Ah, beautiful Paris. For centuries this city has attracted the admiration2 of the world. The allure3 and charm of Paris captivate4 all who visit there.
Where can you discover the charm of Paris for yourself? Is it in the legacy5 of all the French rulers who worked to beautify their beloved city? Is it in the famous castles, palaces, statues and monuments6, such as the Eiffel Tower? Can you find it in the world-class museums, such as the Louvre7? Perhaps Paris' allure lies in the zest8 and style of the Parisians9.
When you visit Paris, you don't have to spend all of your time visiting museums and monuments. They are certainly worthy of your time, but ignore them for a day. First take some time to look around and experience life in Paris. You'll find it charming.
Take a stroll10 along the Seine River11. Browse12 through the art vendors,13 colorful paintings. Peek through delicate iron gates at the well-kept gardens. Watch closely for the French attention to detail that has made France synonymous14 with good taste. You will see it in the design of a doorway or arch and in the little fountains15 and quaint balconies16. No matter where you look, you will find everyday objects transformed17 into works of art.
Spend some time in a quiet park relaxing on an old bench. Lie on your back on the green grass. When you need refreshment18, try coffee and pastries19 at a sidewalk20 cafe. Strike up21 a conversation with a Parisian. This isn't always easy, though. With such a large international population living in Paris, true natives are hard to find these days.
As evening comes to Paris, enchantment22 rises with the mist23 over the riverfront24. You may hear music from an outdoor concert nearby: classical, jazz, opera or chansons25, those French folk songs. Parisians love their music. The starry26 sky is their auditorium27. You can also hear concerts in the chateaux and cathedrals28. In Paris the Music never ends.
Don't miss the highlight29 of Paris evening: eating out. Parisians are proud of their cuisine30. And rightly so; it's world famous. Gourmet31 dining is one of the indispensable32 joys of living. You need a special guidebook to help you choose one of the hundreds of excellent restaurants. The capital of France boasts every regional specialty33, cheese and wine the country has to offer. If you don't know what to order, ask for the suggested menu. The chef34 likes to showcase35 his best dishes there. Remember, you haven't tasted the true flavor of France until you've dined at a French restaurant in Paris.
After your gourmet dinner, take a walking tour of the floodlit36 monuments. Cross the Pont Neuf, the oldest bridge in the city, to the Ile de la Cite. The most famous landmark37 of Paris looms38 up in front of you, the Notre Dame Cathedral39 (Cathedral of Our Lady).
Stand in the square in front of the cathedral. Here, you are standing in the center of France. All distances are measured from the front of Notre Dame. Every road in France leads to her front door. All French kings and leaders have journeyed here to commemorate40 important occasions and give thanks. Notre Dame is the heart of Paris and the heart of France.
Your visit in Paris has only just begun. You've just started to discover the charm of this old city. May the rest of your journey be unforgettable. When it is time to leave, you will go reluctantly41. You will say with the French, “A bientot42, Paris, a bientot!”(See you again soon, Paris!)
