Paris
The city of art and gastronomy — the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, the Seine and a refined cafe culture that draws travellers from around the world.
Paris right now · June
In season now: ☀️ Summer
Coming up
- 🎵Fête de la MusiqueJun 21in 3 days
- 🎆Bastille DayJul 14in ~4 weeks
- 🚴Tour de France finish~Jul 27in ~6 weeks
Travel videos from Paris
Videos belong to their respective creators
Paris cinematic travel (4K)
▶ Qian Ma
Paris — the City of Light (4K)
▶ Eliott Abrahams
Paris cinematic (4K)
▶ JP visuals
Paris — City of Light (4K)
▶ Sergio Mota
Paris cinematic walk (4K)
▶ Charith Shay
Paris in 4K
▶ Around The World 4K
Paris 4K drone
▶ MTI Aerials
Paris 4K aerial
▶ Harbour Visuals
Paris aerial 4K
▶ World via Drones
Paris travel guide
▶ Expedia
Scenes of Paris
Photos: Wikimedia Commons
Top spots
1Eiffel Tower
Paris's icon — best seen from Trocadéro, and it sparkles on the hour after dark.
2The Louvre
The world's largest art museum (home of the Mona Lisa), marked by its glass pyramid.
3Notre-Dame
The Gothic masterpiece on Île de la Cité, reopened after restoration from the 2019 fire.
4Montmartre & Sacré-Cœur
The hilltop white basilica and artists' quarter, with sweeping views over Paris.
5Arc de Triomphe
The Arc de Triomphe, where twelve avenues meet atop the glamorous Champs-Élysées.
6Palace of Versailles
A short trip out to the opulent palace and its vast gardens; the Hall of Mirrors is a must.
Photos: Wikimedia Commons
When to visit Paris
Best months & festivals — filled = recommended
🌸Spring
Pleasant weather and gardens in bloom.
☀️Summer
Peak season with long daylight.
🍁Autumn
Autumn colour and a calmer mood.
✨Winter lights
The Champs-Élysées and department stores light up.
Key events & festivals
- 🎾
Roland-Garros~May 25–Jun 8
One of tennis's four Grand Slams.
- 🎵
Fête de la MusiqueJun 21
Free music fills the whole city.
- 🎆
Bastille DayJul 14
A military parade and fireworks at the Eiffel Tower.
- 🚴
Tour de France finish~Jul 27
The race's final sprint on the Champs-Élysées.
- 🌃
Nuit Blanche~Oct 4
An all-night contemporary-art event.
- ✨
Christmas lightsDec 1–Dec 31
The city dresses up in lights.
What to eat in Paris
Signature local dishes to try
🥐Croissant
Buttery and flaky — best fresh from a boulangerie in the morning.
🥖Jambon-beurre
The classic baguette sandwich — just good ham and butter.
🥩Steak-frites
The bistro staple — steak with a heap of fries.
🥞Crêpe
From sweet crêpes to savoury galettes, even from street stalls.
🍬Macaron
Colourful, delicate meringue sweets — a Parisian art form.
About Paris
- 🌸 Best season
- Spring (Apr–Jun) and autumn (Sep–Oct) are most pleasant; summer is peak season and winter is cold but beautifully lit.
- ✈️ Getting there
- About 45–60 min from Charles de Gaulle airport by RER B train or the Roissybus.
- 🚇 Getting around
- A dense metro network; sightseeing is mostly on foot plus the metro.
- 🗣️ Language & currency
- French; the currency is the euro (EUR). A few French greetings go a long way.
- 🕒 Time
- Central European Time (UTC+1, +2 in summer).
Tips & hidden gems
💡 Book museums ahead
Reserve timed tickets for the Louvre and Orsay in advance; the Paris Museum Pass also saves time.
💡 Watch for pickpockets
Pickpockets work the major sights and the metro — keep valuables in front of you.
💡 Mind closing days
Some shops close on Sundays; museums often close on Monday or Tuesday.
Travel essentials
Payments, transport, connectivity and safety — before you go
Payments
Contactless is everywhere; cards cover almost everything. Wise/Revolut are handy for FX.
Getting around
Uber, Bolt and the official G7 taxis.
SIM / eSIM
EU eSIMs are convenient (roam across the EU).
Plugs & voltage
Type E, 230V.
Tipping
Not obligatory (service included); rounding up is plenty.
Tap water
Tap water is safe.
Safety
Generally safe, but pickpockets are common at sights and on the metro.
Suggested routes
Classic Paris — full day
~1 day / metro & walking
Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, Île de la Cité and the Arc de Triomphe — Paris's icons in one day by metro and on foot.
- 1Eiffel Tower
Paris's icon — best seen from Trocadéro, and it sparkles on the hour after dark.
- 2The Louvre
The world's largest art museum (home of the Mona Lisa), marked by its glass pyramid.
- 3Île de la Cité & Notre-Dame
The Gothic masterpiece on Île de la Cité, reopened after restoration from the 2019 fire.
- 4Champs-Élysées & Arc de Triomphe
The Arc de Triomphe, where twelve avenues meet atop the glamorous Champs-Élysées.
Montmartre & arts — half day
~3 hrs / walking
A half-day around hilltop Sacré-Cœur and the cobbled artists' quarter of Montmartre.
- 1Sacré-Cœur
The hilltop white basilica and artists' quarter, with sweeping views over Paris.
- 2Place du Tertre
- 3Backstreet cafés
Versailles day trip
~1 day / RER
Take the RER out to the opulent Palace of Versailles and its vast gardens.
- 1RER C to Versailles
- 2Palace of Versailles
A short trip out to the opulent palace and its vast gardens; the Hall of Mirrors is a must.
- 3Hall of Mirrors
- 4Gardens & Grand Canal
Live highlights
Live cameras for Paris are coming soon.
Plan your trip to Paris
Sample links — affiliate partnerships pending