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"There's nowhere quite like Paris and it's amazing to watch our guests light up when they see bucket list icons like the Eiffel Tower in real life. Don't forget to slow down and savour the freshly baked pastries from the local boulangerie and mingle with the locals in the sidewalk cafés and markets."

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See the Mona Lisa and Venus de Milo at the Louvre

You can’t take a Paris trip without visiting the Louvre. It’s the both the largest art museum and the most-visited museum in the world, and you can soak it all in with our special evening experience at the Louvre. You’ll discover masterpieces like the Mona Lisa with your Local Specialist and enjoy the quiet atmosphere without the crowds. Simply magical.

Visit the remarkable church of Saint-Sulpice

Paris is full of spectacular architecture, and the church of Saint-Sulpice may be one of the best. This medieval cathedral is the second-largest church in the city and your Paris travel guide will show you around the stunning facades, stained glass windows, impressive fountains, unique sundial, and the breathtaking organ, one of the largest in the world.

Enjoy a leisurely cruise along the River Seine

As the scenic centrepiece of Paris, you can’t miss exploring the iconic River Seine. We’ll wander along the pretty riverbank by day and take you on a special Seine cruise by night, when the City of Light is illuminated in twinkling lights. Look out for icons like the Eiffel Tower and the Notre Dame, and relax as you drift along this enchanting river.

Explore the Latin Quarter of Paris

When you travel Paris with Trafalgar, you’ll join a Local Specialist to discover the Latin Quarter, the city’s epicentre of culture, learning and creativity. See the ancient Sorbonne University, one of the world’s first universities, soak up the vibrant atmosphere of this student hotspot, and perhaps even stop by the legendary Shakespeare and Co bookstore.

Experience a traditional Parisian Cabaret

You’ve probably seen the Parisian Cabaret in dozens of movies and photos, but there’s nothing quite like experiencing the real thing. We’ll take you to the world-famous Moulin Rouge Cabaret, where you’ll enjoy dinner, champagne and a dazzling show of 60 dancers and over 1,000 costumes, for an incredible evening you’ll never forget.

Our top 5 things to do in Paris

With so many incredible Paris attractions to choose from, we’ll show you the very best things to do in Paris, from the beautiful Saint-Sulpice to the original Parisian cabaret.

Musée Rodin

Located just steps away from the Eiffel Tower, you can’t miss the spectacular Musée Rodin. Founded in 1916 by Auguste Rodin himself, the museum features the artist’s incredible sculptures within an 18th-century rocco mansion and a stunning three-hectare garden, along with his personal collection of paintings, photographs and ancient artefacts.

Paris Opera & Palais Garnier

If you want to experience the height of Parisian opulence, it’s got to be the Palais Garnier. This extraordinary building is a 1,979-seat opera house constructed in the late 19th-century, and is renowned as the setting for The Phantom of the Opera. Today you can discover its magnificent treasures or even spend a glitzy night at the opera or ballet.

Grand Palais

Located right across from the Champs-Élysées, the Grand Palais is an icon of Paris with its giant glass ceiling and Beaux-Arts style architecture. Its interior is even more thrilling, with national art galleries, science museums and exhibition halls all held under the famous dome, and you can easily spend a day or two here.

Best museums in Paris

When you travel Paris with Trafalgar, we’ll make sure you get your fill of the best Paris museums, from the iconic Louvre to the magnificent Opéra Garnier.

Ratatouille

Ratatouille is the ultimate French vegetarian dish, loved by all for its heartwarming local flavors. It’s essentially a vegetable stew, made with a rich tomato sauce and a rainbow of veggies like zucchini, eggplant and squash, and herbs like basil, garlic and thyme. One bite and you’ll fall in love with the home-cooked ratatouille of Paris.

One of France’s most famous recipes, Coq au Vin features wine-braised chicken served alongside ingredients like mushrooms and bacon. Across the country you will try many regional versions of this comforting dish, which translates fittingly to “rooster/cock with wine”.

French cuisine celebrates both savory and sweet ingredients, not just in the form of croissants. Find true street-food joy in the popular dessert of crêpes, with strawberries, Nutella, bananas and lemon curd just some of the toppings loved by locals and travelers alike. Or, try the national specialty crêpes Suzette with orange zest and caramelized butter.

Best food in Paris

Our Paris holidays are filled with the legendary Parisian cuisine, and we’ll show you all the best places to try your French favorites from fresh croissants to delicate desserts.

What to pack for Paris

French phrasebook

It’s a good idea to learn some common French phrases before arriving in Paris, and the locals are sure to appreciate your efforts to learn their mother tongue.

Camera & extra SD card

Paris is full of soul-stirring moments you’ll want to capture forever, so be sure to pack a few extra SD cards for all those special snaps and videos.

Comfortable shoes

Whether you’re wandering through the Louvre, or strolling along the River Seine, you’ll need a comfy pair of shoes on your Paris tour.

Formal wear

If you want to hit the town in Paris with a Moulin Rouge show or a night at the opera, be sure to bring a glamorous outfit to fit in with the chic locals.

All-weather clothing

Paris is known for its unpredictable weather, with rain one day and sunshine the next. It’s best to pack both warm and cooler layers so you’re prepared for everything.

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Paris, capital of France , is one of the most important and influential cities in the world. In terms of tourism, Paris is the second most visited city in Europe after London. In this travel guide, you’ll find out about the city’s top attractions , as well as useful travel advice on how to get to Paris and how to save money whilst traveling .

Paris Travel Guide

• General Information
• Top Attractions
• Getting to Paris
• Money-saving tips
• Where to Eat
• Where to stay in Paris
• 2-Day Paris Itinerary

Why Visit Paris?

The capital of France seems to have been designed specifically for the enjoyment of its visitors . Its streets, squares , buildings, gardens , and monuments  beckon tourists to return, and indeed, many do.

Some of the most memorable things to do in Paris include visiting the Eiffel Tower , the Arc de Triomphe , and Notre Dame Cathedral . During the evening, experiencing one of the legendary Moulin Rouge cabaret shows,   strolling through some of the most picturesque neighborhoods , like Montmartre , or climbing the  Montparnasse Tower is a must.

It's always a good time to visit Paris. Depending on where you fly from, you can either make the most of the low-cost airlines flying into the city from other European cities or take one of its direct flights from further away destinations. If you have children, why not surprise them with a trip to Disneyland ?

How to Organize Your Trip?

Before traveling to this unique city, we suggest reading a little about its history and discovering useful information  about Paris, which will certainly help you organise your stay. 

Once you find out about the top attractions in Paris , the must-see museums , the best areas to stay,  and the typical French cuisine , all you’ll have to do is pack your suitcase and prepare to discover one of the most romantic cities in the world.

Need Accommodation?

If you still don't have accommodation booked, we recommend you visit our search engine, where you’ll find all types of hotels, hostels, and apartments  with the best rates guaranteed (with up to 75% discount). Besides, in most cases, you'll only have to pay once you get to your destination. 

• Hotels in Paris - Find the best deals online

top activities

Seine River Cruise Drift down the Seine River on a sightseeing riverboat during the day or at night—an unforgettable experience that offers unparalleled views of Paris .

Moulin Rouge Official Tickets Experience the glamour of Moulin Rouge with tickets to the spectacular Féerie show . Enjoy French champagne and dazzling performances at this world-class venue.

Ticket to the Musée d'Orsay Manet, Renoir, Monet... Buying a ticket to the Musée d'Orsay will give you the chance to see some of the most famous impressionist paintings in the world.

Lunch at Madame Brasserie, The Eiffel Tower's Restaurant At this  lunch at Madame Brasserie you'll enjoy an exquisite menu in the restaurant on the first floor of the Eiffel Tower , with Paris at your feet!  

Disneyland Day Trip Discover the magical world of Disneyland Paris on this day trip from Paris! The tour includes return transportation and entry to 1 or 2 of the parks .

Private Tour of Paris By booking our private walking tour of Paris, a professional guide will be exclusively at the service of you and your friends or family.

Paris Hop On Hop Off Bus, Big Bus A Paris Big Bus tour is one of the most comfortable & enjoyable ways to explore the city. Discover the city hopping off & back on at any of its stops .

Palace of Versailles Day Trip + Train Tour the halls of France's most famous palace with this Palace of Versailles Day Trip + Train. The guide will also show you around the impressive gardens.

Arc de Triomphe Ticket Visit one of the most emblematic monuments in Paris with the official-price ticket to the Arc de Triomphe . You'll have access to the viewpoint and exhibition !

Day Trip to Bruges Bruges is the most visited city in Belgium and one of the most fascinating medieval cities in Europe . Discover the city on a walking tour and on a canal cruise.

Tour of the Palace of Versailles Discover Versailles , a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the world’s most famous palace on this half-day trip from Paris. See the iconic palace gardens!

Eiffel Tower 3rd Floor Entrance This entrance to the 3rd floor of the Eiffel Tower gives you access to one of the best viewpoints in Paris. You'll get spectacular views of the City of Light .

Free Walking Tour of Paris Immerse yourself in "The City of Lights" with  a guided tour around the French Capital , discovering the Louvre, the Seine and Notre Dame. What's more, it's free!

Montmartre Free Walking Tour Take a free tour through the narrow streets of the most cultural and artistic of Paris' districts , where Picasso and Van Gogh sought out inspiration.

Paris Crazy Horse Cabaret Ticket Be enthralled by an unforgettable show and book your Paris Crazy Horse Cabaret Ticket. You'll experience Paris' most famous and glamorous cabarets.

Paris Pantheon Ticket Discover the fascinating Paris Pantheon, the final resting place of Victor Hugo, Voltaire, Alexandre Dumas and other distinguished French citizens.

Dinner Cruise on the Seine Admire the remarkable monuments of Paris lit up while you savor a gourmet dinner on a panoramic Seine cruise  – an unforgettable experience!

Louvre Museum Guided Tour Explore the most-visited museum in the world  and find out about its greatest artworks with a professional English-speaking guide.

Opera Garnier Ticket By booking a ticket to the Opera Garnier in Paris , visitors will explore the interior of this beautiful Neo-Baroque building at their leisure– a must-see!

Paris Catacombs Ticket Discover the underground galleries around one of the most disturbing cemeteries in the French capital with this Paris Catacombs Tour.

Claude Monet's House & Gardens in Giverny Tour Giverny is a picturesque village located one hour away from Paris. Visit Claude Monet’s house and beautiful garden and dive into the Impressionism movement.

Bel Canto Dinner + Opera Show Looking for different plans in Paris ? At this dinner with an opera show at Bel Canto  you'll be treated to a delicious  menu while enjoying  opera performances!

Sainte-Chapelle & Conciergerie Ticket Visit two of the most beautiful monuments in Paris on the same day and  save money with this ticket to the Sainte-Chapelle and the Conciergerie .

Montmartre: Lost Lovers Puzzle Hunt On this Lost Lovers Puzzle Hunt in Montmartre , you'll solve puzzles on an app that'll take you on a walking tour through the bohemian district of Paris!

Access  the Eiffel Tower and admire breathtaking views over Paris . You'll be able to go up to the 2nd floor and take in the immense beauty of this city!

Conciergerie Ticket A royal medieval palace turned into a prison during the French Revolution : discover the history of the Conciergerie during your visit!

Paris Open-Top Big Bus Night Tour On this open-top Big Bus night tour of Paris , you'll have a spectacular view of the City of Light. You'll see the city's most iconic monuments lit up!

Eiffel Tower Tickets and Seine Cruise With priority access , climb directly to the Eiffel Tower’s observation decks and admire breath-taking views over Paris and then enjoy a relaxing cruise.

Saint German des Prés Classical Music Concert Enjoy the best classical music with a concert in the church of Saint Germain des Prés , located in the heart of the historic centre of Paris.

In this perfume workshop in Paris , we'll teach you how to make your own Eau de Toilette following the techniques of Fragonard experts.

Mont Saint Michel Day Trip Visit Mont Saint Michel : a UNESCO World Heritage site, place of pilgrimage and one of France’s most popular and emblematic landmarks.

Sacré-Coeur Basilica Guided Tour Discover one of the most iconic landmarks in Paris , located in Montmartre, with this Sacré-Coeur Basilica Guided Tour. An architectural work of art awaits!

Vincent Van Gogh Walking Tour On this guided tour you'll walk in the footsteps of Vincent van Gogh . We'll visit Auvers-Sur-Oise to discover the place where the painter spent his final year . 

Paris Hop-On-Hop-Off Boat Sail along the Seine River on board a Batobus , Paris’ hop-on hop-off boat, and disembark and embark as many times as you wish for 24 or 48 hours .

Centre Pompidou Tickets With your Centre Pompidou tickets , you'll see one of the best collections of modern and contemporary art in the world. Dive into Paris' rich art culture!

Stade de France Tour This Stade de France tour takes you to Saint-Denis, where you can find this icon of sport which has played host to World Cup finals in both Football and Rugby.

Musée du quai Branly - Jacques Chirac Ticket With this ticket to the Musée du Quai Branly - Jacques Chirac , you'll visit one of the most outstanding anthropological collections in Paris!

Paris Mysteries & Legends Free Tour On this Paris Mysteries & Legends Free Tour , you'll learn about the city's countless squares and alleyways that have witnessed murder, plagues and war!

Paris Archaeological Crypt Ticket Learn about Notre Dame and venture underneath the church to explore the remains of the Île de la Cité with this Paris Archaeological Crypt Ticket !

Ticket for the Ballon de Paris Generali With your  ticket to the Ballon de Paris Generali , you'll enjoy the best views of the French capital from a tethered balloon anchored in the André Citroën Park

Paris City Tour, Seine Cruise & Eiffel Tower Admire Paris’ most famous landmarks during a panoramic city bus tour, a one-hour scenic cruise along the Seine and skip the line access to the Eiffel Tower.

Chateau de Vincennes Ticket Discover the fascinating history of  Château de Vincennes , one of France's magnificent medieval treasures , when you buy this ticket.

Chapelle Expiatoire Ticket Dedicated to Louis XVI and his wife, Marie Antoinette, the  Chapelle Expiatoire is an incredible place to visit when in Paris. Discover these locations!

Go City Paris All-Inclusive Pass The Go City Paris Pass gives you access to more than 70 Paris attractions, including Versailles , the Louvre Museum , a cruise on the Seine , and the Eiffel Tower .

Emily in Paris Free Tour On this  free tour of Emily in Paris ,   we'll see some spots where this popular Netflix show was filmed, such as Gabriel's restaurant and the   Offices of Savoir .

L'Orangerie Museum Ticket With this ticket to the L'Orangerie Museum you'll admire an impressive collection of impressionist paintings, including some of Monet's best-known works .

Enjoy a night on the town in the city of lights , allowing yourself to be carried along by the rhythm of the music, and the shots, of course!

Montparnasse Tower Ticket Want an incredible 360º view of Paris?  View the French capital from the top of Montparnasse Tower, 200 metres from the ground and right in the city centre.

Seine River Cruise from the Eiffel Tower + Lunch Get ready for a Seine River cruise that starts right at the Eiffel Tower , enjoy delicious French cuisine, and see Paris from an unbeatable vantage point.

Notre Dame Guided Tour Discover what happened in the Notre Dame fire, explore the interior of its "little sister" and tour the Ile de la Cité, the oldest part of Paris.

Lunch Cruise on the Seine Enjoy a delectable 3-course meal and admire the panoramic views of Paris from the Seine. The perfect way to discover this romantic city.

3 Day Trip to Normandy, Mont Saint Michel & Loire Valley Discover the highlights of Normandy like Mont Saint Michel and the Loire Valley including its famous Châteaux on a three-day trip from Paris.

Loire Valley Castles Day Trip Visit three of the Loire Valley’s most-famous castles: Château de Chambord, Château de Cheverny, Château de Chambord and experience life during the Renaissance.

Louvre & Eiffel Tower Tour This full tour of Paris includes a cruise on the Seine , a skip-the-line entry to the Louvre Museum and a climb to the second floor of the Eiffel Tower.

Normandy D-Day Beaches Day Trip Immerse yourself in the history of the Second World War, visiting key battle locations and memorials on this day trip to the D-Day Beaches of Normandy .

Grevin Museum Paris Ticket At the Grevin Museum in Paris, you will find wax figures of Kylian Mbappe, Emmanuel Macron, Jean-Paul Gaultier and other famous celebrities.

Paris Bike Tour Spend a fun-filled day cycling through the French capital and discover the City of Lights’ most emblematic landmarks on this bike tour of Paris .

Hard Rock Cafe Paris Lunch or Dinner Enjoy a delicious experience at one of the most popular places in the French capital with this Hard Rock Cafe Paris Lunch or Dinner, near the Opera Garnier.

Père Lachaise Cemetery Tour Take our fantastic tour of Pere Lachaise Cemetary, the resting place for many notable figures from the past, such as Oscar Wilde and Edith Piaf.

Paris Layover Tour Take advantage of your airport wait to explore the City of Love with this Paris Layover Tour. Discover the most famous locations around the French capital.

Paris Gourmet Bus Tour Sample the local cuisine and visit the must-see sights of the city of lights with this Paris Gourmet Bus Tour. Explore the French capital on a luxurious bus.

Cheese & Wine Tasting Tour Find about the Parisian art of living with this Cheese & Wine Tasting Tour. You'll enter a traditional wine cellar to learn how to taste the best French wines.

2 Day Trip to Normandy, Saint Malo & Mont Saint Michel Set off on a 2-day tour and discover the magnificent landscapes of Normandy  including the region's must-sees like Saint-Malo and the iconic  Mont Saint Michel .

Versailles Bike Day Tour Explore the magnificent Palace of Versailles , the main residence of the French Royal Family from 1682 until 1789, on a full day-tour by bike!

Paris Tour for Families Our family tour of Paris is the perfect way to explore the essential landmarks of French capital if you have young children.

UNESCO Headquarters Guided Tour Discover the history of the United Nations agency with this UNESCO Headquarters guided tour . Explore its conference rooms, courtyards, gardens and corridors!

Classical Music Concert at Saint-Sulpice Don't miss this classical music concert at the Church of Saint-Sulpice . Listen to an incredible repertoire in one of the most outstanding temples in Paris!

Dinner at Madame Brasserie, the Eiffel Tower's Restaurant This dinner at Madame Brasserie provides for an unforgettable evening  as you see  Paris illuminated from the restaurant on the first floor of the Eiffel Tower .

Classical Music Concert in Paris: La Madeleine Enjoy a classical music concert in one of the most famous churches in Paris : La Madeleine! Choose between any of the concerts on our programme list.

Traditional French Bakery Tour Do you know the boulangeries of Paris ? In this visit to a typical French bakery , we'll discover one of these places that characterise the capital.

Fontainebleau Forest Hiking Tour Venture into the heart of the Fontainebleau Forest on this 8-mile hike . You'll discover the unique biodiversity of one of the largest forests in France!

Tootbus Sustainable Bus Tour During this sightseeing tour of Paris , you can enjoy the city's iconic landmarks on board the eco-friendly Tootbus . Hop on or off whenever you want!

Aura Invalides Ticket Looking for a unique experience in Paris ? With your Aura Invalides ticket , you'll enjoy a journey of light and sound beneath the iconic Invalides Dome !

2 Day Trip to Mont Saint Michel & the Loire Valley Castles Travel back in time to the Middle Ages and Renaissance period on a 2-day trip to Mont Saint Michel and visit the impressive Loire Valley Castles .

Paris Segway Tour Ever been on a Segway? Spend a fun-filled two hours discovering the City of Lights on a two-wheeled electric vehicle with a guide.

Paradis Latin Dinner and Cabaret Let the glamour of the  French CanCan  seduce you as you enjoy  Paradis Latin , a   grand cabaret  in the heart of the Latin Quarter of Paris .

Quartmaster's Apartments Hôtel de la Marine Ticket With this ticket to the Hôtel de la Marine , you'll visit a spectacular  18th-century palace located in the central Place de la Concorde in Paris

Eiffel Tower Professional Photoshoot Capture lasting memories in Paris with a private photo shoot against the iconic Eiffel Tower backdrop. Let us preserve your special moments in this iconic spot.

How to Become a Parisian in 1 Hour Show Ticket With this  ticket to the show How to Become a Parisian in an Hour? you'll enjoy a  monologue performed by the  comedian Olivier Giraud .

Paris Vintage Sidecar Tour Explore Paris' top attractions in a fun retro motorcycle & sidecar tour , experiencing the City of Light in a truly captivating way.

Musée de l'Armée Ticket With this ticket to the Musée de l'Armée or the Army Museum , you'll visit the exhibition  Hôtel National de des Invalides , an architectural jewel in Paris.

Marie Antoinette Pass The  Marie-Antoinette Pass will give you access to 4 symbolic monuments in Paris connected to the French monarchy's past. Plus you'll save money!

​ Come and discover the Yves Saint Laurent Paris Museum before it opens to the public , for an exclusive guided 1 hour and 15 minutes tour.

Macaron Workshop at Galeries Lafayette Do you love baking? Join this macaron-making workshop at Galeries Lafayette and learn how to make these sweets in Paris' most famous department store!

Paris Pedicab Tours This bike cab tour of Paris will take you around the French capital aboard an environmentally friendly means of transport, the greenest way to discover Paris !

Belleville Neighborhood Food Tour If you like trying local products , this food tour through the Belleville neighborhood is for you! We'll sample  Parisian specialities  and see significant sites!

Paradox Museum Ticket Looking for something different to do in Paris? With this ticket to the Paradox Museum , your mind will be blown by incredible optical illusions .

Giverny Monet + Shopping Day Trip Leave Paris behind on this day trip to Giverny and visit the  Monet House & Gardens . Learn about impressionist paintings and shop at the  McArthurGlen outlet !

Rodin Museum Ticket With this  ticket to the Rodin Museum in Paris , you can see  The Thinker , The Kiss  and other iconic sculptures in  Hôtel Biron and its  beautiful gardens .

Paris Citroën DS Tour Do you want to discover the French capital differently ? On this Paris tour in a  Citroën DS,  we'll discover the city of lights in a vintage vehicle .

Day Trip to Brussels and Bruges Join us on a captivating day trip to Brussels and Bruges , where we'll delve into the picturesque charm of the Belgian capital and the "Venice of the North".

Night Bike Tour Spend an unforgettable evening contemplating the beautifully lit landmarks of Paris on this 4.5-hour bike tour , including a boat cruise along the River Seine.

Paris Helicopter Tour Flying over Paris is a unique way to discover the French capital. Unforgettable views of Versailles, the Bois de Boulogne and the Eiffel Tower from a helicopter

Eiffel Tower Climb There's a reason the Eiffel Tower is one of the most visited monuments in the world : climb up more than 700 stairs to enjoy unforgettable views of Paris!

Basilica of Saint-Denis Ticket Discover the first example of Gothic architecture in the world: explore the magnificent Medieval Basilica of Saint Denis  located just outside of Paris.

Paris Christmas Bike Tour Merry Christmas! Or as the French would say, Joyeux Noël! Explore the city of light during the most special time of year with this Paris Christmas bike tour .

Christmas Bus Tour in Paris On our Christmas Bus Tour in Paris , you'll discover how the City of Light decks the halls for the most magical time of the year.

Roland Garros Stadium Tour On this guided tour of the Roland Garros stadium, you'll be able to take look inside this iconic site where so many tennis champions have made history .

Galeries Lafayette Guided Tour On this guided tour, you'll visit  Paris' most famous department store ,  Galeries Lafayette , outside of its opening hours. It dates back to 1912!

Paris Duck Boat Tour Explore Paris in a unique way on our duck boat/bus tour ! You'll discover  Paris's iconic landmarks both on land and in the water . An absolute must!

Saint-Louis en l'Île Classical Music Concert Immerse yourself in the world of classical music at the enchanting Saint-Louis en l'Île church in Paris , nestled on the picturesque island of Saint-Louis .

Le Marais Free Tour Do you want to discover Medieval Paris ? For this, take this free tour of Le Marais , one of the most picturesque neighbourhoods in the French capital .

The most complete guide of Paris

This guide gives you an overview of what to see and do in Paris during your stay . It also provides historical background, and other useful information, as well as  our opinion, advice, and suggestions on how to make the most of your holidays in Paris .

The information provided in this guide was updated in  October 2022 . If you find a mistake or would like to make a suggestion, please do not hesitate to  contact us .

Our travel guides

• top attractions
• where to stay
• and much more

• 1 Districts
• 2.1 History
• 2.2 Climate
• 3.1.1 Charles de Gaulle International Airport (Roissy)
• 3.1.2.1 Connect
• 3.1.3 Beauvais (Aéroport de Beauvais Tillé)
• 3.1.4 Airline shuttles
• 3.2 Private aviation
• 3.3.1.1 From Gare d'Austerlitz
• 3.3.1.2 From Gare de l'Est
• 3.3.1.3 From Gare de Lyon
• 3.3.1.4 From Gare Montparnasse
• 3.3.1.5 From Gare du Nord
• 3.3.1.6 From Gare Saint-Lazare
• 3.3.1.7 From Gare de Bercy
• 4.1 On foot
• 4.2.1 Using the Métro & RER
• 4.2.2 Fares
• 4.2.3 Access
• 4.3 By bus & tram
• 4.4 By boat
• 4.5 By bicycle
• 4.6 By electric scooter
• 4.7 By scooter or motorbike
• 4.8 On skates
• 4.10 By taxi
• 4.11 By chauffeur (Limo)
• 4.12 With children
• 6.1 Landmarks
• 6.2 Museums and galleries
• 6.3 General tips
• 6.4 Sightseeing passes
• 7.3 Photography
• 7.5 Theatres
• 7.6 With children
• 8.1 Culinary
• 10.1 Flea markets
• 10.2 Musical instruments
• 10.3 Artwork
• 11.1 Self-catering
• 11.2 Some specialities
• 11.3 Prices
• 11.4 Kosher dining
• 11.5 Vegetarian dining
• 11.6 Tourists and locals
• 13.1 Hotels
• 13.2 Apartment rentals
• 14.1.1 Theft in public transit
• 14.1.2 Theft in tourist hotspots
• 14.1.3 Scams
• 14.1.4 Danger for identifiably Jewish people
• 17.1 Airlines
• 17.2 Embassies

Paris , the cosmopolitan capital of France , is one of the largest agglomerations in Europe , with 2.2 million people living in the dense (105 km 2 ) central city in 2022, 10 million people in the Métropole du Grand Paris (814 km 2 ) and almost 13 million people living in the metropolitan area. In the centre-north of the country on the river Seine, Paris has the reputation of being the most beautiful and romantic of all cities, brimming with historic associations and remaining vastly influential in the realms of culture, art, fashion, food and design.

Dubbed the City of Light ( la Ville lumière ) and Capital of Fashion , it is home to some of the world's finest and most luxurious fashion designers and cosmetics, such as Chanel , Christian Dior , Yves Saint-Laurent , Guerlain , Lancôme , L'Oréal , and Clarins . A large part of the city, including the banks of the Seine, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site . The city has the second highest number of Michelin-starred restaurants in the world (after Tokyo , which is much larger) and contains numerous iconic landmarks such as the Eiffel Tower , the Arc de Triomphe , Notre-Dame de Paris , the Louvre , the Moulin Rouge and the Basilique du Sacré-Cœur , making it one of the most popular international tourist destinations in the world, with around 14 million tourists annually.

Districts [ edit ]

The city of Paris is divided into 20 districts called arrondissements , numbered from 1 to 20 in a clockwise spiral from the centre of the city (which is known as Kilomètre zéro and is located at the front of Notre Dame). Arrondissements are named according to their number. You might, for example, stay in the "5th", which would be written as 5e in French. The 12th and 16th arrondissements include large parks: the Bois de Vincennes and the Bois de Boulogne respectively.

The very best map you can get for Paris is called "Paris Pratique par Arrondissement" which you can buy for about €5 at any news stand. It makes navigating the city easy. The various tourist information centres and hotels in Paris also provide various city and metro maps for free and which contain all the essential details for a tourist.

Each arrondissement has its own unique character and selection of attractions for the traveller:

Beyond Paris, the outlying suburbs are called La Banlieue . Schematically, those to the west of Paris ( Neuilly-sur-Seine , Boulogne-Billancourt , Saint Cloud , Levallois , Versailles , Poissy, Rueil-Malmaison) are wealthy residential communities, even if some more middle class suburbs can be found. Those to the north are poorer communities, and very ethnically diverse. Those to the south are a mix of rough and poor neighbourhoods alongside very affluent communities. Finally, those to the east are usually lower-middle class mingled with a few upper-middle class communities.

Understand [ edit ]

Due to high expectations, a tight schedule, language barriers and large crowds and long lines at certain attractions during high season, the city might disappoint some visitors. Foreign visitors who have an idealized view of Paris might be shocked by the typical challenges of visiting any large city; crime, traffic noise, pollution, garbage, and relatively high costs. In the worst case, visitors might experience the Paris syndrome ; a psychological state of delusion.

To enjoy the wonders of Paris, make realistic plans. The amounts of attractions and landmarks is overwhelming; visiting only the most famous ones (which can be overcrowded during major holidays) takes more than a week. The city also has more to offer for people who take time for a calm stroll along the backstreets. If your time in the city is short, be selective, and save some attractions for your next visit.

