Paris Travel Guide

Some facts about Paris

France isn't the only thing Paris is the capital of. The city is a world leader in arts, food and fashion and is home to some of the most famous sights, streets and monuments in the world. The Eiffel Tower is the most-visited monument with an entrance fee in the world.

Paris is renowned for its café culture, with historic and charming cafés lining its streets. Café de Flore and Les Deux Magots are among the most famous, which were favourites of intellectuals and artists like Jean-Paul Sartre, Simone de Beauvoir and Pablo Picasso. Elsewhere you'll find everything from Michelin-starred restaurants to €12 three-course meals in the Latin Quarter.

The French capital is the birthplace of haute couture. Designers like Coco Chanel, Christian Dior, and Yves Saint Laurent have significantly influenced global fashion trends, making Paris synonymous with luxury and style. The arts scene in Paris is just as influential – the iconic Louvre is the world's largest art museum and houses perhaps the most famous painting in the world, the Mona Lisa.

Practical Info

Culture and etiquette

Religion

Christianity is the largest religion in France, while a lot of people aren't religious at all.

Tipping

Do you need tip in Paris? Tipping in France is not generally expected, and most restaurants will add a service charge to the bill anyway. By all means tip if you think the service has been exceptional, but don't feel compelled to do so. Similarly, tipping after a taxi journey isn't expected either, although we would generally round up the fare to the nearest euro.

Smoking

Smoking is banned in all indoor public spaces including restaurants, bars and public transport.

Language 101

The official language is French. English is spoken at most tourist attractions and restaurants, but Parisians really appreciate it if you learn a few key words and phrases to help immerse yourself in the culture and authentically enjoy all the things to do in Paris.

Hello (informal) – Bonjour

Goodbye – Au revoir

How are you? – Ça va?

Yes – Oui

No – Non

What's your name? – Comment t'appelles tu?

My name is – Je m'appelle

Please – S'il vous plaît

Thank you – Merci

How much is it? – C'est combien?

Where is? – Où est?

Numbers:

• One – Une
• Two – Deux
• Three – Trois
• Four – Quatre
• Five – Cinq

Jabs, visas and other advice

For up-to-date advice on jabs, visas and other foreign advice, we recommend following the government's website.

Emergency numbers

For any emergency you can call 112. Or call 17 for police, 15 for ambulance and 18 for the fire brigade.

What's the weather like in Paris?

In Paris you can expect fairly warm summers, cold winters and the odd shower throughout the year.

Spring is mild and pleasant, with temperatures gradually rising from around 8°C in March to 15°C in May. Rain isn't uncommon, but the city enjoys plenty of sunny days which makes it a popular time for visitors.

Parisian summers are warm, with average temperatures ranging from 17°C to 25°C. Occasionally, heatwaves can push temperatures above 30°C, with July being the sunniest month, but summer can also bring short, heavy showers.

Autumn sees a gradual cooling, with temperatures dropping from around 16°C in September to 8°C in November. Expect a mix of sunny days and rainy spells. The autumn foliage adds a beautiful touch to the city's parks and streets.

Winters in Paris are cold but not severe, averaging between 3°C and 6°C. Snow is rare but possible, but rain is very common. Despite the chill, winter in Paris can be quite charming, especially with all the festive decorations and lights everywhere.

When's the best time to visit Paris?

There's never a bad time to visit Paris. But depending on what you're after, each season offers a unique experience for tourists.

Summer is when Paris is at its warmest and is the ideal time to partake in the city's famed café culture and pretend you're a celebrity. The cafés are as good as anywhere in the world, but equally rewarding is kicking back on the banks of the Seine River or one of many excellent parks like Jardin des Tuileries and Jardin du Luxembourg. Bear in mind that this is an expensive and busy time to visit, and some places close in August as locals head to the coast or countryside.

At the other end of the spectrum winter is the cheapest and quietest time to visit. Sure it'll be cold and a little bit rainy, but it's a great time to explore the city's famous museums, galleries and indoor attractions like the Louvre and the Catacombs away from the crowds. The Christmas lights in December are lovely, and ice rinks pop up across the city to put you in the festive spirit. Or head to Paris in February for Valentine's Day and find out why many call it the city of love.

Arguably the shoulder seasons of spring and autumn are the best times to visit Paris for the perfect compromise between good weather, affordability and thinner crowds. Go for blooming flowers in April and May or autumn foliage in September and October – you can't go wrong either way.

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Getting to Paris

One of the great things about Paris is how easy it is to reach from the UK, and there are plenty of options available when it comes to getting there.

