted with animated musicians of all genres, who play throughout the night heralding the longest summer day.

Getting a bit of home abroad is nostalgic and Gare du Nord is the Indian quarter in Paris, complete with hot dosas, Madras cafés, silk saris, Bollywood and Big Bazaar. It's here that you can get special telephone cards to call India.

Montmarte is the neighbouring Afro-Arabic quarter, where the famous Cathedral of Sacré Coeur is located. Some of the exciting areas with great nightlife are the Quartier Latin on the 7th Arrondissement, La Bastille and Les Marais, which are both classic and hip, attracting the youth.

But if you prefer the "The Grail Trail", you can opt for the now popular tour of the Louvre, Saint Sulpice and the chateau on the outskirts of Paris.

All those who are below 25 get discounts on tickets and entries all over France. The entry ticket at museums can be quite expensive but what most people are not aware of is that the first Sunday of every month, entry into all palaces and museums is free.

Theatres, operas and other street performances are common in summer. Near the Seine, at the city centre, there are free Salsa and Latino dance lessons for anyone who's interested. To know all that is happening in the city, buy a Zurban or Pariscope magazine.

In summer, shopping is more affordable, thanks to the grand summer sale, Soldes, that takes place annually between June and July.

Shopping in Paris is usually seen as a luxury, but during Soldes, you can get what you want at a discount of upto 75 per cent; the markets are abuzz with activity and there's a mad rush everywhere. But it's the best time to shop in Paris. There is no fear of being cheated as this is officially monitored and sanctioned by the Government.

Paris, like its fashion, is a beautiful blend of vintage beauty and a modern multi-cultural trend. Parisians are helpful and courteous and can be very charming if you know a bit of French.

A pocket dictionary, a good map and a comfortable pair of shoes are all you need to experience this historical city, its museums, palaces, parks, cafés and the Champs Elysées.

Priyamvada Majumdar

Some useful tips

Places to stay: Citadines (apartment hotels) — www.citadines.com, besides furnished apartments at 120 Euros/day in Paris (depending on the locality)

All offices and many supermarkets close by 7 p.m. Museums and other tourist hot spots are closed on Tuesdays. Free use of the Internet is available at the Library at Georges Pompidou. Ensure that you change your forex at post offices.

For tours in and around Paris, try Cityrama Tours.

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