Versailles

The top day-trip from Paris has to be Versailles. This stunning chateau, begun by Louis XIV in 1664, is overwhelming in its opulence and scale. Plan carefully what you want to see as even a full day may not be long enough. Much of the palace is only accessible on a guided tour, so arrive early as on sunny days the queues can be long (see Versailles).

• Versailles 78000

• RER line C to Versailles-Rive Gauche

• Open Apr–Oct: 9am–6:30pm Tue–Sun; Nov–Mar: 9am– 5:30pm Tue–Sun (gardens open daily)

• Admission charge

• www.chateauversailles.fr

Disneyland Resort Paris

Visitors with children will probably have no choice about whether they visit the Paris branch of Disneyland or not. However, even parents will enjoy the hi-tech workings and imagination behind such attractions as “Pirates of the Caribbean” and “The Haunted House” (see Disneyland Resort Paris). The new Walt Disney Studios Park involves visitors interactively through film, with a professional stunt show at the end and special effects rides.

• Marne-la-Vallée

• RER line A to Marne-la-Vallée Chessy/Disneyland

• Open Sep–Jun: 9am–8pm daily; Jul–Aug: 9am–11pm daily (Studios Sep–Jun: 9am–6pm daily; Jul–Aug 9am–8pm daily); times vary for Walt Disney Studios Park

• Admission charge

• www.disneylandparis.com

La Défense

French vision and flair coupled with Parisian style are clearly shown by this modern urban development. This new business and government centre was purposely built to the west of the city to allow the centre to remain unmarred by skyscrapers. More than just offices, however, the area is also an attraction in its own right, with stunning sights such as the Grande Arche, a cube-like structure with a centre large enough to contain Notre-Dame, and surrounded by artworks, a fountain, cafés and restaurants.

• Metro Esplanade de la Défense or RER line A to Grande-Arche-de-la-Défense

Bois de Vincennes

Southeast of the city lies the Bois de Vincennes, which has several lakes, boating facilities, lovely formal gardens, a Buddhist centre and a summer amusement park. The Château de Vincennes was a royal residence before Versailles and has the tallest keep in Europe. The more energetic can walk here all the way from the Bastille along the Promenade Plantée, formerly a railway viaduct.

• Vincennes, 94300

• Metro Château de Vincennes/ RER Vincennes

• Park: open dawn–dusk daily; château: Sep–Apr 10am–5pm; May–Aug 10am–6pm

• Closed public hols

• www.chateau-vincennes.fr

Bois de Boulogne

This enormous park is the Parisians’ favourite green retreat, especially on summer weekends when its 865 ha (2,135 acres) can become crowded. There is plenty to do, apart from simply walking and picnicking, such as cycling, riding, boating or visiting the various attractions. These include parks within the park, two race courses (see Bois de Boulogne) and an art and folk museum. The park is open 24 hours a day, but avoid after dark.

Parc de la Villette

More than just a park, this landscape was created in 1993 to a futuristic design. It provides the usual park features of paths and gardens, but modern sculptures, zany park benches and several major hi-tech attractions offer a different edge. These include the interactive science museum, the Cité des Sciences et de l’Industrie, a 60-seater mobile hydraulic cinema, an Omnimax cinema, play areas for younger children and a music institute (see Parc de la Villette).

• 30 ave Corentin-Cariou, 75019

• Metro Porte de Pantin

• 01 40 03 75 75

• Opening times vary depending on the attraction

• Admission charge

• www.villette.com

Montparnasse

Montparnasse’s location is highly visible due to the 209-m (685-ft) Tour du Montparnasse which offers spectacular views. Five minutes’ walk away is the area’s main draw, the Cimetière du Montparnasse, where the great writers Maupassant, Sartre, de Beauvoir, Baudelaire and Samuel Beckett are buried. For breathtaking views of Paris by night visit the rooftop restaurant “Le Ciel de Paris.”

• Metro Gare Montparnasse

Tour du Montparnasse

• open 9:30am–11:30pm daily (winter until 10:30pm Sun–Thu)

• admission charge

• www.tourmontparnasse.com

Cemetery

• open 8:30am–5:30pm daily

• free

Cimetière du Père Lachaise

This is the most visited cemetery in the world, largely due to rock fans who come from around the world to see the grave of the legendary singer Jim Morrison of The Doors. There are about one million other graves here, in some 70,000 different tombs, including those of Chopin, Oscar Wilde, Balzac, Edith Piaf, Colette, Molière and Delacroix (see Graves). There are maps posted around the cemetery to enable you to find these notable resting places, or a more detailed plan can be bought at the kiosks around the grounds.

