Paris
Visited in May 2000
At a glance
- Country
- France
- Region
- Grand Paris
- Population
- 2.1 million
- Best time to go
- April to June, September to October
- Main airport
- Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG)
- Coordinates
- 48.86°N, 2.35°E
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Overview
Paris needs little introduction: grand boulevards, world-class museums and a café on every corner. The city is split by the Seine into the Right Bank and the Left Bank, and into 20 numbered districts (arrondissements) that spiral out from the centre.
It rewards walking. Most of the big sights sit within a few kilometres of each other along the river, and the best moments are often the unplanned ones: a market, a side street in the Marais, or a glass of wine as the Eiffel Tower lights up.
Things to see
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Photo: Benh LIEU SONG, Public domain Eiffel Tower
Go up for the view, or picnic on the Champ de Mars below. It sparkles for a few minutes every hour after dark.
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Photo: Benh LIEU SONG (Flickr), CC BY-SA 3.0 The Louvre
The world's most visited museum, home to the Mona Lisa and Venus de Milo. Pick a few galleries rather than trying to see it all.
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Photo: DXR, CC BY-SA 3.0 Musée d'Orsay
Impressionist masterpieces by Monet, Renoir and Van Gogh, set in a former railway station on the Left Bank.
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Photo: Ali Sabbagh, CC0 Notre-Dame Cathedral
Reopened in December 2024 after the 2019 fire, the restored Gothic cathedral sits on the Île de la Cité.
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Photo: Didier B (Sam67fr), CC BY-SA 2.5 Sainte-Chapelle
A small royal chapel with some of the finest stained glass in the world. Go on a sunny day.
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Photo: Tonchino, CC BY-SA 3.0 Montmartre and Sacré-Cœur
Climb the hill for the white basilica, the artists' square and views across the rooftops.
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Photo: ZeusUpsistos, CC BY-SA 4.0 Arc de Triomphe
Walk up to the roof for a view straight down the Champs-Élysées.
Tickets and tours
Things to do
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Photo: Jean-noël Lafargue, FAL Seine river cruise
An hour on the water passes most of the famous sights. Best at dusk.
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Photo: ToucanWings, CC BY-SA 3.0 Day trip to Versailles
The palace and gardens of Louis XIV are 40 minutes away by RER train.
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Photo: Unknown photographer, CC BY-SA 3.0 Explore the Marais
Medieval streets, the Place des Vosges, falafel on Rue des Rosiers and independent shops.
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Photo: Kirua, Public domain Picnic in a park
Pick up bread, cheese and wine and head for the Jardin du Luxembourg or the Tuileries.
Where to stay
Le Marais
Central and characterful, with lots of restaurants and bars. Walkable to most sights.
Hotels in Le MaraisSaint-Germain-des-Prés
Classic Left Bank Paris: cafés, bookshops and smart boutiques. Good for a first visit.
Hotels in Saint-Germain-des-PrésMontmartre
Village feel and better value, though further from the centre and hilly.
Hotels in MontmartreLatin Quarter
Lively student area near Notre-Dame with plenty of mid-range hotels.
Hotels in Latin Quarter
Getting around
The Métro is fast, frequent and reaches everywhere; buy a Navigo Easy card and load tickets onto it, or use the Bonjour RATP app. Walking along the river is often quicker than changing trains for short hops.
From Charles de Gaulle, take the RER B train into the city centre (about 35 minutes). Orly airport is linked by Métro line 14. Eurostar trains from London arrive at Gare du Nord.
When to go
Spring (April to June) and early autumn (September to October) have mild weather and long evenings. July and August are hot and busy, and some local restaurants close for the summer holidays. Winter is cold and grey but quieter, with festive lights in December.
Plan your trip to Paris
- HotelsBooking.com
- Tours and ticketsGetYourGuide
- FlightsKiwi.com
- Attraction ticketsTiqets
- Airport parking, lounges and transfersHoliday Extras
- Car hireAuto Europe
- Mobile data (eSIM)AiraloCode DAN9406 for money off
- GuidebooksAmazon
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Guide last checked October 2026. Opening times and prices change, so check before you go.