The Paris Complete Guide Updated May 2023
Paris became the capital of France in 987. Its role as capital led each monarch in turn to further enrich the city, making it one of the world’s most delightful cities. To this day, Paris transmits all the atmosphere of its glorious past, with its grand buildings from the Napoleonic age, magnificent Gothic Cathedrals such as Nôtre Dame, opulent buildings such as Les Invalides, and its splendid museums such as the Louvre
Poets, artists, playwrights, writers, journalists, and more have all written about their love of this city. It’s a place that exudes culture, sophistication, class, and style. Like the millions before me, I fell in love with this city the first time I visited.
Things To Do – Best Selection For Funny Shopping Culture and Relax
1. Scale the Eiffel Tower
Built for the 1889 World Fair, the 300-meter tower is an engineering feat that was originally hated by locals. They called it “the metal asparagus.” Now, it’s the most famous symbol of the city. Get there early to avoid the lines. Tickets range from 16-26 EUR.
2. Go Museum Hopping
Paris has hundreds of museums worth seeing. Make sure to check out the Musee D’Orsay for great impressionist work, the amazing Rodin Museum, Holocaust Museum (one of the best in the world), Musee D’Orangerie (more impressionist work), and the interesting sewer museum. A museum pass is the most affordable way to see them as it provides access to over 50 museums in Paris and the surrounding region. A two-day pass costs 52 EUR, a four-day pass costs 66 EUR, and a six-day pass costs 78 EUR.
3. Tour the Palace of Versailles
Visiting the famed 17th-century palace requires a whole day (don’t skip Marie Antoinette’s home or the spacious gardens). Summer weekends are the best time to visit the gardens, as the fountains are set to music then. Admission to the palace is 18 EUR and admission to the entire complex (including the gardens) is 27 EUR.
4. Explore the Louvre
The Louvre is the biggest museum in the world, with thousands of square feet of space and millions of artifacts and works of art(including the Mona Lisa and the Venus de Milo). To see it all, you need at least two full days, but you can do the highlights in a full afternoon. It costs 17 EUR.
5. Visit the Panthéon
Located in the Latin Quarter, this Neoclassical building was originally built as a church but was turned into a state burial site for France’s heroes, including Marie Curie, Victor Hugo, Jean-Jacques Rousseau, Louis Braille, and Voltaire. Admission is 11.50 EUR.
6. Relax in Luxembourg Gardens
The Jardin du Luxembourg (Luxembourg Garden) is the largest public park in Paris, covering 56 acres. The garden, which was first created in 1612, contains over a hundred statues, monuments, and fountains, all scattered throughout the grounds. The park was neglected for years until the French Revolution, after which Jean Chalgrin (the architect of the Arc de Triomphe) set about restoring and expanding the park. In the morning, you’ll see lots of runners exercising here. At lunch on a nice day, join park-goers in having a picnic.
7. Wander the Latin Quarter
A historic area near the Notre Dame, the Latin Quarter is filled with tiny, winding streets that turn at weird angles to open into little cafe-lined squares. Wandering around here it always feels like you’re stepping back a few hundred years in history. There are a lot of restaurants, bars, and jazz clubs here too.
8. Visit Sainte-Chapelle
The Sainte-Chapelle is a royal chapel in the Gothic style, within the medieval Palais de la Cité, the residence of the Kings of France until the 14th century, on the Île de la Cité in the River Seine in Paris, France. Construction began sometime after 1238 and the chapel was consecrated on 26 April 1248 .The (mostly) original interior décor is exquisite, including some of the few remaining examples of original stained glass in France. There’s usually a long line, but museum pass holders can skip it. It costs 11.50 EUR.
9. Admire the view from Montmartre
Home to starving artists for over a century (since the Belle Époque in the 19th century), the neighborhood of Montmartre offers a stunning view of Paris, arty cafés and bars, cobblestone streets, and the only winery within the city limits (Vignes du Clos Montmartre). It’s one of the hipper parts of Paris, even if it has lost some of its old grandeur. It’s great for those wanting to visit the hangout spots of folks like Hemingway and Gertrude Stein. The iconic Sacré-Cœur basilica sits at the top of the hill. Climb the steps or sit on the sloping lawn and admire the views at dusk. Entrance to the basilica is free
10. Admire Notre Dame
Notre-Dame de Paris, is a medieval Catholic cathedral on the Île de la Cité, in the 4th arrondissement of Paris. The cathedral, dedicated to the Virgin Mary, is considered one of the finest examples of French Gothic architecture. Unfortunately for now of Notre Dame you can only admire the external side because the cathedral is closed for restoration since it was damaged in a fire in 2019, the reopening inside is scheduled for 2024.
