travel blog on paris

12 Best Things To Do in Paris: The Ultimate 3-day Trip

Paris: named ‘the city of love’ by the greatest poets, writers, actors, and musicians who found inspiration in the beauty of this mesmerizing city. Whitestone townhouses ooze luxury, the smell of freshly baked croissants drifts through the air, and flowers hang at the sides of cobbled streets. Take a trip to Paris, France , for 2-4 days, spending your days visiting attractions, trendy neighborhoods, and delicious restaurants. Use this Paris guide to plan your trip to one of Europe’s best cities .

Day 1: All Around the Eiffel Tower

Channel your inner ‘Emily in Paris’ and start your day with a delicious coffee and freshly baked croissant at a boulangerie near your accommodation. Practice your French , and enjoy the satisfaction of those perfect warm layers of pastry!

Tip: On your trip to Paris, look for bakeries (Boulangerie) and pastry shops (Patisseries).

1. Arc de Triomphe

Start by taking the subway (1.90 EUR) to station ‘Charles de Gaulle – Etoile’. From here, walk to the Arc de Triomphe, one of the most iconic sights on any trip to Paris. The huge square arch sits at the western end of the famous road, ‘Champs-Elysees’, a wide avenue that’s been featured in many famous movies.

Completed in 1836, the monument honors the armies of the revolution and the empire, with beautiful carvings on the stone. There is a small museum inside the structure walls, which tells you a bit about the history of the Arc de Triomphe, plus interesting historical photos. 

Best of all, you can climb to the top! Nearly 300 stairs later, you’ll find a viewing platform with spectacular views over the city. At sunset, you’ll get beautiful colors in the sky, and at night you can watch Paris live up to its name as ‘the city of lights’. You can even see the Eiffel Tower lights; it’s covered in 20,000 bulbs!

Opening Times & Tickets: Open 10 am to 10.30 pm every day of the year. Tickets cost 16 EUR. Buy Tickets

Hotels near the Arc de Triomphe

Hotels in paris 😴.

2. Laduree Macarons

Beautiful colored meringues, filled with a variety of flavorsome filling; macarons are synonymous with France! Laduree is one of the most beautiful and famous shops in Paris, with shops all around the city.

One of the most elegant is on the Champs Elysees, just a 10-minute walk from the Arc de Triomphe. Sit in and enjoy the neoclassical style interiors, as if you have gone back in time to dine on rainbow-colored macarons with Marie Antoinette.

Alternatively, you can choose your flavors and have them boxed up to take away. These make a delicious gift from your trip to Paris! See the location .

3. Pont Alexandre III

One of the most wonderful things about Paris is its two sides separated by the beautiful River Seine. And where there’s a river, you’ll always find some interesting bridges! Head towards the Seine (about 15 minutes from Laduree) to see one of the most beautiful bridges in all of Paris: Pont Alexandre III.

This is a very important bridge, known for its central location and amazing architecture. On the bridge, you’ll find numerous pillars topped with gold-winged horses. Plus, the bridge is lined with old-fashioned lamps, making it a particularly romantic place to walk at night as you cross the bridge looking onto the Eiffel Tower and the Grand Palais.

Tip: Want to explore more of the Seine? Spend a few hours walking along its banks or take a boat tour. Boat tours are a great way to learn about Paris and see it from a totally different perspective! If history tours aren’t really your thing, there are plenty of other options, such as a dinner cruise . 

Here are all your hotel options in Paris.

4. Musee d’Orsay

Musée d’Orsay is 10 minutes from the Pont Alexandre III. Cross the bridge and follow the arty boulevard to discover the memorable art museum.

The long building, which was once a station, is impressive on the outside. However, the interior is truly breathtaking! Discover a vast open space with an arched glass roof covering incredible collections of artwork. Whether you like traditional art or modern, you’ll find something to enjoy in the Musee d’Orsay.

Opening Times & Tickets: Tuesday – Sunday 9.30 am to 6 pm. Tickets cost 16 EUR. If you’re an art lover, you might also want to check out a guided tour .

5. Eiffel Tower – A must-do in Paris

The Eiffel Tower is one of the most iconic monuments globally, up there with the likes of the Statue of Liberty, the Taj Mahal, and the Leaning Tower of Pisa . It is an icon of Paris (and France !), towering above the city by day and lighting it up at night. 

No trip to Paris is complete without visiting this spectacular monument. You can find your way to the Eiffel Tower from the museum by following the skyline. As you go, grab a delicious lunch nearby or buy a baguette from the bakery and make your own picnic to eat under the tower. 

Simply marveling at the Eiffel Tower from below is an experience in itself. Wander around the structure, gaining a view from all angles, or head to the stairs in front of the Jardins du Trocadero to get some fantastic photos and an unobstructed view of the Eiffel Tower.

Tip: If you want to take photos of the Eiffel Tower, we recommend arriving at sunrise to get the best shot. After 9 AM, the area becomes very crowded with people. This is the most touristy area in all of Paris!

Get your tickets here

Climbing to the Top of the Eiffel Tower

Visiting the top of the tower is a little more expensive, but a great idea if you want to have a unique experience and get some excellent views on your trip to Paris.

You’ll find the beginning of these fantastic Parisian views on the first floor, with the added exhilaration of a transparent glass-bottomed floor to look down from.

On the second floor, as you get higher and higher, you’ll have access to Michelin-star restaurants, shops, and even a macaron counter to eat your treats from this remarkable location.

The very top is the most sensational of all, as you stand 276 meters up above Paris with only the tip of the tower and the sky above you. Grab a glass of champagne to toast the moment!

The ticket price is dependent on what you want to see. Most tickets include the use of the glass-walled lift. For example, a lift ticket up to the second floor is 17.10 EUR, and a ticket to the top is 26.80 EUR. If you don’t mind taking the stairs, cheaper tickets are available.

It gets very busy, so we recommend buying tickets online .

Opening Times

Every day from 9.30 AM – 10.45 PM.

Note: Maintenance work is carried out every year on the top from Jan 3 to Feb 4 (during this time, you can only access the first and second floors with stairs).

Hotels near the Eiffel Tower

Day 2: Montmartre (Best to do in Paris)

Montmartre is the prettiest area in all of Paris. What was once a tiny village on the hill, separated from the city, now forms the 18th district of Paris.

It used to be popular with artists, musicians, and poets who came here to paint and write, inspired by the beautiful Parisian scenery. It also went through a famous period of cabarets, brothels, and underground nightlife, known mainly for the Moulin Rouge.

These days, it keeps its beautiful village atmosphere and is a great place to stay when you visit Paris.

Join this popular walking tour in Montmartre

6. Basilica Sacre-Coeur

The Basilica Sacre-Coeur is the icon of Montmartre, a stunning white church that sits on the very top of the hill looking over Paris. Climb up the steep cobbled streets and zig-zagged blocks of stairs to reach the gardens below the church, where you’ll be met with views of the impressive three-domed church, which looks more like a palace!

You can access the central dome by climbing 300 steps to the top, where you’ll find even greater panoramic views of Paris.

Tip: Make sure to be here at 8 AM or earlier to avoid the massive groups of tourists.

Opening Times & Tickets: Visiting the Sacre-Coeur is free! It’s open from 6 AM to 10.30 PM every day. If you want to climb to the dome, the opening hours are 10.30 AM to 8.30 PM (summer) and 10.30 AM to 5.30 PM (winter).

7. Paris’ Prettiest Street (Rue de l’Abreuvoir)

Rue de l’Abreuvoir is known as ‘the prettiest street in Paris’, located on the charming hills of Montmartre. You could easily spend a morning walking around the area, getting lost down the streets, and taking photos of the beautiful houses and doorways.

However, visiting Rue de l‘Abreuvoir is an absolute must on your trip to Paris! This street is also one of the oldest, first mentioned in 1325, and home to ancient houses which date back to the 1930s. 

Read more: Montmartre, one of the most beautiful areas in Paris

The most famous house on Rue de l’Abreuvoir is ‘La Maison Rose’ (the pink house). This gorgeous pink house, with green shutters and a blanket of ivy behind it, is a famous cafe that used to be visited by many renowned writers, poets, and artists. Picasso even used to hang out at this very spot!

Tip: The reputation of this beautiful street means it can be busy. Visit first thing in the morning to get the best photo opportunities.

Hotels in Montmartre 😴

8. See the Moulin Rouge

Wander down the hill towards the Pigalle neighborhood, where you’ll find lots of picturesque spots and, of course, the world-famous Moulin Rouge. Montmartre was once known for its many windmills that sat on the hill here, one of which was home to the Moulin Rouge (Red Windmill) during the neighborhood’s time of underground nightlife and debauchery.

It was a famous time between the two world wars when people from all walks of life would gather to watch dancing, singing, and acrobatics.

These days you can still watch the Moulin Rouge show here, but you’ll need to book months in advance as it’s one of the most popular things to do in Paris.  

Day 3: Notre Dame, Louvre, and more

Get up and prepare yourself for a busy day of sightseeing on your trip to Paris! Day 3 is all about soaking up the unique Parisian culture, whether art, literature, or music.

9. Notre Dame Cathedral

Visit the Notre Dame Cathedral as early as possible to really observe the beauty without the crowds. If you can arrive before 8 AM, the sun is still behind the cathedral, and the square in front is almost empty.

This breathtaking religious building is another icon of Paris and a must-see on your Paris trip, mainly because it’s one of the oldest Gothic cathedrals in the world (built between 1163 and 1245)! Admire the fascinating gargoyles and the gothic features, and climb the 422 steps to the top of the cathedral tower for magical views over the center of Paris.

Note: Since the 2019 fire that consumed Notre Dame Cathedral, the majority of the cathedral is still closed for repairs. You can, however, still visit the cathedral square and look at Notre Dame (be aware there is a lot of scaffolding covering the facade), and you can visit the crypt.

It’s still worth wandering around the parameters of Notre Dame, if not just to be close to this incredible icon of history in Paris. Hidden in a side street nearby is a beautiful little cafe called Au Vieux Paris d’Arcole. Stop here for a photo and a morning coffee before continuing your day. 

10. Shakespeare and Company Bookstore

Shakespeare and Company Bookstore might not look like much from the outside, but enter, and you’ll find a world of hidden treasures! Books are piled up from floor to ceiling, and great literature covers almost every surface. If you’re a book lover, this is a must-do on your trip to Paris. You can even enjoy a coffee and a cake here while you peruse the pages of ancient novels!

How to get there: Shakespeare and Company Bookstore is at 37 Rue de la Bûcherie. To get there, cross the bridge on the side of Notre Dame.

11. Louvre Museum

The Louvre Museum is one of the most famous in the entire world! It’s known for housing the Mona Lisa and its unique triangular shape. Watch people of all ages outside trying to get the typical ‘Louvre’ photo and positioning the triangle in their hands (think Leaning Tower of Pisa style!). 

From Shakespeare and Company Bookstore, you can reach the Louvre within 15 minutes of walking. Because of the museum’s popularity, buying tickets online in advance is recommended. If you don’t feel like going into the museum, you can relax or take photos at the square or nearby park.

Opening times and entry fee: 9 AM – 6 PM every day (closed on Tuesdays). 17 EUR for tickets purchased online.

Hotels near the Louvre Museum

Paris Guide: Things to do near the Louvre Museum

Alternatively, start your walk through the oldest park in Paris: Jardin des Tuileries (Tuileries Garden). It extends from the Louvre all the way to Place de la Concorde. The Jardin Tuileries is a large public park with fountains, chairs, and grass to relax. Throughout the garden, you will find various art, like statues and a smaller version of the Arc de Triomphe.

From the Louvre, hop on the metro towards Gare de Lyon. From here, it’s a 5-minute walk to Rue Cremieux, one of the most fantastic, colorful streets in Paris! This sweet cobbled street is bordered by rainbow-colored Parisian houses, flowers, and bikes and is a lovely place to grab some photos on your trip to Paris. 

12. Le Marais

Spend the rest of your day in the trendy neighborhood: Le Marais. You can find everything you could possibly need in this beautiful little medieval neighborhood, whether it’s trendy vintage shops and restaurants, luxurious squares, or ancient, narrow medieval streets that could be straight from a novel.

On your walk, take a look inside the concept stores ‘Merci’ and ‘Papier Tigre’, or get a delicious dinner at restaurants like ‘Ober Mamma’ (Italian) or ‘PNY’ (burgers).

Please Note: This Paris guide excludes the arrival day. Due to all the possible arrival options and travel times, it’s best to add this yourself.

Hotels in Le Marais 😴

Best Cafes and Restaurants in Paris

France has one of the most internationally famous cuisines, and Paris is a hub for the most renowned restaurants and chefs worldwide. That being said, there is a way to eat for all kinds of budgets. Whether it’s Michelin-star restaurants, quirky hidden cafes, or great takeout food, there’s something for everyone! Some of our favorites were:

• Mastino (Italian)
• Scandle (Eco cafe)
• Holybelly 5 (Brunch)
• La Cantine de Sam (Delicious vegetarian food)
• Zia (Brunch)
• Pink Mamma (Italian)

Where to Stay in Paris

The best area to stay in Paris is Le Marais if you want access to everything right on your doorstep. You’ll be in the middle of trendy restaurants and shops and can walk or take the metro to most sights. However, most accommodations won’t go below €80 a night, so it might be worth searching in other areas nearby too.

Alternatively, find a hotel in Montmartre just outside the city center but full of character and charming streets and cheaper accommodation in general. Finally, stay in Saint Germain if you prefer to stay close to many restaurants and the main attractions.

How to visit Paris

Paris has an international airport with flights arriving from all over the world. From the airport, it’s easy to take the metro directly into the center. 

Getting around Paris

The Paris metro has over 300 stations and is one of the oldest in the world. Getting around Paris is super easy if you use Google Maps or ‘City Mapper’. City Mapper is ideal as it will tell you exactly which line you should take and in what direction. It also offers you combinations of bus, tram, and metro, depending on what’s easiest.

With the Navigo Easy pass, you can easily travel by metro. You purchase this at the station once and you can then always recharge it. For example, if you buy a package of 10 rides, you pay 14.90.

You can also purchase a 1-day, 2-day, 3-day or 5-day pass. If you follow this guide, you will need a 3-day pass for zones 1-3. The price for this exact pass is 33.90 euros per person (2023).

How much does Paris cost?

Paris can be visited on a budget if you’re happy to stay in cheaper accommodation, for example, apartments a little further out of the center or hostels. Consider renting an apartment on Booking.com with a kitchen so you can do a supermarket shop on your first day and prepare some meals at home to save on eating out in Paris. The following prices are at cafes and restaurants per person per day:

Costs of Traveling in Paris

Travel on a budget in Paris, from $430 − $530 USD weekly per person, mid-range $1080 − $1950 USD, and high-end from $1860 − $2650 USD. However, costs depend on factors like accommodation, transportation, and activities. We did not include flights. Check flight prices here

• Hotels: $60 − $200 USD Check available hotels
• Hostels: $8 − $50 USD Check available hostels
• Transport: $5 − $10 USD Book public transport
• Car Rental: $30 − $50 USD Book a rental car
• Food: $40 − $80 USD
• Activities: $5 − $40 USD See tickets & tours
• Sim: $1 − $3 USD Get an eSIM or SIM here
• Travel Insurance: $2 − $6 USD Get Travel Insurance

Best Time to visit Paris

Paris is beautiful all year round! The summer months are the warmest and, therefore, the busiest.

Christmas is also the peak season when people enjoy the cold temperatures and festive Christmas lights. For that reason, visiting in the spring or September is a perfect time. During these months, enjoy mild weather, days of sunshine, and slightly quieter streets.

By purchasing through our links, you support us at no additional cost. Thank you for your support. ♥️

• Find Hotels via Booking.com
• Find a Rental Car via Sunny Cars
• Find Flights to Paris via Skyscanner
• Get a Travel Insurance via Heymondo
• Book Tours & Attractions via GetYourGuide
• Book a Bus/Train/Transfer via 12Go

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Looking for more travel information? Plan a chat with us for personalised travel advice or get an answer from the Salt in our Hair Travel Community on Facebook.

A quick Paris trip for us started with a hotel near the Eiffel Tower, we discovered that everything starts at the tower. Even the Bus from Charles de Gaulle airport goes to the Eiffel Tower.

The Eiffel tower is definitely the heart and soul of Paris!

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Home » Europe » France » Paris

This is the ULTIMATE Paris Itinerary (2024)

Paris, the City of Lights, art, history and  amour . It has taken center stage in songs, movies and novels across the years, and often graces the top spot on travel wish lists.

I think it’s safe to say that no one can ever be bored in Paris. With the endless museums, cathedrals, lush gardens and Parisian bistros to enjoy, your itinerary will be packed whether you’re spending a week or a weekend in Paris.

While you’re never going to see everything – you can damn well try! This itinerary has the best that Paris has to offer without stretching you and your time too thinly.

Use this Paris itinerary as a jumping off point and explore the world’s most delightful city yourself!

A Little Bit About This 3 Day Paris Itinerary

Where to stay in paris, getting around paris, paris itinerary day 1: the big guns, paris itinerary day 2: cathedrals & catacombs, paris itinerary day 3: montmartre & more, best time to visit paris, how to get around paris, what to prepare before visiting paris, faq on paris itinerary, final thoughts.

Travelling through Paris is like having a treasure box with a secret compartment. Just when you think you’ve seen it all though, you turn down an alley and find another delicious bakery alongside a piece of 20th-century history. Whether you’re walking, cycling, or zipping along on the metro, Paris is your oyster (and there are so many pearls inside).

You’re never going to finish exploring all the epic places to visit in Paris – even if you’re here for a lifetime! And most of us don’t have a lifetime to lounge around in the Louvre or sip wine at sunset. So, where do you go when you’re short on time in a city so full of life?

Well, we’d suggest taking at least two to three days to explore Paris. This itinerary is full of the best Paris has to offer!

But don’t worry, you won’t have to rush from A to B, trying to fit everything in.

We’ve chosen the ideal daily structure, added times, routes to get there and suggestions on how long you should spend at each spot. Of course, you can add your own spots in, swap things around, or even skip some places. Use this itinerary as inspiration instead of a fixed plan to get the most out of your trip!

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3 Day Paris Itinerary Overview

• Day 1 –   Arc D’ Triomphe , Palais Garnier , Musee De La Orangerie , La Louvre , Eiffel Tower
• Day 2 –   Notre Dame , Saint Chapelle , Musee D’Orsay , The Catacombs , Montparnase
• Day 3 – Montmartre , Geore Pompidou , Pere Lachaise Cemetery

With a Paris City Pass , you can experience the best of Paris at the CHEAPEST prices. Discounts, attractions, tickets, and even public transport are all standards in any good city pass – be sure invest now and save them $$$ when you arrive!

No matter how many days in Paris you spend exploring the city holds, you’ll need somewhere fantastic to stay. Because there’s so much to see and do on your vacation in Paris, it’s always a good idea to stay somewhere central and in an area that has what you’re looking for!

Choosing where to stay in Paris is definitely an important consideration. The city has a unique layout, with the city being divided into the North and South Bank on either side of the Seine River. Then, there is the spiral of 20 arrondissements (districts), which start at the Seine and move out in a circular design.

While popular Paris monuments are sprinkled all over the city, the 1st to 7th arrondissements are the most central with the biggest variety of landmarks to enjoy. If you stay in one of these areas, it is also easy to fit more into your day as there is a reasonably short travel time between sightseeing spots. The 7th arrondissement is the most iconic. of the central districts and is home to such attractions as the one and only Eiffel Tower.

The amazing thing about Paris is that it attracts all kinds of people – from lovers to revolutionaries. If you want to stay in a more romantic district, go for Montmartre. And if it’s nightlife and getting a little wild you’re after, then you can’t pass up Oberkampf!

Paris is the old stomping ground of Ernest Hemingway, so why not pay a visit to Hemingway Bar at the Ritz-Carlton, where the atmosphere is warm and the bartenders are well-versed in the Hemingway classics.

Accommodation in Paris ranges from the abysmal to the exquisite. Our guide to the best cheap hostels in Paris is, therefore, a godsend to which you are quite welcome.

Best Hostel in Paris – St Christopher’s Inn

On the edge of the idyllic Canal, St Martin is the award-winning hostel, St Christopher’s Inn.  It has an unbeatable vibe and excellent security to keep your valuables safe. Enjoy breakfast on the waterfront terrace, then head off for the day knowing your belongings are safe.

Just 3 stops away from the Gare du Nord station, St Christopher’s is in a prime location and a perfect home-away-from-home if you’re in Paris on a budget.

Best Airbnb in Paris – Cute Studio Near the Eiffel Tower

You can’t get any closer. This Airbnb is located a few meters from the Eiffel Tower and many other attractions, like the Seine River. Surrounded by fine dining restaurants, cafes and the typical french shops, you will find yourself in the best area to stay in. This studio is great for first time visitors to Paris. You’re also very close to public transport options so you can fully explore the city.

Best Budget Hotel in Paris – Hotel de la Tour

With a prime spot in the 14th arrondissement, this well-priced hotel is possibly just what you’re looking for. The Hotel de la Tour is close to a treasure trove of Paris landmarks including Notre Dame, the Luxembourg Gardens and Palais Garnier. With the metro station only 5 minutes away and free bicycle hire on offer, exploring Paris from your hotel is beyond easy.

Best Luxury Hotel in Paris – Hôtel Napoleon Paris

If you’re looking for the crème de la crème of Paris hotels, the Hôtel Napoleon Paris has it all. Located in the 8th Arrondissement, you can enjoy the stunning views of central Paris from your window as you relax in your plush room.  The Charles-de-Gaulle-Étoile Metro Station is just minutes away so it is easy to explore nearby Paris attractions such as the Arc de Triomphe and Champs Elysées Avenue.

Being the massive and sprawling city it is, Paris can seem intimidating to get around. However, it also provides locals and visitors with a fantastic public transport system. You can take one of the more than 60 busses that run daily! Taking the bus through Paris is a great way to take in some scenery, while also getting from A to B. You could also jump on the Paris metro. This can be a little busier – especially at peak hours – but it’s sure to feel like you’re getting a local’s experience of Paris. It’s very easy to get tickets for any of these modes of transport, just make sure you get your hands on a map so no time is wasted by getting lost! The metro in particular can baffle first time users.

While a lot of Paris is walkable, it doesn’t help with getting the most out of your trip. Perhaps the best thing to do is grab a day pass for either the bus or the metro. This way, you can get to your destination easily and spend more time exploring Paris!

For our first day in Paris, we are going to see some of the big headline sights that probably brought you here in the first place! The Arc De Triomphe, Paris Opera and the mighty Eifel Tower all make an appearance. What a day huh?!

9:00 AM – Arc de Triomphe

Begin your first day backpacking Paris at the Arc de Triomphe, which lies at the center of the Place Charles de Gaulle at the western end of Champs-Élysées.

The monument is a stunning example of sculpture from the first half of the 19th century. It marks the sacrifice of French soldiers, especially those who fought during the Napoleonic Wars. Inside the arch and on top of the storied monument, is carved the names of generals and the wars fought by France.

The striking French landmark is also the home to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, who lies beneath it. With just his date of birth accompanying the gravesite, the Unknown Soldier is an emotional reminder of the sacrifices made during World War I. Every evening at 18h30, the torch of the Eternal Flame is lit to remember the wars France has fought.

There is also the opportunity to walk up the stairs to a 30m-high walkway along the top of the arch, which is the perfect place to get an unbelievable panoramic view of Paris!

The historical sentinel representing the loss and triumph of war is unmissable on your trip to Paris.

Note that the Arc is free to look at and free to walk under. It is only climbing the platform that incurs a fee, and entails a bit of queueing. To complete this itinerary in a single day, you may wish to skip climbing the platform.

• Cost  – $10 to go up inside
• How long should I stay here?  – 60 minutes including queuing
• Getting there  – Get the metro to Charles De Gaulle Etoile

10:30 AM – Palais Garnier

Peek into the immensely challenging and stunningly beautiful world of opera on a visit to the Palais Garnier. As a pillar of the Opera National de Paris, the opera house is a monument of French history and the development of ballet as an art form!

On your visit to the Palais Garnier, you can explore the Opera Library-Museum, where you can view fascinating set models and works of art. You will also be able to see features such as the Rotonde des Abonnés, Bassin de la Pythie, Grand Foyer, Avant-Foyer, Salons de la Lune et du Soleil, Rotonde du Glacier, intricate tapestries, and temporary exhibitions throughout the opera house.

The main auditorium in the opera house is the largest in Europe. With its exquisite design and a spectacular chandelier adorning the ceiling with a crown of light, you’ll wish you were on stage!

The stunningly opulent facade is only the beginning of how amazing the building is, and the historic location has become a major symbol of Paris itself. Just walking up the staircase into the Grand Foyer makes you feel fancy enough to be hanging out with a bunch of aristocrats!

• Cost  – $20
• How long should I stay here?  – 60 minutes
• Getting there – Take the metro to Gare Auber

12:00 PM – Musée de l’Orangerie

Make your thrid stop of the day that much better by skipping the queue Musee de l’Orangerie . It sits on the corner of Jardin des Tuileries in the 1st Arrondissement and was originally built to protect the orange trees belonging to the Tuileries Palace!

In this unique place of French art and history, there are a number of well-known artworks on display. The Orangerie Museum has quite an impressionist and post-impressionist flavor with paintings by Monet, Picasso, Renoir, Cezanne, Matisse and Modigliani.

The museum is particularly famous as the home of the Nymphéas, eight stunning Water Lilies pieces by Monet. You don’t want to miss it!

• Cost  – $8
• How long should I stay here?  – 60 – 90 minutes
• Getting there – It’s 20 minutes on foot from Palais Garnier

1:30 PM – Lunch

Paris is a true foodie’s paradise; there are exquisite food tours and dining options on offer. However, in the interests of keeping to a budget, we are going to satisfy ourselves with a delicious french baguette sandwich from any of the many fine boulangerie’s that line the city.

2:30 PM – Louvre Museum

You could easily spend hours exploring the cultured corridors of the Louvre Museum, which are lined with art from across the ages. The world’s largest museum is in a former royal palace, and it was the French Revolution that it was made into a museum to display the nation’s masterpieces.

The Louvre houses an amazing collection of artworks, which span several thousands of years! They are divided into 8 categories including Egyptian Antiquities, Near Eastern Antiquities, Greek, Etruscan and Roman Antiquities and Islamic Art. Some of the most famous artworks are the Mona Lisa, the Winged Victory of Samothrace and the Venus de Milo!

The building itself is a work of art, with its golden roof created by a web of 9000 steel tubes, which almost appear to float above visitors to the Louvre.

• How long should I stay here? – 120 minutes or more
• Getting there  – Walk here from your lunch stop.

6:00 PM – Eiffel Tower

A trip to Paris is incomplete without a visit to the worldwide symbol for the city of love. It is a site rich in history, as it was built for the world fair in 1889 and to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the French Revolution!

With three extraordinary levels, and sights to match, the Eiffel Tower has the best view in Paris. Its top level sits at 906 feet high, which gives visitors an unbelievable view of the Paris cityscape, so it’s no surprise that the tower is one of the most visited monuments in the world.

Take in a panoramic view of popular Paris attractions, including Montmartre, Notre Dame, Les Invalides, and the glimmering waterways of the River Seine. There’s no better way to finish off the day than to watch this spectacular tower light up under the Paris sky!

Note that if you are visiting in Autun or Winter, it may get dark a early as 6pm. Your view of Paris will of course be impacted by this so you may wish to get this one out of the way earlier in the day unless you prefer the city at night view. If you are visiting Paris for the first time then you MUST climb the Eiffel Tower – it’s a Parisian rite of passage.

• Cost  – $12 – $30
• How long should I stay here?  –  60+ minutes
• Getting there  – Take the metro to Trocadeor or Passy and walk from there

Wanna know how to pack like a pro? Well for a start you need the right gear….

These are packing cubes for the globetrotters and compression sacks for the  real adventurers – these babies are a traveller’s best kept secret. They organise yo’ packing and minimise volume too so you can pack MORE.

Or, y’know… you can stick to just chucking it all in your backpack…

Day 2 of this Paris itinerary involves some hefty church-going (don’t worry, even the Atheists amongst you will be astounded!), swings by a lovely art museum and then takes in the macabre Paris catacombs.

9:00 AM – Notre Dame

Begin day 2 of your 3 days in Paris in the best way at Notre Dame as you take in the stunning Gothic architecture. The cathedral is located on the Île de la Cité, or City Island, and has become one of the most iconic monuments in Paris!

Entrance is free but if you would like to venture up to the Trésor de la Cathédrale (Treasure of the Cathedral, where all precious religious items are kept) or the Crypte Archéologique (which houses archaeological remains), you will need to buy tickets, but it’s more than worth it to venture into the top of the cathedral!

You can also see the iconic bell towers, which make a stunning sight! The artwork and atmosphere of reverence are stunning to witness, and it would be a sad day in Paris if you left Notre Dame off your list! Don’t forget to enjoy a stroll around the gardens, while you take a mental picture (or a real one) of the River Seine.

Update for October 2019:  Notre Dame was of course, tragically badly fire damaged earlier this year. At the time of writing it is closed for repair. You can still admire the structure from the outside although of course, the famous turrets are no longer standing.

• Cost – FREE!
• How long should I stay here?  –  30 minutes
• Getting there  – Take the metro to Trocadero or Passy and walk from there

10:00 AM – Sainte-Chapelle

If you thought Notre Dame was special, then wait until you see Sainte-Chapelle!

The cathedral pays homage to the stunning Rayonnant Gothic period of architecture. With its incredible collection of 1113 utterly exquisite stained glass panels that fill the church with beautiful multicolour light, Sainte-Chapelle is unmissable.

If you’re a history buff and a fan of exquisite architecture, you will enjoy Sainte-Chapelle’s legacy as one of the earliest remaining buildings from the  Capetian dynasty .

It is also the home of treasured Christian relics, as well as stunning depictions of the Old and New Testament which line the walls. The cathedral’s walls are also flanked with dignified stone statues representing the 12 apostles.

• Cost  -$10
• Getting there – It’s a 10 minute walk from Notre Dame

11:00 AM – Musee d’Orsay

The Musee d’Orsay is a fantastic museum with an incredible collection of art. The location is the first memorable aspect of the museum as it is found in what used to be the Gare d’Orsay railway station and hotel, giving it a truly unique architecture! A complex design of galleries lies beneath the gleaming iron and glass barrel vault in one of Europe’s largest museums.

The museum is home to some truly iconic art collections including paintings, sculptures, photography and decorative art pieces. Some of the museum’s most famous works include The Artist’s Studio, The Gleaners, Dane at Le Moulin de la Galette, Dinner at the Ball and van Gogh’s renowned Starry Night Over the Rhone.

Visit the Musee d’Orsay to truly get your fill of artworks that will make you wax poetically for the rest of the day!

You should allow 3 hours to  properly  explore the Musee D’Orsay.

• How long should I stay here?  –  120 minutes
• Getting there – Take the RER Line C to Musee D’Orsay

2:00 PM – Paris Catacombs

Experience the Les Catacombs de Paris, for an emotional and historical afternoon in Paris. The Catacombs are a labyrinth of underground quarries, which were created to eliminate the city’s overflowing cemeteries, and became one of the largest ossuaries in the world.

While officially named the Paris Municipal Ossuary, it was nicknamed the Catacombs after the Roman Catacombs created so much public fascination. The Catacombs are a place of great reverence, but also hugely informative!

It was carefully arranged as an underground museum, with monuments such as steles and tombs, as well as ‘cabinets of curiosities’, which offer information on mineralogy and pathology. You can also view plaques with poignant religious and poetic texts, which explore the nature of mortality.

Insider Tip:  You can’t take a large bag or suitcase with you because they can damage the fragile interior. It is also not wheelchair accessible because of the many stairs.

Note that the lines are very long.  We suggest paying to skip the line if you can.

• Cost  – $20 – $35
• Getting there  – RER or Metro to Denfert Rocherou

Dinner in Montparnase

From the Catacombs, you can walk or take a metro to Montparnasse. Known for its large, looming tower, the area is a hub of bars, bistro’s and eateries. Note that the French tend to dine around 7 – 8 pm but if you’re already feeling hungry, you’ll find something open from 5 pm onwards.

Need a place quick? Here’s the best neighborhood in Paris:

Eiffel Tower

Paris’ 7th Arrondissement is one of the most iconic neighbourhoods in the city. Situated on the Left Bank, the 7th Arrondissement is right in the heart of the action, making it the best neighbourhood in Paris to stay in for sightseeing.

• Go for a stroll through the impressive Champs de Mars gardens.
• Marvel at the iconic Eiffel Tower and climb to the top to enjoy panoramic views of Paris.
• Experience a staggering collection of Impressionist art at the incomparable Musee d’Orsay.

The 3rd day of our 3 days in Paris itinerary takes in the artist village of Montmartre. Once home to Dali, Picasso & still home to the fabulous Moulin Rouge club. From there we visit one of Paris’ most bold buildings before paying our respects to the dead.

10:00 AM – Montmartre

This bohemian town in the 18th arrondissement is a surreal place to visit. The timeless village gets its name from the large hill it sits in the shadow of, and is a place with an amazing history.

Don’t miss out on a view of the breathtaking Basilica of the Sacré-Coeur, a sentinel in Montmartre’s landscape. Montmartre is also well-known for its incredible relationship with art and the careers of prominent artists. Many famous painters, including Modigliani, Monet, Renoir, Degas, Picasso and van Gogh lived in the town.

Pay a visit to the Musée de Montmartre, which used to be the home and studio of a number of artists. You could also take a walk through the town and enjoy the idyllic surroundings that once inspired some of France’s greatest painters. Then, get your own portrait painted at the bustling Place du Tertre!

Enjoy a day finding the secret gems in Paris in this artistic hub from days gone by. It was featured in famous poetry, paintings and the hit film, Moulin Rouge. Any Paris itinerary MUST feature a trip to Montmartre.

• Cost  – Depends what you do!
• How long should I stay here?  –  3 hours
• Getting there – Take the Metro to Pigalle and then explore on foot

12:30 PM – Lunch in Montmartre

Montmarte has loads of bistro’s to choose from. There are a few treasures set amidst the streets near the Basicalla although the ones nearer to Pigalle metro tend to be cheaper catering for a daytime, business crowd.

1:30 PM – Geore Pompidou Centre

The Paris Pompidou centre is the cities premier, leading modern art museum. Whilst La Louvre and Musee’ D’Orsay boast some of the finest classical art in the whole world, Pomdidou specialises in 20th-century works. Featuring masterpieces from Picasso, Jackson Pollock and Andy Warhol, the museum is a must for art buffs.

