King-Size Tour Guide

Paris, the fabled city of light – inextricably linked to Toulouse-Lautrec, Victor Hugo, and Edith Piaf – revels in its perception as the cradle of sophistication. Mere mention of it evokes romantic strolls along the Seine, crusty baguettes shared in quaint cafes, plaintive accordion strains, intimate brasseries, and soulful croonings by sultry chanteuses. But this dreamy image only hints at the city's riches. Landmarks run rampant in this haven of culture and of cool: among them, la Tour Eiffel, le Sacrй Coeur, Notre Dame, and la Sorbonne. Refinement also makes a home in Paris, infusing each cafй and square with Continental charm. The specter of high-brow edge, however, is ground down by Montmartre and la Rive Gauche, which temper luxury with bohemian ambience. Moreover, the French reputation for disdain and snobbery reads as greatly exaggerated; residents often prove disarmingly helpful to well-intentioned tourists. In short, Paris virtually sings with a welcome, easy grace, a world capital enticed into urbanity itself. (continue reading...)