Art, Bread, Parties, Romance, History, Shopping, Snails… You name it, Paris has got it.
Route Map & Itinerary
Best Time to Visit Paris
Paris is home to iconic events such as Fashion Week in spring, Bastille Day in July, Nuit Blanche in October, and festive markets in December.
Average temperature range in Spring is 8°C to 15°C. March is still quite chilly, but by May, temperatures become more pleasant. Rainfall is moderate, so it’s a good idea to have an umbrella handy.
Summer is a popular time to visit Paris due to the warm weather and numerous outdoor events. Occasional heatwaves might bring temperatures above 30°C.
September can still feel like an extension of summer, while November starts to get cooler. Rainfall increases, so packing a light raincoat is advisable. The average temperature range during this season is about 9°C to 16°C.
Winters in Paris are cold, but the city’s charm remains intact with holiday decorations and festivities. The average temperature range in winter is around 3°C to 7°C. December and January are the coldest months, with temperatures occasionally dropping below freezing. Snowfall is rare, but if it does snow, it’s a picturesque sight.
Leaving the Airport/Eurostar
The main entry points into Paris for international travellers are Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) and the Eurostar train service.
Charles de Gaulle Airport, also known as Roissy Airport, is the largest international airport serving Paris and is one of the busiest airports in Europe. As it is situated approximately 25 kilometers to the northeast of the city center, you will need to journey a bit farther to reach the city centre.
There are various transportation options, such as:
- RER B Train: Running approximately every 10-20 minutes from Terminal 2, the train takes around 25-30 minutes to reach central stations like Gare du Nord, Châtelet-Les Halles, and Saint-Michel-Notre-Dame. A one-way ticket costs around €11.45, providing an economical option for travelers.
- Taxis: The journey duration to central Paris is around 30-45 minutes, depending on traffic conditions. Taxi fares typically range from €50-70, including baggage charges and the airport supplement.
The Eurostar is a high-speed train service that connects Paris with other major European cities, including London, Brussels, and Amsterdam. The main Eurostar terminal in Paris is the Gare du Nord train station.
Upon arriving at Gare du Nord, you’ll find yourself right in the heart of Paris, ready to start your roaming, without the hassle of additional transfers.
Where to Stay in Paris
Paris is divided into districts, known as arrondissements. Each of these provides a distinct flavor of Paris.
1st and 2nd Arrondissements: Central and bustling, these districts are perfect for first-time visitors. Staying here places you near iconic landmarks like the Louvre, Palais Royal, and Notre-Dame Cathedral. Excellent transport links, including the central Châtelet-Les Halles hub, make exploring the city a breeze.
We stayed at My Maison in Paris for our first visit to the city and we could not have chosen a better location. The apartment was within walking distance to the Louvre, and close to many metro stations, as well as the RER to the airport. Parisian culture was well within reach with many bars and restaurants on the doorstep. The apartment itself was cozy and modern, and provided a good night’s rest.
3rd and 4th Arrondissements (Le Marais): Immersed in history and culture, Le Marais offers a blend of old-world charm and modern vibrancy. The district boasts museums, art galleries, and trendy boutiques. Optimal metro connections provide access to the wider city.
5th and 6th Arrondissements (Latin Quarter and Saint-Germain-des-Prés): Perfect for a mix of intellectual exploration and bohemian allure, these areas house iconic universities and historic cafes. Exceptional transport links let you seamlessly navigate the city’s cultural hotspots.
7th Arrondissement: Nestled near the Eiffel Tower and Les Invalides, this district provides a quintessential Parisian experience. The convenient metro and RER connections facilitate visits to other iconic sites and neighborhoods.
18th Arrondissement (Montmartre): This bohemian haven offers artistic charm atop its iconic hill. With the Sacré-Cœur Basilica as a backdrop, you’re well-connected by metro and bus, allowing you to enjoy a serene retreat while being linked to the heart of the city.
Booking.comItinerary
Day 1: Exploring Paris – A Day of Shopping & Icons
Our exploration begins on the iconic Champs-Élysées. This grand avenue is not only a shopper’s paradise but also a celebration of the city’s vibrant energy. It boasts cinemas, theatres, exhibition venues and more. Nearly 2 kilometres in length, this historic street offers a variety of stores, like Zara, Tiffany & Co, Louis Vuitton flagship and the official PSG store.