• Paris je t'aime . The website of the tourist office. ( updated Jan 2024 )
• SPOT24 , 101 quai Jacques Chirac, Paris 15th ( Metro: Bir-Hakeim (line 6); RER: Champ-de-Mars—Tour Eiffel (line C); Vélib': station 7023 ). Daily 10:00-18:00 . The City of Paris welcome centre also has an exhibition and shop. ( updated Jan 2024 )

History [ edit ]

Paris started life as the Celto-Roman settlement of Lutetia on the Île de la Cité, the island in the Seine now occupied by the Cathédrale de Notre Dame . It takes its present name from the name of the dominant Gallo-Celtic tribe in the region, the Parisii . At least that's what the Romans called them, when they showed up in 52 BCE and established their city Lutetia on the left bank of the Seine, in what is now called the "Latin Quarter" in the 5th arrondissement .

The Romans held out here for as long as anywhere else in the Western Empire, but by 508 CE they were gone, replaced by Clovis of the Franks , who is considered by the French to have been their first king. Clovis' descendants, aka the Carolingians, held onto the expanded Lutetian state for nearly 500 years through Viking raids and other calamities, which finally resulted in a forced move by most of the population back to the islands which had been the centre of the original Celtic village. The Capetian Duke of Paris was voted to succeed the last of the Carolingians as King of France , ensuring the city a premier position in the medieval world. Over the next several centuries Paris expanded onto the right bank into what was and is still called le Marais (The Marsh). Quite a few buildings from this time can be seen in the 4th arrondissement .

The medieval period also witnessed the founding of the Sorbonne. As the "University of Paris", it became one of the most important centres for learning in Europe—if not the whole world, for several hundred years. Most of the institutions that still constitute the University are found in the 5th , and 13th arrondissements .

In the late 18th century, there was a period of political and social upheaval in France and Europe, during which the French governmental structure, previously a monarchy with feudal privileges for the aristocracy and Catholic clergy, underwent radical change to forms based on Enlightenment principles of nationalism, citizenship, and inalienable rights. Notable events during and following the revolution were the storming of the Bastille 4th arrondissements , and the rise and fall of Napoleonic France. Out of the violent turmoil that was the French Revolution, sparked by the still known Passion des Français , emerged the enlightened modern day France.

The Paris of today was built long after the Capetian and later the Bourbon Kings of France made their mark on Paris with the Louvre and the Palais Royal , both in the 1st . In the 19th century, Baron von Hausmann set about reconstructing the city, by adding the long straight avenues and replacing many of the then existing medieval houses, with grander and more uniform buildings.

New wonders arrived during La Belle Époque , as the Parisian golden age of the late 19th century is known. Gustave Eiffel's famous tower, the first metro lines, most of the parks, and the streetlights (which are partly believed to have given the city its epithet "the city of light") all come from this period. Another source of the epithet comes from Ville Lumière , a reference not only to the revolutionary electrical lighting system implemented in the streets of Paris, but also to the prominence and aura of Enlightenment the city gained in that era.

The twentieth century was hard on Paris, but thankfully not as hard as it could have been. Both world wars took a heavy toll on the city's inhabitants, but at least Hitler's order to burn the city was ignored by the German General von Choltitz, who was quite possibly convinced by a Swedish diplomat that it would be better to surrender and be remembered as the saviour of Paris, rather than its destroyer. Following the war, the city recovered quickly at first, but slowed in the 1970s and 1980s when Paris began to experience some of the problems faced by big cities everywhere: pollution, housing shortages, and occasionally failed experiments in urban renewal.

However, post-war Paris enjoyed considerable growth as a multi-cultural city, with new immigrants from all corners of the world, especially La Francophonie , including most of northern and western Africa as well as Indochina . These immigrants brought their foods and music, both of which are of prime interest for many travellers. Immigration and multi-culturalism continues in the 21st century with a marked increase in the arrival of people from Latin America, especially Mexico , Colombia , and Brazil . In the late 1990s, it was hard to find good Mexican food in Paris, whereas today there are dozens of possibilities from lowly taquerias in the outer arrondissements to nice sit-down restaurants on the boulevards.

Nevertheless, Paris remains a French city; bistros, baguettes, high-end fashion, art, accordions, Hausmann architecture, and all the stereotypes (whether good or bad) of France are alive and well in Paris. People from all over France flock to Paris for work, study, partying, and everything in between. After all, this IS the capital of France, so anything pertaining to France can be found here.

The 21st century has also seen vast improvements in the general livability of Paris, with the mayor's office concentrating on reducing pollution and improving facilities for soft forms of transportation including a huge network of cycle paths, larger pedestrian districts and new metro lines. Visitors who normally arrive car-less are the beneficiaries of these policies as much as the Parisians themselves, although tensions and doubts have emerged over the actual benefits of those measures.

Climate [ edit ]

Paris has an oceanic climate with moderately cold winters and warm summers. The moderating effect of the Atlantic Ocean helps to temper temperature extremes in much of western Europe, including France. Even in January, the coldest month, temperatures nearly always exceed the freezing point with an average high of 7 °C (45 °F). Snow is not common in Paris, although it can fall a few times per year. Most of Paris' precipitation comes in the form of light rain year-round. Daylight hours run from 08:45 until 16:45.

Summers in Paris are moderately warm and humid, with an average high of 25 °C (77 °F) during the mid-summer months. Occasional heat waves can push temperatures above 30 °C (86 °F) and rarely even reach 35 °C (95 °F). The sun is up from 06:00 until almost 22:00.

Spring and fall are normally cool and wet.

Get in [ edit ]

By plane [ edit ].

Paris ( PAR  IATA ) is served by two international airports.

Charles de Gaulle International Airport (Roissy) [ edit ]

49.0098 2.5612 1 Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport ( CDG  IATA ) is the main airport of the city. It is north of Paris and is connected by train, bus and taxi. For detailed information on arriving and departing Paris from this airport please consult the main article linked above.

Transit Summary: The RER train line "B" connects CDG airport to central Paris and is the fastest and most economical option for most travellers. Signs in the airport will direct you to the platform. Self-serve electronic kiosks sell tickets. The kiosks provide service in multiple languages, including English. Some trains will stop at each station along the way to Paris. Express trains with fewer stops are available during off-peak hours. The stations Gare du Nord, Châtelet-Les Halles, Saint-Michel Notre-Dame, Luxembourg, Port-Royal, Denfert-Rochereau and Cité Universitaire are always served. Your ticket will allow you to transfer at one of the aforementioned stations to the Metro and other RER lines within Paris to complete your journey. The one-way trip costs €10.30 for adults, €7.20 for children aged 4–9, and free for children under 4.

Another option is the RoissyBus coach service that departs from all terminals and travels non-stop to Opéra (actually stops at 11 rue scribe, next to Place Charles Garnier, and not on Place de l'Opéra itself) in Central Paris, within easy walking distance of several stations: Opéra for Métro Lines 3, 7, 8; Auber for RER Line A; Chaussée d'Antin or Havre-Caumartin for Métro Line 9. It offers great value if you're travelling with lots of luggage; as of December 2023, a one-way ticket is €16.20. The buses are frequent, departing every 15 min during the day and every 20-30 min in the evening. Journey time is typically 60 minutes, but can take longer in heavy traffic.

If you arrive to CDG Airport at night you'll need a Noctilien bus to get to the city centre. The bus stops at all three terminals (in terminal 2F it will be the second level in the departure section, difficult to find, but it really exists). The bus leaves every 30 min after 00:30 (see timetable ). The buses you'll need are N140 and N143; the price is 2 T+ tickets (€4 if bought on board).

Orly International Airport [ edit ]

48.7294 2.3682 2 Paris Orly Airport ( ORY  IATA ), this older international airport is southwest of the city and is used mainly by Air France for domestic departures, and for several international departures, mostly towards destinations around the Mediterranean. It consists of two terminals: Terminal Sud (south) and Terminal Ouest (west) connected by light rail. The airport is connected with Paris by bus and light rail. For detailed information on arriving and departing Paris from this airport please consult the main article linked above.

Orly is roughly 25-35 min from Paris via the OrlyBus , which departs from Métro Denfert-Rochereau (lines 4 and 6 of the Metro and RER line "B"); the price is €11.20 as of December 2023. There are buses every 8-15 minutes from the Orly Sud (Platform 4) and it stops at Orly Ouest on its way to the city. Tickets can be bought at a counter near the baggage claim area or directly at the counter in Platform 4. The tickets need to be validated once on the bus. Another option is tramway T7 that takes you to the Métro Villejuif - Louis Aragon (Metro 7) in 30 min, but it stops on the way and is designed for commuters and not for travellers. Tramway T7 costs a single T+ (metro/bus/tram) ticket and runs every 10 min, stopping at airport level -1. Passes covering zones 1–4 are accepted, except that Tickets Jeunes are not valid on Orlybus.

Via rail the airport can be reached by a southern branch of the RER-B line that heads from Paris in the direction of Massy-Palaiseau or Saint-Rémy-les-Chevreuse ( not Robinson). At Antony station RER-B line connects with the Orlyval light rail that carries passengers to both terminals of the airport. Orlyval runs every 4-7 min and costs €12.05 (as of 2019) for transfer to Paris, including connections to central area metro stations. The RER B from Antony runs through Paris to CDG. Public transport passes are not accepted on Orlyval (but Paris Visite is valid on Orlyval, and zone 1–3 passes are valid between Antony and Paris).

The Orly connection map shows you how you can go to Paris from the airport.

Connect [ edit ]

Wi-Fi Internet access is provided free of charge.

Beauvais (Aéroport de Beauvais Tillé) [ edit ]

49.4594 2.1139 3 Beauvais ( BVA  IATA ), north of the city, is a smaller regional airport that is used by some low-cost carriers such as Ryanair and WizzAir. The airport operates a shuttle service to the Métro at Porte Maillot station. Buses run as early as 06:00. Buses leave 20 min after each flight arrives, and a few hours before each flight departs. A schedule can be found on the Beauvais Airport website . The journey will take about an hour in good traffic conditions, and costs €16.9 each way (Online) or €18 each way (Physically); there is no reduced price for children over the age of 2 years. Unless you hire a car this is the most realistic way to head toward Paris. The alternative is a train service between Gare du Nord and Beauvais, and a connecting shuttle or taxi to the airport. This journey costs more and takes longer. Missing the shuttle bus could mean a taxi fare well over €100.

Airline shuttles [ edit ]

Air France operates shuttles between Charles de Gaulle and Paris (€17), Orly and Paris (€12) and between the two airports (€20). Discounts apply for young/group travellers and online bookers. If you have connecting Air France flights that land and depart from different airports, you would still generally need to fetch your luggage after landing, catch either the Air France shuttle or a taxi (readily available at all airports) to the other airport and check-in again. This altogether could take up to 2 hours, particularly if traffic is at its worst. It is also common to lose time during disembarking, as passengers often need to get off on the tarmac and get on buses which will take them to the terminal. Be sure you have sufficient time between flights to catch your connection. Check-in counters usually close 30 min before the flight departs, longer if flights are international.

Private aviation [ edit ]

Paris Le Bourget Airport ( LBG  IATA ) is a 24-hour airport for private jets and business aviation 11 km northeast of Paris. Companies like Air Charter Advisors and Priority Jet offer access to a variety of aircraft rentals based at Le Bourget.

By train [ edit ]

Paris is well connected to the rest of Europe by train. There are seven terminus stations in central Paris and although they are not all in the same district, they are all connected to the Metro and RER networks. You will probably want to know in advance at which station your train is arriving, so as to better choose a hotel and plan for transport within the city.

• 48.8807 2.3546 4 Gare du Nord , ( 10th ), Métro: Gare du Nord - TGV trains to and from northern France (Lille, Amiens, Lens...), Thalys trains to Belgium , the Netherlands , and Germany (North Rhine-Westphalia), and Eurostar to the United Kingdom ( London ).
• 48.842 2.3658 5 Gare d'Austerlitz , ( 13th ), Métro: Gare d'Austerlitz - regular trains to and from the center and southwest of France ( Orléans , Limoges , Toulouse the long way) and the majority of night trains.
• 48.8772 2.3593 6 Gare de l'Est , ( 10th ), Métro: Gare de l'Est - TGV to and from the Grand Est region (Strasbourg, Reims, Nancy, etc.), Luxembourg , ICE/TGV to and from south Germany ( Saarbrücken , Kaiserslautern , Mannheim , Frankfurt , Karlsruhe , Stuttgart , Augsburg , and Munich ), ÖBB Nightjet night trains to Germany ( Karlsruhe , Munich ) and Austria ( Salzburg , Vienna )
• 48.8443 2.3739 7 Gare de Lyon , ( 12th ), Métro: Gare de Lyon - regular and TGV trains to and from southern and eastern France: French Alps , Marseille , Lyon , Dijon , Switzerland ( Basel , Geneva , Lausanne , Bern , Zurich ), southwest Germany ( Freiburg im Breisgau ), and Italy ( Turin , Milan ).
• 48.83929 2.38283 8 Gare de Bercy , ( 12th ), Métro: Bercy . Regular trains to Auvergne and Burgundy .
• 48.8767 2.3249 9 Gare St Lazare , ( 8th ) Métro: St-Lazare - trains to and from Basse-Normandie , Haute-Normandie .
• 48.8402 2.3191 10 Gare Montparnasse , ( 15th ), Métro: Montparnasse-Bienvenüe - TGV and regular trains to and from the west and south-west of France ( Tours , Brest , Rennes , Nantes , Bordeaux , Toulouse the fastest way, Hendaye ). Gare Vaugirard is an extension of Gare Montparnasse.

The SNCF (French national railway authority) operates practically all trains within France excluding the Eurostar to London, the Thalys to Brussels and onward to the Netherlands and Germany [dead link] , and some low-cost services such as Ouigo (although owned by the SNCF, it is considered as a separate brand). There are also a few local lines of high interest to tourists which are privately owned. All SNCF, Eurostar and Thalys tickets can be bought in railway stations, city offices and travel agencies (no surcharge). SNCF relies on travel agencies for selling tickets online, the main one being SNCF Connect and Trainline (easier to use). You can also find tickets in online and physical travel agencies. You can book and buy tickets up to three months in advance. There are significant discounts if you book weeks ahead. Reduced ticket prices are different for each day and each train and can be used only on the train the reservation is for. Trains between Paris and south Germany (Frankfurt, Stuttgart, Munich) as well as the Marseille-Frankfurt TGV are jointly operated by SNCF and Deutsche Bahn, but each of the two operators will sell tickets at its own price! Make sure to check the price offered by each operator before you buy, or use Trainline since they automatically compare SNCF and DB prices.

There are a number of different kinds of high-speed and normal trains:

• TER : The regional trains ( Train Express Régional ); cheapest tickets, though prices are variable on the time of day of departure (and the day of departure as well). TER are sometimes slower, stopping at almost all stations. TER tickets bought at the train station are valid two months from the date indicated on the ticket, as long as you travel in the right fare period ("période bleue", the cheapest, "période blanche", for high-demand hours). There is no seat reservation, so arrive early enough or you may have to travel without a seat.
• Intercités : A bundling of the former Intercités , Téoz , and Lunéa train categories. There are two kinds: the regular trains, which are priced the same as the TER and the trains you'll find yourself on if you have a Eurail or InterRail pass and don't want to pay extra for reservations, and the trains à réservation obligatoire , which require a reservation and are priced differently from the regular Intercités trains.
• Intercités de nuit : Overnight trains from destinations to and from south of France, including Latour-de-Carol , Lourdes and Cerbère via Toulouse .
• TGV : The world-famous French high-speed trains ( Trains à Grande Vitesse ) run very frequently to the southeast Nice (5-6 hr), Marseille (3 hr) and Avignon (2.5 hr), the east Geneva (3hr) or Lausanne , Switzerland , Dijon (1 hr 15 min) and Strasbourg (1 hr 45 min), the southwest Bordeaux (3 hr), the west Rennes (2 hr) and the north Lille (1 hr). Thalys to Brussels (1 hr 20 min) use almost identical trains. Reservations are obligatory.
• ICE : German high-speed trains , operating most services between Paris and Frankfurt .
• Thalys : A high-speed train service running daily to/from the Netherlands , Belgium and Germany . Though it can be a bit expensive compared to normal trains, tickets can be cheap enough if you buy in advance. On-board service is usually very good.
• Eurostar : The Eurostar service connects Paris with London St. Pancras directly and Brussels indirectly, as well as many other destinations indirectly through the various west European rail services. Travel time between Paris Gare du Nord and London St Pancras International averages 2hr 15 min. Eurail and InterRail passes are not valid for this train, though pass holders can benefit from a reduced price. You must arrive at the station at least 90 minutes, and up to two hours, before the departure of the train to complete security and passport controls.
• Ouigo : A subsidiary of SNCF running TGVs with a second class only layout intended and marketed as a lower-cost service. Strict baggage limits and 30-minute check in times make them more like budget airlines.
• Trenitalia : Operates high-speed Frecciarossa trains between Paris, Lyon, Chambéry, Modane, Turin, and Milan. Prices can be cheaper than SNCF, Trainline automatically compares both options.

Transfer between train stations [ edit ]

From gare d'austerlitz [ edit ].

• Gare d'Austerlitz – Gare de Bercy (15 min): Bus 24 to École Vétérinaire de Maisons-Alfort.
• Gare d'Austerlitz – Gare de l'Est (20 min):   5   , direction Bobigny.
• Gare d'Austerlitz – Gare Montparnasse (25 min):   10   direction Boulogne, change at Odéon for   4   direction Mairie de Montrouge. Alternatively, Bus 91 to Montparnasse, get off at Gare Montparnasse for the ticket office, local trains and most long-distance-trains; get off at the last stop Montparnasse 2–gare TGV if your train leaves from gare de Vaugirard or to reach the front carriages of TGV trains.
• Gare d'Austerlitz – Gare de Lyon: it's a 5- to 10-min walk (follow the signs). Alternatively, take Bus 91 in front of the station (on the same side of the street) towards Bastille and get off at Gare de Lyon–Diderot.
• Gare d'Austerlitz – Gare du Nord (20 min):   5   direction Bobigny.
• Gare d'Austerlitz – Gare Saint-Lazare (25 min):   10   direction Boulogne, change at Sèvres-Babylone for   12   direction Aubervilliers–Front Populaire; alternatively walk 10 min to Gare de Lyon then take   14   direction Gare Saint-Lazare.

From Gare de l'Est [ edit ]

• Gare de l'Est – Gare d'Austerlitz (20 min):   5   direction Place d'Italie.
• Gare de l'Est - Gare de Bercy (25 min):   4   direction Mairie de Montrouge, stop at Châtelet , then   14   direction Olympiades, stop at Bercy .
• Gare de l'Est - Gare de Lyon (20 min):   5   direction Place d'Italie, stop at Quai de la Rapee and follow pedestrian signs to Gare de Lyon. Alternatively,   5   in the same direction to Bastille and then   1   direction Château de Vincennes to Gare de Lyon.
• Gare de l'Est - Gare du Nord (8 min):   5   direction Bobigny or Metro 4 direction Porte de Clignancourt. By foot, it is also about 8 minutes, but you will have to climb set of stairs.
• Gare de l'Est - Gare Montparnasse (30 min):   4   direction Mairie de Montrouge.
• Gare de l'Est – Gare Saint-Lazare (15 min): RER E direction Haussman–Saint-Lazare; alternatively (less walking, but more stairs)   4   direction Mairie de Montrouge, change at Strasbourg-Saint-Denis for   3   direction Pont de Levallois–Bécon.

From Gare de Lyon [ edit ]

• Gare de Lyon – Gare d'Austerlitz: it's a 5- to 10-minute walk (follow the signs). Alternatively, take bus 91 towards Montparnasse.
• Gare de Lyon - Gare de Bercy (15 mins): A free shuttle runs between the two every half hour if you have a SNCF train ticket including a transfer between these two stations. Alternatively,   14   direction Olympiades to Bercy.
• Gare de Lyon - Gare de l'Est (25 mins):   14   to Chatelet, direction St. Lazare followed by   4   direction Porte de Clignancourt.
• Gare de Lyon - Gare Montparnasse (30 min): Bus 91 to Gare Montparnasse. Another option is   14   to Chatelet, direction St. Lazare followed by   4   direction Mairie de Montrouge.
• Gare de Lyon - Gare du Nord (20 min): RER A direction Saint-Germain-en-Laye/Cergy Le Haut/Poissy to Châtelet Les Halles and then RER B direction Aéroport Charles de Gaulle/Mitry Claye to Gare du Nord (on the other side of the platform); if the RER A is not working take RER D heading to Orry la Ville or Creil ; both will go to Gare du Nord.
• Gare de Lyon – Gare Saint-Lazare (15 mins):   14   direction Saint-Lazare.

From Gare Montparnasse [ edit ]

• Gare Montparnasse – Gare d'Austerlitz (25 min):   4   direction Porte de Clignancourt, change at Odéon for   10   direction Austerlitz. Alternatively, take Bus 91 (a little faster unless it gets caught in traffic).
• Gare Montparnasse - Gare de Lyon (30 min):   4   to Chatelet, direction Porte de Clignancourt followed by   14   direction Olympiades
• Gare Montparnasse - Gare du Nord OR Gare de I'Est (30 min):   4   direction Porte de Clignancourt
• Gare Montparnasse – Gare Saint-Lazare (15 min):   13   direction Asnières/Genevilliers or Saint-Denis. (   12   is also a possibility but requires a long walk from the Montparnasse train station to the northern half of the metro station. It is a good option when coming from the shopping area near boulevard Montparnasse.)

From Gare du Nord [ edit ]

• Gare du Nord – Gare d'Austerlitz (20 min):   5   direction Place d'Italie.
• Gare du Nord - Gare de Bercy (25 min): Follow the directions for Gare de Lyon, then switch to   14   direction Olympiades to Bercy .
• Gare du Nord - Gare de l'Est (8 min):   4   direction Mairie de Montrouge. By foot, it is also about 8 minutes, but you will have to descend a set of stairs.
• Gare du Nord - Gare de Lyon (20 min): RER D direction Melun/Malesherbes; alternatively, if the RER D is not operational, RER B direction Robinson/Saint-Rémy-les-Chevreuse to Châtelet Les Halles and then RER A direction Marne-la-Vallée/Boissy-Saint-Léger to Gare de Lyon (this change only involves getting off the RER B train and getting on the RER A train on the other side of the same platform)
• Gare du Nord - Gare Montparnasse (30 min):   4   direction Mairie de Montrouge
• Gare du Nord – Gare Saint-Lazare (15 min): RER E direction Haussman–Saint-Lazare; alternatively (slower, less walking, but more stairs)   4   direction Mairie de Montrouge, change at Strasbourg-Saint-Denis for   3   direction Pont de Levallois–Bécon.

From Gare Saint-Lazare [ edit ]

• Gare Saint-Lazare – Gare d'Austerlitz (25 min):   12   direction Mairie d'Issy, change at Sèvres-Babylone for   10   direction Austerlitz; alternatively   14   direction Olympiades to Gare de Lyon, then cross the Seine river to Gare d'Austerlitz (10 min walk).
• Gare Saint-Lazare – Gare de Bercy (20 min):   14   direction Olympiades.
• Gare Saint-Lazare – Gare de l'Est (15 min): RER E direction Chelles–Gournay, Villiers-sur-Marne or Tournan; alternatively (less walking, but more stairs)   3   direction Gallieni and change at Strasbourg-Saint-Denis for   4   direction Porte de Clignancourt.
• Gare Saint-Lazare – Gare de Lyon (15 min):   14   direction Olympiades.
• Gare Saint-Lazare – Gare Montparnasse (15 min):   13   direction Châtillon–Montrouge. (   12   is also a possibility but requires a long walk from the Montparnasse train station to the northern half of the metro station. It is a good option when coming from the shopping area near boulevard Montparnasse.)
• Gare Saint-Lazare – Gare du Nord (15 min): RER E direction Chelles–Gournay, Villiers-sur-Marne or Tournan; alternatively (slower, less walking, but more stairs)   3   direction Gallieni and change at Strasbourg-Saint-Denis for   4   direction Porte de Clignancourt.

From Gare de Bercy [ edit ]

For most train stations, take the   14   to Gare de Lyon and follow the directions given from Gare de Lyon.

• Gare de Bercy – Gare d'Austerlitz (15 min): bus 24 towards gare Saint-Lazare.

By bus [ edit ]

While domestic bus lines were tightly regulated until 2015, they no longer are, and this has led to a heavily competitive and fast growing market. Companies that serve Paris are:

• 48.83835 2.38258 11 Blablacar Bus ( OUIBUS ), 48 bis Boulevard de Bercy, 75012 Paris ( Next to Gare de Bercy at the southside ). A subsidiary of the SNCF, offering routes between Paris and London, Brussels, Amsterdam, Milan, Turin, along with other cities and towns in France. ( updated Mar 2022 )
• 48.83606 2.37965 12 Flixbus ( Next to Quai de Bercy, access through the Parc de Bercy. ), ☏ +49 30 300 137 300 , [email protected] . Originally a German company, they serve many routes in and out of Paris, both domestic and international with destinations in Germany, Belgium or even London. Note that although their main hub is Bercy Seine, some buses also go to other places in Paris. ( updated Feb 2019 )
• 48.87839 2.36179 13 Regiojet , bus stop along Rue du Faubourg near Château-Landon Metro stop ( Next Gare de l'Est ), ☏ +420 222 222 221 , [email protected] . A Czech company, offers connections to Paris from Prague and via Prague from Berlin and other cities. Good service and economical. ( updated Jul 2018 )

By car [ edit ]

It is advised not to drive within Paris and to be wary in the metropolitan area. It is better to drive to a suburban train station with a parking lot and then use the train to continue your trip throughout Paris. Most of Paris' roads were created long before the invention of automobiles. Traffic inside the city tends to be heavy, especially at rush hour; driving, however, may be rather easy and efficient in the evening. Parking is also difficult. Furthermore, the medieval nature of parts of the city's street system makes it very confusing, and traffic will almost never allow one to stop or slow down to get one's bearings. If you are unfamiliar with the streets and still insist on driving in the city, make sure you have a navigator in the passenger seat with you. However, Paris does have several iconic boulevards that have multiple lanes, form the backbone of the city’s road network, and are useful if you do choose to bring a car — and are tourist attractions onto themselves.

In Paris, there are many car rental agencies offering a large number and wide range of vehicles for rental. Additionally, there are numerous car rental agencies located off-site which provide free airport transfers from their location and may offer lower prices well.

Get around [ edit ]

The best and cheapest way to get around Paris is on foot, and secondly, using the Metro which is €2.10 for a one-way trip of any length.

On foot [ edit ]

Walking in Paris is one of the great pleasures of visiting the City of Light. It is possible to cross the entire city in only a few hours, but only if you can somehow keep yourself from stopping at numerous cafés and shops. In fact within a few years walking combined with biking and the Metro may be the only way to get around the very centre of Paris as plans develop to reduce access to cars in the city centre.

The smartest travellers take advantage of the walk-ability of this city, and stay above ground as much as possible. A metro ride of less than 2 stops is probably best avoided since walking will take about the same amount of time and you'll be able to see more of the city. That said, pay attention to the Métro stations that you may pass by on your journey; the Métro network is very dense within the city and the lines are virtually always located directly underneath major boulevards, so if you become lost it is easy to regain your bearings by walking along a major boulevard until you find a Métro station.

You may have heard of the hazard of walking into dog droppings in Paris. The problem is now virtually nonexistent due to fines as high as €180 and extensive street cleaning operations.

It's always fun to experience the city by foot, and there are numerous walking tours around Paris, whether self-guided (with the help of a guidebook or online guide) or with a touring guide (booked through your travel agency or hotel). The city is best explored by foot, and some of the most marvelous memories you will have of Paris is walking through secret found places.

Pedestrian call buttons at crosswalks are activated by pressing the button underneath the call button box.

By Métro & RER [ edit ]

Paris has an excellent underground train system, known as the Métro (short for Chemin de fer métropolitain , Metropolitan Railway). Although you will probably take the RER suburban train from the airport to Paris, don't be confused: RER is a French-language acronym that translates to "Regional Express Network," and is the suburban train network mostly used by commuters.

Using the Métro & RER [ edit ]

Look for the Métro stations, marked with a large "M" sign or with an old-styled sign saying "Métropolitain".

There are 17 Métro lines ( lignes ) ( 1 - 14 , 3bis , and 7bis ) on which trains travel all day at intervals of a few minutes. Trains usually come 2–3 minutes apart during rush hour and 5–10 minutes apart during other times, depending on the line. The service starts on each end of every line at 05:30, and the last metro arrives on each end at 01:15 (service ends an hour later on Friday and Saturday nights, and the day before a holiday), stopping at all stations on the line. Some lines have rare trains that terminate at an intermediate station; if that happens, get off the train with the rest of the crowd and board the next train on the same track or on the other side of the platform (the driver will usually make an announcement in French). Lines 7 and 13 have a fork, so if you take line 13 north of La Fourche or line 7 south of Maison Blanche , make sure to board the train for the correct destination which is indicated by a lit arrow on the sign in the middle of the platform and on colour-coded binders in each carriage. Times for trains can be seen on an electronic scroll board above the platform. Scheduled times for first and last trains are posted in each station on the centre sign. Generally, except for early and late hours, travellers should not worry about specific Metro train times; just get to your station and take the next train.

The lines are named according to the names of their terminal stations (the end of the line). If you ask the locals about directions, they will answer something like: take line number n towards "end station 1", change at "station", take the line nn towards "end station 2" etc. The lines are also colour-coded.

