Places to Visit & Things to Do in Paris
Paris always lives up to its hype with romantic vistas, elegant shops, perfect gastronomy, and world-class cultural highlights. Take a stroll, enjoy a pastry and never stop exploring the picturesque streets.
Sights & Attractions in Paris
The river Seine marks a divide between the Rive Droite (Right Bank), home to the Champs-élysées, the Arc de Triomphe and the Sacre Coeur Basilica, and the Rive Gauche (Left Bank), a centre of art and creativity in Paris where visitors can find the Simone de Beauvoir footbridge, the Latin quarter and the Museé d'Orsay. The two islands in the middle: Île de la Cité and Île Saint-Louis are home to Notre-Dame Cathedral and the famous Glacier Berthillon ice cream shop.
Visit Napoleon's tomb in Les Invalides, or see the final resting places of some of France's famous poets, scientists and authors at the Pantheon Crypt. The Jardin du Luxembourg or the beautiful Place des Vosges offer perfect locations to relax and people-watch.
Art & Culture in Paris
Paris is home to three giants of the art world: the Louvre, with works from Antiquity to medieval times and modern sculpture; the Musée d’Orsay, home to French art from the nineteenth to early twentieth century and popular for its impressionist collection; and the Centre Pompidou, Europe's largest collection of modern and contemporary art.
You can check out pioneering contemporary art in the Palais de Tokyo, a minute's walk away from the Muséed'Art Moderne de Paris, or walk through the Jardins du Trocadéro to the Musée de l'Homme, that hosts anthropology exhibits from around the world.
The Musée Rodin and the Musée Picasso Paris pay special tribute to two of the great titans of the art world. For evening activities, the Palais Garnier hosts opera and ballet, as does the Opéra Bastille.
The Philharmonie de Paris, designned by Jean Nouvel, can be found in the Parc de la Villette, and is dedicated entirely to classical, chamber, world and jazz music. For a tatse of classic French theatre, cacth a work by the Comédie- Francaise troupe, a collective founded in 1680, or show at the Odéon-Theatre de l'Europe. Paris is also a hub for film in all its forms, from multiplexes to small art cinemas.
Shopping in Paris
Avenue Montaigne affirms Paris's place as a fashion capital, with brands such as Dior, Chanel and Armani lining the street. Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré and Rue Saint-Honoré, are also both famous for their chic shops and boutiques, the former now sporting the concept store, Nous, a reimagination of the original ground-breaking store Colette.
Walk the ancient streets of Le Marais, like Rue Vieille-du-Temple, where the shops mix with contemporary art galleries, or stroll around St-Germain-des-Prés, where galleries, designer furniture and antiques sit side by side.
Upmarket department stores like Galeries Lafayette and Printemps are destinations in their own right, much like Le Bon Marché, one of the first modern deapartment stores, known a smuch for its upscale brands as for its Grande Épicerie food hall.
Food & Drink in Paris
Eating out in Paris is an event not to be rushed. Michelin starred highlights include Four Seasons George V, Guy Savoy at the Hôtel de la Monnaie and Alain Ducasse at the a l'Hotel de Paris. The rise of “bistronomie”since the 1990s, a trend haute-cuisine-trained chefs opening their own, more casual locations, has led to a rise in affordably priced bistro cooking in Paris, particularly in the 11th arrondissement, or in the South Pigalle district.
Dont't miss the opportunity to try a classic French brasserie, either. These restaurants known for their steaks, shellfish and long hours, such as Eric Frechon's Lazare Paris is also currently seeing the comeback of the brasserie, associated with steaks, shellfish and long hours, with recent launches by top chefs including Eric Frechon’s Lazare and Alain Ducasse’s Champeaux, show the elegance of traditional French cooking, and the atmosphere that goes with it, at its best.
The classic Parisien café is transformed depending on yout time to visit. From breakfast croissants to late-night drinks, Le Flore and Les Deux Magots are well-known literary legends. For cocktails and a lively buzz, try Rue Oberkampf, Canal St-Martin or Le Marais.
