Vacations Blog

France is a popular tourist destination because it is a country that has a lot to offer. In fact it is also one of the most popular travel destinations in the world with more than 80 million people heading here each and every year. There are endless possibilities once you get to France and for people living in the UK, it has become even easier and quicker to reach France with the Channel Tunnel; in fact it only takes thirty five minutes to get to Calais from Folkestone.

Even though France is a large country, you can drive to most parts within a day or two so this is fantastic especially if you don’t mind driving. You have the choice of visiting many places in France including the French Alps or some of the fantastic beaches along the coast. You could also choose to head to Paris for a city break if you prefer or head to Disneyland with the kids. During the winter it is possible to go skiing and if you are a wine lover then a tour of vineyard country can be a great little holiday.

Having the Chunnel now means that France is just so easy to get to; it’s quite amazing when you think about it. You can be driving along a road in the England and less than an hour later you are driving on a French road. The ability to take your car makes a trip to France all the more enjoyable; of course you could previously do this with the boat but it just seems so much easier with the tunnel. With the continent that close it is hard not to feel more European; in fact people living in the south of England could head over to France and back in the same day for a drive. For us in the UK it has really become so much easier to head to anther country.

City breaks Europe style are extremely popular today. France hotels are among the best in Europe when thinking about this option. A lot of them are pet friendly hotels also. In today’s faltering economy, nothing beats a short city break.

The Second Arrondissement of Paris

You’re nearly there – Paris, France’s crown jewel and capital city! You can hardly wait to arrive . You’ve gotten your cheap airfare to Paris, France , now you’re assessing some seemingly fantastic deals on hotel accommodation for Paris, France. Where you are staying in the city is always an important consideration for choosing a Paris hotel even if you are looking at hotels in Paris city centre.  Here’s a guide to Paris’s 2nd arrondissement so you can learn more about whether it is where you want to be!

It is unlikely that you’ll spend much time here in the 2nd as a tourist, but if you choose accommodation in this district, you will be in the heart of Paris’s financial and working center. Home to the Bourse (stock exchange) and the CAC 40 – France’s top listed companies, the 2nd arrondissement is also widely noted for its thriving   fashion and journalism industries, as well as its general atmosphere of business.

What To Expect If You Are Staying In The Second :

What’s Good :

You will hardly spot any tourists here, so that the people-watching will be strictly French : Paris’s business people going to lunch, stressed out traders dashing to work, journalists meeting sources over coffee for the next big scoop . Visitors will also be close to the beautiful nineteenth century “galleries,” a tradition when the Duke of Orleans decided to rent out his garden to shops in the late eighteenth century. These “galleries,” similiar to early shopping malls, have glass windows and tiled floors, are still operative today. Visit for a nostalgic and enchanting glance at Paris’s 19th century past.

What’s Bad About The Second :

This isn’t an especially with-it area by any means, and while there are a considerable number of places for lunch in the area , geared toward those with an expense account, nightlife is lacking. However, with the Marais in the fourth arrondissement only a short distance away, there’s not much to worry about. Also, near the eastern end of the district, you may run into a few prostitutes looking to ply their trade, but not to worry – it’s safe, if seedy, and nevertheless you’re likely to encounter far fewer than in similar areas like Rue St. Denis or the Pigalle area.

What To Do:

If you are interested in finances , visit the Bourse, or Stock Exchange, for a look at Paris’s economic heart. Or check out the Galleries – the Gallerie Vivienne is considered the best-preserved, with geniune and stunning 19th decor, a stunning mosaic floor, and elegantly high end stores . In contrast, the Passage Choiseul is more “authentic,” catering to business men and women on their way to work, and selling magazines and newspapers and offering services like shoe-shining to busy traders at the nearby Bourse.

Where To Eat:

Cafe Etienne Marcel, on Rue Etienne Marcel, is a hip Costes brothers joint – less costly than most of their others – with a menu to match. Or have a drink or two at Harry’s New York Bar on Rue Danou, reputed to be the birthplace of the Bloody Mary, and a hangout of Hemmingway. While Harry’s isn’t cheap by any means, it’s nevertheless a great hangout for those who want the elegance and decadence of Art Deco bohemian expatriate life. And, of course, a bloody Mary mixed to perfection.

Shopping Spots :

Brentano’s, on Avenue de L’Opera offers an outstanding selection of English-language and art books. And, of course, the Galleries are filled with fascinating stores. Stroll in and out of a few of the delightful galleries, looking at the many wonderful shops on offer, and think about buying boutique clothes and far more at all of them.