Paris

Erected by Napoleon as a tribute to his own glory, the Arc de Triomphe sits at the head of the Champs Elysées. Visitors enjoy panoramic views of Paris from the monument's rooftop. The Arc de Triomphe is where the Unknown Soldier was buried after World War I, and is the starting or ending point of most French parades.

Built in 1889 to celebrate the first centenary of the French Revolution, the Eiffel Tower is the true symbol of Paris. Views are breathtaking from any point on the tower. On the second floor, visitors may enjoy dining at the renowned Jules Verne restaurant.

According to mapmakers, all French roads start at Point Zero on the doorstep of Notre Dame Cathedral on Ile de la Cité. Erected in the 12th century, the cathedral has a flamboyant Gothic style, and now boasts a free organ concert every Sunday afternoon. Beyond Ile de la Cité stands the lovely Ile Saint Louis. The tiny island has a number of 16th- and 17th-century mansions, all listed in the National Inventory of Bâtiments de France.

Built for King François I, the Renaissance-style Château de Chantilly is the chic venue of the famous Prix de Diane horse race in June. On the way back, consider stopping in Senlis, a charming medieval town just 45 minutes from Paris.

Disneyland Paris is the first European amusement park to have visitors from every corner of the globe. The park includes Discoveryland, Fantasyland, Adventureland, Frontierland and Disney Village, an entertainment complex offering a variety of stores and restaurants.

The Château de Versailles was the home of the Royal French Court for three centuries. Plan a full day to visit the private apartments of the King and Queen, the Galerie des Glaces, the Opera, the Winter Garden, the Trianons and Marie Antoinette's famous Bergerie. The afternoon should be left open to enjoy the Domaine du Parc Royal de Versailles and the spectacular fountains. Open daily from May to October.

Sacré Coeur de Montmartre offers the most wonderful scenic view of the city skyline. Next to the dramatic white church is the Place du Tertre. This pedestrian square is home to hundreds of artists.

Fontainebleau was the summer residence of the French kings. It is where Napoleon spent his last night before starting his exile on the island of St Hélène. South of Fontainebleau is Barbizon, where Impressionist painters gathered in the mid-1800s.

One of Paris' oldest districts, the Left Bank, or the Latin Quarter, is also called the brain of the city: La Sorbonne University and many prestigious colleges are all located in this area. Other monuments include the Panthéon, the Roman Bath of Cluny and Lutetia's arena. Small book and souvenir stands line the area just above the banks of the Seine.

The Hotel is in the heart of the city's most upscale shopping district. You can indulge your couture cravings for everything from Louis Vuitton and Jean-Paul Gaultier to Givenchy, Chanel and Donna Karan.

The Golden Triangle is renowned for high-fashion boutiques: Jean-Paul Gauthier, Givenchy, Christian Dior, Emmanuel Ungaro, Chanel, Nina Ricci and more. Also not far from the Hotel are Paris' famous department stores: Galeries Lafayette, Le Printemps and Le Bon Marché, not to mention specialty stores Louis Vuitton, Hermès and Guerlain.

Trendy shops, cafés, night clubs and monuments abound at St. Germain-des-Prés, a former convent. Nearby is Reine Marie de Medici's Luxembourg Palace, now the seat of the French High Assembly, the Senate. The wonderful gardens are open to the public year round.

The Louvre, the world's largest museum, houses French, Italian, Spanish, Flemish and English artefacts from the Middle Ages through the 18th century. The Mona Lisa resides here as well as some of Vermeer's very rare paintings. A separate wing has fabulous antique collections from ancient Mediterranean civilizations. At night, the facade, courtyards and I. M. Pei's famous pyramid are all beautifully lit.

Housed in a restored 19th-century railway station, the Musée d'Orsay is dedicated to the 19th century. Wonderful Impressionist works are on display: Monet, Renoir, Caillebotte, Manet, Sisley, Gauguin and Degas.

The once-controversial Pompidou Centre has completed a major renovation. It is still one of the most advanced and unique museums in Europe, housing an extensive modern art collection as well as a large public library. Atop the building is the trendy Café Georges and a terrace commanding panoramic views of the city skyline.

The famous D-Day landing beaches are where many lost their lives in June 1944. Visiting these beaches and the military cemeteries nearby is a moving and memorable experience. The town of Caen has a wonderful memorial museum.

Mont Saint-Michel is the most photographed monument in the world. Set on an island, the 14th-century monastery is surrounded by half-timbered houses and a walled town with superb medieval ramparts.

The Champagne region is a delightful destination for a wine country discovery day. Start with a visit to the Cathedral of Reims, the place where most of the French kings were crowned. Continue with a visit to the vineyards and sample wonderful champagnes at some of the finest cellars in the region: Möet & Chandon, Mumm and Laurent Perrier.

Tours, Blois and the château country are some of France's most romantic and beautiful regions. Start in Tours to visit Amboise, Chenonceau, Chambord and finish in Blois. The architecture of the châteaux is superb.

Palais Omnisport de Paris Bercy has venues for a range of sports, from ice skating to basketball and indoor tennis to windsurfing. It's located 25 minutes from the Hotel by car or metro.

The Stade de France took 31 months to build: it was finished in January 1998 and inaugurated by the President Jacques Chirac. The largest stadium in France, it has 60,000 seats no further away than 60 metres (197 feet) from the border of the football field. The remaining seats are 85 metres (279 feet) from the field. With a surface area of 17 hectares (42 acres) and 35 metres (115 feet) high, the stadium is used for football matches, rugby, and other sporting events, as well as major musical concerts. Tickets can be bought either by contacting the stadium directly or by asking the Concierge at the Hotel, who will be delighted to make the arrangements. The easiest access to the stadium is by metro: from the Hotel there is one change and then the line runs direct. Trains leave every five minutes.

Parc des Princes is the home stadium of the famous French football team, Paris Saint-Germain. The stadium was designed in 1972 and is now undergoing equipment and fittings renovation. Parc des Princes can welcome 49,000 visitors. While it is smaller than Stade de France, it is used for the same types of events and is located on a direct metro line that is five minutes by foot from the Hotel.