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Paris doesn’t need a sales pitch. You already want to go. The real question is how to do it right — without wasting time in the wrong lines, eating at the wrong restaurants, or staying in the wrong neighbourhood.
This guide covers itineraries, budgets, hidden gems, food, transport, safety, and every practical detail you need. Whether you have three days or a full week, consider this your single best resource for visiting the City of Light.
How Paris Is Organized: A Quick Layout
Paris is divided into 20 numbered districts called arrondissements. They spiral outward from the center like a snail shell. The lower the number, the more central the location. The 1st through 8th form the core.
The Seine River splits Paris into the Right Bank (north) and the Left Bank (south). Knowing this system is your secret weapon — locals reference arrondissements constantly.
The city is surprisingly compact. You can walk across central Paris in about an hour.
💡 Quick Arrondissement Reference
Best Time to Visit Paris: Season by Season
Timing can make or break your trip. Each season offers a very different experience.
🗓️ When Should You Visit? Click a season:
Spring (April – mid-June) ⭐ Best Overall
Temperatures hover between 12°C and 20°C (54–68°F). Cherry blossoms line the streets. Café terraces fill up. Moderate crowds except Easter week.
54–68°F
Crowds
Prices
Summer (Late June – August) ⚠️ Proceed with Caution
Temperatures routinely climb above 35°C (95°F). Most buildings lack air conditioning. Lines stretch for hours. Hotel prices spike. Many restaurants close in August.
77–100°F
Crowds
Prices
Autumn (September – November) 🌟 Hidden Gem Season
September offers warm days without summer crowds. October brings fall foliage to Luxembourg Gardens. By mid-November, Christmas markets appear.
46–68°F
Crowds
Prices
Winter (December – March) ✨ Most Atmospheric
Fewer tourists, lower hotel prices, cozy romantic vibe. Holiday season (mid-Nov–early Jan) is magical. January and February are the quietest months.
37–46°F
Crowds
Prices
Bottom line: March, April, May, September, and October offer the best combination of weather, crowds, and prices.
How Many Days Do You Need in Paris?
Hit the highlights. Eiffel Tower, Louvre, Montmartre. Rushed but impressive.
Major museums, Versailles, neighborhoods, café time. The sweet spot.
Add day trips, off-the-beaten-path areas, room for spontaneity.
The dream. Combine Paris with countryside. Go deep.
Paris Itineraries: Day-by-Day Plans
Day 1 — Iconic Paris: Eiffel Tower, Seine & Trocadéro
Morning: Start at Trocadéro for the best unobstructed Eiffel Tower view. Arrive by 8:30 a.m. Go up by elevator or stairs with your pre-booked ticket.
Midday: Stroll Rue Cler market street. Grab cheese, bread, fruit for a Champ de Mars picnic. Classic Paris — costs almost nothing.
Afternoon: Walk along the Seine toward the Musée d’Orsay. Cross to the Tuileries Garden and elegant Place de la Concorde.
Evening: Seine river cruise (~€16). Seeing Paris illuminated from the water is unforgettable.
Day 2 — Art & History: Louvre, Notre-Dame & Latin Quarter
Morning: The Louvre at 9 a.m. (closed Tuesdays). Focus: Mona Lisa, Winged Victory, Venus de Milo. Timed ticket €22 required.
Midday: Walk to Notre-Dame Cathedral (free, timed reservation). Spectacular 2024 restoration. Visit Sainte-Chapelle — stunning 13th-century stained glass.
Afternoon: Wander the Latin Quarter. Shakespeare and Company. Panthéon. Relax in Jardin du Luxembourg.
Evening: Rue Mouffetard — lively pedestrian street with restaurants and wine bars.
Day 3 — Montmartre, the Marais & Parisian Vibes
Morning: Climb to Sacré-Cœur in Montmartre. Panoramic views. Explore Place du Tertre, Rue Lepic, Villa Léandre.
Lunch: Prix fixe menu at a Montmartre bistro — 2–3 courses for €15–€25.
Afternoon: Le Marais. Falafel on Rue des Rosiers. Browse Place des Vosges.
Evening: Climb the Arc de Triomphe (€16) for a 360° sunset view. Stroll the Champs-Élysées.
Day 4 — Versailles Day Trip
RER C train from central Paris (~40 min, ~€4 each way). Arrive before 9 a.m. Advance tickets essential (€21). Guided tours from €55.
Pro tip: Visit in reverse order — Marie-Antoinette’s Estate → Gardens → Palace. Dodge the worst crowds at each stop. Budget 5–7 hours.
Day 5 — Offbeat Paris: Catacombs, Canal Saint-Martin & Orsay
Morning: Paris Catacombs — bones of six million Parisians. €29 online (book ahead). Walk-up waits exceed 2 hours.