Changing metro lines might be difficult at times for visitors travelling to or from the airport or train stations with heavy luggage or those with impaired mobility, especially at major metro intersections. Moving from one platform to another generally involves walking up and down multiple flights of stairs. Very few stations have elevators (only the newest line 14 is wheelchair-accessible at all stations). Only the busiest ones have escalators. It might be a good idea to check out the bus routes and timings and see if one can find a convenient bus connection.

In addition, there are five commuter train lines that cross Paris: RER A, B, C, D, and E. RER trains run at intervals varying from about 3 minutes (RER A) to 6 minutes (RER D), and stop at every station within Paris. The rest of the regional network, called "Transilien", departs from the main train stations (Lyon for line R, Est for line P, Nord for lines H and K, St-Lazare for lines J and L, Montparnasse for line N) and La Défense (line U). Trains can run up to every 5 minutes during rush hour, and you will never have to wait for more than 1 hour between two trains, even on the least served lines in the evening or on the weekend. Do note that the Transilien is marginally less crowded than the RER and even the Metro.

RER and Transilien will stop at every station within Paris (zone 1), but may skip stations outside Paris, so if you're going to the suburbs make sure your RER stops where you need! Information about the stops to be made by the next incoming train is presented on a separate board also hanging from the ceiling.

RER and Transilien trains do not have publicly announced numbers unlike the rest of SNCF network; the four letter codes (COHI, ELAO, QYAN, VICK, etc.) take the role of the train numbers instead; the first letter indicates the station where the train terminates, and the other three indicate the route and stops. Each line has its own nomenclature. You can look up what these codes mean on information panels in the station, but the easiest and fastest way is often to check the information screens along the platforms.

The Métro and RER move staggering numbers of people into, out of, and around Paris (6.75 million people per day on average), and most of the time in reasonable comfort. Certain lines, however, are operating at or near capacity, sometimes being so full that you'll have to let one or two trains pass before being able to board. If you can help it, avoid Métro lines 1, 4, and 13 and RER line A and B during rush hours as these are the most congested lines in the system.

RATP operates the metro, buses, and about half of the RER A and B. The rest of the RER, as well as Transilien, is operated by SNCF. However, both companies take the same tickets, so the difference is of little interest for most people except in case of strikes (RATP may strike without SNCF doing so or the other way round). You will also see reference to Île-de-France Mobilités , the authority that controls and coordinates the different transport companies operating in the Île-de-France region, which includes Paris. It provides information for all public transport services operating in the region including all ticket options.

Fares [ edit ]

The Île-de-France region is divided into 5 concentric zones for fare purposes. Paris represents zone 1, all of Paris' immediate neighbours (including Vincennes and Saint-Denis) are in zone 2, La Défense is in zone 3, Orly and Versailles are in zone 4, and Fontainebleau, Provins, Disneyland and Charles de Gaulle airport are in zone 5. The few stations outside Île-de-France that are served by the Transilien system are " hors tarification Île-de-France ", meaning it is necessary to buy a special fare not affected by the zonal system.

Stations have both ticket windows and ticket machines. The ticket machines accept credit cards or coins but only some take notes. To use euro bills or a credit card with a magnetic stripe, it is necessary to make the purchase from the ticket window. Some ticket machines do not give change, so use exact change or go to the ticket window. If you look at the ticket machines closely you may find one in the group that takes euro bills and will give change, these machines can be found at major stations such as Tuileries, Gare de Lyon or La Défense-Grande Arche.

A single Ticket t+ allows you to:

• Make a metro/RER trip, with as many connections as you want between them, during 90 minutes, as long as you don't exit the network (there are a few exceptions where you can exit and enter the system reusing the same ticket). While you can reach any metro station regardless of its zone, you're ONLY allowed to reach RER stations that are within zone 1. The limit of validity on the RER is shown on public transport maps as a line break with a ʃ symbol.
• Make a bus/tram trip, with as many connections as you want between them, during 90 minutes, regardless of the zonal system. You need to validate your ticket every time you get on a new bus or tram. Roissybus and Orlybus are exceptions, and cannot be used with this ticket. Please note that tickets are no longer sold on buses.

A single paper Ticket t+ costs €2.10.

A single paper Origin-Destination Ticket allows you to make a journey beyond (and including) zone 1. Price is distance-based and capped at €5 (except to/from Charles de Gaulle airport). You can also purchase a carnet of 10 (20% discount). Tarif réduit tickets may be purchased for children under the age of 10 (50% discount for a single, 60% discount for a carnet of 10). If your Origin-Destination Ticket leaves from or goes to zone 1, or includes a transfer " via section urbaine ", you can also connect with any metro or RER lines downtown before/after your main trip. In particular, the airports and the Versailles Palace are not within zone 1, so you'll need to purchase Origin-Destination Tickets to reach these locations.

The Navigo Easy Travel Card is a smart card that stores Ticket t+ (Origin-Destination Tickets will be available soon). The card is available at ticket windows and some ticket machines for €2, no ID or photograph required. The card can be topped up at ticket windows, all ticket machines or via smartphones using the Île-de-France Mobilités or Bonjour RATP apps. A single ticket costs €1.90 (cheaper than the paper version). A carnet of 10 tickets costs €16.90 (cheaper than buying single tickets). Tarif réduit tickets may be purchased for children under the age of 10 but only in a carnet of 10 for €8.45.

The Navigo Découverte Travel Card is a smart card that stores Weekly or Monthly Tickets, but not Ticket t+ or Origin-Destination Tickets. The card is available at ticket windows for €5, you will need to write your name and put a photo on it otherwise it will be considered invalid. The card can be topped up at ticket windows, all ticket machines or via smartphones using the Île-de-France Mobilités or Bonjour RATP apps. The Weekly Ticket costs €30 for all zones (you can buy tickets for the current week up till Thursday inclusive. Tickets bought from Friday onwards are valid from the following Monday. Ticket validity always ends at midnight on Sunday). The Monthly Ticket costs €84.10 for all zones (will have to start on the 1st day of the month). You can choose between zones 2–3, 3–4, 3–5, 4–5, or "all zones", but most visitors to Paris will simply choose "all zones". Weekend travel is free throughout the entire Île-de-France region for passengers holding a Monthly Ticket, despite which zones are covered during the week. Weekly and Monthly Tickets allow you to reach Orly (zone 4) or Charles de Gaulle (zone 5) airports with any public transit line, except for Orlyval light-rail to Orly airport where it's not valid.

All Navigo cards can store a Day Ticket , allowing unlimited travel on the metro, RER, Transilien, bus and tram networks between 00:00 and 23:59 on any given day. The price varies depending on the zones you wish to cover. Prices range from €8.45 (zones 1-2) to €20.10 (zones 1-5). It is NOT valid on Orlyval, but it is valid on other airport links (RER B, Roissybus, RER C, Orlybus) if the pass includes the appropriate zones.

For travellers under the age of 26, all Navigo cards can store a Jeunes Week-end Under-26 Ticket , allowing unlimited travel on the metro, RER, Transilien, bus and tram networks between 00:00 and 23:59 on weekends or holidays. The price varies depending on the zones you wish to cover. Zones 1-3 is €4.60, zones 1-5 is €10.10 and zones 3-5 is €5.90. It is NOT valid to/from the airports on RER B, Roissybus, Orlybus or Orlyval, but it is valid on local links such as T7 and RER C to Orly and bus 350 or 351 to Roissy.

For travellers with an Android, tickets can be purchased and validated using your smartphone. This method removes the need to purchase a physical Navigo Easy (€2) or Navigo Découverte (€5). Ticket t+, Day, Weekly, Monthly or Jeunes Week-end Under-26 Tickets are available (Origin-Destination Tickets will be available soon). Purchase your tickets via the Île-de-France Mobilités or Bonjour RATP apps. Validate your tickets by holding your smartphone to the Navigo card reader.

For travellers with an iPhone, tickets cannot (yet) be purchased and validated using your smartphone.

RATP and SNCF sell passes dedicated to tourists called Paris Visite , more expensive than the one they offer to locals, but they do include something more (a map, and some discounts on selected attractions). Depending on which attractions you consider visiting, it can be an attractive option... or not. Although not as good a deal for adults in most cases as the Navigo Day Ticket, the Paris Visite passes might still be a bargain for kids of ages 4–11 for trips on Monday-Friday (when the Jeunes Week-end is not valid), starting at €6.75 (child 4-11) per day for travel within zones 1–3. The zone 1-5 ticket (adult €28.50 per day) is valid on Orlyval but there are cheaper ways of getting from Orly airport.

Beware that traveling without a ticket will get you fined, and the packs of inspectors who roam the system show no mercy to tourists pleading ignorance. Keep your ticket with you at all times as you may be checked. You will be cited and forced to pay on the spot if you do not have a ticket. The most likely spots for being checked are just behind the turnstiles at big métro stations or during métro line changes ( correspondances ). RATP agents may be present in the métro stations even on Sunday nights.

Access [ edit ]

Some larger stations have secondary entrances, where there is no ticket booth. These are labelled voyageurs munis de billets (passengers with tickets).

When entering the turnstile with a ticket or Navigo card, it will only work once for that particular station and can only be reset if you use it at another station. Once you have passed your ticket or Navigo card, promptly move through the turnstile as it will not let you through if you attempt to use it again.

Each station displays a detailed map of the surrounding area with a street list and the location of buildings (monuments, schools, places of worship, etc.,) as well as exits for that particular metro. Maps are located on the platform if the station has several exits or near the exit if there is only one exit.

Except for Métro 1, 2, 4, 5, 9, 13, and 14, the doors will not open automatically. In such a case, there are handles or buttons located both inside and outside the train that you have to push or unlatch in order to open the door. Many locals may try to squeeze into the trains after the alarm has sounded to signal the closing of the doors. While one can occasionally pass through on lines with a driver, the automatic doors on Métro 1 and 14 will continue to close despite the presence of a limb or article of clothing. It is strongly advised to wait for the second train than to chance being caught between the doors.

Strikes, breakdown and construction are regular occurrences on the Paris public transit system. Generally during a strike, the métro operates with reduced service and some suburban lines may stop operating altogether. Visit the RATP and Transilien websites for information on which routes are affected (beware that real-time traffic information and construction announcements are often available only on the French-language sites).

By bus & tram [ edit ]

Since the Métro is primarily structured around a hub-and-spoke model, there are some journeys for which it can be quite inefficient, and in these cases, it is worth seeing if a direct bus route exists, despite the complexity of the bus network. A bus ride is also interesting if you want to see more of the city. All stops have a name and are clearly marked on the street. At complex intersections, stops usually have a situation map that lets you know where other lines stop and if applicable where to find a Métro entrance. If more than one line stops, wave to the driver to let them know you want to board. All buses have a schematic map of the line on display with all stop names, bus connections and major street names. Electronic displays inside each bus tell riders its current position and what stops remain, but don't overly rely on them as they don't always work.

Buses and trams use the same tickets and Navigo as the Métro. A ticket is valid for 90min after its first validation, except that you may not backtrack. Just put the ticket in the machine again when you change buses. You cannot buy a ticket from the bus driver, and SMS ticket can only be bought with a French mobile phone number. You can't use a single ticket for a combined Métro+bus trip: if a ticket has been used in a bus, you can't use it in the Métro, and vice versa.

Most tourists will not encounter the trams as they run only on the outskirts of the city. Trams T3a & T3b go nearly three quarters of the way round the city at the edge. Tram 7 connects Orly Airport with Métro Line 7; it is cheap but not fast.

Noctilien , night buses run regularly through the central hub at Chatelet to outlying areas of greater Paris. There is also a circle line connecting the main train stations. It pays to know one's Noctilien route ahead of time in case one misses the last Métro home. Women travellers should probably avoid taking the Noctilien on their own to destinations outside Paris.

By boat [ edit ]

There are several excellent boat services which make use of the Seine. As well as providing easy, cheap transport to much of central Paris, excellent photo opportunities abound. You can buy a day or 3 day ticket and hop on and off the boat as needed. The boats take a circular route from the Eiffel Tower, down past the Louvre, Notre Dame, botanical gardens then back up the other bank past Musée d'Orsay. Batobus offers a regular shuttle service between the main tourist sights (closed Jan); other companies such as the famous Bateaux Mouches offer sightseeing cruises.

By bicycle [ edit ]

Renting a bike is a very good alternative over driving or using public transport and an excellent way to see the sights. Riding a bike anywhere in the city is far safer for the moderately experienced cyclists than almost any town or city in the United States. The French are very cognizant of cyclists, almost to a point of reverence. Paris hasn't always been the easiest place to get around by bike, but that is no longer the case. The city government has taken a number of steps in strong support of improving the safety and efficiency of the urban cyclist as well, in establishing some separated bike lanes, creating a bikesharing system, and allowing cyclists to share the ample bus lanes on most major boulevards. Paris also has many riverside paths which are perfect for cycling. The Paris bike network now counts over 150 km of either unique or shared lanes for the cyclist. In addition, the narrower, medieval side streets of the central arrondissements make for rather scenic and leisurely cycling, especially during off-hours of the day when traffic is lighter. Do remember to bring a good map, since there is no grid plan to speak of and almost all of the smaller streets are one-way.

While the streets of Paris are generally fairly easy on novice cyclists, there are some streets in the city that should be avoided by those who do not have sufficient urban cycling experience. Rue de Rivoli, Place de la Bastille, and Place de la Nation are particularly hairy, especially during weekdays and the Saturday evening rush, and should not be navigated by anyone not confident in their ability to cycle in heavy traffic. Avenue des Champs-Elysées, Place de l'Étoile, and voie Georges Pompidou (the lower-level express lanes along the banks of the Seine) should be avoided at all times.

You can find an excellent map of the bike network called Paris à vélo - Le bon plan [dead link] ) at the information centre in the Hôtel de Ville .

• Vélib' , ☏ +33 1 76 49 12 34 . In January 2018, the original Vélib' was replaced by a new system called Vélib' Métropole, that encompasses an ever larger area than the previous one. At first there were some technical issues, but by the end of 2018 it seems like they were mostly resolved. Bikes include a screen showing eg. how long a bike has been rented. Some electric bikes are also available (for an extra fee). €5 per day, first half hour free . ( updated Feb 2019 ) You can purchase the Vélib pass online. An app helps finding stations and available parking slots. Green Vélib bikes are normal bikes, blue Vélibs are ebikes.

By electric scooter [ edit ]

Like many cities, Paris was in 2018 more or less flooded with free-floating electric scooters which you can rent through an app. You'll find them whizzing around and standing nearly everywhere. Examples include Bird and Lime , but several other brands are also available. If you take one, make sure to park it in a place where it doesn't obstruct any other foot or motorized traffic.

By scooter or motorbike [ edit ]

Paris is an incredibly open city, with its many "Grands Boulevards" and monuments with large open spaces around make it a city perfect to be explored and viewed by scooter. Be warned that scooter/motorbike is by far the mode of transportation with the most casualties in Paris: half of victims of a collision were riding one, although they only account for about 2% of the traffic. When you're riding a scooter or motorbike in Paris, even if you see others doing so, it is not allowed to "lane-split" between the rows of cars waiting in traffic. At the red lights, even though a lot of scooter and motorbike drivers do not respect it, don't forget to pay attention to the bike designated area: you are not allowed to use them, and doing so is equivalent to failing to respect the red light (€135 fine). Parking-wise there are plenty of deux roues (two wheel) parking spots all over the city. Again, even though you may see plenty of scooters or motorbikes parked on the sidewalk, it is forbidden to do so. The city of Paris has dramatically increased the number of vehicles fined every day (€35), some of them even being towed away (at your own expenses).

• Paris By Scooter , (Scooter always delivered to your hotel) , ☏ +33 6 28 35 39 30 , [email protected] . 08:00-21:00 . All Vespa scooter rentals and Paris guided City tours include the collect and picked up from, your hotel in Paris. From €60 .  
• Left Bank Scooters ( Scooter delivered to your hotel ), ☏ +33 6 78 12 04 24 . 08:00-20:00 . Scooter rental that is delivered to, and picked up from, your hotel in Paris. All scooter are Vespas, 50cc or 125cc available. Must have a car license to rent the 50cc, and a motorcycle license to rent the 125cc. From €60 .  
• [formerly dead link] Ride'n'Smile ( Scooter delivered to your hotel ), ☏ +33 6 64 30 80 13 , [email protected] . 10:00-19:00 . City tours by 50cc Vespa scooters delivered and picked up from your hotel. Driving licence required for drivers. From €39 . ( updated Apr 2017 )

On skates [ edit ]

Paris is a hub for city skating. This is due to the large, smooth surfaces offered by both the pavements and the roads. Skating on the pavement is legal all around Central Paris (zone 1) and its suburbs (zones 2+).

In a word: don't . It is generally a very bad idea to rent a car to visit Paris. Traffic is very dense during the day, and parking is, on average, exceedingly difficult and expensive. This is especially true in areas surrounding points of interest, since many of these are in areas designed long before automobiles existed. A majority of Parisian households do not own cars, and many people who move to the city find themselves selling their cars within a month or two.

That said, driving may be an option for going to some sights in the suburbs such as Vaux-le-Vicomte castle or the castle and city at Fontainebleau , or for starting to other places in France. You may prefer to rent from a location outside Paris proper.

Traffic rules in Paris are basically the same as elsewhere in France, with the exception of having to yield to incoming traffic on roundabouts. However, driving in dense traffic in Paris and suburbs during commute times, can be especially strenuous. Be prepared for traffic jams, cars changing lanes at short notice, and so on. Another issue is pedestrians, who tend to fearlessly jaywalk more in Paris than in other French cities. Be prepared for pedestrians crossing the street on red, and expect similar adventurous behaviour from cyclists. Remember that even if a pedestrian or cyclist crossed on red, if you hit him, you (in fact, your insurance) will have to bear civil responsibility for the damages, and possibly prosecution for failing to control your vehicle. Note that the speed limit in Paris is 30 km/h in almost every street, besides a few large avenues clearly marked as such.

Paris has several orbital roads. There is a series of boulevards named after Napoleonic-era generals ( Boulevard Masséna , Boulevard Ney , and so forth), and collectively referred to as boulevards des Maréchaux . These are normal wide avenues, with traffic lights. Somewhat outside of these is the boulevard périphérique , a controlled-access road with grade separation. The périphérique intérieur is the inner lanes (going clockwise), the périphérique extérieur the outer lanes (going anti-clockwise). Despite the looks, the périphérique is not an autoroute : the speed limit is 70 km/h and, very unusually, incoming traffic has the right of way, at least theoretically (presumably because, otherwise, nobody would be able to enter during rush hour).

By taxi [ edit ]

Taxis are comparatively cheap especially at night when there are no traffic jams to be expected. There are not as many as one would expect, and sometimes finding a taxi can be challenging. In the daytime, it is not always a good idea to take a taxi, as walking or taking the metro ( See: Métro ) will often be faster. If you know you will need one to get to the airport, or to a meeting, it is wise to book ahead by phone.

The initial fare is €2.40 and the meter increases by around €1.10 each kilometer and around 50 cents each minute spent at red lights or in traffic jams. Fares are fixed by the city law and every driver complies with them. Fares vary according to the day of the week, the hour of the day and the area you're crossing.

If you call a taxi, the meter starts when you call and not when you get in. You should expect a €5 to €10 fare on the meter when the taxi arrives after you call it.

Remember if a taxi is near a 'taxi station', they're not supposed to pick you up except at the station where there may be people waiting for a taxi. Taxi stations are usually near train stations, big hotels, hospitals, and large crossings.

There are a number of services by which you can call for taxis or make a reservation in advance. The two largest fleet are Taxis G7 and Taxis Bleus:

• Taxis G7 , ☏ +33 1 47 39 47 39 .  
• Taxis Bleus , ☏ +33 891 70 10 10 .  

As in many other cities a taxi can be difficult to stop; you may have to try several times. When you do get a taxi to stop, the driver will usually roll down his window to ask you where you want to go. If the driver can't (or doesn't want to) go where you want, he might tell you that he's near the end of his work day & can't possibly get you where you want before he has to go off-duty.

There is a €6.40 minimum (2012) on all taxi rides, mandated by city law, but the meter does not show this amount, which can result in being asked to pay more than the metered amount on short rides. In Paris taxis are required by law to charge for the trip with a meter, charging a flat rate is illegal, except from/to Charles de Gaulle airport (€50 from the right bank of the Seine, €55 from the left bank) and Orly airport (€35 from the right bank, €30 from the left bank). Frequently the taxi driver will not want to drive you all the way to the doorstep, but will prefer to let you out a block or so away if there are one or more one-way streets to contend with. Try to look at this as a cost-savings rather than an inconvenience. You should pay while still seated in the cab as in New York and not through the front window London style.

The driver will not let you sit in the front seat (unless there are 3 or 4 of you, which is a rare case usually expedited by more money). Taxi-drivers come in all types, some nice, some rude, some wanting to chat, some not. Smoking in taxis is generally not allowed, however it might be that the taxi driver himself wants a cigarette in which case the rule might become flexible.

Many drivers prefer that you avoid using your cellphone during the ride; if you do have to, make an apologizing gesture & sound, and do make a short call.

• A tip is included in the fare price; If you're especially satisfied with the service, you can give something (basically 10%), but you don't have to.
• There is an extra charge for baggage handling.

If for any reason you wish to file a complaint about a Paris taxi, take note of the taxi's number on the sticker on the left hand backseat window.

Beware of illegal taxis (see the 'Stay Safe' section).

By chauffeur (Limo) [ edit ]

Known as car services or livery cabs, these cars are not allowed to cruise the street or airports for fares. You need to book them before they can pick you up. They are flat rate rather than metered ( ask for the fare before getting in ), and there are two types of licence: the "Grande Remise" that allows the car & driver to pick-up & drop-off passengers anywhere in France, and the "carte verte" that allows pick-up & drop-off in the department or region where the company is based. The Grande Remise cars have a GR on their front plate. They provide more service than a normal cab.

You can find two kinds of cab: private and shared.

• Shared shuttle: You have to share the shuttle with other customers. They can be delayed since the shuttle needs to pick up other customers and perhaps drop them off before you, but they are cheaper than a private shuttle.
• Private shuttle: Will pick you up on-time and drop you off directly to the address specified in the booking.

With children [ edit ]

• Metro and bus . The metro and buses are free for children under the age of 4. Older kids (4-9) can buy a carnet (a collection of 10 tickets) at half-price for discounted travel. Other passes, including the Paris-Vistes pass for unlimited travel over 1 to 5 days are also available at half-price for children below 9 years of age.
• Taxis . Parisian taxis tend to be standard cars (sedans or minivans) so almost all strollers will need to be folded and placed in the trunk. Be aware that taxi drivers are proud of their cars and keep them very clean and are not big fans of messy kids.
• VTC . All strollers will need to be folded and placed in the trunk. VTC provide you all the safety equipment for your children (baby seats and boosters)

Store your luggage

When you are visiting Paris, you may need to store your luggage. You can find luggage storage in every big railway station.

Talk [ edit ]

French ( français ) is of course the country's official language. Any native French person will speak French and it helps if you can speak a bit of it. In the parts of the city that tourists frequent the most, the shopkeepers, information booth attendants, and other workers are likely to answer you in English, even if your French is advanced. These workers tend to deal with thousands of foreign-speaking tourists, and responding in English is often faster than repeating themselves in French. This is not the case for the rest of the city.

For most Parisians, English is something they had to study in school, and thus seems a bit of a chore. People helping you out in English are making an extra effort, sometimes a considerable one. Parisians younger than 40 are much more likely to be fluent in English. Immigrants, often working in service jobs, are less likely to speak English. If it's your first time in France you will have some problems understanding what people are saying, even with prior education in French. Unlike most language education tapes, real Parisians tend to speak fast, use slang, and swallow some letters.

When attempting to speak French, do not be offended if people ask you to repeat, or seem not to understand you, as they are not acting out of snobbery. Keep your sense of humour, and if necessary, write down phrases or place names. And remember to speak slowly and clearly. Unless you have an advanced level and can at least sort of understand French movies, you should also assume that it will be difficult for people to understand what you are saying (imagine someone speaking English to you in an indiscernible accent).

When in need of directions what you should do is this: find a younger person, or a person reading some book or magazine in English, who is obviously not in a hurry; say "hello" or " bonjour " (bon-zhor); start by asking if the person speaks English, "Parlez-vous anglais?" (Par-LAY voo on-glay?) even if the person can read something in English, speak slowly and clearly; write down place names if necessary. Smile a lot. Also, carry a map (preferably Paris par Arrondissement ); given the complexity of Paris streets it is difficult to explain how to find any particular address in any language, no matter how well you speak it. If anything, the person may have an idea as to the place you are looking for, but may not know exactly where it may be, so the map always helps.

On the other hand, you will probably get the cold shoulder if you stop a random person in the métro, fail to greet them and say "where is place X or street Y".

Now, if you speak French, remember two magic phrases : "Excusez-moi de vous déranger" [ex-kuh-zay mwuh duh voo day-rawn-ZHAY] ("Sorry to bother you") and "Pourriez-vous m'aider?" [por-EE-AY voo may-DAY] ("Could you help me?") especially in shops; politeness will work wonders.

It is considered polite to always say "bonjour" (during the day) or "bonsoir" (at night) to employees when entering any type of shop even if you have no intention of buying anything. Upon leaving you should say "merci" to thank the shopkeeper for allowing you to browse and say "bonne journée" (bun zhur-nay) or "bonne soirée" (bun swa-ray) to wish them a good day or evening. "Bonne nuit" is only used when telling someone "goodnight" when going to bed.

Finally, if you speak a language other than English or French, and your French is limited or non-existent, offer to speak your second language with the phrase "Parlez-vous anglais ou XXXX?" (Par-LAY voo on-glay oo XXXX?) as this shows that you are making an effort to speak somebody else's language as well as your own.

See [ edit ]

The listings below are just some highlights of things that you really should see if you can during your visit to Paris. Detailed information can be found on each individual district page (click on the name of the sight).

Landmarks [ edit ]

• 48.858 2.2953 1 Eiffel Tower . No other monument better symbolizes Paris.  
• 48.8738 2.295 2 Arc de Triomphe de l'Étoile . The Arc de Triomphe exudes grandeur and offers a central view of the city.  
• 48.86967 2.30786 3 Champs-Élysées . Widely regarded to be one of the most recognizable avenues in the world ( updated Jun 2018 )

• 48.853 2.3498 4 Notre Dame Cathedral . Impressive Gothic cathedral that was the inspiration for Victor Hugo's novel The Hunchback of Notre Dame . Closed indefinitely due to the fire that occurred on 15 April 2019.  

• 48.886694 2.343 5 Sacré Coeur . A church perched on top of the highest point in Paris. Behind the church is the artists' area, in front are spectacular views of the whole city.  
• 48.871944 2.331667 6 Opera Garnier . Masterpiece of theatre architecture of the 19th century built by Charles Garnier and inaugurated in 1875 housing the Paris Opera since it was founded by Louis XIV.  

• 48.83397 2.33245 7 Catacombes de Paris . Used to store the exhumed bones from the overflowing Paris cemetery. The bones of more than 6 million bodies lie here.  
• 48.892778 2.235833 8 Grande Arche de la Défense . A modern office-building variant of the Arc de Triomphe.  
• 48.846111 2.345833 9 Panthéon . Underneath, the final resting place for the great heroes of the French Republic including Voltaire, Victor Hugo, and Marie Skłodowska-Curie; above, a marvellous view of the city. ( updated May 2023 )
• 48.861944 2.394167 10 Père-Lachaise Cemetery . Unlike any cemetery in the world. Ornate grave stones, monuments set among tree lined lanes. See the graves of Jim Morrison, Oscar Wilde, and Frédéric Chopin, among many others.  
• 48.855369 2.345028 11 Sainte-Chapelle . Exquisite stained glass chapel. More beautiful interior than the gloomy Notre Dame Cathedral.  

Museums and galleries [ edit ]

All national museums and monuments are free for all every first Sunday of the month.

• 48.861089 2.33575 12 The Louvre . One of the finest museums in the world of art and culture. Home of the Mona Lisa and innumerable others. Enormous building and collection, plan at least two visits..  
• 48.86 2.326389 13 Musée d'Orsay . Incredible collection housed in a former railway station. Works by the great artists of the 19th century (1848-1914) including Monet's "Blue Water Lilies, Renoir's "Bal du moulin de la Galette", van Gogh's "Bedroom in Arles", Whistler's "The Artists Mother", etc.  
• 48.855356 2.315819 14 Rodin Museum . Collection and archives dedicated to the sculptor Auguste Rodin, in a charming home with garden.  
• 48.859731 2.362439 15 Picasso Museum . Contains the master's own collection.  
• 48.859361 2.2675 16 Musée Marmottan-Monet . Over 300 paintings of Claude Monet. Also, the works of Berthe Morisot, Edgar Degas, Édouard Manet and Pierre-Auguste Renoir. "Impression Soleil Levant" by Monet is on display.  
• 48.863833 2.32225 17 Musée de l'Orangerie . [Jardin des Tuileries] Houses "The Water Lilies" (or "Nymphéas") - a 360 degree depiction of Monet's flower garden at Giverny. Also, impressionist and post-Impressionist paintings by Cézanne, Matisse, Modigliani, Picasso, Renoir, Rousseau, Soutine, Sisley and others.  
• 48.8546 2.3354 18 Musée Delacroix . Housed in the home of painter Eugène Delacroix.  
• 48.860653 2.352411 19 Centre Georges Pompidou . The museum of modern art. The building and adjoining Stravinsky Fountain are attractions in themselves.  

