Paris

Overview

Paris needs no introduction, but it does reward a second look. Beyond the Eiffel Tower selfies and Louvre queues, this is a city of hidden courtyards, neighbourhood markets, and canal-side wine bars. Every arrondissement has its own personality — from the bohemian Marais to the village-like Butte-aux-Cailles. The key to Paris is slowing down and letting the city unfold.

Best Time to Visit

April to June is the sweet spot — mild weather (15–22°C), blooming gardens, and long evenings along the Seine. September and October are equally good, with fewer tourists and golden autumn light. July and August are hot (sometimes 35°C+) and many Parisians flee the city, leaving some boulangeries and bistros closed. Winter is grey but magical for museums, Christmas markets, and cheaper hotels.

Key events: Fête de la Musique (June 21 — free concerts everywhere), Paris Fashion Week (February/September), Nuit Blanche (October — all-night art), Bastille Day (July 14 — fireworks at the Eiffel Tower).

Top Things to Do

Musée d'Orsay

Skip the Louvre crowds and come here instead — or at least come here first. Housed in a former railway station, the collection of Impressionist and Post-Impressionist works (Monet, Renoir, Van Gogh, Degas) is staggering. The building itself is half the experience. Book online to skip the queue.

Le Marais

Paris's most walkable neighbourhood spans the 3rd and 4th arrondissements. Medieval streets, independent boutiques, the Place des Vosges (Paris's oldest planned square), falafel on Rue des Rosiers, and some of the city's best galleries. Come on a Sunday when much of the city is closed but Le Marais buzzes.

Sacré-Cœur & Montmartre

Climb the hill to the white basilica for panoramic city views, then wander the cobblestone streets where Picasso, Dalí, and Van Gogh once lived. Avoid the tourist trap of Place du Tertre and instead explore Rue Lepic, the Montmartre vineyard, and the quieter eastern slope.

Canal Saint-Martin

The cooler, younger side of Paris. Iron footbridges, tree-lined quays, and a stretch of independent coffee shops, vintage stores, and natural wine bars. Perfect for a Sunday afternoon stroll. Bring a bottle and join the locals sitting along the water.

Sainte-Chapelle

A 13th-century Gothic chapel with the most extraordinary stained glass windows you'll ever see. It's small, central (on Île de la Cité, near Notre-Dame), and often overlooked by tourists heading to the Louvre. Go on a sunny morning when the light pours through.

The Covered Passages

Paris has a network of 19th-century glass-roofed shopping arcades that most visitors miss entirely. Galerie Vivienne and Passage des Panoramas are the stars — atmospheric, beautiful, and home to vintage bookshops, tea rooms, and stamp dealers. Pure old Paris.

Père Lachaise Cemetery

The world's most visited cemetery, and for good reason. It's essentially a sculpture garden spread across a wooded hill. Jim Morrison, Oscar Wilde, Édith Piaf, Chopin — the tombs are as varied as the residents. Allow at least two hours and pick up a map at the entrance.

Seine-side Evening Walk

Cross the Pont des Arts at sunset, walk along the Left Bank quays past the bouquinistes (second-hand booksellers), and end up at the tip of Île Saint-Louis for ice cream at Berthillon. Free, romantic, and quintessentially Parisian.

Neighbourhoods Guide

Le Marais (3rd–4th) — Historic, trendy, walkable. Best area for first-timers. LGBTQ+ friendly, great food, museums, and nightlife.

Saint-Germain-des-Prés (6th) — Literary Paris. Café de Flore, bookshops, art galleries, and upscale boutiques. Beautiful but expensive.

Montmartre (18th) — Village-like atmosphere on a hilltop. Artistic history, vineyard, stunning views. Touristy near Sacré-Cœur but authentic on the side streets.

Belleville (20th) — Multicultural, artsy, and still affordable. Street art, Chinese and North African food, Parc de Belleville for views rivalling Montmartre. Where young Parisians actually go out.

Latin Quarter (5th) — Student neighbourhood around the Sorbonne. Bookshops (Shakespeare and Company), the Panthéon, and affordable restaurants on Rue Mouffetard.

Food & Drink

Paris invented the restaurant, and eating here is still the main event. Beyond the obvious:

• Croissant — Judge a boulangerie by its croissant. Golden, flaky, slightly caramelised. Eat it warm, standing up, no plate needed.
• Steak frites — The Parisian bistro classic. Le Relais de l'Entrecôte serves nothing else: salad, steak with secret herb sauce, unlimited frites.
• Natural wine — Paris is the world capital of natural wine. Bars like Le Verre Volé, Septime La Cave, and Au Passage pour the best.
• Croque-monsieur — The ham and cheese sandwich elevated to art form. Béchamel, Gruyère, good bread.
• Market breakfast — Hit any covered market (Marché des Enfants Rouges, Marché d'Aligre) for coffee, pastries, and people-watching.

Budget tip: Lunch is where Paris is affordable. Most bistros offer a "formule" — two courses for €14–18. Dinner at the same place costs double.

Getting Around

The Métro is fast, frequent, and covers everything. Buy a carnet of 10 tickets (Navigo Easy card) or a weekly Navigo pass if you're staying 5+ days. Runs 5:30am–1:15am (2:15am weekends).

Walking is the best way to experience Paris — most arrondissements are compact. The Métro is useful for cross-city jumps but you'll miss the streetscape if you ride it everywhere.

Vélib' (bike share) is excellent now that Paris has expanded its bike lanes dramatically. Short-term passes available, electric bikes included.

Skip the Uber unless it's late at night. Traffic is terrible and the Métro is almost always faster.

Budget Guide

Day Trips

• Versailles — The palace of excess. 30 minutes by RER C. Go early Tuesday or Wednesday to dodge the worst crowds. The gardens are free and arguably better than the palace.
• Giverny — Monet's garden and the inspiration for the Water Lilies. 1 hour 15 minutes by train + shuttle. Open April–November. Best in May–June when the gardens peak.
• Fontainebleau — Less crowded than Versailles, equally grand. The surrounding forest is perfect for hiking and bouldering. 45 minutes by train.
• Champagne (Reims/Épernay) — Tour the underground cellars and taste the real thing. 45 minutes by TGV to Reims. Book cellar visits ahead.
• Chantilly — Château, horse museum, and the forest. The whipped cream was invented here. 25 minutes by train.

Practical Info

• Currency: Euro (€). Cards accepted everywhere including most markets.
• Language: French. English is widely understood in tourist areas but attempting French (even badly) is appreciated and changes the dynamic entirely.
• Tipping: Service is included (service compris) by law. Leaving €1–2 for good service at restaurants is appreciated but not expected.
• Safety: Petty theft is the main concern — especially on the Métro, at Gare du Nord, around the Eiffel Tower, and on crowded terraces. Watch your phone and bag. Scam artists operate at Sacré-Cœur and the Trocadéro (friendship bracelets, petitions, shell games). Just walk past.
• Water: Tap water is safe and good. Ask for "une carafe d'eau" at restaurants — it's free by law.
• SIM card: Free Mobile and Orange offer prepaid tourist SIMs at airport shops. EU roaming applies for European SIMs.