Jobs for the Traveller in Paris

Paris is a popular travel destination for many different groups of people, and this includes those who are travelling around Europe or the world to experience new people and cultures. Often, people enjoying such an experience will need to fund their travels by taking part time or long term work. Below are some such jobs one could take in Paris.
This is a great option for the young traveller as it enables you to continue socialising and experiencing the culture of the city whilst at work. Also, there are so many bars around the city that there is a very good chance that you will be able to find work. If your job requires you to work in the evening you can explore your surroundings during the day.
If you have a bubbly personality and enjoy the opportunity to talk to strangers this is an ideal job choice for your, especially as you can achieve good performance based incentives. This is also a great way to meet new people and get to know your way around Paris.
Paris has a modern and hip crowd which likes to be entertained, meaning there are plenty of opportunities for people with a talent to express it in return for varying degrees of cash.
here is a high turnover of seasonal staff at this resort which is great fun to work at, especially if you enjoy working around kids and have a fun nature.

Things to Do For Free in Paris

If you are travelling to Paris on a small budget there are plenty of things that you can do around the city for free of charge. Below is a brief guide to some of the things you csan do for free.

Visit Le Louvre

Le Louvre is a world famous museum is one of the most popular attractions in the city, and if you plan your visit for the first Sunday of each month you can enter for free. Under 25s can also gain free access on Friday evenings.

Take a picnic under the Eiffel Tower
Climbing the Eiffel Tower itself has an associated cost, but one of the best views of the Eiffel Tower is from underneath the tower. There is a significant park area underneath the tower where you can enjoy a picnic looking up at the tower and enjoying the rest of the surrounding scenery.
Notre dame Cathedral
Entrance into the Notre Dame cathedral itself is free, so you enjoy the fabulous designs and famous windows from the inside. You will have to pay to enter certain sections of the cathedral, but you can gain an overall feel for the place from the free sections.
Visit a Park
Paris has an abundance of parks, including the Jardin du Luxembourg and the Park André Citroën, both of which are great to walk around and enjoy the scenery. You can explore the statues or maybe even take in one of the impromptu musical performances.

Visiting Le Palais Royal

Le Palais Royal is one of the most famous tourist attractions in Paris, and for good reason. The first reason why the palais is so popular is because of the absolutely exquisite architecture, which is the handiwork of Jacques Lemercier, one of the best French architects of the 17th century. The columns which spread along the majority of the structure are its signature feature, whilst the intimate detail of the artwork ingrained into it and the imposing presence which the building has creates a magical and inspirational feel.

Equally as popular as the structure of the building itself are the gardens which accompany it. The gardens are enclosed within the structure and contain some of the most fabulous garden ornaments in the entire city. The immaculate way in which the garden is kept spreads from the grass to the tall trees which form much of the border, and it is clear to see that this was once a royal garden.

Although the palais itself is not open to the public as it is now a governments building, many would argue that you can still enjoy the best features of it by strolling around the gardens and the courtyard. It is often said that the best place to be is over the way from a major building as that way you can enjoy the view, whereas once inside you cannot fully appreciate it. The fact that le Palais Royal is opposite le Louvre only adds to its appeal.

Best Views in Paris

With so many historic buildings, notable landmarks, luscious parks and bustling streets, there is so much of Paris to see. In order to properly appreciate these views you should travel to the best vantage points, including those described below.

Eiffel Tower - The image of this structure is perhaps the most commonly associated image of Paris. It is a simply huge structure from which you can gain panoramic views of the city. You can either venture half way up or go the whole hog and climb to the very top to see for miles around. For those who are not keen on walking all the way up there is always the option of taking the elevator.

Arc De Triomphe - It is surprising how much you can see from this structure as when you stand underneath it and look up it does not appear to be tall in comparison to other structures in the city. In reality, however, once you reach the top you can see far and wide. This is arguably the best place to acquire pictures of the busy Paris traffic and pedestrian walkways.

Notre Dame - This glorious gothic structure has more to offer than just top class design features, it also offers a splendid view of the surrounding area. The narrow steps which you must climb to reach the top add to the character of the visit.