As well as the art, the museum itself is remarkable on account of its bold “inside out” design. The views from the top floors are also pretty sweeping.

• How long should I stay here?  –  90 minutes
• Getting there  – Take the Metro to Hotel Deville

4:00 PM – Pere Lachaise Cemetery

Pere Lachaise Cemetery is the most visited cemetery in the world. This is mostly on account of the sheer abundance of Paris’ good and dead who are laid to rest here. Notable resting Pere Lachaise residents include Jim Morrison, Oscar Wilde, Edith Piaf, Moliere, plus the composers Rossini & Chopin.

Not only is the guest list worthy of any A-list after party, but the monuments themselves are also quite captivating. The cemetery makes an unusual, serene detour and is a wonderful break from Paris’ bustling streets.

• Cost  – Free
• How long should I stay here?  –  60 – 120  minutes
• Getting there  – Ride the metro to Pere Lachaise

Stash your cash safely with this money belt. It will keep your valuables safely concealed, no matter where you go.

It looks exactly like a normal belt  except for a SECRET interior pocket perfectly designed to hide a wad of cash, a passport photocopy or anything else you may wish to hide. Never get caught with your pants down again! (Unless you want to…)

France does have seasons so there’s definitely a time when it’s best to visit Paris . The summers are hot, bringing sweaty days and long evenings. A lot of Parisians head for the coast in August although the influx of tourists make up for this. Winters get chilly and wet but snow is still relatively rare. The shoulder seasons (Spring and Autumn) are possibly the best times to visit.

The time of year you visit will effect what you need to bring. Our Paris packing list will therefore come in useful. The table below will also help you perfectly plan a trip to Paris.

OK so Paris is big and the main attractions are pretty spread out. Walking IS possible but will take considerable exertion and time. Thankfully, the public transport system is pretty robust with reliable efficient Metro, RER and bus networks running across the city.

We suggest buying a book of 10 public transport tickets ($15) which you can use on either trains, busses or RER’s. You need to “stamp” your ticket by feeding it into the machine. Once stamped you can use it to ride unlimited for 1 hour and can even change train/bus. Note that if you are headed to the airport, you need to buy a separate airport RER ticket.

Taxi’s and Uber’s are very expensive in Paris so use them sparingly. There is an automated bike hire service available but personally, I find daytime traffic a bit too intense for this to be enjoyable.

While ol’ Paris is pretty safe , you can never be too cautious. Here are the best tips for keeping your trip problem-free.

• Pickpocketing can be fairly common, especially in large crowded areas such as the metro stations, major tourists attractions, and shopping hubs.
• There are areas that can be unsafe at night or when they are especially empty, including Chatelet, Les Halles, Gare du Nord, Stalingrad, Jaures, Saint-Denis, Aubervilliers, and Saint-Ouen.
• There were of course some high profile terror attacks in Paris over the last few days and it is true that terrorists may try again. However, there is nothing to suggest that Paris is particuarly at risk and no need for fear or any hysteria.

Paris is still one of the safest European metropoles but backpacking through any country needs some safety precautions. It’s always a good idea to keep an eye out for any trouble and try not to go through isolated areas, especially on your own.

Don’t Forget Your Travel Insurance for Paris

ALWAYS sort out your backpacker insurance before your trip. There’s plenty to choose from in that department, but a good place to start is Safety Wing .

They offer month-to-month payments, no lock-in contracts, and require absolutely no itineraries: that’s the exact kind of insurance long-term travellers and digital nomads need.

SafetyWing is cheap, easy, and admin-free: just sign up lickety-split so you can get back to it!

Click the button below to learn more about SafetyWing’s setup or read our insider review for the full tasty scoop.

Find out what people want to know when planning Paris itinerary.

How many days do you need in Paris?

You can pack a lot into 2-3 days in Paris, especially if you’re interested in hitting all the hotspots.

What should you include on a Paris 3 day itinerary?

You can’t miss these top Paris attractions! – Eiffel Tower – Arc de Triomphe – Museums: Louvre & Musee d’Orsay Montmartre

Where should you stay for a weekend in Paris?

The 1st or 7th Arrondissements are the most central, making them the ideal base for a short Parisian getaway.

When is the best time to visit Paris?

April and October are best you want to avoid tourist crowds and enjoy some decent weather.

For anyone seeking history, fantastic cuisine, sublime scenery and an endless supply of things to be amazed by, Paris is the place to visit! There are boundless opportunities to experience everything from world-renowned French monuments to hidden Parisian gems.

With everything on offer and every possible mode of transport available, Paris is a backpacker’s paradise!

As the queen of class, Audrey Hepburn said, “Paris is always a good idea”. Need I say more?

Mathilde Magnier

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Finding the Universe

Travel tales, photography and a dash of humor

3 Days in Paris: The Perfect Paris Itinerary

Last updated: December 16, 2023 . Written by Laurence Norah - 107 Comments

Thinking about spending 3 days in Paris? Great choice! We think that’s the perfect amount of time to spend in one of our favourite European cities, giving you the chance to see many of the top sights and attractions and really get a feel for the city.

Of course, if you have longer, that’s even better, but three days in Paris is certainly enough to see a lot, and works well either as a long weekend, or as part of a longer Europe trip itinerary like this .

To help you with your planning, we’re going to share with you everything we think you need to know to spend three days in Paris. We’re going to give you a suggested itinerary, tips for getting around, advice on where to stay in Paris, our thoughts on when is best to visit and even some suggested ways to save money in Paris.

Let’s get started!

3 Day Paris Itinerary

This three-day Paris itinerary has you hitting all the major sites and attractions in the city. Naturally we suggest you use this as a guide, and add to or remove from it as necessary.

We also suggest you check the opening times and days for each attraction. For example, the Louvre is closed on Tuesdays, so depending on when your trip to Paris is, you might need to re-order the days to get everything in.

Paris Itinerary:  Day 1

Eiffel tower.

What better way to start off your trip to Paris than with a visit to the Eiffel Tower . This is without doubt the most iconic landmark in Paris (if not France!), and a visit here is a must for any visit to Paris. When we visit Paris, we always visit at least once, and every time we are amazed at the sheer scale of this beautiful building.

There are a number of ways to enjoy the Eiffel Tower. First, you can just enjoy the views of the tower, which we think are particularly good from the Trocadero Gardens across the river, or the Champ de Mars gardens behind the Tower.

You can also go up inside the Eiffel Tower to one of the different floors, for expansive views of the city. We do like the experience of going up inside, but we don’t think it offers the best view of the city – because the view from inside the Eiffel Tower is missing the most famous part of the skyline – the Eiffel Tower itself!

Still, if this is your first visit to Paris, we highly recommend the experience. We do suggest that if you want to go up the Eiffel Tower, that you book your tickets in advance from the official website . The queues here for tickets can be very long, and with a pre-booked ticket you can skip the wait.

Alternatively, if you are feeling fit, you can also take the stairs up to the first level. There is not usually a very long queue for the stairs, which have their own ticket line, and it is also slightly cheaper. See our guide to visiting the Eiffel Tower to help you plan your visit.

There are other options for visiting as well. A guided climb of the Eiffel Tower is included on the Paris Pass . This runs in the middle of the day, so if you want to take advantage of this, you will likely want to switch the Eiffel Tower and Seine River Cruise around in this itinerary. It’s also included on the Paris City Card , with a choice of timeslots.

Finally, this tour includes a guided visit (with elevator) to the second floor with the option to visit the summit if you want. It also includes free cancellation, which the official ticket does not.

Seine River Cruise

Another must-do experience in Paris is a river cruise on the Seine. This is a very popular activity, with multiple operators offering cruises up and down the river.

We’ve actually written a post about the various Seine River sightseeing cruise options which goes through the majority of the operators. If you’d prefer a dinner cruise, check out our guide to the best Seine River dinner cruises .

We can definitely recommend the Bateaux Parisiens River Cruise . These depart from just next to the Eiffel Tower, so fit in nicely with this itinerary, and they are included for free if you pick up a Paris Pass or a Paris City Card .

The cruise takes in all the highlights from the Eiffel Tower to Notre Dame, and there’s commentary included. So sit back, relax, and let the scenery roll by.

Hop on Hop off Bus

Talking of sitting back and relaxing, we find that a great way to get oriented in a new city and get an idea of the sights we want to see is to take a Hop On Hop Off (HOHO) bus tour.

Paris is no exception to this rule, and you can pick up a HOHO bus in Paris from right next to the Eiffel Tower, which will then take you around Paris’s key attractions.

There are multiple operators running different routes around the city. If you pick up a Paris Pass, it includes a 1 Day Big Bus Tour . We took this tour and enjoyed it – it’s both an easy way to get around the city, plus you can learn about many of the sights as you go.

However there are a few different HOHO options in Paris, so pick the one that works for you!

Paris Walking Tour

All this sitting around on buses and boats is great for getting oriented, but at some point you’re going to need to put your feet on the pavement! Paris is a wonderful city to explore on foot, and a guided walking tour is an excellent way to do that.

We think that if you are going to do a walking tour in a city, the first day is the best, as you can ask your guide for local recommendations such as their favourite places to eat or get a coffee, as well as get suggestions for hidden gems you might not find in the guidebooks.

There are lots of operators offering tours in Paris. We’ve taken a number of walking tours with Context Travel , and have always loved their detailed tours. They have a number of tours available in Paris, and you get 10% off with this link . We particularly enjoyed their Hemingway themed walking tour of Paris.

We also love Take Walks walking tours, and they have recently launched a number of Paris Tours . For example, they have a full day Paris tour , although this would require you to significantly alter this itinerary.

If you have a Paris Pass, it comes with a choice of free walking tours , which is worth looking into.

Tour Montparnasse

Last on our list for your first day in Paris is a trip up the Tour Montparnasse . I recommend this to everyone going to Paris, as it is, in my opinion at least, the location with the best view of Paris and the Eiffel Tower.

This is particularly the case at sunset, so if you can time your visit for sunset, you will get to witness a wonderful sunset across the Eiffel Tower, and then watch the city lights come to life.

The observation level is across two levels, one is inside and one is outside. The outside area is surrounded by glass, but there are cutouts so you can get reflection-free shots of the view. You can also bring a tripod up here! No wonder therefore that it’s on my list of favourite Paris photography locations .

There’s a fee to go up Tour Montparnasse, but it’s free for holders of the Paris Pass . You can also buy individual tickets online in advance  here .

Paris Itinerary:  Day 2

Our second day in Paris takes in some more iconic sites including some of Paris’s most famous museums and churches. It’s quite a full day, so do feel free to edit the itinerary to suit your particular interests, pace and needs!

Sainte Chapelle

It took me multiple visits to Paris before I finally made it to Sainte Chapelle . Now I urge everyone to make it a priority on their trip to Paris!

This is a relatively small chapel that is not too far from Notre Dame, but the interior, which consists of almost floor to ceiling stained glass, is absolutely outstanding. It will definitely take your breath away.

The 13th century Saint Chapelle is quite popular, and the small size and mandatory security checks mean that the line to get in can be long. This is why I have put it on my list as the first thing for your second day in Paris – you want to get here early, ideally get in line ten – fifteen minutes before the opening time. After all, no-one wants to spend their time standing in lines.

There’s a fee to enter Saint Chapelle, which is free to holders of the Paris Pass and Paris Museum Pass .

You can also buy tickets online in advance here , which is highly recommended as it can get busy here. There’s also a combination ticket for Sainte Chapelle and the nearby Conciergerie here , which is worth visiting.

No more than ten minutes’ walk from Sainte Chapelle is Paris’s most famous religious building, known for her flying buttresses, twin towers and, of course, hunchback resident.

You will definitely see two out of those three when you visit Notre Dame , the major Catholic cathedral in Paris. Construction of this magnificent building took nearly two hundred years, and was completed in 1345.

Unfortunately, on April 15th 2019 a devastating fire seriously damaged Notre Dame. The cathedral will be closed for the foreseeable future as a result of this tragic incident.

We certainly think it is worth visiting the facade, but as you can’t go inside at the moment, you might wish to visit another nearby attraction like the Conciergerie (where Marie Antoinette was imprisoned) as well. You can get a combined ticket for that and Sainte Chapelle here

Musee d’Orsay

If you like museums, Paris has definitely gotten you covered. Our next stop is the Musee d’Orsay , but before you get here, you’re going to take a walk along Paris’s iconic left bank, from Notre Dame to the Musee d’Orsay. This isn’t too far, but you’ll see the booksellers and get a feel for this part of town.

Paris’s museums are quite logically set up, with three main art museums covering three distinct time periods.

The Musee d’Orsay, first on our list, covers art dating from the middle of the 19th century up to the early 20th century, and is home to masterpieces from the likes of Duchamp, Kandinsky and Picasso, to name but a few.

The Louvre (see below), covers the time period before this, whilst the Centre Pompidou covers the time period afterwards, right up to the modern day. The Centre Pompidou isn’t on this itinerary, but you could fit it in if you wanted to of course!

The Musee d’Orsay is absolutely stunning. It’s set in what was once one of Paris’s main train stations, and the grand central atrium is gorgeous – almost worth visiting in of itself.

There’s a fee to get in here, but holders of the Paris Pass and Paris Museum Pass get free entry as well as skip the line privileges.

You can also buy tickets and tours online in advance here or on the official site here .

If you only visit one museum in Paris, I can highly recommend making it the Louvre . This is one of the world’s most famous museums, and is home to an incredible collection of art, including Da Vinci’s Mona Lisa, the Venus de Milo and Michelangelo’s Dying Slave, to name but a few.

Obviously, seeing the Mona Lisa is on the wishlist for many visitors, but this museum, which covers art from ancient times up to the middle of the 19th century, has obviously got a great deal more to offer. True art lovers could lose themselves for days in the vast collection here!

Of course, if that’s you, you are welcome to do the same, although for the purposes of this itinerary we’d probably recommend you try and limit your time to two to three hours so you can fit more of Paris in.

We’d also highly recommend that you pick up either a Paris Pass , Paris City Card or a Paris Museum Pass , which will give you fast-track access to the Louvre.

Note that in the busy times, which tend to be the summer periods especially, the Louvre gets very busy. In summer 2019, there were multiple days when the museum actually sold out, and only holders of advance purchase tickets or timed reservations were able to enter the museum.

If you have a Paris Pass or Paris Museum Pass , you must reserve your entry online on the official website . This is mandatory for holders of these passes in order to guarantee entry, and we highly recommend you do this in advance. If you do not reserve your slot in advance, you are not guaranteed entry even with the pass.

If you have a Paris City Card , you’ll book the timeslot you want when you book the card.

If you do not have a pass, you can buy your ticket and reserve your entry time either on GetYourGuide here (where we normally get our tickets), or online on the official website here . We’ve sometimes found that GetYourGuide has availability even when the official site is out, so it’s always worth checking if you want to visit and can’t find tickets on the official site.

Whichever ticket you buy, you will still have to queue for security, but the line for people with tickets is a lot quicker moving than the general admission line. In addition, when the Louvre sells out on its official website, tickets will usually not be sold on site, so you may not be able to just turn up and queue – only holders of advance tickets will be given entry.

Note the Louvre is closed on Tuesdays. See opening times and more on the official site here .

Wine tasting

When you think of France, a few things likely come to mind, and I suspect that wine is likely one of them. So why not take a break from the sight-seeing and museums, and indulge in a little wine tasting.

Conveniently located just by the Louvre Museum, the Caves du Louvre  is a wine-tasting experience which will guide you through the French wine making process and introduce you to a number of different French wines. Which you get to drink.

The tour is set in an actual 18th century wine cellar which originally housed the wine collection of the French King. Not a bad setting to learn about French wine we think!

There’s a fee for the tour (which includes the wine tasting), and it is included for holders of the Paris Pass. You can also book it separately here .

If you aren’t into wine tasting, there are a number of nearby cafes and restaurants where you can refresh and revive.

We can recommend afternoon tea at Le Meurice , the Ritz or the Hotel de Crillon if you like afternoon tea (see our guide to the best afternoon tea in Paris if so).

For a shorter and less expensive experience, the hot chocolate at Angelina Cafe is also superb.

Arc de Triomphe

We’re going to finish off the second day of our three-day Paris itinerary with a visit to the Arc de Triomphe , another of Paris’s iconic landmarks. From the Louvre you can either take public transport here, or you can walk up the Champs Elysees, Paris’s most famous shopping street.

The Arc de Triomphe, built in memory of those who died in the French Revolution and Napoleonic Wars, is wonderfully photogenic.

From the top you get an excellent view of the city, which includes the roads spanning out into the distance and the Eiffel Tower.

As you journey up into the monument, you will also come to a museum which details some of its history. Below the monument, you will also find the tomb of the unknown soldier.

To get to the Arc de Triomphe, don’t try and cross the traffic roundabout. Head to one of the underpasses, and cross in safety.

Going up inside the Arc de Triomphe carries a fee, holders of the Paris Pass and Paris Museum Pass get free access with skip the line privileges.

You can also book a ticket online in advance here , which is worth doing as the lines can get quite long.

Paris Itinerary:  Day 3

On the last day of our 3 day Paris itinerary we’re heading out of the city centre to take in one of Paris’s most famous Royal Palaces. We’re also including some extra sights in the city at the end if you can tear yourself away.

The really nice thing about having 3 days in Paris is that you have the flexibility to go a little further out of the centre. My suggestion for your third day is to visit Versailles , the incredible palace that was the seat of French political power and home to French Royalty, including Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette.

To truly appreciate Versailles, I would suggest allocating at least half a day of your third day in Paris, if not more. There is easily enough to see here to fill an entire day, which is why we don’t recommend coming here on our two day Paris itinerary .

We suggest starting off by touring the Palace. You’ll want to get here for opening time, as this is a really popular tourist attraction and it gets busier as the day goes on. Once you have toured the Palace and seen such highlights as the incredible Hall of Mirrors and the Kings Grand Apartments, you can head outside, where there is a great deal more to see.

A walk in the incredible (and vast!) gardens is a must. We particularity enjoyed heading over to Marie Antoinette’s estate, which is a slightly quieter part of the gardens, and home to a small model farm, tucked away temples, and walking paths.

It’s very easy to spend a whole day exploring Versailles and the grounds, and don’t feel bad if you do, it’s totally worth it.

Visiting Versailles is quite easy, you can get a train (RER C) from central Paris to the Gare de Versailles Chateau Rive Gauche, and from the train station to the Palace it is a well sign-posted ten minute walk.

Fast-track entry to the Palace, Gardens and other Versailles attractions is included on the Paris Museum Pass – although you will still need to join the security line. You can also book tickets online here , or book a guided tour online here .

If you manage to tear yourself away from Versailles, my suggestion for finishing off your last day in Paris is to head to the Montmartre region. This is home to a large hill, atop which sits the glorious Sacre Coeur de Montmartre, another of Paris’s iconic buildings.

This area of Paris was particularly famous as being home to artists, and folks like Dali, Picasso and Hemingway all either lived or frequented this area.

It’s still popular with artists, and the Place du Teatre is the place in Montmartre is the place to go to get your portrait or caricature painted. Fans of Dali will also want to visit the Dali Exhibition , home of the largest collection of works by Dali in France.

Montmartre is a maze of cute little streets, cafes and shops. The Basilica is free to visit, if you get here in time, although there is a small fee if you want to climb the tower.

Montmartre is also a popular place to watch the sunset across the city, and what better way to finish your 3 days in Paris than by watching the sun set across this magical city from atop Montmartre?

3 Days in Paris Itinerary Map

To help you visualise our 3-day Paris itinerary we’ve put together this helpful map which shows the attractions for each day. You can access this on Google Maps here .

3 Days in Paris Itinerary Overview

Here’s a quick day by day breakdown of all the sights this itinerary covers:

• Day 1 : Eiffel Tower, Seine River Cruise, Hop on Hop off Bus, Paris Walking Tour, Tour Montparnasse
• Day 2 : Sainte Chapelle, Notre Dame, Musée d’Orsay, The Louvre, Wine tasting, Arc de Triomphe
• Day 3: Versailles, Montmartre

Where to Stay in Paris

As you would expect from a major European capital city, Paris has no shortage of options when it comes to accommodation. We’ve stayed in a variety of places, from hotels to homestays to apartments.

Ideally you want to be fairly central if you can, to minimise your travel time. Our suggestion is to take a look at the listings for Paris on booking.com . They’re our favourite booking engine when we travel, usually giving us the best choice and the best prices. They also have everything from apartments and hostels to high end hotels. Here are some options we suggest, depending on your budget.

• Hotel Dress Code & Spa , a highly reviewed centrally located 4 star hotel right a few hundred yards from the opera house
• Hôtel Eiffel Turenne , a well rated 3* hotel within a ten minute walk of the Eiffel Tower
• Ateliers de Montmartre , an apartment in Montmartre with views of the Sacre Coeur
• The People – Paris Marais , a well-reviewed hostel in the Marais, one of our favourite parts of Paris to stay
• Hotel le Compostelle , a highly rated 3* hotel centrally located near the Louvre Museum

If you prefer an apartment, then we recommend Plum Guide or Vrbo .

Plum Guide carefully curate their listings so their options tend to be of a very high quality whilst still being available at a range of price points. We’ve stayed at a number of their properties around the world, including a beautiful apartment in Paris with spectacular Eiffel Tower views. See their listings for Paris here .

If you can’t find what you want from the above choices, or you want some new options to try out, we wrote a whole post on the  best alternatives to AirBnB  which you should check out!

We also have a page full of travel resources, which includes our tips for getting the best deals on accommodation, which you can find  here .

When to Visit Paris

We’re actually happy to visit Paris at pretty much any time of year, and this Paris itinerary would work at any time of year.

Summer brings sunshine and warmth, although of course the city is a lot busier at this time of year, so if crowds aren’t your thing, you might want to skip the summer months.

We also love Fall and Spring in the city, when the temperatures are a bit cooler and the crowds less. In the run up to Christmas, the city is beautifully decorated and some of the stores in particular are worth visiting just to see the elaborate decorations they put up. After Christmas the city is a lot quieter, and of course temperatures are at their lowest.

Ultimately, we think Paris is worth visiting whenever you can, so just decide how busy you can handle, and if you’d prefer it to be warm or cold, and go from there!

How to Get to and From Paris

As the capital of France, Paris has multiple options for visitors looking to visit. There are three major airports in Paris. Charles de Gaulle is the main airport for international arrivals, with Paris Orly being the second most popular international airport. Both of these airports are easily reachable by public transport from the city centre.

Paris Beauvais-Tille airport is where you will likely arrive if you are flying with a budget airline. This is some way out of the city centre, but regular shuttle buses are available to take you into the city.

Paris is also connected to the high-speed French and European rail network, and there are a number of train stations in central Paris. You can even travel from the UK by train, taking the channel tunnel to do so. See our guide to getting from London to Paris for more suggested options.

Finally, of course, you can reach Paris by car from France and the rest of Europe. Our advice would be to park your car in a secure long stay car-park on the outskirts of Paris and take public transport to the centre.

We recommend against driving in the city centre, as public transport is cheap and fast, and a lot easier than stressing about driving around the crowded city streets, and trying to find a parking space.

How to Get Around Paris

Paris has an excellent public transport network, and in particular the Paris Metro system is really good, getting you around all the major parts of the city at minimum cost. There’s also a good bus network, as well as local trains.

For public transport, you can purchase t+ tickets which allow for one-off travel on the Paris bus, RER trains and metros. These are available at train and metro stations using the ticket machines. These machines accept both credit cards and cash, and can be configured for English language.

Each ticket can be used for a single journey of up to 2 hours on the metro (including transfers) and 90 minutes on buses (including transfers). For more information on these tickets, see the official page .

From 2019, the Paris transport system has introduced the Navigo Easy Card. This is a rechargeable card system which is designed to replace the cardboard T+ tickets. A card costs €2 to buy, but allow you to buy a discounted pack of 10 tickets which will save you money if you do quite a bit of travel.

Other than being electronically stored, the tickets work the same, so we would recommend visitors to Paris using the Navigo Easy system as the most cost-effectivee method of paying for transport as a visitor to Paris.

For more on getting around Paris, see our detailed guide to how to get around Paris , which should help you plan all your transport in the city.

Walking Tours of Paris

If you’d like to take a guided tour of Paris, the two companies we usually use are Take Walks and Context Travel . These both offer small group walking tours in Paris, which are a great way to learn about some of the sights and history of the city. Of course, if you decide to take a walking tour you will have to adjust the itinerary accordingly to suit.

If you were interested in a tour, Take Walks has this  Paris in a Day tour which includes a major Museum, the Eiffel Tower, Montmartre & a Seine River Cruise – an excellent introduction to the city!

Context travel offer a number of very focused tours of Paris , and these offer very specialised insights into particular subjects. We’d suggest maybe taking one of these for a specific area of interest that you really want to learn about, perhaps for Versailles . They also offer an introduction to Paris tour .

There are of course other options for various tours in Paris, including all the tours on this page , which offers a variety of things to do from different providers.

For example, there’s this delicious looking food tour ,  this in-depth tour of Hemingway locations in Paris or this tour of Montmartre .

So definitely check out the options to figure out what is best for you!

How to Save Money in Paris

Being a major European city, Paris is definitely not a budget destination. There are a few ways to save money of course, even on an itinerary as packed with attractions as this one is. Food is one way – rather than eating out for every meal for example, you could stay in an apartment or hostel that lets you cook your own meals.

If that’s not an option, consider having picnic lunches or breakfasts, and eating out in the evenings. Also, keep an eye out for the “menu du jour”, most restaurants offer a fixed lunch or evening menu which includes a number of dishes at a fixed price.

You can usually get a meal for between €12 & €25 which includes two or three courses, bread, and sometimes even wine or coffee. Check out our guide to the best restaurants in Paris for lunch deals.

The cheapest way to get around Paris is to walk of course, followed by the excellent public transport system. We usually walk as much as we can, and then take the metro for the longer trips. Taxis can be convenient, but they will eat into your budget very quickly.

One of our favourite ways to save money when we visit a major city where we want to see a lot of sights is to invest in a city sightseeing pass. In Paris there are three main passes that we recommend, the Paris Pass ( buy yours from the official site here ), the Paris Museum Pass (buy here ) and the Paris City Card .

Calculating if a pass is worth it for you will of course depend on exactly which attractions you want to visit.

From our itinerary, here’s what’s included on which passes, as well the cost of individual tickets as of December 2023 and links to book each attraction directly.

• Eiffel Tower (€38 for guided tour, €11.30 for standard stair access ticket) – tour included on Paris City Card, Go Paris Pass and Paris Pass. Book tickets on the official website here
• Seine River Cruise (€18) – included on Paris City Card, Go Paris Pass and Paris Pass. Book online here .
• Hop on Hop off bus (€45) – included on Paris Pass. Book online here .
• Paris Walking Tour (~€35) – various options included on Paris Pass. Book online here .
• Tour Montparnasse (€19) – included on Paris Pass. Book online here .
• Sainte Chapelle (€11.5) – included on Paris Pass and Paris Museum Pass. Book online here .
• Musee d’Orsay (€16) – included on Paris Pass and Paris Museum Pass. Book online here .
• Louvre Museum (€17) – included on Paris Museum Pass and Paris City Card. Book on GetYourGuide here , or on the official site here .
• Wine Tasting (€35) – included on Go Paris Pass and Paris Pass. Book online here .
• Arc de Triomphe (€13) – included on Paris Pass and Paris Museum Pass. Book online here .
• Versailles (€19.5) – included on Paris Pass and Paris Museum Pass. Book online here .

Adding all the above together and you are looking at around €270 in entry fees.

Our recommendation is to consider a 3-day Paris Pass.

We suggest the 3-day Paris Pass because it actually comes with a 2-day Paris Museum Pass.

With that, you get access to pretty much everything on our itinerary, as well as many more activities and attractions including more museums, walking tours, and even dining activities!

You just have to plan your itinerary so you visit the sites covered by the Paris Museum Pass on two out of your three days in Paris. Hint – we’ve already done that for you in our itinerary!

As of December 2023, a 3 day Paris Pass costs €194 for an adult, saving you around €75 per person if you do everything in our itinerary.

Of course, your individual situation will vary, and you might have different attractions you want to visit. In addition, you should be aware that if you are an EU citizen under the age of 26 that many attractions are free or discounted to visit (you need ID!).

Also, on the first Sunday of every month, many museums are free to visit – although very crowded as a result!

We think the Paris Pass can be good value for money ( click here to buy ), but do feel free to check out our detailed reviews of both the Paris Pass and the Paris Museum Pass , and come to your own decision as to what works for you!

You might also decide that purchasing individual tickets makes more sense. In that case, we highly recommend booking online in advance, especially for major attractions like the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre, which can get very busy and even sell out a long time in advance.

Finally, we can also suggest checking out the Paris City Card . This includes a guided Eiffel tower ticket, Seine River cruise and access to the Louvre. It also comes with an audioguide to Paris, as well as a further 10% discount on other Paris attractions.

This is a good option if you aren’t planning on visiting everything in our itinerary. It also has the advantage that you book the timeslots for the Louvre and the Eiffel Tower when you book the card, so can be convenient.

Practicalities for visiting Paris

Paris is a safe city in our experience, although it does have a reputation for being home to a number of scams. Most of these are easy to avoid once you know about them (read up on some of the common scams in Paris here ).

As with any major city, of course you need to keep your wits about you – keep your possessions in view all the time, keep your wallet or phone in a front pocket (with a zip if possible), and don’t do anything that you wouldn’t do at home.

We’ve not had any problems in Paris, although there are a few scams to be aware of – check our guide to avoiding common Paris scams so you are prepared in advance.

Electricity in Paris is of the 220v standard, with the 2 pin European style plug. Travellers from countries like the UK and the US will need an adapter like this . See more on travel adapters and how to choose one for your trip in our guide to the best travel adapters .

US travellers need to check their equipment supports the 220v standard – it will be written clearly on the power adapter. As a general rule, we have found that laptops, phone and camera chargers and other small electronics are universal, whilst larger devices like hair dryers and hair straighteners are not.

Paris is part of the Eurozone, so the currency is the Euro. You can get Euros from ATM’s, banks and currency exchanges, although credit cards are of course widely accepted, and there is no need to carry large quantities of currency.

Internet Access

Internet access is widely available in the form of WiFi all around the city and in hotels and coffee shops, so you shouldn’t have any trouble getting online. You can also pick up local SIM cards if you have an unlocked phone. If you are travelling from the USA, consider a Google Fi package which lets you use your data overseas.

Alternatively, consider an eSIM service like Airalo .

For more options on getting online when travelling, check out our guide to getting online when travelling to help you figure out the best options. We also have a guide to picking the best travel router , which can help you extend a weak WiFi network and share it across multiple devices.

Water 

The water in the taps in Paris is safe to drink unless otherwise indicated. If you don’t like the taste, bottled water is widely available. We usually recommend you travel with a re-usable water bottle like one of these  to save on having to buy water bottles.

We love our Klean Kanteen water bottles for travel as they are lightweight, easy to clean and the company is a certified B-Corp.

Eating in Paris

If you want to eat at one of the more popular restaurants in Paris , we recommend that you book in advance. We recommend and use La Fourchette (the fork), which is the most popular online restaurant booking website in France.

It’s easy to use and makes booking restaurants a breeze, especially if you don’t speak French. Check it out here to find reviews, sample menus and book a table.

Further Reading for your 3 Days in Paris

We have visited Paris on a number of occasions, and have written a good deal about our experiences in the city. To help you further plan your stay in Paris, here are some of our favourite posts and external resources.

• A detailed guide to 2 Days in Paris , should you be there for a shorter period or are looking for some alternative options
• We also have a guide to spending a day in Paris , if you’re on a really tight schedule and just want to focus on the highlights
• We have a detailed guide to attending the famous Moulin Rouge show in Paris
• Our guide to the  best photography locations in Paris , to help you get the best shots on your trip
• A guide to  choosing a Seine river cruise , choosing a Seine River dinner cruise , buying Paris opera tickets ,  attending a fashion show in Paris  and our tips for  the best restaurants in Paris for lunch .
• Our  review of the Paris Pass  and the Paris Museum Pass to help you decide if these might save you money during your time in Paris
• Galeries Lafayette is one of the most well known stores in Paris. However, there’s more to do here than shop! See our complete guide to visiting Galeries Lafayette for more information.
• A guide to  Airbnb Alternatives  to help you find the right accommodation
• If you like afternoon tea, check out our definitive guide to the  best afternoon tea locations in Paris
• If you are heading out of town, check out our itinerary for 2 Days visiting Normandy and the D-Day beaches
• We have reviewed many travel related products you might find useful. Check out our guide to the best travel routers , best travel cameras and best travel wraps to get started!
• If you want a book, we always like to recommend the Rick Steves guides – here’s the  Rick Steves Paris  edition

And that’s it for our guide to spending 3 days in Paris! As always if you have any feedback or questions, just let us know in the comments below.

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Deidre Smith says

22nd December 2023 at 6:04 pm

We arrive at the paris airport at 8am on a Sunday, will have to get our luggage and take it to our hotel. I was hoping to be to hotel by 10am. I thought of doing: Eiffel Tower, Seine River Cruise, Hop on Hop off Bus, Notre Dame, Tour Montparnasse.

Monday: Sainte Chapelle, Musée d’Orsay, The Louvre, Catacombs, Arc de Triomphe (do Tour Montparnasse this day if didn’t have time on Sunday)

Tuesday: Versailles in the morning, leave to go get our luggage at hotel at 3pm, get to hotel at 4pm, get to airport by 5pm for 7pm flight to Venice.

I had to move Notre Dame on your days to Sunday, since it’s closed Monday. So my question is, is this doable? Second, I was going to get the Paris Pass but it seems that wouldn’t work on Versailles if I use it on Monday at Notre Dame, so is there a better pass for me to buy. I was worried if I bought the paris pass, and then used it to book Versailles, it might not work since it’s not consecutive days.

Laurence Norah says

22nd December 2023 at 6:47 pm

So, Notre Dame itself is not due to re-open until the end of 2024. The only area you can currently visit is the Crypt, which you are correct, is closed on Mondays. So I just wanted to clarify that that was what you meant.

For the general timing, if you don’t mind having quite a long day on the Monday you should be ok. My main concern would be that the Hop on Hop off bus is likely going to take a while (it’s a sightseeing experience rather than a quick way to get around the city). Also if you plan on using the Paris Pass or similar pass, you should be aware that some attractions are visited with a guided tour, specifically the Eiffel Tower. Those tours only run at specific times.

