The Sentinel published Travel feature: Make a date in the capital of romance

Comments(0)

ITS no good, the thigh burns set in and I need to take a break. Were half way between the first and second floor of the Eiffel Tower, so I can at least pretend to be taking in the Paris skyline as I catch my breath and wait for what feels like an imminent blackout to subside.

Its our own fault. My boyfriend and I could have taken the lift, but we decided to use the steps the thriftiest option, at five euros.

Paris might be a must-see, but the city of love doesnt come cheap.

That doesnt mean the French capital is out of bounds as a weekend destination, you just have to be savvy if you dont want to be left sobbing into your baguette. Its why we booked our accommodation through Airbnb. Not only is it a cheaper option than a hotel, but taking over someones home for a few nights (while theyre elsewhere) gives you the insiders view to a city.

Our cosy little apartment is on the fourth floor of a beautiful building in the artistic area of Montmartre. Once home to the likes of Renoir, the area has retained its bohemian feel, with quaint cafes and cobbled streets so narrow you can almost shake hands with the family living opposite.

Its also just a two-minute walk from white-domed Sacre-Coeur, the monumental church at the summit of Montmartre.

Climb the steps or take the funicular railway. Either way, the views are incredible. The Parisians might have a reputation for being austere, but even if youre a first-time visitor, theres something comforting about the citys landscape. Perhaps its because the iconic structures seem so familiar.

Take the Arc de Triomphe, the 19th century monument Napoleon commissioned to celebrate his own victory standing proud at the end of the vast Champs Elysees, and the Eiffel Tower, left, of course a symbol of the city.

And you dont need to splash out to visit the famous landmarks. On the advice of some locals, we buy a book of ten Metro tickets for just a few euros. We also walk a lot.

Follow this link:
The Sentinel published Travel feature: Make a date in the capital of romance