Explore and enjoy the many things Paris has to offer, it will change your way of life and you will make lasting new international friends!

Welcome to Paris, known as the "city of lights" and is truly one of the world's most beautiful cities. From The Louvre's unforgettable painting of the Mona Lisa to Notre-Dame's glowering gargoyles to the glamorous can-can dancers at Moulin Rouge, Paris offers the experiences of a lifetime!

The city's Left Bank is considered to be its intellectual heart, and includes the famed Sorbonne University, chic neighborhoods, and the renowned Latin Quarter. The Right Bank is home to The Louvre and more.

During the reign of Napoleon III, Baron Haussmann constructed many of the city's present wide avenues, providing great vistas that showcase the cities many attractions, such as the Arc de Triomphe and the Eiffel Tower. As you explore Paris, you'll see that most of these avenues-such as the famed Champs-Élysées-are lined with trees, fountains, and gardens to enjoy.

Paris offers innumerable restaurants, from superlative three-star eateries, to very Parisian-style brasseries, to friendly family places off the beaten path. You can also enjoy simple, flavorful fare in any café around town. Wake up with a cup of robust coffee and a breakfast croissant. At lunchtime, pick up some pâté and a French baguette, and have an impromptu picnic on a nearby park bench. Share some crumbs with the pigeons, and celebrate (as Hemingway did) the "moveable feast" that is Paris.

Paris once defined the word "nightclub" with Le Moulin Rouge, the Folies-Bergère, and the Crazy Horse Saloon. Many of these clubs are still in business and their Las Vegas-style shows still attract crowds. Paris's other historic nightlife specialty is the jazz club. In the first decades of this century, African American musicians found Paris a more hospitable place to perform than the U.S., and there's a tradition of excellent jazz in the city. The young and trendy are more likely to frequent trendy dance clubs and discos.

This "city of lights" is filled with opportunities and to visit scores of famous monuments and landmarks, splendid royal palaces, the lavish parks the endless wide avenues and ancient fortresses. There is so much to see and do in the French capital.

Paris is an enchanting city to be in... regardless of the time of year.

Cultural life in Paris: the Musée du Louvre and the Musée d'Orsay are some of the city's most famous museums. Others include the Musée des Antiquites St Germain-en-Laye, the Musée de la Poupée, the Centre National d'Art et de Culture Georges Pompidou, the Cité des Sciences et de l'industrie. There is also a great selection of theatre, ballet and concerts.

Fashion:
The City of Lights is undoubtedly hailed by all as one of the major fashion capitals of the world. In fact one could say that Paris is the mecca of fashion, and rightly so, as many leading designers of not only clothes, but also perfumes and accessories, began right here.

Paris is the hometown of French “grand couturiers” of the likes of Cardin, Dior, Chanel, Yves Saint Laurent, Christian Lacroix and as a focal point in the world of fashion, it has also drawn other top international designers to set up shop there, such as Japanese Kenzo, Italian Armani and Versace.

Even so, to dress oneself completely in these labels, a very deep wallet is required. Although the French pay attention in general to what they are wearing you won’t find them all strutting around in designer fashion labels.

There are no strict dress codes in this city and just like anywhere else in the world, in Paris the appropriate way of dressing usually depends on one's job and the weather. That is why it may be a good idea to take some light and mid-season clothes for the summer and warm clothes for winter. Taking along a raincoat is also recommended, regardless of the time of year.

Food:
Food is very important, not only to the people of Paris, but to the French as a whole. However, you will find that the cooking style in France has changed quite a bit... Traditional French cuisine with rich creamy sauces is not the only thing you'll come across anymore. Rather, modern French cuisine has become much lighter and healthier.

All the immigration, specifically from the Middle-east, Indochina, the Caribbean and the South Pacific have introduced pronounced ethnic flavours to French cuisine and are a great option for mealtimes.

Here are some recommended Paris districts to visit when going out to eat:

• Montparnasee – surrounded by lovely old buildings that have been recently restored, this is a great place to find a quaint café and enjoy some coffee with croissants.