Midday: Canal Saint-Martin — where locals actually hang out. Iron footbridges, indie cafés, vintage shops.
Afternoon: Musée d’Orsay — world’s finest Impressionist art. €17 (€9 after 4:30 p.m.).
Evening: Saint-Germain-des-Prés for a memorable dinner in the literary heart of Paris.
Day 6 — Hidden Museum Treasures
Morning: Musée de l’Orangerie — Monet’s Water Lilies (€12.50). Musée Rodin — sculptures in a gorgeous mansion garden (€13).
Afternoon: Centre Pompidou — modern art + free rooftop views. Musée de Cluny — medieval art (€12).
Evening: Île Saint-Louis — 17th-century village feel. Berthillon ice cream.
Day 7 — Day Trip or Deeper Exploration
Option A: Giverny (Apr–Oct) — Monet’s home & gardens. Train to Vernon (45 min, €6–€15). 2–3 hours at gardens.
Option B: Champagne Region — Reims, 45 min by TGV. Cathedral + champagne house tours. From €20 round trip.
Option C: Deeper Paris — Père Lachaise Cemetery (free). Then explore Buttes-aux-Cailles or Oberkampf.
Top Attractions: Honest Assessments
Not every famous site is worth your limited time. Here’s a frank evaluation.
Eiffel Tower
WORTH IT ✓7 million visitors/year. Built 1889. 330m tall. 2nd floor views are arguably better than the summit.
Prices: Stairs €14.80 | Elevator 2nd floor €28 | Summit €36.70
Tip: Book 60 days ahead on official site
The Louvre
WORTH IT ✓World’s largest art museum. Don’t try to see everything. Wed & Fri evenings have fewer crowds.
Admission: €22 timed ticket (mandatory online)
Hours: 9am–6pm (closed Tue). Until 9pm Wed/Fri. Official site
Notre-Dame
MUST SEE ★Reopened Dec 2024 after spectacular restoration. Towers reopened Sept 2025. 6M visitors in first 6 months.
Entry: FREE (timed reservation required)
Towers: Free but very limited. Book ahead
Sacré-Cœur
WORTH IT ✓The real draw is the neighborhood and the view. From the steps, see across the entire city. Best early morning or sunset.
Entry: FREE | No booking needed
Best time: Before 9 a.m. or sunset with buskers
Arc de Triomphe
360° rooftop view. €16. Included in Museum Pass.
Paris Catacombs
6M remains. 1.5km underground. €29 online. Book ahead.
Versailles Palace
Full day. Hall of Mirrors. €21 entry. Go weekdays.
Hidden Gems & Local Experiences
Every guide covers the Eiffel Tower. Here are the places most guides skip.
Buttes-aux-Cailles (13th)
Feels like a village. Cobblestones, street art, a pool fed by natural artesian well. Zero tourists. Great restaurants.
Covered Passages (2nd)
Glass-roofed 19th-century arcades. Galerie Vivienne has mosaic floors. Passage des Panoramas from 1799. Free. Perfect on rainy days.
Canal Saint-Martin (10th)
Where locals hang out. Iron footbridges, indie cafés, vintage shops. Sit at a terrace and watch life unfold.
Parc des Buttes-Chaumont (19th)
Paris’s most dramatic park. Cliffs, lake, suspension bridge, waterfall, hilltop temple. Built 1867. Tourists rarely visit.
Rue des Martyrs (9th)
Food lover’s paradise. Independent bakeries, cheese shops, wine stores. Where locals actually shop. No tourist menus.
La Campagne à Paris (20th)
A “village within the city.” Small houses, private gardens, flower-lined walkways. Impossibly quiet. Free to wander.
Best Neighborhoods to Stay In
| Neighborhood | Best For | Vibe | Hotel Price | Key Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Le Marais (3rd/4th) | First-timers, couples | Trendy, historic | €120–€300 | Place des Vosges, falafel, boutiques |
| Saint-Germain (6th) | Romance, elegance | Polished, literary | €150–€400 | Luxembourg Gardens, bookshops |
| Latin Quarter (5th) | Budget travelers | Lively, student-friendly | €80–€180 | Panthéon, Rue Mouffetard |
| Montmartre (18th) | Village charm, art | Bohemian, hilly | €70–€150 | Sacré-Cœur, cobblestones |
| South Pigalle (9th) | Foodies, nightlife | Hip, local | €100–€250 | Cocktail bars, SoPi scene |
| 7th Arr. | Families | Residential, safe | €130–€300 | Eiffel Tower, Rue Cler |
| Bastille / 11th | Local vibes, budget | Vibrant, edgy | €70–€160 | Street art, bars, young Parisians |
Food & Café Recommendations That Locals Love
Essential Paris Food Experiences
Baguette
Look for boulangerie label. €1.20–€1.50. Eat within 1 hour.
