Paris, France

Updated May 2026  ·  Places to Visit in Europe

Best Places to Stay

• Luxury (5-Star): Hotel Ritz Paris (iconic Place Vendôme location, legendary Bar Hemingway), Four Seasons Hotel George V (art deco luxury, three Michelin-starred restaurants), Shangri-La Hotel Paris (Eiffel Tower views from rooms, former palace of Prince Roland Bonaparte), Le Meurice (Palace Tuileries location, Michelin-starred restaurant), Hotel Plaza Athénée (Avenue Montaigne fashion district, Dior Institute spa), Four Seasons Hotel George V (newer addition: stunning floral arrangements, Le Cinq restaurant), Mandarin Oriental Paris (luxury spa with pool, Camelia restaurant), The Peninsula Paris (rooftop restaurant with Eiffel Tower views, luxurious spa), Hotel de Crillon (historic Place de la Constance location, L'Ecrin restaurant), Le Bristol Paris (legendary service, Epicure restaurant with three Michelin stars)
• Upper Mid-Range (4-Star Boutique): Hotel Le Meurice (already mentioned in luxury but worth noting for its boutique feel), Boutique Hotel Hotel Bedford (charming 19th-century building near Gare du Nord), Hôtel Brighton (Art Deco elegance near Opera Garnier), Hotel Molière (charming Latin Quarter location near Notre-Dame), Hôtel Jeanne d'Arc Le Marais (medieval-inspired décor in trendy Le Marais), Hôtel Pierre Leroy (quiet Left Bank location near Luxembourg Gardens), Hotel Therese (stylish design near Palais-Royal), Hôtel Duc de Saint-Simon (intimate Saint-Germain-des-Prés location), Hôtel Verlaine (literary-themed rooms in Latin Quarter), Hôtel Jeanne d'Arc (charming Marais location with lovely courtyard)
• Budget-Friendly (3-Star/Hostels): Generator Paris (trendy hostel/hotel hybrid with social spaces, multiple locations), St Christopher's Inn Canal (lively hostel near Canal Saint-Martin with bar and restaurant), Hôtel des Arts Paris Montmartre (artistic Montmartre location near Sacré-Cœur), Ibis Styles Paris Bercy (modern budget option near Bercy Arena), Hotel ibis Paris Montmartre 18ème (basic but clean Montmartre location), Hotel ibis Budget Paris Porte de Montmartre (most economical option), Père & Fils Hostel (welcoming atmosphere in Latin Quarter), Les Piaules (boutique hostel with rooftop bar in Belleville), Ekta Hostel (eco-friendly option near Gare de l'Est), Village Hostel (social atmosphere near Père Lachaise Cemetery)

