Destination Guide

Paris, France

For over two thousand years, Paris has been a centre for culture, art, food, architecture, industry and history. The landmarks of Paris are some of the most widely recognised in the entire world and it is also the most visited city on Earth.

This beautiful and rich city has seen its dark days and its enlightened ones. Known for the Eiffel Tower, Leonardo Da Vinci's Mona Lisa, Paris is definitely a destination worth visiting. There have been countless movies made and songs written about its beauty and the feeling one gets when walking its streets. A trip to Paris is always an unforgettable one and definitely an experience everyone should have in their lifetime. They don't call it 'The City of Light' for nothing.

There is no 'bad' time to visit Paris as each season has its charms. In the summer time, the weather is comfortable but the tourists are plenty. In the fall/winter, temperatures can get a little chilly and the stores are packed during the holiday season. However, you won't be competing with quite as many other tourists. While many Parisians do speak English, a French phrase book could be quite helpful.

Getting in and around Paris

Paris Airport

Unless you live in Europe, you will very likely be flying to Paris. If so, Charles de Gaulle airport is your best bet. It is a major airport which means you will have a wide variety of flight times and airlines to choose from.

Paris Transport

Europe has an impressive high-speed train network. The TGV can transport you almost anywhere that you'd want to go. Euroline Bus Company can also provide transportation in and around France and Europe, if you are travelling to Paris from another European city. If you're travelling from the UK, you must take a ferry across the English Channel. Note, Paris is a walking city, so be sure to bring good walking shoes on your trip to Paris!

The best way to see Paris is to walk to your destinations. You'll find great little shops, restaurants and sights that would only be a blur by any other means. However, if you are travelling to a sight that's beyond walking distance, you have many options in Paris.

Most seasoned tourists won't recommend driving yourself or employing the bus system. However, the Metro and the Underground Rail are two great options from Paris's excellent public transportation system. Taxis are also an option, however they can be pricey. Nevertheless, taxis are always a possibility if you're in a pinch.

Paris Car Hire

As in most cities car hire is available in Paris, however it may be easier to walk the city.

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Paris accommodation

Sleeping in Paris will be a large portion of your trip's budget, no matter what hotel you choose. However, there are thousands of hotels in Paris to choose from. You can easily find the right hotel for you.

Luxury
  • Sofitel le Faubourg is an elegant hotel located just steps from the Champs-Elysees and some of Paris's most popular attractions.
  • Four Seasons Hotel George V in Paris is an icon of luxury. Boasting a world famous restaurant and historic charm, this hotel is a regular stop for the rich and famous
Mid-range
  • Hotel Caron de Beaumarchais is one of the oldest hotels in Paris that offers delightfully traditional Parisian decor and a delicious breakfast in the Marais district.
  • Hotel Britannique is a beautifully warm and cosy hotel nestled in the heart of Paris, just steps away from some of Paris's greatest land marks.
Budget
  • Comfort Hotel Paris Montmartre is an ideal spot for travellers on a budget. It's quaint and comfortable and affords easy access to Paris's top spots.
  • Comfort Gare de L'Est This comfortable hotel is located in the 5th Arrondissement with great access to the highlights of Paris.
Backpackers
  • Blue Planet Hostel is comfortable and convenient, and provides on-the-go travellers with affordable accommodation.
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Things to do in Paris

A better question would be: 'What can't you do in Paris?' The list of attractions, museums, monuments, and historic sites in Paris is never ending. Nevertheless, here are few places you simply must see before your first trip ends:

  • The Eiffel Tower is arguably the most recognized and widely visited monument in the world. It is the symbol of Paris and was originally constructed as a temporary structure. The Eiffel Tower stands 325 meters high and from the top, travellers can enjoy panoramic views of the city.
  • Notre Dame Cathedral. This symbol of high Gothic architecture is at the centre of architecture history. The flying buttresses and Rose stained glass window are universally recognized features of the cathedral. It is still a functioning place of worship in Paris.
  • The Champs-Elysees is a beautiful tree lined avenue and shopping district that ends with Napoleon's Arc de Triomphe at one end and the Place de la Concorde at the other. It is famous as 'the most beautiful avenue in the world.'
  • The Place de la Bastille also has great historical significance as it was once the sight of the famous Bastille.
  • Pere Lachaise Cemetery. A morbid but very interesting stop on the Paris trail, this is one of the most famous cemeteries in the world as it is where some of history's most famous people are laid to rest. Burials include Maria Callas, Frederic Chopin, Isadora Duncan, Marcel Marceau, Jean Moulin, Marcel Proust, Gertrude Stein, Oscar Wilde, Richard Wright and the ubiquitous Jim Morrison.
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    Day trips in and around Paris

  • The Louvre houses some of the world's most famous and precious works of art yet the building itself is a piece of history. Once serving as the palace to the kings of France, the Louvre now houses di Vinci's Mona Lisa and the Venus de Milo statue and many more, which are too numerous to list. A complete tour of the Louvre would take days.
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