Paris

It is often, and deservedly, referred to as the most romantic city in the world, and one that has a new discovery around each cobbled corner, both for the first time visitor and for the many who are hit by the Paris bug and return time and time again.

Every street reveals a famous landmark, museum or the ideal people watching café (one of our favourite pastimes) and Paris is definitively a walking city, so take the time to explore its hidden streets and seek out the endless antique shops and patisseries before heading for the must-see sights that line its leafy boulevards.

Paris is also renowned for its fantastic food, and with its wide selection of traditional bistros, trendy restaurants and Michelin-starred establishments, it is easy to see why it is a second heaven for food lovers. We are constantly updating our Paris Dossier with the latest, greatest places to eat, so you can hit the ground running on a gourmet long weekend safe in the knowledge we’ve done the research for you. It was a tough gig, but somebody had to eat their body weight in escargot.

And then there are the hotels. Literally thousands of them ranging from backpacker dorms to grande dames and spread across the arrondisements. After yet more research, we’ve narrowed our selection of hotels down to a hallowed few that we have chosen for that all important combination of value, location, service, comfort and je ne sais quoi that makes for the perfect Paris city break hotel.

So now you know the best places to stay, see and eat, what are you waiting for? Paris awaits…

Paris is the city of love but also city of shopping and culture. Yes is a romantic city with nice parks where you can seat on a bench, under a beautiful tree, rest, eat a Macaron (Ladurée is the best for Macarons), read a book or drink a coffee (There is Starbucks in Paris if someone loves Starbucks like I do). Paris has many things to do and to visit: Eiffel Tower, Louvre Museum, Opera, Notre Dame, Arc the Triomphe, Montmartre, The Royal Palace, Moulin Rouge, The Champs-Élysées  and more more and more.

Things to do in Paris

Eiffel Tower

Eiffel Tower

Eiffel Tower

Eiffel Tower

Eiffel Tower

Step out with your host to take in some of the best panoramic views in Paris from the viewing platform, 375 feet (114 meters) above the ground. Get a basic orientation to the sights and landmarks visible from your vantage point from your host, then explore the area at your leisure. Snap photos of the Louvre, Les Invalides, Sacré Coeur, Notre Dame Cathedral, and the Champ de Mars, among other standout Parisian highlights.  After you’ve had your fill of the second level, proceed to the summit, where you can toast your trip with Champagne from the bar and view Gustave Eiffel’s private apartments.

Montmartre

Montmartre

Montmartre

Montmartre

Montmartre

Montmartre

A large hill in the 18th arrondissement of Paris, the historic district of Montmartre is crowned by Sacré-Coeur Basilica, attracting visitors who come to walk the cobblestone streets and imagine what life was like during the Belle Epoque, when artists such as Dalí, Renoir, Van Gogh, Toulouse-Lautrec, and Picasso lived and worked here from the late 19th to early 20th century.  Today, artists still gather at Place du Tertre to sketch tourist portraits—a favorite souvenir.

Montmartre is included in many city sightseeing tours, so if you just want a brief glimpse, that’s a popular way to check the area off your list. For an in-depth look, select a more tailored experience that suits your interests, such as a Montmartre food tour or an art-themed walking tour. For nighttime fun, head to a cabaret show at the Moulin Rouge, located down the hill in Pigalle.
  • Montmartre is a highly visited part of Paris, so be prepared for crowds in the busy summer season.
  • The neighborhood is a must-see for art history buffs and those looking for postcard views.
  • Wear comfortable walking shoes for the many stairs and cobblestones.
  • If visiting in the warmer summer months and plan to walk uphill, bring water to stay hydrated.
How to Get to Montmartre
If you’re up for it, start at the base of the hill and walk up, enjoying views along the way, or cheat by taking the funicular to the base of Sacré-Coeur. Visitors also love the staircases for photo ops; try the one that runs along the funicular line or the one up Rue Maurice Utrillo. By public transit, the Abbesses metro station deposits you a few blocks from Place du Tertre, and the Anvers metro station puts you below Sacré-Coeur. Any taxi driver will also know how to get to Montmartre.