Croissant au Beurre
Visible layers, deep golden color. €1.50–€2.50. Transcendent.
Fromagerie Cheese
Ask for recs, most let you taste. 3–4 cheeses for picnic: €8–€12.
Steak-Frites
Classic bistro meal. Well-seasoned steak, hand-cut fries. €16–€25.
Wine
Glass at café €4–€8. Supermarket bottle €6–€15. Excellent quality.
Crêpe / Galette
Sweet crêpe €3–€5. Savory galette €8–€14 for a full meal.
Restaurant Recommendations
Le Bouillon Chartier (9th) — Three courses under €20 in a Belle Époque room. Gladines — Huge Basque portions. Breizh Café (3rd) — Best buckwheat crêpes in Paris.
Le Comptoir de la Gastronomie (1st) — Traditional French cuisine. Le Dit Vin (15th) — Rotating daily menu, great wine. Café Père & Fils — Solid Parisian brasserie.
Blé Sucré (12th) — “Best Baguette in Paris” winner. Utopie (11th) — Former Ritz baker. Du Pain et des Idées (10th) — Legendary escargot pastries. Maison Landemaine — Consistently excellent.
Rue des Martyrs (9th) — The locals’ food street. Rue Cler (7th) — Near Eiffel Tower. Rue Montorgueil (2nd) — Bustling market street. Rue Mouffetard (5th) — Outdoor market with crêpe stands.
🍽️ Dining Tips That Save Money
- Prix fixe lunch is the best value — 2–3 courses for €15–€25 vs €30–€50+ at dinner
- Tipping not customary. Service charge included by law. A few euros for exceptional service appreciated.
- Say “une carafe d’eau, s’il vous plaît” — free tap water, legally required
- Dinner starts at 7:30 p.m. Arriving at 6 p.m. gets puzzled looks
- Carrefour and Monoprix supermarkets have incredible picnic supplies at a fraction of restaurant prices
Getting Around Paris: Transport Made Simple
From the Airport to the City
| Option | Route | Cost | Time | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RER B Train ⭐ | CDG to Gare du Nord, Châtelet | €11.80 | 35–50 min | Most travelers |
| Taxi (flat rate) | Right Bank €56 / Left Bank €65 | €56–65 | 30–60 min | Groups of 2–4 |
| Bus 350/351 | To Gare de l’Est / Nation | €2.50 | 60–90 min | Extreme budget |
⚠️ Important 2026 Update
The Roissybus (CDG to Opéra) is being discontinued in March 2026. The RER B train is now the primary public transit link from CDG. Check Paris Aéroport →
The Paris Metro
16 lines, 308 stations. You’re never more than 5 min walk from a station. Hours: ~5:30 a.m. to 12:40 a.m. (until 1:40 a.m. Fri/Sat).
Navigo Easy ⭐ Best for Visitors
€2 card + €2.50/ride. Shareable. Info →
Navigo Jour (Day Pass)
~€8.65 unlimited zones 1–2. Worth it for 4+ trips in a day.
🚇 Metro Pro Tips
- Keep your ticket until exit. Inspectors fine €50.
- Download Citymapper or RATP app for routes.
- Avoid luggage during rush hour (8–9:30 a.m. / 5:30–7:30 p.m.).
- Watch for pickpockets on Lines 1, 4 and at Châtelet, Gare du Nord.
- Walking is best. Eiffel Tower → Louvre: 30 min. Louvre → Notre-Dame: 15 min.
Money & Cost Expectations
💰 Interactive Paris Budget Calculator
Free Things to Do in Paris
💎 Where to Splurge
- One special dinner (€50–€100pp)
- Eiffel Tower summit ticket
- Guided tour at Versailles
- Sunset Seine river cruise
✂️ Where to Save
- Breakfast (boulangerie = €4)
- Lunch (prix fixe set menus)
- Water (carafe d’eau = free)
- Transport (walk — it’s better)
Skip-the-Line & Ticket Booking Guide
| Attraction | Price | Advance Booking | Museum Pass | Time Needed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eiffel Tower (summit) | €36.70 | Required | ✗ No | 1.5–2 hrs |
| The Louvre | €22 | Required | ✓ Yes | 2–5 hrs |
| Notre-Dame | Free | Required (free) | ✓ Towers | 1–1.5 hrs |
| Sainte-Chapelle | €13 | Strongly rec. | ✓ Yes | 30–45 min |
| Catacombs | €29 | Required | ✗ No | 45–60 min |
| Versailles | €21 | Required | ✓ Yes | 5–7 hrs |
| Musée d’Orsay | €17 | Recommended | ✓ Yes | 2–3 hrs |
| Arc de Triomphe | €16 | Recommended | ✓ Yes | 30–45 min |
🎫 Paris Museum Pass — Is It Worth It?