Given your schedule with Versailles on the Tuesday and the fact that the Paris Pass only comes with a 2 day Paris Museum Pass, you are correct that this might not be the best pass for you as the 2 day Musuem Pass would expire by Tuesday. One option would be to just get a 2 day Paris Museum Pass and use it for the Monday / Tuesday attractions. From your list it should cover everything except the Catacombs I believe. Then you could just book individual tickets for the other sights. There are passes which include some of the sights on your list such as the Go City Explorer Pass . However I honestly don’t think that it is going to offer better value than just booking individual tickets for each attraction.

I hope this helps, have an amazing time in Paris and let me know if I can offer any more help!

Catrina says

24th November 2023 at 3:13 pm

My husband and I will be celebrating our 20 year anniversary in March and are planning a trip to Paris! I love the 3 day itinerary, giving us a couple days to visit Disneyland Paris. I am interested in a budget friendly-ish stay that allows for a gorgeous view of the Eiffel Tower as in your photo above. Any way to narrow down my hotel/apartment search? Any info is greatly appreciated! Thanks for all the info already given. Super excited for our trip 🙂

24th November 2023 at 4:47 pm

Congratulations and your anniversary and what a lovely way to spend it 🙂 So there are definitely quite a few hotels and apartments with views of the Eiffel Tower. The downside is that properties are aware that this is a desirable feature, so these rooms tend to cost a bit more. We actually have a complete guide to the Eiffel Tower which has a section on recommended hotels , with many of them offering views.

We cen definitely personally recommend the Pullman , which has lovely views from many of the rooms.

Otherwise, your best option is going to be to search properties in the region of the Eiffel tower (like this search I’ve set up for you ). Any hotel or apartment with a view of the Eiffel Tower will definitely make that obvious in it’s description. You just want to be sure you book a room with a view of it, which should also be pretty clear in the room description!

I hope you have a wonderful time in Paris and if you have any more questions please let me know 🙂

Catrina Baugus says

28th November 2023 at 9:43 am

Thank you so much! This gives us a great place to start 🙂

G. Heartwell says

20th March 2023 at 4:32 pm

Thank you so much for the details on the 3 day Paris tour. Sounds perfect for starting a 7 day first visit.! My granddaughter and I are planning to go after the end of the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris! Any helpful travel do s and don’ts for that time period?

24th March 2023 at 6:29 pm

It’s my pleasure. So the main advice I would give is to book any attractions you want to visit as far in advance as possible. This is especially the case for popular attractions like the Louvre or the Eiffel Tower, which can book out months in advance at busier times of year. I’d also recommend picking a hotel with air-conditioning. It’s not always included, but summer in Paris can be hot so be sure to pick somewhere that specifically states it has A/C for a more comfortable stay.

Otherwise have a great time in Paris!

27th January 2023 at 12:07 am

Hello from snowy Toronto, Canada

My son (almost 18) and I would like to travel to France end of July for perhaps a week or so then on to England. With respect to France he wants to see the Eifel Tower and Louvre and from what I read a sunset river cruise would be great too. We can visit the Notre-Dame and anything else you suggest. I personally would then like to go south to Nice, Cannes etc. If we base ourselves in Paris for sites would you suggest base in Nice and branch from there to surrounding areas? Are Roven, Marselle and Carcassone (sp) worth visiting? Would you suggest other areas? Bordeaux looks beautiful but being that this isn’t a wine tour for myself I don’t want to visit this time. Any suggestions are much appreciated.

29th January 2023 at 9:21 am

It’s great to hear from you. So for Paris I think this guide should cover most of the highlights of what you want to see. For the south of France, it is definitely a good option to pick one or two locations as a base. However, it’s worth pointing out that France is quite a big country, so you will want to plan what you want to see. Carcassone is very pretty and definitely worth visiting, but it’s about 350 miles from Nice for example. So I think you would want to work out exactly what you wanted to see and then decide which location or locations makes the most logical sense. You will also want to figure out how you want to get around. The train network in France is very fast and good value, but it doesn’t go everywhere, so you might also consider hiring a car for example. With only a week total, I’d suggest picking one other location outside of Paris and focusing on that. Bordeaux would actually be a great option as it’s about 3 hours by fast train from Paris and there is plenty to see (lots of which doesn’t involve wine!).

Have a great trip 🙂

jacques Martial says

9th January 2023 at 3:26 am

Interesting site.. we have some friends visiting Paris for 3 days and we found your site.. Being a Parisian myself, I was surprised that you included Versailles and a Wine Tasting visit into your planning. Nothing against Versailles, it is a beautiful place but there is more to see in Paris that spending time in Versailles and tasting wine when you are not a drinker. Suggest that you give these visits as alternate. One suggestion: why don’t you have a Romantic 3 days in Paris planning? Many young couples may appreciate more for honeymoon, wedding anniversary or other. Thank you Jacques from Vancouver in Canada

11th January 2023 at 9:02 am

Hi Jacques,

Thanks for your input! We definitely appreciate that this itinerary will not work for everyone, and of course we always suggest folks adjust for their own personal interests and tastes. Many visitors to France do want to try French wine, hence the wine tasting. We also think Versailles is worth visiting with three days in Paris, but of course, everyone can make their own choice 🙂 Thanks for the idea about the romantic visit to Paris as well, we shall definitely consider that!

Marybeth says

5th January 2023 at 10:00 pm

Your information is fabulous! I will be traveling to France in June for a wedding. The wedding will take place in Provence. I plan on starting in Paris for at least 3 days. Then off to Lyon, Avignon and Provence. I am open to suggestions on what to see between Paris and Provence. Lastly, 3 or 4 days for Paris? My travel dates are a bit flexible. Thank you for any suggestions you may offer.

11th January 2023 at 9:32 am

Thanks Marybeth, and sorry for the slow response, we’re currently traveling in Uganda with limited internet!

Given your planned route from Paris to Avignon with a stop in Lyons, a few suggestions that might work for you are below. However, this depends on if you are driving or traveling by train.

Fontainebleau – most famous for Fontainebleau Palace. A nice quieter alternative to Versailles if you are not already visiting that on this trip.

Guédelon Castle near Treigny, France which is a 13th century castle they are building using traditional materials and methods

Dijon – heart of Burgundy region so lots of vineyards in area, city has a number of attractions like Musée des Beaux-Arts

Beaune – lovely walled town with cobblestones, distinctive tiled roofs and the Hôtel-Dieu Museum

3rd January 2023 at 3:09 am

Hi, Your itinerary is so great! Thank you for doing this as I plan to follow it. I’m going in February. I’d like to see the Eiffel Tower all lit up what’s the best time to get there? Thank you

3rd January 2023 at 4:46 pm

So the Eiffel Tower automatically lights up within 10 minutes of it getting dark. It’s an automated system that is based on the light. In February, the sunset in Paris is normally around 6pm (6.30pm at the end of the month), so anytime around then if you just want to see it lit up. It’s also worth noting that the tower also sparkles for five minutes every hour on the hour once it’s been lit up, so that would likely take place at 7pm when you are there. I’d definitely recommend watching that as well!

Have a great time in Paris, let me know if you have any more questions! We also have a detailed guide to the Eiffel Tower you might find useful 🙂

Andrej ands Heather says

5th July 2022 at 4:58 am

Hi Laurence and Jessica Norah

We were planning the Paris trip, actually a trip to Europe, with the first stop in Paris. We found your web blog, read it carefully and decided to follow your advice in the detail. We stayed for 4 days and used 3 days Paris pass, it is good value for the money we paid for. That was the best decision we made!

We create our own itinerary, we scheduled our trips and we made it even more than we predict. We bought a weekly Navigo on arrival( it is good to have two photos with) and travel all around by public transport, a lot of walking up and downstairs( we are 50 and 51), but we managed. We are extremely grateful for your work and effort. Thank you, guys!

5th July 2022 at 11:12 am

Hi Andrej and Heather,

I am so pleased that you had a good time in Paris (and Europe!) and that you found our sites useful. It is very kind of you to take the time to stop by and let us know, it is very much appreciated. Also for the tip on the Navigo. Here’s to many more years of adventures ahead!

All the best,

6th June 2022 at 11:03 pm

So can I upgrade the Eiffel Tower tour to an elevator one all the way to the summit with the Paris pass? That says guided climbing tour only to the second floor. Thanks

7th June 2022 at 11:45 am

This is a great question! I reached out to Experience First who handle the tour that comes with the Paris Pass, and they responded as follows:

You can First book your tour with Paris pass through: https://www.exp1.com/paris-tours/book-with-pass/

Then, after booking you will receive an email with a Booking reference number which you can use it to upgrade to summit.

To Upgrade after booking : https://upgrade.exp1.com/

So in summary, yes, you can upgrade to the summit access tour with the Paris Pass, although obviously this will be subject to availability.

Have a great time in Paris!

13th November 2021 at 7:57 pm

My husband and I will be visiting Paris in a couple weeks for 4 days (Sun – Wed). This is our first time visiting France and working on a draft itinerary. I plan on getting the Paris Pass for the 1st 2 days so to include all the museum visits. Also your thoughts on doing the river cruise at night (Bateaux Parisiens Seine River) instead of during the day one.

Sunday – Bus hop, Eiffel Tower and late afternoon head to watch the sunset…Arc de Triomphe and do Tour Montparnasse Monday – Sainte Chapelle, Notre Dame, Musée d’Orsay, The Louvre, Wine tasting, River ride at sunset Tuesday – The catacombs or Montmartre then Versaille in the afternoon

Thanks in advance!

14th November 2021 at 11:10 am

Great to hear from you! Your plan sounds great to me. The only thing I’d mention, which might be obvious, is just to remember that in winter the sun sets around 5pm in Paris. I’m sure you factored that in, but just something to remember if you’re wanting to catch the sunset from the Tour Montparnasse.

It definitely sounds like you have arranged everything in a sensible order. I am not sure how busy Versailles is at the moment. In the old times visiting in the afternoon without a guided tour booked was a challenge due to the long ticket lines, but now they have timed tickets I suspect it’s less of an issue – we’ve not been since they introduced the time slots.

For the Seine River Cruise, we’ve done both day time cruises, sunset cruises and an evening dinner cruise. I think sunset is a good time as you get the mix of the city at day and at night, with the potential for a nice sky as well. If it was my first time, I’d probably not do a tour at night, just because it’s obviously dark and so harder to see everything. But that’s just my personal preference. Seeing everything lit up is lovely as well!

Let me know if you have any more questions, I’m happy to help! Have a wonderful trip to Paris – we’re planning to be there at the start of January 😀

amanda Pimm says

31st October 2021 at 4:12 pm

Hi , my husband and I plan to take my daughter and her friend to Paris next may 2022 for her 16th birthday. We have never been before and can’t speak any French, will this be a problem. I also wondered what pass would be good to buy for our 3 day sight seeing please. Would be very great full for any advice.

31st October 2021 at 6:33 pm

Great to hear from you. Let me do my best to answer your two questions.

In terms of not speaking French, this shouldn’t be a major problem, especially in Paris. It’s a popular part of the world with visitors, and English is widely spoken. However, I would say that you will likely have a better experience if you learn a few basic phrases, such as hello (bonjour), thank you (merci) please (s’il vous plait), and do you speak English (parlez vouz anglais). The Parisians have developed a bit of reputation for being rude to foreigners, but in my experience, if you start off with a simple “bonjour”, they will pretty much instantly realise that you are not a native speaker, and nine times out of ten they’ll respond in English. However, if you start in English, they’ll be less receptive. I guess you could imagine the reception if it were reversed, and a French person arriving in the UK or USA and trying to start a conversation in French. So even learning “hello” can be a bit step in getting things off on the right foot!

For city cards, this will very much depend on what you want to see. For most visitors, a trip to the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, and a Seine River Cruise are popular, so the Paris City Card is a good starting point as it includes those things. You then get a 10% discount for additional attractions you book through the site. If you plan to see more sights, then you might instead consider the Paris Pass , which includes a lot more attractions and activities, but it will definitely depend on what you plan to do to make sure it is good value. For example, if you plan to do most of the attractions in this itinerary, it will likely offer cost savings.

I hope this helps, have a great trip to Paris and let me know if you have any more questions!

21st April 2020 at 11:55 pm

Exploring the City of Love is such a dream come true! This 3-day Itinerary in Paris is such a great help to those who are planning to discover Paris. Thanks for sharing, nice article.

22nd April 2020 at 10:36 am

Thanks James!

rj digma says

11th February 2020 at 7:08 pm

Great site. Very helpful. One question, if I buy the paris museum pass but want to hire a private guide to take us to the museums and give us art history info, would you know someone.

11th February 2020 at 11:20 pm

Thanks very much! We don’t know any private guides personally, however we have regularly used Context Travel , who do provide private guides, so that would be worth looking into.

Good luck, and have a great time in Paris!

Veronica Webster says

1st February 2020 at 11:36 pm

Hi Laurence, We have already cleared doubts with Jessica about our London trip, and now we’re working on the Paris part. We will be visiting Paris from March 27th to April 1st. Arriving on Friday around 11:00 am. We know that being a weekend everything will be more crowded, but it is what it is. We have made our numbers and we’re thinking that the Museum Pass will work better, given that the Paris Pass 3 days only includes 2 days museums, and we have actually 4.5 days, so not really need to fit all museums in 2 days (and we’re visiting Versailles too) My question is: The delivery options for the Museum pass is pick up at arrival or Fedex (24euros to Canada). If we arrive on a Friday, if I want to reserve time slot for Louvre on Saturday, is there’s a risk I won’t find available the time I’m looking for? Same for Orsay on Sunday morning (we want to be there for both at 9:00 am) Given that we would be already saving time by avoiding lines and buying the tickets, the 24 euros fee to have the pass with us sooner and book weeks ahead sound like a reasonable option. Your thoughts please?

here’s a draft of our trip: Friday after 1 pm: Eiffel Tower, Seine River Cruise (we pay for those 2) Sat: Louvre (9am, museum pass), Hop OnOff (we pay) Champs E./Arc the T (mpass) Sun: Orsay (9am mpass) Montmartre Mo: Saint Chapelle (mpass), Notre Dame (just views), Pantheon (mpass), Invalides (mpass) Tu: Versailles (mpass) – We think Versailles will be less crowded on Tu, but we could switch this to Sunday.

Thank you in advance to you and Jessica! your blog has been very useful to plan this trip!!

2nd February 2020 at 3:32 pm

Hi Veronica,

Thanks for your comment. To answer your question, for the Louvre, it has become very popular, and if you want to guarantee a particular time for your entry, then paying for the delivery of the museum pass is definitely going to be the way to do that. You need the number on the pass in order to make the reservation, which obviously you will need the pass for. If you decide to do this, make sure you bring both the pass and proof of reservation with you, and then join the correct line at the Louvre for those with reservations.

Of course, Paris in March / April is not as busy as it is over the summer months, so it may be that the Louvre has plenty of availability. However, it’s all down to your personal risk preference 😉

For the Musee d’Orsay, as far as we know you can’t book in advance with this museum, you just turn up with your pass. This is the case for most of the museums in Paris, it’s only the Louvre that has the timed requirement due to its popularity.

For Versailles, the weekends are usually very busy, however, bear in mind that many sights in Paris are also closed on Tuesdays (like the Louvre), so this also means more folks head out to Versailles. We would urge you to arrive early at Versailles, as the lines can get very very long for entry. Again, March / April should not be *too* busy, but it is best to err on the side of caution in our experience!

You have done a great job with the itinerary, putting the busiest places first 🙂 Let us know if you have any more questions and we’ll try to help. Have a fantastic trip – do feel free to join our facebook group and share your experiences in our friendly facebook group – https://www.facebook.com/groups/travelloversandphotography/ 🙂

Afitha says

31st August 2019 at 12:47 pm

Hi Laurence, Me and my husband will be going to paris-switzerland-italy for 11 days trip..pls gve me an advise regarding howmany days we will stay per country…eagerly waiting for ur reply..TIA

2nd September 2019 at 6:12 am

It really depends on which cities you want to visit and your personal interests. I haven’t visited Switzerland for a while but I would say if you were to do something like Paris for 3 days, then Switzerland for 3-4 days, then Italy for 4-5 days. I would suggest with that much time that you could visit 2 cities in Italy, so I’d say maybe Rome and Venice. You could also base in Rome and do day trips to places like Florence.

Have a great time!

19th August 2019 at 11:55 am

Hello Laurence and Jessica, I’m planning to go on a solo trip on January 2020 to Paris (and going to Italy). It will be my first time in Europe, and I’m very excited. I know it’s winter and it will be very cold, but I was wondering if you have any tips for a 21 year old solo female traveller? I’m planning to book an AirBnB so I can also cook some meals to be able to save some money. How much do you think I need for the three day sightseeing in Paris alone? I’m hoping to hear from you guys soon. Thank you.

19th August 2019 at 12:01 pm

So I will briefly answer your question on solo female travel. We definitely aren’t experts in that area as we usually travel as a couple, however, Paris is no more or less safe than other major western European cities, so if you practice the same sort of safety precautions that you would in your own home cities, then you shouldn’t have any problems.

For budget, January is not too busy in Paris so you should be able to find an apartment on AirBnb in the region of $60 – $100 a night. The other main costs will be food and sightseeing. For food, lunch is the best time to go out for meals generally as restaurants tend to have fixed price menus. So if you do choose to dine out during your stay, we’d recommend doing so at lunch. Otherwise we suggest croissants from a bakery for breakfast and there are lots of supermarkets for picking up supplies for cooking 🙂

Sightseeing will be your other major costs. The price will obviously vary depending on exactly what you want to do and see. If you plan on going inside many museums and attractions, then we recommend either the Paris Pass or Paris Museum Pass. The best one for you will depend on what you want to see. Note that neither of them includes Eiffel tower access. If you want to go up the Eiffel Tower, the cheapest way is to buy second floor tickets with stair access. You can do this online or in person – see our full Eiffel Tower guide for more on that.

https://independenttravelcats.com/eiffel-tower-paris-france/

Overall, I would say that if you budget $60 – $100 a day for accommodation, $20 – $50 a day for attractions and $15 – $30 a day on food that would be reasonable. Of course, you could go above or below these figures based on your own preference, but that is a ballpark.

Have a great time in Paris, and don’t hesitate to get in touch if you have any more questions!

29th July 2019 at 4:15 am

I am looking into going to Paris July 3-5 2020. I have never traveled or anything else like that how would I go about making sure I had enough money. Thank you in advance.

29th July 2019 at 7:42 pm

Well, that’s quite a big question 🙂 It will depend a bit on your travel style (hostel – luxury hotel), what attractions you want to see and what sort of food you want to eat. Also how you get around, from walking -> taxis. The main costs will be your flight to and from Paris, your accommodation, and then your sight-seeing and food costs. It’s hard to give an exact number as everyone will be different, but if you take a look at my guide to the costs for travelling in the UK, this will give you an idea of what to estimate. Paris will be a bit more expensive, as capital cities often are, but you should at least get a rough estimate. You can see that guide here:

https://www.findingtheuniverse.com/cost-travel-uk/

Let me know if you have any more questions!

29th July 2019 at 9:34 pm

Thank u so much I’ll check that link in just a few when I have a bit more time ????????

7th July 2019 at 3:57 am

Hi Laurence!

My husband and I will be going to Paris for six days in October. However, it’s our first time there, and I’m starting to think that we might have too many days in Paris and we might run out of activities.

Any suggestions or thoughts on that based on your experience?

9th July 2019 at 3:42 pm

You definitely won’t run out of things to do. I have just covered the major highlights in this post – there is so much more to the city! We usually visit for 5-7 days at a time, and have done so multiple times, and have never run out of things to do!

9th September 2019 at 11:13 pm

My sister and I who are in our 70 are going on a river cruise with Viking on Oct 6 an want to come in a few days early.. What hotel and tours . Is the show mon la rougue still there as I saw it 20 years and want to see it again.

11th September 2019 at 5:50 pm

Thanks for your e-mail. So the hotel you choose will very much depend on your budget, but we have some suggestions in this post for you to choose from. If you’d like to stay near the Eiffel Tower, we also have a lot of suggestions in our guide to visiting the Eiffel Tower, which you can read here . Of course, you might want to find out where your cruise departs from so you are not too far away.

The Moulin Rouge is still very much in operation, and we visited quite recently. You do need to book in advance, I have a full guide to the Moulin Rouge here which you might find helpful.

Rupali says

25th June 2019 at 2:47 pm

Hi I really like the detailed itinerary. It very good to look if you are planning the trip to Paris in advance. I would like to know if the Paris pass includes guided tours or some discount on guided tours in the museums? Also, if now do you think it is worth to take the guided tours to know about the significance of that place.

25th June 2019 at 3:20 pm

Thanks very much 🙂 So some city passes do include discounts on walking tours. However, the Paris Pass does not include many discounted guided tours. Looking at the inclusions, it includes a Montmartre walking tour, as well as discounts on a Segway tour, cycling tour and Citroen 2CV tour. It also includes the guided Opera Garnier tour. You can see some of the tours it includes on this page – just filter by Paris tours.

So if you want to do a guided tour of the museums, or a guided tour in Paris in general, then you would want to book that separately. I do think that a guided tour is a good way to learn about the city, and I link to some suggested walking tours in the post. It’s really up to you though if you want to do that. If you take a full day walking tour of Paris, then you might not find the Paris Pass offers such good value as most tours include entry to a number of attractions.

Let me know if I can be of any more help!

9th June 2019 at 7:07 pm

Hi Laurence, We stumbled across your blog recently while planning for our trip to Paris in September this fall. We enjoyed reading it. We will be arriving Paris on a Wednesday morning and leaving by plane on a Saturday 5:50pm flight. On Thursday we’ve booked a Versailles morning tour that ends 1:45pm and on Saturday morning we’ve booked the Louvre tour that ends 12:45 pm, then we will retrieve our luggage from hotel and on to the airport. Questions: Should we stay at a hotel that is near the Louvre for our convenience of Saturday’s luggage retrieval before airport Or should we stay at a hotel that is a short walk to the Hop on Hop off bus route so we can visit most of the top attraction via the bus and not to let the luggage retrieval limit the hotel location ? Could you please give us a few hotels suggestions and what top attractions we can fit in our schedule?

9th June 2019 at 8:53 pm

Thanks for your comment!

So, I think it’s up to you in regard to the hotel location. However, as the Louvre is a popular location for visitors, most Hop on Hop off buses will have a stop close by. So you can do both – just pick a hotel close to the Louvre and it will also be close to the Hop on Hop off bus.

In terms of specific hotels, it’s hard to give advice without a budget. I’d suggest using this link to start , and then narrowing your filter by price, date and what type of accommodation you are looking for. I’d generally also suggest looking for properties with a good review score, ideally an 8 or higher 🙂

PS – sorry about the slow response, we’ve been travelling for the past few days with limited internet 😀

Angela B says

9th June 2019 at 3:30 pm

Laurence & Jessica, Such an amazing and thorough explanation. My daughter (13) and I will be arriving into Paris next Sunday (16th) to watch USA play in the World Cup. My husband will be working the Paris Air Show, so my daughter and I have 3 days (17-19) to ourselves, meeting my husband at night for dinner and sightseeing. I think we will do the 3 day tour with Versailles on the last day. Based on this itinerary, does the 3 Day Paris Pass still make the best option? I am guessing it does since it includes travel, entrance, and skipping lines. We are sooooo excited!!!!! Angela

9th June 2019 at 8:57 pm

Thank you so much Angela – sounds like you’ve got a great trip coming up!

So I would say that the Paris Pass would make sense if you intend on using the various additional features it offers like the Seine Cruise, transport and so on. The one thing to be aware of is that whilst the pass is three days, it only includes a 2 day museum pass. And that pass is what you will use for places like the Louvre, Versailles and so on.

I have structured this itinerary to account for that, however, if you want to move things around, it might make less sense, and instead you might consider the 4 day Paris Museum Pass, and then a separate travel card. Of course, it’s up to you.

We have a full review of both types of pass if you would like some further reading to help you decide! They are at the following links:

https://independenttravelcats.com/tips-buying-using-paris-museum-pass/ https://independenttravelcats.com/buying-paris-pass-review-worth-it-tips/

Sumona says

30th May 2019 at 5:31 pm

Thank you so much for writing this. Really helpful and very well written!

30th May 2019 at 5:38 pm

Thank you very much Sumona – have a wonderful trip to Paris and do let us know if you have any questions 🙂

17th May 2019 at 4:52 pm

Hi Laurence and Jessica! I am travelling to Paris soon and your elaborate writing and practical tips is what exactly I was looking for. Brilliant! Thanks : )

17th May 2019 at 5:53 pm

Thank you very much Jasma – have a wonderful time in Paris! Do let us know how you enjoy the city 🙂

17th May 2019 at 7:27 pm

I will sure have a good time in the City of love . Also, Your expert advice on the accommodation pls- the place I am planning to stay is at Courbevoie. Per the owner it says 10 mins to Paris. Do you think during my stay at Paris for 3-4 days this place will be in proximity to the list you had advised in your blog. Thanks Jasma

17th May 2019 at 7:33 pm

It’s hard to tell as Courbevoie is a little bit outside the city centre, and so it will depend on which metro or train station you are near, and how far it is to the metro station. In a best case scenario it will be 10 minutes to the Arc de Triomphe, in a worse case scenario, more like 40 minutes. The Arc de Triomphe is the closest attraction in our itinerary though to Courbevoie, other attractions are further away. So it is definitely not the most convenient location, but it will work. However, if you can find somewhere more central it might work out more easily for you.

18th May 2019 at 3:33 pm

Thanks a million Laurence. You are doing a great job and I truly appreciate it. Regards, Jasma

Godfrey says

29th March 2019 at 8:41 pm

You guys are amazing..just about saved me hours of research into finding things to do in 3 days…This is exactly what fits within our 3 day visit..Keep up the great work!

30th March 2019 at 12:12 am

Thanks Godfrey – we will certainly try! Have a lovely trip to Paris and let us know if we can be of any help!

22nd February 2019 at 5:50 pm

hi! I like your blog,it’s very informative and easy to follow. but can I just know, roughly how much do we need to prepare? I mean if Im a big spender how much money will I probably spend for the tours? excluding the food. I would really appreciate if you could give me the figure so we can save for it. thanks! ☺️

23rd February 2019 at 7:25 am

It’s really hard to give figures as budgets vary greatly between people. So you can see from the tours I have suggested what they cost, and also if you buy one of the passes then many of the attractions will be included. So then your other costs will be accommodation and food. For this itinerary, including food and accommodation, you would probably be looking in the region of €500 – €1000 per person, but that would vary hugely depending on your tastes and accommodation quality.

I hope this helps a bit!

Anjana says

12th February 2019 at 11:17 pm

Hello. I liked the itinerary you suggested. We are planning to be there by mid April. Can you please guide us for weather. Also, I am an artist and wish to visit art gallary, can you please suggest?

13th February 2019 at 9:05 pm

The weather in Paris in April will be fairly warm, like around 17 – 22C. It might be cooler in evenings. Rain is always a possibility, but you would be unlucky if it rained a lot.

If you want to visit an art gallery, I would suggest the Louvre, or the Centre Pompidou if you prefer modern art!

12th February 2019 at 4:52 pm

How to get Paris Pass and the bus passes. Required details about the inclusions and exclusions of the Paris Pass .

12th February 2019 at 5:28 pm

You can buy the Paris Pass with this link .

You can see the inclusions here .

Enjoy your time in Paris!

12th February 2019 at 5:31 pm

Thank you so much.. I will sure be in touch with you if i require any more details .

Regards Shree

13th February 2019 at 7:45 am

Hi Is it mandatory to get the paris pass before hand or the same can be availed after reaching the destination as well..

13th February 2019 at 7:09 pm

You can buy the pass in Paris as well, but they don’t offer sales as they sometimes do online,

Amanda Che says

19th December 2018 at 3:09 am

If I want to visit Montparnasse will I need to purchase tickets if I have the Paris pass? Or do we just show up and they will let us in at whatever time?

19th December 2018 at 8:03 pm

If you have the Paris Pass the Tour Montparnasse is included, so you can just turn up at any time and they will let you in. It’s best at sunset if you can make it them!

Have a great trip

19th December 2018 at 10:02 pm

Thank you for responding!! I’m glad I got he passes! Does this apply to the wine tasting as well?! I’m just not sure about the places that have specific times that need reservations when visiting.

19th December 2018 at 11:10 pm

My pleasure! The wine tasting was the same when we used the Paris Pass – we just turned up and it was fine. However, if you have any doubts you can always reach out to either the attraction or Paris Pass folks to confirm 😀

24th October 2018 at 9:29 pm

Thank you so much for making my life easy!!! You have the best detailed itineraray in Paris. I purchased the 3 day Paris Pass. 🙂 I’m so excited to visit next month!

25th October 2018 at 8:13 pm

Thanks so much! Have an awesome trip 😀

Evelyne says

23rd October 2018 at 10:23 am

Hello, I am a Parisian and I read your post. I think this itinerary is very heavy (espécially days 2) unless you don’t visit the museums and just shoot the buildings. It is just an accumulation of monuments to visit but it does not give the feel of what is Paris. Fortunately, Paris is not just an opan air museum.

23rd October 2018 at 1:03 pm

Hey Evelyne!

Thanks for your feedback. I definitely make that clear at the beginning that this is a very busy itinerary, and people should adjust to suit their own pace 🙂 We usually visit Paris for no less than seven days at a time when putting these posts together, but we know not everyone has that luxury, so we try to fit everything in that people might want to see, based on our conversations with folks planning a trip 🙂

Thanks for stopping by!

kunal gupta says

30th September 2018 at 10:45 am

After having read so many posts, I felt this is the best post. It has all the tips, recommendations and anecdotes that I was looking for to create an itinerary. I am visiting Paris next month and will surely provide you guys my feedback on the experience.

Any tips on finding Indian or vegetarian lunch/dinner will be extremely helpful too !

1st October 2018 at 2:26 pm

Thanks Kunal! I’m not personally an expert on vegetarian dining, but the search engine happycow.net lists vegetarian restaurants around the world, so that would be a good place to look 🙂 Have a great trip!

Kritika says

13th September 2018 at 8:22 am

Hi, Your blog is one simple answer to all the queries I had while planning for my trip. 🙂 We are a couple visiting Paris from 29 Sept to Oct1. We would like to visit a vineyard and taste wine over there. Do you have any information regarding any vineyard nearby and how to commute? Also, We would be going to Lyon for a day. Can you suggest me a short itinerary for the same?

Regards Kritika

13th September 2018 at 11:47 am

Hi Kritika!

Thanks very much, we are happy to have been of help 🙂 We would suggest that the closest wine region to Paris is going to be the Champagne region, and the easiest way to get there would be to take a tour from Paris, which will save you figuring out transport. Plus someone else will drive, leaving you to enjoy the wine 🙂 I found this one which has good reviews so that would be my suggestion, although there are sure to be other options!

For Lyon, we haven’t visited there yet, so I can’t make any recommendations unfortunately 🙁

Have a great trip!

9th September 2018 at 7:25 am

Hi! Just read your wonderful article helps out a lot we are a family of 6..would metro\bus be cheaper or renting a car..staying in a hotel near cdg since all the good/affordable ones are taken near the center….and how I the weather in the end of September? 6 days all Together and Disneyland is included please let me know confused about driving and or bus thanks 🙂

9th September 2018 at 11:38 am

I would recommend against hiring a car as driving in Paris is not so much fun, plus you will have to spend time finding parking and paying for it. Instead I would recommend either taking the metro, or hiring a taxi to take you in. For a group of people, you would have to find the right size of taxi of course, but it should be possible. For Disneyland, the easiest way is the RER from Paris.

The weather in Paris in September should be quite good, not too hot but not too cold, I would say around 12 – 22C, so you will want to have some warmer clothes for the evenings. There is always the possibility of rain as well, so a rain jacket or umbrella would be wise 🙂

Hope this helps!

Susan Morris says

30th August 2018 at 4:14 am

Hi, I have just read your 3-day itinerary for Paris, and I thought it was awesome. Very clear and easy to follow. I look forward to following it when we head to Paris next year! My husband is also keen to visit the area of the D-Day landings at Normandy (Omaha Beach I believe). Do you have any similar itineraries or advice for a 1 or 2 day visit to that area? Many thanks

30th August 2018 at 10:50 am

Thanks very much Susan. We certainly do, we have a two day itinerary which we think you should find useful 🙂

https://www.findingtheuniverse.com/normandy-2-day-itinerary-d-day-beaches-mont-st-michel/

24th August 2018 at 9:15 pm

Hi I am traveling to Paris in second week of oct 18… what would be the climate that time? Do I need to carry a lot of winter clothing?

24th August 2018 at 9:26 pm

October in Europe varies. I’d say the best option is to bring layers, and to have sufficiently warm clothes for cold weather and rain in particualr. The temperature will likely be between 5 degrees C and 15 degrees C, although if it is windy it might feel a lot colder. So it’s not like visiting Iceland or Finland in winter, but you’ll want to be prepared.

I don’t have a guide for Paris, but we do have a packing list for London at any time of year, which should help a bit:

https://www.findingtheuniverse.com/london-packing-list-what-to-pack-for-london-and-the-uk-at-any-time-of-year/

Qinwan says

22nd July 2018 at 1:02 pm

Hi Laurence, I am planning my visit to Paris in Oct 2018, the blog of 3 days itinerary is very much helpful and perfect for my plan. Where do you recommend to proceed after Paris for a 10 day Europe trip?

22nd July 2018 at 9:31 pm

Awesome! Well, if this if your first time in Europe, I’d probably recommend some of the other capital cities, like London or Rome, and then maybe Barcelona, depending on how much time you want to spend in each location. You can easily spend three or four days in both Rome and London. From Paris to London it’s an easy journey, as you can take the train direct. Then there are mutliple flights from London to Rome. If you like the sound of Barcelona, there’s an overnight train from Paris straight to Barcelona. Another idea might be to do Paris – > London, Edinburgh and then a bit of Scotland as well.

I’d definitely suggest not trying to see too much, and spending a bit longer in each location. Three days is a nice amount of time to see a city 🙂

Have an awesome trip!

Elizabeth Higgins says

22nd July 2018 at 5:26 am

This post is just so detail-oriented, Laurence! Any reader would not be having a difficult time browsing because you have also included hyperlinks to the sub-sections. Everything has just been written so wonderfully that I felt spoon-fed with information, in a really great way. I am so glad to find your blog! Thank you so much!

22nd July 2018 at 8:54 pm

Hi Elizabeth – thanks so much! It’s always wonderful to hear that people are finding our posts helpful! Hopefully you have a great trip, and don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions! Laurence

Tisaygwapa says

9th July 2018 at 9:56 am

Hi, I am a fan of your blog. My planning for my euro trip makes it easier. I have an inquiry though, can you tell me what is the difference between and Paris Pass and a Paris Explorer pass? What airport is near to the attraction on day1?

