I am ashamed to admit it, but I have never been to Paris even though it is so close and easy to get to. Can you tell me the best places to see I am visiting for four days in July.

Asks JacksonC

A. You will be really spoilt for choice when it comes to sightseeing in Paris, we have outlined some of the main tourist attractions below - but dont let the volume overwhelm you, if you don't have time to do it all you can always visit again.

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Eiffel Tower - probably one of the most famous tourist attractions in the world, the Eiffel Tower is very impressive. It can be found on the Champ de Mars, but you won't have any trouble locating it, as you'll probably be able to see it from every turn. The top floor provides a great panoramic view of the city and a great photo opportunity. All three floors can be reached by lift, or you can climb the first two storeys if you're feeling athletic. The Eiffel Tower was finished for the World Fair in 1889, which was held to commemorate the centenary of the French Revolution. It stands 320m (1050ft) high and held the record as the world's tallest structure until 1930.

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Sacr�-Coeur: The catholic church of the Sacred Heart dominates Montmartre and was completed in 1919. Visit the towers if you can as they offer great views over Paris. The interior is made up of fabulous neo-Byzantine mosaics.

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Cath�drale de Notre-Dame: Notre Dame is a Gothic masterpiece and its three rose windows will probably be familiar to you as they are often featured on postcards from the city. Construction on the cathedral began in 1163 and was completed in 1345. It can accommodate over 6,000 worshippers. Admission is free.

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Sainte Chapelle: This church was consecrated in 1248 and was allegedly built to house Jesus' crown of thorns and other religious relics purchased by Louis IX during the 13th Century. The church can be found inside the law courts (Palais de Justice) and has an absolutely amazing stained glass window that is best viewed from the gates of the law courts.

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La Mosqu�e de Paris: is a Hispano-Moorish mosque built between 1922-26. The mosque is open for guided tours of its patio and gardens. The prayer room is closed to non-Muslims. It has good Turkish baths and a very popular restaurant adjoining the main building.

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Mus�e National du Louvre: No visit to Paris is complete without a visit to The Louvre even though the size of its collection can be overwhelming. It is best to visit a few times if time permits, as this allows you to really have a good look at the art. The museum is split up into three wings (Denon, Richelieu and Sully), over four floors. Even though it houses great European sculpture, object d'Art and antiquities the Louvre is most famous for its paintings - the most famous being The Mona Lisa. It is now encased in a bulletproof shield and will have its own room by the end of 2001. The Venus de Milo and Winged Victory are also on display here. The Louvre is open daily from 9am-6pm* (closed on Tuesdays). * Closes at 9.30pm on Mondays.

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Mus�e Rodin: Often missed off some tourist itinerary's this museum is well worth a visit. The sculptor, Auguste Rodin (1840-1917) actually lived and worked on site. The gardens are home to some of his best work. This collection also includes works by Monet, Renoir, Van Gogh, and Camille Claudel (who was also Rodin's mistress and pupil).

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Centre Georges Pompidou: Completed in 1977 the Pompidou Centre was designed by Piano and Rogers and forms a famous part of the Paris landscape as its modern fa�ade is so different from surrounding architecture. The centre displays and promotes modern art and is the most visited sight in Paris. Website: http://www.centrepompidou.fr

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Cimeti�re du P�re Lachaise: Buried within this enclosure are the remains of Chopin, Oscar Wilde, Honor de Balzac, Gertrude Stein, Marcel Proust, Edith Piaf, Isadora Duncan and Jim Morrison - and hence it is one of the most famous graveyards in the world.

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Avenue des Champs-�lys�es: is probably one of the most famous streets in the world and has long been synonymous with French style. Today, however, it is more over-run with fast food outlets, buskers and cinemas, but is still worth a visit.

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Jardins de Luxembourg: These gardens were created for Marie de M�dicis, Henry IV's widow, along with the Palais de Luxembourg. They are a great place to visit for a picnic, game of boules or simply for a walk in the park.

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Bois de Vincennes: is the largest park in Paris and great for walking, cycling and boating. It is situated next to the impressive Ch�teau de Vincennes, where Henry V died in 1422.

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Ch�teau de Versailles: is one of the most visited attractions in France and is easily accessible via the RER railway line C5 to Versailles-Rive Gauche from Paris. It is home to the famous Hall of Mirrors where the Treaty of Versailles was signed at the end of World War I. It is worth having a guided tour of the palace as you miss too much of its history if you go round on your own. If you have time, also visit the landscaped park that houses the chateau it is great to walk around or to take the train that take you to the Grand and Petit Trainons (formerly royal love nests).

Website: www.chateauversailles.fr

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Q. What is the best way to reach Paris from the UK

A. It is easy to fly into Paris from the UK, with flights taking just over an hour to Aeroport Charles de Gaulle in the north of the city. Alternatively, you can take the train; Eurostar departs from London Waterloo and arrives in Paris just three hours later via Calais.

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Q. Is it easy to walk around Paris

A. It is easy to walk to most destinations in central Paris (Intra Muros) but if your destination is a bit further out, take the Metro, it is a massive network of underground trains that is easy and cheap to use.

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The central Intra Muros area of Paris is split in half by the River Seine. The Arc de Triomphe and Avenue des Champs-�lys�es, Mus�e du Louvre, the Centre Georges Pompidou and Notre Dame are all found on the Right Bank. The Left Bank (Rive Gauche) south of the river is tradionally home to French decadence, caf� style and panache ' and the Eiffel Tower.

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Q. Is July a good time to visit

A. July is a very busy time and also very hot and humid, but if you do go in July try to visit around 14th so that you can enjoy the spectacle of Bastille Day. This is France's national day and it commemorates the 1789 storming of the Bastille prison, which started the French Revolution. It is celebrated throughout the country.

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Q. Can you recommend a good hotel

A. The hippest hotel in town is Hotel Costes and is the place to be seen in Paris. It is a bit pricey though with an average room costing around �250 per night.

H�tel Costes, 239 rue St-Honor�, 75001 Paris

Tel: (33 1) 42 44 50 00. Fax: (33 1) 42 44 50 01.

Website: www.hotelcostes.com

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Alternatively, check out H�tel Esmeralda it has fantastic views of the River Seine and Notre Dame and lists Serge Gainsbourg amongst its most famous guests. Rooms start from around �50 per night.

H�tel Esmeralda, 4 rue St-Julien Le Pauvre, 75005 Paris, Tel: (33 1) 43 54 19 20. Fax: (33 1) 40 51 00 68.

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By Karen Anderson