Unique to Paris
Going to the market is still an essential part of Parisian life, particularly at weekend. The Marché Monge, which has been running since 1921, hosts around 40 stalls that sell a range of meats, fish, and organic produce. The Marché Bastille is one of the biggest markets in Paris, with over a hundred stalls to browse to your heart's content, all against the backdrop of the Colonne de Juillet. Marché Président Wilson claims to be Paris's largest open-air food market, and some say the one with the most gourmet options, including chesses and organic wine. Barbés and Aligre are known for their competitive prices and great range of products - from foods to collectibles.
Membership Rewards® Programme
Cardmembers enrolled in the American Express Membership Rewards® programme will earn one additional bonus Membership Rewards point in addition to their standard earn rate (for a total of 2 points) for every full £1 spent on flights, prepaid hotels, car hire and experiences booked through the American Express Travel website americanexpress.com/en-gb//travel. Specific Card products or limited time promotions may offer additional Membership Rewards points, please see individual Card or promotion Terms and Conditions for more information. Additional Membership Rewards points cannot be earned on products which are not prepaid but are paid directly to the supplier, including cruise bookings and select hotel bookings. These bookings will not earn two Membership Rewards points for every £1 spent but will be earned at the normal rate of one point for every £1 spent. Full Terms and Conditions apply, please visit americanexpress.co.uk/termsandconditions.
To use Pay with Points, you must book your eligible purchase through American Express Travel and charge to a Membership Rewards programme-enrolled American Express® Card. Eligible purchases through American Express Travel exclude non-prepaid car rentals and non-prepaid hotels. Points will be debited from your Membership Rewards account, and credit for corresponding amount will be issued to the American Express® Card Account used. If points redeemed do not cover entire amount, the balance of purchase price will remain on the American Express Card account. When paying with a combination of your American Express Card and Membership Rewards points, only the value applied to the Card is eligible to earn Membership Rewards points.
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Fine Hotels + Resorts (FHR) program benefits are available for new bookings made through Platinum Travel & Dining Concierge, Business Platinum Travel & Dining Concierge, the Dedicated Centurion® Team or American Express Travel (americanexpress.com/en-gb/travel/) with participating properties and are valid only for eligible Platinum Cardmembers or Centurion® Members and excludes Platinum Credit Companion Cards. Bookings must be made using an eligible Card and must be paid using that Card, or another American Express® Card, in the eligible Card Member's name, and that Card Member must be traveling on the itinerary booked. The average total value of the program benefits is based on prior-year bookings for stays of two nights; the actual value varies. Noon check-in and room upgrade are subject to availability and are provided at check-in; certain room categories are not eligible for upgrade. The type of US$100 Credit and additional amenity (if applicable) varies by property; the credit will be applied to eligible charges up to the amount of the credit. To receive the credit, the eligible spend must be charged to your hotel room. The credit will be applied at check-out. Advance reservations are recommended for certain credits. The type and value of the daily breakfast (for two) varies by property; breakfast will be valued at a minimum of US$60 per room per day. To receive the breakfast credit, the breakfast bill must be charged to your hotel room. The breakfast credit will be applied at check-out. If the cost of Wi-Fi is included in a mandatory property fee, a daily credit of that amont will be applied at check-out.
Benefits are applied per room, per stay (with a three-room limit per stay).Back-to-back stays booked by a single Card Member, Card Members staying in the same room or Card Members traveling in the same party within a 24-hour period at the same property are considered one stay and are ineligible for additional FHR benefits (“Prohibited Action”). American Express and the property reserve the right to modify or revoke FHR benefits at any time without notice if we or they determine, in our or their sole discretion, that you may have engaged in a Prohibited Action, or have engaged in abuse, misuse, or gaming in connection with your FHR benefits. Benefit restrictions vary by property. Benefits cannot be redeemed for cash and are not combinable with other offers unless indicated. Benefits must be used during the stay booked. Any credits applicable are applied at check-out in USD or the local currency equivalent. Benefits, participating properties, and availability and
amenities at those properties are subject to change. To be eligible for FHR program benefits, your eligible Card Account must not be cancelled. For additional information, call the number on the back of your Card.