We will be in Paris for 3 days.

9th July 2018 at 10:03 am

Hi Tisaygwapa 🙂

Thanks very much! The Paris Explorer Pass is a much more limited pass, and instead of giving you free access to all the attractions, it lets you choose from 3, 5 or 7 attractions. For our itinerary, we definitely suggest either the Paris Pass or the Paris Museum Pass for cost saving.

For airports, Paris has three major airports. The two closest to the city and that most people arrive at are Paris Orly and Paris Charles De Gaulle.

From Paris Orly to the Eiffel tower you can take the Ouibus, it only takes around 16 minutes: https://www.ouibus.com/routes/paris-paris-orly-sud-airport

Charles de Gaulle (CDG) is a little further away, you can take the RER train from the airport – it’s probably more like an hour.

Shashank says

20th June 2018 at 5:11 pm

Hi, would like to know if we can walk in directly to Bateux Parisiens any time with the Paris Pass? Do we need to reserve online even if we have the Paris Pass?

20th June 2018 at 7:03 pm

Hi Shashank!

In our experience you can just walk up and show your pass at the ticket booth, no reservation required 🙂

Hope this helps – have a great trip!

18th June 2018 at 9:29 am

I would like to know more details of 3 day Itinerary . In the mentioned Places , how long it will take? that is regarding time span we can spent there comfortably .Can u pls suggest

20th June 2018 at 7:10 pm

IT’s really up to you and your interests as to how long you want to take. The itinerary as laid out is doable, but if you spend four hours at each location, obviously not so much 🙂 So my advice would be to look at each location and decide how much time you would like to spend their. As an example, Sainte Chapelle is quite small, so 15 – 20 minutes would be fine. The Louvre is gigantic, so will take a bit longer! But it’s really up to you 🙂

Karuna says

11th June 2018 at 5:31 pm

Thanks a lot, we are planning to visit Paris, and Italy for 12 days of vacation and this is very helpful for Paris. Can we have an advice on Hotels where we can stay like 4* hotels work walk around to these attractions if possible or nice evening walks?

And can we have an itinerary for Italy for 9-10 days trip,

Thanks a lot

11th June 2018 at 11:29 pm

Thanks very much! In the post I do link to a centrally located 4* hotel, under the accommodation section. The hotel is this one, but I’m sure you can find some other options 🙂

http://www.booking.com/hotel/fr/dress-code-amp-spa.html?aid=385205&no_rooms=1&group_adults=1&label=FTU3DaysinParis

I will update the post in the next few weeks with some more specific recommendations. For the Italy guide, I will add an itinerary to the to do list, you should subscribe to the blog so you get notified of future posts and don’t miss out.

Sunil Chawla says

31st May 2018 at 8:44 am

I will be travelling to Paris with my wife in the month of August. This detailed information will surely be helpful to plan our trip Thank you very much Sunil Chawla India

31st May 2018 at 7:23 pm

Thanks Sunil! Have a great trip 🙂

Chitra Shah says

16th May 2018 at 8:36 pm

I am travelling with my husband and 2 kids ( 7 years and 1 year) to Paris in June. This is exactly what I was looking for, Thanks you. Do you think Paris is stroller – friendly or you recommend a baby carrier.

17th May 2018 at 9:26 am

Thanks Chitra! I must preface my response by saying that we don’t have kids, so haven’t faced this problem 😉 Certainly, part of Paris would be stroller friendly, but things like the metro for example are definitely not easy for stroller access as there are often only stair entrances and exits. So a baby carrier might be easier, depending on how you want to get around the city. I hope this helps a bit – have a great trip!

3rd May 2018 at 7:51 pm

This is one of the best, well elaborated and detailed article. Thank you for putting up so much effort and sharing your experience. It is indeed a great help!

3rd May 2018 at 8:35 pm

Thank you very much 😀

Nitin Bansal says

21st April 2018 at 7:15 pm

That’s a brilliant detailed summary of 3 day Paris itinerary. I am travelling to Paris soon although for a short time and will be looking forward to cover most of the places from your list here.

22nd April 2018 at 10:17 am

Thanks very much Nitin – have a great trip 😀

kristin says

28th March 2018 at 2:25 pm

I envy you guys living in Edi and being able to jet away for so many long weekend trips for cheap! I was pricing Europe from Nashville this summer, and I can’t find anything for under $1000, no matter the hub I fly into =/

29th March 2018 at 9:49 am

We are lucky on that front for sure 😀

Matheresa says

21st March 2018 at 7:49 pm

To go through in u’ll article/blogging i find it very informative and the easiest way for me to make my itinerary,,, specially i saw the Spain article but i didn’t leave a comment there coz of wanted to check for paris too,,, Spain features was fantastic keep it up LOVERS all the best in your Wanderlust started to following u’ll…

22nd March 2018 at 9:19 am

Thanks very much Mathresa 🙂 Have a wonderful trip!

kazim Gurmani says

19th March 2018 at 1:53 pm

The amazing place for the lovers. You guys are so lucky enjoying all this

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Paris travel blog — the fullest paris travel guide for first-timers.

Paris – the magnificent capital and The City of Lights of France, where I said countless times “bonjour”, “au revoir”, “merci”, to anyone who I met. The French are like that, when meeting each other, they do not regret a greeting, although not acquainted. Paris may be my most visited city in Europe, partly because I often apply for a visa to enter France first. But, Paris has never been boring for me, the Eiffel Tower is still beautiful, the Seine is as dreamy as the day we met, and, the French people are always romantic like that. In this article, I share some tips and experiences for eating, sleeping and hanging out in Paris, summarized after many trips to Europe.

• What to buy in Paris 2024? — 25+ must buy souvenirs, gifts & best things to buy in Paris
• Where to take best photos in Paris? — 17+ good spots & best places to take pictures in Paris you should know
• Top shopping streets in Paris — 7 best, famous & main shopping streets in Paris
• What to know before traveling to Paris? — 13 things to know before traveling to Paris
• Restaurant La Gauloise review — A worth dining venue with a hundred years of history

So, is Paris worth visiting, how to visit Paris, what to do in Paris and how to plan a budget trip to Paris for the first-time perfectly? Let’s check out our Paris travel blog (Paris blog) with the fullest Paris travel guide (guide to Paris, Paris tourist guide, Paris city guide, Paris guide) from how to get to Paris, best places to visit, best time to come, what to eat as well as top things to do in Paris to help you maximize your trip as follows!

Paris city guide: When is the best time to visit Paris?

Normally in big cities in Europe like Paris, the hot and cold seasons are very differentiated. In the summer, it is sunny most of the time, not too hot because it is a temperate country, but you will have to face the large number of tourists flocking to the capital of France. In the winter it is still sunny, but it is cold and gloomy. In my experience, the best time is that you should come to Paris at the end of April and May, it will still be cold but pleasant, or in the autumn the weather is also very beautiful. The period between April and November is a low tourist season that you can save the maximum trip costs as well as cheap hotel price when traveling to Paris.

In addition, you can refer to some information about attending free events and festivals in Paris, but also help you to understand more about the culture and history of this famous city. Some events include military parades and fireworks on the Bastille day (July 14 every year), activities on the artificial beaches in the Paris Plages river area in August such as sunbathing, sports, arts, etc .., Nuit Blanche (White Night) in October when public transport, exhibitions, museums are completely open for free, and then Christmas in December, .. You should check in advance on websites like Bonjour Paris or About Paris for information about the time and venue of festivals.

If you come to Paris in the middle of April, you will have the opportunity to watch the beautiful cherry blossom season. The most beautiful place to see cherry blossoms in Paris is this Cherry Blossom Park – Parc de Sceaux, remember to go on the right time because the flowers bloom and fade quickly. This park is on the edge of the city so it’s a bit far from the center.

Paris travel guide blog: Guide to travel in Paris

If you come to paris and landing at charles de gaulle airport.

When going from Charles de Gaulle Airport, you always remember to find the way to the airport’s tramway gate to get to Terminal 2, take the RER B train to the city center with the fare around €10 (you should buy tickets directly at the arrival hall where there is an information counter in the airport, because if you buy tickets at the train station often have to queue for a long time and risk because the ticket machine may not accept your credit card). You can choose a stop anywhere in the center depending on your hotel or where you want to go, this route running through some stations such as Notre Dame (right next to Notre Dame Cathedral), or Gare de Lyon.

In addtion, you can rent a private transfer service from Klook that faster and convenient if you travel in a large group: Private Paris-Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) Transfers for Paris

If you landing at Orly airport

Orly airport is the second largest airport in Paris after CDG, arriving here you can take the shuttle bus to the center of Paris and the last stop is Denfert-Rochereau station. To go to Orly Airport you also take the bus from this station but remember that the last trip of the day ends at 10pm, because at night there are no operating flights. Ticket price is about €8-10/way.

Traveling in the city center

The single ticket for each trip is €1.8, if you take Metro a lot, you should consider buying a metro pass for 10 trips for around €14.

Paris travel blog: Where to stay? Hotel (hostel/couchsurfing) in Paris

The map below depicts the locations of the districts in Paris, the central districts are from District 1 to District 7, where most of the museums and tourist attractions are concentrated. If you can stay at Couchsurfing when you come to Paris, it is a good thing because you can communicate and exchange culture with indigenous people, sometimes they also take you to visit somewhere if they have free time but also introduce many places that only local people know.

Budget accommodation

Couchsurfing or Airbnb is the best way to reduce costs, especially in Paris, one of the most expensive cities in Europe. Couchsurfing is a 100% stay for free, and Airbnb is a paid stay (if you are new to AirBnb can come here to open an account, they will give $25 to the account to book a room). If you are not stay at Couchsurfing, you can easily find a hostel through Booking.com and Agoda.com , but I recommend that you choose hostels/hotels located in the contiguous area between the center and suburbs of Paris, these are areas that the room rates are not too expensive but going into the city is quite convenient. There is no special secret besides you going up there to read reviews, see if the location is near to the attractions or near the metro stations to choose from.

You can refer to the two Hostel I have stayed in Paris, Aloha Hostel ( Agoda.com or Booking.com ) and Perfect Hostel ( Agoda.com or Booking.com ) , these are hostels with the above criteria and the service I rated is very good, friendly staff, clean rooms and convenient for traveling around because surroundings is full of restaurants and supermarket, the room rates is only €15-20/night.

These two Hostel are located in the central area so do not be too afraid of walking, although the location is also near the suburbs. If you choose a hostel in the central, it is very expensive but not necessary because you have to walk around Paris to visit.

Some mid-range and upscale hotels with nice view

If you want a more advanced option, do not miss the opportunity stay in the rooms with views of the Eiffel Tower or other symbols of Paris such as Arc de Triomphe, Panthenon, … You can rent on Airbnb or Booking with many choices.

In addition, you can choose other hotels with beautiful views of the Eiffel Tower such as Pullman, Shangri-La. Shangri-La ( Agoda.com or Booking.com ) is probably with the most beautiful Eiffel Tower view hotel in Paris. Another extremely famous hotel, also known as with the stunning view of the Arc de Triomphe, is Splendid Etoile ( Agoda.com or Booking.com ) .. Do not forget to enjoy breakfast right in the room with a view overlooking the most central part of this magnificent city.

Below we recommend more best cheap, budget, mid-range and upscale hotels with good ratings and reviews you can refer to.

Bel Ami Hotel , a top rated 5-star hotel with room rates from $230/night ( Agoda.com or Booking.com ).

Hotel Saint Paul Rive Gauche , a top rated 4-star hotel with room rates from $169/night. ( Agoda.com or Booking.com ).

citizenM Paris Gare de Lyon , a top rated 4-star hotel with room rates from $97/night ( Agoda.com or Booking.com ).

Mercure Paris Centre Eiffel Tower Hotel , a top rated 4-star hotel with room rates from $255/night ( Agoda.com or Booking.com ).

You can find more, check rates, availability & book for Paris hotels on Agoda.com or Booking.com .

Paris blog: What and where to eat in Paris?

If you are a backpacker with the main purpose is to go to sightseeing, then Sandwich is the cheapest, French bread is delicious and cheap that only about €3-4/pcs including sausages that can be bought in supermarkets. Or if you want to change meals, you can buy food at supermarkets like Pasta and Pizza to bring to the hostel to cook by yourself, which is also a very good way to save money. Drinking water can be used immediately at the tap without having to buy bottled water because the water in developed cities in Europe is very clean.

Eat Vietnamese or Asian food

If you want to eat Vietnamese food, you can try some at Vietnamese bread shops in the city center. Vietnamese bread in Paris is also very delicious, made by Vietnamese people, is a favorite dish of those who live abroad for a long time and Vietnamese students. To find Vietnamese food you can go to District 13. If you are a fan of Pho noodle soup, Pho 13 is located at 66 Avenue D’ivry, which is a good location, reasonable price and quite delicious. District 13 is a district with thousands of Asian restaurants from Vietnam to China, hunting for Asian food, you just take metro to come here and try.

Eating at French restaurants and French specialties

Coming to Paris, of course, you have to enjoy French cuisine. You can choose a cafe along the way to enjoy a French breakfast brunch with coffee and aromatic croissant cake. French bread at supermarkets is also very diverse for you to choose, remember to eat during the day because the bread will be hard for a long time.

Besides, famous French crepe shops are also everywhere, sidewalks or cafes. Macarons is a popular cake with tourists because it is a typical French cake and can be used as a gift.

If you want to eat better and experience a bit more, do not be afraid to try French cuisine at French restaurants for your lunch or dinner. The French restaurants are very good, you just need to search around the location you stand where there are restaurants with high ratings on Tripadvisor and jump in, don’t be too important what to eat or search in advance. The food I eat mostly in a restaurant in Paris which is French steak with beef and mashed potatoes. Or traditional French flam, French beer or call a hotpot of aromatic mussel.

In addition, if you want to eat well at a restaurant but want to save money, you should choose to eat at noon instead of the evening, although still very expensive but maybe the price will be reduced by about 1/3 compared to the evening. Note that in some restaurants tips are included on the bill so you won’t need to pay for extra service. If you do not like to go to restaurants, you can try some street foods that are cheap like crepes in Latin Quarter, falafel in Marais, walking and enjoying these foods are also a very interesting experience.

Another special cafe is the Cafe Marquis, Rue des Francs Bourgeois mentioned by Will Traynor in the movie “Me before you”, the level of romance of this movie is enough to ensure the romance that you will feel here it is. A cup of hot coffee, a little new Croissant cake and a bit of Paris light is enough for a special feeling, or a romantic lunch with beef steak is also very delicious, nothing more wonderful.

Paris travel blog (Paris trip blog): Best places to visit and top things to do in Paris

Paris is very large and a lot of “must-visit” places if this is the first time you come here, including Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe, Louvre Museum, Notre-Dame de Paris. It is important to note that these locations are quite far apart and if you choose to walking will be very long and exhausting, so you should mark on the map, planning and make a day itinerary to visit and experience tourist attractions and museums here up to the maximum.

Cost of admission to some main attractions, churches and museums when traveling to Paris:

• Louvre Museum: € 12
• National Museum of Modern Art in Center Pompidou: € 13.00
• d’Orsay Museum: € 11 (€ 16 for the l’Orangerie Museum combo)
• l’Orangerie Museum: € 9
• Sainte Chapelle: € 8.50
• Eiffel Tower (to the top): € 15.00
• Palace of Versailles (Palace and Grounds): € 18
• Catacombs of Paris: € 10
• Arc de Trimophe: € 9

If you are a museum lover, you can buy Paris Museum Pass for unlimited access to most museums, famous attractions in Paris including the Louvre, the Arc de Triomphe, and the Palace of Versailles… You can buy it at tourist information counters or via Klook for 2 days for € 48 here.

• Paris Museum Pass

Paris blog, Paris travel blog: Must-visit places in Paris

Eiffel tower

This is a definitely you must visit place when you come to Paris, the dream destination of any visitor and taking photos at the foot of the Eiffel Tower. The tower is located right next to the Seine River to the east of Paris and in the Champ de Mars park. If you just stand to watch the tower, it does not cost you, but if you decide to go to the top of the tower to see the city, you will have to queue for hundreds of meters and can take up to hours. In my opinion you should wait until near the evening, at which time the tourists less crowded, and it is also the best time to see panoramic Paris from above when the entire city lights up. In addition, the Eiffel Tower also has a flash system for flashing at times such as 7pm, 8pm, 9pm …, each lasting about 10 minutes.

The ticket to the top of the tower by elevator is ~ € 17, and if you decide to climb to the 2nd floor, it will only take you ~ € 7. If you intend to go to the top of the tower, you should buy tickets in advance online because the visitors lining up at the foot of the tower are very crowded, with reserved tickets you will not have to queue, tickets can buy here .

• Eiffel Tower Skip-the-Line Ticket

Another special but also quite delicate thing that I noticed during the trip to Paris is that at the foot of the Eiffel Tower is probably the only spot with free public toilets, you will be very difficult to find it when traveling around Paris (like so many other cities in Europe)! But according to the share of Thuy Van blogger, you can go to this website to see the map: http://www.paris.fr/ . Here they list nearly 400 public toilets in Paris, all for free. An information to be said is very useful because only those who walk all day on the streets in Paris in the cold weather is understand in this “suffering” how it is! (^_^).

Address: Champ de Mars, 5 Avenue Anatole France, 75007 Paris, France

Notre Dame Cathedral

This church is too famous and is known through the work “The Hunchback of Notre Dame”. There is no admission to enter the church but you have to queue (faster than going to the Louvre Museum), you can go from CDG airport to Notre Dame station directly by RER B train. If you want to visit the top of the church on the bell towers, you will have to buy a ticket for about EUR10.

Address: 6 Parvis Notre-Dame – Pl. Jean-Paul II, 75004 Paris, France

Avenue des Champs-Élysées and Arc de Triomphe

Avenue of Champs Elysees is a place where you can walk on the most typical streets of Paris with marble roads, very long and wide. The end of the avenue is Arc de Triomphe, all roads lead to here. You can stand below or climb to the top of the Arc de Triomphe for a ticket price of € 9 (2015), and also buy tickets in the evening to see the entire architecture of Paris, including the Eiffel Tower in the distance when it lights up, extremely majestic.

Address: Place Charles de Gaulle, 75008 Paris, France

Musée de Louvre (Louvre Museum)

This is a museum that took me over 2 hours to line up to get in, even though it was noon. In fact, if you are not passionate about art, you do not need to spend much effort to come here to see because you can only walking around the outdoor areas, but want to see artworks like Mona Lisa paintings, you have to buy tickets.

• The Louvre Museum Skip-the-Line Guided Tour

Tips: Going to the Louvre from the main entrance will take a long time to queue, but if you enter from the secondary gate it will save a lot of time. The Louvre has an entrance from the underground trade center Carrousel du Louvre. You find the metro to Rue de Rivoli and then to the Carrousel du Louvre shopping center located on this road, in which there will be a sign leading to a entrance to the Louvre, through which usually queues very quickly or almost without queueing. Also remember that the Louvre is open free on the first Sunday of each month from October to March every year.

Priority Access Entrance Ticket to the Louvre Museum

The Louvre Museum is quite close to Notre Dame Cathedral and some other attractions that you can combine with such as Tuileries garden, Luxembourg garden, Sainte Chapelle, La Conciergerie (these 3 locations are quite close to each other and near the Louvre museum) finally, Concorde square, straight from the square is Champs-Élysées avenue.

Palais Royal Palace

Located right next to the Louvre Museum, the Palais Royal Garden (Jardin du Palais Royal) is a leafy road and the Palais-Royal Palace. Revealing to you this palace is also an extremely virtual living photo spot with many pillars painted in black and white. There are also luxury fashion boutiques and the famous Le Grand Véfour restaurant where Napoleon meets Joséphine.

Address: 8 Rue de Montpensier, 75001 Paris, France

Montmatre Hill and Sacré-Cœur Basilica

Montmartre is a neighborhood of Paris, located on a big hill of District 18. Once a gathering place for many famous painters, plus Sacré-Cœur church, small streets, cafes, restaurants … Montmartre is one of the most attractive places to visit in Paris. To get to Montmartre you can stop at the last Metro stops of Abbesses or Lamarck Caulaincourt (line 12 Porte de la Chapelle – Mairie d’Issy); Anvers or Blanche (line 2 Porte Dauphine-Nation) then walk a short distance.

On this hill there is a wall written “I love you” in many languages ​​in the world located in the Abbesses garden also in the Montmartre area, looking real is not as shimmering as in photos or taken but it is worth to visit.

Palace of Versaille

If there’s plenty of time you can consider going to the Versaille palace because it doesn’t look as good as expected and queues are super long. When traveling on metro or attractions, public squares, you have to be careful because there are many pickpockets or robbers in groups that can take action at any time.

From central Paris to Versailles you need to go to the last station of Metro Versailles – Rive Droite. First you need to go to one of the following main stations: St. Michel-Notre Dame, Musée d’Orsay, Invalides, or Champs de Mars-Tour Eiffel, these stations will connect directly to Versailles via the RER C train. After reaching the Versailles – Rive Droite terminal, you can walk a bit to reach the palace. If you buy a one-way ticket, the price is EUR4.2, you should buy a round-trip ticket more economical for only EUR 7.

Address: Place d’Armes, 78000 Versailles, France

Boating or strolling along the Seine River

The Seine River is famous for romantic stories that you cannot miss, stroll along the river, watching the bridges have gone into poetry and literary works. Come here, remember to visit the bridge Pont des Arts also known as the bridge of love with thousands of locks hooked up here (but it seems that the government has removed all the locks here and not allow tourists hook their locks on the bridge).

La Défense – the Parisian Business District

Most of the tourist attractions in Paris above are the old and ancient attractions. But Paris has a new and most modern district in Europe with skyscrapers, busy commercial centers like Tokyo or Seoul. That is La Défense.

La Défense concentrating the leading economic enterprises in Europe and the world, many office buildings with modern architecture. Coming to La Défense, you can think of the Digital Media City – Technology City of Seoul – South Korea. Although located quite far from the center, it is also quite easy to travel with 2 metro routes and 16 bus routes that take you here. La Defense is suitable for those who want to see a modern Paris, and passionately photographed cityscape.

Other tourist attractions and experiences to visit

On days with good weather you can consider going to the gardens and parks around the city like the Promenade Plantée near an old railway area, the botanical gardens at Jardin des Plantes. If you are a fan of museums, you should keep in mind the first Sundays of each month and many museums are open for free like Musée d’Orsay, Musée du Quai Branly, Pompidou Center and Picasso Museum.

Many museums and places of interest free entrance for EU citizens under the age of 26, the Louvre Museum for free to tourists under the age of 26 on Friday evenings after 6pm.

If you are interested in seeing Paris from above, in addition to some places such as the top of the Eiffel Tower, the Arc de Triomphe, also has the Montparnasse tower (can look directly to the Eiffel) with the ticket going to the top by elevator is 15 Euro. There are also some free spots overlooking the city from above such as outside Sacre Cœur Basilica, the top of the Pompidou Centre, the cafe on the roof of Galleries Lafayette, the sky garden at Institut du Monde Arabe and Parc de Belleville in district 20.

In Paris, there is an old town that still retains its ancient features, that is Le Marais where writer Victor Hugo once lived, walking around this neighborhood feels like you are lost in central Paris in the 19th century.

A small note is that some places or some churches in Paris will be closed on some days of the week, you can see the list here to have an accurate plan for your schedule.

Paris travel blog: Shopping in Paris

For those who love shopping, it is impossible not to miss the luxury shopping center in Galleries Lafayette, located in the north of Paris. However, the price here is very expensive, if you want to buy souvenirs or items you should go to Avenue du Professeur André Lemierre, the price here is much cheaper. Cheap and miscellaneous items are also available at the Marché des Enfants Rouges on the Rue de Bretagne, an old Paris market or the Chatelet indigenous shopping place with many traditional French goods.

Some shopping malls (department stores) that you can spend all day shopping for:

• Galeries Lafayette focuses on high-end and luxury brands
• Printemps area near Saint Lazare, or just below Saint Lazare station is also a large shopping mall.
• Shopping mall in Chatelet area is full of shops
• Westfield Les 4 Temps Shopping Centre (4 seasons) in La Defense, shopping combine with visiting new modern area in Paris
• Shopping mall at the foot of the Louvre museum also focus on many high-end brands
• An outlet area at the edge of Paris that not many people know about – Val d’Europe

For women who want to buy cosmetics, there are many pharmacies, but if you have time, you should go to the city pharmacy (Pharmacie). This store is not very much in Paris, also have to search for a while, usually quite crowded but there are many cosmetic pharmacies from many brands, many and cheaper than most other conventional pharmacies in Paris. In the shop, there are always staffs who advise on products. Or you can find genuine French cosmetics, very often with promotions, but the tag price here is cheaper in Vietnam already, but super good, such as Yves Rocher, there are very much in Paris but the material is completely natural.

In addition, if you want to buy good second-hand at good price, you can find two famous Parisian second-hand (flea) markets in Paris are Saint-Ouen Porte de Clignancourt (Address: 75018 Paris, France) in Northern Paris, open on Saturdays, Sundays and Mondays selling lots of antiques and paintings, perfumes and clothing, and the Porte de Vanves market is located in district 15 (Address: 5 Avenue de la Porte de Vanves, 75014 Paris, France) adjacent to the outskirts of Vanves, in the south of Paris, open on weekends (Saturday and Sunday), selling lots of clothing and souvenirs.

Sales season in Paris takes place in January and July every year, these are really big sales promotions including many brands both medium and high-end plummeted. Vietnamese in France often collect goods in these sales to sell to Vietnam, cosmetics, clothes, perfumes, etc. Yves Rocher lipsticks normally sell for 5 EUR and sometimes in the season, they have 1.2 EUR, too cheap, right?

Paris travel guide blog: Day trips from Paris

If you’ve been to Paris many times, you can refer to some places near Paris to make some day trips from Paris. Depending on your preference to choose, may go to small villages, towns, ancient cities, or even go to the beach.

Some locations for reference:

• Disney Land Paris: Located in Zone 5 very suitable for those who travel with families with young children, a huge population of many interesting games.
• Palace of Versailles: Zone 5 and only takes 1 hour by train
• Rouen and Mont Saint-Michel : Both are beautiful locations in Normandy region, the northern of France. Rouen is old and the castle of Mont Saint Michael is too famous. Refer Mont Saint Michel Full Day Tour from Paris.
• Strasbourg and Colmar: Other famous cities are about 2 hours away from Paris, Strasbourg is the largest Christmas market in Europe.
• Ecological complex of painter Claude Monet’s house: Refer here .

Some best day tours, trips, activities and transfer services, tickets in, from and to Paris you can refer to

• Paris Pass with 1-Day Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour
• Bruges Day Tour from Paris
• Paris Big Bus Hop-On Hop-Off Tours (Open-Top)
• Paris Open Tour Bus Pass
• 4G SIM Card (Paris/Airport Pick Up) for Europe from Orange
• Disneyland® Paris Ticket
• [Sale] Seine River Sightseeing Cruise in Paris by Bateaux-Mouches
• Mont Saint Michel Full Day Tour from Paris
• Paris: 1-Hour River Seine Cruise
• Paris: Eiffel Tower Direct Access Tour to Summit by Elevator
• Disneyland Paris 1-Day Ticket
• Paris: 1-Hour Illuminations River Cruise
• Louvre Museum: Tour
• Klook Pass Paris
• Disneyland Paris Theme Park Tickets
• The Louvre Museum Priority Entrance Ticket and Tours
• Eiffel Tower Ticket, Tours and Experiences
• Versailles Palace Entrance Ticket and Tours
• Seine River Sightseeing Cruise in Paris by Bateaux-Mouches
• Mont Saint Michel Ticket and Tours
• Orsay Museum with Monet & Van Gogh paintings Ticket
• Seine River Lunch and Dinner Cruise Experiences
• Sainte-Chapelle Entrance Ticket in Paris
• Paris: Moulin Rouge Cabaret Show Ticket with Champagne

Above are the experiences I have gained when traveling to Paris on my European trip, completely self-sufficient traveling without tour, experiencing by myself. Have a good trip! Are you looking for more top things to do in Paris: Tours, activities, attractions and other things? Let’s check it out here and here .

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The best travel blog about Paris with tips & local hotspots 2023/2024 #thisisparis

The best travel blog 2023/2024 about paris. paris just a little different: this is paris welcome to our blog about paris with the best tips, (un)known paris, cool hotels, trendy restaurants & hotspots 2023 from locals. information that will inspire your next trip to paris. promised. also follow this is paris travel blog on instagram , where we share the real paris. on y va.

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Helene in Between

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The Essential Paris Travel Guide

By Helene Sula

I'll never forget my first time in Paris. It was mid-July and I was 25. I wasn't as worried about skin cancer but I was concerned about lightening my hair and darkening my skin in the sun. I can't tell you if Paris was hot or cold. I can't tell you if it rained. All I know is that I loved it. I glided through the streets as if on pink roller skates, marveling at the beautiful buildings. People told me that Paris was dirty. Where? People told me that the French can be unfriendly. Who? But no one warned me that I would want to move abroad after visiting for just 5 days. That's why I've put together the essential Paris travel guide. Because there are some things you MUST do when you go.

Below you can find a map of all the places discussed in this post. I've created a separate map toward the end of the post of all my favorite restaurants.

[powr-map id=8c8e34a4_1514377902]

Paris is a feeling. I get chills thinking about it. You can't NOT be romantic about Paris. I know, because I dragged Michael (and my Mom) there for my birthday this past January . It was freezing, I was wearing a mini dress, it started to rain… I didn't care. Paris just sweeps me up in it's magical entanglements. I think it fits the bill for almost any kind of traveler (and yes, there are different kinds). Whether you want to relax, explore, learn, feast… it's all there, waiting for you.

This is the essential Paris travel guide, but I thought it would be best to break it down into 5 days so you can get the most out of it and see what a typical itinerary might look like.

How to Get There

You can land at Charles de Gaulle airport and easily take public transportation. Or, if you are closer, you can take the train. There are many high-speed trains that route into Paris. Typically they come into Gare de l'Est, Gare du Nord, or Gare de Lyon.

Getting Around Paris

I highly recommend taking the Paris metro. This is easier (and less expensive and traffic-y) than a cab. The city is LARGE so walking, while okay in some parts, is just not as feasible if you want to see it all. There are 16 lines and it's easy once you get the hang of it, promise. There is a Metro and bus and your ticket will be good for both. I recommend buying a pass for the number of days you'll be there.

I really think you can go anytime. However, winter is LOVELY because you really will avoid the crowds (See also how to avoid lines and people while traveling .) I remember waiting half an hour to go inside the Notre Dame in July, while in January there was no wait. But I will say, going in the spring and summer is lovely because flowers are blooming. Places like Monet's Gardens and Versailles are going to be lush with flowers everywhere.

How Much Money You'll Need

This is going to, of course, vary by where you eat and where you stay. But let me tell you, my first trip to Paris was with the dynamic cheap duo: my husband and his best friend. If you think you are thrifty, you haven't met Michael and Josh. We ate a lot of meals from the grocery store. We had onion soup and conspicuously drank water from our camel-back that we filled up in the bathroom. We splurged one night for a fancy dinner. But oddly enough, my favorite meal was our baguette, wine, and cheese from the grocery store as we sat outside the Eiffel Tower and watched it light up. *Insert heart eye emojis* Honestly you can do it cheaply. Your cost will come in for museums and attractions, and of course, what you eat.

Where to Stay

The best of the best:.

The Peninsula Hotel has a FANTASTIC and beautiful inside and out. I spent the day there on my last trip, full review at the link !

Hotel Icone is exquisite and has a wonderful attention to detail. This is where I stayed on my trip in the spring and it is one of the best locations. I walked everywhere. It's so close the the Opera, walking distance to the Louvre, Notre Dame, and so much more. Highly recommend.

When my Mom came to visit, we stayed a little more upscale at the loveliest AirBnb in Île-de-France . It was a duplex with two bedrooms and a full kitchen.

If you're as cheap as chips, hostels are where it's at. I never ever felt unsafe. Look for one that has good reviews and then book it!

I'm going to plan these activities by day so I'll lay it out in a route. You wouldn't go from the Eiffel tower straight to the Notre Dame, they are farther apart than you think, so hopefully this will have a flow to it for when you're planning.

Short on time? I do recommend getting the Paris Pass that allow you access to museums, attractions, and more and will help you skip lines! It is a bit pricey, but worth it if your time is very limited.

I have just one rule in Paris, and while traveling in general, embrace it. Be a tourist. Take the pictures. Learn about what you're seeing. I promise, you'll want to cherish these memories forever. And maybe even try roast pigeon. You might be surprised at how much you enjoy it!

DAY ONE in Paris:

Let's start with the Eiffel Tower . It's classic Paris and the morning is the best time to go for great views without as much of a crowd. Don't worry, this won't be the only time we go. We also have to go at night to watch it light up! If you want to avoid lines and crowds, the earlier that you can get up, the better.

The Trocadéro is one of the best places for seeing the Iron Lady, or you can get up close and personal with her as well. I also suggest grabbing a bottle of wine or a pastry nearby. There will be people selling them for very reasonable pricing.

We went early in the day and grabbed some great shots of the tower for my 30th birthday … even if it was a total fail.

From here, you can head to Arc De Triomphe . A staggering arc in the center of the street. This is a great view of the Avenue des the Champs-Élysées , one of my favorite streets.

In order to get up to the Arc, take the underground passage so you can explore around it and climb up the 284 steps to the top. I think this is one of the best views in Paris.

If you're hungry, the Champs-Élysées, is a great place to find a bite to eat. Just strolling this street is an experience in itself.

Next, head over to one of my favorite spots, the Grand Palais . To me, this is quintessential Paris. One of the loveliest buildings in the world! Just on the other side, is the Petit Palais. I feel like these two buildings aren't mentioned enough. They are exquisite and a testament to French architecture. Sometimes the line can be quite long, but they are lovely inside. The Grand Palais is a museum and exhibition hall, often with events taking place. The Petit Palais is an art museum, worth the look inside, as the whole building is art in itself.

From here, head over to the river Seine for a view of my favorite bridge in the world, the Pont Alexandre III . This is still one of the best spots to people watch in Paris. You might remember it from the Movie “Midnight in Paris.” In case you're looking, here are some of the best movies to watch about Europe, France, and Paris .

There are three museums near here that I think are worth the visit: Musée d'Orsay, Musée de l'Orangerie, and Musée de Rodin . I think out of the three, go to the Orsay . It's an old train station and holds some of the world's greatest art. The art here is focused on the period of 1848-1940, while the Lourve focuses on art before that period.

Prepare to spend at least a couple hours in the museum. We did a guided tour for just 5 EUR per person additional, and I highly recommend it! You'll find Impressionist art from Renoir, Degas, and Monet.

