BY AMANDA BLOYE, FW Writer

Throughout the streets of Paris the chill of springtime winds and rain keep the city’s sense of “joie de vivre” at bay. Hidden are the sidewalk cafes, cascading gardens and the swells of tourists that give the city life. That is, until the intoxicating scents and heat of summer roll over the city, giving way to the sights, sounds, and life within the city of love.
Paris, a city more than 2000 years old, is more than its fashion capital fame. It is the Arc du Triomphe in the middle of the Avenue des Champs-Élysées. It is the eyes of the Mona Lisa following you around her chamber in the Louvre Museum. It is the beauty of the city’s skyline once night has fallen.
Whether you are going to Paris for one week or one day there are certain attractions that cannot be missed. The Louvre and Musée d’Orsay are a must see for individuals interested in art and artifacts in proportions that boggle the mind. For those interested in the city’s history, the Arc du Triomphe de l’Etoile, the Arch of Triumph, should not be missed. After surviving both world wars, the arc is a symbol of France’s success and strength as a nation.
One attraction that sets itself above all others is the Eiffel Tower. Once the world’s tallest structure, it is now a symbol recognizable across the globe. During the day the 300 metre, 7000 ton structure provides breathtaking views of all
of Paris, from the distant view of Notre Dame Cathedral to the Trocadéro fountains that lie across the street from the tower. Trips up and down the tower’s three levels are available from 9 a.m. until midnight during the summer months.

Perhaps more popular than Paris’ attractions is the strip known as the Avenue des ChampsÉlysées. The avenue is packed full of couture and is equivalent in status to Toronto’s Yorkville or New York’s Fifth Avenue. It is on this strip that Paris’ four-storey high Louis Vuitton haven is neighboured by the largest GAP store in continental Europe.
Perhaps more intriguing than the shopping and the well-known landmarks are the city’s hidden gems. Lost beneath the grandeur of the Eiffel Tower and Notre Dame are the parks, there is an inner beauty of a city devoted to life and love.
One way to view these hidden gems is to take a walking tour of the city. Each tour is tailored to a tour group’s interests. The website paris-walking-tours.com offers friendly, in-depth excursions that provide tourists with “glimpses of everyday Parisian life that define the spirit of the city.” Each tour lasts approximately three hours and costs about 85€, or $132 CAD for a group of up to four individuals.
For those who wish to see the luxuries of the past, the ultimate hidden gem excursion takes tourists into Parisian paradise of castles and gardens. Paris-trip.com offers individuals a chauffeured trip of the Loire Valley. The tour costs 177€, or $275 CAD and includes all admissions as well as lunch with wine. Individuals are picked up and dropped off at their accommodations for the tour, which lasts approximately 12 hours.
Another hidden must-see of Paris is not for the faint at heart. It is for the individual who wishes to appreciate individuals even in their death. The Père Lachaise cemetery is one of the most visited and famous cemeteries in the
world. Established over 200 years ago, the cemetery is the final resting place for individuals such as composer Frederic Chopin, writer and playwright Oscar Wilde, French singer Edith Piaf and rock legend Jim Morrison. Guided tours can be arranged through advanced telephone reservations. For more information visit http://goparis.about.com/od/sightsattractions/p/Pere_Lachaise.htm.

Paris’ extravagant nightlife provides Torontonians with a final reason to make the nine-hour trek overseas. From sunset to sunrise the city becomes a wonderland for those seeking the stimulation of the many clubs, bars, theatre
productions, and all-night cafés Paris has to offer. The clubs VIP Room and Le Lounge Bar du Zebra Square are a haven for the young and the young at heart. The only downside to these trendy locales is the fact that you are at the mercy
of the men who run the door. At the VIP Room the bouncers are so particular that part of the thrill of the night is wondering whether or not you’ll get in.
Whatever your plans for while you’re in Paris, a summer trip to the city of love and “joie de vivre” is a must. The experience of losing yourself in the city’s culture, glamour and atmosphere is sure to leave you breathless.