Paris

Romance, art & café culture

The City of Light rewards slow wandering. Grand boulevards, hidden courtyards, world-defining art and a café on every corner – Paris is as much about lingering as it is about landmarks. These are the picks that go beyond the postcards.

Good to know

arrondissements spiralling out from the centre like a snail’s shell

~130

museums and monuments, from the Louvre to tiny ateliers

+15cm

the Eiffel Tower grows taller in summer as its iron expands

the Louvre is the most-visited museum on Earth

Local tips

Book museum and monument tickets online in advance – the queues are real.
A Paris Museum Pass covers 50+ sites and skips most ticket lines.
Buy a Navigo Easy card or a carnet for the metro rather than single tickets.
A friendly “Bonjour” when you enter a shop or café goes a long way.

Browse Paris

Paris at a glance

Ideal stay: 2 to 3 days
Best time to visit: spring and autumn
Highlights: Arc de Triomphe Rooftop and Sainte-Chapelle
Where to stay: Canal Saint-Martin and Bastille (11th)
Local picks: 97 hand-chosen recommendations
Getting around: walkable, plus easy public transport

Local tips for Paris

Stories and neighbourhood know-how from our local guides.

Local tipsWhere to Stay in Paris: Best Arrondissements for First-TimersWhere to stay in Paris? A local guide to the best arrondissements for first-timers, from Le Marais and Saint-Germain to…

Local tipsHow Many Days Do You Need in Paris? A Local’s GuideHow many days do you need in Paris? A local guide to the ideal trip length, what to do in…

Where to stay in Paris

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Rue de Rivoli

Angelina

The 1903 tea house famous for its thick ‘African’ hot chocolate and Mont-Blanc pastry near the Tuileries.

★ 4.5

Champs-Élysées

Arc de Triomphe Rooftop

Climb 284 steps atop the Place de l’Étoile for a 360° view straight down the Champs-Élysées.

★ 4.7

Eiffel Tower

Bateaux Parisiens 3-Course Dinner Cruise

A candlelit three-course French dinner with live music as the floodlit monuments drift past the glass-roofed boat.

★ 4.9

$$$

Pont de l'Alma

Bateaux-Mouches Evening Lights Cruise

The original Paris river boat after dark, when the bridges and the Eiffel Tower’s sparkle reflect off the Seine.

★ 4.6

Citywide

Big Bus Hop-On Hop-Off Tour

Open-top double-decker looping every major sight with audio commentary – hop off at the Champs-Élysées, Louvre or Eiffel at will.

★ 4.8

Grands Boulevards

Bouillon Chartier

A roaring 1896 dining hall serving French classics at startlingly low prices – no reservations, shared tables.

★ 4.7

Latin Quarter

Bouillon Racine

A jaw-dropping 1906 Art Nouveau interior serving affordable bistro fare – the prettiest cheap meal in Paris.

★ 4.5

Saint-Germain

Brasserie Lipp

A 1880 Alsatian brasserie with mirrored walls and a political-literary crowd – choucroute and steak tartare.

★ 4.9

Saint-Germain

Café de Flore

The Art Deco rival next door, a Left Bank institution since the 1880s – terrace coffee and omelettes.

★ 4.9

10th Arr.

Canal Saint-Martin

Iron footbridges, plane trees and a young, café-lined waterway – picnic spot of choice for locals. Free.

★ 4.5

Montparnasse

Catacombs of Paris

Twenty metres underground, an ossuary of millions lines the old quarry tunnels. Timed entry essential.

★ 4.9

Bastille (11th)

Chez Paul

A classic French bistro near Bastille with a simple recipe: quality produce, generous servings and good wine in a relaxed, elbow-to-elbow room. Ask for a Patxaran digestif and save room for the profiteroles.

★ 4.5

Canal Saint-Martin

Chez Prune

The quintessential Canal Saint-Martin cafe-bar, a boho institution where Parisians spill onto the canal-side terrace for coffee, wine and people-watching from morning to late. Order a plate of cheese and settle in.

Bastille

Color Design Hotel

Vibrant, well-priced 3-star on a quiet street near Opéra Bastille and Gare de Lyon.

★ 4.9

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Paris travel FAQ

How many days do you need in Paris?

Two to three days is enough to enjoy the highlights of Paris at a relaxed pace. See our Paris itinerary guide for a day-by-day plan.

Where is the best area to stay in Paris?

Stay central and walkable to the main sights for a first visit. Our where to stay in Paris guide breaks down the best neighbourhoods.

What are the best things to do in Paris?

Browse the local picks above, from top sights and museums to where to eat and stay.

What is the best time to visit Paris?

Spring and autumn usually bring the most comfortable weather and thinner crowds, though Paris is worth visiting year-round.