Recently in France Category

It's hard to believe, but the term "Gothic" was initially meant as an insult. Certain influential Renaissance architects looked back on the castles, cathedrals, and university buildings of the 12th to 16th centuries and used the term to imply that they were crude, ugly, and unrefined. Fortunately, opinions have shifted to the positive since then, and today Gothic structures are some of the most admired in the world. Visitors to Paris can experience several great examples of Gothic architecture, including one gem located just a short train ride away from the city center. The Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Chartres is one of the finest examples of Gothic architecture in the world, and a visit to this Medieval masterpiece is like a trip back in time. That's because the cathedral, which was built from 1195 to 1260, remains almost entirely in its original state, having been lovingly protected and maintained over the centuries. It strikes an imposing figure, with two contrasting spires slicing more than 300 feet into the air, a 91-foot nave with rib-vaulted ceiling, and numerous flying buttresses all along the exterior, a hallmark of the era. Its stained glass windows are particularly enchanting, capturing the sunlight and creating brilliantly illuminated mosaics of blue, red and gold, while the labyrinth embedded in its floor has visitors tracing the journey from beginning to end in soft, deliberate steps. My favorite feature? It's designed to look, from a distance, like it's hovering in mid-air. A hovering cathedral? Now that's worth seeing. Starwood has hotels throughout Paris, including Le Méridien Montparnasse, in the heart of the Left Bank.

If you're looking for a unique perspective of Paris - and you don't suffer from acrophobia (fear of heights) - make your way to Parc André-Citroën. There, Ballon Air de Paris (the Paris Balloon) offers sightseeing rides in a 104-foot-tall helium-filled balloon that floats gracefully over the City of Lights. The views of the Eiffel Tower, historic buildings, and the many bridges over the Seine from nearly 500 feet above the Left Bank are nothing short of breathtaking, especially at night. Interestingly, this balloon also serves double-duty as an air quality monitor, glowing green when the air is cleaner and red when particulate levels are elevated. And if you're worried about the balloon getting carried far away by an errant gust of wind, don't be, because it's attached to the ground by a sturdy cable, rising and falling with the help of an electric winch. All you need to do is enjoy the views, snap some photos, and marvel at the enveloping silence of this unique method of transport. Starwood has hotels throughout Paris, including the nearby Le Méridien Montparnasse.

The word "Oberkampf" might conjure images of schnitzel and dirndls, but in fact, Oberkampf is a neighborhood in Paris that's as French as they come. Named after a German-born industrialist, the neighborhood borders the Bastille district in the 11th arrondissement, and is one of the city's best regions for antique shopping, cafe drinking, and even dancing.

The best days to visit are Tuesdays and Fridays, when the Popincourt Market sets up on Boulevard Richard-Lenoir. Pick up a baguette and a few types of cheeses (for later), then stroll down Rue Ternaux, looping off down Rue de Marche Popincourt where you can browse the troves of Paris treasures in the wonderful assortment of antique shops, otherwise known as brocantes, like Alasinglinglin, La Chose, and Belle Lurette. Heading up to Rue Oberkampft, the neighborhood's main drag, you'll find Temoa, a colorful boutique that smells like tea leaves and carries everything from hand-stitched teddy bears to felt necklaces. Continue on across Avenue de la Republique to discover the vast collection of art, music, photography, and design books at L'imagrigraphe. Housed in a former industrial studio/garage, the bookstore hosts regular art exhibitions.

Ready for some sweets after that little snack of bread and cheese? La Bague de Kenza, around the corner at 106 Rue Saint-Maur, offers the most exquisite Algerian pastries. Get a box full, because you never know when you'll get a craving for a honey and almond delight. If you're sticking around for dinner, drinks, or even dancing, Rue Oberkampf is lined with dozens of excellent restaurants and cafes. Madame Sans Gene features a delightful tapas menu and a prix fix menu that includes all the wine you can drink. Feast on Algerian pastries in the ten-minute taxi ride back to The Westin Paris.

You may have taken the tour of King Louis XIV's Château de Versailles, but have you heard the water music? Through early fall, visitors are treated to an inspiring display of sights and sounds as the elaborate fountains in the Versailles gardens dance to classical and baroque music. The Grandes Eaux Musicales (Fountains Play to Music) shows involve more than 50 fountains scattered among the gardens, many of which date back to the 17th century, when garden designer André Le Nôtre created a watery sanctuary "as from the king's thoughts." The performances, which run on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays through October 25, feature music by period composers such as Marc-Antoine Charpentier, Marin Marais, and Michel Richard Delalande. Water jets rise and fall to the music, creating a surreal atmosphere in which you can you can wander the many winding garden paths, discovering a new fountain or work of art at every turn. This season, there's a temporary display of fountains by the artist Bertrand Lavier, whose whimsical creations resemble bundles of colored wires. As modern as they are, they don't seem out of place. Starwood has six Paris hotels, including the Westin Paris.

[image via Chateau de Versailles]