April 2013
Experience the brightest lights, the biggest bangs and the latest in 3D video technology in the shadow of Napoleon's final resting place during "La Nuit aux Invalides". The gorgeous 250m facade of Les Invalides military museum will be transformed by this unforgettable show (18 April - 7 May, lanuitauxinvalides.fr).

March 2013
For a year-round cultural experience, the Paris Mosque (2 Bis Place du Puits de l'Ermite, mosquee-de-paris.org) is open to tourists and well worth a trip for the exquisite architecture, the relaxing hammam and the cakes seeped in honey.

March 2013
Those who find themselves in Paris on St Patrick's day can experience France's own Celtic roots at the Celtic Festival, a celebration of music, dance and song. The festival showcases the capital's own Breton-style band while also hosting acts from Nantes and Brest (16-17 March, actionsloisirs.com).

February 2013
Retromobile: There's more to classic cars in France than the stereotypical 2CVs

November 2012
Head out to Versailles, the ultimate symbol of royal excess, and see why the French people rose up in revolution in 1789 (Take the RER C west; en.chateauversailles.fr).

October 2012
Mel Brooks famously said, "It's good to be the king," and no doubt the kings and queens of France felt the same way when they were chilling at the vast and magnificent Chateau de Fontainebleau. Happily, you no longer need to wear a crown to visit this lovely palace an hour south of Paris (see musee-chateau-fontainebleau.fr for ways to get there).