Plan Your Meetings

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Paris: The capital of art and fashion

By Monica Compton, CMP

Want eco-friendly amenities?

The urban fabric of Paris is changing. Eco-neighborhoods are springing up all over the city and the covering over of some roadways is contributing to the creation of new parks. Paris has recently introduced dedicated bus lanes and is extending their tramway system to better facilitate mass transit commuting. The city successfully introduced self-service rental bicycles and a self-service electric car hire will soon be available. There also is a new river shuttle bus that links Paris to other towns along the Seine. Environmentally-friendly initiatives are being adopted by the hotel sector as well.  Ecological charters like “Green Key” and “Ecolabel” have been awarded to several Parisian hotels. For more information, contact the Paris Convention & Visitors Bureau.

Want luxury accommodations?

Paris modified their hotel classifications to include a new five-star category and luxury foreign hotel groups like Shangri-la and Mandarin Oriental have decided to open properties in the capital. The city includes upscale hotels like Hotel Particulier Montmartre, where every suite is uniquely outfitted with different artwork. Guests can create a diary of their stay by recording a message in their suite for the next guest to hear and leave a personal memento of their trip in one of the common spaces. While this luxury hotel is over $500 per night, there are cost-effective options that are equally as innovative. The avant-garde Mama Shelter features 172 rooms in an eclectic atmosphere and with pre-payment, rates can be just over $200 per night. Voted one of the 50 most stylish business hotels in the world by Fortune Magazine and Best Large Hotel by Travel & Leisure, Mama Shelter opens its rooftop on sunny summer days and hosts a barbecue for its guests.

Want a room with a view?

At more than 656 feet high, Espace 56 is the highest panoramic function room in Paris. Located on the 56th floor of the Tour Montparnasse building, a Parisian landmark with 360 degree-views of the capital, Espace 56 provides a spectacular setting for a seated dinner of 170 people or a cocktail reception for 300. With no cut-off time for music, guests can enjoy breathtaking views of the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre and the Pantheon on the Tour Montparnasse’s outdoor observation deck, and return to Espace 56 for a night of dancing.

Want to shake up a meal function?

Take your group on a tour of the river Seine and moor the boat across from the Eiffel Tower. Paris dinner cruises can accommodate everything from a boutique group of 20 to a party of 230 (and holding your meeting onboard is possible too). Or dine inside this famous landmark at 58 Tour Eiffel. Guests can experience a “picnic in the sky” by day and a chic dinner by night. Known for its gastronomical delights, Paris equally perfects upscale and casual dining. For a fine-dining experience, book a private room for up to 54 people at Lasserre Restaurant. A five-minute ride from the Louvre, this classic Parisian establishment was frequented by artist Salvador Dali and actress Audrey Hepburn. For casual dining after an evening at the theater, Paris’ brasseries offer inexpensive delights.

Want first-class convention space?

Located within the city walls a short distance from Orly Airport is Paris Porte de Versailles, the top-ranked exhibition centre in France and No. 7 in all of Europe. With over 2 million square feet of exhibition space, the venue attracts over 200 exhibitions, conventions and business events each year. Conferences will enjoy a special cultural and historical setting at the Carrousel du Louvre. With over 76,000 square feet of meeting space, the venue is surrounded by the Louvre museum, the Tuileries Gardens, famous hotels and big-name luxury boutiques. A short distance from Charles de Gaulle Airport, Paris Nord Villepinte hosts numerous international events in its eight adjustable halls, ranging from 76,000 to 516,000 square feet in size. The venue also features nearly 1 million square feet of outdoor space. For mid-sized exhibitions, Espace Grande Arche has over 100,000 square feet of space, of which more than 47,000 square feet is dedicated to exhibitions. The venue is located at the foot of La Grande Arche, a national monument to humanity.

Want unique activities?

For the adventurous, discover the Chevreuse Valley in the southwest of Paris by hot-air balloon. At dawn or before sunset, fly over forests, castles and French villages. For those preferring to stay a bit more grounded, take a tour of famed French wine cellars. Taste wines from De Vinis Illustribus, with vintages dating back to 1811, or sample your favorite French varieties at O Chateau, a 17th century cellar located near the Louvre. Of course, a tour of any of Paris’ 173 museums is an educational and artistic enlightenment. The 14 municipal museums are free all year long and include the Musee d’Art Moderne, the Petit Palais and the Maison de Victor Hugo. For a complete listing, click here.

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What you should know

As a benchmark for global fashion and a trendsetter for art and fine cuisine, Paris is the cultural epicenter of Europe. With almost 30 million visitors a year, the capital of France is an innovative destination that maintains its historical significance, while changing to lead contemporary trends. Some 300 events take place in Paris every day, concepts invented by the city and borrowed by other international destinations. In October, Nuit Blanche or “Sleepless Night” bathes the city in artistic light, a celebration that has been adopted from Rome to Miami. While Paris-Plages, a summer event which transforms parts of the city into a seaside resort, has been taken up by Milan and Brussels.

What will surprise you

Paris is affordable. The city has developed low-budget options for just about every activity and service. From culture and fashion to accommodations and leisure activities, Paris can be a cost-effective option for discerning groups on a budget. Admission to Paris’ 14 national museums, including the Louvre, is free to the public the first Sunday of every month. From April through October, Parisian parks and gardens house the sounds of free concerts. A walk through the city, exploring the art in public outdoor spaces, provides a complimentary tasting of Paris culture. And if you thought Paris was too high-fashion for your budget, visit the city’s consignment and clearance shops which feature designer labels at lower costs. From Friday through Sunday, Parisian second-hand markets display popular and specialized treasures, from designer furniture to one-of-a-kind antiques.

The 411
  • 2 million+ square feet of exhibition space in the Paris Expo Porte de Versailles and Palais des Sports
  • 76,179 guest rooms in 1,466 hotels
  • 19,907 rooms in four- and five-star hotels
  • 15 congress and exhibition centers
  • 297 metro stations (13 minutes to travel across Paris)
Cultural notes
  • Official language: French
    Currency: Euro. Average rate of exchange is 0.7164 EUR per $1 U.S. (June 2009)
    Climate: Average temperature is 50 degrees. Average rainfall is 23.8 inches per year. July is the warmest month and February is the coolest and driest month.
  • Gratuities: All prices include tax and service charges (around 15 percent of the total price). If the service is particularly good, you may wish to leave an additional tip of 5 percent to 10 percent of the total bill.
  • International Dialing Code: 33 followed by 1 (Paris’ city code). When calling from Paris to another city in France, add a 0 before the city code. When calling from Paris to the United States add 00 before the country code.
  • Time: Greenwich Mean Time + 1, which is five hours ahead of Eastern Standard Time.
    Attire: Paris is a dressy city, especially in the evening and when dining at upscale restaurants, which often require a jacket and tie for men. Bring comfortable walking shoes and an umbrella if visiting from September through May.
    Entry Requirements: U.S. passport. No visa required.
    Getting There: Paris has two international airports – Orly and Charles de Gaulle.  Both are about the same distance from the city’s center, although taxi rides from Orly may take less time. There are daily, non-stop flights to Paris from New York, Boston, Chicago, Philadelphia, Miami, Atlanta, Houston and Dallas. Paris can be reached in less than three hours from most major European cities.