Paris
Essentials
The answers you need first
Best for
Art, architecture, food, fashion, neighbourhoods and museums
Ideal stay
5–7 full days
Airports
Charles de Gaulle and Orly
Main transport
Metro, RER, buses, trams, trains and walking
Emergency
112
Currency
Euro
Language
French
City layout
20 arrondissements arranged in a spiral
01
Is Paris right for your trip?
Paris is ideal for travellers who want major museums, historic architecture, neighbourhood food, fashion, parks and a dense city designed for walking and public transport.
The city is divided into 20 arrondissements, each with a different rhythm. The historic centre, Left Bank, Montmartre, Marais, Canal Saint-Martin and western districts require separate planning.
A strong first visit balances headline attractions with slower neighbourhood time rather than treating Paris as a checklist.
- Excellent for art, architecture, food and photography.
- Strong choice for a first trip to France.
- Five full days is the practical minimum.
- A rental car is unnecessary.
- Advance booking matters for major museums and monuments.
02
When should you visit?
Spring and early autumn usually offer the easiest balance of weather and walking conditions, while summer is busier and more expensive.
July and August can be warm and crowded, while winter is quieter but brings shorter days and more variable weather.
Fashion weeks, major exhibitions, public holidays and large sporting events can affect prices and transport demand.
- March to May: mild weather and strong demand.
- June to August: warmer, busier and often more expensive.
- September to October: popular for walking and cultural travel.
- November to February: cooler, quieter and more variable.
- Check major events before booking accommodation.
03
Which airport should you use?
Charles de Gaulle handles most long-haul traffic, while Orly serves many European and selected international routes.
- CDG — Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport.
- ORY — Paris Orly Airport.
- Use RER, metro-linked services, official buses, taxis or arranged transfers.
- Check the terminal and airport code before departure.
- Use only official taxi queues.
- Allow extra time for traffic and airport security.
04
Which area should you stay in?
Choose accommodation by arrondissement, metro access and evening atmosphere rather than proximity to one monument.
For a first visit, the 1st through 6th arrondissements, Le Marais, Opera or selected parts of the 9th and 10th usually provide the strongest balance.
- Le Marais: central, historic and lively.
- Saint-Germain-des-Prés: classic Left Bank atmosphere and central access.
- Latin Quarter: historic streets, universities and restaurants.
- Canal Saint-Martin: younger atmosphere and neighbourhood dining.
- Montmartre: distinctive streets and views, but hillier.
- Opera and Grands Boulevards: central transport and shopping access.
05
How should you get around?
Use the metro and RER for longer journeys, then walk within each neighbourhood.
Paris public transport is extensive, but station layouts, stairs and line disruptions can make journeys longer than expected.
Historic streets and museum days involve substantial walking.
- Use the metro for most city journeys.
- Use RER for airports, Versailles and selected cross-city routes.
- Check line disruptions before departure.
- Keep tickets or passes accessible until leaving the system.
- Use official taxis or recognised ride services.
- Wear suitable shoes for long walking days.
06
What is a realistic five-day itinerary?
Group each day by district and avoid scheduling several major museums back to back.
Add a sixth or seventh day for Versailles, more museums, Canal Saint-Martin, contemporary art or slower neighbourhood travel.
- Day 1: Louvre area, Tuileries, Palais Royal and the Seine.
- Day 2: Eiffel Tower, Invalides and western Paris.
- Day 3: Le Marais, Île de la Cité and Latin Quarter.
- Day 4: Montmartre, Pigalle and northern neighbourhoods.
- Day 5: Musée d’Orsay, Saint-Germain-des-Prés and Luxembourg Gardens.
07
How should you visit the Louvre?
The Louvre works best with a timed entry and a focused route through selected departments.
- Book through the official museum website.
- Choose a specific collection or route.
- Allow at least three hours.
- Do not schedule another major museum immediately afterward.
- Check entrance and closure information.
- Avoid unofficial street ticket sellers.
08
How should you visit the Eiffel Tower?
The Eiffel Tower requires advance booking, weather awareness and enough time for security screening.
- Book through the official ticket website.
- Choose stairs, second floor or summit access carefully.
- Allow time for security queues.
- Check wind and weather conditions.
- Avoid unofficial ticket sellers.
- Consider viewing the tower from Trocadéro or the Seine as well.
09
Which museums should you prioritise?
Choose museums by interest rather than trying to see every major collection.
- Louvre Museum.
- Musée d’Orsay.
- Musée de l’Orangerie.
- Centre Pompidou.
- Musée Rodin.
- Musée Picasso Paris.
- Check current opening days and timed-entry rules.
10
Which neighbourhoods are worth exploring?
Paris becomes more rewarding when you spend time beyond the major monuments.
- Le Marais.
- Saint-Germain-des-Prés.
- Latin Quarter.
- Canal Saint-Martin.
- Montmartre.
- Belleville.
- Batignolles.
- Passy and western Paris.
11
What should you eat?
Paris combines classic French cooking with regional, immigrant and contemporary food traditions.
- Try boulangeries and pâtisseries.
- Visit neighbourhood markets.
- Reserve high-demand restaurants.
- Try regional French dishes beyond tourist-centre menus.
- Explore North African, West African, Middle Eastern and Asian food districts.
- Check closing days and meal times.
12
How should you use cafes and restaurants?
Paris dining works best when you understand service rhythms, reservations and table etiquette.
- Say bonjour when entering.
- Check whether seating is table service.
- Reserve popular dinner venues.
- Ask for tap water with une carafe d’eau.
- Review opening days before travelling across the city.
- Expect terrace and indoor seating to feel different.
13
How do payments and cash work?
Cards are widely accepted, but cash remains useful for markets and smaller businesses.
- Carry euros.
- Use ATMs attached to established banks.
- Carry a second payment card.
- Keep small cash for markets and public facilities.
- Check the amount before authorising payment.
- Avoid dynamic currency conversion unless you understand the rate.
14
What are the real safety risks?
The main visitor risks are pickpocketing, distraction scams, traffic and crowded transport.
- Keep valuables secure on metro and RER services.
- Ignore unsolicited petitions, bracelets and ticket assistance.
- Use official taxis or recognised ride services.
- Do not display large amounts of cash.
- Stay alert around major stations and attractions.
- Emergency number: 112.
- Medical emergency: 15.
- Police: 17.
- Fire: 18.
15
Which day trips are worth considering?
Paris is a strong base for palaces, historic towns and art-focused excursions.
- Versailles.
- Giverny in season.
- Fontainebleau.
- Chartres.
- Reims.
- Rouen.
- Disneyland Paris for theme-park travel.
16
What do travellers usually discover too late?
These planning mistakes most often make a first Paris trip harder.
- The city has several major rail stations.
- Large museums require focused planning.
- Many metro stations involve stairs.
- Neighbourhood location matters more than distance to one landmark.
- August changes local schedules.
- Cash remains useful.
- Five full days is the practical minimum.
17
Before you go checklist
Complete these checks before departure.
- Confirm the arrival airport and terminal.
- Choose accommodation by arrondissement and metro access.
- Book the Louvre and Eiffel Tower.
- Check museum closure days.
- Review transport disruptions.
- Download tickets and addresses.
- Carry cash and a second payment card.
- Purchase travel insurance.
- Save emergency numbers 112, 15, 17 and 18.
- Pack suitable walking shoes.
- Plan neighbourhood days geographically.
- Use official ticket websites only.
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