• 16 rue du Repos

• Metro Père-Lachaise

• Open 8am–5:30pm Mon–Sat, 9am–5:30pm Sun, but phone to check

• 01 55 25 82 10

• Free

Parc Monceau

This civilized little park is no further from the city centre than Montmartre, yet it goes unnoticed by many visitors. It was created in 1778 by the Duc de Chartres and is still frequented by well-heeled residents. The grounds are full of statues and an air of well-being (see Parc Monceau).

• Blvd de Courcelles, 75008

• Metro Monceau

Musée Marmottan-Claude Monet

Paul Marmottan was an art historian and his 19th-century mansion now houses the world’s largest collection of works by Claude Monet (see Blue Waterlilies), including his Impression Soleil Levant which gave the Impressionist movement its name. The collection was donated by the artist’s son in 1971, and includes the artist’s collection of works by Renoir and Gauguin.

• 2 rue Louis-Boilly, 75016

• Metro Muette

• Open 10am–6pm Tue–Sun

• Admission charge

• www.marmottan.com

The Hall of Mirrors

The spectacular 70-m (233-ft) long Galerie des Glaces (Hall of Mirrors) has been magnificently restored. It was in this room that the Treaty of Versailles was signed in 1919, to formally end World War I.

Chapelle Royale

The Royal Chapel is regarded as one of the finest Baroque buildings in the country. Finished in 1710, the elegant, white marble Corinthian columns and numerous murals make for an awe-inspiring place of prayer.

Salon de Venus

In this elaborate room decorated mainly in marble, a statue of Louis XIV, the creator of Versailles, stands centre stage, exuding regal splendour beneath the fine painted ceiling.

Queen’s Bedroom

Nineteen royal infants were born in this opulent room, which has been meticulously restored to exactly how it appeared when it was last used by Marie-Antoinette in 1789.

Marble Courtyard

Approaching the front of the palace across the vast open forecourt, visitors finally reach the splendour of the black-and-white marble courtyard, which is the oldest section of the palace. The north and south wings were added later.

L’Opéra

The opulent opera house was built in 1770 for the marriage of the dauphin, the future Louis XVI, to Marie-Antoinette. The floors were designed so that they could be raised to stage level during special festivals.

Le Trianon

In the southeast corner of the gardens Louis XIV and Louis XV had the Grand and Petit Trianon palaces built as “private” retreats. Marie-Antoinette was given Petit Trianon by Louis XVI.

Palace Gardens

The palace gardens feature many walkways, landscaped topiary, fountains, pools, statues and the Orangery, where exotic plants were kept in the winter. The magnificent Fountain of Neptune is situated to the north of the North Wing.

Salon d’Apollon

Louis XIV’s throne room is, naturally, one of the palace’s centrepieces, and features a suitably regal portrait of the great Sun King. Dedicated to the god Apollo, it strikingly reflects the French monarchy’s divine self-image.

Stables of the King

The magnificent stables have been restored and they now house the famous Zingaro equine training academy.

Parc de Bagatelle

Differing garden styles feature in this park, including English and Japanese, though the major attraction is the huge rose garden, best seen in June.

Pré Catelan Park

This park-within-a-park is at the very centre of the Bois. Its lawns and wooded areas include a magnificent 200-year-old beech tree and the idyllic, eponymous restaurant (see Le Pré Catelan).

Jardin d’Acclimatation

The main children’s area of the Bois incorporates a small amusement park, a zoo with a farm and a pets’ corner, and a Herb Museum aimed especially at children Jardin d’Acclimatation.

Lakes

Two long, thin lakes adjoin each other. The larger of the two, confusingly called Lac Inférieur (the other is Lac Supérieur) has boats for hire and a motor boat to take you to the islands.

Musée en Herbe

This small museum aims to introduce children to art via regular, changing exhibitions. There is an admission charge.

Stade Roland Garros

The legendary home of French clay-court tennis hosts the glamorous French Open each year in June.

Château de Longchamp

At the same time as he redesigned central Paris (see The Second Empire), Baron Haussmann landscaped the Bois de Boulogne. This chateau was given to him as a thank-you from Napoleon III.

Shakespeare Garden

Inside Pré Catelan park is a little garden planted with all the trees, flowers and herbs mentioned in the plays of Shakespeare. There is a lovely open-air theatre.

Jardin des Serres d’Auteuil

This 19th-century garden has a series of greenhouses where ornamental hothouse plants are grown. In the centre is a palm house with tropical plants.

Horse-Racing

The Bois is home to two race courses. To the west is the Hippodrome de Longchamp, where flat racing takes place including the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe; in the east, the Hippodrome d’Auteuil holds steeplechases.

Jim Morrison, Père Lachaise Cemetery

The American lead singer of The Doors rock band spent the last few months of his life in Paris and died here in 1971. Fans still hold vigils at his grave, which is covered with scrawled messages from all over the world.