11. Centre Pompidou
The Centre Pompidou is one of the most visited cultural sites in Paris. But if you’re not a fan of modern art, you probably won’t enjoy this museum. The Pompidou is all modern and contemporary art (think cubist, surrealist and pop art, among others). Even its exterior is a little “out there,” with its insides (piping, plumbing, elevators, escalators, etc.) exposed on the outside. Inside the inside-out museum you’ll find one of the largest collections of modern and contemporary art in the world (more than 100,000 pieces of art).
12. Stroll down the Champs Elysees
This is one of the most famous streets in the world and stretches from the Arc de Triomphe to the Louvre. It’s lined with expensive shops and restaurants and is always busy, but it’s a great place to club hop at night or shop during the day. Come in the very early morning to see the place utterly deserted. It makes for great photos.
13. Stand under the Arc De Triomphe
Situated at the western end of the Champs-Elysees, the towering Arc de Triomphe was commissioned by Napoléon to honor the Grande Armee during the Napoleonic Wars. Aside from admiring the arch, visitors can climb to the top and take in the Parisian panorama. Most visitors are wowed by the immense size of the structure and recommend ascending to the top for the spectacular Paris views. Visitors caution that you’ll have to wait in line to get to the top and the climb, which is made up of hundreds of stairs, can be a serious workout. Others strongly cautioned against trying to cross the street to get to the Arc. Instead, take the underground tunnel near the metro that leads directly to the base of the structure. The interior of the arch and the viewing deck is open every day from 10 a.m. to 10:30 or 11 p.m., depending on the season
14. Romantic Life Museum
A small pearl in the heart of Paris, this museum has free entry and inside there is a beautiful garden. Located in the picturesque area of Montmartre, it is a real monument of the Romantic era, you can admire artists such as Chopin, George Sand and Delacroix, who have contributed to the history of French Romanticism.
Inside the museum there are many testimonies and memories of this wonderful era. On the ground floor it is possible to admire portraits, mobile sculptures and jewels, many of which are connected with George Sand, neighbor of Ary Scheffer. Upstairs there is a large collection of paintings by Ary Scheffer.
In addition to the permanent collection, it is also possible to visit temporary exhibitions, like concerts and readings. In the green of the outdoor courtyard there is a café decorated in the same romantic style, where you can sip excellent tea. The museum is open Tuesday to Sunday from 10:00 to 18:00. Address: 16, Rue Chaptal – 75009 Paris
15. Basilica Of the Sacre Coeur
Located in the district of Montmartre it’s dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, the hill of artists, this nineteenth-century basilica of Romanesque-Byzantine style dominates the city from its height of 129 meters. Here, you can admire the beauty of the gold mosaic in the apse, it is possible to admire a fabulous view over the rooftops of Paris. Address: 35, rue du Chevalier de la Barre – 75018 Paris
16. Tuileries Garden
The Tuileries Garden is a public garden located between the Louvre and the Place de la Concorde in the 1st arrondissement of Paris, France. Created by Catherine de’ Medici as the garden of the Tuileries Palace in 1564, it was eventually opened to the public in 1667 and became a public park after the French Revolution.
Located in front of the Louvre these royal gardens are really wonderfull. Excellent summer retreat, you can relax lying on the lawn, sitting on one of the many chairs that surround the gardens, reading or admiring the sunset over the city. Between the colors of autumn or the blossoming of spring, the gardens are truly fascinating and are perfect for a little relaxation at no cost.
17. Pont Alexandre III
The Pont Alexandre III is a deck arch bridge that spans the Seine in Paris. It connects the Champs-Élysées quarter with those of the Invalides and Eiffel Tower. The bridge is widely regarded as the most ornate, extravagant bridge in the city. It has been classified as a French monument historique since 1975.