If you don't have time to go to all the museums, I suggest going by Les Invalides . This is a complex of buildings in the 7th arrondissement and it's a beautiful museum. The Musée de l'Armée Invalides has a wonderful history on war and a great collection of military pieces. You'll also find Napoleon's Tomb in all it's glory.

You can grab a hot chocolate at Angelina's then go to Place de la Concorde , the largest square in Paris, for a view of the ferris wheel, Fontaine des Mers and Fontaine des Fleuves. Even at night this will all be lit up!

DAY 2 in PARIS:

Today we'll start at the Notre Dame . One of the most iconic churches in the world, the twin steeples tower above all the grand buildings nearby.

Don't forget to explore around here. There are plenty of great coffee shops and restaurants and lovely trees. Also, if there is a line, wait! It moves quick. Don't go to Paris and NOT go into the Notre Dame. When I got here at 8am there was no line at all.

A great spot to take in the scenery is Au Vieux Paris . One of the cutest spots, especially in the spring, with wisteria all around.

It's time to Church hop. Next on the list is my all time favorite, Sainte-Chapelle . Don't be fooled by the seemingly uninspiring exterior (in Paris at least). The inside is one of the most awe-inspiring stained glass masterpieces of all time.

I love this area of Paris because it's the island. So it feels a bit separated from everything else and you are surrounded by water. The Ile de la Cité as it's named, feels separate from everything else.

Next, we'll cross the bridge, Pont Saint-Michel to head down for some more sites of Paris.

Hat found here .

Walk south and past the Sorbonne to the Latin Quarter. The Latin Quarter of Paris and it's known for student life and architecture. Lots of pretty cafe-lined streets and a great place to just wander around.

Keep walking and you'll find the Panthéon , a building originally intended as a church to hold St. Genevieve's relics, now a state burial site for France's heroes like Victor Hugo, Voltaire, and Jean-Jacques Rousseau. I have yet to go inside, but if you're short on time, I'd just look at the building on the outside.

From here, it's a quick walk over to the Luxemborg Garden . Lots of green space, this is the perfect place to relax after all that walking. This arrondissement (area) of Paris is Saint-Germain-des-Prés and is such a peaceful spot.

When facing the fountain you can get a great view of the residence of Marie de' Medici , the widow of King Henry IV.

Next, loop back up north and stop in at Église Saint-Sulpice . A lovely church along rue Bonaparte. This is the second largest in Paris (after the Notre Dame) and you might recognize it from the “The Da Vinci Code.”

Tired of walking? Take a break at Pont Des Arts (another pretty bridge) and grab a view of the Seine and the buildings around you.

Next up is one of the best museums in the world: the Louvre . Please, pretty please, buy tickets ahead of time. Be prepared to wait in line if you don't! Don't forget that close to opening or closing is the best time to get in and avoid crowds. Don't forget that the Louvre is closed on Tuesdays.

DAY 3 in PARIS:

Monmarte is one of the most interesting parts of Paris. I highly recommend doing a free walking tour (we did the Discovery Walks Tour ).  It's a fun and interactive tour and you just need to tip at the end. This is one of the best ways to truly get a feeling for a place, and learn some gems about the city and it's people.

Monmarte is full of charm and really sets itself apart from main-street Paris. In the late 1800s and early 1900s artists flocked here as it was cheaper to live and work. The walking tour will take a couple of hours and you'll see a different side of Paris.

On our tour, we started with the Moulin Rouge , then headed up to Le Mur Des Je t'aime where you'll see “I love you” written out in 300 languages. You can also pass by famous cafes, like the one from the movie “Amélie”.

Meander over to the beautiful restaurant Le Moulin de la galette , also the spot where Renoir painted one of his most famous paintings.

Walk up past the infamous pink building, La Maison Rose .

Then head up to the gem of Monmarte, the Sacre Couer . In reality, most Parisians are not a fan because it was built with their own money after the war by the French National Government as a reminder to the people.

Step inside the church for more lovely architecture and paintings.

Don't forget to take in the view. You can really see how dense Paris is from here.  The white domes of the basilica are the highest point in the city, so climb up to the top for a spectacular view.

Find your way back down on Rue de Martyrs and pick a spot for lunch. This is a great area for funky shops and coffee.

Keep going down and head to The Galeries Lafayette for some of the most renowned shopping in the world. This is all high end shopping (not in my budget) but it's worth it to head to the terrace for a great view. There are lots of cool shops for every kind of buyer- from clothing, shoes, accessories, foodies, and more. It particularly pretty at night as it's all lit up.

If you're still ready for more, head to Père Lachaise Cemetery . You might find it odd to go to a cemetery but it has many famous graves and is the largest in Paris.

A good place to get away from the busy streets and see some fascinating memorials. Some famous tombs are Jim Morrison, Edith Piaf, and Oscar Wilde. The tradition is to kiss the now glass encased tomb.

DAY 4 in Versailles:

I know that there is so much to see and do in Paris but you MUST take a day to half-day trip to Versailles . Truly, one of the most opulent and incredible places in the world. It even landed on the 25 best castles in the world list .

Go as early as you can to beat the crowds. PRO TIP : The main palace is closed on Mondays! And can be super crowded on the weekends.

I absolutely adore Versailles and believe it can take up almost your whole day, so plan accordingly. You'll see the palace, the gardens, and Marie Antoinette's Estate. All are a bit of a walk and I suggest packing a lunch!

Gaze up at the overwhelmingly stunning Hall of Mirrors . I can remember my first time seeing this and I couldn't contain my excitement. You dream of palaces and can't truly imagine what they are like until you're inside. This one is straight out of a story book.

Not only is it architecturally beautiful, there are rooms that are still furnished in every color imaginable and art that stands the test of time.

The gardens are trimmed and cropped to perfection, with fountains that light up at night. So if you're interested in staying the entire day, it will make sense. Don't forget to head to Marie Antoinette's pink marble abode.

After spending the day in arguably one of the most beautiful palaces in the world, head to something dramatically different: the Catacombs . These underground tombs hold the remains of more than 6 million people! This is back in Paris, so if you didn't spend the whole day in Versailles, this is a good option.

DAY 5 in PARIS:

Start bright and early with the  Tuileries Garden and eat at a food stand. You can also pick up a bushel of fresh flowers from a shop nearby.

From here, walk down to the Rue de Rivioli for some of the best shopping you can find. This grand street is flanked with shops, restaurants and cafes.

Next up, venture to one of my favorite sites in Paris, the Opera Garnier . This building is just magnificent, both inside and out. There is a pricey ticket for touring the inside, but it's so opulent it's worth a visit.

Of course, one of my favorite things to do is just to walk around and see the city . It's so romantic and tells a story with each step.

Cap off your 5 days with seeing the Eiffel Tower light up at night . There is absolutely nothing in the world like it. This is where I fell deeply in love with Europe.

Still have some extra time? Go to Monet's Gardens. This is a half day trip and only 45 minutes from Paris. Check out a museums: Orsay, Lourve, Organerie, Picasso, and many more!

Where to Eat

Below you can find a map of all the restaurants discussed below:

It's necessary to grab a Café au Lait and a croissant and just walk around the city, taking in the sights. Paris is just so fun to walk around and get lost.

One of my favorite quotes from a Parisian I recently met was, “you really can't go wrong in Paris.” Meaning, all the food ad drinks are going to be good. It's a country that is known for it's cuisine, so you can't go wrong! But here are some of my top picks:

Angelina's – Known for delicious hot chocolate. I was told it's made with three different chocolate from Africa. If there's a super long line just get it to go.

Ladurée – I have to say.. I'm not a big fan of macarons but this is the place to go if you want some of the best.

Cafe Kitsuné – Arguably one of the most instagrammable cafes in Paris. The coffee is tasty and pretty.

Comptoir de La Gastronomie – one of the best meals I've ever had. The Foie Gras Ravioli was out of this world.

La Stube – This is the perfect lunch spot for a savory tart or Salmon Strudel. Also try their cakes, divine!

Le Grenier à Pain – for great baked goods. They won best bread in Paris. Try a “tradi” for a traditional baguette.

Grand Amour Hotel – Brunch with the best in this classic hotel filled with delicious food and even more beautiful scenery.

Aux Lyonnais – This is traditional food that comes from Lyon and it's delicious. A great big bowl of hot food.

Le Consulat – a perfect little cafe to people watch and have onion soup.

Le Refuge des Fondus – Wine out of baby bottles. Need I say more? It's hilarious and they also have great fondue.

Café de Flore – on a terrace in St Germain this is a great place for brunch, breakfast, or lunch.

There is so much to see and do, you really can't go wrong. But having a plan beforehand is always a good idea. I know this was a lengthy guide, but I wanted to give you the very best guide to Paris ever.

If you liked this guide, pin it so you don't forget it.

Do you have a favorite place in Paris? Tell me below!

MEET THE AUTHOR

Helene Sula

I believe that one trip can change your life. It did for me. I'm a self proclaimed home body that quit her job, moved abroad, and more often than not, lives out of a carry-on bag. If I'm not traveling, I'm most likely re-reading Harry Potter or watching "Midnight in Paris" while snuggling my dogs. I'm a digital marketing expert who turned my love of travel into a full-time career. And I help others do it too.

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100 Travel Tips for Paris

Adventurous Kate contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, I will earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Thanks!

Visiting Paris is an experience that every traveler should have.  Paris is the first city I fell in love with. More than 70 countries later, it’s still my favorite city in the world.

Since my first trip at the age of 16, I’ve returned seven more times, trying to uncover more layers of the city on each visit.

I’ll never succeed in peeling back every layer. Paris, like New York and London, is one of those cities that will have portions of it forever shrouded in mystery, no matter how hard you explore. Nobody could ever get to the core of Paris.

But you don’t need to know everything. You just need to know how to have a great trip to Paris.

I’ve collected 100 travel tips on everything about Paris: things to do, where to eat, how to get off the beaten path, and whether French people are really that rude.

I hope your trip to Paris is the first of many. Enjoy this list!

General and Etiquette

The French have a reputation for being rude. It’s more accurate to say that they are formal and minimize interaction with strangers.  Don’t expect to talk to them like you would with someone in America. To be polite in France is to keep your distance rather than pal up, to keep a neutral expression rather than a wide grin, and to only speak when necessary.

Always say, “Bonjour, monsieur,” or “Bonjour, madame,” whenever you enter a shop or restaurant. In France, this is basic manners and something that children are taught at a young age. Failing to do this may earn you rude treatment in return. Say, “Au revoir,” when you leave, too.

Speak as much French as you can. Making a genuine effort to speak French will almost always get you better treatment than leading with English. At minimum, learn bonjour and au revoir , sil vous plaît and merci , pardon and excusez-moi , numbers 1-10, je voudrais  (I would like — use when ordering in restaurants), and parlez-vous anglais?

Accommodation

There’s no need to stay at a hotel near the airport unless it’s for one night and you have a very early flight the next day. Paris’s airports, Charles de Gaulle and Orly, are both far outside the city center.

Cobblestone Paris Rentals  is perfect accommodation for when you want something special. The apartments are so Parisian and beautifully decorated. (Plus: tell them Adventurous Kate sent you and you’ll get a free Seine river cruise!)

If you want to stay in a Paris hotel, compare the best rates here . Paris hotels can be expensive, but there are deals to be had.

For more on where to stay in Paris, check out this comprehensive guide .

Transportation

Use Skyscanner to find flights to Paris. There are tons of direct and connecting options, and Skyscanner tends to have the lowest prices.

The metro is an easy, comprehensive, and safe way to travel through Paris. If you’re up for a bit more of a challenge, consider taking the bus.

If you’re traveling through Paris, it’s often best to buy a carnet — a set of 10 metro tickets. This is often the best value choice for travelers.

Get a free app with a Paris metro map for your phone.  There are several of them and they’re all very similar. It’s much easier than lugging around a map with you.

The best way to get to Paris from Charles de Gaulle Airport is to take the train. It will take you into the heart of the city, including major stations like Gare du Nord where you can take the metro to your final destination. Taxis will be very expensive.

There is absolutely no need for a car in Paris. If you insist on one, know that you’ll be dealing with crazy driving, expensive parking, and a lot of hassle.

Taxis are abundant in Paris and Uber exists as well, though it’s limited compared to other cities. Perfect for if you want to get somewhere quickly and privately, though be aware that rush hour traffic can make a journey longer than the metro.

What to Eat in Paris

Parisians tend to eat dinner at 8:00 PM or later. You may not find restaurants open until this time. Unlike other countries, it’s rare to find nicer restaurants open between meal times, but cafes are open all the time.

Try some traditional French dishes that you may not have tried at home.  My recommendations? Escargots (snails cooked in garlic and butter), steak tartare (raw beef mixed with spices and an egg), confit de canard (duck cooked in its own fat), cassoulet (a dish with beans, sausage, and confit de canard), quiche lorraine (quiche with cheese and ham), and moules marinières (mussels cooked in white wine, garlic, and spices). And plenty of  macarons , baguettes , and pains au chocolat , of course!

The proper French meal ends with cheese. And it’s serious business in a country with a cheese for every day of the year.

For an ultimate steak frites experience, visit Le Relais de L’Entrecôte . You’re served a mini steak frites, and after you’re finished, they bring you another steak and some more frites.

L’as du Falafel  has the most famous cheap meal in Paris. Their falafel is outstanding and it’s best eaten on a bench in the nearby Place des Vosges.

Crepes are everywhere, both as street food and in restaurants, but make sure you try the real thing. Head to Breizh Cafe for an authentic buckwheat galette followed by a salted caramel crepe with chantilly cream.

Be sure to visit a traditional boulangerie , or bakery. Pick up some baguettes, some pastries, or whatever mysterious item looks delicious. One that I recommend is Du Pain et Des Idées in the 10th.

Believe it or not, there is a restaurant that is very Parisian, with nice food, not too touristy, and with reasonable prices (for Paris, that is). It’s called Chartier  and it’s in the 9th. Prepare to wait in line, as it’s very popular.

Go for a picnic at least once.  Pick up some baguettes, some cheeses, some fruits, and a bottle of wine and head to the nearest park. The Champs de Mars, in front of the Eiffel Tower, is a classic place to do this, but Paris has parks all over the city.

Don’t miss out on ethnic dining in Paris. If you’re getting sick of French food, consider going out for Middle Eastern, Vietnamese, Japanese, Indian or North African food. These cuisines in particular are found all over the city.

Are you a vegetarian? There are lots of dishes to try in Paris.  Crêpes and omelets, which the French eat for lunch or dinner, are always good options. If no vegetarian main dishes are on the menu, meat-free vegetable sides and salads are always available. Also consider the ethnic options listed above.

Are you a vegan? It’s more of a challenge, but not impossible. In addition to considering the ethnic options listed above, some vegetarian restaurants catering to vegans include Pousse-Pousse ,  Macéo , Le Potager du Marais , and Le Bar des Artisans .

Gluten-free in Paris? Definitely doable. Celiac disease and gluten intolerance are becoming increasingly understood in Paris. Learn the translation or bring cards (see below). If all else fails, order a plain grilled hunk of protein.

Do you have food allergies or dietary restrictions? Consider traveling with French food allergy cards , which explain what you can and can’t eat in a way the French can understand.

Go on a Paris food tour. Eat your way across the city and learn from a guide. Consider a Latin Quarter food and walking tour , a Marais food tour with wine and cheese tasting , or a chocolate and pastry tour .

Take a Paris cooking class. Whether you end up making croissants, macarons, or a full meal from produce you picked out at a local market, there’s nothing like learning French cooking techniques in the heart of Paris. Learn how to make a three-course French meal that will impress your loved ones. Something more specialized?  Learn how to make baguettes and croissants , or learn how to make macarons — or if you’re gluten-free, learn how to make a variety of gluten-free Parisian desserts !

Join a dinner party at a Parisian home. Most famous is Jim Haynes’ epic Sunday dinner parties , which he’s hosted for 30 years. For greater variety, check out EatWith .

Paris Neighborhoods

Paris is a collection of arrondissements — numbered neighborhoods.  The 1st is in the dead center of the city and the neighborhoods spiral outward from there, with 1-12 being the most central. You can tell the arrondissement by the last two digits in an address’s postal code.

The 1st is the geographical center of the city and home to some of central Paris’s top destinations, including the Louvre, the Tuileries Gardens, and part of Ile de la Cité. Here you’ll also find Les Halles.

The 3rd/4th (the Marais) is a funky little neighborhood that has historically been home to the city’s Jewish and LGBT populations. Today it’s a ritzy yet funky neighborhood brimming with boutiques and parks. Also here are the Centre Pompidou, Ile Saint-Louis, Place des Vosges, and the Hotel de Ville.

The 5th (The Latin Quarter) is home to the Sorbonne and Pantheon and is popular with students and young people to this day. Parts of it are a joy to visit; parts are absolute tourist traps. Tread lightly.

The 6th (Saint-Germain) is where you’ll find the former haunts of Camus, Sartre, and Hemingway. It’s also filled with a wide variety of boutiques and cafes and the Jardin du Luxembourg. Some cafes of note include Les Deux Magots and Cafe de Flore.

The 7th is home to the Eiffel Tower. This is a ritzy residential neighborhood and there isn’t a lot to do beyond seeing the Tower and Les Invalides, home to Napoleon’s tomb.

The 8th is home to the Champs-Elysées and shopping central. Also here are the Arc de Triomphe and Place de la Concorde.

The 9th is home to the Opéra and it makes a nice uphill neighborhood bridge between the popular shopping areas and Montmartre. This is where I recommend people visit to find a central neighborhood that isn’t as touristy.

Belleville, spanning the 10th and 11th with parts of the 19th and 20th, is the up-and-coming artsy area of Paris. Full of vibrant immigrant communities, art, edgy shops, and lower prices than you’d expect in some of the more traditional neighborhoods, Belleville is well worth a visit.

Montmartre (the 18th) is a hilly neighborhood home to the Sacré-Coeur, the Moulin Rouge, and the artist-filled Place du Tertre. This has historically been a bohemian neighborhood. While areas like Rue Lepic and its offshoots have lots of charm, the Pigalle area is seedier and home to many sex shops.

Things to Do in Paris

The Paris Pass  gives you free or reduced admission to lots of attractions, plus transportation. Unfortunately, it’s fairly expensive. Tip? Add up the costs of what you want to do, then compare it to the Paris pass and see if you’re better off buying the pass or buying individual tickets. Another option is the Paris Museum Pass .

Many places let you book tickets ahead of time. The Louvre, the Musée d’Orsay, and the Eiffel Tower, among other destinations, allow you to book tickets in advance to cut down on waiting in line. This is a smart option, especially during the busy summer months.

Want the best view of Paris? Go to the top of Galeries-Lafayette in the 9th, the Centre Pompidou (Beaubourg), the top of the Montparnasse Tower, the top of Notre-Dame, the top of Sacré-Coeur, or the top of the Arc de Triomphe. The view from the top of the Eiffel Tower has no Eiffel Tower in it, and isn’t that what you want when taking a photo of Paris?

Climb to the top of Notre-Dame .  While the cathedral is worth visiting on its own, it’s even better to climb to the top of the bell towers and take in the view. If you’ve ever wanted the iconic photo of gargoyles looking over Paris, this is where to get it!

Gawk at the stained glass at Sainte-Chappelle . This church isn’t as famous as Notre-Dame, but the detail in the stained glass windows is spellbinding.

Get your portrait drawn at Place du Tertre in Montmartre. If you’ve dreamed of being drawn by a Parisian artist, this is where to come. Ignore the artists who rove the streets and offer to draw you; instead, wander the square and find a sitting artist whose work you like.

Climb to the top of the Eiffel Tower. It couldn’t be more of a cliché, but you’ve got to do it! Keep in mind that lines can be very long here — this is one of the best places to buy tickets in advance. You can skip the line and join a small group with a guide, too.

Seeing the show at the Moulin Rouge is very expensive — but an incredible spectacle. It may be a tourist trap, but the show features wonderful dancing and is full of surprises. You can add a three-course dinner if you’d like, or just see the show without a meal.

Visit the Arc de Triomphe. There are wonderful views from the top of the Arc, leading straight to the Louvre on one end and La Défense on the other. The Eiffel Tower is nice and close, too. Added bonus: watching the crazy traffic circle around the Arc is surprisingly entertaining! I recommend buying skip-the-line tickets .

Take in a performance at the Opéra-Garnier . Not only is this one of Paris’s most beautiful buildings, there are concerts, ballets, and operas performed throughout the year. They also offer after-hours tours .

Take a cruise along the Seine. There’s no better way to see Paris! Take a basic Seine river cruise or book a dinner cruise with a three-course meal.

Museums in Paris

The Mona Lisa is tiny and underwhelming — but that’s not all there is to see at the Louvre . You could spend days seeing all the brilliant art the Louvre has on display. Don’t be one of the tourists who goes in, photographs the Mona Lisa, and leaves. I recommend getting skip-the-line tickets .

The Musée d’Orsay is home to the best Impressionism collection in the world. Monet, Manet, Van Gogh, Renoir, Degas, Toulouse-Lautrec — many of their best works are here. It’s a beautiful setting, too. I recommend getting skip-the-line tickets here, too.

The Louvre is closed on Tuesdays; the Musée d’Orsay is closed on Mondays. If you visit the Louvre on a Monday or the Musée d’Orsay on a Tuesday, you’ll be in a long line with many travelers doing the same thing.

The Centre Pompidou (a.k.a. Beaubourg) has one of the world’s best collections of modern art. You’ll have a thought-provoking day here; also, go to the top floor for a clear view of the Eiffel Tower set against beautiful buildings in the Marais. (That view is the Pinterest image for this post!)

Save the Musée Rodin for a beautiful day. The museum is wonderful, but the sculpture garden is even better.

Don’t forget about Paris’s lesser-known museums. Some to visit include the Musée des Arts Forains (Museum of Fairground Arts),  Musée de la Magie (Museum of Magic), Musée de la Chasse et la Nature (Museum of Hunting and Nature), Musée d’Histoire de la Médecine (Museum of the History of Medicine), and the Musée Edith Piaf .

Cheap and Free Things to Do in Paris

Paris has a multitude of free walking tours available. Discover Walks  has free tours through several neighborhoods in Paris; Sandeman’s New Europe  has one free tour that takes in the most famous sights. Keep in mind that these are tip-based tours and your guides only receive a small percentage of your tips; the company keeps most of them. 10 euros per person is a good minimum tip; more is welcome.

Père-Lachaise Cemetery is one of Paris’s best free attractions.  See the graves of Oscar Wilde, Gertrude Stein, Molière, and Frederic Chopin, before seeing the most famous grave in the world: that of Jim Morrison.

If you’re a student, bring your student ID. You can get discounts and freebies on everything from transportation to museum admission. Also consider getting an ISIC (international student identity card).

Go ice skating in the winter, when rinks dot the city. It’s free to skate and skate rentals are cheap.

Paris is filled with beautiful parks. From the vast Bois de Boulogne in the west to the Jardin du Luxembourg in the 6th, as well as little treasures like the Parc Monceau and Place Vosges scattered throughout the city.

Bring a book set in Paris and read it on the banks of the Seine.  Some recommendations: Ernest Hemingway’s A Moveable Feast , Victor Hugo’s Notre-Dame de Paris  (a.k.a. The Hunchback of Notre Dame), Julia Child’s My Life in France , Paula McLain’s The Paris Wife , David Sedaris’s Me Talk Pretty One Day , Muriel Barbery’s The Elegance of the Hedgehog , and my personal favorite book of all time, Hemingway’s The Sun Also Rises .

Off the Beaten Path in Paris

Go on a scavenger hunt at the Louvre.  For a museum with a side of adrenaline,  THATlou offers scavenger hunts where you work out clues leading you to different works of art. Competitive? This is for you! Both public and private hunts are available.

Go to a hammam for a scrub. Paris is home to several hammams, or Turkish baths, and they’ll get you cleaner than you’ve ever been in your life. Some are O’Kari , Les Bains du Marais , and the hammam at the Grand Mosquée de Paris . For a guide on how to hammam in Paris, read this post .

Visit the Promenade Plantée. Are you familiar with the High Line park in New York City? Paris has long had the Promenade Plantée , its own park built on an elevated railroad track. Note to New York: Paris did it first.

Visit La Cité des Sciences et de L’Industrie .  Ever thought you’d come to Paris and see a science museum? Why not? This museum is filled with fascinating exhibits (also in English!) about French science and technology and it’s great for families, too.

Visit the church from  Midnight in Paris .  Owen Wilson jumped into his time-traveling taxi outside  St. Etienne du Mont in the 5th.

Head into the sewers. It sounds disgusting, but the Paris sewer tour is one of the most fascinating looks at the city that you’ll ever see. It’s one of the few places in Paris where you can see thousands of years of history and architecture all at once.

Visit La Pagoda . Believe it or not, there is a Chinese pagoda just steps from the Champs-Elysées. Originally a hotel, today it’s worth visiting for its ornate Chinese architecture and collection of art.

Visit La Défense.  Located to the west of the city, La Défense is Paris’s business center, a gleaming neighborhood of glass and chrome. It’s completely different from the rest of Paris and you can get a great view of the city from the Grande Arche.

Creep along the catacombs. This is not for the faint-hearted — Paris’s catacombs are home to the remains of six million people, and you’ll see lots of piles of skulls and bones. Definitely something different. Book a two-hour skip-the-line tour here.

Shopping in Paris

Want to hunt for bargains? Paris’s soldes (massive sales throughout the city) are regulated and scheduled by the government, taking place in January and July each year.

Come to Galeries Lafayette for the ultimate department store shopping experience. You’ll find all the designer brands. Visit the one on Boulevard Haussmann in the 9th, which is famous for its decorative glass ceiling overlooking several floors.

If you’re looking for eclectic, independent, high-end boutiques, the Marais is the place to go.  This is where you look for that where-on-Earth-did-you-buy-that?! accessory.

Shopping on the Champs-Elysées is a famous French experience, but don’t go expecting a paradise. It’s pretty much Paris’s Times Square. Worth seeing? Of course. But it might not be as chic as you expect.

Paris’s flea markets are home to treasures you won’t find anywhere else.  The best one is Marché de Puces de Saint-Ouen at Porte de la Clignancourt; some others are Les Puces de Montreuil and Les Puces de Vanves .

If you’re a bibliophile, don’t miss Shakespeare & Company . This cozy bookstore, filled with English language titles, is a Paris landmark and well worth perusing for a few hours.

Day Trips from Paris

The Palace of Versailles , just outside the city, is Paris’s most famous day trip. Wander the extensive castle grounds and imagine the decadent life of Louis XVI and Marie-Antoinette. Visit independently (though I recommend buying a skip-the-line pass ) or book a group tour that includes the gardens .

Chartres is home to a UNESCO World Heritage-listed cathedral and a beautiful country town. It’s on the same train line as Versailles, so you could do both in a single day trip if you wanted to.

You can visit Monet’s home and gardens at Giverny in Normandy. It will feel like you’ve been there before, as you’ve seen it in so many paintings! Book a tour from Paris here.

Take the train to the Champagne region for a glass of bubbly.  The town of Reims is home to tasting centers like Taittinger, G.H. Mumm, and Pommery; if you have time, visit the town of Epernay, too. Tours from Paris can be pricey; I recommend traveling to Reims by train then booking a cheaper tour from Reims , or just visit places independently.

If you’re ambitious, you could visit another country for the day.  Brussels is one hour and 15 minutes from Paris by train; both London and Luxembourg City are two hours from Paris by train; Amsterdam is three hours from Paris by train.

When to Visit Paris

Paris is worth visiting every month of the year.  Trust me — a trip to Paris is never a mistake, no matter what time of year.

Your best bet is to visit in the shoulder season. From April to June and September to November is probably the closest thing to a perfect time to visit Paris. The weather is good for the most part and the crowds are much smaller than during the summer.

Christmas in Paris is a wonderful time to visit. You’ll find Christmas markets all over, from Montmartre to La Défense to the Champs-Elysées, and the stores go all out with their decorations.

Summer brings the beach. Paris Plages takes place from roughly mid-July to mid-August each year, when sections of the Seine are filled with sand, deck chairs, and all the amenities you’d expect on a beach.

August is a mixed bag. Traditionally, this is a time when Parisians flee the city and tourists arrive in droves. If you stick to Parisian areas and aim for a local experience, it can be pleasantly quiet; if you’re trying to hit all the major tourist sites, you’ll face long lines and huge crowds. It can be still worth it, but know what you’re in for.

June 21 is Fête de la Musique, a day when musicians take over Paris! You’ll see performers on street corners and in parks all over the city. If you’re coming in June, keep this in mind.

July 14 is Bastille Day, known locally as La Fête Nationale. France’s national holiday arrives with parades, parties, and lots of fireworks!

You can even visit Paris on a layover to another city! I recommend you have at least a minimum of a five-hour layover, and ideally longer, but here is my guide to doing Paris on a layover .

Packing Tips for Paris

Most Parisians dress in a neat and chic way. If you want to blend in, you’re best off avoiding shorts, t-shirts, and sneakers. Think nice jeans, ballet flats, boots, a nice pashmina or scarf, well-cut dresses, tasteful accessories.

Comfortable shoes are essential, but that doesn’t mean you need to wear ugly shoes. The Walking Company does the most amazingly comfortable shoes in the world, even for people like me who need arch support. I love their  black ABEO flats  and wear them whenever I’m in Paris.

Don’t forget a  universal converter for your electronics. Bonus: it will work in most places around the world. If you’re bringing multiple electronics to charge simultaneously, bring a mini power strip as well.

Safety and Security

Don’t even think of going to Paris without travel insurance.  Whether you cut yourself and need to go to the hospital for stitches, whether you get your phone stolen on the metro, or whether an injury means you need to cancel all or part of your trip, travel insurance will help you out. I use and recommend World Nomads as travel insurance for Paris.

Be wary of pickpockets. As Paris is such a popular tourist destination, pickpockets prey on tourists in particular. Only take one card and as much money as you need for the day, and leave your passport at home. Use a crossbody purse that zips up and keep your hand on it.

Buy a portable safe , put your valuables inside (think passport, jewelry, extra cash and credit cards, and electronics), and lock it to something sturdy in your room like a radiator or pipe. I consider it the most important thing I pack and I take it everywhere .

Other Paris Tips

Bring a guidebook. Guidebooks are not dead — they’re extremely useful! These days I buy digital PDF guides and keep them on my phone. (I love my Kindle Paperwhite , but I don’t like reading guidebooks on it — I much prefer a PDF format for my phone.) I recommend a digital version of Lonely Planet Paris .

Free public bathrooms are rare. In fact, public bathrooms, period, can be tough to find. Be sure to use the bathroom whenever you’re at an attraction or in a restaurant.

Free wifi is becoming more common in Paris. You’ll find it at many cafes these days, something that seemed unthinkable a few years ago.

Take your umbrella everywhere you go. Paris is part of Northern Europe, which is home to frequent rain. The weather also changes quickly — you could have four seasons in a day! Bring a small but chic umbrella to blend in with the Parisians.

More on Paris:

• Solo Female Travel in Paris — Is it Safe?
• 33 Most Famous Streets in Paris
• How to Plan a Day Trip to Paris from London
• How to Spend a Layover in Paris
• The Art of the Chilled Out Trip to Paris
• Best Area to Stay in Paris: Neighborhoods, Hotels, and More

What’s your favorite travel tip for Paris? Share away!

France Travel Blog

Paris Travel Blog: The Ultimate Paris Travel Guide

The charm of Paris is so profound that everyone knows it’s a dazzling city. Artists, writers, journalists, playwrights, and poets throughout history have affirmed their marvel over Paris. It is a city that evinces sophistication, culture, style, and class. And as many have done, you will certainly fall in love with the City of Lights in epic proportions. I hope this Paris Travel Blog will help you in that regard.

Given the numerous things to do and see here, discovery the gems in Paris can feel almost impossible and overwhelming sometimes. That is why many tour operators help visitors, especially the first-timers, to maximize their time out. Employing the services of tour operators saves time and can be more educative than taking on the iconic monuments alone.

Interesting Travel Facts About Paris

If you’re planning a wonderful holiday to Paris, it’s always interesting to find out the facts about the city. Paris is a popular tourist destination filled with history and culture and over seventy museums where you can soak up the heritage of this magnificent city.

Whether you’re travelling for a weekend or a longer family break, it’s always great to know what Paris is all about.

• Paris is fondly named the City of Lights. While it lights up beautifully against the night sky, it’s not because of lights that it is named this. It is believed it is fondly named City of Lights due to the intellectual people who live there.
• Paris is widely known as the most romantic city in the world, which is why it’s such a popular tourist destination for couples and those travelling on honeymoons.
• Street signs were only placed in the city Centre in the early 1800s, before these visitors to the city were advised to climb the monuments to get a sense of their bearings and where they had to go.
• The famous Eiffel Tower caused a huge wave of concern among the scientists who believed that it could cause thunderstorms, changing the pleasant weather climate in the city.
• Paris City Centre is made up of twenty separate areas, each one is numbered in a clockwise direction. Often you will find locals referring to areas by the number it has been allocated rather than the name.
• All shops are usually open from 9am to 7pm. They are closed on Sundays and Public Holidays. You may even find smaller stores are closed for the whole month of August.
• For Restaurants in Paris busiest times are between 8pm and 10pm. There are a lot of bistros and cafes should you wish to dine earlier.

We Have Compiled This Paris Travel Guide To Explore Paris Like a Local:

Well, no prizes for guessing! French is the native language, but English and other European languages are not a rarity in the city. To have an interesting time in Paris, we suggest that you learn as many French phraseologies as possible. Interacting with locals in the language will go a long way in enhancing your traveling experience.

Even if you can only muster  Bonjour  and  merci beaucoup,  you tend to connect to the city on a cultural level. And you can take your French up a notch by learning words for market haggling. It will help you get the best deals on items.

Yes, it’s the Euro. Throughout France and in most parts of the continent, Euro is the legal tender. But ensure you avoid the exchangers at the airport if you can. Their rates can be very high. Do proper research on where best a visitor can exchange currency in Paris.

Credit Cards and Bank Cards

ATMs are at all tourist areas like restaurants and hotels. Be advised that while ATMs helps to move cashless, you should have few euros on you, as some retailers (though few) do not accept cards. In addition, attempt to withdraw a large sum if you must withdraw at the ATM. There are charges on every transaction made, and withdrawing a low sum would not be budget-friendly for you.

Shops and cafes are more expensive, especially the ones at the major attractions like the Arc de Triumph and the Eiffel Tower. To beat this, stroll a few blocks from the main spots to find more legit and reasonably affordable spots to get your purchase. You should know that in Paris, the touristy areas are incredibly pricey. Getting items from places mostly frequented by locals will help a great deal in spending reasonably.