• 48.855 2.3125 20 Les Invalides . Very impressive museum of arms and armor from the Middle Ages to today. Also contains the tomb of Napoleon Bonaparte.  
• 48.850556 2.343333 21 Musée national du Moyen Âge . A medieval museum exhibiting the five "The Lady and the Unicorn" tapestries, housed in a part Roman, part medieval building.  
• 48.862783 2.334108 22 Musée des Arts Décoratifs . Showcasing eight centuries of French savoir-faire.  
• 48.8575 2.362222 23 Carnavalet . Museum of Paris history; exhibitions are permanent and free. Renovated 2017-2021..  
• 48.895556 2.388056 24 Cité des sciences et de l’industrie - La Villette . Science museum primarily for children.  
• 48.854846 2.356196 25 Mémorial de la Shoah . Paris's Holocaust Memorial Museum, in the heart of the Marais on rue Geoffroy l'Asnier. Free Entry, weekly guided tours. Second Sunday of the month there is a free tour in English.  
• 48.87543 2.31055 26 Jacquemart-Andre Museum . Private collection of French, Italian, Dutch masterpieces in a typical 19th-century mansion.  
• 48.865278 2.293889 27 Guimet Museum . One of the largest collections outside Asia of Southeast Asian, Indian, Afghan, Chinese, Japanese, and Korean art.  

General tips [ edit ]

Planning your visits: several sites have "choke points" that restrict the number of visitors that can flow through. These include: The Eiffel Tower, Sainte-Chapelle, and the catacombs. To avoid lines, you should start your day by arriving at one of these sites at least 30 minutes before opening time. Otherwise, expect a wait of at least an hour. Most museums and galleries are closed on either Monday or Tuesday. Examples: the Louvre museum is closed on Tuesdays while the Orsay Museum is closed on Mondays. Be sure to check museum closing dates to avoid disappointment! Also, most ticket counters close 30-45 min before final closing.

All national museums are open free of charge on the first Sunday of the month. However, this may mean long lines and crowded exhibits. Keep away from Paris during Easter week due to crowding. People have to queue up at the Eiffel Tower for several hours even early in the morning. However, this wait can be greatly reduced, if fit, by walking the first two levels, then buying an elevator ticket to the top. Entry to the permanent exhibitions at city-run museums is free at all times (admission is charged for temporary exhibitions).

Sightseeing passes [ edit ]

One of the best value and most convenient ways to see the sights of Paris is with the Paris Museum Pass [dead link] , a pre-paid entry card that allows entry into over 70 museums and monuments around Paris (and the Palace of Versailles) and comes in 2-day (€52), 4-day (€66) and 6-day (€78) denominations (March 2022). These are consecutive days. The card allows you to jump lengthy queues, a big plus during tourist season when line can be extensive, and is available from participating museums, tourist offices, FNAC branches and all the main Métro and RER train stations. You will still need to pay to enter most special exhibitions. To avoid waiting in the first long queue to purchase the museum pass, stop to purchase your pass a day or more in advance after mid-day. The pass does not become active until your first museum or site visit when you write your start date. After that, the days covered are consecutive. Do not write your start date until you are certain you will use the pass that day and be careful to use the European date style as indicated on the card: day-month-year.

Also consider the ParisPass , a pre-paid entry card + queue jumping to 60 attractions including the Louvre, The Arc de Triomphe, as well as a river cruise and allows free metro & public transport travel.

Do [ edit ]

Sports [ edit ].

• 48.84716 2.24924 1 French Open ( Roland Garros ). One of the 4 Tennis Grand Slam tournaments. It is scheduled for two weeks from the last Sunday in May. The event, on clay courts, features the world’s top-ranked tennis players.  
• Football: 48.8414 2.253 2 Paris Saint-Germain play soccer in Ligue 1, the top tier, and often win it. But don't head for the central district of Saint-Germain-des-Prés! PSG play at Parc des Princes Stadium in the 16th arrondissement south of Bois de Boulogne. The club name derives from Saint-Germain-en-Laye 20 km west.
• 48.924438 2.360104 3 Stade de France ( RER train D ). France's national stadium has a capacity of 81,338, and hosts concerts and various events. Some football club teams sometimes play here when their home stadium is unavailable.  
• Rugby: two clubs play rugby union (15 a side) in Top 14, the French top tier. Racing play at La Défense Arena (or U Arena) in Nanterre. Stade Français play big games at Stade de France and others at Stade Jean-Bouin, next to Parc de Princes the PSG soccer stadium.

Events [ edit ]

It seems like there's almost always something happening in Paris, with the possible exceptions of the school holidays in August and February, when about half of Parisians are to be found not in Paris, but in the South of France or the Alps respectively. The busiest season is probably the fall, from a week or so after la rentrée scolaire or "back to school" to around Noël (Christmas) theatres, cinemas and concert halls book their fullest schedule of the year.

Good listings of current cultural events in Paris can be found in Pariscope or Officiel des spectacles , weekly magazines listing all concerts, art exhibitions, films, stage plays and museums. Available from all kiosks. Timeout is a good option for tourists, who don't speak French.

Even so, there are a couple of annual events in the winter, starting with a furniture and interior decorating trade fair called Maison & Object in January.

In February le nouvel an chinois ( Chinese New Year ) is celebrated in Paris as it is in every city with a significant Chinese and Vietnamese population. There are parades in the 3rd and 4th arrondissements and especially in the Quartier Asiatique (Asian Quarter) in the 13th south of Place d'Italie. Also in February is the Six Nations Rugby Tournament which brings together France, England, Ireland, Scotland, Wales and Italy.

The International Agricultural Show ( Salon Internationale de l'Agriculture ) usually takes place over a week around the end of February/beginning of March at the Porte de Versailles exhibition centre. It is unmissable (not just for tourists but also French politicians wanting to appear in touch with rural France), and showcases large numbers of domestic animals as well as selling speciality food products from all over France and its former colonies in Africa. Particularly recommended are the food stalls from the overseas territories where you can try regional specialities that are hard to come by even in Metropolitan France, and they will often also have performances from folk musicians/dancers. It's usually advised to buy tickets in advance as the queues for entry can be long.

The first of two Fashion weeks occurs in March: Spring Fashion Week , giving designers a platform to present women's prêt-à-porter (ready to wear) collections for the following winter.

In June, Rendez-vous au Jardin is an open house for many Parisian gardens, giving you a chance to meet real Parisian gardeners and see their creations. The Fête de la Musique celebrates the summer solstice (21 June) with this city-wide free musical knees-up. Finally on the 26th of June is the Gay Pride parade, featuring probably the most sincere participation by the mayor's office of any such parade on the globe.

The French national holiday Bastille Day on the 14th of July celebrates the storming of the infamous Bastille during the French Revolution. Paris hosts several spectacular events that day of which the best known is the Bastille Parade which is held on the Champs-Élysées at 10:00 and broadcast to pretty much the rest of Europe by television. The entire street will be crowded with spectators so arrive early. The Bastille Day Fireworks is an exceptional treat for travellers lucky enough to be in town on Bastille Day. The Office du Tourisme et des Congress de Paris recommends gathering in or around the champ de Mars , the gardens of the Eiffel Tower.

Also in July, Cinema en Plein Air is the annual outdoor cinema event that takes place at the Parc de la Villette, in the 19th on Europe's largest inflatable screen. For most of the months of July and August, parts of both banks of the Seine are converted from expressway into an artificial beach for Paris Plages . Also in July the cycling race le Tour de France has a route that varies annually, however it always finishes on the last Sunday of July under the Arc de Triomphe.

On the last full weekend in August, a world-class music festival Rock en Seine draws international rock and pop stars to the Domaine national de Saint-Cloud , just west of Paris.

During mid-September DJs and (usually young) fans from across Europe converge on Paris for five or six days of dancing etc. culminating in the Techno parade - a parade whose route traces roughly from Place de la Bastille to the Sorbonne , and around the same time the festival Jazz à la Villette brings some of the biggest names in contemporary jazz from around the world.

In the beginning of autumn the vine harvest fest takes place. The most famous is the Fête des Vendanges de Montmartre , a food festival around the vine harvest of the Montmartre vineyard.

The Nuit Blanche transforms most of central Paris into a moonlit theme-park for an artsy all-nighter on the first Saturday of October, and Fashion Week returns shortly thereafter showing off Women's Prêt-à-Porter collections for the following summer; as we've noted winter collections are presented in March.

The third Thursday in November marks the release of Le Beaujolais Nouveau and the beginning of the Christmas season. This evening, the Christmas lights are lit in a ceremony on the Champs-Élysées , often in the presence of hundreds (if not thousands) of people and many dignitaries, including the president of France.

Unfortunately, there are no comprehensive event guides covering concerts, clubs, movies or special events. For theatre, movies and exhibitions pick up the Pariscope and L'officiel du Spectacle , available at newsstands for €0.40. For (especially smaller, alternative) concerts pick up LYLO, a small, free booklet available in some bars and at FNAC. There is no user-friendly online version of these guides.

Photography [ edit ]

Paris is considered by many as the birthplace of photography, and while one may debate the correctness of this claim, there is no debate that Paris is today a photographer's dream. The French capital offers a spectacular array of photographic expositions and opportunities to the beginner and the pro alike. It has photogenic monuments (e.g., Arc de Triomphe, Eiffel Tower, the obelisk at Concorde, and countless others); architecture (e.g., the Louvre, Notre Dame, the Museum of the Arab World) and urban street scenes (e.g., in the Marais, Montmartre and Belleville). When you tire of taking your own photos, visit one of the many institutions dedicated to photography. At these and other institutions, you can learn the about the rich history of Paris as the place of important developments in photography (e.g., the Daguerrotype) and as the home of many of the trade's great artists (e.g., Robert Doisneau, André Kertész, Eugene Atget and Henri Cartier-Bresson).

• Jeu de Paume , at the entrance of Tulerie Gardens, is one of the city's premier photography exhibition sites.
• Better Paris Photos , 32 Avenue de Suffren , ☏ +33 6 74 04 21 84 , [email protected] . By appointment, tours last from 4 hours . Better Paris Photos offers instructional tours and workshops that combine hands-on learning of essential photographic techniques with guiding to, and commentary about, the most photogenic spots of Paris. Led by English-speaking photographers and instructors, these tours are open to all skill levels and interest. From €195/half day; €290/full day .  
• Paris Photo, one of the world's most important art fairs, takes place in the autumn.

Movies [ edit ]

The Cinémas of Paris are (or at least should be) the envy of the movie-going world. Of course, like anywhere else you can see big budget first-run films from France and elsewhere. That though, is just the start. During any given week there are at least half-a-dozen film festivals going on, at which you can see the entire works of a given actor or director. Meanwhile, there are some older cult films like say, What's new Pussycat or Casino Royal which you can enjoy pretty much any day you wish.

Many non-French movies are subtitled (called " version originale " "VO" or "VOstfr" as opposed to "VF" for version française).

There are any number of ways to find out what's playing, but the most commonly used guide is Pariscope , which you can find at newsstands for €0.70. Meanwhile, there are innumerable online guides which have information on "every" cinema in Paris.

The Cinemathèque française and the Forum des Images are the two public film institutions that organize retrospectives, exhibitions and festivals.

Theatres [ edit ]

The 48.871944 2.331667 5 Paris Opera , as well as its associated ballet company, the Paris Opera Ballet, are considered to be among the premier classical performance companies in the world.

If you are under 26, there is a flat rate of €10 for every private theatre of the town every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday night. This fare does not apply to public theatres nor opera.

Paris Mômes is a Parisian cultural guide with children's activities and events that comes out several times a year.

• Cité des enfants in the 19th , a museum for kids within the Cité des Sciences et de l'Industrie, is interactive, fun, and educational. There are two separate sections for the 3-5 set and the 5-12 set. The tots section has simple exhibits designed to be pushed, prodded, and poked. The section for older kids is more sophisticated with scientific experiments and TV studios. Métro Porte de la Villete (7)
• Jardin du Luxembourg in the 6th . It would be counted as a travesty not to take your under 10 year old to the Jardin du Luxembourg, long a favourite with Parisian children. With its world famous merry-go-round, a pond for sail boats, a puppet theater, pony rides, chess players, children's playground, it has something for every kid (with comfortable chairs for weary parents thrown in!). The marionettes du Luxembourg, the puppet theatre, stages classic French puppet shows in French but should be easy to understand. There are numerous places for a snack. RER Luxembourg (B) or Métro Odéon (4, 10)
• Parc des Buttes-Chaumont in the 19th . Buttes-Chaumont is great for those with children that like to run, climb, and explore. Built on the site of an abandoned quarry, the park is roughly bowl-shaped with a 30-meter-tall peak situated in the middle of a pond at the park's center. There are trails up the rock, caves, waterfalls, a suspension bridge, and a small stone gazebo on the top of the rock with a 360-degree view. There is also a puppet theater and a playground. Métro Buttes-Chaumont (7bis), Botzaris (7bis), or Laumière (5)
• Parc Zoologique in the 12th . This zoo is different because of a 236-foot artificial mountain bang in its center. Take elevators to the top and enjoy the view or watch the mountain goats do their stuff on the sides. Lions, tigers, and everything designed to delight kids can be found in the zoo if the mountain doesn't do it for your kids. RER/Métro Gare d'Austerlitz (5, 10, C)
• The Jardin d'Acclimatation in the 16th has a number of rides, including pint-sized roller coasters suitable for children as young as three years, as well as a mini-zoo and the estimable Musée en Herbe . Métro Les Sablons (1)
• The Parc Floral , in the Bois de Vincennes, has different themed playgrounds, ping pong tables and picnic areas. During winter the entrance is free.

Learn [ edit ]

• Alliance Française . One of the world's largest schools of French language, the Paris Alliance Française has a wide variety of courses for a visitor to choose from.  
• Ecole France Langue . France Langue have a variety of different courses, starting as short as one week up to long-term tuition. Classes are taught entirely in French, with students (who come from all parts of the world) discouraged from speaking in their native languages at all during lessons. The emphasis is more on speaking and listening rather than on writing and grammar. The school is spread over a number of locations around Place Victor Hugo in the 16 e .  
• Université Paris IV . Offers 'scholastic' as well as 'university' courses for foreigners in French language and culture, which start at various times of year.  
• American Graduate School in Paris , 101, boul Raspail , ☏ +33 1 47 20 00 94 , [email protected] . Graduate school in Paris specializing in international relations and business programs. Classes are taught in English with optional French classes.  
• Franglish , ☏ +33 7 60 47 30 20 , [email protected] . French/English Language Exchange event in Paris, 3 times per week in some of the best venues across Paris. Practice your French while having a good time meeting locals.  
• Schiller International University , 9 rue Yvart, 75015 , ☏ +33 1 45 38 56 01 . ( updated Jun 2017 )

Paris is the seat of other places to learn about a variety of topics.

• The American Library in Paris ( 5 min walking from the Eiffel Tower ). A great place to visit in Paris is the American Library, this is a non-profit institution entirely dependent on donations in order to keep its doors open. Visitors can purchase a day pass or other short term memberships. The Library has Wi-Fi and if you have your laptop then you can access the internet for no charge other than the day pass to use the library. It has excellent books, current issues of American magazines, and the occasional celebrity patron.  

Culinary [ edit ]

How better to get to know a culture than to learn the ins and outs of its native cuisine. After sampling your fair share of Macarons and Magret de Canard around Paris, you might enjoy taking an afternoon to learn how to make these delicacies yourself and take the recipes home with you. While there are many cooking schools around Paris, only a few offer classes in English.

• Le Foodist , 59 Rue du Cardinal Lemoine, Paris 75004 , ☏ +33 6 71 70 95 22 , [email protected] . Register online, classes last 2-6 hours . In the Latin Quarter, Le Foodist is an cooking school that offers French Cooking, Pastry and Baking Classes, Wine Tastings initiations, Food Tours and Hosted Gastronomic Dinners. Led by French Chefs, courses are made in English, small classes, with the ambition of teaching both the technique and the history of traditional french recipes. Prices range from €35 for a Wine Tasting Initiation to €180 for a Market class .  
• Le Cordon Bleu Paris , 8 Rue Léon Delhomme, Paris 75015 , ☏ +33 1 53 68 22 50 , fax : +33 1 48 56 03 96 , [email protected] . Offering both long-term professional programs as well as short term hourly sessions, Le Cordon Bleu is one of the most famous culinary schools located in the heart of Paris. Le Cordon Bleu is considered to be the guardian of French culinary technique through its culinary programs that continue to preserve and pass on the mastery and appreciation of the culinary arts that have been the cornerstone of French gastronomy for over 500 years.  
• La Cuisine Paris , 80 Quai de L'Hôtel de Ville, Paris 75004 , ☏ +33 1 40 51 78 18 , [email protected] . Register online, classes last 2-4 hours . La Cuisine Paris is an English-friendly culinary school located in the heart of Paris, right on the Seine that offers expert teaching of the essential techniques of cuisine française. Led by an international group of English-speaking chefs all trained in classic French cooking, these classes are open to all skill levels and tastes. Prices range from €69 for a two-hour Macaron class to €160 for a 4 hour Market class .  

Work [ edit ]

Work in Paris, especially for non-EU/EEA/Swiss citizens, entails a very long and arduous process. Unless you possess one of a number of in-demand skills, it will almost certainly be necessary to obtain a job offer from an employer before arriving. Your employer, for their part, will have to have the offer approved by the relevant governmental authorities, as well. If you opt for unreported work, such as babysitting, you need not fret about going through the process to obtain a Carte de séjour , i.e., a formal visitor's identity card. However, if you do choose a change in location, it is advisable to obtain a Carte de séjour prior to finding any job whatsoever, as the process can be longer than expected. A Carte de séjour is often necessary to open a bank account and the like, and by extension for accomplishing any number of other tasks involved in modern life, so unless you're very comfortable transacting everything in cash you should probably bite the bullet and keep things on the up-and-up.

If you go to Paris for a conference, there's a very good chance you'll end up in a meeting or exhibiting at CNIT (Centre of New Industries and Technology). This conference and convention space is one of the oldest buildings in the La Defense area of Paris and still looks modern even though it's been eclipsed in height by surrounding buildings and hotels near the CNIT are mainly catered to those staying in the area on business.

Remember, the city of Paris has a huge network of immigrants coming and going, and it is always great to tap into that network. The city holds a great abundance of work ready to be found, even if the search feels nerve-wracking at first.

Buy [ edit ]

Paris is one of the great fashion centres of the Western world, up there with New York , London , and Milan , making it a shopper's delight. While the Paris fashion scene is constantly evolving, the major shopping centres tend to be the same. High end couture can be found in the 8th arrondissement. In summer, there is nothing better than browsing the boutiques along Canal St-Martin, or strolling along the impressive arcades of the historic Palais-Royal, with beautifully wrapped purchases swinging on each arm.

Le Marais is a mostly Jewish neighbourhood, most of the shops in Le Marais are open on Sundays. The stores in this area are intimate, boutique, "Parisian" style clothing stores. You will no doubt find something along each street, and it is always well worth the look.

Other great areas to shop around in are around the area Sèvres Babylone (Métro Line 10 and Line 12). It is in this area you will find the Le Bon Marché 7th , particularly rue de Cherche Midi 6th . The area boasts some of the major fashion houses (Chanel, Jean Paul Gaultier, Versace, etc.) and also has smaller private boutiques with handmade clothing.

In the Quartier Saint-Germain-des-Prés , you can find a handful of vintage clothing shops, carrying anything from couture early 20th century dresses, to 70s Chanel sunglasses. Walking along Boulevard Saint-Germain , you will find major brands. However, if in search of eclectic finds, opt to walk the northern side of the Boulevard, especially along rue Saint André des Arts , where you can always find a nice café to stop in. The area south of Saint-Germain is just as nice, and comes with a price tag to match.

In the artsy quarters of 1 and 4, there are many bargains to be had, once again, if you are prepared to look. Souvenirs are easily found and can be fairly inexpensive as long as you don't buy from the tourist sites. For cheap books of French connection, try the University/Latin quarter as they sell books in all languages starting from half a euro each.

Flea markets [ edit ]

Paris has 3 main flea markets, all on the outskirts of the central city. The most famous of these is the Marché aux Puces de St-Ouen (Porte de Clignancourt) (Clignancourt Flea Market), Métro: Porte de Clignancourt , in the 18th , a haven for lovers of antiques, second-hand goods, and retro fashion. The best days to go are Saturday and Sunday. There are particular times of the week when only antique collectors are allowed into the stalls, and there are also times of the day when the stall owners take their Parisian siesta , and enjoy a leisurely cappuccino for an hour or so. The best times to visit the flea markets are in the spring and summertime, when the area is more vibrant. In and around the metro station, you may find the area a little wild, but still safe.

The Marché aux Puce de Vanves in the 14th arrondissement is open on Saturday and Sunday from 7h-14h. The closes metro station is Porte de Vanves.

Musical instruments [ edit ]

Rue de Rome, situated near Gare St. Lazare, is crowded with luthiers, brass and woodwind makers, piano sellers, and sheet music stores. Subway station Europe. The area south of the metro station Pigalle is also packed with music shops (more oriented towards guitars and drums).

Artwork [ edit ]

For art lovers, be sure to check out Quartier Saint-Germain-des-Prés , which is renowned for its galleries, and it is impossible to turn a street without finding a gallery to cast your glance in. On Fridays, most open until late. Most even have the benefit of bottles of wine so you can wander in with your glass of wine and feel very artistique . Great roads to walk along are rue de Seine , rue Jacob , rue des Beaux Arts , Rue Bonaparte , and Rue Mazarine . Also, be sure to visit the historical district of Montparnasse and quartier Vavin where artists like Modigliani, Gauguin and Zadkine used to work.

Eat [ edit ]

Paris is one of Europe's culinary centres, where the haute cuisine has flourished since at least the French revolution. It may however come as a surprise that Paris isn't considered the culinary capital of French cuisine ; many people prefer the French cooking found in small rural restaurants, outside of the city, closer to the farms and with their focus on freshness and regional specialities. Even among French cities, Paris has long been considered by the French as second to Lyon for fine dining.

There have been other challenges in the last 20 years or so as restaurateurs in places like San Francisco and Sydney briefly surpassed their Parisian fore bearers, again with an emphasis on freshness of ingredients but also borrowings from other cuisines. Parisian cooks didn't just rest on their laurels during this time, rather they travelled, taught, and studied, and together with Paris's own immigrant communities, have revitalized the restaurant trade. Today you can find hundreds of beautiful restaurants with thoughtful (or just trendy) interior design and well-planned and executed cartes and menus offering a creative mélange of French and exotic foreign cuisines. It's safe to say that Paris is once again catching up with or edging ahead of its Anglophone rivals.

Of course there are also some traditional offerings, and for the budget conscious there are hundreds of traditional bistros, with their sidewalk terraces offering a choice of fairly simple (usually meat centred) meals for reasonable prices.

It is unfortunately possible, even likely, to have a uniformly poor dining experience during a stay in Paris, mainly because mass tourism attracts price gougers. It is frequent to hear people complaining of very high Parisian prices for very poor food and service. Since the vast majority of the restaurants are sub-par, the best approach is to refer to a restaurant guide and be prepared to travel some distance; you will never find a good or even passable restaurant otherwise.

Many restaurants are tiny and have tables close together - square metres are at a premium and understandably restaurateurs need to make the most of limited space. In some cases when the restaurant is crowded, you may have to sit beside strangers at the same table. If that does not appeal to you, go to a more upscale place where you will pay for the extra space.

Trendy restaurants often require reservations weeks, if not months in advance. If you haven't planned far enough ahead, try to get a reservation for lunch which is generally easier and less expensive.

For an easy-to-manage eating budget while in Paris, consider: breakfast or "petit déjeuner" at a restaurant, possibly in your hotel, consisting of some croissants, coffee, and maybe a piece of fruit. Get a 'walking lunch' from one of Paris' many food stands—a panino in the centre of the city, a crepe from a crepe stand, a felafel pita or take-out Chinese in the Marais. Traiteurs serving Chinese and/or Vietnamese food are ubiquitous in the city and good for a cheap lunch and many pâtisseries sell inexpensive coffee and sandwiches. All these are cheap (about the same as breakfast), easy, and allow you to maximize your sightseeing and walking time while enjoying delicious local or ethnic food. For dinner, stroll the streets at dusk and consider a €20-40 prix-fixe menu. This will get you 3 or 4 courses, possibly with wine, and an unhurried, candlelit, magical evening. If you alternate days like this with low-budget, self-guided eating (picnicking, snacking, street food) you will be satisfied without breaking the bank.

If one of the aims of your trip to Paris is to indulge in its fine dining, though, the most cost-effective way to do this is to make the main meal of your day lunch. Virtually all restaurants offer a good prix-fixe deal. By complementing this with a bakery breakfast and a light self-catered dinner, you will be able to experience the best of Parisian food and still stick to a budget.

Self-catering [ edit ]

Budget travellers will be very pleased with the range and quality of products on offer at the open air markets (e.g. the biggest one on Boulevard Richard Lenoir (near the Bastille), Rue Mouffetard, Place Buci, Place de la Madeleine and over the Canal Saint-Martin in the 11th or in any other arrondissement). If your accommodation has cooking facilities you're set, especially for wine and cheese, a decent bottle of French wine will set you back all of about €3-5, while the fairly good stuff starts at around €7. Bottles for less than €3 are not recommended.

The small épiceries which open until late are more expensive than the supermarchés (Casino, Monoprix, Franprix, etc.) For wine, the price difference can be up to €2.

Buy a baguette, some cheese and a good bottle of wine and join the Parisian youth for a pique-nique along the Seine (especially on the Île Saint-Louis) or along the Canal Saint-Martin. The finest food stores are Lafayette Gourmet in the Galeries Lafayette or La Grande Epicerie in the luxury department store Le Bon Marché. They are worth discovering. You will find a large variety of wines there, otherwise try wine stores (cavistes) that are present everywhere in the city, and sell all kind of good French wine that you won't find in a supermarket. The owners usually know their wines and will be happy to help you choose among their huge selection. Some also sell good food. You can search for one online or ask a local. There are also some "wine supermarkets" such as Nicolas or Le Relais de Bacchus (all over the city) that sell more common wines.

Some specialities [ edit ]

For seafood lovers, Paris is a great place to try moules frites (steamed mussels and French fries) (better in fall and winter), oysters, sea snails, and other delicacies. Meat specialties include venison (deer), boar, and other game (especially in the fall and winter hunting season), as well as French favourites such as lamb, veal, beef, and pork.

Prices [ edit ]

Eating out in Paris can be expensive. However don't believe people when they say you can't do Paris on the cheap - you can! The key is to stay away from the beaten tracks and the obviously expensive Champs Elysées. Around the lesser visited quarters especially, there are many cheap and yummy restaurants to be found. The area around Fontaine Saint-Michel, the fountain facing Notre Dame is crowded by particularly tasty places to eat, with good ambiance, cheap prices and excellent service, with the advantage of being very centric of many places of interest. The key is to order from the prix-fixe menu, and not off the A la Carte menu unless you want to pay an arm and a leg. In many places a three course meal can be found for about €15. This way you can sample the food cheaply and is usually more "French". Ask for "une carafe d'eau" (oon karaaf doe) to get free tap water.

Kosher dining [ edit ]

Paris has the largest number of Kosher restaurants in any European city. Walk up and down Rue des Rosiers to see the variety and choices available from Israeli, Sushi, Italian and others. You will also find a wide assortment of Kosher restaurants in the 9th arrondissement of Paris near the rue Richer and rue Cadet areas. See the district guides for examples. Kosher restaurants and snacks usually display a big orange rectangle on their front, which ensure clients that they are Beth din certified.

Vegetarian dining [ edit ]

For vegetarians , eating traditional French food will require some improvisation, as it is heavily meat-based. That being said, it is far easier to be vegetarian in Paris than it is elsewhere in France. Paris has several excellent vegetarian restaurants, and many non-vegetarian restaurants will provide vegetarian dishes.

When eating in a traditional restaurant, be careful before ordering dishes labelled as "vegetarian". Many French people presume that fish and seafood are vegetarian dishes. This is a widely spread misunderstanding all around the country. Additionally, French people tend to confuse "real" vegetarians with vegans. When explaining that you're a vegetarian that won't eat fish, people will often presume that you don't eat milk or egg-based products.

Look for spots such as Le Grenier de Notre-Dame in the 5th . The 10th arrondissement also has quite a large variety of vegetarian restaurants, especially of Indian and East/South-East Asian fare. See the arrondissement pages for more listings. For fast food and snacks, you can always find a vegetarian sandwich or pizza, or indeed French tacos. Even a kebab shop can make you something with just cheese and salad, or perhaps falafel. And for healthier fare, it's not usually hard nowadays to find hipstery places that sell vegan poke bowls.

There are also lots of Italian, Thai, Indian, and Mezo-American places where you will have little problem. The famous South Indian chain Saravana Bhavan have their branch near Gare Du Nord. In Rue des Rosiers (4th arrondissement) you can get delicious falafel in the many Jewish restaurants. Another place to look for falafel is on Rue Oberkampf (11th arrondissement). Take away falafel usually goes for €5 or less.

