Paris attractions: Cathédrale Notre Dame de Paris

Almost 600 years after its completion, the Cathédrale Notre Dame de Paris continues to amaze and inspire the masses that flock there each year. Begun in 1160 by Bishop de Sully, the cathedral was completed in 1345 with its piece de resistance - the spectacular rose windows. Restoration work begun in the 19th century after heavy petitioning to repair damages was spearheaded by public figures such as novelist Victor Hugo, who immortalised the cathedral in his masterpiece, The Hunchback of Notre Dame. Much of the main frieze was redone, with steeples and gargoyles added.

Inside is the Tresor, a collection of 19th-century liturgical objects, with a few dating back to the Middle Ages. The recently reopened north bell tower leads up to a gargoyle-lined gallery and also gives a decent view of the Paris skyline. Look out for the point on the front square which is the mark from which all motorway distances from Paris are measured.

The public gardens behind the building are worth wandering through on a sunny day, generally remaining a little less crowded than the busy front and affording another perspective of this colossal work. Maybe you would like to spend some days on its island?

Paris flights news

Some good news for any travellers to Paris or Paris property owners who wish to fly between Paris and Lithuania. Air Baltic have now announced a new route betwene the Lithuanian capital Vilnius and Paris.

The new AirBaltic flights will commence from March 31, 2008, and they will be direct flights. If you live in Paris and want to visit somewhere new then Vilnius is an interesting destination which offers some fascinating cultural opportunities for the culturally curious.

Flights will be three times a week (Mon, Wed & Thu) , with flights into Paris landing in Charles de Gaulle airport. Flight time will be approx. two and three quarter hours.

If you are travelling from Asia, direct flights with the likes of Japan and Paris are worth checking and flights from Seoul to Paris are one popular route also.

Within Europe, Ryanair have routes into Paris Beauvais airport and cannot be ignored, given the prices of many of the flights. Easyjet also have flights from various airports around Europe into Paris.

Paris - The Great Wines Fair

Are you a wine lover and living or visiting Paris, France on vacation or holiday in December. You have to visit the Great Wine Fair 2008 in Carrousel du Louvre, Paris. This brilliant festival will take place this year 30th November to 1st December 2007.

I attended this annual Paris Wine festival last year and I highly recommend it. This year there are expected to be over twenty thousand visitors with the chance for many tastings, wine demonstrations and hundreds of exhibition stands and exhibits. This years festival will be open 10.30am-9.30pm.

The festival takes place at the Carrousel du Louvre at 99 rue de Rivoli 75001. You can get there by metro via the Louvre or Palais-Royal and more information is available by calling the organisers on +33 (0) 1 43 16 47 10. For somewhere to stay for the festival you can use Paris apartments and one in particular you might like is Paris Marais rentals.