Louvre

Louvre

Louvre

Louvre

Louvre

Louvre

Primarily associated with the steady gaze of Leonardo Da Vinci’s famous Mona Lisa, Paris’ Louvre museum is home to a 35,000-strong collection of paintings and sculptures considered one of the greatest in the world. The contemporary glass Louvre Pyramid heralds the museum’s entrance, which millions of tourists flock to every year to feast their eyes on masterpieces that span from antiquity to the 20th century. Highlights of the antiquity section include the Seated Scribe, the Jewels of Rameses II, and the armless Winged Victory of Samothrace and Venus de Milo

The large crowds attracted by the Louvre are evidence of the museum’s global fame—book a skip-the-line ticket to avoid long lines and save precious sightseeing time. And whether you’re a lifelong art fan or a creative novice, exploring the museum with a tour guide is an excellent way to ensure you see all of its highlights and hidden gems. Take a tailored private tour if your interests lie in a particular area, or opt for the skip-the-line and audio guide package if you prefer browsing independently. If you’re short on time, choose a sightseeing tour that combines a visit to the Louvre with stops at the Eiffel Tower, Montmartre, and Notre Dame Cathedral, or take in city sights from the water on a Seine River cruise.

How to Get to the Louvre
Located next to the Seine River in central Paris, the Louvre is easy to find. Catch Metro line 1 or 7 to the Palais Royal/Musee du Louvre station.

Notre Dame

Notre Dame

Notre Dame

Notre Dame

Notre Dame

Second only to the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame Cathedral (Cathedrale de Notre Dame de Paris) is one of Paris’ most iconic attractions, a marvel of medieval architecture that was immortalized in Victor Hugo’s classic novel The Hunchback of Notre Dame. Today, the Gothic grandeur and majestic stained-glass windows of the UNESCO World Heritage site continue to reign supreme from Ile de la Cite, an island in the middle of the Seine River. Notre Dame’s immense interior exemplifies French Gothic architecture—soaring fluted columns, ribbed vaults, and sculptures demand attention from every angle, while the light that pours through prismatic windows gives the basilica an ethereal ambiance. If you choose to climb the 387 steps of the north tower, braving gargoyles along the way, you’ll be rewarded with panoramic views of Paris.

How to Get to the Notre Dame Cathedral
Notre Dame’s central location makes it incredibly easy to reach by public transport: take the RER B or RER C line to St-Michel Notre Dame, or disembark at Cite on Line 4 of the Metro. If you’re enjoying the luxury of time, follow the route of the Seine River from the Eiffel Tower for a one-hour walk brimming with highlights and hidden gems.

Champs Élysées

Champs Élysées

Champs Élysées

Champs Élysées

Champs Élysées

Champs Élysées

The Avenue des Champs-Élysées is an avenue in the 8th arrondissement of Paris, France, 1.9 kilometres long and 70 metres wide, running between the Place de la Concorde in the east and the Place Charles de Gaulle in the west, where the Arc de Triomphe is located.