In Paris, the weather is generally mild for the most part of the year with a decent amount of rain. The cold season spans November and February when daytime temperatures rarely get beyond ten degrees Celsius. The hottest months in the French capital are between July and August.

Getting Around in Paris 

The city is separated into 20 arrondissements, also known as districts. Each of them offers a distinct taste of Paris, but these are the most popular:

Le Marais:  Situated in the third and fourth districts, this area of the city has, for a long while, been an abode for aristocrats. Today, it is a buzzing Jewish community with some of Paris’s best art galleries and hotels. Also, check out the Marais Paris Guide .

1st Arrondissement:  This area is home to lots of Paris’ major spots like the Louvre and the Royal Palace. If you are a first-timer here, starting your Paris trip from here will be a good idea.

8th Arrondissement:  A widely known part of the city where many incredible palaces like the Champs-Elysees and the Arc de Triomphe are located.

11th Arrondissement:  This is also popular for those who are looking to have a splendid night out in Paris. Restaurants and clubs here are impressive, and you will also find the Edith Piaf Museum there.

La Defense:  Just at Paris’ edge is the La Defense, where some stunning modern artworks are displayed. The architecture here is something to adore. This is among the city’s major business centers.

>> Paris Neighborhood Guide , Montmartre Paris Guide

Transportation Around Paris

Public transportation in the French capital is quite an inexpensive way of moving around. For those visiting the city on a budget, they will find the transport system here easy and useful. While the likes of Uber and cabs are expensive, they have their use too. Heading to somewhere farther will mean you get either a cab or the ride-hailing service. However, walking on foot is the best way to see Paris. You get to see the popular sites clearly and meet locals on the way.

>> Public Transport Guide For Paris

Here Are Some Transport Options:

The city’s public transport system is among the world’s most efficient and expansive. Every block has a subway (metro) stop and is quite cheap. For people under 26, the price is discounted on weekends and holidays, and if your French is so good, you can ask for reduced charges.

This is a train that has about 5 lines that service the city and Ile-de-France. The RER train works like the metro and even uses the tickets the latter has. In the case that you have a connecting trip with the metro, the ticket can be used.

In the city’s metro network alone, there are about 64 bus lines. And if you have a single-use bus/metro ticket, it goes for about 1.90 euros, or you purchase a ticket on the bus for 2 euro.

4 tram lines service the city, and they all work on the same ticketing system, just like the bus, RER, and metro.

Bike-sharing

The city has a public bike-sharing scheme, the Velib. The service allows you to borrow a bike for as long as you want. Paris is one of the most bike-friendly cities in the world as there are many bike routes scattered around.

Cabs here are expensive regardless of the distance, but they are useful for long trips. Avoid them if you are on a budget.

The ride-hailing service is available in Paris. In the case that you have luggage to carry, perhaps from the airport, an Uber can help comfortably with that.

Check Out: Best Ways to Get Around in Paris

When to Visit Paris

With Paris, anytime is a good time, but the best time to visit is May, June, September, and October. Then, the crowds will fewer, and while the weather is warm and sunny. Temperatures are usually around 20-23 degrees Celsius makes it a perfect time to meander around the city. 

Activities and accommodation tend to be cheaper these periods as well.

In the summer, accommodation tends to be the most expensive as the crowds come in their droves. That means the queues at popular touristy spots become longer, but winter can be chilly. And the best part of the city during the period are the amazing views you would not forget easily. If you are looking to see the museums and historic sites, winter is the best time for that.

Safety in Paris

The city is mostly safe, and the chances of getting into trouble are low. But pickpocketing has to be the biggest concern for tourists, especially on public transport. Do not stroll around at night yourself in certain areas like Jaures, Gare du Nord, Les Halles, and Stalingrad.

Parisians are very helpful and friendly but always trust your gut instinct. Then stay away from isolated areas at night and be mindful of people who are excessively friendly. They might just have heinous intentions. In addition, do not take out with you the original copies of your documents. Ensure you make photocopies of your passport and ID.

Ensure you also buy good travel insurance as they will protect against unforeseen contingencies like injury, theft, illness, and cancellations. It makes you relax without worrying too much.

If you visit Paris with a motorcycle, make sure to get a good motorcycle insurance to cover you in case of an accident. Visiting Paris with a motorcycle can be a very good idea because you will maximize sightseeing and you will save a lot of money and time on parking. Just make sure to do it right with proper insurance.

Read: Common Tourist Scams In Paris , Paris Safety Tips , Areas To Avoid In Paris

Where to Stay in Paris

This is an online market place where people can choose accommodation apart from hotels. Airbnb affords the chance of searching online for renting a room or a flat, but it is not common among tourists as they prefer the hotels. The service costs less, one will have personal space, and it affords the chance to make new friends.

Stay in Style

Paris is home to some incredible, jaw-dropping homes that cater to a wide range of budgets. You’ll have your own luxurious space in your  short stay accommodation in Paris  and you’ll be spoilt for choice with the options on offer. Located throughout the City, you’ll never be too far from the tourist hotspots & sights.

In Paris alone, there are over 2200 hotels, and they provide basic amenities for visitors. A good number of them are booked in the entire year because the city attracts many. Online, you can find stylish, romantic, and luxurious hotels throughout your stay in the city. There are different hotels, cheap ones, reasonably affordable ones, and expensive ones.

Lodging in a hotel has its various advantages. For a start, you get a great view of the surrounding, especially if the hotel is located in a nice place. From the window or the terrace, while dining, you can take in the magnificent views the area has to offer.

Also, luxuries in hotels are particularly great. Spas, massage centers, swimming pools, bars, and recreational centers make up most of the luxuries in the best hotels in Paris. Most travelers tend to enjoy using the luxuries of wherever they visit, and it is for their comfort.

Another perk of lodging in a hotel are chores you get to avoid. While in a hotel, you do not have to manage the expectation of doing the chores yourself while on your trip. The hotel management will be responsible for luggage, dining, laundry, and cleaning.

A nice place to lodge in Paris is at Montorgueil. There,  Hotel National des Arts et Metiers  is located. After a busy day of sightseeing and other activities, you can dine at its rooftop, which is an idyllic spot to view Paris. Also in the area is the bar Herbarium, where you will meet lots of hip young Parisians.

Also Read: Hotel or AirBnB in Paris , Best Hotels In Paris , Accommodation In Paris

Things to do in Paris 

See the museums .

There are plenty of spectacular  museums in Paris  to explore. The popular Louvre Museum enjoys a global reputation, but there are lots of other great art repositories in Paris. The Musee d’Orsay is awesome and is popular for its impressionist pieces. The Rodin Museum, Holocaust museum, the Musee d’Orangerie, and a host of other impressive ones. You can also get a museum pass that can take you to any museum in Paris. A two-day pass costs about 48 euros while a six-day pass could be as low as 74 euro.

Stroll Along the Champs Elysees

This is a popular side of the French capital. It has cafes, cinemas, and shops for luxury specialties. In fact, Champs Elysees is among the world’s most popular streets and its courses from Arc de Triomphe to the Louvre. The area is often busy and expensive, as one will expect, but it is an excellent spot for some picture shots during the day and night out activities.

Go to the Panthéon 

Situated in the Latin Quarter, Panthéon is a neoclassical building used to be a church before it was transformed into a state burial place for fallen French heroes. Victor Hugo, Marie Curie, Louis Braille, Jean-Jacques Rousseau, and Voltaire are honored there. The building was inspired by the Pantheon in Rome. Admission is as low as 9 euro.

Chill at Jardin du Luxembourg 

This is the most massive public park in the French capital. Jardin du Luxembourg boasts over more than 100 statues, fountains, and monuments, all placed throughout the grounds. The place is perfect for picnics with loved ones.

Also: Best Parks to Go For a Run in Paris , Best Things To Do In France

See Paris from Montmartre 

Some of the most splendid views of Paris are in Montmartre. It is marked with bars, cafes, arty, and old winery, and cobblestone streets, this place ranks high among the chicest areas in the capital. Gertrude Stein and Ernst Hemmingway are known to hang out in Montmartre when they were in the city.

Visit the Notre Dame

Notre Dame was constructed between 1163-1334. When you visit, you should hop from the north tower to the south to wonder at the masonry and get a good view of the Gallery of Chimeras. The beats and birds gazing at the balustrade are a sight to see. Climbing the tower costs as low as 10 euro and it is opened from 10:00 am to 5:30 pm daily except on holidays.

>> Cathedrals Worth Visiting In Pari s

Stand Akimbo Under the Arc de Triomphe 

The Arc de Triomphe is situated in the heart of the Place Charles de Gaulle. Visitors will climb its 284 steps to reach the apex then learn about Paris’ rich history and see the amazing views from up there.

Celebrate Bastille Day

If you happen to be in France on the 14th of July, it is a chance to celebrate Bastille Day, which is a series of incredible events in the capital where the nation marks the storming of the Bastille during the Revolution in 1789. Usually, there is a widely televised parade and continuous pyrotechnics, especially at Jardin du Trocadero or Champ de Mars. Bastille Day is marked French independence and is one of the most bubbling days here.

Experience the Cinema en Plein Air

The city rolls out a massive screen in the Parc de la Villette every July and August for the outdoor cinema event in the 9th district. Locals love it as they celebrate with food and wine. What is more- it is free.

Check out Maison du Victor Hugo

The lovely Maison du Victor Hugo is a residence that dates back to 1605. The building used to be the home of Victor Hugo, the famous writer who got there at the age of 30. The place is now a museum dedicated to him and his writing. The museum is not large, but it is interesting, and it is opened every day from 10 am to 6 pm except on Mondays.

Also Read: Things To Do In Paris When It’s Raining , Best Day Trips from Paris , Best Things to Do in Paris at Night

Shop like a local

Paris is the fashion capital of the world, and its shops have the very best of designer items. Here are some outfits to check out:

Le Centre Commercial:  This  chic boutique is located in the east of the capital, You will find lots of the latest brands on display like Roseanna and Valentine Gauthier.

Biba:   Biba  is a small boutique but has a swelling reputation for quality and luxury. It has been in operation since 1973 and is a brilliant spot for a weekend pick-me-up.

La Patisserie de Christophe Michalak:  Along with the French pastries, visitors will find cakes, bars of chocolates, and cookbooks here.  It  is located at 16 Rue de la Verrerie.

La Rue du Nil and the Terroirs d’Avenirs shops:  On this  street , you will find a grocery store, a fishmonger, and a bakery, which are all common destinations for locals. The Frenchie To-Go and Frenchie Wine Bar are worth visiting.

Go on a Drinking Spree

Bars in Paris are quite the ones to surprise. Here are some places you can visit on a drinking spree around the city:

Le Syndicat:  This place is something close to a speaksay cocktail bar where some unique and obscure French spirits are served. It is located at 51 Rue du Faubourg St-Denis.

Mabel:  Mabel is a cocktail spot with a mid-century vibe that focuses on cheese sandwiches and rum. It is located at 58 Rue d’Aboukir.

Glass:  This place is owned by one of the world’s most talented mixologists. Glass is a cocktail bar that doubles as a live music venue located in the bubbling Pigalle neighborhood. They also serve Latin-American drinks.

>> Affordable Drinks in Paris Articles

Step In The Catacombs

Below, the city is a labyrinth of graves. During the Second World War, the French resistance used the tunnels, but in the 90s, parties and funfairs were held there. This place is the real hidden element of the city. And when you step in, you see the tunnels that have signposts and history boards that tell a tale about it.

8 minutes after entry, you will see the Catacombs, an underground cemetery. You may not have seen lots of human skeleton like that before, as there are many skulls intricately arranged to make a long wall of bony pieces. But things can be quickly frightening as soon as you realize that the skeletons used to be actual living people.

Also Read: Why You Should Visit the Catacombs of Paris , Unconventional Things to Do in Paris

Dance Throughout the Night

The Carribean, African, Classic jazz, or pop, the clubs in Paris have an impressive range of options for partiers. If you are a jazz lover, you will be spoiled for choice here.

Walk in the Midst of the Tombstones

Pere-Lachaise graveyard is the city’s most popular cemetery. It is a quiet and terrifyingly beautiful place worth a visit. Looking closely, you will see the graves of a few famous people like Oscar Wilde, Chopin, and Jim Morrison.

>> Cemeteries Worth Visiting In Paris , Famous People Buried In Paris

Visit the Memorial de la Shoah  

Though it has an impressive exhibit on anti-Semitism, France, and the Holocaust, this place seldom charm visitors. It is a very underrated spot, but you should visit when you are around.

Take a Walking Tour

There are many dozens of companies that operate tours across Paris. The likes of New Europe’s tour is free, and they will take you throughout the city and give a historical education you should have. Walk tours will skip rides to big attractions like the museums.

For a more immersive experience, check out a website specializing in city tours and excursions that can take you off the beaten path and into the heart of the city.

Take a Food Tour of Paris

In Paris, you should enjoy the food. And if you do not know where to start, there are food tour operators to lead the way. And if you will rather go solo, you can visit restaurants to savor the tastiest of meals on the continent.

How to Spend a Weekend in Paris

In 2019, I was fortunate enough to spend one weekend in Paris. Although I had time constraints, I was determined to get the most out of my time in the City of Light. Fortunately, I was there for the monthly Free Museum Day, and this enabled me to enjoy the Louvre without spending any money. However, this memorable portion of my trip was hindered by the fact that the line was extremely long. In retrospect, I wish that I had opted for one of the tour group opportunities that enable visitors to skip the line and spend a few hours exploring the very best of the amazing work that is housed by this museum.

Heading Underground

One of the main reasons that I decided to visit Paris is the fact that there is a fascinating historical place underground. In fact, my visit to the Catacombs of Paris was one of the highlights of my journey through Europe. Although it might seem macabre to some, it was definitely intriguing to have the opportunity to see the many artistic displays that have been created out of the bones of Paris citizens who have been deceased for centuries. Additionally, walking through those tunnels enables tourists to trace the footsteps of the French Resistance from World War II.

Returning to the Light

After spending a few hours with the dead, it was nice to resurface onto the busy streets of one of the most beautiful cities on earth. The Eiffel Tower was next on my list, and I was treated to an amazing performance underneath this landmark by a singing fraternity from the Netherlands. Unexpected random moments like this can be encountered anywhere in Paris, so it is best to keep your camera handy at all times, especially when you are near the Eiffel Tower or walking on the bridges that let you cross over the gorgeous Seine River.

Tourist Tips

Because Paris has so much to offer, it is vital to make a plan to ensure that you hit your must-see attractions. However, I also greatly recommend taking some time to simply stroll through the streets and soak in the culture and architecture. Additionally, booking your hotel online can help you get a better price, and it will also remove any language barriers that could make it more difficult to select a room after you arrive.

How to Save Money in Paris

Since the city can be expensive, it is vital to find a means to save. There are many ways to do this while you see Paris’ beauty, cuisine, and charm. 

>> How to Save Money in Paris

Here Are a Few Ways to Save a Few Bucks:

Seize discounts at the Louvre-  After 6 pm, the Louvre museum is free on Fridays if you are less than 26 years and on the first Sunday of October to March, and on Tuesdays, it is closed. The museum is located in the middle of Paris and has two metro stops- both tagged “Louvre”. Stop at either one to get your discounts. You will be able to skip the lines when you visit.

Get a metro card-  The city has more than 300 subway stations. Therefore it is not difficult to get around Paris. A day pass is as low as 13.20 euros, and if you purchase 10 tickets, which costs 14.50 euros, it is cheaper than 1.90 euros for each person.

Paris Museum Pass- The Paris Museum Pass is a prepaid card that gives people access to more than 70 museums and iconic spots around the capital.   For museum lovers, this is a perfect treat.

Free museum admission-  In France, entry to all national museums are free on the first Sunday of the month. In case you happen to be around on such days, watch out for large crowds and long queues.

Dine out during lunch-  In Paris, food is not cheap. But during lunch, restaurants offer items on the menu for between 10-15 euros. Buy the same food for dinner but at half the initial price.

Cook your meals-  Cook your own meals, and you will save a fortune from not eating out. Many campsites, hostels, and guesthouses have kitchens. And if there is no kitchen, you can make your own salads and sandwiches.

Don’t buy bottled water-  Before going out, take along your water. Bottled water is not cheap, but tap water is free and safe for drinking.

>> Eating on the Cheap in Paris

Tours to Take In and Around Paris

Landing beaches tour.

Cross the bocage of Normandy to go to the Peace Memorial located in the town of Caen. Visit the museum where you can view films on the 2nd World War and peruse the amazing historical artifacts and history. Then, from La Pointe du Hoc, you will visit the landing beaches of Juno, Omaha, the American cemetery, the port of Arromanches built by the allies, before returning to Paris.

Paris Mont St Michel

Discover the wonder of the Occident. A guided visit to the famous abbey followed by lunch. This is a minibus tour and includes departure and return transfer to your hotel.

Versailles Chartres

Visit the old town and the Cathedral of Chartres in the morning followed by lunch at "au Moulin de Ponceau. During the afternoon, you will be taken to visit the magnificent Palace of Versailles, the opulent residence built by Louis XIV.

Chartres from Paris

Cross the Beauce plain, the breadbasket of Paris to the town of Chartres. Visit one of the biggest cathedrals in France, built between the 12th and 13th centuries. The Cathedral has an unrivaled collection of stained glass windows referenced as a UNESCO world heritage site. You will then have free time to wander around the charming old streets of the old town around the Cathedral.

Eiffel Tower & Cruise

You will dine at an altitude of the famous restaurant on the first floor of the Eiffel Tower with its magnificent view of the city. Then you will be taken on a Seine river cruise to discover the major monuments, bridges, and beauty of the city from the water.

Fontainebleau & Barbizon

For 5 centuries, the castle of Fontainebleau was the favorite residence of French monarchs, including Francis I and Napoleon III. Fontainbleau is south of Paris, near the magnificent forest of Fontainebleau. Visit the richly furnished and decorated Royal Apartments, and discover the only remaining throne of France. Admire the different styles of French Architecture. Then take time to walk in the magnificent French gardens. On the way back to Paris, we will stop by the charming village of Barbizon, a place of inspiration for many landscape-painters, such as Rousseau, Millet, and Corot.

Giverny is located an hour from Paris, in Normandy. This charming village was a fountain of inspiration for Claude Monet and his most famous paintings. Visit the artist’s house, studio, and garden in bloom with it’s “Japanese bridge” and idyllic pond. An exceptional site to be visited and discovered.

Grand Tour of Paris

This wonderful tour will enable you to see all of the most famous attractions of Paris by combining the “TOURINGSCOPE HALF DAY TOUR” and an essential Seine river cruise, during which you will discover many of the 32 bridges of the City. This all-encompassing tour ends on the 2nd floor of the Eiffel Tower, from where you will enjoy one of the most beautiful views of Paris.

>> Most Famous Monuments In Paris

Paris Illuminations

• Arc de Triomphe
• Avenue des Champs Elysees
• Eiffel Tower
• Ile de la Cité
• Place de la Concorde
• Seine River

Touring Scope Tour

>> Most Beautiful Bridges In Paris

Versailles Discovery

Discover the castle of Versailles, the biggest French castle of the 17th century. This famous and beautiful castle is the work of architects Levau and Mansart and the work of Lenotre, the great garden architect. Visit the King’s Royal Apartments and the one and only “Hall of Mirrors” on your own with an audio- guide given directly by your guide at the palace entrance. You will have free time to wander around the acres of gardens enjoying their impeccable design and statues.

Versailles Majestic

Visit the beautiful Palace of Versailles. Just outside of Paris, Versailles is one of the most famous and opulent castles in the world. While there, you will visit the King’s Royal Apartments, and the “Hall of Mirrors” and get a taste of how Louis XIV lived with Marie Antoinette. You will also get a chance to peruse the impeccable gardens in the company of a qualified guide. The guide will tell you the story of this Palace and the Royal life at the time of Louis XIV: the Sun King.

An enjoyable evening with dinner and dancing at the Lido de Paris (1/2 bottle of champagne included per person) The show: “C’est Magique”, launched in 1994, has given new prestige to the famous cabaret of the Champs Elysees. The Lido is able to welcome around 1000 persons and has nearly 100 dancers. The meals are created under the expertise of Chef Paul Bocuse. A jacket and tie are required.

Dinner Noces, Illuminations, Lido

An enjoyable evening with a gastronomic dinner in a typical restaurant near the Opera, where you will be welcomed with a kir (choice of 3 courses, drinks included, 1/2 bottle of champagne), followed by the show at the famous Lido de Paris.

Paris Illuminations & Cruise

• Sacre Coeur Basilica

Paris Travel Blog – Summary

Paris brilliantly matches every hype that has been showered on it. That is why you should visit Paris in your next vacation. And who knows, it might just inspire you to take that life-changing step. Walk in and out of museums, buy items in the market, dance away the night, and do lots of fun things when you visit Paris. You will be glad you did. I hope that this Paris Travel Blog was useful to you and don’t forget to share it with your friends.

Peter is the editor of France Travel Blog. He has traveled to France many times and is ready to share the knowledge in this travel guide for France.

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Paris Travel Guide

Last Updated: March 1, 2024

Paris. Poets, artists, playwrights, writers, journalists, and more have all written about their love of this city. It’s a place that exudes culture, sophistication, class, and style. Like the millions before me, I fell in love with this city the first time I visited.

Settled by Gallic tribes around the 3rd century BCE, the region was conquered by the Romans a couple of centuries later, turning it into a prosperous settlement. By 508, Paris was made the capital of the Merovingian dynasty. The city was sacked by Vikings in 845 but recovered to repel further Viking incursions. By the 12th century, Paris was the economic and cultural hub of all of France.

Today, Paris is one of the few iconic cities in the world that truly lives up to its hype. I’ve spent years visiting the city, have organized tours here, and even lived here for a bit. It is one of my absolute favorite places in the world. As Hemingway said, “If you are lucky enough to have lived in Paris as a young man, then wherever you go for the rest of your life, it stays with you, for Paris is a moveable feast.” He wasn’t wrong.

As iconic as it is, Paris is also gigantic, with thousands of years of history and a plethora of things to see and do, from world-class museums to Disneyland Paris . It would take a lifetime to explore it all. Fortunately, with a little planning, you can see the highlights over just a few days.

This travel guide to Paris can help you plan your trip, save money, and make the most of your visit to the City of Light!

Table of Contents

• Things to See and Do
• Typical Costs
• Suggested Budget
• Money-Saving Tips
• Where to Stay
• How to Get Around
• How to Stay Safe
• Best Places to Book Your Trip
• Related Blogs on Paris

Top 5 Things to See and Do in Paris

1. Scale the Eiffel Tower

Built for the 1889 World Fair, the 300-meter tower is an engineering feat that was originally hated by locals. They called it “the metal asparagus” and hoped it would be torn down. Now, it’s the most famous symbol of the city and every local will tell you they love it. It’s a beautiful building. If you’re going to go up to the top, get there early to avoid the lines. Tickets range from 16-26 EUR but I strongly suggest paying for direct access via an elevator that takes you to the top. It’s worth spending the money on as the line can take upwards of an hour on busy days. You can also get joint Eiffel Tower and river cruise tickets which help you save if you plan on doing both activities. Post-COVID, I would get your tickets in advance because the crowds and lines for tickets are really long.

2. Tour the Palace of Versailles

Visiting the famed 17th-century palace requires a whole day (don’t skip Marie Antoinette’s home or the spacious gardens that are located here). Originally, a hunting lodge, Louis XIV built this opulent palace to get the nobles out of Paris so they wouldn’t plan any coups. It was expanded over the years and filled with tons of allegorical statues and symbols reminding people that the power of the state rested with the king! The palace gets super crowded so try to go during the weekday, though summer weekends are the best time to visit the gardens, as the fountains are set to music then. Admission to the palace is 18 EUR and admission to the entire complex (including the gardens) is 27 EUR. For a more in-depth experience, this Versailles tour is led by a local expert guide and includes round-trip transportation from Paris at a time that avoids most of the crowds.

If you want to beat the crowds (which I highly recommend), skip-the-line tickets are available for 55 EUR. Since upwards of 10,000 people visit per day, skipping the line will save you a ton of time. The wait to get tickets can last hours.

3. Explore the Louvre

The Louvre is the biggest museum in the world, with thousands of square feet of space and millions of artifacts and works of art (including the Mona Lisa and the Venus de Milo). To see it all, you need at least two full days, but you can do the highlights in a full afternoon (especially if you take the Louvre Highlights Tour , which includes skip-the-line entry). Admission costs 17 EUR, while timed skip-the-line tickets are an additional 17 EUR. Due to capacity restrictions, you MUST get your ticket in advance. They sell out these days so if you don’t get your ticket in advance, you run the risk of showing up and being denied entrance.

Moreover go on Wednesday night when the museum is open until 11pm. There’s hardly anyone there after 7pm.

4. Wander the Latin Quarter

A historic area near Notre Dame, the Latin Quarter is filled with tiny, winding streets that turn at weird angles to open into little cafe-lined squares. I love wandering around here; it always feels like you’re stepping back a few hundred years in history. There are a lot of restaurants, bars, and jazz clubs here too. If you’d like to learn more about the area, this in-depth walking tour meanders through the Latin Quarter and includes skip-the-line tickets to the incredible Sainte-Chapelle, my favorite church in the city (read more below!). The tour is a perfect way to connect with a local guide who can share their insider tips and help you make the most of your visit.

5. Visit Sainte-Chapelle

This is my favorite church in Paris. Built in 1238 by Saint Louis, it was meant to house holy relics he found during the Crusades as well as serve as the Royal Chapel. I find this tiny Gothic chapel to be far more beautiful than the nearby Notre Dame. The (mostly) original interior décor is exquisite, including some of the few remaining examples of original stained glass in France. It’s absolutely beautiful. Entry costs 11.50 EUR and is likely to sell out so book your ticket in advance . Ticket holders skip the line too!

Other Things to See and Do in Paris

1. go museum hopping.

Paris has hundreds of museums worth seeing. Make sure to check out the Musee D’Orsay for great impressionist work, the amazing Rodin Museum, Holocaust Museum (one of the best in the world), Musee D’Orangerie (more impressionist work), and the interesting sewer museum. A Paris Museum Pass is the most affordable way to see them all as it provides access to over 50 museums in Paris and the surrounding region. A two-day pass costs 52 EUR, a four-day pass costs 66 EUR, and a six-day pass costs 78 EUR. It’s a must if you’re going to see at least 3 museums while in the city. Get it, save money, and (importantly) get to skip all the long lines that plague the city these days.

2. Stroll down the Champs Elysees

This is one of the most famous streets in the world and stretches from the Arc de Triomphe to the Louvre. It’s lined with expensive shops and restaurants and is always busy, but it’s a great place to club hop at night or shop during the day. Come in the very early morning to see the place utterly deserted. It makes for great photos. You can also take a guided tour if you want to learn more about the street and its history.

3. Visit the Panthéon

Located in the Latin Quarter, this Neoclassical building was originally built as a church but was turned into a state burial site for France’s heroes, including Marie Curie, Victor Hugo, Jean-Jacques Rousseau, Louis Braille, and Voltaire. Admission is 11.50 EUR . Like everything else, you’ll want to buy a ticket in advance to avoid the lines.

4. Relax in Jardin Du Luxembourg

The Jardin du Luxembourg (Luxembourg Garden) is the largest public park in Paris, covering 56 acres. The garden, which was first created in 1612, contains over a hundred statues, monuments, and fountains, all scattered throughout the grounds. The park was neglected for years until the French Revolution, after which Jean Chalgrin (the architect of the Arc de Triomphe) set about restoring and expanding the park. In the morning, you’ll see lots of runners exercising here. At lunch on a nice day, join park-goers in having a picnic.

5. Admire the view from Montmartre

Home to starving artists for over a century (since the Belle Époque in the 19th century), the neighborhood of Montmartre offers a stunning view of Paris, arty cafés and bars, cobblestone streets, and the only winery within the city limits (Vignes du Clos Montmartre). It’s one of the hipper parts of Paris, even if it has lost some of its old grandeur. It’s great for those wanting to visit the hangout spots of folks like Hemingway and Gertrude Stein. The iconic Sacré-Cœur basilica sits at the top of the hill. Climb the steps or sit on the sloping lawn and admire the views at dusk. Entrance to the basilica is free.

If you want to learn more about this iconic neighborhood, guided walking tours are the best way to do so (there’s a lot of history in this area and all the signs are in French) and include a visit to the basilica.

6. Visit Notre Dame

Paris’s Gothic masterpiece was constructed between 1163-1334. Climb from the north tower to the south to appreciate the masonry and get a close-up view of the Gallery of Chimeras, the fantastic birds and beasts gazing over the balustrade. The outside facade has been cleaned up in recent years, but the inside has a bit of that old Gothic grimy charm. To climb the tower, it costs 10 EUR. NOTE: Notre Dame is currently closed due to the 2019 fire.

7. Stand under the Arc De Triomphe

This monument stands in the center of the Place Charles de Gaulle and is one of the most famous landmarks in Paris. Inaugurated in 1836, the arch is dedicated to those who died in the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars. For 13 EUR, visitors can climb 284 steps to the top of the Arc for stunning panoramic views and information about the city’s history. I think it’s one of the best views – and photo spots – in the city.

8. Celebrate Bastille Day

Every July 14th, a series of spectacular events in Paris celebrates the infamous storming of the Bastille during the French Revolution. The Bastille was a medieval armory and fortress and represented royal authority in Paris. Its capture was one of the biggest milestones of the Revolution. These days, there’s a huge televised parade and a never-ending fireworks display (head to Champ de Mars or the Jardins du Trocadéro for the best views of it all).

9. Experience the Cinema en Plein Air

Every July and August, Paris rolls out an inflatable screen in the Parc de la Villete for this major outdoor cinema event in the 9th arrondissement. It’s hugely popular with locals who tend to bring food and wine! It’s free to attend too.

10. Visit Maison du Victor Hugo

This beautiful apartment dates to 1605. Its most famous resident was the writer Victor Hugo (author of Les Misérables and The Hunchback of Notre Dame ), who moved here when he was 30. His old apartment is now a museum dedicated to his life and writing. The museum is quite small, but Hugo lovers (like me) will find it very interesting. Each room is designed to showcase a specific period in his life, from his childhood to his death. Admission is free.

11. Climb through the Paris Catacombs

Underneath the city of Paris, you’ll find a honeycomb of tunnels, originally constructed as mining tunnels. The French resistance used these tunnels during World War II and rave parties flourished there during the 90s. Within this maze of tunnels lie the famous Catacombs of Paris, an ossuary containing the remains of over 6 million Parisians. This burial site was created in the 18th century due to public health concerns about overflowing cemeteries. It’s one of the freakiest and coolest sites in Paris. This walking tour with a local historian includes skip-the-line access (lines can regularly stretch around the block), while last-minute tickets cost 14 EUR, when available (they are often sold out, however).

12. Listen to Paris’ famous jazz music

Whether you prefer modern clubs or classic jazz joints, you shouldn’t leave Paris without tasting the music that attracted some of the best musicians and artists to the city. There is an especially abundant amount of good jazz clubs in the city. Le Duc des Lombards, which opened in 1984, is one of the most famous jazz clubs in the city. Harry’s Bar also has a lot of great music there too.

13. Take a walking tour

There are dozens upon dozens of companies covering all aspects of life in Paris, and it can be hard to make sense of all those endless Viator and TripAdvisor listings. Some are free, like New Europe’s tour, and go around the center of Paris, giving a historical overview of the city. Walks offer amazing in-depth tours starting from about 55 EUR. You’ll get specialized guides and skip the lines to big attractions, like the Louvre. I wrote a whole guide to the best walking tours in Paris!

14. Walk amongst the tombstones

The Pere-Lachaise Cemetery is Paris’ largest and most famous cemetery. In fact, it’s the most visited cemetery in the world and a peaceful, hauntingly beautiful area worth exploring. Look closely to spot the famous graves (Jim Morrison, Chopin, and Oscar Wilde are all buried here.) The cemetery was built in 1804 but locals considered the cemetery too far from the city. For that reason, Père Lachaise only had 13 graves its first year, however, administrators devised a plan to transfer the remains of Jean de La Fontaine and Molière, two of Paris’s most famous artists, to Père Lachaise. After that, everyone wanted to be buried here! You can read more about the cemetery here .

If you want, take a guided tour of the cemetery . You’ll learn a ton and won’t miss out on the most popular (and interesting) tombs. There’s no signs here so, without a tour, you won’t really learn much.

15. Visit the Mémorial de la Shoah

Despite having an excellent exhibit on France, anti-Semitism, and the Holocaust, the Mémorial de la Shoah never draws a lot of people. It’s a real shame, as there is a lot of in-depth information and a great collection here. I’ve been to many Holocaust museums, and this is one of the best and most detailed in the world. I highly recommend it. Admission is free.

16. Take a food tour

To learn more about the history and culture behind Parisian cuisine, take a food tour. It’s the best way to eat your way around the city, sampling the best eats Paris has to offer, all while learning what makes the cuisine unique. Devour Tours runs in-depth food tours led by expert local guides that will introduce you to the food culture and its history. If you’re a foodie like me who wants to learn more about the history and culture behind each dish, this tour is for you! Food tours range from 89-109 EUR.

  For more information on other cities in France, check out these guides:

Paris Travel Costs

Hostel prices – A bed in a dorm ranges from 40-75 EUR per night, depending on location and how popular the hostel is. Double private rooms start at 97 EUR per night, but are more often in the range of 155-200 EUR. Free Wi-Fi is standard and most hostels also have self-catering facilities. Expect prices to be on the higher end during the summer travel season.

Budget hotel prices – Budget two-star hotels start around 120 EUR per night for a room with a double bed. You’ll get normal basic hotel amenities like free Wi-Fi, TV, coffee/tea maker, and occasionally free breakfast. For a more mid-range three-star hotel, expect to pay at least 150-180 EUR per night. Expect prices to rise in the summer.

On Airbnb, the private rooms start at 65 EUR, while full apartments start at 150 EUR per night (but usually cost at least double that if you don’t book early). Prices will be double this in the summer.

Food – Food in France has a long history and is intricately intertwined with the culture. Fresh bread (especially baguettes), tasty local cheeses, and plentiful wine may be stereotypical staples of the cuisine, but they really are some of the must-eat foods in the country. Be sure to try croque monsieur (a hot ham and cheese sandwich), pot-au-feu (beef stew), steak frites (steak and fries), and if you’re real adventurous you can sample traditional delicacies like frog legs, escargot (snails) or foie gras (a fattened duck or goose liver).

