Mercure's travel guides

Prepare yourself: Paris has around 1,800 historic monuments and 140 museums and galleries. A stroll beside the River Seine or a boat ride on the famous Bateaux Mouches will take you past ancient wonders such as the Notre Dame Cathedral, stunning architecture like the Musée d'Orsay inside a 19th-century Beaux Arts train station, and feats of engineering such as the Tour Eiffel, built in 1889 and now the world's most recognizable building. Get hold of a 'Paris Visite' pass from the tourist office for unlimited transport around the sights and discounts to several. And don't try to do everything in one trip – save some for next time.

Bois de Vincennes

Esplanade du Château, Paris, 75012
http://www.paris.fr/portail/Parcs/Portal.lut?page_id=6566

Description:

The Bois de Vincennes, Paris's largest park, was originally fenced off as royal hunting grounds. Today, scattered among its trees and lawns are peaceful lakes, bird reserves, a farm and even a castle completed in 1370 under the reign of Charles V. In past years, the castle has served as city fortress, barracks and prison. The Parc Floral botanical garden is a delight throughout the year, thanks to its hundreds of species of rainbow-hued flowers, and a place of entertainment with its children's playground and outdoor classical and jazz concerts in summer. METRO: Porte Dorée or Château de Vincennes
May - Aug  Daily 9am-9pm
Sept. Daily 9am-8pm
Oct. Daily 9am-6:30pm

Centre Georges Pompidou

pl Georges Pompidou, Paris, 75004
01 44 78 12 33

Description:

This modern building – with its colour-coded mechanical systems highly visible on the exterior – has become an icon of modern architecture. Within, the Musée National d'Art Moderne has an impressive collection of French and international modern and contemporary art and design from 1914 to the present, including impressive holdings by Matisse, Chagall, Picasso and the Surrealists. Located onsite, too, are the Brancusi Studio (open 2-6pm), temporary exhibition spaces, Galerie des Enfants, which puts on special exhibits for children, a public library, performance space, cinema, shop, bookstore and restaurant. METRO: Rambuteau, Hotel de Ville, Chatelet
Wed-Mon 11am-9pm
Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Diner's Club

Musée du Louvre

Rue de Rivoli, Palais du Louvre, Paris, 75001
01 40 20 53 17
http://www.louvre.fr

Description:

The world's largest, richest collection of art and antiques occupies the Louvre, the world's largest museum and a one-time royal palace. Originally built in 1190 as a fortress, part of which can be viewed in the basement, the Louvre began taking its present form during the 16th century under Renaissance monarch François 1er, whose successors began filling it with artworks, but didn't officially open as a museum until 1793 after the French Revolution. In 1981, then-President Mitterrand spearheaded a stunning renovation of the facility, notably the glass pyramid that now provides the main entrance. As well as western art up until 1848 including Leonardo's Mona Lisa and masterpieces of French Romanticism by Delacroix and Géricault, collections take in decorative arts, Greek and Roman antiquities; Mesopotamia and the very popular Ancient Egyptian department, much loved by kids. Free admission first Sunday of the month. There are excellent book and gift shops and several cafés on site. METRO: Palais Royal-Musée du Louvre
Sat-Mon, Thu 9am-6pm; Wed, Fri 9am-10pm
Visa, MasterCard