Best Places to Eat

• Fine Dining (Michelin-Starred): Guy Savoy (three Michelin stars, innovative French cuisine near Louvre), Le Jules Verne (Eiffel Tower location, Alain Ducasse-led cuisine with spectacular views), Alain Ducasse au Plaza Athénée (three Michelin stars, haute couture fashion district), Le Cinq at Four Seasons Hotel George V (three Michelin stars, elegant dining room), L'Ambroisie (three Michelin stars, historic Place des Vosges location), Le Pré Catelan (three Michelin stars, Bois de Boulogne park setting), Epicure at Le Bristol Paris (three Michelin stars, legendary service), Pierre Gagnaire (three Michelin stars, innovative flavor combinations), Septime (one Michelin star but highly sought-after, natural wine focus), Clamato (seafood-focused bistro from team that owns Septime), Le Chardenoux (historic Belleville bistro updated by chef Cyril Lignac), Frenchie (popular modern bistro, book months ahead), Spring (seasonal French cuisine in beautiful setting), David Toutain (innovative vegetable-focused tasting menus), Arpège (legendary Alain Passard vegetable-focused three Michelin star restaurant)
• Classic French Bistros & Brasseries: Bouillon Chartier (historic 1896 bouillon, authentic and affordable), Le Procope (oldest café in Paris, literary history since 1686), Chez Janou (charming Provençal bistro in Marais with excellent moules-frites), Le Relais de l'Entrecôte (famous for steak-frites and secret sauce), Chez Georges (traditional brasserie near Les Halles), Bouillon Pigalle (lively Montmartre location), Bouillon Racine (art nouveau décor near Luxembourg Gardens), Bouillon Chartier Montparnasse (historic location in Montparnasse), Le Bouillon Chartier (original location near Grands Boulevards), Bouillon Julien (art nouveau masterpiece near Gare de l'Est)
• Pastries, Chocolate & Coffee: Ladurée (legendary macarons, multiple locations including Champs-Élysées), Pierre Hermé (innovative pastry chef, "Picasso of Pastry"), Café de Flore (historic Saint-Germain-des-Prés literary haunt), Les Deux Magots (iconic Saint-Germain-des-Prés café), Eric Kayser (excellent bakery chain with traditional techniques), Poilâne (legendary sourdough bread), Dominique Ansel Bakery (inventor of cronut, multiple locations), Jacques Genin (premier chocolate maker), Patrick Roger (chocolate sculptor and confectioner), Sébastien Gaudard (traditional pastry chef near Opéra), Arnaud Larher (award-winning pastry chef), Maison Landemare (exceptional chocolate shop near Louvre)
• Ethnic & Street Food: L'As du Fallafel (legendary falafel in Le Marais, often with queue), Miznon (creative pita stuffings from chef Eyal Shani), Pink Flamingo (whimsical pizza delivery/pickup), Breizh Café (excellent Breton crêpes, multiple locations), Holybelly (excellent Australian-inspired brunch), Candelaria (excellent tacos hidden behind a faux pastry shop), Duck & Waffle (British-inspired with amazing views), Holybelly 5 (excellent coffee and brunch near Canal Saint-Martin), Au Passage (excellent natural wine bar with small plates), Le Verre Volé (natural wine bar with excellent small plates), Octopus (modern Japanese izakaya), Yam'Tcha (innovative French-Chinese fusion)

