TRAVEL

Two Hours In Paris

We may wish for the days of The Grand Tour - and to have the time and money to spend two weeks or two months exploring the world's great cities - but times have changed and so has travel.

If you only have two hours to escape the boring conference or on a layover, between meetings or before you have to be at the airport, rather than spending it walking in circles in some charmless part of town or sitting at the departure gate reading a cheap paperback, here are some suggestions to make a memorable time of a short time.

2 hrs in... is a series of travel articles and future book on hyper-travel tips.

This is a vastly superior alternative to the Metro - which is dirty, dangerous and depressing. Head straight to the Champs Elysees - turn right and continue along the famed roadway to the Arc de Triomphe. Do a full loop and head back down the Champs Elysee in the other direction (east) - turn right on Avenue Georges Cinq and tour around the area known as the "Golden Triangle". Many of Paris' top design shops - including Christian Dior, Chanel and Yves St. Laurent are to be found here.

Parking is hell in this part of Paris - but if you want to stop - get a cafe au lait at the Hotel Plaza Athenee on Avenue Montaigne - and they will park your car. For a quick dose of Parisienne glamour - have a glass of champagne in the lobby bar or, if weather permits, a chocolat chaud on the patio. Take a look around the nearby boutiques if you like - and then back to the car.

Take a short detour west along the Avenue du Pres. Wilson and stop in at the Palais de Tokyo contemporary art gallery. A great space with hit and miss exhibitions but excellent book and gift shops plus "Tokyo Eats" - one of Paris' best (and only) fusion restaurants.

Continue on toward the Trocodero and turn left to cross the Pont D'Iena directly in front of the Eiffel Tower. Once on the Left Bank turn left and head along the Quai D'Orsay toward St. Germain des Pres. Drive along the Boulevard Saint Germain and park for a walk or continue around the area by car. The main shopping streets are Rue St. Sulspice, Sevres and Rennes. The area is home to many of the best cafes and great for people watching.

Then carry on driving past the Jardin de Luxumbourg - and loop around through the Latin Quarter to the Arab Centre - designed by Jean Nouvel. At this point you've seen a lot and may need a breather from the pace of traffic and crowds - I suggest a short break at the nearby Grande Mosquee de Paris.

No longer the exclusively Gallic Paris of Amelie, the hammam and mosque are as much a part of Paris as the cafe and fashion boutique. Sooth your jangled nerves with a traditional massage and gommage (scrub) then a cup of mint tea and arab desserts. Hop back in the car and drive along the Seine - or stop and peruse at the many booksellers' stands.

Cross the Seine at Pont de la Concorde and turn right on Rue Rivoli - take in the expanse of the Louvre, without the crowds and endless walking (though admittedly without the art as well...).

Heading east you will drive through two of Paris' most historically significant neighbourhoods - Le Marais and Bastille. I suggest a drive around the winding, narrow streets of Marais, a stroll through Place Des Vosges and perhaps a quick sample in one of the many wine bars of the area. Most will offer a selection of fine pates, cheeses and breads. I recommend Ma Bourgogne on the north west corner of the Place Des Vosges. Once you've had a good look around these areas, head up toward Montmarte for a view of la toute Paris.

You're getting low on time, so best to head close to your car drop off point on the Rue du Faubourg St. Honore. Some of the best designer shops can be found on this hyper-fashionable stretch of road - from the Palais du Royale west to Le Bristol. If traffic is congested - as it often is - take this opportunity for a little voyeuristic people watching - you're in the best seat on the street.

The fashion here leans toward Burberry-boring but some of the most elegant Parisienne men and women can also be spotted. You will need to fill up the tank before dropping off - you can find an Esso directly across from the Helmut Lang boutique. As one might expect in the 1st arrondissement - L'Esso also sells an excellent bottle of Taittinger champagne for only 17 Euros.

Ooo-la-la! Paris in 2 hours - don't let anyone say it can't be done. You've covered more than 20 kms, experienced Parisienne traffic and driven around the famed Arch de Triomphe, seen many historic sites and several less "important" but no less interesting, experienced a traditional hammam, briefly shopped in some of the top areas of Paris, sampled great local food, cafes and wines.

Now settle back into the conference - or head to the airport or wherever is next. Just please don't say you didn't get a chance to see anything… Toujour Paris!