Paris, France is perhaps the most romantic city in the world. The City of Lights is known for it’s food, culture, fashion and architecture. Whether sitting outside a French Cafe or visiting one of the many exceptional museums, Paris never fails to deliver.

There are many iconic, famous things to see while discovering Paris. The Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe, Norte Dame, and the Louvre are just a few. If you prefer shopping the most famous commercial streets in the world is located in Paris. The Champs-Elysees is a little over a mile long and connects the Arc de Triomphe with the Place de la Concorde. With lots of high end stores and restaurants, you don’t want to miss strolling down this beautiful avenue.

I would be remiss if I did not recommend a trip out to the Palace of Versailles. Easily accessible by train, you can walk through the hollowed halls that were once home  to Louis XIV and Louis XVI. A succession of kings continued to embellish the palace until the French Revolution and Louis XVI was forced to leave the palace for Paris. In later years, it has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site for the last 30 years. The gardens are quite lovely and you can find a nice restaurant just off the grounds for a light lunch.

Paris of course is the beginning for many french river cruises. A 2-3 night pre-cruise stay is a must before cruising the french countryside. Cruises to Normandy, the Seine Valley, Burgundy, Bordeaux and even Paris round trip can take you through the wine country, the historic site of the WWII D-Day battle and onto storied Christmas Markets in November and December.