Travel Guide to Paris

As you wander the streets of Paris, you might find yourself strolling the Montmartre hills in quest of the ideal crepe location or meandering through Belleville, a Chinese enclave dotted with stylish, young Parisians and ornate murals. You might be taking in an all-too-early Verre du wine at a café in Saint-Germain-des-Prés or exploring the Latin Quarter across the Seine. It doesn’t take much to become completely engrossed in this unique metropolis.

Take a time to browse through our Paris travel guide, where we highlight our favorite local hangouts, must-do activities, and top accommodations, to make sure you don’t miss anything.

GMT+1, Central European Standard Time

Ideal Time to Visit

A trip to Paris in the spring or summer is unbeatable when the city is bustling with activity, the weather is pleasant, and everyone is enjoying themselves. A trip in August, when most Parisians are on vacation, is hard to beat if you want to avoid the crowds, but be ready for some restaurant and store closures. All you need is a few more layers to make Paris shine, even in the winter when the skies are often gloomy and the temperatures are low.

Currency: Euro Information (Check the current exchange rate)

Language: French

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Code for Calling: +33

Capital of France: Paris

How to Move Around Trains:

Taking the train is the simplest (and frequently fastest) method to get around the city. All across the city, there are metro and RER train stops for Paris, with one-way fares costing about $2. Passes for one day or more start at $14.

Buses: The Paris bus system provides a fantastic above-ground alternative to the city’s train system. Metro stations that are farther apart are frequently connected via this service, which costs about $2 for one trip.

Address: 112 Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré, 75008 Paris, France

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Rita Hayworth, Jojo Baker, Charlie Chaplin, Rosie Huntington-Whitely, Carla Bruni, and Dita Von Teese have all stayed at Le Bristol, which is the first hotel in France to be given the “Palace” classification. The furnishings of the hotel, which have been masterfully renovated and blend Louis XVI sophistication with soft hues and basic lines, are in keeping with its long and illustrious history. Visit the hotel’s three Michelin-starred Epicure restaurant, which is led by four-star Michelin chef Eric Frechon, for a taste of authentic French cuisine.

Taxis: Paris offers a number of cab firms, but G7 is a wonderful choice because it accepts credit cards and has a dedicated app. Paris also has an Uber presence.

Top Hotels

Hôtel de Crillon

Address: 10 Place de la Concorde, 75008 Paris, France

With a location at Place de la Concorde, simple access to the Champs-Élysées, and breathtaking views of the Eiffel Tower, the Hôtel de Crillon appears to have it all. An extensive spa, glitzy restaurants, and chic shops can all be found inside the historic hotel, which exudes a timeless and unapologetically exquisite vibe.

  Place de la Concorde

Address: Paris, France, 75008

With a location at Place de la Concorde, simple access to the Champs-Élysées, and breathtaking views of the Eiffel Tower, the Hôtel de Crillon appears to have it all. An extensive spa, glitzy restaurants, and chic shops can all be found inside the historic hotel, which exudes a timeless and unapologetically exquisite vibe.

Hôtel Bourg Tibourg

Contact information: 19 Rue du Bourg Tibourg, 75004 Paris, France

There is no better spot to sleep than Hôtel Bourg Tibourg if you want to travel back in time. The decor has a rich, sumptuous vibe that is both homey and magnificent. In fact, don’t be surprised if you end yourself staying way too long at the hotel bar while pretending to be an aging movie star hiding out in Paris.

Hôtel 9Confidentiel

Address : 58 Rue du Roi de Sicile, 75004 Paris, France

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The opulent and international Hôtel 9Confidentiel is located in the center of the Marais district, surrounded by art galleries, boutiques, and cafes. The hotel’s upscale yet warm atmosphere is only enhanced by the variety of services it offers, including a daily breakfast buffet, in-room spa treatments, and a delightfully private tea room with a tree-lined patio.

The Hoxton

Address: 30-32 Rue du Sentier, 75002 Paris, France

Younger generations are sure to be drawn to the hip and trendy The Hoxton in Paris, but just because every nook and cranny of the hotel seems to be made for Instagram doesn’t imply it lacks substance or history. The hotel was actually housed in an opulent 18th-century mansion that still had its original marble mosaic flooring and staircases. The Hoxton boasts three bars and restaurants in addition to rooms that exude Parisian elegance. Its location puts Le Marais, Jardin des Tuileries, and the Louvre within easy walking distance of the hotel as well.