Flying

The quickest way to get to Paris is usually to fly. There are two major airports serving Paris – Charles de Gaulle to the northeast and the smaller Paris Orly airport to the south. You'll find routes to Paris from most major and some regional UK airports and you can expect the flight to take between 1 and 2 hours. Although this is a shorter journey as the crow flies, remember to factor in time to get through security and baggage claim.

To save yourself some hassle getting to Paris from either airport, you could book yourself an airport transfer in advance. Your driver will take you straight to your accommodation, meaning you won't have to worry about dragging your luggage around for longer than needed.

An airport transfer isn't your only option though. From Charles de Gaulle you can take Line B of the RER (Paris' wider train network), which takes about 35 minutes to reach Paris Gare du Nord. From there you'll find connections to the Metro and other public transport to whizz you about the city. From Orly airport you can connect to Line B of the RER line too, although you'll need to take the Orlyval Shuttle Service from the airport to Antony train station first.

Or you can hop on Air France's airport bus transfers. There are two lines from Charles de Gaulle into the city, one from Orly Airport and one line between the two. The buses run frequently starting from 5am until around 11.30pm, with transfer times around an hour from Charles de Gaulle and around 30 minutes from Orly.

Eurostar

It takes less time to get from London to Paris by train than London to Liverpool, clocking in at about two and a half hours on the Eurostar. Trains depart from St Pancras International, start running at around 6am and run every 60 to 90 minutes until 8pm.

You'll need your passport and ticket ready to pass through airport-style security before you can board the train. The bonus of taking the Eurostar is that you can take two bags and there are no weight restrictions to worry about!

The Eurostar pulls in at Paris Gare du Nord station, which connects the rest of the city by a reliable metro system.

Driving

You can also reach Paris easily by car. It'll take a little longer than flying or the train, but will allow you to explore other French towns and cities and the countryside on your way to Paris.

You've got two options for driving to Paris. You can cross the Channel Tunnel in 35 minutes by taking the Eurotunnel from Folkestone to Calais, and from Calais it's just over 3 hours to reach Paris. Car and passenger ferries also head to Calais from Dover, and there are plenty of other routes to choose from.

Getting around Paris

So you've dropped your bags off and with the bells of Montmatre ringing in your ears, it's time to start exploring all that Paris has to offer. Here are some of the best ways to get around the city:

Walking

As with most cities we think that the best way to get around and truly experience Paris is on foot. You'll get a proper feel for the city and it's eco-friendly too. Just bear in mind that Paris is big. Really big. A non-stop walk from the Eiffel Tower to Notre-Dame will take about an hour. Fortunately, if you're limited on time then there are lots of really good public transport options.

Public transport

If you need to get about Paris quickly, you can't go wrong with the city's extensive Metro system. The subway is split into the Metro and RER lines. Tickets will work across both so you can treat it as one big underground network. It's definitely the best way of getting around the city quickly and reliably.

The Metro has 16 lines, each with a different colour, while the five RER lines are assigned the letters A, B, C, D and E. RER and Metro trains run every day from 6am until half past midnight.

Tickets cost around €2.15, with a book of 10 costing around €17.35. There are weekly and monthly passes available, but you'll need a passport photo for them and they're really designed for commuters rather than tourists. Instead we recommend picking up a Paris Visite card.

To help navigate Paris like a pro, keep an eye out for the maps at each Metro station or make sure you have an appropriate app on your phone. CityMapper, one of our favourites, is available in Paris – it'll show which Metro lines to use, how long your journey will take and can even integrate with Uber to book you a taxi. We used it a lot during our trip and it worked perfectly.

Taxi

Taxis in Paris work just like in any other major city – you can hail one in the street or take one from a taxi rank. Official taxis are easily spotted by a light-up 'Taxi Parisien' sign on the roof, just remember that red means busy and green means the taxi is available. If a taxi does not have this and doesn't have a meter then don't use it.

The minimum charge for a taxi is about £6, making it one of the pricer options for getting about Paris. Uber and Bolt are widely available too.

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Where to stay in Paris

Le Marais

The historic architecture, trendy boutiques, and vibrant gay bars make Le Marais one of the most charming neighbourhoods in Paris. SoMa as it's known is home to the Picasso Museum, the Jewish Quarter and lots of galleries and cafés.

Saint-Germain-des-Prés

This area is famous for its intellectual and artistic history, with iconic cafés like Café de Flore and Les Deux Magots. It offers a blend of upscale shops, galleries, and historic sites like the Saint-Germain-des-Prés Church.

Latin Quarter

Close to the Sorbonne University, this lively neighbourhood is known for its student atmosphere, narrow winding streets, and historic landmarks like the Pantheon and the Luxembourg Gardens. It's a great place for affordable dining and vibrant nightlife.

