Paris Travel Guide
Complete guide to visiting Paris, France - attractions, food, and practical tips
Paris Travel Guide
The City of Light awaits with its world-class museums, iconic landmarks, and unparalleled cuisine.
Best Time to Visit
Spring (April-May)
- Pleasant weather (15-20°C / 59-68°F)
- Flowers in bloom
- Fewer crowds than summer
- Fashion Week in September
Fall (September-October)
- Mild temperatures
- Beautiful autumn colors
- Grape harvest season
- Cultural events
Summer (June-August)
- Warmest weather
- Longest days
- Peak tourist season
- Higher prices
Winter (November-March)
- Fewer crowds
- Christmas markets
- Museum weather
- Shorter days
Getting There
Airports
Charles de Gaulle (CDG)
- Main international airport
- RER B train to city (€11, 30-40 min)
- Taxi: €50-60 to center
- Uber/Taxi apps available
Orly (ORY)
- Secondary airport
- Orlyval + RER B (€12.50)
- Taxi: €30-40 to center
Train
Gare du Nord
- Eurostar from London (2h 15min)
- Thalys from Brussels/Amsterdam
Other Stations
- Gare de Lyon (Southern Europe)
- Gare de l’Est (Eastern Europe)
- Gare Montparnasse (Western France)
Getting Around
Metro
- 16 lines covering entire city
- Single ticket: €2.10
- Book of 10: €16.90
- Runs 5:30 AM - 1:00 AM (2:00 AM weekends)
Passes
Paris Visite
- 1-5 days
- Unlimited metro/bus/RER
- Includes airport
Navigo Week Pass
- €30 for whole week
- Best for longer stays
- Need photo
Walking
- Most central areas walkable
- Beautiful architecture everywhere
- Comfortable shoes essential
Top Attractions
Eiffel Tower
Details:
- Hours: 9 AM - midnight
- Tickets: €17-27 (depending on level)
- Book online weeks in advance
- Summit access weather-dependent
Tips:
- Book online to skip lines
- Evening visit for lit-up city views
- Nearby: Trocadéro gardens for photos
- Champ de Mars for picnics
Louvre Museum
Details:
- Hours: 9 AM - 6 PM (closed Tuesdays)
- Tickets: €17 (online), free first Saturday of month
- World’s largest art museum
- Allow 3-4 hours minimum
Must-See:
- Mona Lisa (arrive early)
- Venus de Milo
- Winged Victory of Samothrace
- Egyptian antiquities
Tips:
- Enter through Porte des Lions (shorter lines)
- Audioguide available
- Free under 26 (EU residents)
Notre-Dame Cathedral
Status: Under restoration (reopening 2024)
- Exterior viewing available
- Nearby: Sainte-Chapelle, Île de la Cité
Arc de Triomphe
Details:
- Hours: 10 AM - 11 PM
- Tickets: €13
- 284 steps to top
- Panoramic city views
Location: Center of Place Charles de Gaulle
- 12 avenues radiate from circle
- Tomb of Unknown Soldier
Sacré-Cœur
Details:
- Free entry to basilica
- Dome: €6
- Montmartre neighborhood
- Best sunset views
Nearby:
- Place du Tertre (artists’ square)
- Moulin Rouge
- Le Marais district
Versailles
Details:
- Located 20km southwest
- RER C train (€7.50 round trip)
- Palace tickets: €20
- Gardens free (except fountain show days)
Plan:
- Full day trip
- Arrive at opening (9 AM)
- Palace → Gardens → Trianon
- Rent bikes for gardens
Neighborhoods
Le Marais (3rd/4th)
- Historic Jewish quarter
- Trendy boutiques
- Great falafel (L’As du Fallafel)
- LGBTQ+ friendly
- Place des Vosges
Latin Quarter (5th)
- Student area
- Sorbonne University
- Panthéon
- Shakespeare and Company bookstore
- Affordable restaurants
Saint-Germain-des-Prés (6th)
- Literary history
- Café culture
- Upscale shopping
- Luxembourg Gardens
Montmartre (18th)
- Bohemian atmosphere
- Street artists
- Sacré-Cœur
- Vineyard
- Nightlife
Canal Saint-Martin (10th)
- Trendy, local vibe
- Waterside picnics
- Boutiques and cafés
- Less touristy
Food & Dining
Must-Try Foods
Breakfast:
- Croissant (€1-2)
- Pain au chocolat
- Café crème
Lunch:
- Croque monsieur/madame
