Opening on March 10th, the retrospective will present an overview of Freud’s output including his almost obsessive treatment of his portraits and the nude being drawn, and his desire to make his paintings to look like flesh.

in addition to aboutabout 50 large works of art, visitors will also be able to peruse photos of the artist’s London studio and a selection of graphic works. The exhibition sees some of his most famous paintings, such as Leigh Bowery and Big Sue, arranged around a 900 metre squared space in a studio theme.

Freud, who is still alive today at 88 years old and is the grandson of the famous psychiatrist Sigmund, has not had a retrospective at the Centre Pompidou since 1987 and this show is a real tribute to an important artist.

Tickest for the Freud exhibition can be bought online online or at the box office for €12 (£10.84), with the doors opening at 11:00 and closing at 21:00 (local time) every day except Tuesdays until July 19th.

Website – http://www.centrepompidou.fr

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Sitting outside a café people watching is very popular, as is pub-crawling. Seeing a world-class live theatre show, or going to the cinema or opera, are a small part of the wide range of entertainment awaiting residents and visitors alike. Listings of special events can be found in the weekly ‘Pariscope’. Ticket agencies are located throughout the city, but for tickets to concerts and theatre at a discount, check out the theatres on the day of the performance. Very often, they sell leftover tickets that are greatly discounted. Students with ID can also often get discounted tickets at the theatre box offices.

Paris is not the only French city that has a robust nightlife. Nice, on the Mediterranean coast, offers many jazz clubs, concert halls, dance clubs, and more. The Cabaret du Casino Ruhl offers cabaret shows at the weekend. The casino is open daily. Tickets to local shows and concerts can be purchased at the FNAC on Avenue Jean Medicin.

Nearby Cannes is also home to many concerts, and frequent train services connect the cities. If you are flying into Nice, ask for a listing at one of the information kiosks at the airport. If you are one of the lucky people to be on a Mediterranean cruise that docks nearby, ask on the ship for advice about that evening’s happenings.

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Located between Saint-Germain-des-Pres and the Musee d’Orsay, the fair will include wares from around 120 antiques dealers, inviting those attending to enjoy a fascinating walk through a wide array of rare objects chosen by the experts.

“Only Paris can offer such an exceptional range of furniture dating from the Renaissance through to the 21st century, as well as pictures, sculptures, far eastern and African art, curios, porcelain and earthenware,” the organisers explain.

The event is due to take place between June 4th and 7th and allows guests to splash out on a range of different items. Previous editions of the showcase have seen exhibitors show off busts, calligraphy, wood carvings, suits of armour and jewellery.

Carre Rive Gauche is located in the very heart of the French capital’s 7th arrondissement, an area steeped in history and culture.

Indeed, those keen to seek out the cultural attractions the city has to offer could head to the Eiffel Tower, the iconic cathedral of Notre-Dame, Monmatre’s Sacre-Coeur or the art galleries of Saint-Germain des Pres.

Visitors are advised to secure their hotel rooms as early as possible to avoid disappointment. LateRoooms.com offers over 350 Paris hotels ranging from bed & breakfasts to luxury hotels. Early bookers can save up to 70%.

Emeraude Medeleine Plaza is offering delightful double rooms for two adults from £143 and is located close to the Opera and right on the Palace de la Medeleine. The hotel has an excellent customer rating of 91%.

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Here are a few happenings taking place in Bordeaux between April and June 2009:

April

Photography Festival (1st-30th April 2009)

Travel photographers exhibit at various venues open to the public around Bordeaux city, from galleries to bars. Ten photographers have travelled across the world to create these ‘works of art’. The festival exhibitions are free.

(t) 00 33 5 56 92 65 30 (w) www.itiphoto.com

May

La Nuit des Musées (16th May 2009)

All Bordeaux’s museums will be open until 1am for one night only and entrance is free. La Nuit des Musées offers a chance to whizz round the city’s finest temporary and permanent collections, as part of a European-wide cultural initiative. Many museums also mark the night with concerts.
(a) Tourist Office, 12 cours XXX Juillet (t) 00 33 5 56 00 66 00 (w) www.nuitdesmusees.culture.fr/

Union des Grands Crus Wine Weekend (16th-17th May 2009)

This is the fourth annual ‘Weekend des Grands Amateurs’ with over 100 Grand Cru châteaux owners getting together to offer wine lovers from all over the world the opportunity to sample an outstanding range of Grands Crus wines. It is a great way of unlocking the secrets of the great wines of Bordeaux, meeting the people who make them, and spending a weekend tasting Grands Crus wines like a professional, in the world capital of wine.