Moroccan and Algerian cooking is common in Paris - vegetarian couscous is lovely. Another good option for vegetarians - are traiteurs, particularly around Ledru Rollin (down the road from Bastille) take away food where you can combine a range of different options such as pomme dauphinoise, dolmas, salads, vegetables, nice breads and cheeses and so on.

Lebanese restaurants and snack shops abound as well, offering a number of vegetarian mezze , or small plates. The stand-bys of course are hummas, falafel, and baba-ganouche ( caviar d'aubergine ). A good place to look for Lebanese is in the pedestrian zone around Les Halles and Beaubourg in the 1st and 4th .

Also look out for banh mi (Vietnamese sandwich) places, especially around Rue Mouffetard in the 5th , where you can often get a tofu banh mi for less than a fiver.

Tourists and locals [ edit ]

When you are looking for a restaurant in Paris, be wary of those where the staff speak English a bit too readily. These restaurants are usually geared towards tourists. It does make a difference in the staff's service and behaviour whether they expect you to return or not.

Sometimes the advertised fixed price tourist menus (€10-15) are a good deal. If you're interested in the really good and more authentic stuff (and if you have learned some words of French) try one of the small bistros where the French go during lunch time.

Drink [ edit ]

The bars scene in Paris really does have something for everyone. From bars which serve drinks in baby bottles, to ultra luxe clubs that require some name dropping, or card (black Amex) showing, and clubs where you can dance like no one's watching, (although they will be). To start your night out right, grab a drink or two in a ubiquitous dive bar, before burning up the dance floor and spreading some cash, at one of the trendy clubs.

• Canal St Martin . Many cozy cafés and other drinking establishments abound around the Canal St Martin in the 10th .
• The Marais . The Marais has a large number of trendier new bars mostly in the 4th and to a lesser extent the 3rd with a few old charmers tossed into the mix. A number of bars and restaurants in the Marais have a decidedly gay crowd, but are usually perfectly friendly to straights as well. Some seem to be more specifically aimed at up-and-coming hetero singles.
• Bastille . There is a very active nightlife zone just to the northeast of Place de Bastille centered around rue de Lappe , rue de la Roquette , rue du Faubourg Saint-Antoine (especially the amazing Club Barrio Latino) and rue de Charonne in the 11th . Many of the bars closest to Bastille have either a North, Central, or South American theme, with a couple of Aussie places mixed in for good measure, and as you continue up rue de Charonne the cafés have more of a traditionally French but grungy feeling.
• Quartier Latin - Odeon . If you're looking for the nouvelle vague (new wave) style, student and intellectual atmosphere of Paris in the 1960s and 70s, you'll find a lot of that (and more hip and chic) places in the quartier Latin and between place Odeon and the Seine. The neighbourhood is also home of many small artsy cinemas showing non-mainstream films and classics (check 'Pariscope' or 'l'officiel du spectacle' at any newspaper stand for the weekly programme).
• Rue Mouffetard and environs . The area in the 5th on the south side of the hill topped by the Panthéon has a little bit of everything for the nighthawk, from the classy cafés of Place de la Contrescarpe to an Irish-American dive bar just down the way to a hip, nearly hidden jazz café at the bottom of the hill.
• Châtelet . In some ways the Marais starts here in the 1st between Les Halles and Hôtel de Ville but with between all of the tourists and the venerable Jazz clubs on rue des Lombards the area deserves some special attention.
• Montmartre . You'll find any number of cozy cafés and other drinking establishments all around the Butte Montmartre in the 18th , especially check out rue des Abbesses near the Métro station of the same name.
• Oberkampf-Ménilmontant . If you are wondering where to find the hipsters ( bobos for bohemian-bourgeois), then this is where to look. There are several clusters of grungy-hip bars all along rue Oberkampf in the 11th , and stretching well into the 20th up the hill on rue de Ménilmontant . It's almost like being in San Francisco 's Haight-Fillmore district.
• Bagnolet . There are a cluster of bar/restaurant/nightclubs along the southern end of the Père Lachaise cemetery in the 20th including probably the best place in Paris for nightly local and touring punk rock.
• Rues des Dames-Batignolles . Another good place to find the grungy-chic crowd is the northern end of the 17th around rue des Dames and rue des Batignolles , and if you decide you want something a little different Montmartre is just around the corner.
• Port de Tolbiac . This previously deserted stretch of the river Seine in the 13th was reborn as a center for nightlife (and Sunday-afternoon-life) a few years ago when an electronic music cooperative opened the Batofar . Nowadays there are a number of boats moored along the same quai , including a boat with a Caribbean theme, and one with an Indian restaurant.
• Saint Germain des Prés . This area has two of the most famous cafés in the world: Café de Flore and Les Deux Magots, both catering to the tourists and the snobs who can afford their high prices. This part of the 6th is where the Parisian café scene really started, and there still are hundreds of places to pull up to a table, order a glass, and discuss Sartre deep into the evening.

For individual bar listings see the various Arrondissement pages under Drink .

Of course there are lots of interesting places which are sort of off on their own outside of these clusters, including a few like the Hemingway Bar at the Ritz which are not to be missed in a serious roundup of Parisian drinking, so check out the listings even in those arrondissements we haven't mentioned above.

Some nightclubs in Paris that are worth it: Folies Pigalle (pl. Pigalle, 18th, very trashy, €20), Rex Club (near one of the oldest cinemas on earth, the Grand Rex, house/electro, about €15). You might also want to try Cabaret (Palais Royal), Maison Blanche, le Baron (M Alma-Marceau). Remember when going out to dress to impress, you are in Paris! Torn clothing and sneakers are not accepted. The better you look, the more likely you will get past the random decisions of club bouncers. Also important to remember if male (or in a group of guys) that it will be more difficult to enter clubs; try to always have an equal male/female ratio.

Sleep [ edit ]

Hotels [ edit ].

Being often declared the most popular travel destination in the world, Paris has far over a thousand hotels to choose from, and even more in the surrounding Ile-de-France region. The choice may be overwhelming, but should be made carefully. There are huge differences in standards and location is key to make your stay in Paris enjoyable and time used well. Be prepared to pay the price for Paris' popularity - even the cheap hotels are relatively expensive.

Despite the popularity with tourists, global hotel chains have relatively low penetration of the Parisian market. A notable exception is the French-based Accor, which boasts over 300 hotels in the Paris area, although with large swathes of central Paris largely uncovered. There is a fair amount of Best Westerns as well, but most international chains limit their presence to very few exclusive (and expensive) hotels in key locations. Travellers loyal to a particular brand may find their loyalty challenged, be forced to pay for it (rather than be rewarded) or unable to find their hotel brand of choice in Paris.

Hotels in the central arrondissements tend to be expensive, although very cheap ones can also be found. With few exceptions, they tend to offer small rooms - be aware of the fact that the difference in price between hotels can translate into difference in service, facility and appointment levels, but not necessarily room size. Rooms of 12-16 square metres (which is roughly half of standard hotels rooms e.g. in the USA) are the norm in central Paris, regardless of hotel standards.

Cheaper hotels in popular arrondissements tend to be older, less attractive properties, whose facilities and appointments may be very worn and outdated, far behind standards one would expect from the capital of all things pretty and fine. Even updated and restored hotels may exhibit wide variance in standards between room categories, and keep some of the rooms not refurbished or only minimally touched up to be able to offer attractive, eye-catching pricing for them and then upsell to more comfortable room categories. Always check out latest reviews, preferably with photos, to precisely determine what to expect from a given hotel and given room category.

Hotels outside of the city centre, or even outside of the Peripherique and Paris itself, can be far cheaper and better value for money than ones in central Paris, while still having good transit links via metro or RER. That said, you should check thoroughly how far from the metro / RER station the given hotel is, and whether the connection to the POIs you want to visit is direct, quick and easy. Do also factor in the added cost of transportation to outer zones, as well as the time spent to travel to and from the city and obviously resulting limitations.

Because of local preferences, a bathtub in the bathroom is a norm in most hotels, even if it means squeezing it into a very small bathroom, further limiting space. If you prefer a walk-in shower, you need to look for a hotel that specifically offers those (called " douche italienne " by the French), and you should generally look at newer, purpose-built properties.

Paris hotels, almost without regard to category or price, observe high and low seasons. These differ slightly from one hotel to another, but usually the high season roughly corresponds to late spring and summer, and possibly a couple of weeks around the Christmas season.

For individual hotel listings see the various Arrondissement pages.

Apartment rentals [ edit ]

For those staying for a week or more, renting a furnished apartment might be a more comfortable and money-saving option, especially for 3 or more adults. Furnished apartments can differ considerably in location and quality, offer different accommodations and selections of appliances and kitchen features, or may be well-above street level with no elevator. Expect apartment sizes to be modest. Access to local public transport can also vary widely. So choose carefully only after getting a full description of an interesting property.

Many websites will help you find rentals. Some do a more disciplined job of locating and describing properties and their locale. Most charge a commission of 10% or more; some offer insurance covering some risks. Some may offer a few apartments for shorter stays, usually at somewhat higher cost per day.

In late-spring and summer months, desirable properties may be in short supply. If your plans are fairly firm for those periods, you would be wise to "reserve" a unit well in-advance. Owners will often ask for a non-refundable deposit of up to 50% of the total cost of your stay. Means of payment can range from money order to PayPal or (occasionally) charge card. (Take great care of how and with whom you share any charge card account number.) You should send no payment to any post office box or similarly anonymous place or account...even after exchanging e-mails with a purported owner; most are no more than "blind" scams to take your money.

The city government has passed ordinances that require owners renting properties for short periods to collect a tax previously collected only by hotels. This substantial tax may not be collected by some owners, or may be demanded by them but not mentioned in their rates until you arrive. Tax enforcement and collection remain in a state of flux.

Some agencies, rental brokers or web sites, that seem amicable, attractive or claim reputations, do not abide by French law to carefully vet and select landlords and apartments they offer for rent. There are a certain number of guarantees, which are required in France before renting an apartment, and an insurance policy, which aims at protecting the tenants during their stay.

Stay safe [ edit ]

Crime [ edit ].

Despite what many naysayers might say or believe, Paris is still a relatively safe city. This does not stop it from being plagued by petty crime , especially pickpocketing , and muggings. Scams, of which there are many, are also prevalent, though the police are slowly cracking down on them. While not common, purse snatchings do happen. Violent crime is rare. However, watch yourself at ATMs and other places where your cash may be visible. Keep your money and your wallet in your front pockets, and avoid ATMs that are open to the outside, especially at night.

As a densely populated city with equally dense neighbourhoods, one would be remiss to generalise the safety of entire 'arrondissements' based on a few specific areas. Several arrondissements have their share of crime, however. The 18th, 19th, and 20th arrondissements are widely seen as the least safe areas of Paris, but safety levels vary dramatically from street to street. During the day, they're usually fine; you might have to watch out for pickpockets and scammers, but not much more. However, be on your guard at night. The 10th arrondissement (namely the areas bordering the 18th and 19th arrondissements) and the southeastern portion of the "périphérique" have also gained a reputation for being sketchy.

Several of the inner suburbs of the metropolitan area (commonly referred to as the banlieues ) such as La Courneuve, Saint-Denis , Sarcelles, and Pantin are notoriously 'rough' by European standards, and you should be cautious when visiting these places. Unrest in those areas has made global headline news (as did the somewhat heavy-handed reactions of various French governments).

The police can be reached by phone by dialling 17. Not all police officers speak English, but those found around touristy areas almost always will. They are usually friendly and perfectly approachable should you have to.

Theft in public transit [ edit ]

The métro and RER are also a popular place for pickpockets. Hold things tightly and be aware of your surroundings. While trains are usually crowded, if someone is insisting and hovers over you, they are probably going through your pockets. It is important to know that a majority of these belong to a gang. These gangs usually use young children as young as seven, with groups of them going around the metro stations pickpocketing tourists and locals alike. If there is a group of three or more suspicious looking people, be careful of your belongings. This is a notable occurrence on Métro line 13, tramways, and the RER B.

Common tactics are two of them blocking you as you try to board the subway, with two behind you quickly going through your bag. Seconds before the doors close, the two jump off, leaving you on the metro without even realizing what has happened. Take note of what locals do. If someone warns you to be careful, there are probably some suspicious types hoping to steal from you. Also be aware that phone-snatching is the most reported crime, and avoid using your cellphone on metro platforms and in the metro itself.

Pickpockets are active on the rail link (RER B) from Charles de Gaulle airport to downtown Paris, which passes through the poor suburbs of Seine-Saint Denis. Try to take the trains which are nonstop between the airport and Paris proper (Gare du Nord) - EKLI/EKIL from Paris to CDG and KRIN/KROL from CDG to Paris. These are faster and are less crowded than the alternative.

There have also been problems with thieves physically fighting people in order to steal their belongings. The most common targets are those with suitcases and backpacks, i.e. tourists. Thieves usually coin their acts with the closing of the doors. Newer trains have cameras everywhere, and thieves are much less likely to use them. Otherwise, stow luggage on the racks above the seat (which is not possible in newer trains) and hold on to your bags so no one can grab them and then run out. You are much less likely of being a victim if the train is crowded with locals headed to work, usually at rush hour.

The train conductors are widely aware of these crimes and will usually wait a few seconds to leave the station after the doors have closed, just in case thieves have quickly jumped off with belongings. There are also emergency cords that one can pull if willing to chase after the attackers. People will usually be helpful and gladly call the police if you do not have a cell phone.

Theft in tourist hotspots [ edit ]

Pickpockets are most likely to be found working at crowded tourists hotspots, so keep your wallet and phone in your front pockets and hold your backpack tightly when in a crowd.

A common place for phone/camera/wallet snatching is in tourist friendly dining areas scattered all over Paris where exposed outdoor tables are commonly right on busy sidewalks. Common practice by many Western tourists is to leave an aforementioned item of value on the table (most commonly a smartphone) in front of them. Some of the criminals, working in groups of three to five people, approach your table and shove what appears to be a survey directly under your nose thus blocking your view of your valuable. While the gang members are yelling in a foreign language another one will slip a hand below your view and take your item of value from the table. This occurs very quickly (less than five seconds) and the perpetrators disappear around the corner just as quick as they arrived.

Key landmarks like the Louvre or the Eiffel tower have been plagued with gangs of pickpockets, which typically operate in groups of about five. As many as half a dozen of these gangs may be active at a particularly famous, crowded venue at any one time; occasionally there are fights between rival gangs of thieves. Asian visitors are often targeted due to a presumption that they are visiting from affluent nations. Venue staff have complained of being spat at, threatened, abused or assaulted by pickpocketing gangs; the Louvre closed briefly in 2013 (as did the Eiffel tower in 2015) due to worker protests of unsafe conditions due to criminal activity. Token attempts to deploy more police have not solved the problems.

Scams [ edit ]

At Sacré-Cœur, there are many men who will try to tie strings or bracelets on your finger (often called "string muggers"). Not only will they demand an obscene fee for the cheap trinkets (usually over €15), they will also try to pickpocket you or threaten you with force if you do not give them money. They are usually only at the base of the monument and can be avoided by taking the Funicular of Montmartre. Otherwise, you can quickly walk past them and ignore them, though they will readily grab people's arms and have even been known to target children of tourists. Yelling at them may cause unwanted attention and cause them to back off, but be careful. Sacré-Cœur appears to be the only area where they congregate, but they have been sighted also near the Eiffel Tower.

Besides them, you will notice many people walking around with cheap trinkets at touristy areas, especially the Trocadéro, Eiffel Tower, and Louvre Museum. They are generally not rude, but buying things from them is illegal and hurts small businesses. Of course, they bolt at the sight of the police, and you may end up in the middle of a stampede!

Be careful around Barbès-Rochechouart and the bars near Moulin Rouge. A very common clip joint trick is played here which might cost you up to €500. The agents standing outside will force you to enter a bar and just have a look for 5 minutes. The moment you order a drink (about €5), a girl will approach you and start talking generally, and leave in 10–15 minutes. After a harmless conversation with the girls when you request a bill, you will encounter a charge of say €200-500 as 'service fees' for the services rendered by the girl! In case you resist paying, the bouncers will start intimidating you to try to extract money from your wallet. In such cases, threaten them that you are calling the police and informing the local embassy. Try to buy some time and start creating a ruckus. However, do not try to start a fight with the bouncers. This trick is common to many European big cities.

One scam involves a "helpful" local buying a ticket for you. Normally, tourists buy 1-day, 3-day or longer Paris Visite passes. They would tell you that your single trip ticket has expired and bring you to the ticketing machine to purchase day passes. Then they would select the 3 day pass for adults (even though you may be a student) and deliberately show you the price on the screen. Everything else is in French so you would not understand a thing. They would proceed to purchase with a credit card and while entering the PIN code, get you to turn your back on them. They then sneakily change the ticket to a single trip ticket and ask for payment for a 3-day ticket from you. Unsuspecting tourists would pay the full sum thinking it is a 1-day or 3-day pass when it is only a useless ticket. Buy the tickets yourself to avoid situations like these, as machines are available in English and other languages. If you feel threatened, call the police and don't physically handle the ticket if they forcibly purchase without your agreement.

Another common scam is found along the banks of the Seine river and involves a ring. This involves thieves "finding" a ring which they give to you. They then ask you if you own it. When you say no, they insist you keep it, saying it goes against their religion or they cannot wear rings. A few moments later, they ask you for money to buy something to eat, eventually following you and becoming more annoying. You can either yell at them or steer them towards an area where there are likely to be police present, at which point they will quickly run away.

The most common scam (besides pickpocketing) that has taken over Paris by storm since June 2011 involves women coming up to tourists with pledge sheets. They pretend to be deaf people collecting money for one charity or another. Once you are distracted with the petition, an accomplice pickpockets you and takes your belongings. In addition, once you sign, they point to a thing that reads "minimum ten euro donation." While they may at first insist on this, shaking your head and walking away will usually make them pester someone else. Otherwise, simply waving them off and a loud no should make them give up. If they are in a large group, as is common, be careful of your belongings! This is a ploy to pickpocket you as you are surrounded by them. At this point, yelling for the police will make them disperse quickly. This is most commonly found around major tourist sites, but has also been a problem at Gare du Nord, though this has gotten much better.

Never bet money on a 3-card game as you will always lose. This trick is played by con artists on some of the bridges on River Seine near the Eiffel Tower.

It is a good idea to steer clear of the suburb of Seine Saint-Denis, as this suburb is known for its gangs and poverty, though there is little of interest to tourists anyway (except the Basilique de Saint-Denis, but that is located near a métro station). You may want to avoid walking alone at night in the 18th and 19th arrondissements as well, as these can be a little shady at night. There is a large problem with youths from the depressed suburbs causing trouble with the police. If locals are moving away, it is most likely from a confrontation. While these groups rarely target people besides the police, be careful. Walk away from a situation that could lead to fights or worse.

In general, remember to be aware of pickpockets, as they act by trying to distract you. Avoid showing off expensive phones or a lot of money in public transportation or in open areas. Put your things in a money belt or your front pockets, but never in the back pockets.

Danger for identifiably Jewish people [ edit ]

Paris has the largest Jewish community in Europe and the 6th largest in the world. However, antisemitic acts have increased in France since the early 2000s, culminating with the January 2015 Île-de-France attacks targeting a local kosher supermarket. Attacks on Jews have since decreased and as of 2023, there have been no recent reports of attacks against tourists of Jewish faith. After 2015, the French government assigned thousands of soldiers to guard synagogues and Jewish schools. Still, fearing harassment or attacks, many of the local Jews no longer wear a kippa/yarmulke in the street or public transportation. So consider taking the advice of local Jews regarding your behavior. For example, if you wear a kippa, consider wearing it under a hat that is not identifiably Jewish.

Respect [ edit ]

Parisians have a reputation for being egocentric, rude and arrogant. While this is often only an inaccurate stereotype, the best way to get along in Paris still is to be on your best behavior, acting like someone who is " bien élevé " (well brought up). It will make getting about considerably easier.

Parisians' abrupt exteriors will rapidly evaporate if you display some basic courtesies. A simple " Bonjour, Madame " when entering a shop, for example, or " Excusez-moi " when trying to get someone's attention, are very important; say " Pardon " or better " je suis désolé " if you bump into someone accidentally or make other mistakes. If you speak French or are using a phrasebook remember to always use the vous form when addressing someone you don't know; this may transform the surliest shop assistant into a smiling helper or the grumpiest inhabitant to a helpful citizen. Courtesy is extremely important in France (where the worst insult is to call someone " mal élevé ", or "badly brought up").

If you only learn one long phrase in French a good one would be " Excusez-moi de vous déranger, monsieur/madame, auriez-vous la gentillesse de m'aider? " (pardon me for bothering you, sir/madam, would you have the kindness to help me?) - this level of extreme politeness is about the closest one can come to a magic wand for unlocking Parisian hospitality. If you know some French, try it! But remember, too, that Parisians have places to go and things to do, so if they have no time and don't answer you, don't take it personally. Many Parisians, given time, will go out of their way to help, especially if you make an effort to speak their language and act polite to them.

Most foreigners tend to ignore two basic rules of courtesy in metro and train transport in Paris. If the carriage is full and you're sitting on a folding seat, you should consider standing up. If you stand next to the door, you are expected to get down to the platform at a stop so that people inside can find their way out. Once they have got out, you can go back. However, don't always expect that others will do the same for you and, if the train is full, get ready to get down with enough time in advance. In a corridor, when pushing a door, you are expected to hold it for the next person, so that it won't close abruptly. This rule is strictly observed in the metro, and quite commonly everywhere else.

In addition, if you are traveling to or from the airport or train station and have luggage with you, make certain that you are not blocking the aisles in the train by leaving your bags on the floor. The RER B (which links both Orly and Charles de Gaulle airports to the city) has luggage racks above the seats (on the newer trains, there are no such racks above the seats, but racks dedicated to luggage in between some seats); it is best to use them so you do not block the path of a local who is getting off the train before the airport stop. On the métro and especially in the RER, don't take up extra seats with your luggage. There are luggage racks and spaces between the seats.

There are hefty fines for littering in Paris, especially with dog droppings (often you'll find free plastic bags dispensers around parks or playgrounds).

As of Sept 2021, Paris has 5G from all French carriers. Wifi is widely available in public places, transport, cafes and so on.

One helpful thing about having official and numbered districts in Paris is that you can easily tell which arrondissement an address is in by its postal code, and can easily come up with the postal code for a Paris address if you know its arrondissement. The rule is just pre-pend 750 or 7500 to the front of the arrondissement number, with 75001 being the postal code for the 1st and 75011 being the postal code for the 11th, and so on. The 16th has two postal codes, 75016 for the portion south of Rue de Passy and 75116 to the north; all other arrondissements only have one postal code.

Phone cards are available from most "tabacs" but make sure you know where you can use them when you buy them, as some places still sell the cartes cabines which are hard to use as cabines are rare.

Cope [ edit ]

Famous for its status as "fashion capital", Paris isn't as conservative in dress as one might think. Parisians will tolerate all kinds of clothes as long as they're worn "avec style" (with style). That's why men do not usually wear shorts shorter than above the knee outside of sporting events: it is not considered indecent but may stand out from the locals; shorts are for "schoolboys and football players" only.

Airlines [ edit ]

• Adria Airways , 94 r Saint Lazare 75009 . M-F 09:00-13:00 and 14:00-17:00, Sa 09:00-12:00 .  
• Air France , 30 av Léon Gaumont 75985 , ☏ +33 36 54 .  
• Air France Agence Opéra , 49 av Opéra 75002 , ☏ +33 36 54 .  
• Air France Agence Jardin du Luxembourg , 4 pl Edmond Rostand 75006 , ☏ +33 36 54 .  
• Air Tahiti Nui , 28 bd St Germain 75005 , ☏ +33 825 02 42 02 .  
• Croatia Airlines , Roissypôle Le Dôme Bât1 r de la Haye Tremblay en France BP 18913 95731 ROISSY CH DE GAULLE CEDEX , ☏ +33 1 48 16 40 00 .  
• Delta Air Lines , 2 r Robert Esnault Pelterie 75007 , ☏ +33 892 702 609 .  
• Finnair (Compagnie Aérienne de Finlande) , Roissy Terminal 2D 95715 ROISSY CDG CEDEX , ☏ +33 821 025 111 .  
• LOT Polish Airlines , 27 r Quatre Septembre 75002 , ☏ +33 800 10 12 24 . open daily .  
• Qatar Airways , 7 r Vignon 75008 , ☏ +33 1 55 27 80 80 .  
• Royal Jordanian airlines , 38 avenue des Champs Elysees Paris - 75008 , fax : +33 1 42 65 99 02 , [email protected] .  
• Royal Air Maroc , 38 av Opéra 75002 , ☏ +33 820 821 821 .  
• Royal Brunei Airlines , 4 r Fbg Montmartre 75009 , ☏ +33 826 95 31 21 .   ´
• Ryanair , Aéroport Beauvais - Tillé , ☏ +33 892 68 20 64 .  
• Saudi Arabian Airlines (Lignes Aériennes de l'Arabie Saoudite) , 34 av George V 75008 , ☏ +33 820 20 05 05 .  
• Singapore Airlines , 43 r Boissière 75116 , ☏ +33 821 230 380 .  
• Srilankan Airlines , 113 r Réaumur 75002 , ☏ +33 1 42 97 43 44 .  
• Syrian Arab Airlines , 1 r Auber 75009 , ☏ +33 1 47 42 11 06 .  
• TAM Airlines , 50 Ter r Malte 75011 , ☏ +33 1 53 75 20 00 .  
• TAP Portugal , ☏ +33 820 319 320 .  
• Turkish Airlines , 8 Place de l’Opera 75009 , ☏ +33 1 56 69 44 90 , fax : +33 1 45 63 10 80 , [email protected] . 09:30-17:30 .  
• Vietnam Airlines , 49 Avenue des Champs Élysées 75008 , ☏ +33 1 44 55 39 90 .  

Embassies [ edit ]

Go next [ edit ].

• Chantilly - Wonderful 17th-century palace and gardens (and the birthplace of whipped cream). 25 min train ride from Gare du Nord
• Chartres - The 12th-century cathedral of Notre Dame at Chartres is one of the highlights of Gothic architecture . 60-min train ride from Gare Montparnasse
• Disneyland Paris - In the suburb of Marne-la-Vallée , to the east of Paris, from where it can be reached by car, train, RER, or bus (the train/RER is probably your best bet).
• Fontainebleau - A lovely historic town south of Paris (55.5 km or 35 mi). A favourite weekend getaway for Parisians, it is renowned for its large and scenic forest, and for its château. 35 min train ride from Gare de Lyon
• Rambouillet - A royal palace surrounded by forest and historic town.
• Giverny - The inspirational house and gardens of the Impressionist painter Claude Monet are but a day-trip away. The gardens and its flowers are the most interesting part of the visit, so avoid rainy days.
• Lille - By bus 3½ hr (€5)
• The Loire Valley - a beautiful wine-making stretch of the river Loire that is chock full of renaissance châteaux, including Chambord , as well as medieval cities such as Blois , Orléans and Tours . Trains take 1–2½ hours from Gare Montparnasse and Gare d'Austerlitz .
• The Orient Express , which historically ran Paris- Istanbul , has been partially recreated as a seasonal luxury tourist train , but tickets are not cheap.
• Saint-Denis - On the northern edge of the metropolis, site of the Stade de France and St Denis Abbey, burial place of French royalty.
• Versailles - On the southwestern edge of Paris, the site of the Sun King Louis XIV's magnificent palace. 20-40 min train ride by RER (line C) from central Paris.

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Discover Paris

Plan Your Trip to the City of Light

Visit Paris and you'll discover a spectacular city packed with a dazzling array of famous attractions such as the Eiffel Tower and Notre Dame, more museums than you can possibly visit in one trip, wonderful hotels and restaurants, and fascinating historic and modern neighborhoods to explore.

And that's just the beginning.  

Cruises along the tranquil Seine River and Canal Saint Martin, shopping destinations ranging from glitzy designer showrooms to street markets, non-stop summer concerts and festivals, tours and fireworks at the Palace of Versailles, and excursions to Disneyland Paris are just a few of the things you can experience here.

Whether you're planning your first Paris vacation or have traveled here dozens of times, you'll find plenty to explore and enjoy - and all the planning tips you need right here.

Welcome to Paris Discovery Guide, an independent travel website (www.parisdiscoveryguide.com) with everything you need to plan a memorable trip to Paris.

Top photo:  View of the Eiffel Tower from Trocadero, (c) Paris Discovery Guide

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What to See & Do in Paris

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Everything you need to know: best time to visit Paris, where to get Euros, how much to tip, & more Find out more

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How to see the Mona Lisa at the Louvre! Find out more

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• How to Get Euros - What are the best ways to get Euros for your trip to Paris?  And how much cash do you really need?
• Why Visit Paris? - Need some inspiration as you plan your trip?  You'll find it here
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Happening in Paris

January in Paris

• The famous Paris winter sales, concerts, new museum exhibits

February in Paris

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May in Paris

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• Why visit Paris?
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Paris in a Day: The Perfect Itinerary

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Paris lives up to the hype. The elegant boulevards, iconic architecture, beautiful parks, and delicious food really do make this a magical city and one we never tire of exploring.

Even if you only have one day in Paris (perhaps on a London to Paris day trip), you can still see (and eat) a lot.

On our last visit, we had one full day in the city on our way from London to Italy by train.

