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France · Île-de-France

Paris travel guide

Paris rewards walking. The arrondissement-by-arrondissement structure means a great trip is built around two or three neighborhoods per day, not a checklist of monuments. Book Louvre and Musée d'Orsay timed entries, learn the Métro, and protect at least one afternoon for sitting in a café doing nothing.

Plan a Paris trip

About Paris

Paris is more compact than first-time visitors expect. From the Marais to the Eiffel Tower is a one-hour walk along the Seine — that walk is itself one of the best things to do here. Plan in arrondissements: 1st and 4th for Louvre and Marais; 5th and 6th for the Latin Quarter and Saint-Germain; 7th for Eiffel and Musée d'Orsay; 18th for Montmartre.

Most major museums are closed Mondays or Tuesdays — check before you book. The Louvre, Musée d'Orsay, and Sainte-Chapelle all benefit from advance timed-entry tickets. Versailles is a half-day commitment minimum, ideally a full day, and best visited Tuesday through Friday to avoid Saturday crowds.

Lunch in Paris is a real meal — most bistros run a 12:00–14:00 service window with a prix-fixe menu that's the best value of the day. Dinner starts late (19:30 earliest, 20:30 typical). Book any restaurant with strong reviews at least a week ahead.

Best time to visit

April, May, June, September, October

Spring and early autumn give long daylight, mild weather, and reasonable crowds. June can be busy with the Open and Pride. Avoid August — many small shops and restaurants close for the entire month, and the city empties out (in a way some travelers like, but most find inconvenient).

Sample itineraries

3 days

First-time Paris, 3 days

  1. Day 1: Louvre, Tuileries, Marais
  2. Day 2: Eiffel, Musée d'Orsay, Latin Quarter
  3. Day 3: Notre-Dame, Sainte-Chapelle, Montmartre
Plan this trip

5 days

Paris with Versailles, 5 days

  1. Day 1: Louvre, Tuileries, Marais
  2. Day 2: Eiffel, Musée d'Orsay, Latin Quarter
  3. Day 3: Notre-Dame, Sainte-Chapelle, Montmartre
  4. + 2 more days
Plan this trip

7 days

Paris deep dive, 7 days

  1. Day 1: Louvre + Marais
  2. Day 2: Eiffel + Musée d'Orsay
  3. Day 3: Île de la Cité + Montmartre
  4. + 4 more days
Plan this trip

Top picks

What to see

  • Louvre Museum

    1st

    Pre-book a timed entry. Don't try to see everything; pick two wings and the rooftop café in the Tuileries afterward.

  • Musée d'Orsay

    7th

    Best for Impressionism. The 5th-floor clock window is the photo.

  • Eiffel Tower

    7th

    View it from Champ de Mars or Trocadéro for free; the climb itself is optional.

  • Notre-Dame & Sainte-Chapelle

    4th

    Reopened post-restoration. Sainte-Chapelle next door is the underrated stained-glass highlight.

Where to eat

  • Le Comptoir du Relais

    6th

    Bistro classic in Saint-Germain. Lunch walk-in only; dinner reservations weeks out.

  • Pierre Hermé

    The macarons most pâtissiers consider the standard. Multiple locations.

What to do

  • Marais (3rd & 4th)

    Walk Rue des Rosiers, Place des Vosges, and the Picasso Museum. Open Sundays when much of Paris isn't.

  • Montmartre

    18th

    Sacré-Cœur for the view; wander early to avoid the post-9 a.m. tourist density.

Paris questions

Planning Paris: common questions

  • How many days do I need in Paris?
    Three days covers the major museums and neighborhoods. Five days adds Versailles and a slower pace. Seven days lets you do day trips (Giverny, Champagne) and explore quieter arrondissements.
  • Should I buy a Paris Pass or museum pass?
    Skip Paris Pass — overpriced. The Paris Museum Pass (2/4/6 days) is worth it if you'll visit 3+ included sites in those days. Otherwise, individual timed-entry tickets are cleaner.
  • Is the Métro safe?
    Yes, with normal big-city awareness. Pickpockets work crowded tourist trains (Line 1, RER B from CDG). Keep phones secure on platforms — grab-and-run is the most common issue.
  • Do I need to speak French?
    No, but starting interactions with 'Bonjour' and 'Parlez-vous anglais?' is non-negotiable etiquette. The 'rude Parisian' stereotype is mostly a reaction to tourists who skip the greeting.
  • What's the best neighborhood to stay in?
    1st (Louvre), 6th (Saint-Germain), or 4th (Marais) for first-time visitors — all walkable to major sites and full of cafés. 7th (Eiffel) is quieter and family-friendly. Avoid 18th and 19th for first stays unless you know the city.

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