Leisure

Dining

If money is no object, dress to impress and dine in the triangle d'or (the triangle formed by Avenue Montaigne, Avenue George V and Rue Francois 1er). World-renowned chef Alain Ducasse does his magic at Restaurant Plaza Athénée. Another of his ventures is the less pricey Spoon, Food and Wine.

Restaurants in the boho Saint-Germain des Prés area have an intimate feel. In the trendy Marais district, you'll find a melting pot of international cuisines. For fine French cuisine, make a reservation at the upscale L'Ambroisie, in a 17th-century building. Gérard Depardieu fans will enjoy his seafood restaurant, L'Ecaille de la Fontaine, where photos of the actor and gourmand adorn the walls.

Shopping

Paris and shopping go hand in hand. The world's fashion capital is home to designer flagship stores as well as dozens of markets and malls. Pick up a Dior dress on Avenue Montaigne or an Hermès scarf on rue du Faubourg St-Honoré. Hunt for cutting-edge trends in the medieval labyrinth of the Marais, or retreat to the stylish Galeries Lafayette and Printemps department stores on boulevard Haussmann.

Browse Saint-Ouen market for antiques, or pick up a bargain at the cheap and cheerful Puces de Vanves flea markets. For some French perfume, head to Parfums Caron or Catherine. More sensuous pleasure awaits at Christian Constant, Paris's finest chocolatier.

Things to do

Take the elevator up to enjoy sweeping views of the city from the Eiffel Tower. Other Parisian landmarks are Montmartre's white-domed Sacré-Coeur basilica, which is also a good spot for panoramic views, and the medieval Notre-Dame cathedral.

The controversial, colorful Centre Pompidou shows 20th- and 21st-century art. Traditionalists can opt for the Louvre, where Leonardo da Vinci's Mona Lisa flashes that elusive smile. The neoclassical Musée d'Orsay, a renovated train station, holds important works from 1848-1914, including Impressionist masterpieces by Monet and Renoir.