Summer in the City

Heading on a whirlwind trip to the city of love? Here are some of the best sights to see...

- ADRIANNE WEBSTER

72 HOURS IN PARIS

Oh, Paris. What can be said about the city of love that hasn't been said before? Poets have waxed lyrical about it. Its delicious food and drink, awe-inspiring architecture and world-leading arts and culture scene make it one of the most beloved cities on the planet. So much so that 33 million travellers took in its dazzling lights and gourmet dishes last year.

My husband and I make up two of those numbers this year, as we visited in late May for a three-day weekend.

Flying out on a less-than glorious Friday morning from Edinburgh airport, and with my weather app telling me Paris was a balmy 21 degrees, I was conjuring up images of quaint streetside wine bars, words that sound oh-so-elegant rolling off the tongue, and sipping a glass of Châteauneufdu-Pape (when in Paris, after all!) along the Seine.

Touching down at Charles De Gaulle airport after a seamless and speedy one-hour flight with easyJet, we hopped on the RER train, which only took around 25 minutes to get to central Gare du Nord.

Along the way, we were treated to traditional French accordion music by a busker who hopped on our carriage. As I looked out over sun-dappled streets whizzing by, I thought, "If I didn't already know I was in Paris, I definitely do now!"

We were staying in the La Defense area, primarily their business district, but residential in parts, and home to our aparthotel for the weekend, the trendy Staycity La Defense (staycity.com/paris/la-defense).

Around a 20-minute metro from central Paris, it's ideally located for a quieter change of pace from the city sights and offers a fully-fitted kitchenette complete with hob, dishwasher, fridge, utensils (yes, they do have a wine bottle opener!), glasses and dishes.