It’s not a simple bridge, it’s a real work of historical art. A concentration of art and ornaments that have made it the most famous bridge in the city. The bridge connects the Grand Palais and the Petit Palais with the Hôtel des Invalides, the historic retirement home that also houses the tomb of Napoleon. From here you can admire the Eiffel Tower and savor the beauty of the city. Address: Pont Alexandre III – 75008 Paris
18. Maison de Victor Hugo
One of the main literary museums in Paris, the “Maison de Victor Hugo” is located near the Place des Vosges, inside the Rohan-Guéménée palace. Here the famous writer lived for sixteen years and composed some of his masterpieces. La Casa di Hugo is open from Tuesday to Sunday from 10:00 to 18:00.
The entrance to the permanent collections of the Maison Victor Hugo when the exhibitions are not taking place, is free. If there are temporary exhibitions, the museum is subject to a fee. Occasionally the Maison Victor Hugo may be closed for exhibition set-up. Address: 6, place des Vosges – 75004 Paris
Getting Around In Paris
Paris is separated into twenty arrondissements; each offering a unique flavor of the city! The most popular Paris neighborhoods worth visiting are:
Le Marais: Located in the third and fourth arrondissement, this area of Paris has long been where aristocrats have lived. It now has a vibrant Jewish community along with some of the city’s best hotels and art galleries.
1st Arrondissement: Home to many of the city’s main sights including the Royal Palace and the Louvre, this is usually the starting point for those visiting Paris for the first time.
8th Arrondissement: A popular area of the city that is home to several impressive palaces, along with the Arc de Triomphe and the Champs-Elysees.
11th Arrondissement: This area is a popular part of the city for those looking to enjoy the nightlife. There’s a good range of restaurants to enjoy, plus it’s home to the Edith Piaf Museum.
La Defense: On the edge of the city, this part of Paris has some wonderful modern art displayed and architecture. This is also one of the city’s main business areas.
Accomodation: Where to Stay in Paris
The best area to stay in Paris is Le Marais if you want access to everything right on your doorstep. You’ll be in the middle of trendy restaurants and shops and can walk or take the metro to most sights. However, most accommodation won’t go below €80 a night, so it might be worth searching in other areas nearby too. Alternatively, find a hotel in Montmartre just outside the city centre but full of character and charming streets and cheaper accommodation in general. Finally, stay in Saint Germain if you prefer to stay close to many restaurants and the main attractions.
Trasportation
The underground train network in Paris is called the Metro (which is short for Métropolitain de Paris). The Metro has 380 stations so it is an excellent way to get around to any part of the city. In fact, you’re never more than a few minutes walk from a station. Furthermore, the Metro is very affordable, easy to navigate once you use it a few times, and it’s been voted the best public transportation in the world.
NOTE: The Metro has a lot of stairs and very few elevators. If you have a lot of luggage or other mobility issues you may want to find alternate transportation.
Using The City Bus
There are multiple bus routes (around 60) so we recommend buying a book that shows all the routes or downloading an app on your phone. Each stop/bus shelter should have a large map with all the routes but it gets a bit overwhelming. There are also a number of apps that will everything much more manageable.
Buses run about every 5-10 minutes during the week but service slows to about every 15-20 minutes on Sunday. Bus service isn’t quite as reliable as the Metro so times will vary.
Routes start around 7 am and run to around 9 pm (but some go until around midnight). There are a number of night busses (Noctilien) that run on alternate routes and these run much less frequently.
Tikets
The bus uses the same tickets as the Metro. We highly recommend pre-purchasing a carnet (book of 10 tickets). You can buy a single ticket from the driver with coins (they prefer exact change) but it’s
You can also buy a single ticket from the driver with coins (they prefer exact change) but it’s way easier to buy tickets ahead of time (and sometimes the drivers are a bit grumpy).
Taxi
Paris has over 20,000 taxis (cabs) on its streets 24 hours a day. It normally isn’t hard to hail a cab, except after midnight. Licensed taxis in Paris are normal cars with a “Taxi Parisien” sign on the roof. Inside they must have a taxi fare meter and a badge with the driver’s license number. Taxis are obligated to take you to the address you ask for. However, Parisian cab drivers are sometimes known for not taking you to your destination if they consider the journey isn’t convenient for them or if you have too much luggage, for example.
The minimum service fee is € 7.10 including supplements.
Taxis will not charge extra for journeys from or to Charles de Gaulle Airport, Orly Airport or the different railway stations.
