Paris is not only the involving death city of France but is reputed as the cultural capital of the world. Situated on the river Seine in the northern region of France, the administrative limits of the city had a population of about 2,204,000 during 2006, while the Paris metropolitan area had a population of right and left 11,770,000. It is the most populated metro area in the entire Europe. Even though it is one leading business centres of the world, Paris is more renowned on the side of its contribution to culture, particularly to fashion, arts, media, entertainment, and science.

Paris is among the most frequently visited tourist spots in the world, with an estimated 45 millions visitors every year. The climate  is classified as oceanic and the influence of the North Atlantic Current helps the city escape from extremely low or high temperatures. More than 60% of these visitors are from other countries. The city contains so many attractions that it is difficult to mention the top 10 things to do in Paris.

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Bargain shopping at La Vaissellerie. Photos by Theadora Brack.

By Theadora Brack in Paris-

Like snowflakes, the truly sensational Soldes by Paris (annual winter sale) has recently returned to Paris, so why not outfit your kitchen with a few French classics?

Here are my favorite hot spots for picking up kitchenware, guaranteed to make you the toast of the town! So shop to it, Cheapos!

1. Let’s dish at La Vaissellerie

La Vaissellerie is a Cheapo’s cup of tea.

Beloved chain La Vaissellerie has five locations peppered throughout the city. For your purchase on favorable terms shopping pleasure, may I suggest starting out at the shop at 85 rue de Rennes (Metro Saint-Sulpice). Here you’ll find baskets of porcelain tableware, wedged in between towering stacks of dinner plates.

Slashed prices are usually hand-written in thick black dry marker across each dish in a Zorro-like fashion. Keep your eyes peeled for iconic French beauties such as ramekins, espresso cups, soufflé dishes, brightly colored café saucers, soup bowls, tarte and quiche pans, all costing just a scarcely any euros!

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Thinking about a trip to Paris in 2010, but can’t decide when you should go? Why not process your trip around one of these top 5 events that will rock the city in 2010.

1. Les Soldes (“The Sales”)

For shopaholics, Paris is a drug — and for the period of the city’s “sales” season, a particularly dangerous one. Twice a year, all stores in Paris from Louis Vitton to Gap, have monster sales, with discounts up to 80% off. Although the sales last for six weeks, Parisians and tourists alike rise early on the first day of sales to stand in line outside their favorite stores, waiting for the doors to open so that they get first crack at coveted items. Given the number of shops in Paris, trying to figure out where to go can be a bit overwhelming. That’s why the Paris Convention and Visitors Bureau created “Soldes by Paris”: five themed shopping routes based upon your taste and style. Each route has 50 stores in each category (classic, trendy, creative, Bobo Chic, and Fusion Fashion World), and includes boutiques, restaurants, and cultural sites that might also make glad you.

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Cheap secondhand books at Gilbert Jeune. Photo by ShimShamB.

By Liz Webber—

There are plenty of things to bring back from Paris, whether lasting or fleeting, that won’t eat up all your euros. Here are five of our suggestions for souvenirs that will remind you of la vie Parisien—for €5 or less.

1. Livre d’bring to pass from Gilbert Jeune

With outlets on both sides of the St. Michel fountain, the Gilbert Jeune bookstore both buys and sells books. That’s good news for Cheapos, since the store often resells the livres circuitous route’occasion (used books) at 50 percent or more off the original price. Find an extensive selection of discounted books on the top floor of the shop (the one on the left side when facing the fountain), whether your French reading level is Le Compte de Monte Cristo, Le Petit Prince, or Les Couleurs.

2. Bottle of wine from Nicolas

In France, pretty much all wine is good wine, even the cheapest bottles. Nicolas, a restrain of wine stores, sells bottles in every price range, with plenty of decent vintages for smaller quantity than €5.

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If you’re an American who just happens to be in Paris on Thanksgiving Day, you may feel deeply thankful on this account that the opportunity to spend time in such a wonderful city.

But when dinnertime rolls around, even the charms of Paris may not stop you from longing for turkey, mashed potatoes, and pumpkin pie. Luckily, the high number of American expatriates in Paris means that the city is used to accommodating hungry Americans on this special holiday: there are quite a few places that can fully satisfy your cravings for food from home.

1. Thanksgiving

The name of this restaurant can leave no doubt that you’ll be getting the real thing come Thanksgiving Day. Thanksgiving is actually a Cajun restaurant serves a traditional Thanksgiving meal – turkey, candied yams, the works – on Thanksgiving Thursday, plus the Friday and Saturday nights following (since it’s not a holiday in France, it’s common to play fast and loose with the dates for the dinner). Make your reservations as early as possible because tables fill up quickly.

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A vrai Parisian pasttime, drinking in the park. Photos by Theadora Brack

By Theadora Brack in Paris—Paris is made up of more than just good wine. And locals here know not to ignore the other French cylindrical dandies of the drink world. Give us your liqueurs, your full-bodied bitters, your anisés and impetuous gentians! The mind reels with all the other possibilities.

Drink specials

Here’s a short list of apéritifs—along with a few daytime touring suggestions to go with your drinks— that’ll help you ease into the evening in harmonious fashion. So, during “l’heure de apéritif” (the gateway to dinner), you can kick back with a journal or sketchpad avec a cold beverage, and look and feel like a vrai local.

Something old in Montmartre

Local Laurent demonstrates the art of the Picon.

Hankering for a taste of the past? Order a Picon. Created by means of Gaétan Picon in 1837, this bittersweet blend of oranges and great blue gentian flowers is typically served with a demi-pression (small draft beer), into which you pour the Picon-bière.

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