Champs-Élysées

Staying near the Champs-Élysées provides easy access to iconic landmarks like the Arc de Triomphe and the luxurious shops lining the avenue. It's a central location with both historic and modern attractions nearby.

Montmartre

Perched on a hill, Montmartre offers a bohemian atmosphere with its artistic heritage, charming streets, and stunning views of the city from the Sacré-Cœur Basilica. This area is perfect for those looking to experience the artistic side of Paris.

Near the Eiffel Tower

For those who want to be close to one of Paris's most famous landmarks, staying near the Eiffel Tower offers stunning views and easy access to the Champ de Mars park, along with several museums and restaurants. We stayed in a fancy room at the Pullman Tour Eiffel, which offered perfect views of the tower from the balcony.

Opéra or Bourse

This area is ideal for shoppers, with the Galeries Lafayette and Printemps department stores nearby. It's also home to the Opéra Garnier and offers a mix of cultural attractions and upscale dining options.

Paris highlights

Eiffel Tower

No trip to Paris is complete without admiring the Eiffel Tower from every possible angle, whether that's up close from the Trocadero or all the way from Montparnasse Tower. It's arguably the most famous landmark in the world, and the views over Paris from the second floor are incredible.

Arc de Triomphe

The world's most famous arch is one of Paris' most iconic landmarks. It took 30 years to build and honours those who fought for France, and the panoramic view from the top is worth the queue. Top tip – don't even try to run across the ever-busy roundabout to reach the Arc de Triomphe in the middle, there's an underground tunnel that'll take you straight there without having to dodge traffic.

Shopping on the Champs-Élysées

Paris is home to some of the most famous fashion brands in the world, so you might want to bring a few extra euros when you're strolling down the Champs-Élysées. This famous avenue is lined with shops, theatres, and cafés and is a shopper's paradise with both high-end and mainstream brands.

Notre-Dame

Despite the fire in 2019, this Gothic masterpiece remains a symbol of Paris. Visitors can admire its stunning architecture and the intricate details of its facade. And good news – Notre-Dame reopens to the public on the 8th December 2024, making it the perfect year for a festive trip to the French capital.

The museums and galleries

There are too many world-renowned museums and galleries to name in this travel guide, the most famous of which has to be the Louvre. Home to thousands of works of art, including the Mona Lisa and the Venus de Milo, it's one of the world's largest and most visited museums that you could easily spend multiple days exploring.

There's more to see than the iconic Louvre though. Musée d'Orsay houses in a former railway station houses work from Monet, van Gogh and Degas, the unique Centre Pompidou is famous for its unique design and modern art, and Monet's water lily murals in the Orangerie are absolutely stunning.

Montmartre

Explore the artistic heart of Paris, visit the Sacré-Cœur Basilica for breathtaking views, and wander through the charming streets that once inspired artists like Picasso and Van Gogh.

Parisian food

Where to start. The culinary scene in Paris needs little introduction, and the best place to start is in a quintessential Parisian café. Café de Flore and Les Deux Magots are the best known, but anywhere you can watch the world go by with a cappuccino in hand is sure to make you feel like a local. Elsewhere there's no shortage of world-class restaurants serving authentic French cuisine, whether you're after Michelin-starred dining or great value three-course meals.

Latin Quarter

Enjoy the lively atmosphere, visit the historic Sorbonne University, and relax in the beautiful Luxembourg Gardens. The Latin Quarter is a great place to find a cheap meal that doesn't compromise on quality – we found three-course set menus on offer for just €12!

Seine River Cruise

River cruises might be a bit touristy, but there's a reason they're so popular. Going on a city break and seeing all the best sights means walking for hours on end, especially in a huge city like Paris. But by floating along the Seine, you can see most of the top sights like the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre and Notre-Dame without exhausting yourself with a huge step count.

We went for a romantic river cruise that included a delicious three-course meal and a live singer. Could life be better?

The Paris Catacombs

Venture 20 metres underground to explore the Catacombs, where the remains of over six million people are housed in a labyrinth of tunnels. The Catacombs were once used as a quarry, but when cemeteries were closed in the 18th century to prevent the risk of disease the human bones were transferred to the quarry. These bones now eerily line the walls of the Catacombs, which is one of the best places to honour the ancestors of today's Parisians.

Paris for families

Paris is as perfectly set up for a family holiday as it is for a romantic retreat. The place to start has to be Disneyland Paris – just outside the city, Disneyland is the dream destination of many a child and is easy to reach from the UK. But don't just stop there, as there's loads for kids to do in the city too.