Numerous French luxury brands have dedicated museums and galleries within their Champs-Élysées flagship stores. Take, for example, La Galerie Dior—a haven that pays tribute to the brand’s rich history. Or, the Musée Yves Saint Laurent, which is a shrine to the designer’s timeless creations. It is possible to buy your tickets on arrival at these museums, but booking online in advance is highly recommended.
The Arc de Triomphe marks the endpoint of the Champs-Élysées. One of the most famous monuments in Paris, this structure honours those who fought and died for France during the French revolution and Napoleonic Wars. If you fancy a leg workout, there is the option to pay 13 euros to climb the 284 steps to the top. While you catch your breath, you’ll enjoy panoramic views of the entire Paris cityscape.
Our next stop is the magnificent Palais Garnier, a testament to opulence and artistic genius. This historic opera house, with its ornate interiors and captivating performances, offers a glimpse into Paris’s rich cultural heritage.
Indulge in another round of retail therapy. This time at Galeries Lafayette Haussmann – a treasure trove of high-end fashion and elegance. Whatever shopping desires you may have, this century-old department store is sure to fulfill them. Don’t miss the opportunity to visit the rooftop bar on the 8th floor.
As darkness sets in, we find ourselves at the Eiffel Tower and the sprawling greens of Champ de Mars. The iconic tower stands tall, and is adorned with golden sparkles for 5 minutes every hour on the hour. Be alert as numerous traders will try to entice you with magnets, key-chains, wine bottles, beers and other small goods.
Our first day in Paris ends at the Flame of Liberty. This tribute to the Statue of Liberty glows in the night, symbolizing the friendship between France and the United States. This site is also just above the tunnel where Princess Diana died in 1997, and serves as an unofficial memorial. The city of Paris often clears the writings left by fans and paints over the walls.
The Flame of Liberty is not in fact an official tribute to Princess Diana so we are under no obligation to maintain it as such.
Paris City Official (Allen, 2013)
Day 2: Historic Sites of Paris
Our day starts at the grand Place de la Concorde – a historic square with fountains, exquisite sculptures, and the towering Obelisk of Luxor.
Stroll through the Tuileries Garden as we make our way towards the world-renowned Louvre Museum. Queues are typically long but move quick. You could spend hours in this treasure trove of masterpieces, from the Mona Lisa to the Venus de Milo.
Hidden in the basement of the Louvre was also an African and Oceanic Art Exhibit, which is well worth visiting.
Three minutes walk from the Louvre, you’ll find the Pont des Arts, the famed “Love Lock Bridge”. This charming bridge invites you to leave your mark on its railings, where countless couples have sealed their love by attaching padlocks adorned with their initials or messages of affection. Continue strolling along the Seine River towards the Île de la Cité (City Island).
This island is home to many attractions; most notable of which is probably the Gothic masterpiece, Notre-Dame Cathedral. Most of the structure is currently wrapped in scaffolding, due to renovation works, after the devastating 2019 fire. The Cathedral is set to reopen in December 2024 but you can still catch some glimpses of the intricate carvings in the facade.
Venture to the intellectual haven of Le Panthéon, a mausoleum where the remains are kept of distinguished individuals who contributed to French society and culture. Here, pay homage to visionaries like Voltaire, Rousseau, and Marie Curie, whose legacies continue to shape the world.
To end our day, we venture deep beneath the city streets, into the Catacombs of Paris. These winding tunnels and bone-adorned walls hold the remains of millions, offering a glimpse into Paris’s hidden past.
Day 3: Paris’s Hidden Treasures
Our day kicks off at the Palais de Tokyo, a hub of contemporary creativity. This museum is delightfully weird with avant-garde art that challenges conventions, and vibrant displays that ignite the imagination.
As unusual as it may sound, our next stop is the city’s drainage for the Paris Sewer Museum. This unique attraction offers a glimpse into the city’s fascinating underground world, where its intricate network of sewers tells tales of urban engineering and history.
Back above ground, we journey to the Musée d’Orsay, an ode to the Impressionist movement. Delve into masterpieces by Monet, Van Gogh, and Degas, where strokes of paint capture fleeting moments in time.
France’s second most visited religious monument, after the Notre-Dame Cathedral, is the Sacré-Cœur Church. This magnificent basilica is perched atop the highest point of Paris. Among the things that make the Sacré-Cœur Basilica so unique is its remarkable whiteness. It was built with a special stone that exudes calcite when wet, making the façade sparklingly white on rainy days, as if it was covered with a fresh layer of paint.