• Montmartre – tourist restaurants are most common here, but if you look a little harder you will come across some top restaurants and typical, charming bistros.

• Belleview – for the distinct ethnic flavour of North Africa, try this area. The food is inexpensive, spicy and very tasty.

• Latin Quarter – for more ethnic fares, try the Latin Quarter featuring both Chinese and Vietnamese, as well as bistros serving up more traditional menus.

Shopping:
Besides art, culture and museums, shopping is another term that springs to mind when mentioning Paris. The City of Lights is famous the world over for its never ending shopping possibilities. Some of the city’s specialties include wines, cheeses, haute couture fashion, perfumes, fashion accessories and jewellery and exquisite antiques.

In Paris there is variety: from the most glitzy and luxurious boutiques to large department stores, flea markets and second-hand stores, everyone is sure to find something to their taste here.

High Fashion and Haute Couture
Those focusing on haute couture will have to go to Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honré and Avenue Montaigne in the 8th arrondissement, where top emporiums and boutiques are found, including Cartier, Celine, Chanel, Christian Dior, Van Cleef & Arpels and Christian Lacroix, among others. Yves Saint Laurent is located in the 16th arrondissement while other parts of town also carry the latest fashion and top quality leather goods, perfumes, jewellery and other top label accessories.

French Department Stores: For those who enjoy shopping in department stores, you will not be disappointed in Paris. Two of the larges (and most famous rivals) are Au Printemps and Galeries Lafayette, which are located side-by-side on Boulevard Haussmann in the 9th arrondissement. Other department stores in the city include La Samaritaine, Bazar de l'Hôtel de Ville - BHV, Le Bon Marché.

A more budget-oriented choice would be shopping at Paris’ renowned flea markets. As some of the most famous open-air markets in Paris, these gatherings draw hundreds of people a day. There are three main flea markets operating in Paris, generally set up at the ancient city gates (porte de Vanves or Saint-Ouen).

Flea Markets of Paris
Flea markets are actually called that because of how they originated. Centuries ago, it was common for royalty to do away with the clothes they no longer wanted, and these were usually full of tiny insects, namely fleas. Nowadays, flea markets offer a lot more than flea-ridden garments. There are all sorts of articles and items to sort through and very likely to hit upon some sort of treasure. Just keep an eye our for pickpockets!

Les Bouquinistes
For those who are bookworms at heart, take a stroll along the River Siene where you will come across the typical bookstalls containing second-hand volumes, as can be seen in the photo above. These bouquinistes, as they are referred to in French, add a charming feature to the Paris landscape and are apt to have just that title you were longing to find…

Climate
Paris is a city in which the four seasons are quite clearly defined. When traveling to Paris during the summer, you will generally encounter a warm and dry climate with maximum temperatures averaging 24ºC. Light clothes will do fine here but remember to pack some warmer clothing for evenings.

Things start cooling down in autumn and the winter months are downright cold and chilly with temperatures coming down to around 2ºC. Warm clothes are a must-have! Springtime is a nice time during which to visit Paris although it does tend to rain a fair bit, so if you're travelling in the spring months be sure to pack a raincoat!

Nightlife
The City of Light’s nightlife is sure to have something for everyone: discos, nightclubs and bars of all kinds and in all districts of the city strive to attract people looking to have a good time and hoping to enjoy the night.

Techno, house, garage and latino are the popular sounds at discos and clubs at the moment. Admission prices (usually about the Euros 15) often include one free drink. Clubs open at about 2300 and tend not to close until dawn; it is coolest to arrive around 0300, or at least after midnight.

Popular areas include Montmartre (especially in summer), Sacre-Coeur and Bastille, which is full of clubs and bars. The younger crowd tend to head for Oberkampf, which is becoming increasingly fashionable.

The opera, the theatre or cafes where live music is being played are just some of the quieter night outing options. Good music venues are found in the Pigalle area, which happens to be Paris’s seedy sex center. Another great place for cafés in the evenings is the Marais district.

Come explore Paris this summer, make friends & learn French!

TEENAGER SUMMER PROGRAM IN PARIS:

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