The most exclusive residential districts of Paris are the 16th and 17th arrondissements. The part which interests us most is the one located West of the Arc de Triomphe, avenue Wagram and avenue d'Iena, East of Porte Maillot, South of avenue Villiers and North of the Seine river.

It is rapidly attracting business people and tourists alike, providing both tranquility and proximity to the animation of the Champs-Elysées, while offering much better lodging value.

Other good aspects are the presence of the Palais des Congrès with its exhibition space and inside commercial mall, the convenience to Air France bus stops of Porte Maillot and avenue MacMahon, and the easy access to the Eiffel Tower and some major Paris museums.

From Trocadero Square, you can enjoy the most panoramic view on the Eiffel Tower situated on the Left Bank with gardens and fountains in the foreground. On each side of the terrace, semi-circular Palais de Chaillot houses:

Musée de l'Homme (Museum of Mankind) Created in 1937 the vast collections display more than one million items concerning mankind and its origins. It will delight those who like anthropology, ethnology and prehistory.

Musée de la Marine (Maritime Museum) You will learn about traditional naval history from the 18th century right up to the age of the nuclear submarine.

Musée des Monuments Français The Museum of French Monuments presents the evolution of monumental sculpture and statuary from pre-Roman times to the 19th century. It is the best introduction to medieval architecture.

Close-by are other interesting museums:

Musée Guimet It displays one of the largest collections of art and archeological finds from South-East Asia and the Himalayas in the world.

Musée de la Mode et du Costume Located in the 19th century Palais Galliera, the Costume and Fashion Museum illustrates the history of French urban fashion from the 18th century to the present day.

Southeast of Porte Maillot lies the vast parc du Bois de Boulogne spread out over 845 hectares with 150,000 trees and 300,000 shrubs. Inside the park are 35 kilometers of pedestrian areas, 14 kilometers for cycling, 29 kilometers for horse back riding, lakes with boats for hire, the Longchamp race course, the Roland Garros tennis stadium, and the Musée National des Arts et Traditions Populaires dedicated to rural and provincial French ethnological heritage. Also within Bois de Boulogne, is the lovely rose garden of Bagatelle with its "Folly", a château built in 66 days for the Comte d'Artois, following a bet with his sister-in-law Queen Marie-Antoinette.

Near Porte de la Muette, the Marmottan Museum features 100 masterpieces by Claude Monet and other impressionist paintings.

Further West of Porte Maillot lies la Défense business area with its modern skyscrapers and La Grande Arche, a huge concrete arc of 300,000 tons designed by danish architect Otto Von Spreckelsen in white Carrara marble and glass. Inaugurated in 1989, it closes the vast perspective begun at the Louvre Museum and provides an excellent vantage point from its observation deck.