Cabs will always cost the same, whether you call one, go to a taxi rank or hail one in the street.
Montmartre Funicular
The Montmartre funicular is a type of automatic railway that connects the foot with the summit of the Butte Montmarte, where the Basilique du Sacrè Coeur (Basilica of the Sacred Heart) and the Place du Tertre are situated. The Montmartre funicular was opened during the summer of 1990. Since it was inaugurated it has been rebuilt and renovated in several occasions, the last time on 1 June, 1991.
Currently, the funicular is electric and it transports over 2 million passengers a year. The journey lasts 90 seconds and is completely automatic. The original funicular was water-powered and used a system of cisterns that would be filled or emptied depending on the passenger load.
Schedule & timetable
The Montmartre funicular is open from 6 am until 12:45 am. The ticket office closes before midnight, so we suggest getting the ticket before heading to Montmartre if you’re planning on visiting this neighborhood at night.
Fares
The funicular ticket costs the same as a single-way journey. There are different types of transport tickets which can be used on the funicular: the single-journey ticket called T+Ticket, or the daily or weekly travel cards: Paris Visite and Passe Navigo.
Opening Hours in Paris
Opening hours of museums and shops in Paris are long enough to be able to combine sightseeing with shopping during the same day.
Stores
Opening hours of stores in Paris are usually from 9:30 am to 7:30 pm from Monday to Saturday. Department stores in the city usually stay open until later, for example, Lafayette, is open until 8 pm every day (Thursday evenings until 9 pm), and Printemps, another famous mall, is open until 7 pm every day (Thursday evenings until 10 pm).
It is possible for the shops located on the Avenue des Champs-Elysees and other tourist areas to also open on Sundays. Opening hours on Sunday are from 11 am to 7 pm approximately.
Museums
Most museums open between 9:30 am and 11 am and close at approximately 6 pm. The most visited museums normally open longer hours on a certain day of the week, for example, Orsay closes at 9:45 pm on Thursdays and the Louvre closes at the same hour on Wednesdays and Fridays.
Costs
How much money will I need for a trip to Paris? Are restaurants expensive? How much will I spend on accommodation? Here are some tips to help you organize your budget for your trip to Paris.
Despite being an expensive city, Paris isn’t as pricey as other European capitals like Amsterdam, London or Edinburgh. Accomodation and trasportation are just a little more expensive than in cheaper cities such as Madrid and Barcellona.
Some Examples
Here is a list with some examples of daily costs in Paris, so you can get a sense of how much you need for your trip:
Food and Drinks
- Coffee: € 1 at the bar, € 3 at a table
- Beer: € 2-€ 4 depending on the area
- Sandwich: € 3-€ 6
- Basic lunchtime menu (without drinks): between € 10 and € 20
Transportation
- One-way fare (valid during 90 minutes) t+Ticket: From € 2.10
- 10 journey t+ tickets: € 14.10
- Taxi to the city centre: € 8 – € 12
- Taxi from Charles de Gaulle Airport: € 55
Accommodation
- Double room in the cheapest hotels: from € 50 per night
- Highly valued hotels in the centre: from € 80 per night
- Luxury hotels: from € 150 per night
Admission Tickets
- Admission tickets to thetop attractions: between € 5 and € 15
- Most visited museums: Most between € 7 and € 9
Cllimate: Best time To Visit Paris
When is the best time of year to visit Paris? Find out about the weather averages during all four season, so you can decide which period you want to visit Paris in.
The climate in Paris is continental and therefore mild. The winters are generally cold but not freezing and the summers can be hot, although only occasionally. The rain is frequent with higher precipitations than London, occurring all year round.
Summer in Paris
Summers in Paris are very similar to those in London. From June to September, the average temperatures are minimum 55°F (13°C) and maximum 77°F (25°C). Sometimes it can get up to 86°F (30°C), but rarely. However, the heat in this city is humid and it can be oppressive to wander the streets of Paris during the hottest days.
Winter in Paris
The winters in the capital of France are cold, but not usually freezing. Average temperatures are minimum 33°F (1°C) and maximum 44°F (7°C). In winter, the rainfall is heavier and it can sometimes snow.
Best Time to Visit Paris
Paris is breath-taking all year round However, if we were to choose the best time to visit the city, we would pick the summer. During this period, it is less likely to rain and the days are longer.
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