If you’re up for it, our final destinations for the day will be the thrift stores of Paris. Follow the Off 2 Roam Thrift map to snap some bargains and curate your style in the city of fashion.
Nightlife
For a quintessential Parisian experience, tap into the café culture. Most cafés keep their doors open till the early hours of the AM, inviting you to engage in leisurely conversations and people-watching as the hours tick away.
Paris is world-famous for its iconic cabaret scene. Moulin Rouge and Lido are iconic venues where dancers adorned in sequins and feathers perform captivating shows that blend talent, music, and sheer spectacle.
If you’re drawn to more laid-back and sultry experiences, Paris’s jazz bars are a must-visit. Le Caveau de la Huchette and Le Duc des Lombards are among the legendary venues where you can sip on a cocktail as melodies fill the air.
For a full-on clubbing experience, venues like 911, Wanderlust, Jangal, Trendies, Yoyo and Le Chinois cater to all the latest hiptop, trap, francophone and afrobeats hits. If bottle culture and high-end clubs are more your vibe, visit Cova Club or Le Matignon.
Food
Paris is one of the world’s gastronomic capitals, and is renowned for its Michelin-starred restaurants, top chefs, and its wealth of food. Le Train Bleu offers a majestic setting in Gare de Lyon, albeit at a premium. Likewise, Girafe presents an upscale dining experience accompanied by gourmet seafood and Eiffel Tower views.
You’ll find crepes at every corner, with a variety of options – plain, sweet with some Nutella or savoury with some ham and cheese. Indulge in flaky croissants, buttery pain au chocolat, and colorful macarons that melt in your mouth. Traditional bakeries offer baguettes with their signature crust and a soft, airy interior—a staple of daily Parisian life.
Paris’s cosmopolitan character also influences its food scene. Explore ethnic neighborhoods like Belleville and indulge in flavors from around the world, from Lebanese falafel to Vietnamese pho.
Embrace the chance to explore cuisine from African Francophone countries, a unique opportunity rarely found elsewhere. Savor the likes of Thieboudienne, a Senegalese specialty with roots in jollof cuisine, at the African Lounge. Delight in a hearty meal at establishments like Caffe Creole or Ti Casa Creole, inviting you to experience the rich range of flavors that Paris has to offer.
The Chat
Sim: Paris! The city of dreams, of food, of fashion, of style.
Kat: Everyone’s dream city.
Sim: Have you ever heard about Paris Syndrome?
Kat: When people go and they get so disappointed that they fall sick?
Sim: Yes, it’s actually even in the dictionary!
Kat: Haha… how was it for you? Recently, I saw someone say that Paris is either a hit or a miss.
Sim: I love Paris! I have a 550 Duolingo streak going in French, and if I could move to Paris TODAY, I would.
Kat: Oh!
Sim: I think it’s such a cute little city with so much personality. I saw this tiktok recently about how you to go to Paris to brew and think. Drink a coffee and people-watch from a tiny terrace. All of my favourite things (except coffee).
Kat: What did you think about the snails? Were they slimey?
Sim: No! They’re so good. They cook them in this butter sauce and then serve you bread on the side. I actually quite enjoyed it. Especially soaking up the butter with the bread.
Kat: Interesting… What is your favourite thing about Paris?
Sim: I have two highlights from Paris. First, was going to the club. When I tell you the music was fantastic, and the people were so beautiful. You just stop mid-dance and look around like WOW! Ça va? Bonjour!
My second favourite thing was the food. You get the opportunity to try food from a lot of Francophone countries that you would never typically come across. I tried thieboudienne – National dish of Senegal and the origin food for Jollof.
Kat: Should you be saying this?
Sim: Well i thought it was an undisputed fact? Anyways, I highly recommend for everyone to try it from African Lounge. Their customer service is *coughs* but the food is soo good.
Kat: I feel like that’s such a stereotype of African restaurants.
Sim: This is so bad to say but when I try a new African restaurant and the service is good, I lowkey get a bit worried. Is this food actually going to slap? I know, terrible to think, but that’s my truth!
Kat: Whew, this is a conversation for another day. I think Paris is a truly international city. Everyone goes and they can find their people and fit in. Then have the time of their lives! Especially once they figure their way around.
Sim: And it’s actually so easy to find your way around because the city is well connected with great public transport links. It’s the city of options!
Kat: I like that! Paris – the city of options!
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