Free entry + skip-the-line to 50+ museums. Worth it if you visit 3+ museums/day for at least 2 days.
Includes Louvre, Orsay, Versailles, Sainte-Chapelle, Arc de Triomphe, Orangerie, Rodin, Panthéon, Pompidou. Does NOT include Eiffel Tower or Catacombs. Buy online →
Safety & Etiquette Tips
Paris is safe overall. Violent crime against tourists is rare. The primary concern is pickpocketing.
⚠️ Pickpocket Hotspots
- Metro Lines 1 and 4
- Around the Eiffel Tower
- Sacré-Cœur steps
- Louvre entrance area
- Châtelet-Les Halles
- Gare du Nord
- Champs-Élysées
🛡️ How to Protect Yourself
- Crossbody bag with zipper, worn in front
- Never put phone/wallet in back pocket
- Bag on lap (not chair back) at cafés
- Ignore clipboard petitions & ring finders
- Don’t leave phone on restaurant tables
Gold ring scam: Someone “finds” a ring, offers it, demands money. Ignore completely.
Petition scam: Groups with clipboards distract while accomplice picks pocket. Never stop.
Bracelet scam: Near Sacré-Cœur, wraps string on wrist, demands payment. Keep walking.
Three-card monte: Always rigged. “Winners” are part of the group.
🇫🇷 Cultural Etiquette That Matters
- Always say “Bonjour” when entering any shop or restaurant. Non-negotiable.
- Speak a little French. Even terrible pronunciation earns goodwill.
- Don’t be loud in public. Parisians speak quietly.
- Meals are savored. Dinner lasts 1.5–2 hours. Ask for the check (“l’addition, s’il vous plaît”).
- Dress with intention. Clean, put-together outfits. No athletic wear at restaurants.
Day Trips from Paris
Versailles
UNESCO site. Hall of Mirrors, 800-hectare gardens. €21 entry. Official site →
Giverny (Apr–Oct)
Monet’s home and water lily gardens. €11 admission. Best May–June. Official site →
Champagne (Reims)
Cathedral, Taittinger cellars, Veuve Clicquot. Book tastings ahead.
Disneyland Paris
Focus on Parc Disneyland if one day. Great for families. Official site →
Mont Saint-Michel (3.5 hrs TGV + bus) — Medieval abbey on a tidal island. One of France’s most striking sights. UNESCO since 1979.
Chartres (1 hr train) — Gothic cathedral with 800-year-old stained glass. Far less crowded than Versailles.
Packing Tips Specific to Paris
Footwear is Everything
15,000–25,000 steps/day on cobblestones. Broken-in shoes + backup pair. No flip-flops.
Pack Layers
Weather changes fast. Rain jacket essential (111 rain days/year). Dress for season + layers.
Essentials
European adapter (Type C/E). Phone charger. Crossbody bag. Reusable tote. eSIM for data.
Style tip: Parisians favor clean, understated simplicity. Well-fitting jeans, nice top, neutral colors, decent shoes. Avoid athletic wear, cargo shorts, novelty tees, big logos.
Paris Myths — Debunked
TRUTH Parisians value courtesy. Say “Bonjour” first. Attempt basic French. You’ll find them warm, patient, and helpful.
TRUTH Dozens of free museums, €1.50 croissants, €4 wine, amazing supermarket cheese. €100–€140/day is realistic.
TRUTH The engineering is remarkable, views stunning, and seeing it sparkle at night is genuinely magical. Go early or late.
TRUTH Extreme heat (35°C+ with no AC), massive crowds, highest prices. Spring and fall are far better.
TRUTH Paris tap water is perfectly safe. Hundreds of free Wallace fountains. Ask for “une carafe d’eau” — it’s free.
TRUTH English is widely spoken. Starting with “Bonjour, parlez-vous anglais?” transforms every interaction.
Essential French Phrases
Pre-Trip Planning Checklist
✅ Track Your Progress
2–3 MONTHS BEFORE
1–2 MONTHS BEFORE
1–2 WEEKS BEFORE
Final Thoughts: How to Truly Experience Paris
The single best piece of advice: slow down.
The greatest moments happen in between the attractions. Sitting at a corner café. Discovering a hidden courtyard. A bakery employee recommending the perfect pastry.
Build empty hours into your itinerary. Get lost in a neighborhood. The golden light at sunset. The taste of a warm croissant at 8 a.m. That’s the real Paris.
Bon voyage. 🇫🇷
Last updated February 2026. Always verify details on official websites. Sources include the official Eiffel Tower, Louvre, Musée d’Orsay, RATP, and Paris Aéroport websites.
