Few landmarks are as instantly recognizable and iconic as the Eiffel Tower, the enduring symbol of Paris and a testament to the ingenuity and creativity of human engineering. Completed in 1889 for the Exposition Universelle to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the French Revolution, the Eiffel Tower was initially met with controversy, as many Parisians considered it an eyesore. However, over the years, it has become one of the world’s most beloved and visited attractions, drawing millions of visitors each year. Standing at an impressive 1,083 feet (330 meters) tall, the Eiffel Tower was the world’s tallest man-made structure until the completion of the Chrysler Building in New York City…

A handy primer and visitor information for the most popular tourist attractions in Paris. The Eiffel Tower When the Eiffel Tower was completed in 1889, it was the tallest building in the world at just over 300 meters high. The tower was originally built as a temporary structure to commemorate the centennial of the French Revolution for the 1889 World’s Fair exposition.  What was once a temporary exhibit became permanent and now the monument is the enduring symbol of the city of Paris and France itself. Back in the 1880’s, the tower’s steel construction defied all traditional rules of architecture.  Gustave Eiffel’s design was considered quite bold at the time. Today the tower is the main…

Answers to common Link Paris booking FAQ’s If you have a question not addressed here please email or call us at 1-424-386-5222. I just booked online. Is the invoice I received my tour confirmation and voucher? No. Prior to your tour date, you will receive an email requesting names and birthdates for the train tickets, required by French rail. Once we have that information, you will get a final email with full instructions on meeting your tour guide. Tour vouchers and rail tickets (if included with your tour) will be sent as PDF files via this email. You can download onto your mobile device and/or print them out. We will…

by Laura Glendinning In my childhood we did vacations but they generally  involved visiting relatives or showing relatives around when they visited us.   That meant three destinations.  Somewhere in Texas (we lived in Houston).  Somewhere in Michigan (where my grandparents lived), or Wisconsin (where my cousins lived.)  We saw the Alamo a lot, visited the Kellogg’s cereal factory in Battle Creek and ate cheese near the shores of Lake Michigan.  And there was one family trip to New Orleans for Mardi Gras thanks to the neighbor girl and I being fast friends.  Her family was from Baton Rouge.  Her big brother could spit ten feet!  He said “thow” instead of…

Your Guide to Navigating the City of Lights Exploring the City of Lights is a breeze with our printable Paris Metro map at your disposal. As the backbone of the city’s public transportation network, the Paris Metro offers an efficient and cost-effective means to discover the numerous attractions, neighborhoods, and landmarks throughout Paris. The Paris Metro remains the go-to choice for navigating the city, known for its dependability, safety, and generally clean environment. Our all-inclusive guide will equip you with valuable tips for a hassle-free experience, along with a printable map to carry with you during your Parisian escapades. Using the Printable Paris Metro Map Our printable Paris Metro map…

Practical Paris Travel Information for American Tourists Paris AirportsThere are two main airports in Paris Charles DeGaulle (CDG) and Orly (ORY). Most likely if you are flying from North America you will be flying into Charles DeGaulle airport. Arrondissements. What are they?The postal codes in Paris are broken down by districts known as arrondissements. The last two digits of a buildings postal code refers to the district of Paris it is in. For instance: your hotel is located in postal code 75010. That means you are in the 10th arrondissement. Arrondissements in Paris form a swirling pattern starting at the Ile de la Cite, the small island in the middle…

A Paris shopping excursion is a fundamental part of a Parisian vacation Paris, like most European cities, is built around a river.  The Seine, to be precise. Fashion style is organized around the river, believe it or not. In Paris, the Left Bank (Gauche) is the funky, perpetually gentrifying part of the city.   The Eiffel Tower is on the Left. Notice how gauche has come to mean tacky and maybe loud? It just means left in French. The Right Bank (droit) is posh.  It’s where the Louvre, the Presidential Palace and Champs Elysees are located.  The shopping in Paris reflects that cultural divide. Fast fashion will be on the…

Starring Dante the Dog, JuJu, and a Real Live Mummy One of the consequences of living in Los Angeles is that you develop a true fear of temperatures below 60 degrees. Not kidding. We are really bad at sub 70 degree temperatures. Try tearing your drawers apart finding matching socks when you spend your life in flip flops. Never mind remembering gloves, scarves and turtlenecks. It was worth it though because visiting Paris in the winter is a look at the real Paris. There are far fewer tourists. It’s a northern European city, after all, a city with an underground transport system, out of the weather, well-heated museums, and hundreds…

Ten Paris tips to get your Paris vacation started. Fodor’s recently released their “10 Things You Need to Know Before You Go to Paris” list. It is a good article. Here is our own top ten Paris tips list. 1. Dining in Paris – Paris Tips Hot Pick: You do not need to tip when dining in a Parisian restaurant. Enjoy the freedom of not tipping! It is wonderful once you get used to it. I’ve been to Paris over 30 times. It took me at least fifteen trips before I felt fully comfortable not leaving a tip after a meal. There is no reason to wait! When I finally…

Visit the Museum of Aeronautics at Bourget in Paris Since 1975 France’s Air and Space Museum has delighted the world with a host of attractions. The museum was originally situated in Meudon, founded right after WWI. It moved to the Bourget in 1975. Why Bourget? Well it just happens to be the place where Charles Lindburgh landed after his 33 hour flight from Long Island. The Main Gallery, where the oldest aircraft are displayed, offers a collection of over 180 machines giving a complete panorama of the aerospace era, from the original “heavier than air” glider Massiat-Biot (1879) to the Ariane rocket. Connected to the Main Hall is a remodeled…