TripHip - Travel Tips and Advice for Traveling on a Budget

If you enjoyed the story of The Da Vinci Code, why not view Paris through the eyes of Robert Langdon?

There are many Da Vinci Code tours available, from guided tours to self-guided tours. Choose the one that best suits your style and pace.

Guided tours cost anywhere from 10 - 20 euros and typically last around 2 hours. You get the benefit of an experienced and knowledgeable guide who can show you around, allowing you to get lost in the story.

If you go on a self-guided tour, you can print out information and directions from the Internet, or buy a Da Vinci Code tour guide book. You get the luxury of going at your own pace and soaking in the scenery, but you will also have to navigate the city on your own.

If you've got a huge budget, you can splurge on a 5-night stay at Sir Leigh Teabing's Château Villette, for a mere $4500. That cost does include Da Vinci Code perks, like lunch at Hotel Ritz and a trip to the Louvre.

Whatever you choose, for fans of the book, taking a Da Vinci Code tour is a great way to see Paris through new eyes.

The most renowned museum in the world is located within the “city of lights.” Paris’ Louvre is a highly popular attraction. If one happens to be in the city, visiting the Louvre is almost a requirement. To see the most of it, and to enjoy it as well, simply follow the tips below.

If you are in France on a Wednesday or Friday, visit the museum after 6 p.m. The cost of entering the museum is reduced by €3, from €9 to €6. On Wednesday and Friday, the museum is open until 9:45 p.m., which gives you plenty of time to wander around. As part of Bastille Day celebration, admission to the museum is free. It is also free on the first Sunday of every month.

Buy your tickets in advance to avoid long waits in line. Another way to avoid a wait in line is to go during the off-season. If you visit France in the non-peak season, you will not only get shorter waits, you will also enjoy cheaper prices for lodging, attractions, and more.

The Louvre is massive. It could weeks to see everything they possess. In order to cut down the confusion, choose the pieces you wish to see and check in advance which galleries you will need to visit. Make a list of pieces and locations and you will save time and see what you want. Visiting the Louvre’s website is one way to do so.

Well, an 8 hour layover definitely gives you enough time to get out and see the city a bit. The amount of time that you actually have will depend on how long it takes you to disembark from the plane and get through passport control. You will also need to be keenly aware of what time you need to be back at the airport in order to allow enough time for check-in and security for your next flight. So, you’ll probably really only have about 3-4 hours max for checking out Paris.

Are you flying in to Charles de Gaulle? To get into Paris, you’ll have to either take the bus, taxi, or train. The train is probably your best bet. They run every 15 minutes and it takes 35 minutes to get to Paris. (So factor that in to how much time you have…) You’ll need some euros, so get those from an ATM. You can easily reach the Eiffel Tower or Notre Dame. You might also want to enjoy a French meal, since you’ll just be hopping back on a plane and be stuck with airplane food.

Above all, relax and enjoy your few hours in Paris. Don’t push yourself to see and do too much, and keep your eye on the clock!