In 1860, the merchants joined together to form the Syndicat d’Initiative et de Défense des Champs-Élysées, an association to promote commerce along the avenue. In 1980, the group changed its name to the Comité des Champs-Élysées and to Comité Champs-Élysées in 2008. It is the oldest standing committee in Paris. The committee has always dedicated itself to seeking public projects to enhance the avenue’s unique atmosphere, and to lobby the authorities for extended business hours and to organizing special events. Today, the committee, in coordination with other professional organisations, may review with the Parisian administration the addition to the avenue of new businesses whose floor area would exceed 1000 square meters. The arrival of global chain stores in recent years has strikingly changed its character, and in a first effort to stem these changes, the City of Paris (which has called this trend “banalisation“) initially decided in 2007 to prohibit the Swedish clothing chain H&M from opening a store on the avenue; however, a large H&M store opened two years later at 88 Champs-Élysées. In 2008, American clothing chain Abercrombie & Fitch was given permission to open a store. The Champs Elysees have mid-size shopping malls, extending the shopping area: Elysees 26 (26) with Agatha jewellery and l’Eclaireur fashion, Galeries du Claridge (74) with Annick Goutal perfumes, Fnac, Paul & Shark, Arcades des Champs Elysees (78) with Starbucks. The list of fashion stores include Adidas (22), Abercrombie & Fitch (23), Zara (40, 44), J.M. Weston (55), Foot Locker (66), Longchamp (77), Nike (79), Levi’s (76), H&M (88), Morgan (92), Lacoste (93-95), Marks & Spencer (100), Louis Vuitton (101), Hugo Boss (115), Massimo Dutti (116), Petit Bateau (116), Milady (120), Dior (127), Celio (146, 150). The list of perfume stores include Guerlain (68) (Le 68 de Guy Martin), Sephora multi brand (70), Yves Rocher (102). Jewellers: Tiffany & Co. (62), Bulgari (136), Swarovski (146), Cartier (154). Book and music store: FNAC (74). The list of car show-rooms include Citroen (42), Renault (53), Toyota (79), Mercedes (118), Peugeot (136).

Moulin Rouge

Moulin Rouge

Moulin Rouge

Moulin Rouge

Expect bright lights, extravagant costumes, and raucous music at the world-famous Moulin Rouge. Opened in the Belle Epoque of 1889 to celebrate Paris’ thriving creative scene and the end of the civil war, the windmill-cum-cabaret hall has never stopped basking in fun and frivolity. As a staple of Parisian nightlife, an unforgettable evening at the Moulin Rouge is a must on any traveler’s France itinerary. During the show, your vision is flooded with large troupes of Doriss Girls, colorfully clad in sequins and glitzy headpieces, performing flawlessly choreographed French cancan beneath vibrant lights. Intense and innovative, the Feerie show transports viewers to a land of dream-like beauty. As the No. 1 show in Paris and Europe (especially since the release of Baz Luhrmann’s cinematic masterpiece) the legendary Moulin Rouge cabaret enjoys immense popularity. That said, tickets sell out fast — book in advance to avoid missing Paris’ most sought-after show.

How to Get to the Moulin Rouge
From central Paris, the Moulin Rouge is easily accessible by public transport: disembark at Place de Clichy on Metro line 13, or at Blanche on Metro line 2, after a 30- to 40-minute journey. By taxi, Moulin Rouge is a 15-minute drive from central Paris depending on traffic.

Montparnasse Observatory

Montparnasse Observatory

Montparnasse Observatory

Montparnasse

Breathtaking view of the city, considerate the best city view in Paris.

Straight in and straight up – just 38 seconds and you’re 200 metres above Paris, contemplating the very best view you can get of this beautiful city! The Eiffel Tower is right in front of you – a sight you will never forget. Just like the Empire State Building and the London Eye, the Montparnasse Tower Panoramic Observation Deck gives you a totally unique view of Paris and its monuments.

Just a few steps further up lies the roof terrace, 210 metres above the ground, offering something even more remarkable: a 360° panoramic view of the whole of Paris. You’ll get a bird’s eye view of the world’s most romantic city and its legendary rooftops! The Louvre, Les Invalides, the Sacré-Cœur, Notre-Dame cathedral, Montmartre, the Panthéon…the city’s most beautiful monuments are all laid out before your very eyes.

How to get there:

The Paris Montparnasse Observatory is located in the 15th arrondissement of Paris. The main entrance is on rue de l’Arrivée via the Ticket Office dedicated to the Observatory.

Reception of persons with disabilities: The entrance is on one level by the entrance on the Rue du Départ. Persons with a special rate will be required to provide proof to the cashier and host agents upon request.

