The area around the Bourse (Stock Exchange) is one of the nicest old parts of Paris, and it is also one of the most authentic parts of the city. The pedestrian Rue Montorgueil is a food-lovers delight, while shopping in one of the stunning historic galleries - like La Gallerie Vivienne - is always a rewarding experience. Entertainment is ensured by the Théâtre national de l'Opéra-Comique, and for culture buffs, la Bibliothèque Nationale de France is free to visit.

The Champs-Elysées is a paradox – traffic-laden and lined with cinemas and car showrooms it may be, yet the perspective between Place de la Concorde and the Arc de Triomphe is undeniably grandiose. Business and smart apartments mix with the luxury fashion and blockbuster art shows at the Grand Palais. The streets behind the Avenue line up Haussmanian buildings, while elsewhere in the area you find museums, clubs, restaurants and chic pubs. Don’t miss the elegant Église de la Madeleine.

Around Île de la Cité, the heart and origin of the city, the Center of Paris is one of the busiest tourist hubs after Champs-Élysées. This is the site of the iconic Louvre, where Mona Lisa is at home. The area around Louvre boasts other landmarks, such as Colonne Vendôme, Palais Royal, Saint-Eustache church, and the historic La Conciergerie where Marie Antoinette was imprisoned. Aside Louvre, the list of world-class museums here includes l'Orangerie, and Musée des Arts décoratifs.

Clustered on Paris’s tallest hill around the sugary white Sacré Coeur, Montmartre is famous for its cabarets (Moulin Rouge, Le Chat noir, Lapin Agile) and bistros, and its narrow streets and stairways. The neighborhood still has the charm of a provincial village, and unlike the more touristy spots in Paris, Montmartre is quiet, serene, with picturesque cottages, bohemian bars and quirky shops and galleries. Down the hill, Place Pigalle is a young trendy hangout.

The Opera district is a popular shopping destination, for both tourists and locals. You’ll find here the iconic Galeries Lafayette, as well as les Grands Boulevards full of flagship department stores. The magnificent setting for The Phantom of the Opera, Opéra Garnier and the Olympia Hall provide for quality entertainment. Other attractions in the area include Musée Grévin, ideal for children, and the shopping district of Pigalle.

One of the best known of the city’s central districts, Quartier Latin is the young heart of Paris, with many student hangouts around the Sorbonne university. Like anywhere else in Paris, you’ll find numerous historic landmarks. Here, the Panthéon steals the show, and if you want to slow down and enjoy nature’s wonders, visit the Paris Botanical Garden, and La Ménagerie. Quartier Latin couldn’t be complete without its museums, and if you are in the mood for a shopping spree, try rue Mouffetard.

From the finest restaurants in the world, to historic landmarks and striking views, the neighborhood surrounding the Saint-Germain church has got it all. The romantic Jardin du Luxembourg is a local favorite, for its beautiful landscape surrounding the imposing Palais du Luxembourg, which houses the French Senate. For a taste of the Parisien without the price tag, head over to rue Vavin. And don’t miss the Eglise Saint-Germain-des-Prés - the final resting place of Descartes.

The Marais area used to be marshland and was one of the last areas of central Paris to be built up, leaving it with a spectacularly preserved legacy of gorgeous 17th- and early 18th-century golden stone mansions, many of which can now be visited as museums or art galleries. Among the iconic landmarks here, Notre-Dame de Paris and Hôtel de Ville are the most popular. You’ll find a lively mix of unusual fashion shops, contemporary art galleries, gay bars and Jewish bakeries.

The Tour Eiffel is perhaps the most popular sight in Europe. The area around the Tower is touristy, crowded and expensive. There’s fine dining with a price tag; then luxury shopping at Le Bon Marché, the world’s first department store; but also culture and history at Musée d'Orsay, and art at Musée Rodin and Musée du quai Branly. Don’t forget your camera to take in the area’s other exciting landmarks, including Hôtel des Invalides. For a more interesting take, check out Les Egouts de Paris.

The lavish Tuileries Garden was once the royal garden of the Tuileries Palace. Today, it is mainly known as the gate to the Louvre, and it is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Paris. Despite popularity, the place still keeps its romantic flair, and evenings it’s an ideal landscape for a walk from the museum to the Champs-Elysées.