Big museums like the Louvre and Musée d'Orsay have child-friendly tours to gets the little ones excited about art, while Europe's largest science museum – Cité des Sciences et de l'Industrie – has interactive exhibits and a dedicated children's section (Cité des Enfants) designed for hands-on learning and fun. And of course there's the Eiffel Tower, which is sure to be one of the highlights of your trip no matter your age.

The kids are sure to love the green spaces in Paris too. Jardin des Plantes makes for a great family day out and features a zoo (Ménagerie), a natural history museum and beautiful gardens. Elsewhere Jardin du Luxembourg is the most-popular spot for a picnic, while the kids will love sailing little boats in the ponds of Jardin des Tuileries.

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What to eat in Paris

Forget what you think you know about French food – it's much more than the cliches of frog legs, baguettes, cheese and fine wine. But don't worry, that's all easy to find too. For a voyage of culinary discovery and delight, we can't think of a better destination.

Food is a massive part of Parisian culture. There are more Michelin-starred restaurants here than any other European city, so regardless of your taste you're sure to find somewhere delicious to eat in Paris. We visited recently and have plenty of recommendations of the best places to eat in this foodie city.

Accessibility in Paris

The pavement in most neighbourhoods and around popular tourist sites is generally quite flat, making Paris fairly easy to navigate for people with mobility issues. The pavement in more historic areas like Sacré-Cœur Basilica and the Palace of Versailles can be uneven in places though, plus the Montmartre and Pigalle neighbourhoods are quite steep.

If you'd prefer to use public transport, buses, trams and most regional trains are accessible to wheelchair users, but we'd avoid using the metro as most stations aren't well equipped to accommodate wheelchairs. Wheelchair-accessible taxis are widely available too.

Thankfully most popular tourist attractions are fully accessible, just make sure to check with the specific attraction before you visit. Accessible hotels aren't hard to find, and both airports are easy to navigate too.

Paris for LGBTQI+ travellers

France historically has been one of the most progressive countries for LGBTQI+ rights, and Paris is very welcoming of the LGBTQI+ community.

Le Marais is the main gay district in Paris, where you'll find lots of gay bars and clubs. Big attractions like the Centre Pompidou and the Maison de Victor Hugo are here, and it's also the heart of Paris Pride, which takes place in June and is attended by hundreds of thousands every year.

Sustainable tourism in Paris

While it's a stretch to say any holiday can be 100% sustainable, it's easier to travel sustainably to Paris than most destinations from the UK thanks to the Eurostar. A Eurostar journey from London to Paris emits 96% lower emissions than travelling by plane, making it a great option to reduce your carbon footprint.

We'd recommend you do as the locals do and walk wherever you can, which is one of the best ways to explore one of the world's most beautiful cities. If you need to travel longer distances, there's no need to hire a taxi as public transport is easy to use and has much less impact on the environment. Or why rent a bike? Paris is well set up for cyclists with plenty of scenic routes along the Seine, canals and gardens that pass popular tourist spots.

When looking for somewhere to stay go for hotels with Green Key accreditation, awarded to accommodation that's committed to high environmental standards. And look out for restaurants, markets and shops that stock locally-sourced, organic produce where you can.

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Paris FAQs

Is Paris safe to visit?

Paris is generally safe, but like any major city it's important to be aware of your surroundings and watch out for pickpockets, especially in crowded areas and tourist spots.

What are some hidden gems in Paris?

Explore the covered passages like Passage des Panoramas, visit the Petite Ceinture (an abandoned railway line), or check out the Musée de la Chasse et de la Nature, a quirky museum dedicated to hunting and nature. Or head to the Paris Catacombs, an eerie ossuary hidden beneath the streets of Paris containing the bones of several million Parisians.

Where can I find the best pastries in Paris?

For classic croissants, try traditional French bakery Du Pain et des Idées, or for comically large ones pre-order a giant croissant from Philippe Conticini. For macarons head to Ladurée or Pierre Hermé, and for éclairs we'd recommend L'Éclair de Génie.

How can I find vegetarian or vegan food in Paris?

Traditional Parisian cuisine can be heavy on meat, but more and more vegetarian and vegan options have emerged in recent years. Dedicated vegetarian and vegan places include Le Potager du Marais, which offers vegan versions of classic French dishes, and Le Grenier de Notre-Dame, serving up organic vegetarian platters and vegan cassoulets.

What are some of the best day trips from Paris?

The Palace of Versailles, Claude Monet's gardens in Giverny and the Champagne region are all popular day trips from the French capital. Or for somewhere slightly off the beaten track, try the medieval town of Provins and the Château de Fontainebleau.

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