Why go to Paris
Paris is one of the few cities that lives up to its reputation and still surprises you. You can tick off the Eiffel Tower in an hour, then spend the rest of the trip realising that the real pleasure is somewhere else: a zinc counter at 8 a.m., a quiet courtyard in the Marais, the long walk along the Seine when the stone turns honey-coloured around sunset. It is compact, walkable and absurdly well served by the Métro. It is also expensive and sometimes brusque, and it helps to arrive expecting both.
What to see: the places that earn their queue
- Eiffel Tower. Yes, go. Book a time slot online, and consider the stairs to the second floor, which are cheaper and more fun than the lift. For the best photo, go to the Trocadéro or, better, the quieter Champ de Mars at dawn.
- Louvre. It is enormous, and nobody sees it all. Choose one wing, see the Mona Lisa briefly (it is smaller than you think and surrounded by phones), then wander the Greek and Egyptian rooms where it's calmer. Book a ticket ahead.
- Musée d'Orsay. My favourite of the big museums. A former railway station full of Monet, Degas, Van Gogh and Renoir. It is easier to handle than the Louvre in a single morning.
- Île de la Cité. Notre-Dame reopened in late 2024 after the fire, and the restored interior is worth seeing. Next door, Sainte-Chapelle has the most spectacular stained glass in the city. Go on a bright day.
- Montmartre. Climb up to Sacré-Cœur early, before the tour groups, then drift down through the side streets rather than around Place du Tertre, which is the tourist-trap part.
- Le Marais. Medieval lanes, the elegant Place des Vosges, small galleries, falafel on Rue des Rosiers and some of the best Sunday strolling in the city.
- Jardin du Luxembourg. Grab one of the green metal chairs by the pond and do nothing for half an hour. It is the best free thing in Paris.
- Père Lachaise cemetery. Oscar Wilde, Édith Piaf, Jim Morrison. It sounds morbid and turns out to be one of the most peaceful, atmospheric walks in the city.
- Canal Saint-Martin. Iron footbridges, locals with a bottle of wine on the quays, and a very different Paris from the postcard one.
Things to do beyond the checklist
- Walk the Seine from the Île Saint-Louis to the Pont des Arts around dusk. The bouquinistes (secondhand booksellers) along the quays are part of the scenery.
- Explore the covered passages near the Grands Boulevards, such as Galerie Vivienne and Passage des Panoramas. They are good when it rains.
- Take a Seine cruise at night if you must. It's touristy, but the bridges lit up are lovely, and it takes about an hour.
- Browse the Saint-Ouen flea market (Marché aux Puces) on a weekend morning.
- Take a day trip to Versailles by RER C. Go on a weekday and arrive when it opens.
- Look inside the Palais Garnier, the old opera house. Even if you don't see a show, the staircase is worth the entry.
How many days and a suggested route
Three days covers the essentials, four lets you breathe, and five lets you add Versailles. With four days, I'd go like this.
Day 1: Île de la Cité (Sainte-Chapelle early, then Notre-Dame), lunch in the Latin Quarter, afternoon at the Luxembourg Gardens, evening along the Seine.
Day 2: Louvre in the morning, a walk through the Tuileries, then Orsay in the afternoon or the Eiffel Tower at sunset.
Day 3: Montmartre at 8 a.m., a long lunch, then the Canal Saint-Martin and a drink on the quays.
Day 4: The Marais in the morning, Père Lachaise in the afternoon, and a slow dinner somewhere with no view of anything famous.
When to go
April to June and September to October are the sweet spot: mild, long evenings, café terraces full. July and August can get hot and some small restaurants and shops close while Parisians leave for the coast, though the city feels more relaxed and the riverbanks fill with summer pop-ups. Winter is grey and damp, but hotel prices drop, museums are quieter and the Christmas lights on the big avenues are worth seeing. Pack layers whenever you go; the weather changes quickly.
Where to stay
- Le Marais (3rd/4th): central, pretty, great for walking. Pricey, and rooms are small.
- Latin Quarter and Saint-Germain (5th/6th): classic Paris, bookshops, cafés, easy access to the Seine and Luxembourg. Mid to high prices.
- Montmartre (18th): charming and hilly, with a village feel. Pick streets away from Pigalle if you want quiet nights.
- Canal Saint-Martin / 10th: young, lively, good bars and restaurants, better value. Near Gare du Nord and Gare de l'Est, so handy for trains and the airport.
- Budget: hostel dorms cost roughly €35 to €60 a night, simple hotels around €90 to €140, comfortable mid-range €150 to €250. Prices spike around fashion weeks and big events.
What to eat and where
Start the day with a croissant and coffee standing at the bar of a boulangerie, which is cheaper than sitting down. Look for a "baguette tradition" and a jambon-beurre for a cheap lunch. For a proper meal, order what French bistros do well: steak-frites, duck confit, onion soup, a croque-monsieur, and something with butter and cream for dessert.
For atmosphere on a budget, Bouillon Chartier on the Grands Boulevards serves classic dishes at low prices in a grand old dining hall. Expect a queue and shared tables. Markets are better value than restaurants: the Marché des Enfants Rouges in the Marais, the stalls on Rue Montorgueil, and Rue Cler near the Eiffel Tower for picnic supplies. Rue des Rosiers is known for falafel, with L'As du Fallafel the famous name there.
A tip from many visits: avoid restaurants with huge photo menus near major monuments. Walk two or three streets away and the quality rises while the prices drop. Lunch menus (formules) are often much cheaper than dinner.
Getting from the airport and getting around
From Charles de Gaulle, the RER B train runs to central stations such as Gare du Nord, Châtelet–Les Halles and Saint-Michel in about 35 to 45 minutes, for roughly €13. It is not the prettiest ride, but it is reliable and avoids traffic. Buses and taxis cost more and can be slow at rush hour. From Orly, Métro line 14 now connects the airport to central Paris, and the tram and OrlyBus are alternatives.
Once you're in the city, use the Métro and your feet. A single ticket costs around two to three euros, and a Navigo weekly pass (valid Monday to Sunday) is a good deal if you arrive early in the week. Buses give you a view, and bikes are common, but the Métro is quickest. Watch your bag on busy lines and around tourist stations, as pickpockets work the crowds.
Rough daily budget
- Tight budget: about €70 to €90 with a hostel bed, bakery lunches, a market dinner and one museum.
- Mid-range: about €150 to €200 with a decent hotel share, two sit-down meals and a couple of entries.
- Comfortable: €250 and up, with a nicer hotel, a good dinner and a boat trip or a show.
FAQs
How many days do I need in Paris?
Three days for the highlights, four for a relaxed pace, five if you want Versailles and time to wander.
Is the Paris Museum Pass worth it?
Only if you plan three or more major sights in a short time. Otherwise, individual tickets are fine, and several museums have free or discounted entry for young EU residents.
Do I need to tip?
Service is included in French prices. Leaving small change or rounding up for good service is enough.
Is Paris safe for tourists?
Generally yes. The main issue is petty theft in crowded places, such as the Métro, around the Eiffel Tower and in Montmartre. Keep your phone and wallet secure and be wary of anyone pushing bracelets or petitions.
Do I need to speak French?
No, but start with "Bonjour" before asking for anything. It changes the tone of almost every interaction, and a few words of French go a long way.
Photo: Jorge Royan · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons · Guide updated 21 Oct 2026