If you’re on a budget, pick up some ingredients at the local market and have a picnic in one of the city’s many parks. Creating your own meal costs around 7-10 EUR and is a fun way to take in the city as you relax.

Pre-made sandwiches from the city’s takeaway shops, crepes, or fast food generally cost between 6-12 EUR (a combo meal at McDonald’s is around 10 EUR). If you want to eat at a restaurant (the French are known for their culinary skills, after all!), try doing a “prix-fixe” meal. It’s a set menu that offers you a deal on a 2-3 course meal for about 22-35 EUR for lunch.

A cheap meal at a casual restaurant costs around 15-18 EUR, while you should expect to pay between 30-50 EUR for dinner at a nice restaurant including wine. Try to avoid the tourist areas, where prices are around about 10-30% higher.

Beer costs 6-7 EUR, a glass of wine is 4-6 EUR, and cocktails are around 10-13 EUR. A cappuccino/latte is around 4 EUR while bottled water is 2 EUR.

Some of my favorite places to eat in the city are Bouillon Pigalle, Café Marlette Martyrs, Père & Fils, Bong, Crêperie des Arts, Le Dit Vin, Five Tea Or’normes, Florence Kahn, Le Relais de l’Entrecôte, Juveniles, Clamato, Wine Therapy, and La Recyclerie, Septime La Cave, Le Barav, and L’Assiette.

For an in-depth list of tons of restaurants and bars, check out my guidebook to Paris , which goes in-depth into the city!

If you’re cooking for yourself, expect to pay about 50-60 EUR for a week’s worth of groceries. This gets you basic staples like rice, pasta, bread, seasonal produce, and some meat.

Backpacking Paris Suggested Budgets

If you’re backpacking Paris, my suggested budget is about 70 EUR per day. This budget covers staying in a hostel dorm, cooking your own meals and having picnics, taking public transit to get around, limiting your drinking, and doing most cheap or free activities like free walking tours and free museums.

A mid-range budget of about 150 EUR per day covers staying in a private Airbnb room, eating out for most of your meals at cheap fast food places, enjoying a few drinks, taking the occasional taxi to get around, and doing more paid activities like going up the Eiffel Tower and visiting the Louvre.

For a “luxury” budget of 280 EUR or more per day, you can stay in a budget hotel, eat out for all your meals, take more taxis, drink more, and do whatever tours and activities you want. This is just the ground floor for luxury though. The sky is the limit!

You can use the chart below to get an idea of how much you need to budget daily. Keep in mind these are daily averages – some days you’ll spend more, some days you’ll spend less (you might spend less every day). We just want to give you a general idea of how to make your budget. Prices are in EUR.

Paris Travel Guide: Money-Saving Tips

Since Paris is expensive to visit, it’s important to find ways to save money. Luckily, there are A LOT of ways to save money while still experiencing the city’s beauty, charm, and cuisine. If you want to lower your costs, here are some high-impact ways to save money in Paris:

• Buy a metro card – Paris has over 300 subway stations, so it’s easy to get around the city using public transportation. A day pass is 13.20 EUR while a 10-ticket pass or “carnet” costs 16.90 EUR (both of these are much cheaper than paying the 1.90 EUR for an individual ticket). The day pass, called ParisVisite, also provides discounts to some major Parisian landmarks.
• Have a picnic – With so many beautiful parks and outdoor gardens, it would be hard not to take advantage of picnicking. Eating in Paris is cheap when you do your own shopping. Buy some bread, cheese, and meat at the local shops and have an outdoor picnic. It’s fun and costs a fraction of what a meal in a restaurant would.
• Get the Paris Museum Pass – This prepaid card provides access to over 70 museums and monuments around Paris. A two-day pass costs 52 EUR, a four-day pass costs 66 EUR, and a six-day pass costs 78 EUR. This is perfect for the museum hopper. Since most people visit lots of museums in the city, you’re pretty much guaranteed to save money.
• Get the Paris Pass – This is a super-sized version of the Paris Museum Pass and is for people who want to do heavy sightseeing in a short period of time. You can purchase a two-day pass for 109 EUR, a three-day pass for 129 EUR, a four-day pass for 149 EUR, or a six-day pass for 169 EUR. It includes a TON of sights (75+ attractions), the ability to skip lines, and a hop-on, hop-off bus tour (in addition to everything in the Paris Museum Pass). You can order your pass here .
• See museums for free – All national museums offer free admission on the first Sunday of every month. If you happen to hit this day, be aware of potentially large crowds and long lines.
• Dine out during lunch – Food in Paris is not cheap. It costs you an arm and a leg to eat here, but during lunch, many restaurants offer a pre-fixe menu for 10-20 EUR. It’s the same food you would buy for dinner but at half the cost. When I eat out in Paris, I do so during lunch so I can still eat amazing French food without it eating my entire wallet!
• Cook your meals – The best way to save money on the road is to cook your own meals. Many hostels, campsites, and guest houses have kitchens. No kitchen? Pack your own container and silverware and make some sandwiches and salads on the go.
• Stay with a local – I highly recommend trying to find a host on Couchsurfing (or similar apps) so that you can get a kitchen, a place to stay, and a local friend to show you around. The community here is very active and friendly!
• Take a free walking tour – If you want to get a great overview of Paris, take a free walking tour with New Europe Tours. These 2-3 hour tours will give you a good overview of the city, help you get your bearings, and give you someone to ask for cheap eats and things to do! Just don’t forget to tip your guide at the end!
• Remember that water is free – When you order water at a restaurant, make sure you ask for tap water. They’ll try to provide bottled water and charge you for it, but tap water is free and safe to drink.
• Bring a water bottle – Since the tap water here is safe to drink you should bring a reusable water bottle to save money and reduce your plastic use. LifeStraw is my go-to brand as their bottles have built-in filters to ensure your water is always clean and safe. There are water filling stations throughout the city.

Where to Stay in Paris

Paris has lots of awesome hostels and budget hotels. Here are some of my recommended places to stay in Paris:

• St. Christopher’s Canal
• Les Piaules
• Generator Hostel
• St. Christopher’s Gare du Nord
• Hôtel Thérèse

For more hostel suggestions be sure to check out my list of the best hostels in Paris.

How to Get Around Paris

Public transportation – The Paris public transport system is one of the world’s most comprehensive and efficient. Every other block has a metro (subway) stop. A single-use metro/bus ticket costs 1.90 EUR (2 EUR if you buy it on the bus).

A “carnet” of 10 single-use tickets costs 16.90 EUR. You can get a one-day to five-day pass (a ParisVisite) for all modes of public transportation (bus, metro, trams, and suburban trains called the RER) for between 13.20-42.20 EUR. It also gives you discounts to some major Parisian landmarks. You can buy tickets at any metro station.

( Note: There are cheaper day passes available if you are under 26, as well as discounted prices on weekends and holidays, but they are only explained on the French website. If you can speak passable French and are under 26, you can ask for those reduced fares instead.)

The RER is an above-ground train that has five lines serving Paris and Ile-de-France. It works exactly like the metro and uses the same tickets, although you’ll have to use your ticket in the automatic barriers on your way out of the station as well (unlike the metro). If you have a connecting journey with the metro, you can use the same ticket.

There are 64 bus lines in Paris’s metro network. If you already have your single-use metro/bus ticket, it costs 1.90 EUR. Otherwise, you’ll have to buy a ticket on the bus for 2 EUR. Your ParisVisite pass also works on the bus.

There are four tram lines in Paris that navigate the city’s perimeter. They work on the same ticketing system as the metro, RER, and bus.

The airport RoissyBus to Paris-Charles de Gaulle (CDG) costs 12 EUR each way. The bus to Paris-Orly (ORY) costs between 9.50-12.10 EUR depending on which bus you take/where you are going in Paris.

Bike-sharing – Velib’ is Paris’s public bike-sharing program. A single trip is 3 EUR, while a one-day pass is 5 EUR and a 3-day pass is 20 EUR. If you’d like to take out an electric bike, a one-day pass is 10 EUR.

E-scooters – Electric scooters have quickly become a popular way to get around in Paris. There are a few different companies, including Lime and Tier, but most cost around the same price: around 1 EUR to unlock the scooter, .15-.20 EUR per minute thereafter.

Taxi – Taxis in the city are expensive (rides cost a minimum of 7.10 EUR regardless of where you are going). With the metro running late into the night, there’s little reason to take them. Avoid them if you can.

Uber – Uber is available in Paris but, again, it’s largely unnecessary as the public transportation is so great.

When to Go to Paris

Summer is the most popular (and most expensive) time to visit Paris. Average daily summer temperatures are in the low 20°Cs (high 70°Fs). While the weather is great, that also means the crowds are huge and wait times for major attractions are long. This is the most crowded time of year. (And, keep in mind, most French people leave during August for vacation.) If you are visiting in the summer, be sure to book your accommodation and activities in advance.

I think the best time to visit is May-early June and September-October. During these times, there are fewer crowds, prices are lower, and the weather is still sunny and warm. Temperatures are often around 20-23°C (68-73°F) making this a good season to stroll around outside without tons of layers on or the sweltering sun beating down on you.

Winter can be dark and chilly, but while the weather may not be perfect, Paris is particularly beautiful in the winter. It’s also the best time to find cheap airfare and hotel deals. Although Paris is never free from tourists, it does get less crowded at this time of year. This can be a great time to visit if you plan on spending most of your time in museums and historic sites. It’s also the rainiest during this time. Expect daily highs around 7°C (44°F).

How to Stay Safe in Paris

Paris is very safe, and the risk of violent crime is very low. That said, as in all major cities, petty theft and pickpocketing are pretty rife here, especially on crowded public transportation and in busy tourist areas. Avoid flashing your valuables and always keep your possessions secure and out of reach.

There’s a lot of tourist scams here, especially one involving people getting you to sign a petition and then demanding money. Simply avoid anyone urging you to sign a petition by politely declining their offer.

If you’re worried about getting scammed, you can read about common travel scams to avoid right here.

Solo female travelers should feel safe here, though the standard precautions occur (don’t leave your drink unattended at the bar, never walk home alone at night if intoxicated, etc.). For specific tips, I’d google solo female travel blogs as they can best give advice for Paris. To be extra safe, avoid walking around at night by yourself in certain neighborhoods, including Gare du Nord, Stalingrad, Jaures, and Les Halles.

Generally, your biggest issues in Paris will be tourist scams and petty theft.

If you experience an emergency, dial 112 for assistance.

Always trust your gut instinct. Avoid isolated areas at night and be aware of your surroundings at all times. Make copies of your personal documents, including your passport and ID.

The most important piece of advice I can offer is to purchase good travel insurance. Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past.

Paris Travel Guide: The Best Booking Resources

These are my favorite companies to use when I travel. They consistently have the best deals, offer world-class customer service and great value, and overall, are better than their competitors. They are the companies I use the most and are always the starting point in my search for travel deals.

• Skyscanner – Skyscanner is my favorite flight search engine. They search small websites and budget airlines that larger search sites tend to miss. They are hands down the number one place to start.
• Hostelworld – This is the best hostel accommodation site out there with the largest inventory, best search interface, and widest availability.
• Booking.com – The best all around booking site that constantly provides the cheapest and lowest rates. They have the widest selection of budget accommodation. In all my tests, they’ve always had the cheapest rates out of all the booking websites.
• Get Your Guide – Get Your Guide is a huge online marketplace for tours and excursions. They have tons of tour options available in cities all around the world, including everything from cooking classes, walking tours, street art lessons, and more!
• SafetyWing – Safety Wing offers convenient and affordable plans tailored to digital nomads and long-term travelers. They have cheap monthly plans, great customer service, and an easy-to-use claims process that makes it perfect for those on the road.
• LifeStraw – My go-to company for reusable water bottles with built-in filters so you can ensure your drinking water is always clean and safe.
• Unbound Merino – They make lightweight, durable, easy-to-clean travel clothing.
• Top Travel Credit Cards – Points are the best way to cut down travel expenses. Here’s my favorite point earning credit cards so you can get free travel!
• BlaBlaCar – BlaBlaCar is a ridesharing website that lets you share rides with vetted local drivers by pitching in for gas. You simply request a seat, they approve, and off you go! It’s a cheaper and more interesting way to travel than by bus or train!
• Take Walks – This walking tour company provides inside access to attractions and places you can’t get elsewhere. Their guides rock and they have some of the best and most insightful tours in all of France.

GO DEEPER: Nomadic Matt’s In-Depth Budget Guide to Paris!

While I have a lot of free tips on Paris, I also wrote an entire book that goes into great detail on everything you need to plan a trip here on a budget! You’ll get suggested itineraries, budgets, even more ways to save money, my favorite restaurants, maps, prices, practical information (i.e. phone numbers, websites, prices, safety advice, etc.), and cultural tips.

I’ll give the insider view of Paris that I got from living and running tours here! The downloadable guide can be used on your Kindle, iPad, phone, or computer so you can have it with you when you go.

Paris Travel Guide: Related Articles

Want more info? Check out all the articles I’ve written on backpacking/traveling France and continue planning your trip:

The 8 Best Hotels in Paris

How to Spend 5 Days in Paris

13 Off-the-Beaten-Path Things to See and Do in Paris

The Best Walking Tours in Paris

Life in Paris, Part 3: Nothing Lasts Forever

The 10 Best Day Trips from Paris

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• Related Blogs

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Blogger’s Travel Guide to Paris: Top Things to Do in Paris

Disclaimer: this post may contain affiliate links, which at no cost to you I may earn a small commission.

Paris Travel Guide

Paris is one of my favorite cities to explore, especially when every corner looks like a postcard! There is so much to see in Paris so I narrowed down the top things to do and see in Paris in my blogger’s travel guide to Paris.

I included my favorite restaurants and places to get cocktails as well! Whether you like history or the trendiest cafe there will be something on this list for you. Let’s get into it.

Related Paris Posts: Best Paris Instagram Spots The 9 Best Eiffel Tower Photo Spots To View The Eiffel Tower 21 Best Paris Hotels With Eiffel Tower View

Where to Stay in Paris

Hotel Le Roch

This ultra-chic designed focused hotel should be on your radar! Located just steps from the Louvre, and the trendy shopping district of Rue Saint Honoré, this hotel is in a prime central location.

You’ll also get to relax in this hotel’s indoor pool and spa after a long day of touring around Paris. Read my full review of Hotel Le Roch .

Le Narcisse Blanc

Elegant and tranquil is how I describe Le Narcisse Blanc . Located in the 7th Arrondissement in Paris, you’ll get a more local vibe with plenty of restaurants and shopping nearby.

Everything about this hotel is a 5-star experience from the staff to the luxurious rooms, and the spa. Read my full review of Le Narcisse Blanc here .

Hotel Therese

This hotel offers an elegant stay with great value! Located in the coveted 1st Arrondissement in Paris, just steps from the Louvre and the Opera Garnier, you’ll be walking distance from attractions, plenty of restaurants, and shopping.

I loved the small boutique feel this hotel had and the excellent customer service! Read my full review of Hotel Therese here .

Best Things to Do in Paris

Experience the eiffel tower.

A trip to Paris is not a trip without seeing or visiting the Eiffel Tower.

There are so many ways you can experience the Eiffel Tower. A classic way is to visit the observation deck with a guided tour to learn more about the history of the Eiffel Tower views. 

The best way to experience the Eiffel Tower is to book a skip-the-line guided tour with access to the second level. 

Eiffel Tower Direct Access Guided Tour:   Experience the Eiffel Tower with a guided tour with these skip-the-line tickets ! If you have ever been to Paris during high season- you might be waiting hours to see the incredible views. So these tickets are a huge plus.

On this direct access guided tour , you’ll learn insider information about the Eiffel Tower and Paris making this a more meaningful & memorable activity. Plus you’ll see views of Montmartre and the Louvre Museum! 

Book Eiffel Tower

Read Next: Best Eiffel Tower Photo Locations

1 Hour Seine River Boat Cruise

A great way to see Paris is going on a relaxing 1-hour Seine River Boat Cruise . This budget-friendly activity , under $20 per ticket, is perfect for those who want to see Paris from a different perspective and learn more about the scenic architecture. 

Famous sights on this boat cruise include The Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame Cathedral, and more. 

The ticket is valid for one month, so you can choose your date and time. 

Tip: Visit during sunset for dreamy hues & sparkling Eiffel Tower.

Book Seine River Cruise

Visit the Lourve Musuem 

Louvre Museum is home to art from ancient Egypt to the Renaissance, including Leonardo Di Vinci’s Mona Lisa! 

This is one of the most popular things to do in Paris, and the line can get pretty long. It’s best to book your tickets in advance to ensure entry!

Book Louvre Tickets

Musee D’Orsay

I would also check out the Musee d’Orsay which features French paintings and sculptures and is home to a stunning clock tower.

Hop on Hop Off Paris Bus Tour

Taking a bus tour is a great activity if this is one of your first visits to Paris. I took this tour on my first time to Paris and it helped me learn where everything in Paris was located & I was able to get off and explore where I wanted. 

On this tour , you visit every Paris Landmark including the Eiffel Tower, Montmartre, Notre Dame, and more.

Plus, you don’t have to depend on public transport to get around. See Paris above ground at your own pace!

Book Bus Tour

Explore Montmartre

Montmartre is one of my favorite areas in Paris because of its charm, and it’s worth an afternoon of just exploring.

Located in the 18th Arrondissement in Paris, the main attraction in the area is the Sacre Coeur .

However, be sure to walk the streets around it for hidden gems like the only wine vineyard in Paris, or the many chic cafes like  La Maison Rose and Le Consulat.

This area is also great for photography, which is why I mentioned Montmartre plenty of times in my Paris Instagram Spots post so be sure to bring your camera for charming streets and epic views of the city.

If you’d like to learn more about this neighborhood, there is a two-hour walking tour with a guide you can take for only $16 ! You can purchase tickets here .

Visit the Palais Garnier

If you don’t have time to visit Versailles just outside the city, the Palais Garnier Opera House will get your opulent fix in. Seriously, this is one of the most beautiful buildings I’ve been in.

Built in the late 1800s and made famous by the novel The Phantom of the Opera, this opera house should be on any design lovers’ itinerary. You can purchase tickets in advance for $13! 

See a Paris Cabaret Show 

Moulin Rouge: 

The most famous Cabaret in Paris is the Moulin Rouge made up of 60 artists performing the “Féerie” show. This show can be sold out months in advance, so booking an advance ticket is a great idea to ensure a seat! 

Moulin Rouge Tickets

Crazy Horse: 

Remember the Beyonce “Partition” music video? Well, the whole video was inspired and filmed in Crazy Horse Cabaret in Paris. Crazy Horse is a famous adult Parisian Cabaret. Dancers are nearly nude but it’s tastefully executed. The use of mirrors and lighting make it visually interesting, and a fun night out!

It is a truly unique and memorable activity to add to your itinerary.

Crazy Horse Caberet

Drink Wine on the Seine

Drinking Wine on the Seine is one of my favorite Parisian Activities. Yes, you can legally drink wine in the open in Paris. I wish this rule applied in the USA!

So grab a bottle of wine and a few snacks and pick a spot along the Seine. 

Shopping in Paris

What blogger’s travel guide to Paris is complete without shopping?

There are plenty of neighborhoods to shop in Paris but my favorite shops include:

• Galleries Lafayette (Store) is a chic Parisian department store. Brands span from contemporary to designer, but I also like their Galleries Lafayette Brand for more affordable accessories. Just to see the interior is worth a stop!
• Rue Saint Honoré ( street ) if you are looking for Parisian designer boutiques like Maison Goyard, Chanel, or Dior. There are also small fragrance boutiques in this area as well including my favorite  Memo Paris .
• St. Germain ( Neighborhood ) is another area to explore for shopping boutiques, cute cafes, and charming streets. City Pharma is a must-stop for beauty products in St. Germain and is  the cheapest store in Paris to stock up on your favorite French brands like Caudalie, Nuxe, La Roche Posay, and Bioderma which are half-priced compared to the USA

Where to Eat in Paris

Pink Mamma: If you could only eat at one restaurant in Paris, I’d have to say it should be Pink Mamma. Spanning over 4 floors, this gorgeous Italian Restaurant does not disappoint.

From the decor, and service, to the food, everything was perfect! Be sure to make a reservation as well in advance, especially for dinner!

Holybelly: Looking for a healthy breakfast and lunch spot that serves breakfast all day?

You’ll have to check out Holybelly where your order of scrambled eggs won’t be judged at 3 pm.

Where to get the Best Sweets in Paris

Ladurée : No trip to Paris is without a stop in Ladurée. With plenty of locations around the city, you’ll be able to satisfy your sweet tooth all day long.

Where to Have a Cocktail in Paris

Le Comptoir General:   This is how I would describe Le Comptoir General: boho chic cafe meets hipster cocktail bar separated into two large spaces with eclectic decor features.

This is a local hang-out and is worth the visit for an extensive cocktail menu, and seafood. 

Le Perchoir : This trendy rooftop bar is a true local spot. While the drinks range on the pricier side the views are worth it.

Even better if you can snag a table to capture the views. You can also spot the Eiffel Tower in the distance.

Pick a Cafe: Sometimes the best spots are just located where you need a drink.

I enjoyed sipping on wine in a cute spot “ Le Zinc ” in La Motte-Picquet.

What to Wear in Paris

Parisian style is all about minimalism. I love bringing in a bold blazer and pairing it with basic pieces like black pants, and a white tee.

Of course finish off the look with cute accessories like this coveted Gucci belt, a bright red bag, and a classic beret.

Beyond fashion, I always back these 23 travel essentials on all my trips. They make packing and traveling a breeze!

Thank you for checking out my Blogger’s Travel Guide to Paris! Please save this to your Pin Boards!

Dana Berez is a fashion and travel blogger with a focus on affordable style and outfit ideas, especially when traveling. Dana Berez has been featured on the Wall Street Journal, CNN Underscored, Apartment Therapy and more! Plus , you can also watch Dana on Youtube for fashion hauls and travel guides that has over 9 million views.

15 Comments

Lovely shots! I used to live in Paris and I visit all the time yet have never gone INSIDE the Opera. La honte! It’s going to be my first stop on my next trip 😉

Hi Natasha! I can’t believe you never been inside! I hope you get there soon- it’s so beautiful!

I loved this post! Palais Garnier is still one of my favorite places in the world! Your restaurant recommendations were amazing! I’m definitely overdue a trip to Paris!

Hi Linnea! Thank you so much for your comment. Isn’t the Palais Garnier stunning! Hope you can get back to Paris soon!

Loved it! Haven’t been to Paris for about 15 years, guess it’s time to come back. Love your photos and thanks so much for the foodie tips!

Hi Maya! Thank you for your comment- as they say “Paris is always a good idea” Hope you can get there soon!

Dana, I love your photos. Would love to know who takes them for you; it’s something I struggle with. Paris is on my list for this year, would love to go back and now I have some great spots to visit when I do.

Hi Talia! Thank you so much. My friend Alsenio takes my photos! He is such a talented photographer and I am so happy we get to travel together- although I am trying to experiment with tripod photography! Let me know if you check any of these places out!

Such a good guide, and I absolutely love the photos! It might not be the hardest place to convince me to go back to, but this certainly did the trick!

Hi Julie! I am so glad you enjoyed! I hope you get to Paris soon!

I loved Paris. You’ve shared some wonderful places to visit! I didn’t get a chance to visit Palais Garnier, but we did make it out to Versailles. Even though I couldn’t get my teens to walk any more on our final day, I did make my husband take me to the Laduree on the Champs Elysees. I couldn’t leave Paris without trying their macarons!!

Hi Amy! Thank you so much for your comment. A macaron from Laduree is a must! So glad you had the chance to try one in Paris. Make sure you get to the Palais Garnier next time on your visit.

Your photos are simply gorgeous! It makes me want to go to Paris again immediately. They’re so warm xxx Also. Nutella crepe for three euro. Yes, please.

Ah thank you! I was looking back on my Paris photos and I miss it myself! Hope we can get there soon!

Uff Nostalgia. This post brought back so many memories. Ahhhh! Missing my Paris Trip.

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A first timer’s guide to everything in Paris

Things to do in Paris Paris Travel Guide

Welcome to the ultimate Paris city guide, your passport to the City of Love! Planning a trip to Paris is an exciting endeavor, and we're here to ensure you make the most of your visit to this iconic city. In this guide, we will cover all aspects of your Parisian adventure.

Discover the top attractions and experiences, navigate through a vast array of accommodation options, learn how to effortlessly traverse the city's efficient public transportation system, and discover the best things to eat during your stay.

Whether you're planning a short getaway or an extended stay, our Paris city guide has you covered with sample itineraries and insider tips. So, grab your beret and prepare to fall in love with the magic of Paris!

4 reasons you should visit Paris

How to prepare for your trip to Paris?

Visa requirements.

Visiting Paris, France requires careful consideration of visa requirements based on your nationality and the purpose of your trip. Citizens of many countries within the European Union can enter visa-free for short stays. However, travelers from other nations typically need a Schengen visa, which permits entry into France and other Schengen Area countries. Look for specific visa requirements here .

Health insurance

Health insurance is essential when visiting Paris, France. Travelers often need coverage to access medical care during their stay. European citizens with the EHIC can receive emergency healthcare within Europe, but additional insurance is advisable. Non-European travelers should get suitable travel insurance to cover potential medical expenses and emergencies.

Best time to visit

Paris has its own in each season. Spring (April to June) brings blooming gardens and mild temperatures. Summer (July to August) is bustling with festivals and outdoor activities. Fall (September to November) boasts beautiful foliage. Winter (December to February) is magical with festive lights and fewer crowds, perfect for indoor exploration. Read more about the Best time to visit Paris .

Language French

Time zone GMT +2

Country Code +33

Socket Type C, E

Currency Euro (€)

Top things to do in Paris

Brimming with history, beauty and romance; Paris is home to over 200 museums, 2100 listed historic monuments, 1000 art galleries and 3 opera houses. A simple stroll through its charming streets will help you realise the beauty of Paris - whether its the emphatic Eiffel Tower or the beautiful Jardin des Tuileries gardens, there is something to see in every street in the city. To help you experience the best of Paris. In this guide, we will take a look at the best things do in Paris - whether you're looking at art museums, historic architecture, day trips, or just city experiences, you will find them in this list.

Unmissable landmarks in Paris

Museums in Paris

Paris is a treasure trove of art, history, and culture, and its museums are the crown jewels of this rich heritage. From the iconic Louvre, housing the enigmatic Mona Lisa, to the modern Musée d'Orsay, Paris' museums are a window into the soul of art and civilization. Explore their wonders with us.

Unmissable experiences in Paris

Paris offers a plethora of cultural experiences! From walking tours to cabaret shows, Paris is a city that keeps giving. Here are some of the top ones that you must go for.

Getting around in Paris

Paris is a beautiful city lined with shaded boulevards, historic monuments, museums, fashionable boutiques, bistros, bars and a lot more. Ideally the best way to discover Paris is on foot. But knowing that it is a large city with 20 arrondissements, one can easily depend on the elaborate public transport system of Paris to get around the city.

• Metro: The Paris Metro, an extensive and efficient subway system, is the heartbeat of the city's public transportation. It connects every corner of Paris, making exploring the city a breeze. There are 16 lines stretching over 226.9 kms in length!
• RER Train: The RER in Paris is a suburban commuter train network that extends beyond the city limits. It provides transportation to nearby suburbs, offering a convenient way to explore both Paris and its surrounding regions.
• Bus: There are 58 Bus lines in Paris that cover routes throughout the city, including areas not served by the Metro, offering you a convenient and scenic way to explore Paris and its neighborhoods.
• Cycle: With an expanding network of bike lanes, bike-sharing programs like Vélib', and scenic routes along the Seine. Paris encourages both locals and tourists to explore its charming streets on two wheels.
• Taxis: Taxis in Paris offer a convenient but relatively expensive mode of transportation. However, with efficient public transport, taxis are often reserved for special occasions or late-night journeys when other options may be limited.
• Hop-on-hop-off Buses: Hop-on-hop-off buses in Paris provide a convenient way to explore the city's top attractions at your own pace. With multiple routes and informative commentary, these double-decker buses offer flexibility for you to get off and rejoin as you please.

Places to visit near Paris

Planning a trip to France is a monumental effort; the country has amazing destinations that appeal to travelers of all kinds. Art enthusiasts, history buffs, wine connoisseurs, architecture aficionados, and culture vultures; everyone can pick and choose their favourite destinations in France. Paris is at the heart of all these experiences, and merely a day away from it are incredible destinations that offer a variety of experiences.

With grand castles, striking cathedrals, picturesque landscapes, culinary experiences, and modern theme parks, there are a lot of things to do & see on day trips from Paris. Whether you are in Paris for a couple of days or a local looking for a unique getaway.

Best neighborhoods to stay in Paris

For sightseeing, your first time, on a budget, for nightlife, for shopping, with family, where to stay in paris for sightseeing - 6th arrondissement.

Residing in the 6th or 7th Arrondissement in Paris offers unparalleled proximity to the city's most renowned landmarks and museums. This neighborhood provides you with immediate access to Eiffel Tower to the west, while the majestic Hôtel des Invalides, housing the tomb of Napoleon, stands nearby. Venture eastward, and you'll find yourself in the vicinity of artistic treasures like the Musée d'Orsay and the Louvre. Continue your journey east to discover the Sainte-Chapelle, the Notre-Dame Cathedral, and the Panthéon. Inhabitants of these arrondissements truly reside in the heart of Paris's cultural and historical tapestry.

Where to stay in Paris for first-time visitors  - 7th Arrondissement

Want an Eiffel Tower view from your window? Choose Paris's 7th arrondissement! Home to the iconic tower, this upscale residential area boasts elegant hotels, some with breathtaking Eiffel Tower views. Explore chic restaurants and bakeries in this quintessential Parisian neighborhood, making it an ideal choice for first-time visitors seeking an authentic experience.

Where to stay in Paris on a budget - Latin Quarter

Living in the Latin Quarter of Paris offers a blend of history and affordability. This neighborhood, on the Left Bank of the Seine River, is known for its bohemian charm. You can find budget-friendly accommodations, charming cafes, and affordable eateries serving classic French cuisine. With its central location, you'll have easy access to iconic sites like Notre-Dame Cathedral and the Panthéon, making it a fantastic choice for cost-conscious travelers.

Where to stay in Paris for the nightlife - South Pigalle, Latin Quarter and Le Marais

Paris offers diverse nightlife options. Marais is a trendy spot with loads of pubs and clubs. It is a major LGBTQ + nightlife hub of Paris. Latin Quarter, also known as the boozy student district, features jazz bars and multiple live music venues. South Pigalle offers cabarets, dive bars, and live music arenas where you can watch bands perform almost every night!

Where to stay in Paris if you love shopping - Champs-Élysées and Le Marais

For a quintessential shopping experience in Paris, look no further than the iconic Champs-Élysées. This renowned avenue is a shopaholic's paradise, boasting a plethora of high-end boutiques, luxury flagship stores, and department stores like Galeries Lafayette and Printemps. Wander down this tree-lined boulevard to discover the latest in fashion, perfumes, and cosmetics from renowned brands like Chanel, Louis Vuitton, and Sephora. Additionally, the historic Le Marais district offers a charming blend of boutiques, vintage shops, and trendy concept stores. Explore the cobblestone streets to uncover unique fashion finds, antique treasures, and artisanal goods.

Where to stay in Paris for a family friendly environment - Saint Germain des Prés

In the chic 6th arrondissement's Saint Germain des Prés, designer boutiques, antique shops, and iconic cafes like Café de Flore fill the streets. However, it's also family-friendly. Luxembourg Garden offers tranquility, and children's activities like a carousel and puppet theater. Parc Rives along the Seine is perfect for teens and kids with games, sports, and street art at Fluctuart gallery. Explore the neighborhood's churches, Église de Saint Germain des Prés and Église Saint Sulpice, known for its Delacroix murals and Da Vinci Code connection. Saint Germain des Prés is a stylish blend of shopping, culture, and family fun.

Hotels in Paris

• St Christopher's Inn Paris Canal
• Generator Paris
• 3 Ducks Hostel
• The People – Paris Belleville
• Oops Hostel

Mid-range Hotels

• Hotel Eiffel Segur
• Bloom House Hôtel & SPA
• Hôtel de l'Avre
• Hôtel Galileo Champs Elysées

Budget Hotels

• ibis budget Paris Porte de Montmartre
• Hôtel de la Poste
• hotelF1 Paris Porte de Châtillon
• Hotel Arc Paris Porte d'Orléans
• ibis Paris Porte d'Italie

Luxury Hotels

• SO Paris Hotel
• Hôtel Alfred Sommier
• Sofitel Paris Arc De Triomphe
• InterContinental Paris Le Grand, an IHG Hotel
• Hôtel D'Aubusson

What to eat in Paris

1. Baguette This iconic crisp bread is a staple in Paris. Perfect for sopping up sauce, it can also be had with some jam and butter for breakfast, or even with cheese. Great places to get fresh baguettes include Mahmoud M’Seddi’s bakery at Paris 14th arrondissement, and Brun Bakery in the 13th arrondissement.

2. Cheese French cheese comes in many shapes, sizes and flavors, and Parisian fromageries generally have a very broad selection. Be sure to sample Munster, Brie de Meaux, Camembert, Roquefort, and others at shops like Chez Virginie, Quatrehomme, and Fromagerie Laurent Dubois!

3. Coq Au Vin This is a bistro classic, consisting of chicken braised with red Burgundy wine, mushrooms, and lardons, seasoned with pepper, thyme, parsley, and bay leaves. Visit La Rotisserie d’Argent and La Jacobine to sample this delicious dish!

4. Crêpe This thin, flat pastry made of wheat flour, milk and eggs is a very versatile French delicacy, and can be eaten as a sweet dish or a savory galette. While Paris is famous for its many crêperies and roadside stands, some of the best places include Crêperie Mad'eo! and Krügen.

5. Croissants These scrumptious, multi-layered, buttery delights are the very essence of French bakeries and patisseries, and come with many fillings, flavours, and toppings. If you’re up for this classic French treat, visit Des Gâteaux et du Pain or Pichard, amongst many others!

6. Éclairs Technically speaking, an éclair is a pastry made of choux dough, filled with cream and topped with icing - the perfect combination of texture and flavor. Visit L’éclair de Génie and Stohrer to try some incredible éclairs.

Paris itineraries for every type of traveller

In this guide, we have created 3 itineraries that will help you plan your trip to Paris. Depending on your duration, whether it's just a day or 5 days, you can go through our guide and plan your stay accordingly. To navigate to each list, click on the markers above and it will take you to its respective page where you can take an in-depth look into the curated itineraries. And find a readymade Paris itinerary , tailored to suit all age-groups!

Top 20 Instagrammable Places in Paris

Bonus: how to save money in paris.