The Hotel Collection (THC) benefits are available for new bookings of two consecutive nights or more made through American Express Travel (americanexpress.com/en-gb/travel/), Platinum Travel & Dining Concierge, Business Platinum Travel & Dining Concierge or the Dedicated Centurion® Team, with participating properties and are valid only for eligible Preferred Rewards Gold Cardmembers, Preferred Rewards Gold Credit Cardmembers, Platinum Cardmembers or Centurion® Members and excludes Platinum Credit Companion Cardmembers. Bookings must be made using an eligible Card and must be paid using that Card, or another American Express Card, in the eligible Card Member's name, and that Card Member must be traveling on the itinerary booked. Noon check-in, late check-out and the room upgrade are subject to availability; certain room categories are not eligible for upgrade. The type of US$100 credit and additional amenity (if applicable) varies by property; the US$100 credit will be applied to eligible charges up to US$100. To receive the US$100 credit, the eligible spend must be charged to your hotel room. The US$100 credit will be applied at check-out. Advance reservations are recommended for certain credits. Benefit restrictions vary by property. Benefits are applied per room, per stay (with a three-room limit per stay). Back-to-back stays booked by a single Card Member, Card Members staying in the same room or Card Members traveling in the same party within a 24-hour period at the same property are considered one stay and are ineligible for additional THC benefits (“Prohibited Action”). American Express and the Property reserve the right to modify or revoke the THC benefits at any time without notice if we or they determine, in our or their sole discretion, that you have engaged in a Prohibited Action, or have engaged in abuse, misuse, or gaming in connection with your THC benefits. Benefits cannot be redeemed for cash and are not combinable with other offers unless indicated. Benefits must be used during the stay booked. Any credits applicable are applied at check-out in US Dollars or the local currency equivalent. Benefits, participating properties, and availability and amenities at those properties are subject to change. To be eligible for THC program benefits, your eligible Card Account must not be cancelled. For additional information, call the number on the back of your Card.
International Airline Program (IAP)
1. Current International Airline Program Partners: Air Europa, American Airlines, British Airways, Delta, Etihad Airways, Emirates Airlines, Iberia, Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines and Virgin Atlantic.
2. American Express reserves the rights to change these conditions from time to time with 21 days prior notice and/or to discontinue the whole program.
3. Airlines reserve the right to change, cancel or restrict flight operations without notice. IAP upgrades or specially negotiated fares may be limited by airlines to certain flights and/or dates (“blackouts”). IAP is subject to the terms and conditions of each participating carrier. American Express does not guarantee that seats or tickets will be available. Cabins of service and discounts vary by airline and route. Discounts are applicable to adult fares however some airlines extend savings to child fares.
4. To qualify for the IAP upgrades or specially negotiated fares:
a) Your journey must start and end at the same port as designated by the participating airline and be completed within the period during which your selected carrier participates in the program. You will be advised of any applicable dates at the time of booking;
b) IAP tickets must be purchased through the Platinum Travel Service and must be charged to a valid American Express Platinum Card which is in good standing;
c) The Platinum Cardmember who purchases the ticket(s) must be one of the travellers;
d) IAP tickets are non-transferable and non endorsable.
5. Any travel on non-participating airlines must be ticketed and paid for separately and is not part of the IAP. Certain code share or flights on the worldwide partners of the participating airlines may not apply.
6. Certain IAP airlines or non-participating airlines impose restrictions such as ticketing time limit on advance booking to indicate a timeline for ticketing upon making your reservations. For each individual airline Terms & Conditions, please check with the Platinum Travel Service for details.
7. IAP upgrade offers or specially negotiated fares may not be combined with any other promotion, discount, negotiated or corporate rate.
8. American Express acts only as an agent for travel service providers and does not own or operate any airline or means of transportation. American Express is not liable for service deficiencies on the part of airlines or other service providers, including but not limited to: accidents and injuries; delays; changes in routes or itineraries; loss, theft or damages to possessions. American Express strongly advises travellers to insure themselves against travel risks. Travellers are responsible for ensuring that they have valid documentation and for complying with the health, customs, currency and other laws of any country they enter or attempt to enter.
9. IAP is available to Platinum Cardmembers from a variety of participating airlines each with specifically designated ports of departure and arrival. Please refer to the Platinum Travel Service for details of participating airlines, applicable routing and timetables and fares in force at any particular time.
10. Other International Airline Program Terms & Conditions may apply.
For full Terms and Conditions for Global Lounge Collection®, please visit our Global Lounge page.
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