Why go to Sevilla? The 10 good reasons to go Sevilla

Museums are closed on Mondays. Some monuments are open discontinuously, but most open from 10am to 1pm and from 4pm to 8pm, 1 hour later in summer. For opening times, please consult their websites. They are most popular in the morning, especially with groups. Afternoons are preferable. Out of season, access is much quicker.

For the city's most visited monuments, such as the Cathedral or the Reales Alcazares, it's highly advisable to book in advance, and online, especially if the venue is subject to ticket restrictions. What's more, rates are sometimes reduced when reservations are made online. The other monuments are easier to get to, but it's best to visit in the afternoon, to avoid most of the group visits.

With the exception of children's activities, which easily exceed €20 per person, in Seville it's the Reales Alcazares that will cost you the most (€13.50). Prices usually range from €8 to €10, but municipal museums are often free for EU residents. There are also many discounts for children, students and senior citizens, and sometimes family rates, which you can check at reception. Many monuments also offer half-day or full-day self-guided tours, listed on their websites. But remember to book in advance, if possible at least in the morning, as the number of admissions is generally limited.

Seville celebrates Christmas, decked out in all the right lights to show off its heritage - the Reales Alcazares, the Cathedral, the Torre del Oro - and also its streets, where numerous brass bands play to mark the occasion. Christmas markets dedicated to nativity scenes are held all around the Cathedral. In spring, it's Holy Week and then the April feria that bring the town to life, although the latter is mainly held in the recinto ferial. Summer is the time to enjoy concerts in the gardens of the Reales Alcazares or open-air cinema in the patio of the Seville Deputation. Please note that the monuments are closed on Christmas, New Year's Day and Spanish and Andalusian public holidays.

Many agencies still offer tours of the city's main sights, but themed tours (tapas, gardens, special neighborhoods...) are becoming increasingly popular. You can discover the city on foot, by bike, segway or horse-drawn carriage. And, of course, by boat along the Guadalquivir. When you visit a monument and there's an audio-guide available in French, don't hesitate to use it, as you won't find many indications in French on site, as they're usually in Spanish and English.

In Seville, "information points" or "tourist info" have proliferated, especially in the city center and near train stations. Avoid them at all costs. They're more likely to sell you turnkey tours or refer you to friendly companies. The best contacts are the tourist offices of the Junta or the municipality, which are free, well documented and give very good advice, often in French.