Access to the Panoramic Space – 56th floor – is via PMR adapted lifts.

The Terrace – 59th floor – is not serviced by an elevator, the climb (3 floors of stairs) can only be done on foot.

  • METRO: 4/6/12/13

    Station: Montparnasse-Bienvenüe

  • BUS:

    28, 58, 82, 88, 89, 91, 92, 94, 95 et 96

Galeries Lafayette

Galeries Lafayette

Galeries Lafayette

Galeries Lafayette

Galeries Lafayette

Galeries Lafayette

The Galeries Lafayette is an upmarket French department store chain, the biggest in Europe. Its flagship store is on Boulevard Haussmann in the 9th arrondissement of Paris but it now operates in a number of other locations in France and other countries.

Galerie Lafayette Paris Haussmann is a 70,000 m2 (750,000 sq ft) store. Mostly dedicated to fashion, it also has other offers and services.

Galeries Lafayette Paris Haussmann’s food tasting bars offer French food together with produce from around the world.

Cafés, bars and restaurants are located in the store for drinks and meals.

The rooftop has a bar, restaurant and terrace with a panoramic view of Paris and its monuments including the Eiffel Tower, the Montparnasse Tower, Invalides, and Opera Garnier.

Where

40 Bd Haussmann, 75009 Paris, France

Operá Paris

Operá Paris

Operá Paris

Operá Paris

Operá Garnier

The Palais Garnier, also known as Opéra Garnier, is a 1,979-seat opera house at the Place de l’Opéra in the 9th arrondissement of Paris, France. It was built for the Paris Opera from 1861 to 1875 at the behest of Emperor Napoleon III.

The Palais Garnier has been called “probably the most famous opera house in the world, a symbol of Paris like Notre Dame Cathedral, the Louvre, or the Sacré Coeur Basilica.”[8] This is at least partly due to its use as the setting for Gaston Leroux’s 1910 novel The Phantom of the Opera and, especially, the novel’s subsequent adaptations in films and the popular 1986 musical.[8] Another contributing factor is that among the buildings constructed in Paris during the Second Empire, besides being the most expensive, it has been described as the only one that is “unquestionably a masterpiece of the first rank.” This opinion is far from unanimous however: the 20th-century French architect Le Corbusier once described it as “a lying art” and contended that the “Garnier movement is a décor of the grave”.

Where:

Pl. de l’Opéra, 75009 Paris, France

Paris Flea Markets

Paris Flea Markets

Paris Flea Markets

Paris Flea Markets

Flea Market 

For who loves Flea Markets, Paris is the perfect city for you, infact there are so many different Flea Markets in this beautiful city, most of them on Saturday morning.

Where:

– Rue Jean-Henri Fabre, 75018 Paris (Saturday at 9am)
– 99 All. des Rosiers, 93400 Saint-Ouen (Saturday at 9am)
– 5 Av. de la Prte de Vanves, 75014 Paris (Saturday at 7am)
– 30 Av. de la Prte de Clignancourt, 75018 Paris (Sunday at 12pm)

Ask me for Tours

Half Day in Versailles

Half Day in Versailles

Half Day in Versailles

Half Day in Versailles

Versailles

Located just 16 kilometres southwest of Paris, Versailles Palace was the residence of the kings of France from Louis XIV to Louis XVI, and is one of the most famous palaces in the world as well as one of the largest in Europe. Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site 30 years ago, the Palace is one of the finest achievements of seventeenth-century French art.

Its impressive dimensions are mind-boggling with over 2300 rooms spread over an area of 63.000m². You will be taken straight into the Palace on arrival, avoiding the queues and then be shown around the different wings of this beautiful palace, visiting the Royal Apartments, the Hall of Mirrors and the Queen’s Private Apartments.