In comparison to its neighbouring countries, prices in Paris are on the higher side. With that being said, there are a ton of ways to save money while traveling through the city.

Try these tips and hacks to cut costs, while still enjoying the best of Paris.

1. Save on booking costs Paris sees year-round tourist influx. Plan ahead for better deals as rates surge for hotels, airlines, and attractions last-minute. Major events cause overbooking and higher prices. Avoid these peak periods unless visiting specifically for an event.

2. Save on Transportation Paris is compact and divided into districts called "Arrondissements" spiraling out from the Louvre. Staying in Arrondissements 1-9 (excluding 8) near key sights like the Louvre, Marais, Latin Quarter, Eiffel Tower, or Opera may cost more but saves on transportation expenses due to the city's walkability.

3. Save on Accomodation Save on accommodation in Paris by choosing budget-friendly options like cheap hotels and hostels. While these lodgings may offer fewer amenities, they provide a wallet-friendly way to enjoy the city's attractions without compromising on hygiene or safety, making them ideal for cost-conscious travelers.

4. Use Public Transportation Paris offers various cost-effective public transportation options. The RER train from Charles de Gaulle airport takes 25-50 minutes at around €14.50. "RoissyBus" costs approximately €11 for a 45-60 minute journey to central Paris. Taxis are pricey (€60-80+), slower, and vary by destination. For local travel, Metro and bus tickets are around €1.90 each. Consider a "carnet" (10-pack) for savings or a "Paris Visite" travel card for unlimited Metro and bus travel within the city.

5. Save on Entry Tickets Many top attractions have cost-saving options like free days, online or advance bookings, and discounts. Examples include the Louvre's free Sundays (Oct-Mar), Eiffel Tower's savings by walking to the second floor, and Musee d'Orsay's discounts near closing. For frequent cultural visits, a Museum Pass offers discounts and queue-skipping benefits.

6. Visit Free Attractions City-operated museums like Musée d’Art Moderne, Maison de Balzac, and Maison de Victor Hugo offer free admission. Many churches, parks (e.g., Jardin du Luxembourg), and the ancient Roman amphitheater (Aréne de Lutéce) are also free. For budget-friendly concerts, consult magazines like L’Officiel du Spectacle or Le Figaro's "Figaroscope" insert.

Explore Paris on a budget

Paris is more than just a city; it is a confluence of experiences and emotions. The city features on the bucket list of most travelers and is visited by more than 50 million visitors each year. Paris, unfortunately, is also one of the most expensive cities in the world, and with a multitude of experiences to participate in, a Paris trip can be exorbitant. Here is a guide to explore Paris on a budget and make the best of every Euro you spend! From making the best of public transport to choosing the right accommodation, this guide will cover everything for a fantastic budget Paris trip!

How can I get the most out of my trip to Paris?

There is no one answer to this question as everyone's idea of a perfect trip to Paris will vary. However, some tips on how to make the most of your stay in the City of Light include: doing some research ahead of time to plan your itinerary, seeking out hidden gems and local attractions, and being open to new experiences.

What are some must-see sights in Paris?

Again, this will depend on your interests, but some popular tourist attractions in Paris include the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame Cathedral, the Louvre Museum, and the Arc de Triomphe.

What are some insider tips for visiting Paris?

Some insider tips for visiting Paris include: avoiding tourist traps, learning a few key phrases in French, dressing appropriately for the weather and season, and being aware of your surroundings at all times.

What should I know before I go to Paris?

Before you visit Paris, it is helpful to brush up on some basic facts about the city. For instance, Paris is the capital of France and is located in the northern hemisphere. The city is divided into 20 arrondissements (districts), and its currency is the Euro. Additionally, Paris is known for its fashion, food, art, and history.

How can I make the most of my time in Paris?

There are a few ways to make the most of your time in Paris. First, it is important to be efficient with your time by planning your days and prioritizing the activities and attractions that you want to see. Additionally, it is helpful to be flexible and go with the flow, as this will allow you to take advantage of any spontaneous opportunities that may arise. Finally, it is important to savor your time in Paris by enjoying the little things and taking in all that the city has to offer.

All Paris Guides

Attractions

Eiffel Tower

Louvre Museum

Centre Pompidou

Notre Dame de Paris

Montparnasse Tower

Orsay Museum

Palace of Versailles

Picasso Museum

Palais Garnier

Arc De Triomphe

Disneyland Paris

Parc Asterix

Skipping the Eiffel Queue

Best Views of Eiffel Tower

Eiffel Tower Stairs vs Lifts

Secret Eiffel Tower Apartment

History of Eiffel Tower

Eiffel Tower Tours

Eiffel Tower Entrances

Dinner at Eiffel Tower

Lunch at the Eiffel Tower

Eiffel Tower Summit Tickets

Eiffel Tower At Night

Louvre Museum Guided Tours

Louvre Entrances

Louvre At Night

Must See At The Louvre

Palace of Versailles Entrances

Palace of Versailles Tours

Hall of Mirrors Versailles

Palace of Versailles – Insider Tips

Paris Opera

Paris Opera House

Paris Opera Shows

Palais Garnier Guide

Palais Garnier Seating Chart

Opera Bastille Seating Chart

Day Trips from Paris

Carcassonne

Loire Valley

Mont St. Michel

Paris Cabarets

Moulin Rouge

Paradis Latin

Crazy Horse

Paris Through the Year

Paris in January

Paris in February

Paris in March

Paris in April

Paris in May

Paris in June

Paris in July

Paris in August

Paris in September

Paris in October

Paris in November

Paris in December

Paris Itineraries

1-Day in Paris Itinerary

3-Day Paris Itinerary

5-Day Paris Itinerary

Paris Toolkit

Best Things to do in Paris

Paris Public Transportation

Paris in Summer

Paris in Winter

Romantic Things To Do In Paris

Paris Travel Tips & Hacks

Free Walking Tour Paris

Valentine’s Day in Paris

Île de la Cité

Discovering Paris on a Budget

Skipping the Attraction Queues

Paris New Year's Eve Guide

Christmas in Disneyland

Paris Tourist Map

Paris Travel Deals

Paris Experiences

Paris at Night

Paris City Pass

Paris Museum Pass

Paris Travel Card

Paris Food Tours

Paris Hop-On-Hop-Off Bus Tours

Paris Sightseeing Tours

Paris Night Tours

Seine River Cruises

Batobus Paris

ParisCityVision

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Lakshmi Menon

Born to parents bit by the wander bug, Lakshmi calls her love for travel "hereditary and habitual". Perpetually ensconced with a book in her hand and a mug of coffee in the other, she has been to over 15 countries in her 23 years of existence and is currently saving miles and money for her solo trip to Iceland. Always hustling towards the least trodden path, she has encountered some wonderful people during her escapades and if you ever meet her, she won't stop gushing about them.

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Paris itinerary: 4 Days in Paris Travel Blog

Last updated on April 27th, 2024

Paris is one of our favorite cities in Europe and we have a wonderful time here. During our trip, we visited Paris’s famous sights like the Eiffel Tower and The Louvre; explored the great Paris neighborhoods, and sampled some great French food. Paris is a city that has it all.

Paris itself can be an overwhelming city. There are so many things to do and see in Paris and you need to make sure you take advantage of all the time-saving ideas you can. The diversity of attractions can easily spend you days exploring this wonderful city. It can be very exhausting if you are rushing from one attraction to the next. So, when planning for a Paris itinerary, make sure to build in variety and spend considerable time for the sights.

In our opinion, 3 to 4 days in Paris gives you ample time to sample all the highlights of the city. We have spent considerable time in Paris and enjoy the wonderful atmosphere of the Parisian streets.

To help on your coming Paris trip, we put together this Paris itinerary to help you visit the most attractions and have the best experience possible. It included all the highlights of my 4 days in Paris when experiencing the magic of this city.

This Paris itinerary travel blog will give you some tiny ideas to plan for your trip to Paris, especially for first-time visitors. For your convenience, I’ve compiled links to hotels, tours, and other services here. You’ll be sure to get a great all-around in this amazing city. Let’s check it out.

Table of Contents

Pre-Trip Essential

When considering how many days to spend in Paris, remember that you won’t see absolutely everything the city has to offer in just one trip. Paris is huge with so many world-class attractions to visit. It’s nearly impossible to distill everything that Paris has to offer into just a few days of visiting. Make sure to have enough time to relax and soak up the Parisian atmosphere without rushing from one point to another attraction.

We recommend spending at least four days in Paris so that you can hit many of the city’s major sights and attractions. Three days should be enough if you’re just looking to see the main tourist attractions. If time is allowed, plan for a day trip outside of the city to see more of the French countryside.

In general, we recommended booking the admission ticket or skip-the-line ticket for 2-3 months in advance if you’re planning to visit the popular Louvre Museum, Musee d’Orsay, the Eiffel Tower (to the top), and Versailles before your trip. The queuing time is crazy on those famous spots. By taking advantage of Skip the Line tickets and easily accessible transit, you can explore Paris in a shorter waiting time.

Where To Stay

This is the one thing you don’t want to get wrong on your Parisian trip! From the best district to stay in Paris to the perfect kind of accommodation for you, find our best tips and some great proposals, for all budgets.

If you haven’t decided where to stay for your trip to Paris yet, check out our suggestions below:

Luxury : If you have the budget, look for a hotel with Eiffel Tower views. There is nothing like an amazing view of the Eiffel Tower to say you’rein the City of Lights! The Le Damantin Hotel & Spa is a family-owned 5-star hotel that featured fabulous Seine River and Eiffel Tower views. There are 44 rooms and suites in a luxurious mansion with featured with indoor pool, sauna, spa, and wellness center. Certain rooms come with the perfect Eiffel Tower View. Everything in the hotel in the smallest detail is perfect.

Mid-Range : Novotel Paris Les Halles , a 4-star hotel featured 285 guestrooms with comfy beds. The location was perfect to explore Paris for a short city break. It is near with metro and RER station, with a lot of restaurants and stores nearby.

Mid-Budget : Hotel Choiseul Opera is an upscale 3-star hotel that is ideally located in central Paris. The location is excellent, walking distance to the Louvre and bus/Metro stops right in front. Clean and comfortable room which made coming back to the room pleasant after a long day of walking.

More Paris accommodation? Read more on Where To Stay in Paris: The Best Areas and Hotels .

4-Days in Paris

If you’re visiting Paris for the first time, then this comprehensive Paris travel guide will tell you all you need to know to plan your trip.

Below is my travel itinerary for four days in Paris. This itinerary includes some of the recommended sights to visit in Paris. I encourage you to make it your own and tailor it to the type of experience you want to have. I hope this helps you plan your trip to Paris!

• Day 1 : Arrived in Paris. Eiffel Tower, Champ de Mars, Palais de Chaillot.
• Day 2 : Louvre Museum, Tuileries Garden, Place de La Concorde, Champs D’Elysees, Arc de Triomphe.
• Day 3 : Notre Dame, Montmartre, Place du Tertre, Sacre Coeur, Moulin Rouge.
• Day 4 : Day trip to Versailles Palace.

Apart from our own DIY Paris itinerary, we also recommended some of the walking tours covering the specific attractions. These self-guided walking tours usually last a few hours and detailed explanations of the history and hidden gems. Gets your favorite Paris walking tour from below great picks!

Day One in Paris Itinerary

Welcome to Paris! We arrived in Paris in the late morning. After settling into the hotel, we kick-started our Paris itinerary and headed to Paris’ most iconic landmark, Eiffel Tower, and visited its surroundings.

We first visited the Palais de Chaillot to have the perfect photos of the Eiffel Tower, and spend the remaining day at the Champ de Mars while waiting for our time to ascent the Eiffel Tower.

Eiffel Tower

Our Paris itinerary will start by visiting one of the city’s most iconic sights. The Eiffel Tower looms large over the city and forms an inescapable part of the cityscape. No trip to Paris would be complete without seeing this most famous landmark.

If this is your first time in Paris, make sure to experience the Iron Lady of Paris to the summit. It is far more spectacular and overwhelming you won’t be disappointed. There are three levels for visitors to visit the tower, and the second level is probably the best for viewing and picture taking. The top level’s upper platform is 276 m (906ft) above the ground – the highest observation deck accessible to the public in the European Union. Restaurants are on the first and second levels.

Getting up to Eiffel Tower is extremely popular for all travelers to Paris and it can be a difficult experience during the busy season. Visitors need to queue for hours for tickets. The best way is to head there early and book your Eiffel Tower ticket in advance if you want to go up the Eiffel tower. It takes a long time to get to the top but it will greatly reduce your waiting time if you buy your ticket in advance.

You can also close to ascend by stairs or lift to the first and second levels. The climb from one level to the next level is over 300 steps.

Eiffel Tower at night

I love the Eiffel Tower in the daytime but it is even more magical at night. We pre-booked the Eiffel Tower admission ticket before our trip to Paris. We were lucky and able to plan to access the Eiffel Tower in the evening for the best night view in Paris city .

It was truly magical and unbelievable when looking down from the tower when the city lit up at night. One of those experiences in life that you know you will remember forever. I just couldn’t take my eyes off the glittering lights. It was truly a dream to be here.

The Eiffel Tower admission prices can vary, depending on the floor and the stair or elevator access. Entrance tickets currently cost $37.27. A little expensive but the view is worth the trip!

• Opening Hours : The tower opens from 09:30 until 22:30.
• Official Website : https://www.toureiffel.paris/
• Getting there : Get off at Bir-Hakeim stop.
• Book your Skip-the-line Eiffel Tower Ticket here

Champ de Mars

When you’re visiting the Eiffel Tower, for sure you want the perfect photo with the Eiffel Tower in the background. There are two excellent options; the Champ de Mars and Palais de Chaillot. The ideal time to take a photo in front of the Eiffel Tower is in the morning or late afternoon.

Closer to the tower, the Champ de Mars is a huge park just before the Eiffel Tower which stretches to the Ecole Militaire. This 60-acre garden allows tourists to take nice full-height photos of the Eiffel Tower from here. You can also sit down on the grass and have a relaxed picnic in the garden space with Eiffel Tower as your view. A beautiful park to relax and hang out in while admiring the beauty of Paris.

Beware of street vendors come trying to sell you souvenirs, drinks, etc. They can be a bit persistent. But other than that we enjoyed the view here.

Palais de Chaillot

The Palais de Chaillot is located on Chaillot Hill, on the northwest side of the River Seine, and next to the Trocadero gardens. This palace was built for one of the International Exposition in the ’30s. Nowadays, it had been transformed and houses cultural institutions, theatre, architecture, and ethnographic museums. The building is impressive and consists of two neo-classical style architectures, separated by a terrace.

We didn’t go to the museum actually, but for the breathtaking view of the Eiffel tower. This has to be the best place to be in Paris to take photos of the Eiffel Tower . There is a wide space with people singing, and playing music in front of the Eiffel tower.

Day 2 in Paris Itinerary

When spending 3 or 4 days in Paris, you might have time for one big museum in Paris, either the Louvre Museum or Orsay Museum. We recommend the Louvre, the world’s largest art museum and a historic monument in Paris.

Start your day two in Paris with a trip to the Louvre Museum and spend your morning immersing yourself in Paris’s art scene. After a couple of hours, head northwest towards the Champs Elysees from Louvre Museum. Your walking tour is starting at the Tuileries Garden and ends at the Place de la Concorde. This walk takes you through some of the most beautiful gardens in Paris and ends in a place steeped in French history.

Louvre Museum

Firstly, make your way to Paris’s second most popular landmark, Louvre Museum (Musée du Louvre) . The Louvre, or the Louvre Museum, is an iconic museum that holds about 38,000 pieces of artwork, sculptures, paintings, and the home of the most famous Mona Lisa and other famous art pieces.

The building itself is exquisite, and of course, the general collection is spectacular. There is so much to see and you can easily spend a day or two here and still not manage to see everything. Plan your time exploring the museum and getting lost among some of the world’s highest-profile works. We recommend spending at least 3 hours at the Louvre to admire its top artworks.

LEARN MORE : How to Visit the Louvre Museum – A Ultimate Travel Guide Blog

When you’re ready to leave, take some time to explore the architecture of the Louvre itself and the pyramids in the Louvre’s courtyard. The Glass Pyramid was built by I.M. Pei and is a great compliment to the original architecture of the Louvre.

Being the largest art museum in the world, The Louvre is extremely busy and crowded. We recommend purchasing priority access tickets to Louvre Museum to avoid the long line at the entrance.

Alternatively, you can buy the Louvre Museum skip-the-line guided tour from Klook and visit the museum hassle-free. The ticket includes an English/French/Spanish speaking guide who will bring you through the important rooms and explain some of the important paintings in the Louvre.

• Opening Hours : Daily from 9:00 to 18:00. Closed on Tuesday.
• Admission Fee : €17
• Official Website : https://www.louvre.fr/en
• Getting there : The Palais Royal – Musée du Louvre station is the nearest metro stop to Museum Louvre in Paris.
• Optional :  Book Your Priority Access Tickets to Louvre Museum here

Jardin des Tuileries

After the museum visit, walk down to the Jardin des Tuileries for some fresh air. Originally commissioned by Catherine de Medici in 1564, this French-formal style garden became a public park following the French Revolution. It is strategically located between the Louvre and the Place de la Concorde.

Take a short stroll through the well-maintained Tuileries Gardens. With the Seine on one side and several fine water features and monuments to walk past, many people were gathering to enjoy the fine weather. The garden space has stayed public and is free to enter.

• Opening Hour : Daily from 7:00 to 21:00.
• Admission Fee : Free!
• Getting there : 5 minutes from Louvre Museum.

Place de La Concorde

Created between 1755 and 1775 by the architect of King Louis XV, Place de la Concorde is one of the most beautiful squares in Paris. At its center, there is a magnificent fountain with statues and a giant Egyptian-style Obelisk with a golden tip that can be seen glinting under the sun.

This impressive octagonal square is strategically located, right in the heart of Paris, between the Louvre Museum and the wonderful gardens of Tuileries and the elegant Avenue Champs Elysée.

This is a great way to walk to the Champs Elysees from the Louvre, or in opposite direction, follow your Paris itinerary. A nice little stop-gap between the Champs Elysses and the Louvre.

Paris travel tips : Place de la Concorde is the busiest square with huge traffic lines, so please be careful with pedestrians when crossing the road.

Champs Elysees

Located in the 8th arrondissement of Paris, Champs D’Elysees runs between the Place de la Concorde and the Place Charles de Gaulle, with the most famous landmark, the Arc de Triomphe at the end.

This world-famous street is the most beautiful avenue in the world. Wide streets and sidewalks are lined with trees and top-notch boutiques on both sides. There are also restaurants, cafes, cinemas, theatres, and many others along the street.

From Place de la Concorde, we took a long walk to arrive at the Champs Elysees. Alternatively, you can also jump on the Metro at Place de la Concorde and get off at George V to the main street. It is a wonderful stroll along this fantastic street for window shopping and enjoying the atmosphere.

Getting there : Get off from the metro at the Concorde stop or George V stop to the Champs Elysees.

Stop for macarons

If you don’t eat macarons in Paris, you’re missing out on one of my favorite Parisian desserts. During your stroll along the Champs Elysees, don’t forget to stop by Ladurée for a box once you reach the Arc de Triomphe.

Ladurée is known for its macarons and it has arguably the best macarons in Paris! There are multiple locations so there are no excuses for not trying it. We bought the macaron from the Ladurée on Champs de Elyse.

Arc de Triomphe

At the end of the Champs Elysees, you’ll find is the famous Arc de Triomphe . It forms a huge, but convenient traffic roundabout at one of the busiest intersections of Paris.

This incredible arch was built to commemorate Napoleon’s triumphs and honor those who sacrificed their lives during the French Revolution and the Napoleonic wars. It is a stunning monument and one of the most recognizable landmarks in Paris.

For €13, you can climb to the top where you will find a forgettable display of military memorabilia, but best of all, incredible 360-degree views of Paris city and many landmarks in all directions.

Paris Travel Tips: If you have a ticket in advance or are using the Skip-the-line ticket from Klook , you can reduce the waiting time and get into a nice security check. If you have the Paris Pass you get free entry and you can skip the line.

• Opening Hours : From 10:00 to 22:30 (October to March) and from 10:00 to 23:00 (April to September).
• Admission Fee : €13; Children under 17 are free. Skip the line and Free entry with the Paris Pass.
• Official Website : http://www.paris-arc-de-triomphe.fr/
• Getting there : Get off from the metro at Charles de Gaulle – Étoile stop.
• Optional :  Book your Skip-the-line to Arc de Triomphe here

Day 3 in Paris Itinerary

Starting at Notre Dame on your third day in Paris, take time to appreciate the intricate artwork and details of the gorgeous Cathedral. Next, spend your afternoon time in Montmartre, sit back in one of the adorable restaurants, and soak up the artistic atmosphere here. Visit the Sacre Coeur, Moulin Rouge, and explore the winding streets nearby on your trip to Montmartre.

The Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Paris (Our Lady of Paris) is one of the main tourist sights in Paris and a jewel of Gothic Architecture. The construction of Notre Dame started in the 12th century and the works ended in the 15th century. As a big literature and Disney geek, Notre Dame has become the most famous gothic cathedral in the world and attracts 13 million visitors every year!

From the metro station Cité, walk to Notre Dame Cathedral.

Note : Notre Dame was seriously damaged during a terrible fire last April 2019 and left the whole world in breathless mode. Due to the tragic fire, some parts like the roof and the spire were destroyed forever and restoration work is in progress. You can no longer go up, but you can still admire Our Lady of Paris from the outside. Notre Dame will be closed to tourists and reopen in 2024.

Next, headed to the Montmartre located in the 18th Arrondissement for some fresh air and to wander around the iconic neighborhood. Perched on the top of a small hill, Montmartre is where one could catch a glimpse of the city in full view. It is full of charm with its cobbled streets, stunning Basilica, artists, and bistros.

Walking to Montmartre was a great experience and as you ascend the cobble-stoned streets offer lovely vistas back towards the city and cute little houses along the way. This famous district still has a great village atmosphere, which is what attracted so many artists in the 19th and 20th centuries.

There are also some best cafes and restaurants in the area, so be sure not to miss them. We had our leisure late lunch at Le Poulbot and truly enjoyed the classical French food. After lunch, we stroll around and admire all the artists who display their works daily. Next, we made our way to Sacre Coeur, one of the must-visit in Montmartre.

Related Read : Montmartre Travel Guide Blog – How to Plan the Your Itinerary

Place du Tertre

The Place du Tertre (Little Hill) is a charming square a few streets away from Montmartre’s Basilica of the Sacré Cœur.

Since over 200 years ago local artists have been attracted to come here to live, paint, and sell their works – among them Picasso and Renoir. That tradition survives, although the area has become more touristic than bohemian. You’ll still see many local artists setting up their easels, selling their canvases, and offering portrait sessions.

There is also plenty of open-air restaurant seating and an overall festive small-town feel.

Sacré-Coeur Basilica

The crowning glory of Montmartre is the Basilica of the Sacré-Coeur . Take the funicular railway or walk up the hill to reach the Sacre Coeur. The Basilica is located at the peak of Montmartre, the highest point in the city. It is a huge Catholic cathedral with a large dome which you can walk up to get a panoramic view of Paris.

The Basilica is free to enter with no booking required. The interior is just stunning and mesmerizing. Take a silent stroll through the church and admire the stained glass windows.

If you are looking for an even higher view you can climb up the 300 steps to the top of the Dome for a small fee for this. The great dome of the Basilica is the second observation point of Paris after the Eiffel Tower. It is impressive to see the building and the view from the top is fabulous.

Paris Travel Tips : Beware of pickpockets and groups of street vendors in Montmartre, especially around the Sacré Coeur. An anti-theft backpack or an anti-theft crossbody bag is always a good idea in Montmartre.

• Opening Hours : The basilica is open daily from 6:30 to 22:30. While access to the dome is varying and it is open from 10:30 to 22:30 (June to September) and 10:30 to 17:30 (November to May).
• Admission Fee : Free for the Basilica but it requires a fee to access the Dome.
• Official Website : http://www.sacre-coeur-montmartre.com/

Moulin Rouge

When you tire of the crowds on this picturesque hill, take a short stroll to the Moulin Rouge . It is located right in Montmartre at the bottom of the hill from Sacre Coeur.

Moulin Rouge is the birthplace of the modern can-can dance and is known for its world-class cabaret performances. Tickets start at around €99 per person if you want to see a show. The performance is extremely popular and it is always full. You may want to book your tickets well in advance – Click here to buy your tickets to the Moulin Rouge if you are interested.

Day 4: Day trip to Versailles Palace

After three days of exploring Paris, we recommend taking a day trip out of the city to see a little bit more of what the French countryside has to offer. We propose to visit the Palace of Versailles and its Gardens , located only 40 minutes from Paris by train. It is a short day trip from Paris and is very easy to access via public transport.

Versailles Palace is the home to King Louis XVI and Marie-Antoinette. It is a splendid baroque palace surrounded by the stunning French-style Versailles Gardens. Make sure you don’t miss the King’s state and private apartments, the Hall of Mirrors, and the Gallery of the Great Battles, in addition to the Trianon Palace and the Queen’s Hamlet.

As with many major attractions in Paris, it’s best to book tickets in advance to avoid the queues and arrive early if you plan to visit in the high season. The Versailles Skip-the-line Ticket is a great option to visit this luxury palace and is highly recommended. ( Get the Palace Ticket with Skip-the-line Option from Klook )

• Opening Hours : Palace is open at 9:00 daily and closed Monday. The gardens and the park are open every day and are free to visit.
• Admission Fee : €20 for the palace, gardens, and the Trianon.
• Official Website : https://www.chateauversailles.fr/

Paris Travel Tips : The easiest way to get to Versailles is on the RER C from central Paris to Versailles Château station. Trains run every 15 minutes, starting from 5:30 am. We recommended going there early to beat the crowd. One way tickets cost €3.65 and you can buy the ticket at the station you’re leaving from. The travel journey took around 45-minute for each way.

Read More : Day Trip to Versailles Palace: A Travel Guide Blog

More Travel Tips for Your Paris itinerary

Get the Paris City Pass or The Paris Museum Pass . Both of these allow you to skip the line at the Louvre. But note that you will still have to wait in the security line but this is often much shorter.

Many shops and convenience stores are closed on Sundays so check hours in advance. Similarly, most museums and places are closed Mondays or Tuesdays. Always check their official website for the most up-to-date information.

Paris has a vast and reliable public transportation network consisting of a subway system (Metro), regional trains (RER), and buses. The Paris Metro is affordable and easy to navigate. You can buy individual tickets, packs of ten, unlimited use day tickets (Paris Ticket Mobilis), or an unlimited multi-day Pass (Paris Visite Pass). Paris is easy to get around so don’t stress too much about choosing a hotel near your favorite monument or museum.

Visiting romantic Paris with the Big Bus Hop-On Hop-Off Tours (Open-Top) – Make sightseeing in Paris with a Big Bus tour Paris by the hop-on-hop-off access at any stop along the route, and soak in the views from an open-top, double-decker bus. The bus stop at popular tourist sites and many buses to pick u up. Besides, Klook offers discounts with big saving on the ticket. Check the Big Bus Hop-On Hop-Off Tours here .

Don’t spend money on bottled water in restaurants and tap water is safe to drink. So fill in the water in your accommodation and carry it with you.

Overview: Visiting Paris for 4 Days

All in all, Paris is a hugely popular tourist destination. Four days in Paris was the perfect amount of time to see many of Paris’ top sights, while still leaving plenty of things to do on a future visit. It’s so uniquely beautiful and perhaps the closest many of us will get to a real-life fairy tale. I hope another trip to Paris is in my future because I’d love to get to know the city on a deeper level.

Lastly, I hope this Paris itinerary offers plenty of suggestions to help you plan your trip. If you have any questions about this Paris itinerary, then feel free to let us know by emailing us and we are ready to help. Thanks for reading and have an amazing time in Paris!

More detail Paris Travel Guide Blog at the attractions :

A Day With Louvre Museum: Ultimate Travel Guide Blog

Day trip to versailles palace: a travel guide blog, where to stay in paris: the best areas and hotels.

Related Paris Food Travel Blog :

Paris Food Guide: What and Where to Eat in Paris

• Bouillon Chartier: Best Paris Restaurant for Affordable French Cuisine .
• Le Poulbot Montmartre: Adorable and Authentic Restaurant in Paris .

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Spotlight on Paris

About this tour.

Be filled with joie de vivre as you soak in the romance and unparalleled charm of Paris. Savor dinner at the Eiffel Tower featuring wonderful French cuisine and breathtaking views of Paris. Choose how you explore the neighborhood of Montmartre – at the Musée de Montmartre or the Sacré-Coeur Basilica. Explore priceless treasures in the Louvre Museum. Learn about the history, architecture and gardens of Versailles, one of the world’s most opulent royal palaces. Enjoy ample free time to discover Paris independently. Glide down the Seine on a romantic river cruise. Revel in the allure of the city and take in its spectacular sights, history, architecture, art, and cuisine.

Your Tour Includes

• 2 Handpicked Accommodations
• 2 Choice on Tour Options

Included Highlights

• Champs-Elysees
• Arc de Triomphe
• Eiffel Tower Dinner
• Louvre Museum

Your Tour at a Glance

5 Breakfasts

4 - Very Active

Travel Style

Customize your tour.

Optional Excursions

Starting at $40.00

Activity Level

• Level This Tour

For specific details about this tour's activity level and other info to know before you book your trip, click here.

Extension Style

Travel styles, highlights and inclusions.

Must-See Inclusions:

Explore the treasures of the Louvre Museum with a museum expert.

Feel like a royal when you tour the Palace of Versailles and its gardens with a local insider.

• Take a walk down to the Ile de la Cité to snap a picture of the façade of the awe-inspiring Notre Dame.

Cultural Experiences:

Navigate Paris like a local by riding the metro to destinations.

Feel like a true Parisian when you discover the beloved neighborhood of Montmartre.

Explore the Le Marais neighborhood’s winding streets, gorgeous old mansions, and oldest planned square in Paris.

Culinary Inclusions:

Enjoy an exclusive dinner at the Eiffel Tower with unparalleled views of the “City of Light.”

Feel the hustle and bustle of the city with your personal foodie guide and sample French delicacies on a walking food tour.

Admire the city skyline as you float down the Seine on a relaxing dinner cruise.

• Place des Vosges
• Parisian Food Tour
• Versailles Palace & Gardens
• Choice on Tour
• Seine River Dinner Cruise

Book with Confidence

* With Insurance Purchased

• *No Hassle Refunds
• Traveling Well Safety
• No booking fee, *no change fees
• Top Rated Travel Protection

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Getting Prepared

Know before you go, travel tips, enhance your tour.

Pre and Post Tour Extensions

• Choice On Tour

Unique Experience

Cultural Experiences

Enhance Your Trip

• Tour Extensions

While in Paris you will have the choice between two activities. First, you can choose to visit the awe-inspiring Sacré-Coeur Basilica, the second highest point of the city after the Eiffel Tower, and enjoy free time to explore the area. Or, you can choose to Learn about the neighborhood’s famous artists and writers at the Musée de Montmartre, a historic 17th century house that gives you a glimpse into the artistic side of town

Prolong your stay in the French capital with a 2-night hosted post extension. Step back in time during a locally guided walking tour centered on the French Revolution, enjoy a full day at leisure to explore Paris as you please, indulge in the local cuisine during an included dinner at a local Brasserie and slide into the backseat of a vintage retro car to cruise along chic boulevards peering up at the Eiffel Tower and Arc de Triomphe from the car’s open roof.

• Paris - Extension Begins
• This morning, step back in time during a walking tour centered on the French Revolution. Your expert guide evokes the shadows of Marie Antoinette and Robespierre as you journey back to the tumultuous years of 1789-1799. Visit landmarks such as Place de la Bastille (where the infamous prison once stood) and Place de la Concorde where the revolutionary government erected a guillotine in the square (and where King Louis XVI was executed on 21 January 1793). The afternoon is yours to explore more of the French capital independently. Perhaps you’ll stroll through the Beaubourg neighborhood and take in the whimsical moving fountain of the Centre Pompidou for Contemporary Art. Dedicated to the former French President Georges Pompidou, this building represents the first major example of 'inside-out' architecture with its structural, mechanical and circulation systems exposed on the exterior of the building. Today this eclectic building synthetizes the blend of tradition and innovation that distinguishes Paris.
• The day is yours to explore more of the French capital on your own. Perhaps you’ll wander over to the Left Bank of the Seine River and plunge into the bohemian atmosphere of the Saint-Germain-des-Prés neighborhood and the Latin Quarter. Or visit one of the city’s iconic museums, such as the highly acclaimed Musée D’Orsay. The former railroad station now houses some of the world’s best impressionist art. This evening, celebrate the end of your extended stay in Paris with dinner in a local brasserie* before sliding into the backseat of a vintage retro car, cruising through the chic boulevards and peering up at the Eiffel Tower and Arc de Triomphe from the car’s open roof.
• Paris - Depart for Home
• Wish France adieu as you return home.

Live the Parisian life in style as you join your Tour Manager on a captivating excursion to the Opera District. Take advantage of an immersive experience with Parisian luxury and peruse famous name brand stores to embrace the glam of haute couture fashion. Pass by the stunning opera house of Palais Garnier before getting a glimpse into the history of perfume making at Fragonard Museum. Indulge your senses and scan the ancient artisan bottles, learning about the art of creating the perfect scent. A specialist will help you choose your own cologne, providing an irreplaceable souvenir from your Parisian getaway. Continue on to the famous Galeries Lafayette – a well-known French department store that features a mesmerizing stained glass dome. You might even be able to get a closer look at the dome on the glass skywalk, which reaches out directly below the center of the dome. Cap off the adventure with a trip to the rooftop to admire the city from above. With a drink in hand, marvel at the breathtaking views of the Opera House & Eiffel tower. Enjoy free time to explore the neighborhood and shop before heading back to the hotel by metro.

Join us for a spectacular evening in one of Paris’s most beloved institutions, the famous Paradis Latin. Situated in a building associated with Napoleon and rebuilt by Gustav Eiffel himself, the Paradis has been running here since 1889. Enjoy a sumptuous dinner with wine, then bring on the champagne and let the show commence!

Take a walk down to the Ile de la Cité to snap a picture of the façade of the awe-inspiring Notre Dame.

Accommodations

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Ruth Reichl's 'The Paris Novel' is a coming-of-age story set in 1980s Paris

Scott Simon

Food writer and editor Ruth Reichl's new book, "The Paris Novel," is a coming-of age story full of the author's favorite things: Art, fashion, literature, 1980s Paris, and - of course - oysters.

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