Inspiring Paris - Why writers, artists and performers flock to the city

Paris is a remarkable city for many reasons, not just for being the second largest in Europe. With its famous sights, iconic architecture and impeccable sense of culture, it's no surprise that Paris has and continues to inspire people from all walks of life - particularly artists, writers and performers looking for inspiration.



Paris is known as one of the world's hotbeds of culture, rivalling London and New York, and you'll never be stuck for cultural attractions when visiting the City of Lights. See the best of French and international art in the magnificent Louvre museum, home to more than 3,000 exhibits including the famous Mona Lisa and the work of artists who spent considerable time in the city - most notably Monet and Picasso.



You don't have to head indoors to see inspiring art in Paris though, with many of its essential sights being works of art themselves. The Eiffel Tower may be more highly regarded as an engineering triumph than a treat for the eyes, but heading up the steel structure can offer incredible views of the city - including other landmarks like the Arc de Triomphe. Built under orders from Napoleon in 1806, this building is a great photo opportunity and also significant for history lovers, as it features the names of all Napoleon's generals of the time.

Inspirational breaks in Paris don't have to be spent dashing around with a camera and battling through crowds, of course, and many of the best experiences you can have in the city are much more low-key. Whether you take a moonlit river cruise along the Seine, relax in the city's many parks or browse the unique cultural delights of the Champs Elysees, you can enjoy the capital at your leisure and on your own time schedule before heading back to Paris hotels.



If you're looking for lesser-known gems on your cultural break, carrying out research before you arrive could lead you to Paris' undiscovered artistic gems. If you're a book lover, you could find a staggering variety of rare books at Shakespeare and Company bookshop in the Latin Quarter, or track down famous writers themselves at Pere-Lachaise Cemetery. With such luminaries as Oscar Wilde, Jim Morrison and Frederic Chopin buried in close proximity, the cemetery is a great place to reflect on Paris' artistic legacy and the numerous people from all over the world that it continues to inspire.