French capital is a pedestrian paradise
Our abode for the trip was the contemporary chic Crowne Plaza Paris Champs Elysées, a boutique hotel situated on the Avenue Marceau, just off from the famous Arc de Triomphe.
The design-led hotel, which has been open for less than a year, is in a traditional white Parisian building with tall, ornate windows.
It was easy to spot on the quiet road, with its flurry of flags and its signature gold Rolls-Royce, nonchalantly parked outside.
One would be forgiven for mistaking the reception area for a funky art gallery. The walls are emblazoned with Leonardo Da Vinci sketches, juxtaposed with shapely, textured furniture. The unusual sculptures on display were also for sale.
We were shown to our room by a friendly member of staff, who explained that the plasma TV screen also had access to the internet.
Once inside we were surprised to discover a homage to Michangelo's Sistine chapel paintings right on our very own ceiling. This certainly made for some dazzling gazing when we collapsed on the bed to rest our weary heels.
The room radiated calm, decorated predominantly in white with splashes of rich colour provided by the velvet curtains and pert cushions on the bed.
As a cosmetics junkie, I was particularly impressed by the Hermes toiletries which I discovered in the bathroom. I was less inspired, however, by the weighing scales.
The tranquility of the road outside made for a sound night's snooze. This was essential as I didn't want sleep deprivation to clip my culture vulture wings.
Breakfast was a lavish buffet. The banquet boasted cake stands daintily stacked with homemade pastries and rainbow-coloured macaroons (the current confectionery zeitgeist), loafs of brioche, a hot plate piled high with steaming eggs, bacon, sausages and mushrooms, and a healthy option of fresh fruit salad and yoghurt.
If your trip allows for a furtive flex, the hotel also offers a petite 24-hour gym and free use of its electronic bikes.
In exploring our surroundings we started at the parallel Champs Elysees. With its broad avenues and touristy fanfare, it managed not to be tacky, just exciting.
Paris is much smaller than London, which means you can easily walk everywhere. Alternatively, an all-day travel card can be purchased for under a tenner, allowing you to board buses, trams and the tube (metro).
Next stop was the very symbol of Paris, the Eiffel Tower, or "The Metal Asparagus", as some Parisians labelled it.
Rather than queue for a lift we decided to walk up the steps. This was great fun and cheap at four euros, but not to be recommended to anyone with vertigo.
The Louvre is a must, if only to catch a glimpse of the revered Mona Lisa. France's national museum is housed in the breathtaking Palace of Versailles and is free to European Union citizens aged 25 and under.
We couldn't hack the crowds for long so took a pleasant wander along the River Seine to Notre-Dame Cathedral. While we didn't spot a hunchback lurking in among its gothic spires, we spied some awesome, snarling gargoyles.
To recharge our batteries we dined in the cafes and bistros lining the bohemian streets of St Germain. This happening hub was my favourite area of Paris, filled with independent shops and pretty, understated buildings.
We even discovered some Banksy-esque artwork and a vintage jewellery shop run by a fortune-teller. Exactly where I couldn't say, you will just have to get lost in Paris yourself.
Details: 0800 82228222 or visit www.crowneplaza.co.uk.
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