(t) 00 33 5 56 51 91 91 (e) ugc@ugcb.net (w) www.ugcb.net (h) 9.00-12.30, 14.00-18.00

VTV (Velo Tout Vigne) Le Médocain (30th May 2009)

This bicycle race is held around Margaux and competitors cycle through châteaux properties that lay on tastings and festivities. This event is the southern Médoc’s version of Pauillac’s Marathon, which is run through the vines. The race has three circuits between 25km and 75km, all departing from the town of Arsac.
(w) www.Médocainevtt.com/

June

Bordeaux Danse Musique (20th-21st June 2009)

A new event for 2009 baptised ‘Bordeaux Danse Musique’ – will take place just before the world’s largest wine fair Vinexpo at the Salon International. On the first day there will be dancing on the quays of Bordeaux and on the second day music will be celebrated with the ‘Fête de la Musique’.

Les Epicuriales (late June – July 2009)

This annual food fair provides something for the ears and the eyes as well as the palate. Approximately 30 restaurants offer dishes from around the world from stalls along the Allées de Tourny to the sounds of free concerts and street entertainment.
(t) 05 56 00 66 00

Guided Day Vineyard Excursions with the Bordeaux Office de Tourisme

These are just two tours (there are many more). They leave at 9.30am from the Office de Tourisme and returning at 6.30pm. Prices include guide, transport, visits, lunch and wine tastings.

Bordeaux, revealing the secrets of its great wines (Every Wednesday and Saturday 1st April to 15th November)

A day discovering Bordeaux’s vineyards starting with a visit to the historic ‘Les Chartrons’ area from where wines were originally sold and then on to see two châteaux in the prestigious wine growing areas of Saint-Emilion (Wednesdays) or the Médoc (Saturdays). 55 Euros.

Art & wine for enthusiasts in Médoc (Every Friday 15th May to 30th October)

A visit of three châteaux in the Médoc (Arsac, Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande and Lynch-Bages), with lunch at Café Lavinal in Pauillac and a tour around an art gallery. 75 Euros.

Portes Ouvertes (Open Door Weekends)

On these weekends the châteaux of different Bordeaux appellations literally open their doors and welcome visitors wishing to tour their properties and taste their wines.
• (4th-5th April) Printemps des Vins de Blaye: Each year, more than 10,000 visitors discover the Citadelle of Blaye and taste the wines of some 80 winemakers.
• (4th-5th April) Portes Ouvertes en Médoc: Along the road from Bordeaux to the Pointe de Grave, the traditional Médoc area opens to visitors and presents its wines and cuisine.
• (19th April) Portes Ouvertes à Pomerol: Pomerol produces plummy, generous, long lived red wines considered the equal of the classified first growths of the Médoc and Saint-Emilion.
• (25th-26th April) Portes Ouvertes à Lalande-de-Pomerol: Over 20 participating châteaux organise entertainment to encourage visitors.
• (1st-3rd May) Saint-Emilion – Les Châteaux ouvrent leurs portes: Over 50 properties open and offer winery tours, free tastings, amusements and exhibitions.
• (9th May) Marathon des 1ères Côtes de Blaye: This will be the sixth annual marathon where participants run through the châteaux grounds and taste wines with traditional macaroons.
• (9th-10th May) Portes Ouvertes en Côtes de Bourg: There is a programme of vineyard visits (on foot, on horseback, by car.) and wine tastings with exhibitions and picnics.
• (16th-17th May) Vayres la Vie! Vayres le Vin!: This region is situated on the left bank of the Dordogne, between Bordeaux and Libourne.
• (16th-17th May) Portes Ouvertes en Côtes de St Macaire: St-Macaire is a town across the River Garonne from Langon (in Graves). The appellation is known for sweet white wines.
• (13th-14th June) Sainte-Croix-du-Mont en 4 saisons: A fun tasting of food and wine matching at which the winemakers are divided into four groups, each representing a season.
• (19th-21st June) Fêtons Saint-Emilion!: Saint-Emilion is a World Heritage site, with fascinating Romanesque churches and ruins stretching all along steep and narrow streets.

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The event features hundreds of spectacular acts including comedic routines, masterfully choreographed acrobatic stunts and the world’s greatest Big Top performers. Tickets cost from €30 (approx £23) for adults and €10 (approx £7) for children.

For more information about Monaco go to www.visitmonaco.com.

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- 9 trains/day London-Brussels;
- 16 trains/day London-Paris;
- 1 train/day London-Disneyland Resort Paris

Journey times are extended by 20 minutes on average, to take account of the continued partial closure of one of the two tunnels. Since the Channel Tunnel incident, punctuality has been good at 93 per cent.