You will also have plenty of free time at the end of the tour for strolling around the formal French gardens designed for Louis XIV by the great landscape architect André Le Nôtre, where you will admire the magnificent statues, busts and marble vases, secret grottos, sparkling fountains and serene lakes. After the visit of the castle, you will visit with the guide the gardens and you will have some time to finish the visit on your own.

Lunch Cruise in Paris

Lunch Cruise in Paris

Lunch Cruise in Paris

Lunch Cruise – La Marina de Paris

Cruise the River Seine while feasting on a traditional French lunch and live one of the ultimate Paris experiences. See all the main riverside landmarks of the City of Light from a new perspective and sail under some of the most famous bridges in the world, and take an album full of memories home with you.

The cruise departs from the Marina de Paris at the Quai d’Orsay, where the world-famous Orsay Museum of modern art and the French ministry of foreign affairs are located on the south bank of the Seine. Directly across on the north bank are the Tuileries Gardens, which link the Louvre Museum and the Place de la Concorde. So much to see and that’s before the boat even sails!

The Orsay Menu includes starters to share for guests, a choice of main course, coffee and dessert

– Assortment of vegetables – Mini Savarins with lemon and dill – Tapenade with 5 vegetables and croutons
– Choice of main course: Chicken supreme, steam cooked, small crispy fresh vegetables or Coley steak, risotto with green asparagus
– Gourmet coffee
– Minestrone of fruits with slivers of nougat – praline crisp

*Please note that the menu is subject to change depending on the season.

Choose the option with a glass of champagne included and treat yourself while navigating the beautiful Seine.

Visit Paris from London

Eurostar

Eurostar

Eurostar

Eurostar

If you are in London and you want to spend a day in Paris there is a fast train that connect London to Paris in 3 hours and 15 minutes (www.eurostar.com). The train is really comfortable and three hours pass quickly.

Have you checked our tour London & Paris?

How to Visit Paris

BIG BUS PARIS

If you don’t have a lot of time to visit the city, my advise is to take one of the bus that will take you to the most important monuments and places. These buses are not really expensive and they work very well if you want to visit everything in the city. It’s also possible get out from the bus and visit what you prefer and after re-take it and go to another place. Otherwise the city is served by an amazing subway with 16 lines, cheap and easy to use.

THE PARIS PASS

Another easy and cheaper way to visit the city is to buy the Paris Pass. Paris like every cities is expensive, with the Paris Pass you can save money and time.

Key benefits of the Paris Pass:

  • SAVE TIME + MONEY
    Good option for first-time visitors who want to stretch and manage their budget in a very expensive city. Plus, you’ll get FREE unlimited travel on the metro, RER, and buses!
  • FAST-TRACK ENTRY
    The Paris Pass allows you to skip the long line-ups so you can spend more time sightseeing and less time waiting in busy Paris crowds.
  • STRESS-FREE SIGHTSEEING
    If you’re looking to hit all the major attractions in Paris, then using The Paris Pass is a no-brainer.

 

Plus, you can use the Paris Pass to get free entry to over 60 other attractions, museums, and tours in the city, including an unlimited Paris transit card to cover all your transportation needs. I used the Paris metro everyday during my trip and found it easy to get around to all the different neighborhoods.

Paris Subway and APP

This is an idea of the amazing Subway in Paris, if you want more informations about, you can go to the official website of the Paris Metro, Click Here

On the official website there are offers for tourists (Paris Visite) that gives you discounts for visit some places, click here

There are also three free apps for your phone that can help you to visit the city.  The first one is the official app from the subway company and it’s only for the subway and it’s the RATP, the second one is NEXT STOP PARIS and there is also the possibility to buy tickets for monuments or museums (more touristic). The third one is not the official app from Paris Subway, it works but is not complete like the others two.

                         RATP                                                     Next Stop Paris                                              Paris Metro

Emanuele Leoni Dickinson
(Pac&Go Founder)

Independent Travel Agent

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American Travel Bureau, Lancaster CA (USA)

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