- French onion soup
- Quiche
Dinner:
- Steak frites
- Coq au vin
- Duck confit
- Boeuf bourguignon
Desserts:
- Macarons (Ladurée, Pierre Hermé)
- Crème brûlée
- Tarte Tatin
- Profiteroles
Dining Tips
Restaurant Types:
- Bistro: Casual, traditional
- Brasserie: Large menu, open all day
- Café: Light meals, people-watching
Timing:
- Lunch: 12 PM - 2 PM
- Dinner: 7:30 PM - 10 PM
- Service can be slow (not rude, just different pace)
Etiquette:
- Say “Bonjour” when entering
- Don’t expect free water automatically (ask for “carafe d’eau”)
- Service included in bill (tip extra optional)
Budget Options
Bakeries:
- Baguette sandwich: €3-5
- Fresh daily
Markets:
- Marché d’Aligre
- Rue Mouffetard
- Fresh produce, cheese, charcuterie
Supermarkets:
- Monoprix, Franprix
- Prepared foods, picnic supplies
Shopping
Department Stores
Galeries Lafayette
- Iconic dome
- Free rooftop views
- Fashion, beauty, food hall
Le Bon Marché
- Oldest department store
- Left Bank location
- Gourmet food hall
Streets
Champs-Élysées
- High-street brands
- Very touristy
- Nice for stroll
Rue de Rivoli
- Souvenir shops
- Chain stores
Le Marais
- Independent boutiques
- Vintage shops
- Designer stores
Markets
Flea Markets:
- Marché aux Puces de Saint-Ouen (largest)
- Saturdays-Mondays
- Antiques, vintage, art
Budget Tips
Free Activities:
- Walk along Seine
- Window shop in Le Marais
- Sacré-Cœur basilica
- Père Lachaise Cemetery (Jim Morrison, Oscar Wilde)
- First Sunday of month: many museums free
Money Saving:
- Get baguette sandwiches for lunch
- Picnic in parks
- Free water at restaurants (carafe d’eau)
- Walk instead of metro when possible
- Museum pass if visiting multiple sites
Practical Information
Money
- Currency: Euro (€)
- Cards widely accepted
- ATMs common
- Tip: Round up or 5-10% for good service
Language
- French official language
- English in tourist areas
- Learn basic phrases:
- Bonjour (Hello)
- Merci (Thank you)
- Pardon (Excuse me)
- L’addition, s’il vous plaît (Check, please)
Safety
- Generally safe city
- Watch for pickpockets (metro, tourist sites)
- Keep valuables secure
- Be aware of common scams (petition signers, gold ring)
WiFi
- Free in many cafés (ask for password)
- Metro stations
- Public libraries
- Consider EU SIM card or eSIM
Suggested Itineraries
3 Days
Day 1: Icons
- Morning: Eiffel Tower
- Afternoon: Arc de Triomphe, Champs-Élysées
- Evening: Seine river cruise
Day 2: Art & History
- Morning: Louvre (book online)
- Afternoon: Notre-Dame area, Latin Quarter
- Evening: Dinner in Le Marais
Day 3: Montmartre & Versailles
- Morning: Versailles (early start)
- Afternoon: Return, rest
- Evening: Montmartre, Sacré-Cœur sunset
5 Days
Add to above:
Day 4: Museums & Gardens
- Musée d’Orsay
- Luxembourg Gardens
- Saint-Germain-des-Prés
Day 5: Neighborhoods
- Canal Saint-Martin
- Le Marais (deeper exploration)
- Shopping
Day Trips
Giverny (1 hour)
- Monet’s house and gardens
- Best in spring/summer
- Train to Vernon + bus
Château de Fontainebleau (1 hour)
- Former royal residence
- Less crowded than Versailles
- Train from Gare de Lyon
Champagne Region (1.5 hours)
- Reims and Épernay
- Champagne house tours
- Cathedral of Reims
Accommodation
Areas to Stay
Central:
- Le Marais (trendy, central)
- Latin Quarter (budget-friendly)
- Saint-Germain (upscale)
Near Landmarks:
- 7th (Eiffel Tower)
- 1st (Louvre)
Local Experience:
- 11th (Bastille area)
- 10th (Canal Saint-Martin)
- 9th (Opera)
Types
- Hotels: €80-300/night
- Hostels: €25-50/night
- Airbnb: €60-150/night
- Book early for best rates
Resources
- Paris Tourism Office
- RATP (Metro)
- Paris Museum Pass
- Time Out Paris
- Rick Steves Paris guidebook