We focused on the major sights and put together an itinerary that would be ideal for first-time visitors to Paris wanting to make the most of a short stay.

In this post, you will find our perfect Paris day trip itinerary, a loop that takes you to the city’s classic sights and beautiful neighbourhoods with some tasty treats along the way.

At the end, there is a map with everything mentioned. 

When to Visit Paris

One day in paris itinerary, where to stay in paris, our paris costs, how to get to paris, getting around paris, paris in a day map, is it worth visiting paris in one day, more france posts.

Our Paris in one day trip was in April, but you could follow this route at any time of year—just dress appropriately.

In spring, wear layers as the weather is very changeable—we had a mix of sun and clouds with variable temperatures.

Our packable down jackets were ideal as when Simon got too hot, he could stuff his inside our daypack .

In winter, I recommend getting an early start to make the most of the daylight.

Back to Contents

We started in Jardin de Plantes as it was just across the river from our hotel, but you could start at any point. There are no ugly sections on this route—it is all gloriously Parisian.

This itinerary does involve a lot of walking—we walked about 14 miles/22.5 km (30,000 steps) in seven hours (10.30am – 5.30pm) and were exhausted by the end.

I have included suggestions of where you could reduce the route or take the metro.

I do think walking is the best way to see this beautiful city, though, and there are plenty of cafes and parks along the way for breaks.

We love exploring the city at our own pace, but if you’d prefer to have a guide show you around, this Paris Highlights tour takes you to many of the attractions we visited and includes Eiffel Tower access. 

Breakfast – Blé Sucré

There’s no need for a hotel breakfast in Paris—affordable bakeries selling delicious croissants and pastries are everywhere.

Luckily our favourite bakery was only a 10-minute walk from our hotel (the Timhotel Paris Gare de Lyon ).

The croissants and pain au chocolat at Blé Sucré (7 Rue Antoine Vollon) were as good as we remembered—huge and perfectly flaky. As it’s always busy, we took our pastries to eat in the park opposite.

See these suggestions for the best croissants in Paris if you want somewhere closer to your hotel.

Another fancier breakfast option would be Angelina tea house near the Louvre. I have included it later in the itinerary, but there’s no reason you couldn’t start there.

Jardin des Plantes

After breakfast we headed across the Seine enjoying views of Notre-Dame as we walked over the Pont d’Austerlitz .

Jardin des Plantes is the main botanical garden in France and dates back to 1626. Entry is free and it’s a lovely place for a stroll.

In early April, flowers had just been planted in the formal beds that line the broad walkways and the pink and white cherry blossom trees were blooming.

You can also visit the Natural History Museum in the gardens, but it is closed on Tuesdays when we visited.

Latin Quarter

The area of Paris on the Left Bank between the Seine and Luxembourg Gardens is known as the Latin Quarter .

It’s home to the Sorbonne University , one of the oldest colleges in Europe, and got its name from the theology students who spoke in Latin until the French Revolution.

This iconic neighbourhood can be touristy, but it’s still charming, and the narrow winding streets are a good place to wander and discover little bistros, independent boutiques, and cosy bookshops.

The market street Rue Mouffetard is one of the most typical and historic streets to explore.

One of the major sights of the Latin Quarter is the grandiose Pantheon , which was originally a church until the French Revolution and now contains the tombs of many famous French figures including Victor Hugo, Marie Curie, and Alexandre Dumas.

It’s worth admiring the Pantheon from outside (like we did) even if you don’t go inside (tickets cost €11.50 adults/ free for children).

The mammoth building is very imposing and is surrounded by more grand buildings including the curved facade of the Law Faculty of the Pantheon-Sorbonne University, the Sainte-Geneviève Library , and the Saint-Étienne-du-Mont church .

The area was buzzing with students enjoying their lunch break in the sun.

Jardin du Luxembourg

Luxembourg Gardens dates back to 1612 and is one of the most popular parks in Paris.

There’s plenty to explore, but it’s also a good place to take a break as there are lots of chairs, so pull one up and admire the fountains and magnificent Luxembourg Palace .

The tulips were blooming and we realised why everyone raves about spring in Paris (we’ll forget about the pouring rain we arrived to the night before!).

Saint Germain

Continue through Sant Germain , the quintessential Parisian neighbourhood of elegant buildings, charming streets, and picturesque squares.

This chic area is full of interesting-looking (but pricey) shops selling antiques, clothes, paper, chocolate, macarons ( Pierre Hermé is our favourite) and more.

You can take a break at one of the classic cafes like Les Deux Magots which was frequented by writers and artists including Hemingway, Sartre, and Picasso. The outdoor tables were packed on a sunny spring lunchtime.

Hot Chocolate at Café de Flore

By this point, after nearly three hours of walking, we were in definite need of a break.

We’d eaten breakfast too late to want lunch, so we went to Café de Flore (172 Boulevard Saint-Germain), known to make some of the best hot chocolate in Paris (the food is reportedly average), and another hangout of the early 20th century intellectuals.

We knew what we were getting into—it is touristy—so we weren’t too shocked by the €7.80 price tag for a Special Flore hot chocolate, and it was excellent—rich, thick and intensely chocolatey.

Café de Flore has a classic bistro vibe with red booth seating, mahogany tables, gold-rimmed Art Deco mirrors, and waiters in long white aprons and black waistcoats. It all feels very Parisian.

Although we enjoyed our drink, I prefer the chocolate and extravagant decor of Angelina (see below), so you could stop there for your hot chocolate break instead.

Option 1: Eiffel Tower

Our plan for the day was rather ambitious, and at this point we were due to visit the Rodin Sculpture Museum and continue to the Eiffel Tower .

We realised we didn’t have the energy for both, so we left the museum for another visit and walked 40 minutes from the cafe to the Eiffel Tower.

Along the way we strolled down the stylish Boulevard Saint Germain and stumbled upon random grand buildings and stunning squares.

We ended up at the east pillar of the Eiffel Tower, walking down a narrow street with it looming above us.

We didn’t climb the tower as the queues are horrendous, but it was impressive to see it up close.

If you want to go up, it’s essential to book your tickets in advance here to avoid the queues. 

You could also save your legs by taking the metro from Saint-Germain des Pres station to Champ de Mars Tour Eiffel —take line 4 two stops to Saint-Michel then switch to the RER C train.

Option 2: Cross the Seine River

Although we were glad we did the walk to the Eiffel Tower, it is a long detour from the rest of this itinerary and adds about 3.7 miles / 6 km.

A shorter route after Café de Flore would be to walk down to the Seine, walk along the Left Bank until the magnificent Alexandre III bridge , cross over, and continue down the opposite side to the Louvre area. You could combine this with Option 3.

Option 3: Art Museum

Rather than trek all the way to the Eiffel Tower, you might decide to spend part of the day at an art museum, one of the most popular things to do in Paris.

If it’s your first trip to Paris, you might feel like you have to visit the Louvre , but don’t feel any pressure to do so—honestly, the Mona Lisa is rather disappointing.

If you’re not that into art, you’ll probably have a much better day in Paris wandering the streets and chocolate shopping.

It’s worth seeing from the outside, though, which is why it’s a stop later on this route.

If you really want to visit the Louvre, buy your tickets online in advance or at least use the quieter Carrousel entrance in the mall below the museum. Note that it’s closed on Tuesdays. These Louvre tips  will help you make the most of your visit. 

I think the Musée d’Orsay is a better choice if you only have time for one art museum in Paris.

It’s not as crowded, the old train station setting is beautiful, and there’s a stunning collection of Impressionist art by Monet, Degas, Cézanne and more. It’s closed on Mondays.

Other options are the Musée de l’Orangerie for Monet’s Water Lillies (closed Tuesdays) and the Rodin Museum for sculpture (closed Mondays).

Walk Along the Seine

Whichever option you choose, you’ll next cross the Seine .

From the Eiffel Tower cross the Pont d’Iena and you’ll get fantastic views of the tower from the other side.

From here we took a long walk along the river. There are many sights to enjoy along the way including the incongruous gold domes of the Holy Trinity Russian Orthodox Cathedral , the ornate Alexandre III bridge , and the Grand Palais .

If you are very energetic, you could take a detour to see the Arc de Triomphe and Champs-Élysées , both major Paris attractions, but honestly not our favourite part of the city.

If you are feeling tired, take the metro to Concorde and continue with the itinerary.

Place de la Concorde and Jardin des Tuileries

Once you reach Place de la Concorde walk through this grand square, which is the largest in Paris and features an Egyptian Obelisk and two fountains.

It leads into the Jardin des Tuileries where you can ride the Ferris wheel, relax on chairs by the pond, and stroll the wide boulevards past fountains and statues. We took a break on some of the chairs here.

From Jardin des Tuileries walk through the Arc de Triomphe du Carrousel  (a smaller version of the famous arch) to the Louvre.

Even though I don’t think it’s worth braving the crowds to go inside unless you are a major art buff, it’s well worth visiting the courtyard to see the splendid Louvre Palace contrasting with the modern glass pyramid entrance.

La Maison du Chocolat Shop

It wouldn’t be Paris without sweet treats. Usually, our favourite place for macarons is Pierre Hermé (which has branches all over the city), but on this trip we decided to try somewhere different.

La Maison du Chocolat has a branch in the upmarket Carrousel du Louvre shopping centre under the museum.

As you’d expect from a Parisian chocolate shop, all the products are exquisite, delicious, and pricey (€2 for a macaron or €1.20 for a small chocolate). You can buy gift boxes or choose a selection in a bag for yourself. It’s all wonderful, especially the chocolate and passionfruit macarons.

Read about the best chocolate shops in Paris for more ideas. 

Angelina: An Alternative Hot Chocolate Stop

Instead of Café de Flore (or as well as, if you can manage it), you could stop at the Angelina tea house (226 Rue de Rivoli) next to Jardin des Tuileries.

The African hot chocolate is even more decadent than at Café de Flore and the elegant Belle Époque decor makes you feel like you’ve stepped back in time.

Île de la Cité 

After the Louvre, continue your stroll along the Seine —the views are beautiful all the way. Remember to turn around to see the Eiffel Tower behind you.

Île de la Cité is a picturesque little island in the Seine that’s home to the famous Notre-Dame Cathedral.

We crossed over to the island on the Pont Neuf and walked through the pleasant triangular square Place Dauphine .

We were exhausted, thirsty, and in need of a toilet at this point and really should have stopped for a break at one of the bars here.

Instead, we continued on, and it became very touristy very quickly.

Notre-Dame is a masterpiece of Gothic architecture and dates back to the 13th century.

Tragically a massive fire in April 2019 destroyed the spire and most of the roof of the cathedral. It is being rebuilt but this could take five years or more. 

It’s no longer possible to go inside Notre-Dame, but you can still see the outside from a distance. 

Why not try this Notre Dame Outdoor Walking Tour with Crypt Entry to find out more about the ongoing restoration work?

An alternative place to visit on the island is Sainte-Chapelle , a 13th-century gothic chapel with stunning stained glass windows.

The queues are long so it’s worth buying a skip the line ticket in advance as it costs the same as purchasing it onsite (€11.50). 

From Notre-Dame we crossed to the quieter neighbouring island Île Saint-Louis and stopped for a much-needed drink at La Chaumiere en l’Ile .

From here we returned to our hotel for a break before dinner.

Le Marais for Dinner

We planned to head to Le Marais neighbourhood for dinner, and I do recommend this if you have the energy.

We couldn’t face any more walking so ended up at upmarket vegan restaurant Gentle Gourmet near our hotel, which unfortunately is now closed.

In Le Marais there are plenty of options for dinner . If you are on a budget (or vegetarian), this area is known for its falafel— L’As du Fallafel is the most famous but there are many others. The grilled vegetable pitta sandwiches at Miznon also sound delicious.

For something more traditionally French, Breizh Cafe is one of the best places for galettes and crepes in Paris and they have vegetarian options. It’s popular so make a reservation, get there early, or be prepared to wait. It’s on our list for next time.

While you are in the area, it’s also worth seeing Le Village St Paul and Place des Vosges .

If you are in Paris for a night or two, I recommend either staying somewhere on this route ( St Germain or the Latin Quarter would be ideal) or if you have an early morning train, choose a hotel close to the train station.

Gare du Nord is where the Eurostar train arrives and departs for London, and Gare de Lyon is the main station for travelling south (including the TGV to Italy).

Gare de l’Est is a 10-minute walk from Gare du Nord and is for trains east such as to gorgeous Colmar .

Where We Stayed Near Gare de Lyon

We stayed near Gare de Lyon (only two stops on the RER D train from Gare du Nord) because our train to Italy left at 6.30am.

We stayed in an ensuite classic double room at the Timhotel Paris Gare de Lyon . It’s one of the most affordable options in the area (prices from €148 a night) and is only five minutes walk to the station.

It’s clean and comfortable but the rooms are small and the WiFi didn’t work in our room (request one with a better signal). While it’s nothing special, it’s fine for a night or two.

Hotels Near Gare du Nord

These are about a five-minute walk from Gare du Nord, perfect if you have an early Eurostar train.

• Le Rocroy Hotel Paris Gare du Nord  – Comfortable, spacious, and affordable rooms with air conditioning. 
• Hotel Mademoiselle – A stylish boutique hotel with all mod cons, spa, and small gym. 

Hotels in St Germain

If you want to stay in the heart of the action, St Germain is one of the most beautiful neighbourhoods in Paris and perfect for this one-day itinerary. It isn’t cheap, but a few affordable options can be found.

• Hôtel Bel Ami – A chic five-star hotel in an ideal location just steps from Cafe de Flore. 
• Millésime Hôtel – Elegant rooms and friendly staff. 
• Hotel Clément   – One of the most affordable options in this area with small but comfortable rooms. 

For two nights/one day in Paris we spent £367 for two people (£184 per person) which is broken down as:

• Eurostar train (one way) £88
• Metro (2 single tickets) £3.31
• Hotel (2 nights) £161.42
• Food and drink £114

You could reduce expenses by choosing cheaper accommodation (likely with shared bathroom), avoiding cafes, and buying a baguette and cheese for dinner rather than eating in a restaurant (we usually happily do this in Paris).

On a previous trip we managed to spend £30 a day per person—see our Paris on a budget guide for details.

Of course, prices may have increased considerably since our last visit.

Eurostar from London to Paris

The fast, comfortable Eurostar train is the best way to travel from London to Paris.

The journey from London St Pancras International to Paris Gare du Nord takes from just two hours 16 minutes, and there are trains almost every hour during the day.

The cheapest tickets cost £44, but you’ll need to book far in advance (up to 180 days) and travel off peak to get the best rates.

We paid £44 each for tickets on a Monday afternoon in April booking three months in advance. You can book on the Eurostar website .

If you are travelling with an Interrail or Eurail pass the Eurostar is included but you must book in advance and pay a seat reservation fee of €30. 

London to Paris Day Trip

It is possible to visit Paris in a day from London on the Eurostar. On weekdays the earliest train departs London at 6.01am and arrives in Paris at 9.21am or the 7.01am train arrives at 10.21am.

There are return trains back every hour until 9.09pm (which arrives in London at 10.30pm), so you could have up to 12 hours in the city—more than enough time for this Paris one day itinerary. Return tickets can be as low as £78 if you book months in advance.

On Sundays, the earliest train is at 8.01am (arriving 11.20am), so you’ll have more time if you travel on a different day.

Don’t forget to bring your passport and remember that Paris is an hour ahead of London.

If you don’t want to organise your day trip yourself, see this London to Paris day tour which includes train tickets, guided tour, and boat trip.

From Other European Destinations

Search on Rail Europe for trains from other destinations in Europe to Paris and Kiwi for cheap flights.

Although most of this route is on foot, you will likely need to take the metro or RER train from your hotel or train station.

Metro tickets are valid on both systems and you can buy them from machines in the stations.

A single ticket costs €2.10 or if you’ll be travelling on the metro a lot, you can buy a one-day Mobilis pass valid in zones 1–2 for €8.45.

You can plan your route on Google Maps, the RATP website , or see a map here .

Absolutely! Even if you only have time for one day in Paris, it’s worth visiting the City of Lights. It’s a walkable city and you can see a lot on a short break, plus enjoy some delicious treats along the way.

• Disneyland Paris Itinerary for Adults: Two Parks in One Day
• Belleville: An Alternative Side to Paris
• How to Visit Paris on Under $50 a Day
• Colmar: Explore This Fairytale Village in Alsace, France
• A Budget Ski Trip to Tignes, France with Alpine Elements
• A Perfect Day Snowboarding in Tignes, France

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12 Comments

Thanks for the how to dress in April comment. My daughter and I are doing the London to Paris to Frankfurt to Munich and on to Italy. 13 days . April 23 2022- May 9. Really looking forward to eating our way through Paris and Italy. We are dieting in order to fit the desserts in and stay in the clothes we bring. Lol.

Reply ↓

Enjoyed your article as it reminded me of our month-long tour of Europe in September 2018. My husband and I decided to take advantage and visited 11 cities, starting in London and ending in Rome. After Chunneling to for our three days in Paris, we stayed in the Saint Germain area, taking the hop-on hop-off (which we did on practically every city) and formal tours of the Eiffel Tower, Louvre, Catacombs, boating the Seine, Moulin Rouge and Versailles, using the subway and bus to get around. Seemed like we walked everywhere, taking advantage of the little bakeries, cafes and markets along the way to ensure we got rest breaks and snacks so my husband could manage his blood sugar. Paris is so beautiful and historic. Where do you get to meet the actual owner of your hotel or talk with the locals at the cafes? Exhausted, we took the train to Lyon to transfer to our next stop Geneva, looking forward to a rest with a side trip to Chamonix. We are going back to Paris in April 2019 for 10 days. Already planning a side train trip to a nearby destination for a couple of days within. Happy to share info on all of our destinations if requested. Signed up for your newsletter. Thank you for a wonderful blog.

That sounds like a wonderful trip Candace! I love how walkable Paris is (and how many treats there are along the way!). Enjoy your next trip and thanks for reading and signing up for the newsletter.

We did something fairly similar to you in terms of what we chose to do for one day in Paris, just order was slightly different. You are right putting bakery first! I don’t think we planned for it but we did go to one in the morning and yum!

I am so glad to have stumbled across your blog!! My hubby and I are doing a one day trip in July! I’m a little nervous about the crowds since we will be there the day before Bastille day. But your blog has given me an idea of how we can make a day work!! Thank you!!!

We love Paris in the summer – enjoy!

I visited Paris in late September when its boulevards and parks were just spectacular with warm-coloured foliage. I’ve covered almost everything featured on your blog. Also, I’ve explored flea markets and suggest to consider adding Le Marché aux Puces de Saint-Ouen to a one-day itinerary. However, expect to spend some time among its endless stalls and note that open-air flea markets operate mostly April to October. Another thing which I can’t see in your itinerary was the abandoned railway Chemin de fer de Petite Ceinture. But I was told it’s much more impressive during the spring bloom than in autumn. Had the queues been shorter, I’d also have visited Paris catacombs. I’m doing that during my next visit.

Paris in autumn sounds wonderful! There are so many things to do in the city it’s hard to narrow it down to just a one day itinerary.

Jardins du Luxembourg! I have spent a cumulative year or two in Paris, and this is still my favorite garden. A must see! Especially in the summer when there are kids pushing around little sailboats! I would add in a couple glasses at a cave de vin, many gorgeous ones around the Marais and Republique as you suggested!

It is gorgeous, isn’t it? We got so lucky that the sun was out when we were there.

Musee de l’Orangerie was my choise. Since Monet is my favourite artist I rather spend my time there than standing in the long line to the Louvre.

I really want to go there! And to the Giverny gardens to see his inspiration.

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Paris Travel Tips: 50 Important Things To Know Before Going To Paris

Are you planning a trip to the French capital? This post will give you all the useful Paris travel tips to make your trip fun and much easier.

Oh, Paris! The thought of walking through its beautiful streets , visiting its famous landmarks one after the other, tasting all its delicious foods , and finally climbing the Eiffel Tower , a trip to Paris is a dream come true!

If you’re planning a trip to Paris, it must be extremely exciting knowing that you’ll be in one of the most beautiful cities in the world.

Disclaimer:  This post might contain affiliate links. This means we may earn a small commission (at no extra cost to you) should you choose to sign up for a program or make a purchase using one of our links. It’s okay – We love all of the products we recommend anyway, and you will too! Also, that commission helps us keep this awesome free blog up to date! You can read our  full disclosure here  for more details!

However, as you prepare for your visit, whether you’re going to Paris for the first time or have been there countless times, there are a number of Paris travel tips that will help you have a fun, safe, and seamless trip.

As someone who lives in the city, I’ve experienced Paris countless times and have found myself in various circumstances that have given me the immense experience to share practical tips for visiting Paris.

So, before you go, make sure that you read these Paris travel tips.

Before You Go, Here’s How to Plan Your Visit To Paris: Practical Quick Tips

WHERE TO STAY Best Eiffel Tower Views:  Hôtel Le Walt  (9.0) Luxury stay:  Pullman Paris Tour Eiffel  (8.2) Mid-range stay:  Hôtel Eiffel  (8.7) Budget Stay:  People – Paris Bercy  (8.9) Apartment Rental:  Résidence Charles Floquet  (9.1)  

BEST GUIDED TOURS Louvre Museum guided tour : (4.5/5) Seine River Dinner Cruise : (4.7/5) Montmartre Walking Tour : (4.8/5) Le Marais Walking Food Tour : (4.5/5) Versailles Guided Tour : (4.8/5) Eiffel Tower Guided Tour : (4.4/5) 

• Considering travel insurance for your trip? World Nomads offers coverage for more than 150 adventure activities as well as emergency medical, lost luggage, trip cancellation, and more.
• Prepare your trip extensively with this Paris Travel guidebook .
• Don’t forget a universal travel adapter , a travel neck pouch , and comfortable walking shoes .
• Consider getting either the museum pass or the Paris city pass if you plan to visit many attractions. The city pass comes with free transportation and access to the hop-on-hop-off bus. You can read my Paris museum pass review to see if it’s right for you.
• Book this private transfer from CDG airport to Paris to avoid the hustle of figuring out how to get to Paris.

Paris Travel Tips: Things To Know Before Visiting Paris

Whether it’s choosing the right time to visit, tips on navigating public transportation, how to dress in Paris, tips to fully get the most when visiting attractions, or mistakes to avoid, here are the best Paris tips for travelers.

For easy navigation, I’ll be categorizing this article into; general travel tips for Paris, money tips for visiting Paris, transportation travel tips for Paris, safety tips for traveling to Paris, and food & restaurant tips for Paris travelers. Now, let’s dive in.

General travel tips for Paris

1. choose the time to visit paris that is best for you.

The first thing to consider when planning a trip to Paris is to choose the best time to visit that works for you. There is no one answer that fits all as we all have different things going on in our lives.

But if you keep other factors constant and base your decision on what’s happening in Paris, or the weather, here is a brief to help you decide.

Paris in Spring is one of the best times to visit Paris. The temperatures are warm, the flowers are blooming and there are not huge crowds yet.

On the other hand, Paris in summer has the most pleasant weather (if there is no heat wave), and the days are long to enjoy the city to the max, however, it sees the biggest crowds of tourists and airplane fares, attractions, and hotels are at their highest.

For an in-between, opt to visit Paris in the fall . The weather is chilly, the streets are covered in fall colors, the crowds are reduced, especially towards the beginning of winter, and the general cost of travel starts to fall.

If you don’t want to deal with huge crowds, you can opt to visit Paris in winter . During this time, the crowds disappear, (though they creep back in during the Christmas season ), and the cost of flights and accommodation is lower, but you’ll have to brave the cold temperatures and short days.

I hope the breakdown of the season helps you choose but if personally I had to choose, I would say towards the end of spring and the beginning of fall are the best times to visit Paris.

The temperatures are still pretty warm, the crowds are not that much and the cost is not that high too.

2. Don’t Skimp on Travel Insurance

One of the best tips for traveling to Paris is not to forego travel Insurance. In fact, before traveling anywhere, whether it’s Paris or not, make sure that you have travel insurance.

So many things can happen on the road! You could lose your valuable travel accessories, you may need expensive urgent care, and if you don’t have travel insurance, it will get expensive pretty quickly yet insurance could have covered everything if you had spent just a few bucks on it.

Though there are countless travel insurance companies out there, the one I trust and recommend is World Nomads Travel insurance . They operate in over 130 countries, so it’s easy to request a quote and the claim process is not a rat race.

However, if you’re a digital nomad or a long-term traveler, you can also check out Safety Wings Travel insurance as they offer great deals for long-term travelers.

3. Don’t visit only the famous landmarks

It’s obvious the first places you’ll have on your Paris travel bucket list are the famous attractions like the Louvre Museum, the Eiffel Tower, the Sacre Coeur, the Arc de Triomphe, the Orsay Museum, and others.

Instead of just visiting only those ones, venture into other non-touristy things to do in Paris and go off the beaten path. This way, you’ll be able to explore Paris beyond what is in the guidebooks .

Some of the hidden gems of Paris worth checking out include parks like Parc Manceau, the covered passages of Paris , Les Arènes de Lutèce, the windmills in Montmartre , Paris Sewer Museum, Paris pet cemetery, and many others.

4. Buy skip-the-line tickets in advance to avoid wasting time in queues

One of the most useful tips when visiting Paris is to buy skip-the-line entry tickets to attractions in advance.

Paris is one of the most visited cities in Europe , so you can expect long queues at its popular attractions. At places like the Louvre, Eiffel Tower, or even Arc de Triomphe, you can easily spend 2-3 hours just in lines to access them.

While this may not be a big issue if you have a long time in the city, but if you’re visiting Paris for a weekend or even 1 day , you’ll lose so much time in queues instead of visiting other attractions.

The best way to avoid this is by purchasing skip-the-line tickets online. Some of the skip-the-line tickets you can buy in advance for popular attractions include;

• This Eiffel Tower skip-the-line ticket to the summit
• The Louvre museum skip-the-line ticket with an audio guide
• The Orsay museum skip-the-line ticket
• This Arc de Triomphe skip-the-line ticket
• Versailles Palace skip-the-line entry ticket to the palace and gardens
• And many others.

You can also check out my complete list of skip-the-line entry tickets to popular landmarks all in one place.

Pro tip* Instead of buying each individual ticket, you can choose to buy this Paris pass that will give you access to over 80 attractions for free while also skipping the long lines. Alternatively, if you intend to visit a number of museums, you’re better off buying this Paris museum pass . You can get more details about the museum pass by reading my detailed Paris museum pass review here .

5. Choose your accommodation in the central districts of Paris

If you have a few days in Paris, the last thing you want to do is waste time on long commutes by staying outside Paris or even in arrondissements that are a bit far from everything.

Instead of staying in the 20th district which is a bit far from the major attractions, choose to stay in either the 7th, 8th, or even the 1st. The bigger the number, the further away it is from central Paris.

You can read my post about where to stay in Paris according to arrondissements to get a general idea of the best area to stay in while in Paris.

6. Book your Hotel/Apartment rental way in advance

Courtesy of Hotel Audran / Booking.com

While still on the topic of booking in advance, another useful Paris travel tip is to book your accommodation in advance, especially in the summer since they book out fast.

This may not happen at all hotels/apartments but the one that suits your particular needs may be booked out if you don’t book in advance.

To help you choose the perfect hotel, I’ve written numerous articles about accommodation. You can click on the links below to go to a particular accommodation post that suits your need.

• Best Hotels with Eiffel Tower views
• Coolest Airbnbs and Apartment rentals with Eiffel Tower views
• Best Paris Hotels with Swimming Pools
• Top Hotels in Montmartre
• Budget-friendly Apartment rentals in Paris
• Best Hotels Near the Louvre museum
• Luxury Apartment vacation rentals in Paris

Alternatively, you can book my expert-selected hotels below if going through the above articles seems like a lot of work.

This is the best hotel with a view of the Eiffel Tower, this is the hotel I recommend for a luxury stay, this one for mid-range travelers, and this one for budget travelers. If you prefer an apartment rental, you’ll love everything about this aparthotel .

7. Take advantage of free museums

If you’re traveling on a budget or just want to save money for something else, one of the best tips for traveling in Paris is to take advantage of free museums.

There are so many free museums in Paris that are worth visiting including; Petit Palais, Musée Carnavalet, Maison De Victor Hugo, Musée De La Vie Romantique, and many others.

The best part is that since most people flock to the famous Paris museums , these ones are usually less crowded, yet interesting to visit and above all free.

8. Don’t just stick to Paris! explore the nearby cities Too

Paris is incredibly beautiful — there is no denying that! However, instead of just visiting the city and leaving the country, you should also explore nearby cities and towns.

You can plan a weekend getaway from Paris or even a day trip to places like Strasbourg, Monet’s garden, Provins, Mont Saint Michel , Chantilly, or any of these cute cities near Paris .

This will help you escape the non-stop life of Paris for a while as you enjoy the beauty of other parts of France.

9. Don’t try to see everything in a short amount of time

It’s not uncommon to want to fit in as many activities as you can in a short amount of time.

But the truth is, it’s quite impossible to see everything in one visit and quite frankly, I’ve not seen everything in Paris myself. Sometimes I find myself discovering new gems while randomly walking.

Trying to see everything will just create travel burnout since you’ll be running from one attraction to another instead of trying to immerse yourself and fully enjoy the experience.

10. Try to dress like Parisians

When it comes to what to wear in Paris, strive to dress like the locals! And how do locals dress, you may ask?