Cafes to visit in Paris

Taking a trip to Paris can be a tiring experience as there is so much to see and do. The benefit of this is that the tiredness gives you an opportunity to take advantage of the many cafes around the city which play such a large part in the character of the city. The vision of the Paris citizens sitting out on the pavement during the summer months is one that comes synonymously with the city. Below are some of the best cafes to experience this.
Le Select - This must be the most traditional and authentic Paris cafe experience in the city. The quality of the coffee and traditional French pastries on the menu is exquisite and the location is discreet and classy. Located in the popular St Germain district of the city this cafe is a popular choice for locals and tourists alike.

La Sancerre - One can enjoy fabulous views of some of the city’s best attractions from this traditional French cafe on the Rue Des Abbesses. The crowd here is a good mix of locals, students and tourists, so you will not be drowned by visitors as you would in other nearby cafes and instead you can enjoy an authentic experience. The cafe turns into a trendy bar at night time and offers a great range of cocktails.

Cafe de la Plaix - Whether you choose to sit inside and enjoy the splendid interior design of this cafe which is part of Le Grand Hotel on the Place de l’Opera or sit outside and watch the city life pass by, you will be glad you visited this establishment.

Parks to Visit in Paris

Paris is blessed with some of the best parks in Europe. These parks offer the tourist an opportunity to escape the hustle and bustle of the city centre and enjoy some of the glorious landscape contained within the parks. There is also the opportunity to enjoy the many features and activities which the parks have to offer. Below are some parks to visit around the city:

Parc André Citroën - This park is a wonderful mix of water, water structures and extensive botanical gardens. There is also a canal which runs through the park, adding to its character and increasing its value as a place to come to be serenaded. The park is located close to the river Seine and is the perfect place to break up your city break.

Parc Monceau - This park has played host to many famous events in history and is a favourite haunt of many a celebrity seeking a slice of nature within the city. The gorgeous gardens are tastefully accompanied by a number of niche structures which are spread throughout the park.

Parc du Champs-de-Mars - Probably one of the best known parks in Paris and arguably the one which offers the best view. Located directly underneath the Eiffel Tower, this is a popular rest point for those who have just conquered the mammoth climb to the top of the iconic structure. Marvel at the brilliance of the Eiffel Tower or glare across at the Ecole Militaire.

Tips on Taking the Bateaux Mouches

Taking the Bateaux Mouches is a unique way to enjoy Paris, relax and take plenty of photographs. I had the time of my life viewing the beautiful sights of Paris for one whole hour - and at the end of it, I had only one complaint to make: that the cruise was too short! If you have brought your family, a Bateaux Mouches cruise is the best treat you can give them and they will cherish the memories of it for life.

Bateaux Mouches has been in the boat tour business ever since 1949, owing to which tourists can expect the best possible cruise experience. Bateaux Mouches, which literally means “fly boats,” offer one-hour cruises every half an hour during the summer. The company offers dinner and lunch cruises as well, but unless you are a luxury traveller who can afford to splash money around, you will find that these may be too expensive.

The fly boats are charming, but you need to be careful while on the upper deck because it does not offer any protection from the sun, wind or rain. You must, therefore, check the weather forecast before choosing a seat on the upper deck. Since the weather was delightful on the day I took the Bateaux Mouches cruise, I decided to choose a seat at the front because I wanted to enjoy the lovely sights of Paris without any obstruction.

You can purchase tickets once you are on board; however if you are a large family travelling together or you are part of a group, you will have to purchase tickets in advance. The Bateaux Mouches will also give you a souvenir map, which shows the route the boat will take. The guides on board will explain the route in English as well as French, which eliminates the need for you to know French.

Life in the 8th Arrondissement

A visit to Paris is not complete without seeing the 8th Arrondissement. Located on the River Seine’s right bank and house a collection of of beautiful churches, memorials, museums, posh hotels, markets, residential structures and restaurants. It's one of the most elegant and beautiful areas of the city and epitomises everything that's Parisien.