Grand Pigalle Hotel

Address: 29 Rue Victor Massé, 75009 Paris, France

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Located in a Haussmann-style building in a district popular with artists and night owls is this fabulously cool boutique hotel. Grand Pigalle Hôtel, a building that builds on its historic roots with a retro flair and offers a stylish, welcoming atmosphere, captures the young, carefree spirit of the neighborhood. In the evening, stop by the Frenchie Pigalle, a chic restaurant and bar, for a drink and an appetizer.

75007 Paris, France Address: Champ de Mars, 5 Avenue Anatole France Phone: +33 892 70 12 39

Things to Do

 Eiffel Tower

The Eiffel Tower is a universal symbol of Paris and, in our opinion, one of the top attractions to see when visiting the city. You can see the entire city from the tower’s summit, and if you go at night, the entire structure is lit up with blinking lights. Magic.

Musée d’Orsay

Website Address: 1 Rue de la Légion d’Honneur, 75007 Paris, France

There are more than 100 museums in Paris, but the Musée d’Orsay, which is situated in a former train station with spectacular Beaux-Arts architecture, is unquestionably the most beautiful. On show within are a wide variety of paintings, sculptures, and photographs, including well-known pieces by Claude Monet and Vincent van Gough. The emphasis is on French art.

Le Bon Marché Rive Gauche

This retail complex was established in 1838, making it one of the city’s very first examples of a contemporary department store, hinting at the structure’s stunning architecture. The interior of this authentic department store in the Parisian style is crammed with creations from companies like Celine, Burberry, Balenciaga, and Dior.

Address: 24 Rue de Sèvres, 75007 Paris, France

Catacombs of Paris

There is a maze of tunnels and caverns beneath Paris’s picturesque city streets, some of which contain the remains of millions of the city’s residents whose bodies were long ago buried there. While not for everyone, there is something incredibly thrilling about going down to the quarries below over 65 feet (or five storeys).

Address: 1 Avenue du Colonel Henri Rol-Tanguy, 75014 Paris, France

Neighborhoods to Know

Third arrondissement of Le Marais:  Le Marais is challenging to surpass. It is conveniently placed and offers a wide variety of shops, galleries, and cafés, as well as delicious food (don’t miss the falafel at L’As du Fallafel on Rue des Rosiers). Along with having a tonne to do, the area has an unquestionably charming atmosphere, with winding cobblestone alleys dotted with historic buildings and secret courtyards.

Montmartre, in the 18th arrondissement, has long served as a home and source of inspiration for artists, including Claude Monet, Pierre-Auguste Renoir, Edgar Degas, and Pablo Picasso, and it continues to do so today. There are hip cafés, cobblestone streets, historic structures, and breathtaking city views from the Sacré-Coeur stairs.

Sorbonne University is located in the Latin Quarter, in the 5th arrondissement, so as you might anticipate, you’ll see students wandering the streets and studying in trendy cafes. Numerous historic structures and places, including jazz clubs, bars, and venerable eateries, may be found here.

5th arrondissement, Île de la Cité, and Île Saint-Louis: These two islands can be found on the Seine river right in the center of Paris. Notre-Dame and Sainte-Chapelle are located on the ancient island of Île de la Cité, while Île Saint-Louis, which is more sedate, contains stores and eateries dotted throughout its old houses and streets.

Weather

Spring: Spring is when Paris comes to life, but temperatures can still be chilly (the high 50s to upper 60s) and there may be light rain.

Summer: June and July are wonderful (though busy) months to visit Paris, with the summer months being the peak travel period. The city will be a little less bustling in August because many Parisians take their own holiday.

Autumn: With temps ranging from the low 40s to the mid-50s and a few rainy days per month, autumn in Paris can be rather lovely.

Winter: Although the winter months in Paris can be gloomy and cold (and occasionally even dusted with snow! ), it’s the best season to visit if you want to avoid the crowds and dress in layers, which always looks super-chic.

Helpful Apps

Uber apps for iOS and Android include ones for food delivery, electric bikes and scooters, and ride-hailing.

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Android and iOS

Maps and routes for the Paris Metro are available for iOS and Android devices.

TheFork: Restaurant guide and in-app reservations for iOS and Android