Parisians like to keep things chic and they always look like they put thought into what they’re wearing without going overboard. Not the runway kind of thing, but they always look well put together.

It’s hard to find Parisians wearing sports clothes to walk on the streets (except if they’re actively working out), or even sweatpants.

You can check out my article on what not to wear in Paris to know exactly what to leave home if you want to look like a Parisian.

11. Pack the right clothes for Each season

Before leaving the subject of clothes, another Paris travel tip to note is to pack clothes for the right season.

I have a couple of articles to help you with this depending on the season you’re visiting.

For the months of March to May, here is what to wear in Paris in springtime , what to wear in Paris in the summer if you’re traveling between June to August, what to wear in Paris in the fall if you’re visiting between August to November, and finally what to wear in Paris in the winter if your trip falls between December to February.

With those articles, you’ll know exactly the right clothes to pack for each season!

12. Go to vantage points to take in the views of the city

Paris is beautiful when seen from below but it gets even more magical from above. As you explore the city, get some time to take in the stunning views of Paris from various vantage points.

Some of the places to get stunning views of Paris include the top of the Eiffel Tower, Sacre Coeur, Ard de Triomphe, Butte Chaumont, Montparnasse Tower, Galeries Lafayette, and more. You can also enjoy the views of the Iron lady from these Eiffel Tower view spots .

13. Learning a little French goes a long way

You may hear some people say that English is widely spoken in Paris but I am here to tell you that that’s not true.

In fact, it’s more surprising to find a person who speaks English than one who doesn’t. Of course, people in the tourism industry will speak English but don’t be surprised to go to a store and no one speaks English.

This goes to say that, as you plan to visit Paris, you can learn a few basic French words to help you get around. It doesn’t have to be much but it’s always nice to try.

Some of the French words you can learn include;

• Bonjour = Hello
• Au revoir = Goodbye
• s’il vous plaît = Please
• Merci = Thank you
• De rien = you’re welcome
• Pardon = Pardon me
• Monsieur = Sir
• Madame = miss
• Une carafe d’eau, s’il Vous plaît = tap water, please
• l’addition s’il Vous plaît = The check/bill, please
• A emporter s’il vous plaît = Take away, please
• Je ne parle pas Français, désolé = sorry, I don’t speak English
• Parlez-vous anglais? = Do you speak English?
• Ou est…., s’il vous plaît? = Where is…., please?

14. Paris is not just romance and glamour

Paris is no doubt one of the most romantic places in the world. In fact, one of its nicknames is the city of love .

Yes, there are so many romantic things to do in Paris and it’s probably the number one proposal destination for couples.

But as romantic and charming as it is, it’s not just romance! It has an ugly side to it. Yes, pickpockets will try to take your stuff, scammers will try to scam you, you’ll see a few homeless people and beggars on the stress, and you be welcomed by the smell of Piss in some metro stations.

I am telling you this so that when you come, you don’t get struck by the Paris Syndrome many tourists face, especially those from Japan.

15. Check the opening hours for attractions before you visit

Another one of my favorite Paris travel tips is to check the opening hours of attractions before you visit.

Don’t just assume that all places are open at the same time or stay closed on the same days! Also, opening hours can change due to the season, so be sure to confirm before you go.

16. Create an itinerary but be open to adjusting it

Since Paris has a lot of things to see and do, the best way to see a number of them is by creating a realistic itinerary.

However, try not to follow it religiously. Leave some time in between to do spontaneous activities.

If a visit to one place leads you to another that was not on your itinerary but you’re interested in seeing it, you can just adjust your itinerary because the best experiences come unplanned — at least in some cases.

17. Most Museums in Paris close on Monday, not Sunday

It’s easy to assume that museums would be closed on Sundays but not in Paris. Most big (actually even the small ones) close on Mondays.

In fact, some restaurants too and shops close on Monday instead of Sunday. This is to make sure that people who work Monday – Friday can access certain services on Sunday.

This in turn means that people who worked on Sunday close on Monday. So, don’t just assume, check if the museum is open before your visit.

18. Explore Paris on Foot

Paris is a city best explored on foot. Most of the city’s major landmarks are not far from each other and you discover much more when you walk instead of taking the metro all the time.

For example, you could easily walk from the Opera area to Montmartre without even realizing it. While you can take the metro to reach there, you can easily walk as there are so many hidden gems to uncover along the way.

In fact, you’ll find most travelers say they walked much more in Paris than in other major European cities. This is usually common for some tourists from the US where walking is not as much as in Europe.

19. Carry Comfortable Walking shoes to Paris

If you’re a regular reader of this blog, you know that this is one thing I say all the time. Paris’s streets are covered in cobblestones and it will be hard to walk in high heels.

And if you’re going to explore the city on foot as mentioned above, you’ll want to leave your stilettoes and wedges at home and opt for comfortable walking shoes like sneakers or boots.

20. Try exploring Paris on a bike

Another way to explore Paris is to try biking. Since the world p*ndemic, Paris has put more bike lanes in place to ensure that it becomes more bike-friendly.

It’s easy to rent a bike in Paris as there are many stations all over the city where you can rent a Velib bike from without even talking to anyone.

When you’re done biking, you don’t have to take it back to where you picked it from, but rather at any other bike station you find along the way.

You can go biking along the Seine (nothing more romantic than that), along Canal Saint-Martin, and more.

21. Never forget to say bonjour when you enter a shop

While this may not be the norm back in your country, in Paris, it’s considered rude to not say Bonjour when you enter a shop.

In fact, even when you’re leaving the shop, saying goodbye is considered good manners. You can say au revoir which means “goodbye” or bonne journée for “have a good day”.

22. Carry your student id

In Paris, students are usually offered a discounted rate at major attractions, so if you’re a student, carry your valid student ID to take advantage of the reduced rates.

23. Refrain from shopping at every shop you see

Paris is a shoppers’ haven and if you’re a shopaholic, you may want to pop into every store you see to buy something.

The truth is that most shops in Paris are appealing and it’s like every single one is calling your name.

If you can resist the temptations, window shopping can do the trick, otherwise, you might just spend all your money buying luxury French brands in Paris.

24. Do not speak too loud

Another way to avoid looking like a tourist (and avoid making yourself a target by scammers and pickpockets) is by not speaking too loud.

French people in general don’t speak loud in public and always give an eye to tourists who speak like they’re addressing the entire room. Just keep the voice lower, at least until you leave Paris.

25. Explore Some of the beautiful parks in Paris

Beyond the famous landmarks, Paris is endowed with beautiful parks and gardens worth exploring. These green patches offer an escape into nature to a rather bustling city.

Whether it’s taking a leisurely walk to enjoy the cherry blossoms (if you visit in spring) or wanting to experience a Parisian picnic , there are a number of parks to choose from.

Some of the best Parisian parks not to miss include; Jardin des Plantes, Luxembourg gardens, Butte Chaumont, Parc Monceau, Tuileries gardens, Trocadero gardens, and more.

26. Plan alternative activities to do in case it rains

Regardless of the time of the year you visit whether it’s summer or winter, it’s likely to rain in Paris. But a rainy day doesn’t mean that you should just stay in your hotel room doing nothing.

There is plenty of things to do in Paris on a rainy day that you can choose from so that you don’t waste a day of sightseeing.

Plan to do activities like visiting museums or exploring the covered passages of Paris on the day it rains.

27. Be prepared for the rain

In the same way, don’t just plan out activities for a rainy day but also plan outfits and accessories for such days.

Make sure that you carry a windproof travel umbrella like this and/or this lightweight waterproof rain jacket .

28. Wake up early at least once to catch a sunrise

Imagine the sun rising above the Eiffel tower! Magical, right? If you’re in Paris for a few days, one thing you shouldn’t miss out on is taking in the beauty of the city with the first lights of the day.

You can go to any of these Paris sunrise spots and I guarantee you that compromising your sleep early in the morning will be so worth it.

29. Or stay for the sunset

If you’re not a morning person or you just prefer sunsets, ending your day with a beautiful sunset in Paris will be a memorable one.

You can go to places like Montparnasse Tower, Sacre Coeur, or the Seine cruise to watch a magical sunset.

30. Beware That Most Things close on Sunday

Like most cities, you’ll find Paris calm and quiet on Sundays. Most shops, bakeries, and even some restaurants stay closed on Sunday.

Though you’ll be able to visit some museums since they close on Monday as mentioned above, you may need to plan how to spend your Sunday well in Paris.

Tips for Paris Travel: Food & Restaurants

31. take a food tour while in paris.

Another way to fully immerse yourself in French culture is by taking a food tour. You’ll be able to not only learn more about French food but also taste it. Below are the 3 food tours I recommend in Paris.

• Le Marais Walking Food Tour: This food-guided tour will take you through the vibrant neighborhood of Le Marais. You’ll taste some wine and cheese, some pastries, and any other French delicacies that may be in during that season.
• Montmartre Cheese, Wine, and Pastry Tour: If you’d rather discover the neighborhood of Montmartre, then this is the best food tour for you. Just like the above, you’ll taste some cheese, wine, pastries, and Charcuterie. The tour is fun and informative and the guides are very friendly.
• Saint-Germain-des-Prés Pastry and Chocolate Walking Tour: If you have a sweet tooth, then this guided pastry tour is what I recommend. You’ll taste different types of chocolates, bread, and other French pastries during your tour while admiring all the beautiful bakeries in the Saint-Germain-des-Prés neighborhood.

32. Try as much French food as you can

One of the best ways to immerse yourself in the culture of the place you’re visiting is to try their local food and Paris is no different.

French cuisine is one of the best cuisines in the world and it would be a huge mistake not to try as much as you can.

Some of the French foods you can try include; Raclette (if you visit in the colder months), Crêpes, Croque Monsieur & Croque Madame, or Jambon-Beurre but don’t be afraid to try traditional French foods too like Escagorts, Frog Legs, or Couilles De Mouton (Mutton Testicles).

33. Don’t eat near famous attractions unless you have the budget for it

Unless you have the budget for it, I would refrain from eating at restaurants near popular places.

They’re usually expensive yet just a few minutes away you could get the same exact things (or even better) for less.

34. Make reservations at restaurants ahead of time

Just like at attractions, you’ll need to make reservations at restaurants, especially fancy ones like these restaurants with a view of the Eiffel Tower .

While you can just arrive at smaller cafes and bistros, some restaurants require making a reservation. You can’t just walk in and expect to be seated.

For some, you can make a reservation that very day while others require making a reservation up to 3 months in advance as they book out fast.

One example is Jules Verne , a restaurant at the Eiffel Tower. It’s almost impossible to find availability if you book 1 week or 2 in advance, even a month would be late. Try 2 or 3 months in advance to reserve a table.

So, before you go to Paris, make sure you make reservations if you plan to eat at such restaurants.

35. There is no need to tip At Parisian Restaurants (though appreciated)

While tipping is a big deal in most countries, it’s not the case in Paris. In Paris, the service fee is usually included in the overall price of the meal at restaurants, so don’t feel compelled to tip.

On the other hand, if the service you received was phenomenal and you want to tip your server, you can ask them to include an amount you want to tip to your bill but the best option is to leave a cash tip.

36. Drink tap water instead of buying bottled one

Water in Paris is safe to drink! Locals drink it and you too can. So, instead of wasting money on bottled water, you can just drink tap water from your hotel room.

In fact, even if you’re out exploring, you can still access tap water from the many water fountains (known as Wallace fountains) dotted around the city. Some even have sparkling water if that’s what you prefer.

These fountains are hard to miss as some are historically built but for ease of access, you can check this page for the exact locations in each arrondissement.

Just make sure to carry a reusable travel water bottle like this so that you refill it every time it runs dry.

This won’t only save you money but it’s also great for the environment as it reduces plastic usage.

37. Request for Tap Water at Restaurants too

While still on the topic of water, ask for tap water at restaurants. Most Parisian cafes and restaurants have made it a habit to always put a bottle of tap water on every table.

However, if the restaurant you go to doesn’t do it automatically, feel free to ask for tap water and it will be offered to you for free.

Travel tips for Paris Transporation

38. the metro is the best way to get around.

Paris’s metro system is very well connected and it’s easy to get around no matter where you are. It’s easy to use, you won’t be stuck in traffic, and it’s also the cheapest form of transportation in Paris.

The other options are buses, trams, taxis, or Uber. The downside with buses is getting stuck in traffic and the same applies to taxis/Uber except that the latter is a bit more expensive compared to buses or the metro and the train.

39. Renting A Car In Paris Is A Bad Idea

One of the things to know before traveling to Paris is that renting a car is a very bad idea.

As I mentioned above, public transportation in the city is very effective and cheap compared to hiring a car.

Renting a car will mean being stuck in traffic most time and you’ll have to deal with the crazy Parisian drivers, plus, it’s very expensive. So, save yourself from that pain but choosing not to hire a car. It’s really not needed!

40. Buy A Carnet Of Metro Tickets Instead Of One Every Time

If you plan to ride the metro a number of times (this is inevitable if you’re spending more than 3 days in the city), you’ll be better off buying a carnet of metro tickets.

A carnet is a bundle of 10 tickets and it’s cheaper than buying 10 individual tickets. It will also save you time instead of going to a ticket machine every time you need a new ticket.

41. Don’t Throw Away Your Metro/Train Ticket Just Yet

While still on the topic of tickets, one of the important Paris tips and tricks is to not trash your metro ticket before you fully exit the station at the end of your trip.

If the ticket control team finds you without a ticket, chances are high that you’ll be fined — which is 10 times more than the ticket price.

Plus, the ticket will help you exit the metro/train station. Without it, you may need to buy another one just to exit.

42. Beware of the metro working hours before going out to party late at night

Paris nightlife is fun and vibrant and you should enjoy it at least once. But as you plan to go out, be mindful of the metro working hours.

Is there a metro running on the line you take to go to your hotel (check if there are ongoing strikes)?

What time do they stop working on the day you want to go out? Check all this ahead and plan when to go back if you want to use the metro. Check the Ratp website to stay updated on the metro working hours.

43. You can also download the Bonjour RATP app

Besides just checking the website, you can download the Ratp app to stay updated on all the public transportation in Paris.

With the Bonjour RATP app , you’ll know when a metro line is closed, where to take the metro from, find the closest bus line, Velib stations, RER, the night bus, and more.

Think of it as a one-stop shop for all public transportation around Paris.

44. Avoid taking the metro during rush hours (if possible)

The metro can be something during rush hour, usually between 8 AM to 9 AM and then from  6 PM to 7:30 PM. They’re heavily packed and everyone seems to be in a rush for some reason.

As a tourist, it may not be the best moment to take the metro, especially if you can avoid it.

To give you a rough picture, you may not get where to seat, people will be pushing you (it will be person to person), and on some lines, you may not even be able to get onto the metro because it’s just too packed.

So, if you can avoid taking the metro during rush hours, do it.

45. Make city mapper your friend

One of the best apps to use in Paris is city mapper. I use it all the time for literally anything.

Besides the usual direction which I find more accurate than google maps sometimes, they give metro and train live updates.

You just type in where you want to go and it will show you the best metro/train to take, where to stop, which exist to take, and the best car on the metro/train to sit in.

Though google maps can do some of this, I find Citymapper much more accurate every time!

Money Tips for Traveling in Paris

46. you don’t have to spend a lot in paris.

Paris is ranked as one of the most expensive cities to visit! And while that is true, it doesn’t mean that people traveling on a budget can’t make it work at all.

There are so many free things to do in Paris that will save a couple of bucks, like visiting free museums as we talked about earlier.

You can also sign up for free walking tours and instead of eating out every day, make your own meals if you booked an apartment rental with a kitchen.

47. Cards a widely accepted but some places have a minimum amount they accept

One of the other Paris tourist tips you should know is that cards are widely accepted in most places. However, some places, usually small bars, bakeries, and some shops require a minimum amount to be able to pay by card.

It can be anywhere from a minimum spend of 3€ to 6€. For anything below that, you’d be required to pay by cash.

Actually, at times you’ll come across places that don’t accept cards at all. So, as you visit Paris, try to always carry some cash with you however little it may be.

48. Always carry a few coins for public toilets

Paris is one of those cities where you have to pay to access public toilets, so carry a few coins, (usually 1 Euro) for La Dame Pipi or the lady seated near the toilet collecting money.

However, in some public toilets, credit/debit cards work, so you can use the no-contact payment with ease.

Safety Travel Tips in Paris

49. look out for paris travel scams.

Unfortunately, scams are very rampant in Paris, especially in the areas near the Eiffel Tower and other crowded places.

As you explore, be vigilant and aware of your surroundings. Some of the scams to look out for include;

Someone coming to you with some written documents  and asking you to sign and support their cause.

Don’t fall for this because as soon as you sign, they’ll demand money aggressively and since you may want to get out of that uncomfortable situation pretty soon, you will be tempted to just give them money and leave.

If anyone (usually women) comes to you with stuff like this, just say No, thanks, and move on.

Another scam is the friendship bracelet scam . This one usually happens around Sacre Coeur with someone coming towards you in a friendly way with a bracelet. They’ll try to put it on your wrist and then force you to pay for you. Just move away from anyone trying to be friendly with a bracelet.

50. Be Aware Of Pickpockets

Unfortunately, this is one of the vices that seem to never go away in Paris. Pickpockets are usually in crowded places, in the metro and also the subway.

The only way to avoid them is to carry your bag in the front and be mindful of your surroundings all the time.

Pickpockets also usually target tourists as tourists are less opposed to following up on the crime, so try not to look like a tourist, especially in sketchy places.

Final Thoughts on the Best Paris Travel Tips

It’s easy to miss or overlook some things when going to the French capital, but with these tips for traveling to Paris, I hope you’ll have a great time and know exactly what and what not to do in Paris .

Whether it’s avoiding scams, deciding when to go, or even how to navigate the city, these travel tips for Paris will come in handy.

NEVER TRAVEL TO PARIS WITHOUT TRAVEL INSURANCE One of the biggest mistakes you’ll ever make when planning a trip to Paris is to forego Travel Insurance ! You might think that it’s expensive, but when you think of how much it will save you when you lose your valuables or even get sick, then you’ll know that it’s NOT that expensive! Unfortunately, things can and do go wrong when you travel. World Nomads offers coverage for more than 150 activities as well as emergency medical, lost luggage, trip cancellation, and more. If you’re considering travel insurance for your trip, check out World Nomads .

Check out these posts to help you plan your trip to Paris

• Fun things to do in Paris on a Rainy day
• Famous Paintings in Paris
• Where to Find the Best Macarons in Paris
• Famous Paintings at the Louvre Museum
• Best Covered Passages of Paris
• Most beautiful neighborhoods of Paris
• Fun free things to do in Paris
• Famous Churches to Visit in Paris
• Best Museums in Paris
• Tips for Visiting the Eiffel Tower
• How to spend One day In Paris

Was this post on how to travel in Paris helpful? Then please consider sharing it with others.

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Esther is the face and voice behind Dreams in Paris! She has always been obsessed with Paris even before she moved there. She has lived in Paris for a couple of years, and that obsession has not changed! That love for Paris, plus her passion for writing led to the birth of Dreams in Paris! She now shares all the practical tips and guides she’s picked along the way to help you plan a memorable trip to the city of love! You can learn more about her here !

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Vacations in Paris

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Cheap Paris package deals

Most popular paris flight and hotel deals, last minute vacation packages to paris, search by stars, search by review score, search by board, search by price, search by freebies, when to book a vacation in paris, tips for finding paris package deals.

• There are loads of types of vacations in Paris and the cost will depend on what type of trip you’re taking and for how long you’d like to stay. Here are the latest prices for a 3 night trip for 2 travelers: Top vacation $612; Family vacation $503; Romantic vacation $618; Luxury vacation $680; Budget vacation $387.

Why should you book a vacation package to Paris?

When should you book a vacation package to paris.

The best time to visit is between April and June and from October to early November. The weather is not too cold and there are fewer tourists. Flights and hotels are cheaper in early December, January, and February.

Where should you stay in Paris during your vacation?

For any vacation type in paris:.

Fraser Suites Harmonie Paris La Defense is a 5-star hotel located 2 miles from the airport, and just a 15-minute drive from landmarks like the Arc de Triomphe and the Roland Garros Stadium. It boasts a 24-hour fitness center and bar/lounge. The garden and terrace are a verdant haven in the city.

The Hotel Les Bulles Paris is a 4 star hotel which is comfortable and well-appointed. This is a very elegant and beautiful Beaux Arts hotel in the center of the City of Light. It's situated in the Latin Quarter, close to Notre Dame Cathedral and the Pantheon.

For family vacations in Paris:

The Novotel Paris Charles de Gaulle Hotel is an excellent option for families spending a layover in Paris, or on a quick weekend trip. The hotel is oriented toward savings for larger bookings and offers soundproofed, air-conditioned rooms. The Novotel Café restaurant will feed the whole family.

The Hotel Banke is a 5-star hotel located in central Paris. It's close to the Galeries Lafayette and Printemps department stores and the Theatre Mogador. The Louvre and Gustave Moreau Museum are about a mile from the hotel.

For romantic vacations in Paris

The Hotel Champerret Heliopolis is a quiet hotel in the 17th arrondissement, near the Champs Elysées and the gardens of the Boulevard Péreire. The hotel has been refurbished and promises guests personal service and plush furnishings. It has a private garden and the hotel's serenity lends itself to romance.

The Tiara Chateau Hotel Mont Royal offers a 24-hour airport shuttle and a spa where guests can get massages, wraps, or body scrubs. The Opera restaurant serves meals and the indoor indoor pool and gym provide relaxation. Gowns and slippers provide a romantic touch.

For luxury vacations in Paris:

The Hotel Splendide Royal Paris is a 5-star hotel that offers luxurious rooms, meals, a bar, an in-house spa for wellness treatments and proximity to all the major landmarks and attractions of Paris. The hotel boasts a central location within a 15-minute walk of the Grand Palais and Place de la Concorde. Airport transfers are arranged.

The Victoria Palace Hotel is a luxury establishment in Paris some 4 1/2 miles from the airport and a 15-minute walk from the Tour Montparnasse and Luxembourg Palace. There is a bar/lounge, and a daily buffet breakfast. Rooms have deep tubs, soft bathrobes, and slippers. The hotel arranges airport transfers.

For budget vacations in Paris:

The Porte de Versailles Hotel is a 3-star hotel in the 15th arrondissement, close to the Palais des Sports. The Eiffel Tower and Paris Catacombs are just 3 miles away.

The Ibis Styles Hotel is a popular airport hotel. Soundproofed and comfortable, it serves a daily buffet breakfast. The hotel offers super fast wifi and meals from Foody's Planet. The restaurant is child-oriented and Princess Leias and Han Solos welcome you to the restaurant.

Where to stay in Paris

Paris vacation information, other popular package vacation destinations.

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Step-by-Step Timeline for Planning a Trip to Paris (+ PDF Checklist)

Planning a trip to Paris, especially if it is your first visit to the City of Light, requires a lot of research and careful attention to detail. After all, it would be a huge disappointment to show up at the Louvre only to find that the museum is closed, or that you don’t have the timed-entry tickets you need. Likewise, no one wants to spend three hours waiting in line for the opportunity to ascend the Eiffel Tower. These trip mishaps, among others, can be avoided with a good Paris trip planner.

Sure you can hire a travel advisor to do it for you, but with a little guidance, we can point you in the right direction and give you the tools you need to plan an amazing trip to Paris! Luckily my past experience as a travel agent building itineraries for families and developing relationships with local suppliers put me in a good position to plan my own trip this spring. And regular readers know that I’m a bit obsessive when it comes to research and trip planning.

So I figured why not share my Paris trip planning process with you, along with an easy-to-follow timeline and handy downloadable Paris trip checklist [see below] . And when you are ready to start planning, also be sure to check out my complete, detailed 5 days in Paris itinerary .

Your Guide to Planning a Trip to Paris

Note: This post may contain affiliate links. If you click a link and make a purchase, I may receive a small commission. All opinions are my own.

When Should you Start Planning?

How early should you start planning a trip to Paris? If you are visiting Paris during the high season, I would recommend that you start planning at least six months in advance to find the cheapest airfare and the best hotel rates. This is especially true if you are visiting with a family and require a family room or suite and want to stay in a centrally located hotel or apartment.

Luckily Paris is a big enough city that it isn’t impossible to plan a last-minute trip, you just need to be a bit more flexible on your budget and expectations. Ideally, you will start planning a trip to Paris at least three months in advance before prime tickets to the Eiffel Tower or the Louvre have been sold out.

How Long Should you Spend in Paris?

If this is your first time in Paris, I would recommend a minimum of five days, including your arrival day. Ideally, you would spend a week and have more downtime, plus time for a day trip from Paris, but you may also want to include a visit to a neighboring city like London or Amsterdam to round out your stay, or some time in the South of France.

For our spring break trip , we spent six nights in Paris and continued on to Venice (this was part of a celebratory graduation trip for us.) Even with six nights, our days were pretty busy and we aren’t planning any day trips. Spending a week in Paris is entirely doable.

Step 1: Establish your Paris Vacation Budget

Before you even get too far into planning your Paris trip, you need to figure out your Paris vacation budget so that you don’t get sticker shock when you start looking at the cost of hotels or apartment rentals.

Keep in mind that hotel rooms in Paris aren’t large and families will need a large suite or two rooms. Many times, they are better off with an apartment rental. Unfortunately, there are not a lot of great Airbnb options in Paris due to crackdowns on that service, at least not in the city center.

I put together an entire guide to Paris apartment rentals with many different options, but you can start by looking at options on VRBO .

We have broken down what an average family trip to Paris costs in a separate post that provides an excellent guide for airfare, accommodations, activities, meals, and transportation. Use this as a guideline when determining your budget, based on your own travel style and party size.

I would strongly encourage you to invest in travel insurance for your trip to cover trip cancellation, trip interruption, baggage loss or theft, and medical emergencies. Trust me, I’ve already had to cancel one Paris trip!

Step 2: Research and Book Airfare

For international flights, I try to book my flight tickets about six months before my trip, especially if I’m trying to use airline points or miles as those seats disappear quickly. Once you have your vacation dates in mind, I would recommend setting an alert using an app like Hopper or signing up for membership for a flight fare sale alert service like Dollar Flight Club .

If you are willing to try a budget airline, the new Play Airlines is offering cheap flights to Paris from the United States through Reykjavik. Or, if you have champagne tastes, La Compagnie is a business class-only airline offering flights from Newark to Paris. Personally, I find either Delta or Air France the most reliable.

Step 3: Figure out Where to Stay in Paris

Paris is divided into 20 arrondissements or neighborhoods. The inner circle, or those closest to the center of the city’s main attractions, are the lower numbers. There is a lot of discussion of the best places to stay in Paris and the best fit for you may depend on your travel style and comfort walking and taking the Metro.

However, it is frequently recommended that first-time visitors stay in the 6th Arrondissement, or the Saint Germain des Pres neighborhood. This posh central Paris neighborhood on the Left Bank near the Latin Quarter is very popular, and can also get pretty pricey. If you are looking for a bargain, you can stay further out or try the 3rd or 4th Arrondissement on the Right Bank, the Le Marais neighborhood.

If you are looking for an apartment, you will find the most inventory in the 7th Arrondissement, near the Eiffel Tower. And if you are looking for luxury hotels and designer shopping, the classic 8th Arrondissement, home to the Champs-Élysées, is where to look, although this might feel too touristy for those looking for a more “authentic” neighborhood.

Whichever neighborhood you pick, it helps to book early, approximately three to six months in advance. Be sure to check out my guide for renting an apartment in Paris , but for now, here are a few recommended hotels:

• Hotel Espirit Saint Germain
• Relais Christine
• Citadines Apart’hotel Saint Germain des Pres
• Hotel Relais Saint-Germain

Step 4: Develop your Paris Itinerary

Now comes the heavy lifting! It helps if you start researching your trip a few months before by browsing Pinterest, checking out blogs, and watching YouTube videos. You can even pick up a guidebook for a good overview of what there is to do.

Talk to your travel companions and start whittling down a list of your must-dos! Keep in mind that there are so many things to do in Paris that you simply can’t fit it all into one trip. And the easiest path to a miserable trip is overscheduling.

You also don’t want your trip to be only museums in Paris. Give yourselves time to sit in a cafe and drink a bottle of wine, walk through the Tuileries garden, stroll along the Seine, enjoy a local market, and maybe participate in an activity like a macaron-making class, perfume making, or a painting workshop. You may even want to take a food tour to experience some of Paris’ amazing cuisine.

Consider whether or not you would like to add a day trip to your itinerary. If you have more than five days in Paris, you can easily add in a day trip to the Loire Valley , Disneyland Paris , Versailles , Normandy , or wine tasting in the Champagne region. See the Paris family tours worth booking.

Check museum opening times

The first thing to do is to look at the major tourist attractions you want to see and make a note of the opening time, closing time, and days they are open. In Paris, major museums are closed on certain days and you need to work your itinerary around that. While you are researching this information, make a note of how long you should expect to spend at each attraction to give yourselves enough time and don’t overcrowd your days.

Here are some examples of top attractions in Paris:

• Musee d’Orsay – closed on Mondays, open late on Thursdays
• Musée Rodin – closed on Mondays
• Palace of Versailles – closed on Mondays
• Louvre Museum – closed on Tuesdays, open late on Wednesdays
• Centre Pompidou – closed on Tuesdays
• Musée de l’Orangerie – closed on Tuesdays

Map out your days

One of my top tricks for planning our trips involves Google Maps. I will open a Google Map and search for each attraction that I want to visit. Then I will “star” or save each place so that when I zoom out and look at the map, I start to see a visualization of the different places that I want to go.