啊，美丽的巴黎！几个世纪以来，这个城市吸引了全世界仰慕的目光。巴黎的诱惑与魅力令所有到此一游的人为之着迷。
你在哪里可以找到巴黎对自己的吸引力呢？在历任法国统治者为美化他所钟爱的城市所留下的遗产里？还是在那些有名的城堡、宫殿、雕像和纪念碑，例如艾菲尔铁塔之中？你能否在世界一流的博物馆，如卢浮宫中找着呢？或许巴黎的诱惑力就在于巴黎人的特殊品味和风格。
当你在巴黎旅游时，別把时间全都花在看博物馆和纪念碑上面。它们当然很值得你花时间，但你可以先忘掉它们一天。首先来四处看看，体验一下巴黎的生活，你会发现它十分迷人。
沿塞纳河漫步。浏览街头艺术家们色彩丰富的绘画，透过那些精致的铁门，偷窺那些精心养护的花园。仔细留心法国人对于细节的注重。对细节的关注使法国几乎成为“高雅品味”的代名词，这一点你可以在门廊、拱门、小喷泉和古怪有趣的阳台设计上发现。不管你往哪里看，你都可以发现日常物品已经变成了艺术品。
花些时间，在一个安静的公园里找条旧长椅放松休息一下。仰面躺在青草地上。如果你想来点儿小吃，可以尝尝路边咖啡店的咖啡及点心。找一个巴黎人展开一段谈话，虽然这也不太容易。有这么多外国人居住在此地，在这个年头要找到一个真正土生土长的巴黎人是很难的。
到了傍晚时分，随着码头上的雾气升起，巴黎的诱惑力也随之展开。你可能会听到附近露天音乐会演奏的乐曲：古典、爵士、歌剧或是香颂（即法国的民歌）。巴黎人热爱自己的音乐，繁星点缀的天空，就是他们演奏的大礼堂。你也可以在皇宫或教堂里聆听音乐会。在巴黎，音乐是不会停止的。
別错过了巴黎夜晚的高潮：下馆子。巴黎人对其烹饪非常骄傲。这也在情理之中，因为它世界驰名。美食本来就是与生活享乐不可分割的。为了帮你从几百家一流的餐厅中作出选择，你需要一本特別的指南。法国的首都以各地的特色风味、乳酪和葡萄酒著称于世，如果你不知道要点什么，可以要份推荐菜单来看。大厨喜欢在此将他最拿手的菜做一番橱窗展示。请记住，在你尚未在巴黎的法国餐厅里吃过饭之前，都不算尝过真正法国的风味。 在你享用完晚餐美食之后，可以到聚光灯照耀下的纪念碑去走一趟。穿过第九桥（Pont Neuf），这是座城市中最古老的桥，到达西代岛（Ile de la Cite）。巴黎最有名的标志就隐约呈现在你的面前：巴黎圣母院。
站到教堂前面的广场上。在这里，你即处于法国的正中心。所有的距离都从圣母院前门开始计算。法国的每一条路都通往它的前门。所有的法国国王和领导人都曾经到此处来纪念重要的节日或表示感恩。圣母院是巴黎的中心，也是法国的中心。
你的巴黎之旅才刚刚开始呢。你才刚刚开始发现这个古老城市的魅力。希望剩余的旅程将令你难以忘怀。当你该起程回家时，你会依依不舍。然后你会用法文说道：“后会有期，巴黎！”
1. spotlight n． 聚光灯
2． admiration n． 钦佩，赞美，羡慕
3． allure n． 吸引
4． captivate v． 迷住
5． legacy n． 遗产
6． statue and monument 雕像和纪念碑
7． Louvre n． 罗浮宫
8． zest n． 强烈的兴趣，热心
9． Parisian n． 巴黎人
10． stroll n． 漫步，闲逛
11． the Seine River 塞纳河
12． browse v． 浏览
13． vendor n． 卖主，小贩
14． synonymous adj． 同义的
15． fountain n． 喷泉
16． quaint adj． 精致的
balcony n． 阳台
17． transform v． 转变
18． refreshment n． 小吃
19． pastry n． 面粉糕饼
20． sidewalk 人行道
21． strike up 建立起，使开始
22． enchantment n． 着迷，魅力
23． mist ［mist］ n． 薄雾
24． riverfront n． 河边地区
25． chanson n． 歌谣，小调
26． starry adj． 布满星星的
27． auditorium n． 会堂，礼堂
28． chateaux n． 城堡
cathedral n． 大教堂
29． highlight n． 精彩场面，最重要部分
30． cuisine n． 烹饪
31． gourmet n． 美食家
32． indispensable adj． 绝对必要的，不可缺少的
33． regional specialty 地方特产
34． chef n． 厨师
35． showcase v． 放在橱窗里展示