Journey times are on average 20 minutes longer than normal, to take account of the partial closure of one of the two running tunnels.

Eurostar will continue to operate temporary check-in procedures for some weeks. All travellers are strongly advised to check in as early as possible, ahead of Eurostar’s minimum check-in times, to help station staff ensure that they catch their trains.

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EANA presents the ongoing matters of the environment in an informative yet exciting way, enabling younger generations to learn how best to look after the world they live in. Interactive activities in La Grande Halle provide the perfect combination of learning and fun, and the Big Bang Cinema allows guests to discover the creation and evolution of our planet.

Three magnificent gardens, seasonal shows and art exhibitions, an outdoor Green Theatre and the recently renovated Valasse abbey are just some of the attractions that make EANA such a fun, dynamic place for every age group.

Our wonderful facilities include two restaurants that serve local, organic, sustainable food, and a family picnic area. Free parking can be enjoyed by all guests, including some spaces for caravans. The park is also fully equipped with facilities for disabled people.

Visit the EANA (French language) website for more information.

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La Braderie dates back to medieval times. The city’s streets come alive as over a million people from all over Europe flock to Lille to join the marathon bargain hunt. Over the weekend, the city is transformed into a vast outdoor market covering over 200km of pavement. Stalls selling everything from rare antiques and furniture, to vintage clothing, bric-a-brac and art line the narrow cobbled streets, alongside street entertainers and food stands offering mouth-watering French and Flemish cuisine.

Travelling to and exploring Lille from the UK couldn’t be easier with Eurostar. The high-speed international passenger service offers direct and seamless journeys to Lille in just 1h20 from the centre of London. And arrival in Lille Europe station, situated just minutes away from the city centre, means all the must-do attractions are within easy walking distance.

To truly get into the spirit of La Braderie, there are plenty of bistros and restaurants in the city centre offering an opportunity to sit back and watch the world go by over a plate of “moules-frites” washed down with a locally brewed beer. Traditionally the city’s restaurants stack up the empty mussel shells and compete to see which one amasses the highest pile by the end of the weekend.

Return fares to Lille start from £55 standard class. Travellers can indulge themselves on their way to and from La Braderie by travelling Leisure Select class, enjoying roomier accommodation and meals and drinks served at their seat from just £115 for a weekend day return.

Tickets are available on www.eurostar.com.

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Structural Specifications

Eiffel Tower is inclusive of an antenna (79 ft). The height of the structure is around 1063 ft, which is comparable with around 81 levels with respect to any traditional building. Initially, the Eiffel Tower was the tallest tower in the world. This title could be retained from the year 1889 to the year 1930, when Chrysler Building situated in New York City (1047 ft) got completed. Right now, it’s the 5th tallest structure, that too, in France.

Metallic and non-metallic structure

The metallic structure of Eiffel Tower weighs around 7300 tonnes, whereas the whole structure inclusive of non-metallic components weighs around 10000 tonnes. The tower’s topmost area might shift away with respect to sun by around 7 inches due to metal’s thermal expansion. This reaction would be taking place with side of metal facing sun. The Eiffel Tower has a distinctive feature of swaying its 2 to 3 inches in wind.

The 1st and 2nd levels can be accessed by lifts and stairways. There’s a ticket cubicle at the base of south tower. Tickets are sold for accessing the stairs beginning from that location. Stairs tend to continue from east tower at the 1st platform. The summit of the 3rd level can be accessed through lift only. From the 1st or 2nd platform, stairs can be accessed by anyone for ascending or descending, irrespective of them purchasing a stair or lift ticket. The definite count of the stairs is inclusive of 9 steps towards the cubicle of tickets at base, 328 steps towards the 1st stage, 340 steps towards the 2nd stage, and eighteen steps towards lift platform at the 2nd level. While leaving the lift on the 3rd level, there’re 15 additional steps for ascending to upper platform of observation. Most of ascent permits for the unhindered view regarding this area directly underneath as well as around this tower, even though certain short stretches have been enclosed.

Maintenance

Maintenance of tower is inclusive of application of 50-60 tonnes of the paint every 7 years for protecting it against rust. For maintaining a consistent appearance with respect to the observer on ground, 3 separate colors are being used for painting the tower. The topmost surface is painted light, whereas the bottom surface is painted dark. Color of paint is altered on occasions. At present, Eiffel Tower is painted brownish-grey. He 1st floor consists of interactive consoles which host a poll regarding the color to be used for future painting session. Stephen Sauvestre, Maurice Koechlin, and Emile Nouguier are Eiffel Tower’s co-architects.

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