Best Sites to Visit

• Iconic Landmarks: Eiffel Tower (visit early morning or late evening to avoid crowds, consider summit access for best views), Louvre Museum (world's largest art museum, see Mona Lisa, Venus de Milo, Winged Victory, allow full day), Notre-Dame Cathedral (exterior viewing currently due to 2019 fire, interior expected to reopen 2024), Arc de Triomphe (climb to top for amazing Champs-Élysées views, especially at sunset), Sacré-Cœur Basilica (beautiful white domes atop Montmartre, stunning city views), Palais Garnier (opulent opera house, inspiration for Phantom of the Opera), Panthéon (neoclassical mausoleum housing French luminaries), Conciergerie (former royal palace and prison, Marie Antoinette's last residence), Sainte-Chapelle (stunning stained glass windows, royal chapel), Hotel de Ville (beautiful city hall, great for photos), Place de la Concorde (largest square in Paris, Luxor Obelisk), Moulin Rouge (world-famous cabaret shows in Pigalle)
• World-Class Museums: Musée d'Orsay (impressionist and post-impressionist masterpieces in beautiful former railway station), Centre Pompidou (modern and contemporary art, unique inside-out architecture), Musée Rodin (sculpture gardens and mansion dedicated to Auguste Rodin), Musée de l'Orangerie (Monet's Water Lilies and impressionist masterpieces), Musée du Quai Branly - Jacques Chirac (indigenous art and cultures from around the world), Musée Picasso (extensive collection of Picasso's work), Musée Marmottan Monet (largest Monet collection in the world), Musée Jacquemart-André (beautiful mansion with impressive art collection), Musée Zadkine (sculpture garden and home of Russian-born artist Ossip Zadkine), Musée Nissim de Camondo (beautiful mansion showcasing Jewish decorative arts), Musée de la Vie Romantique (charming museum dedicated to Romantic period), Musée Gustave Moreau (symbolist painter's former home and studio)
• Historic Neighborhoods: Montmartre (artistic hilltop village with Sacré-Cœur, Place du Tertre artists, charming winding streets), Le Marais (historic Jewish quarter with beautiful mansions, trendy boutiques, falafel, LGBTQ+ friendly), Latin Quarter (student atmosphere since Middle Ages, Sorbonne, bookshops, Latin cafés), Saint-Germain-des-Prés (intellectual and literary history, famous cafés, chic boutiques), Île de la Cité (historic island with Notre-Dame, Sainte-Chapelle, Conciergerie), Île Saint-Louis (quaint island with lovely streets, Berthillon ice cream), Champ de Mars (large park extending from Eiffel Tower to École Militaire), Parc des Buttes-Chaumont (dramatic hilly park with cliffs, waterfalls, temple), Parc de Belleville (highest park in Paris with great views, charming streets), Parc des Vincennes (large former royal hunting ground with zoo, château, botanical garden)
• Palaces & Gardens: Palace of Versailles (magnificent royal château, Hall of Mirrors, magnificent gardens, allow full day - RER C train), Luxembourg Gardens (beautiful formal gardens, Medici Fountain, puppet shows, tennis), Tuileries Garden (formal gardens between Louvre and Place de la Concorde, great for walking), Palais Royal (historic palace with charming gardens, Buren columns, Galerie Vivienne), Champ de Mars (large park stretching from Eiffel Tower to École Militaire, great for picnics), Parc des Princes (historic football stadium, home of Paris Saint-Germain), Bois de Boulogne (large former hunting ground on west edge, lakes, gardens, amusement park), Bois de Vincennes (large park on east edge with zoo, château, botanical garden, velodrome), Parc André Citroën (modern park on former automobile factory site, balloons, gardens, fountains), Parc de la Villette (modern cultural complex with science museum, music venues, gardens)
• Seine River & Bridges: Seine River cruises (bateaux-mouches, dinner cruises, evening views of illuminated monuments), Pont Alexandre III (most ornate bridge, Art Nouveau lamps and gilt statues), Pont Neuf (oldest standing bridge in Paris despite its name), Pont des Arts (pedestrian bridge famous for "love locks" though now removed), Passerelle Simone-de-Beauvoir (modern pedestrian bridge linking Bercy to François Mitterrand library), Pont Marie (historic bridge to Île Saint-Louis), Pont Sully (charming bridge connecting Île Saint-Louis to Left Bank), Pont Neuf (historic bridge, great views of Louvre and Île de la Cité), Pont Marie (charming bridge to Île Saint-Louis), Pont au Double (historic bridge near Notre-Dame)

Enhanced 2-3 Day Itinerary

Day 1: Classic Paris & Seine River

• Morning (8:00-11:00): Eiffel Tower - Arrive at opening (9:00am) to avoid lines, ascend to summit for panoramic views, explore Champ de Mars gardens
• Morning (11:00-12:30): Walk along Seine from Eiffel Tower to Louvre, admire Pont Alexandre III and Invalides along the way
• Afternoon (12:30-14:00): Lunch at Café Marly (Louvre courtyard with pyramid views) or Bouillon Chartier (authentic and affordable)
• Afternoon (14:00-17:30): Louvre Museum - Focus on Denon wing for Italian Renaissance (Mona Lisa), French masters, and Egyptian antiquities, consider skipping less crowded wings if short on time
• Evening (17:30-19:30): Seine River cruise (Bateaux Mouches or Vedettes du Pont Neuf) to see monuments lit up as darkness falls
• Night (19:30-22:00): Dinner in Latin Quarter - Try Le Procope for historic ambiance or Chez Julien for classic bistro fare, followed by optional jazz club visit

Day 2: Right Bank Luxury & Montmartre Bohemian

• Morning (8:00-10:30): Champs-Élysées - Walk from Arc de Triomphe to Place de la Concorde, luxury shopping, visit Ladurée for macarons
• Morning (10:30-12:00): Petit Palais (free fine arts museum) or Grand Palais depending on current exhibitions
• Lunch (12:00-13:30): Le Fouquet's on Champs-Élysées (historic brasserie) or more affordable option like Astier (classic bistro near Bastille)
• Afternoon (13:30-16:00): Montmartre - Take funicular or walk up to Sacré-Cœur, explore interior and dome views, wander Place du Tertre artists, visit Espace Dalí or Montmartre Museum
• Afternoon (16:00-17:30): Descend Montmartre via Rue Lepic or Rue des Abbesses, stop for coffee at legendary Café des Deux Moulins (Amélie film)
• Evening (17:30-19:30): Explore Pigalle area - Moulin Rouge (consider show with dinner), Musée de l'Erotisme, or Sacré-Cœur at sunset
• Night (19:30-22:00): Dinner in Oberkampf or Belleville (trendy northeastern neighborhoods) - Try Le Perchoir for rooftop views or experimental cuisine at Septime (book months ahead)