Oscar Wilde, Père Lachaise Cemetery

The Dublin-born author and wit died in 1900, after speaking his alleged last words in his Paris hotel room: “Either that wallpaper goes, or I do.” His tomb is unmissable, with a huge monument by Jacob Epstein.

Fredéric Chopin, Père Lachaise Cemetery

The Polish composer was born in 1810 but died in Paris at the age of 39. The statue on his tomb represents “the genius of music sunk in grief”.

Edith Piaf, Père Lachaise Cemetery

The “little sparrow” was born in poverty in the Belleville district of Paris in 1915, less than 1,500 m (5,000 ft) from where she was buried in 1963 in a simple black tomb (see Edith Piaf).

Marcel Proust, Père Lachaise Cemetery

The ultimate chronicler of Paris, the writer was born in the city in 1871. He is buried in the family tomb (see A la Recherche du Temps Perdu).

Samuel Beckett, Montparnasse Cemetery

The Irish-born Nobel prize-winning writer settled in Paris in 1937, having previously studied here. He died in 1989 and his gravestone is a simple slab, reflecting the writer’s enigmatic nature (see Samuel Beckett).

Jean-Paul Sartre and Simone de Beauvoir, Montparnasse Cemetery

Joined together in death as in life, even though they never lived together, their joint grave is a remarkably simple affair. Both of these philosophers were born, lived and died in Paris.

Guy de Maupassant, Montparnasse Cemetery

The great French novelist and short-story writer died in Paris in 1893, and his grave with its luxuriant growth of shrubs stands out because of the open book carving (see Bel-Ami).

Charles Baudelaire, Montparnasse Cemetery

The poet who shocked the world with his frank collection of poems Les Fleurs du Mal was born in Paris in 1821 and died here in 1867.

Charles Pigeon Family, Montparnasse Cemetery

This charming and touching grave shows Charles Pigeon and his wife in bed, reading by the light of the gas lamp he invented.

Le Pré Catelan

Tucked away in the Bois de Boulogne is this high-class dining pavilion. Romantic setting and elegant service.

• Route de Suresnes, Bois de Boulogne, 75016

• Metro Porte Maillot

• 01 44 14 41 14

• €€€€€

Gordon Ramsay au Trianon

Celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay has won two Michelin stars for his restaurant, which opened in 2008.

Hôtel Palais Trianon

• 1 blvd de la Reine, Versailles

• RER line C to Versailles

• 01 30 84 55 56

• Closed Sun–Mon & Aug

• €€€€€

Marée de Versailles

Versailles may be a long way from the sea, but this restaurant serves the freshest seasonal catch. Its terrace is the perfect place for oysters and white wine.

• 22 rue au Pain, Versailles

• RER line C to Versailles

• 01 30 21 73 73

• Closed Sun pm–Mon

• €€€€

La Coupole

Near the Cimetière de Montparnasse is this Parisian landmark. Eclectic menu features dishes such as Welsh rarebit.

• 102 blvd du Montparnasse, 75014

• 01 43 20 14 20

• €€

La Closerie des Lilas

With its piano bar and terrace, this is a Montparnasse institution. The brasserie is cheaper and steaks are good.

• 171 blvd du Montparnasse, 75006

• 01 40 51 34 50

• €€€€€

Le Dôme

Montparnasse’s prime fish restaurant, once frequented by Sartre. Great food and grand decor.

• 108 blvd du Montparnasse, 75014

• 01 43 35 25 81

• Closed Sun–Mon & Aug

• €€€€

La Gare

If visiting the Bois de Boulogne, include La Gare on the itinerary. This stylish brasserie in a former railway station has a summer terrace.

• 19 chaussée de la Muette, 75016

• Metro La Muette

• 01 42 15 15 31

• €€

Ma Pomme en Colimaçon

Handy for supper after a visit to Père Lachaise. The food is first class, from ostrich and fish dishes to pastas and salads.

• 107 rue de Ménilmontant, 75020

• Metro Gambetta

• 01 40 33 10 40

• Closed Sat L, Sun, Mon L

• €

L’Echappée

Atmospheric neighbourhood bistro just north of Père Lachaise serving earthy, classic dishes and organic wines.

• 38 rue Boyer, 75020

• Metro Gambetta

• 01 47 97 44 58

• Open Wed–Fri L, Tue–Sun D

• €

Relais d’Auteuil

At the southern end of the Bois de Boulogne is this gourmet restaurant. Sea bass in a pepper crust is just one delicious speciality.

• 31 blvd Murat, 75016

• Metro Michel-Ange-Molitor

• 01 46 51 09 54

• Open Mon–Sat L, Tue–Fri D, Sat D

• €€€€€