This is of course where the Champs Elysées is located and amongst the many businesses, it's dotted with touristy bars, boutiques and cafes. The Arc de Triomphe at the Place de l’Etoile, offers a panoramic view of the city. This is where you'll also find large cinemas offering English speaking films as well as some of the nest shopping in Europe. Al the brands are here including Hermes, Yves Saint Lauren, Channel and Dior. Be careful though, a coffee in the right place can set you back a small fortune but it's definitely the place to be seen.

Away from the high society life, you could breath some air at the the Parc Monceau which is one of the most picturesque parks in Paris. A collection of beautiful trees, including Corsican pine, honey locust America, maple, Judas, silver lime, sycamore and tulip await you. Here you'll also find a colonnade from the Henry II’s unfinished tomb and rotunda complement the garden landscape. Need information on getting to Paris, France?

Why I love summertime in Paris

Paris is one of the most romantic cities in the world to visit and sees a lot of tourist traffic the whole year through. I believe that the best time visit this glorious city of lights is during the summer, when the weather is warm, sunny and breezy and the French countryside is abloom with flowers.

Since the summer can get to be a bit hot during the month of August, many of the locals leave for cooler areas and countryside in France. Those people who do stay back and brave the heat however, manage to enjoy the best of the city. Such special treats include the discounted hotel rates, low cost meals and plenty of free treats. The airfares do remain the same as many Parisians opt to fly out of the city in search of cooler climes.

Paris has plenty of offer the summer traveller, both in terms of sights to see, attractions to visit and events that you can participate in. during the summer, Paris opens its heart to tourists and hosts several outdoor events like concerts, shows and festivals. Many of these events offer free entry only adding to their appeal.

Some of the activities that you are sure to enjoy in Paris include a visit to the local markets which are full of fresh summer produce, sampling seasonal cuisine and sun bathing at the Paris Plage.

The Paris Plage is by far my favourite part of summer and is an event held in the month of august. Since the city has no beach of its own, it hosts a fake beach complete with palm trees and sea sand on the banks of the Seine. Although swimming is not allowed at the Paris plage, I find the idea of relaxing under a sunshade by a man made river beach to be utterly fascinating.

If you live in Paris these days, you might also want to escape the big city and find the following of interest:

• Cap d'Agde Village in the South France.
• Jobs in Ibiza, Spain for the summer season.
• Amsterdam holiday and culture news.

The Best Bistros in Paris

Although you will find some of the finest dining in the world in Paris, do not forget the humble bistro. A wholly Parisian invention, bistros will give you a real taste of France (remember—these places are judged on the food they serve, not designer décor) through classic dishes such as onion soup, noisettes de porc aux pruneaux (braised pork with plums) or rabbit cooked in mustard sauce.

In these income-challenged times, bistros are making a comeback; many people are finding that the warm, homey fare of a bistro is easier on the stomach (and wallet) than the high palaces of haute cuisine. You’ll find bistros in every arrondissement in Paris, from faded cafes with a few specials chalked onto a blackboard to more upmarket versions. Here are some of my favourites:

• Au Bon Accueil, 14 Rue Monttessuy, 7th arrondissement
  The outside terrace has views of the Eiffel Tower (though you will need to be lucky to nab a wicker seat). Great games dishes in hunting season.


• Le Square Trosseau, 1 rue Antoine-Vollon, 12th arrondissement
  Established in 1900, the art nouveau décor of this wonderful bistro draws a fashionable, bohemian crowd.


• L’ Avant-Goût, 26 rue Bobillot, 13th arrondissement
  This bistro is beloved by local gourmands, especially on Thursday evening, which is ‘chef’s choice’. Lunchtime is great value and if on the menu order the hearty pot au feu.


• Le Buisson Ardent, 25 rue Jussieu, 5th arrondissement
  Although the décor is classic art deco, here you’ll find rather inventive bistro fare such as scallops with lime and coriander.


• Ribouldingue, 10 rue St-Julien le Pauvre, 5th arrondissement.

If you don’t like offal, then stay away. But if pig’s snouts, lamb’s hearts and even cow’s udders make your mouth water, you’ll love this bistro. Don’t worry too much; you’ll find more conservative, though always meat-based, dishes here too.