Day 3: Left Bank Intellectual & Royal Versailles (Choose One)

• Option A: Versailles Day Trip
• Morning (8:00-12:30): RER C train to Versailles Château-Rive-Guit station, Palace of Versailles - Focus on State Apartments, Hall of Mirrors, King's and Queen's apartments
• Afternoon (12:30-15:30): Gardens of Versailles - Rent rowboat on Grand Canal, visit Musical Fountains show (weekends April-October), explore Marie-Antoinette's Estate (Petit Trianon, Queen's Hamlet)
• Late Afternoon (15:30-16:30): Return to Paris by RER C
• Evening (19:00-21:00): Light dinner near hotel, perhaps explore local marché (market) for picnic supplies tomorrow
• Option B: Left Bank Intellectual Day
• Morning (8:00-10:30): Luxembourg Gardens - Explore formal gardens, Medici Fountain, enjoy coffee at garden café
• Morning (10:30-12:00): Panthéon - Visit this neoclassical mausoleum housing Voltaire, Rousseau, Hugo, Curie, etc.
• Lunch (12:00-13:30): Latin Quarter - Try Chez Georges (classic brasserie) or L'As du Fallafel for quick, delicious falafel
• Afternoon (13:30-15:30): Musée d'Orsay - World's finest impressionist collection (Monet, Renoir, Degas, Cézanne, Van Gogh)
• Afternoon (15:30-16:30): Saint-Germain-des-Prés - Historic literary cafés (Café de Flore, Les Deux Magots), browse famous bookshop Shakespeare and Company
• Evening (16:30-19:00): Explore Latin Quarter further - Visit Sorbonne, climb Sainte-Geneviève Library for stunning reading room, wander charming streets
• Night (19:00-21:30): Dinner in Saint-Germain or Latin Quarter - Try Le Comptoir du Relais (classic bistro) or experimental French-Japanese at Yam'Tcha

Additional Practical Information

Best Time to Visit

Paris is wonderful year-round, but each season offers different experiences:

• Spring (March-May): Mild weather, blooming gardens (especially April), fewer crowds than summer, occasional rain. Perfect for museum visits and outdoor café sitting as terraces reopen.
• Summer (June-August): Warm to hot weather, long days, peak tourist crowds, many Parisians leave in August. Ideal for park picnics, evening Seine cruises, and outdoor festivals. Book everything well in advance.
• Autumn (September-November): Mild weather, beautiful fall colors in parks, fewer crowds after early September, occasional rain. Excellent for museum visits, food markets, and cozy café culture as temperatures drop.
• Winter (December-February): Cold weather, possible snow, magical holiday decorations (December), lowest tourist crowds (except holidays). Perfect for museum hopping, cozy bistro meals, indoor markets, and New Year's celebrations.

Getting Around Paris

• Metro: 16 lines, extensive coverage, fastest way around city. Buy carnet of 10 tickets or weekly Navigo pass if staying week+. First and last trains vary by line but generally run 5:30am-1:15am (later on weekends).
• Bus: Excellent complement to Metro, especially for surface views and routes not covered by underground. Same tickets as Metro.
• RER: Commuter trains that connect Paris to suburbs and important destinations like Versailles (RER C), Charles de Gaulle Airport (RER B), and Disneyland Paris (RER A).
• Walking: Often fastest for short distances in central Paris. Beautiful architecture and street life make walking rewarding.
• Bicycle: Vélib' bike-sharing system extensive, great for flat areas and along Seine. Numerous dedicated bike lanes.
• Taxi/Ride-share
• River Boats