This is where the action is. Bars, restaurants, a new Opera, you'll have plenty to choose from...

After a nice evening of Mozart at the Bastille Opera House, walk down the rue de la Roquette and the rue de Lappe or towards Republique for a late-night bite. You just have to try and choose from the many restaurants and trendy bars.

The column in the middle of the square is a historical landmark celebrating the taking of the former Bastille jail at the onset of the French Revolution. Voltaire, Fouquet and Sade were imprisoned there before it was destroyed in 1789.

The Bastille Opera House was built in the mid-80's under the presidency of François Mitterrand to celebrate a popular Opera : it's proven a real success. The greatest performers come here to play the best pieces of the opera.

In the northern part of the area, la place de la Republique is the converging point of many avenues and influences.

From the Bastille square, you can follow Daumesnil Boulevard and have a look at the arcades which shelter Parisian craftsmen. These arches formerly were warehouses for wine: they have been transformed into one of the nicest places in Paris.

Above these arches you can stroll along the "coulee verte" (which means green flow). This pedestrian zone will guide you from Bastille square to the Bois de Vincennes. This large public park is highly prized by Sunday strollers, but also by joggers and horse riders.

To the east of Paris, you'll find one of the most impressive squares in Paris: Place de la Nation with its famous columns in the middle.

Leaving the Place de la République and heading north you'll arrive to 2 train stations, the Gare du Nord and the Gare de l'Est from where you can catch the train to London and to the north and the northeast of France and Europe.

To the southeast of Paris, you'll arrive at Bercy with its huge international sport center where many concerts are also held.

Besides, Gare de Lyon train station might be your departure point for the southeast of France, the French Alps and the French Riviera are at about four hours from Paris.