This allows me to group together certain attractions that I can do on the same day, and my itinerary starts to take shape. I also like to map out how long it takes to either walk from place to place or take public transportation / Uber.

Understanding the proximity between different attractions and when these attractions are open will help you begin to plan out your days.

Step 5: Book Tickets and Tours

As you are researching what places you want to see, you may also want to think about how you want to see them. Sure it is possible to explore all of Paris on your own, but will you get more out of it by taking a tour?

Some of the Paris tours that are worth spending for include:

• Louvre Tour – the Louvre is the largest museum and impossible to explore it all in one visit. Why not tour it with an art historian that can not only explain what you are looking at but also know how to navigate the massive art museum so that you see the highlights and avoid crowds as much as possible? We booked an evening tour of the Louvre with Take Walks to see Mona Lisa at the quietest time.
• Food Tour – a food tour is a great way to explore a neighborhood in a new city and experience the local cuisine in a way that you wouldn’t find on your own (plus get insider tips on restaurants). We booked a food tour of the Le Marais neighborhood with Devour Tours .
• Eiffel Tower – you can buy tickets on your own for the Eiffel Tower, but if they are either sold out or you want to learn more about the history behind the Tower, you may want to consider a guided tour. We booked a combo evening tour that included a river cruise with a glass of champagne and an Eiffel Tower tour with The Tour Guy . (you’ll receive 5% off when you book through this link)
• Ile de Citê – even though the Notre-Dame Catherdral is still under repair, there is much history to explore and learn on the Ile de Citê. We booked a walking tour with LivTours from the Pont Neuf that included skip-the-line access to Sainte Chapelle.

Paris Museum Pass

If you decide to go it on your own, there is still some planning to do. If you plan on visiting many museums, you will likely benefit from investing in a Paris Museum Pass (note: this is different than the Paris Pass.)

The Paris Museum Pass provides you with entrance to over 50 museums and monuments in the Paris area and allows you to skip the ticket lines. The Paris Museum Pass (PMP) is available in 2, 4, or 6-day options, and is valid for subsequent days after the first activation. You can purchase the PMP online and pay to have it shipped via DHL to your home, or you can wait until you arrive in Paris and pick it up at the airport or at other locations around town.

Louvre Tickets

Even if you have the Paris Museum Pass, you still need a timed-entry ticket to enter the Louvre, unless you are taking a tour. If you have a Paris Museum Pass, you can book an entrance time without having to pay for the ticket IF you have the serial number on your Pass. This means if you want to book before you arrive, you either have to pay to have your Pass shipped to your home OR you have to buy tickets to the Louvre.

If you do not have a Paris Museum Pass, you can purchase individual, timed-entry tickets to the Louvre online on the official website. Some other museums and attractions also require timed-entry tickets, such as the Museé de l’Orangerie and the Palais Garnier Opera House.

Catacombs Tickets

If you plan on visiting the Catacombs, it is also HIGHLY recommended that you purchase skip-the-line tickets in advance. It isn’t uncommon to find two to three-hour waits to enter the Catacombs during high season.

Eiffel Tower Tickets

Tickets to the Eiffel Tower are another thing that you need to do in advance. Tickets typically go on sale 60-90 days before the date of your visit. It isn’t always exact so you need to keep checking to see when ticket sales open up for your dates. Tickets do sell out, especially during prime season, so you need to do this in advance.

Decide ahead of time if you want to purchase tickets to the second platform only, or if you want to go all the way to the top. If tickets aren’t available, you can either buy them through a third-party provider or try to get same-day tickets when you are there. Same-day tickets are available while supplies last until three hours before the visit time for lift tickets, or last minute if you are willing to walk up the stairs and only want to go to the second floor.

Other Attractions

To save time waiting in long lines, you can also book a timed-entry ticket to go to the top of the Arc de Triomphe. And if you don’t have a Paris Museum Pass, you can purchase skip-the-line tickets for attractions like the Musee d’Orsay , Musée de l’Orangerie, and the Palais Garnier opera house if time is of the essence.

One more ticket you need to book in advance is for L’Atelier des Lumieres . They do not sell tickets at the door and you need a timed-entry ticket to get into this very cool digital art gallery.

Step 6: Arrange Transportation

Paris is known for its strikes, particularly transportation strikes. While you can certainly take the train or bus from the Charles de Gaulle airport into the center of Paris, the best way is to consider booking a car transfer in advance — just in case! Particularly if there is also a taxi strike because then finding an Uber is going to be a nightmare. Strikes are another good reason to stay in a central location so that you can walk if the Metro isn’t running and cabs or Ubers aren’t available. Both WelcomePickUps and Blacklane offer similar pricing in Paris.

If you are staying out in Montemarte or one of the further Arrondissements, you will be spending a lot of time on the Metro (when choosing a place to stay always check out the closest metro stations!) and you may want to consider purchasing a pass. Different options are available depending on when you arrive and how long you are staying. You can purchase the Navigo Decouverte pass at the airport or train stations, but make sure you bring along a passport-size photo or you’ll need to use one of the photo booths to take one.

If you will be taking a regional train to another city or country, make sure you reserve your tickets and seats in advance. European train routes typically open up for ticketing about 90 days prior to departure. I typically use Rail Europe to book train tickets for Europe as it allows you to see all the different train line options.

Step 7: Make Dining Reservations

Like when visiting any big city, you are going to be happier if you plan your dining, at least as much as possible, in advance. This is especially true if you hope to indulge in a meal at a Michelin-starred restaurant as the best restaurants can be tough to even get a reservation for! Being hangry is a recipe for disaster when it comes to bursting the chill vacation mood.

With a little advance planning that can be avoided. Just keep in mind that in France, lunch typically runs from 12-2 pm. Don’t be surprised to walk in at 1:30 and be turned away. Plan your day accordingly or settle for dining at a cafe.

Dinner hour typically begins around 7-7:30 pm through 10 or 11 pm. But again, this is to give time to enjoy the meal, not to arrive at 10:30. Reservations for dinner are highly recommended if you don’t want to spend extra time walking here and there looking for an available restaurant that meets your tastes. I would recommend booking fine dining restaurants at least a month in advance and you can book your other dining a couple of weeks before you depart.

Luckily many restaurants accept online reservations through their website or through The Fork (the French version of Open Table.) Don’t be surprised if you are required to leave a credit card with a hefty cancellation fee for fine dining establishments.

There are plenty of wonderful food options to choose from in Paris but if you need a little help guiding your selection, I typically turn to one of the following:

Step 8: Final preparations

We have made it to the final one to two weeks before your departure! Hooray, the trip is almost here but there is still so much to be done. Since you are traveling to Paris, I would recommend signing up for the U.S. State Department’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) . This lets the State Department know that you will be in France and they can get in touch with you via text or phone if there is an urgent event that impacts U.S. travelers (e.g. a terrorist attack, pandemic, strikes, etc.)

Of course these days, you also need to check to see what travel restrictions are in place by checking the Embassy website. As of February 12, 2022, fully vaccinated U.S. travelers no longer need to present a negative COVID test, but this is subject to change of course and from mid-March 2022 visitors don’t need to obtain a French Vaccine Pass to enter cultural sites, museums, theatres, restaurants, bars, nightclubs, or cafes. 

Money matters

Next, it is time to take care of money matters. I usually recommend going to your local bank to request Euro before you depart. Many times it takes 3-5 business days to get delivered. I typically withdraw 300-500 Euros and if I need more, I visit a local ATM. It pays to know in advance if your bank is affiliated with any French banks to avoid extra fees. Be sure to request denominations of 50 Euro and under otherwise you may have trouble getting change.

You should also contact your credit card company to let them know that you will be traveling overseas so they don’t put a block on your card.

Communication concerns

Before you depart, figure out how you are going to communicate from abroad. Many wireless companies now offer affordable international calling or data plans. For example, with Verizon, I pay $10 per day (only on days that I use it) for wireless data, and the data I use counts against the same limits I have at home. If you haven’t used this plan before, you do need to activate it before you leave. We usually keep one phone turned on when needed and otherwise use WiFi.

It is also a good time to download any apps that you might need while you are in Paris, as well as any movies or entertainment you want for your offline travels. A few apps I would recommend include:

• Uber – widely available in Paris
• Google Maps – download a Paris map for offline access
• Google Translate – very helpful when perusing menus or asking for help
• Airline app – for connection/gate information, mobile check-in and boarding passes, and entertainment options
• XE Currency – for currency conversion
• Travel phrase book – I use Fodor’s Travel Phrases, French version
• The Fork – for making and changing dining reservations on the fly
• Next Stop Paris from RATP – build itineraries, offline maps, tickets, and more
• Oui.Sncf – if you are traveling around France by train
• Paris Metro – navigate the Paris Metro
• Voice Map – purchase and download Paris audio walking tours from Join Us in France

Button up the details

Before you leave, print out multiple copies of your itinerary and store them in separate places. I also like to email copies to trusted friends and save a version in the Cloud (Dropbox, Google Drive, etc.) so that I can access it if my paper copy gets lost. Also, make sure to print out and organize any tickets or vouchers that are required for your entrances or tours, or save these to your phone’s mobile wallet.

While you are at it, take a picture of everyone’s Passport and make sure those are stored on your phone and in the secure Cloud. Print out a copy to carry with you so you don’t need to carry originals with you when out and about (leave those in the hotel safe.) Just remember that you will need to show ID with your vaccine pass to enter attractions and restaurants so be sure to keep your IDs on you for that.

Before you start packing, double-check that you have your seat assignments and your seats haven’t been reshuffled since booking. At that time you can make sure everyone’s passport info, Known Traveler Numbers, and frequent flier numbers are all added to your flight record so that check-in is simple and easy.

Make sure everything is prepared at home by arranging pet or house sitting, stopping your mail or deliveries, setting the thermostat to a low and steady temperature, and setting any timers for your lights or smart home devices. You may also want to alert your home security company that you will be away.

Download your Paris Trip Planning Checklist

Ready to get started? Download and print this ready-made checklist timeline for planning your trip to Paris.

Download your Paris Vacation Countdown Checklist Here

Now all you have left to do is pack, but that is the subject of another post! We wish you an amazing trip to Paris. Au revoir!

PIN THIS FOR LATER

Tamara Gruber is the Founder and Publisher of We3Travel. A former marketing executive and travel advisor, Tamara is an award-winning travel writer and recognized expert in family travel. Tamara is a member of SATW and the Adventure Travel Trade Association, and serves on the Board of the Family Travel Association. She is also the publisher of YourTimetoFly.com and the co-host of the Vacation Mavens travel podcast.

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Publish Date: November 25, 2022

4 thoughts on “Step-by-Step Timeline for Planning a Trip to Paris (+ PDF Checklist)”

Next time– I’m doing this itinerary when we head to Paris. Last one was a bit of a dud, the one before was fun, but kids were itty bitty.

Love this step by step guide! So helpful!

Having a successful trip definitively takes planning. The better you plan the better your chances are to get the best deals and experiences you want. Love this step by step guide with what to do, when!

Great step by step planning. I am definitely saving this for future reference as I expect to go to Europe in 2021

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Having friends from the US visiting me in Paris, I had this idea of PARIS BY EMY. Loving Paris and multicultural exchanges, I have decided to create PARIS BY EMY, a company dedicated to planning personalized vacation packages with private tours and personalized services. I travelled to many corners of the world : Europe, Africa, North America & the Middle East.

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Expert recommended top 3 travel agencies in paris, france. all of our travel agencies actually face a rigorous 50-point inspection , which includes everything from checking reviews, ratings, reputation, history, complaints, satisfaction, trust and cost to the general excellence., amihan travel, voyageurs du monde paris.

Amihan Travel is a well-regarded travel agency catering to the needs of the Filipino community and other nationalities residing in Paris. Their core mission is enabling travellers to explore the globe and craft enduring, memorable experiences. Offering two primary services—group tours to various European destinations and flight ticketing—Amihan Travel prides itself on curating top-tier itineraries. These itineraries encompass bookings at highly-rated four-star hotels, ensuring the utmost comfort for their clients. Their team of seasoned professionals is consistently prepared to assist clients with a welcoming demeanour in organising their travel arrangements. With Amihan Travel, individuals can relish group tours to sought-after destinations like Barcelona, Budapest, and Amsterdam, among others. Furthermore, the agency extends preferential rates on airline tickets, enabling clients to access the most competitive prices for visits to loved ones in the Philippines or global travel. Moreover, Amihan Travel simplifies ticket purchasing by offering easy payment options, allowing ticket acquisition in 3 or 4 convenient instalments. UNIQUE FACTS: • Group Tours • Easy Payment Services.

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Tbr® inspection report:, amihan travel reviews.

Très serviables, une agence de voyages comme on n'en voit trop rarement aujourd'hui car toujours prêts à accueillir chaleureusement et CONSEILLER dans le vrai sens du terme.

Une bonne expérience . Ils sont toujours à bas prix. A recommander vivement aux personnes qui aiment voyager

Les agents de voyage sont très accommodants. Hautement recommandé à tout le monde.

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Asieland is an esteemed travel agency headquartered in Paris, France, and boasts a remarkable 20-year legacy of delivering customised travel solutions tailored toward Asia. Their team comprises multilingual Franco-Asian experts dedicated to ensuring an unforgettable experience during your travels by offering personalised services. Asieland specialises in curating bespoke individual stays that impeccably match the diverse travel requirements of their clientele. They take pride in providing unwaveringly dedicated services for each destination and every specific desire. Additionally, the agency excels in facilitating the exploration of Europe's eminent cultural, historical, and artistic capitals. Embarking on a cruise with Asieland presents an exceptional opportunity to delve into a captivating universe. These cruises feature areas dedicated to games, sports, entertainment, and gastronomy. Each stopover introduces you to different countries, making the experience unique and thrilling. UNIQUE FACTS: • Dedicated Services • Passionate Advisors.

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De nombreux voyages au Vietnam depuis cette agence et pleine satisfaction à toute notre famille pour l'accueil et les formalités du voyage.

Agence de voyage personnel à l'écoute et aimable vous propose tjs le billet le moins cher.

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Carnet de Voyage: a Hidden Gem in Paris

Travel notes from the real France.  Carnet de Voyage is a weekly personal travel story in France sent in by readers. If you’d like to write a story for Carnet de Voyage, head  here  for details on how to submit .

Whenever I’m in Paris, I always discover something new, even though I’ve been there so many times. One of these discoveries is a special building in the 7th arrondissement , near rue Saint-Dominique. Besides being a remarkable building, it houses a real hidden gem, but more about that later.  

I was walking along Avenue de la Bourdonnais when I looked down a side street ( rue du Général Camou ) and saw this beautiful Art Nouveau entrance.  

The man who designed this building, was Jules Lavirotte (1864-1929). He obtained his architectural degree in 1894 after studying at the Beaux Arts in Lyon and then at the Beaux Arts in Paris as a student of the architect Paul Blondel. He designed five buildings in the 7th arrondissement of Paris, namely:  

• 151 rue de Grenelle, 1889, in a neo-French Rococo style
• 12 rue Sédillot, 1899, designed for Countess Monttessuy
• 3 square Rapp, 1900, also designed for Countess Monttessuy, but also for himself and his wife
• 29 avenue Rapp, 1901
• 134 rue de Grenelle, 1903

I walked to the building and looked at the irregular shapes, observng all the details. For some, this architecture known for its intricate and ornate decorative elements is hysterical, but I can appreciate it. It is not without reason that Lavirotte is called the Parisian Gaudi.  

While the building’s facade and beautiful Art Nouveau interior would be enough to make most people dream of living here, the Lavirotte Building also has a particular location about two blocks from the Eiffel Tower. But it gets even better! This building has an unparalleled view of the Eiffel Tower. So if you are ever lucky enough to become the owner of an apartment there, you can enjoy the Eiffel Tower from your art-nouveau balcony with a café or another nice drink :).  

But there’s still more! If you walk towards rue Saint-Dominique, you will see a hidden square on the closed side: Square Rapp. From here you have a beautiful view of the Eiffel Tower too and can enjoy the architecture even more. Unfortunately, the square is not accessible if you don’t live there, but you can still experience the special atmosphere. A lovely escape from the hustle and bustle of the other tourist hotspots in the city.  

Read our other Carnet de Voyage entries  here .

Darina Nykl lives in the Netherlands where she works in a hospital. On her blog , she shares stories about the always inspiring Paris, about la vie Parisienne, and all the beautiful things there are to discover. She loves the slow living and joie de vivre lifestyle with a French touch. Besides blogging, she is also working on her feelgood novel.   

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• Clefs MICHELIN : découvrez la liste complète des premiers hôtels récompensés en France

Le Guide MICHELIN dévoile son tout nouveau Palmarès hôtelier 2024 : un système de Clefs distinguant les meilleurs hôtels de l'Hexagone.

Clefs MICHELIN France Hotels

Paris by Le Guide MICHELIN

Voir le guide Paris

En 2024, le Guide MICHELIN présente le palmarès des Clefs MICHELIN - une toute nouvelle distinction, attribuée par l'équipe de sélection du Guide MICHELIN. Les Clefs MICHELIN récompensent les établissements de la sélection hôtelière du Guide qui proposent les expériences de séjour les plus remarquables.

Cette annonce intervient quatre ans après le renouvellement complet de notre sélection hôtelière. Le Guide MICHELIN compte aujourd'hui plus de 5000 hôtels à travers le monde, qui jamais ne se contentent de proposer une simple chambre pour une nuit, mais contribuent considérablement à l’expérience du voyageur. Ils sont évalués selon cinq critères d’excellence : architecture et design intérieur, qualité du service, personnalité et caractère, rapport qualité-prix et contribution à l'expérience locale.

Ainsi sont nées les Clefs MICHELIN : aboutissement d'innombrables heures d'évaluation par notre équipe de sélection, les hôtels distingués par nos Clefs sont ceux qui méritent d’être mis en lumière dans notre sélection . Ce sont les hôtels les plus exceptionnels du Guide MICHELIN.

Au total, la sélection d'hôtels du Guide MICHELIN France 2024 comprend 24 hôtels 3 Clefs, 38 hôtels 2 Clefs et 127 hôtels 1 Clef. Envie d'en savoir plus sur la Clef MICHELIN ? Voici trouverez ici tout ce qu’il faut . Sinon, découvrez la liste ci-dessous. 

Comment parcourir la sélection ?

Accédez directement à la liste complète, ou découvrez en détail certains de nos hôtels distingués par une ou plusieurs clef..

Sur cette page, vous découvrirez toutes nos nouvelles distinctions hôtelières, présentées selon le nombre de Clefs attribuées et leur situation géographique en France. Cliquez sur l’hôtel de votre choix pour accéder directement à la page correspondante et en connaître tous les détails. Vous pouvez également consulter les articles de notre magazine qui décrivent avec précision le savoir-faire unique de nos hôtels Clefs. Tandis que nos inspecteurs anonymes parcourent la planète afin d’évaluer leurs établissements préférés et dénicher des trésors cachés, notre équipe éditoriale communique directement avec les hôteliers afin de s’imprégner des spécificités de leur métier.

Nouveau : découvrez le guide Paris by Le Guide MICHELIN

Ce qu'il faut retenir du palmarès français 2024 des clefs michelin :.

Les palaces : un luxe typiquement français

Vous y trouverez invariablement un service de majordome, un spa haut de gamme et un design somptueux. La distinction « palace » est attribuée par le gouvernement français lui-même, les membres de la commission évaluant les hôtels français les plus luxueux en s'assurant qu'ils offrent des équipements et services particuliers (spa, équipe polyglotte, service de conciergerie, etc.) et contribuent à l’image d’excellence du pays. Sur les 31 palaces officiels en France, un grand nombre ont obtenu au moins une Clef MICHELIN, et plusieurs figurent parmi notre sélection Trois Clefs MICHELIN. Les palaces que nous avons sélectionnés offrent un mélange d’Histoire (le Four Seasons George V ), de modernité ( Le K2 Palace ), et de tradition ( La Reserve Paris ), mais tous sont exceptionnels.

A lire également : Tous les hôtels Trois Clefs MICHELIN à Paris

Châteaux et vignobles : les stars de nos campagnes

Ils incarnent l’image de l’hôtellerie à la française, et leur réputation se confirme dans notre première sélection hôtelière. Le Château Lafaurie-Peyraguey et le Château de la Gaude illustrent parfaitement ces établissements 2 Clefs MICHELIN qui sont à la fois châteaux et vignobles.

Citons également Les Sources de Caudalie , à Bordeaux. Construite sur une source d'eau chaude naturelle et exploitée par la célèbre marque de produits de beauté Caudalie, cette propriété classée Trois Clefs MICHELIN et située sur les terres du vignoble du Château Smith Haut-Lafitte a particulièrement impressionné nos équipes (lire ici l'article) .

Paris 2024 : des petits boutique-hôtels au design branché, hauts en couleur

Nous avons le plaisir de vous présenter une collection particulièrement riche de petits hôtels-boutique d’avant-garde, tout sauf conventionnels. Ils se distinguent par leur design lumineux, coloré et résolument actuel, et s’appuient sur un savoir-faire technique, un goût irréprochable ainsi qu’une Histoire fascinante... Et, parfois, surprenante. Découvrez l' Hôtel Le Ballu , La Fantaisie,  l'hôtel  Providence , Les Bains , et le  Norman Hôtel & Spa .

Cliquez sur le lien pour aller directement au Palmarès : 

• Trois Clefs MICHELIN
• Deux Clefs MICHELIN
• Une Clef MICHELIN

Trois Clefs MICHELIN : un séjour extraordinaire

Antibes: Hôtel du Cap-Eden-Roc Bordeaux: Les Sources de Caudalie Champillon: Le Royal Champagne Courchevel: Cheval Blanc Courchevel Courchevel: Le K2 Palace Gordes: La Bastide de Gordes Le Castellet: Hôtel du Castellet Le Puy-Sainte-Réparade: Villa La Coste Les Baux-de-Provence: Baumanière Megève: Four Seasons Megeve Monte-Carlo: Hôtel de Paris Monte-Carlo Paris: Villeroy Paris: La Réserve Paris Paris: Saint James Paris Paris: Four Seasons George V Paris: Cheval Blanc Paris Paris: Ritz Paris Paris: Le Bristol Paris Paris: Le Meurice Paris: Plaza Athénée Reims: Domaine Les Crayères Saint Tropez: La Reserve Ramatuelle Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat: Grand Hôtel du Cap-Ferrat Versailles:  Airelles Château de Versailles, Le Grand Contrôle

Deux Clefs MICHELIN : un séjour exceptionnel

Aix-en-Provence: Château de la Gaude Avignon: La Mirande Biarritz: Hôtel du Palais Bommes: Château Lafaurie-Peyraguey Busnes: Le Château de Beaulieu Cassis: Les Roches Blanches Cheverny: Les Sources de Cheverny Cognac: Chais Monnet Courchevel: Aman Le Mélézin Courchevel: L'Apogée Courchevel Dinard: Castelbrac Eugenie les Bains: Les Pres d’Eugenie - Michel Guerard Èze: Château Eza Èze: Château de la Chèvre d'Or Gargas: Coquillade - Provence Honfleur: La Ferme Saint-Siméon Lauris: Domaine de Fontenille Le Grand-Lucé: Château du Grand-Lucé Massignac: Domaine des Étangs Monte-Carlo: Hôtel Métropole Monte-Carlo Montpellier: Domaine de Biar Nice: Le Negresco Paris: Crillon Paris: J.K. Place Paris Paris: Lutetia Paris: Nolinski Paris: Bulgari Hôtel Paris Paris: Le Royal Monceau Paris: The Peninsula Paris Paris: Shangri-La Paris Porto-Vecchio: Casadelmar Roquebrune-Cap-Martin: The Maybourne Riviera Sabran: Château de Montcaud Saint Tropez: Airelles Saint-Tropez Château de la Messardière Saint Tropez: Cheval Blanc St-Tropez Saint-Méloir-des-Ondes: Château Richeux - Les Maisons de Bricourt Saint-Paul-de-Vence: Le Domaine du Mas de Pierre Val-d'Isère: Le K2 Chogori

Une Clef MICHELIN : un séjour singulier

Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes

Bourgogne-franche-comté, centre-val de loire, haut-de-france, île-de-france.

Paris 01: Hôtel Madame Rêve Paris 01 : Château Voltaire Paris 01 : Grand Hôtel du Palais Royal Paris 01 : Le Burgundy Paris 02 : Hôtel des Grands Boulevards Paris 02 : Maison Proust, Hotel & Spa La Mer Paris 03 : Le Grand Mazarin Paris 03 : Le Pavillon de la Reine Paris 03 : Les Bains Paris 06 : Relais Christine Paris 08 : Maison Delano Paris Paris 08 : Château des Fleurs - Hôtel & Spa Paris 08 : Grand Powers Paris 08 : Marquis Faubourg St-Honoré Paris 08 : Monsieur George Paris 08 : Norman Hôtel & Spa Paris 09 : Hôtel Le Ballu Paris 09 : Hotel Pulitzer Paris Paris 09 : La Fantaisie Paris 09 : Soho House Paris Paris 10 : Providence Paris 16 : Brach

Nouvelle-Aquitaine

Pays de la loire, provence-alpes-côte d'azur.

3 Clefs MICHELIN : quels sont les hôtels distingués à Paris ?

Dans la sélection MICHELIN 2024 des meilleurs hôtels de France, 127 établissements se voient récompensés d'Une Clef, et 38 de Deux Clefs. Seuls 24 pépites hors normes ont réussi à décrocher le Graal tant convoité des Trois Clefs. Cette distinction suprême distingue les hôtels les plus exceptionnels du Guide MICHELIN. Le saviez-vous ? Neuf d'entre eux sont à Paris !

Castigno : cet hôtel Une Clef MICHELIN fait renaître un village oublié

Notre équipe éditoriale est partie à la rencontre de cet incroyable hôtel qui a élu domicile dans une petite bourgade de Provence d’environ 150 âmes. Cap sur Assignan, au sud-ouest de l’Hérault, à quelques kilomètres de Béziers (Occitanie).

Hôtel Villa La Coste : un 3 Clefs MICHELIN à 20 minutes d’Aix-en-Provence

A mi-chemin entre Aix-en-Provence et le Parc Naturel du Lubéron, l'Hôtel Villa La Coste offre une expérience immersive unique, mêlant luxe, art contemporain, gastronomie et bien-être. Un séjour inoubliable au cœur de la campagne provençale.

Articles qui pourraient vous intéresser

La folle histoire des Bains Paris : du night club sulfureux à l’hôtel branché

L’hôtel Les Bains Paris (une Clef MICHELIN) présente une histoire atypique, qui s'étend sur trois siècles. Le saviez-vous ? Avant de devenir l’un des hôtels les plus branchés de la capitale, l’ex-spa préféré de Proust fut aussi la boîte de nuit favorite de David Bowie ou Mick Jagger. Rock the casbah !

Découvrez la Suite 311, dans l’unique château-hôtel 3 Clefs MICHELIN de Paris

La "Suite Piano" est une oasis au sommet d'un manoir parisien. Un lieu exclusif dans la capitale.

Le spa des Sources de Caudalie, bain de jouvence aux portes de Bordeaux

Établi au cœur des vignes du Château Smith Haut Laffite, Les Bains de Caudalie est ancré dans un environnement naturel préservé et s’articule autour d’un divin spa pratiquant la Vinothérapie. Voici à quoi s'attendre.

Hôtel La Mirande, un séjour sous le signe de l’art décoratif français

En Provence, au cœur d’Avignon et face au Palais des Papes, La Mirande offre un somptueux voyage à travers trois siècles d’art décoratif français.

1 Clef, 2 Clefs, 3 Clefs MICHELIN, à l’image des Etoiles gastronomiques, les hôtels ont désormais leur propre distinction

Michelin présente le premier palmarès des Clefs MICHELIN en France. Dernières-nées des distinctions du Guide MICHELIN, les Clefs MICHELIN distinguent les établissements de la sélection hôtelière du Guide qui proposent les expériences de séjour les plus remarquables.

Tout ce qu'il faut savoir sur la Clef MICHELIN, qui distingue les meilleurs hôtels du monde

Le 8 avril 2024, le Guide MICHELIN dévoilera une toute nouvelle distinction : la Clef MICHELIN. De même que l'Étoile MICHELIN récompense les meilleurs restaurants du monde, la Clef MICHELIN célèbre désormais les hôtels les plus exceptionnels.

Avril : les nouveaux hôtels de la sélection

Les spécialistes hôtels du Guide MICHELIN partagent chaque mois leurs plus jolies découvertes partout dans le monde.

Découvrez les nouvelles Etoiles du Guide MICHELIN France 2024

Le millésime 2024 du Guide MICHELIN France récompense cette année deux nouveaux restaurants trois étoiles, 8 nouveaux restaurants deux étoiles et 52 nouveaux restaurants 1 étoile. Panorama complet de toutes les nouvelles étoiles de la 115e édition du Guide MICHELIN !

Guide MICHELIN

Les meilleurs restaurants et hôtels vous suivent partout sur l'app

Recevez en avant-première les nouveautés du guide michelin, suivez-nous.

MICHELIN Guide selections

Le groupe michelin.

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