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

Compare live hotel prices and availability on the map. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

Rue de Rivoli

Angelina

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

★ 4.5

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

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.

Le Marais

L’As du Fallafel

The legendary falafel window on Rue des Rosiers – expect a queue and a gloriously overstuffed pita.

★ 4.6

Montparnasse

La Coupole

A vast 1927 Art Deco brasserie under painted pillars – oysters, lamb curry and the buzz of old Montparnasse.

★ 4.4

Odéon (6th)

La Jacobine

A hidden tearoom tucked in a quiet passage near Odéon and Saint-Germain-des-Prés. Locals come for delicious pastries and a famous Aztec hot chocolate; it doubles as a restaurant of traditional French dishes. Tip: the raspberry macaron is superb.

★ 4.6

5th Arr.

La Tour d’Argent

A storied riverside table since 1582, famed for its pressed duck and Notre-Dame views from the dining room.

★ 4.9

$$$

6th Arr.

Lapérouse

A romantic 1766 townhouse on the Seine with gilded private salons – a Paris legend, reborn for fine dining.

★ 4.5

$$$

Palais-Royal

Le Grand Véfour

An 18th-century jewel under the Palais-Royal arcades, where Napoleon and Colette dined – refined haute cuisine.

★ 4.6

$$$

Latin Quarter (5th)

Le Piano Vache

A wonderfully dark, poster-plastered student bar in the Latin Quarter, going since 1969. A convivial mix of students, young professionals and a few travellers, with free jazz manouche on Monday nights (drinks cost a little more then). Tip: don’t talk over the music.

★ 4.6

6th Arr.

Le Procope

Founded 1686 and billed as the world’s oldest café-restaurant – Voltaire’s haunt, now classic French menus.

★ 4.6

Gare de Lyon

Le Train Bleu

A gilded 1901 Belle Époque dining room inside Gare de Lyon – frescoed ceilings and grand French cuisine.

★ 4.9

$$$

Saint-Germain

Les Deux Magots

The literary café of Sartre and de Beauvoir – come for the people-watching and a classic croque-monsieur.

★ 4.9

8th Arr.

Maxim’s

The Art Nouveau icon off Place de la Concorde – Belle Époque opulence and a legendary dinner-and-show legacy.

★ 4.7

$$$

Before you go

Things we recommend sorting before any trip. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

Travel medical insuranceSafetyWing's Nomad Insurance works like a subscription: pay by the month, cover in most countries worldwide, and you can sign up even after your trip has started.Check prices on SafetyWing

Data the moment you landAn Airalo eSIM gets your phone online in 200+ destinations before you even leave the airport - no SIM swap, no surprise roaming bill. Use code UNLIMITED4YOU for 15% off your first Unlimited eSIM (through Sept 30, 2026).Get an eSIM on Airalo

Book your trip to Paris

Find the best hotels and book tours and experiences, all in one place.

Find hotels in Paris Book tours and experiences

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.