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City guide

Paris, France

“The City of Light”

A city built to be walked and looked at — Haussmann's boulevards, zinc rooftops, and a river with a cathedral on an island in the middle. Paris runs on cafés, museums and small daily rituals, and it is far more livable than its reputation for grandeur suggests.

Type Capital cityElevation 35 m / 115 ftPopulation 2,103,000Metro Area Population 12,300,000Settled -250

Why go

  • The museums are unmatched in range — the Louvre and Orsay alone justify a trip, and there are dozens more.
  • It is a walking city of distinct quartiers; the pleasure is drifting between them, not ticking off monuments.
  • Café culture is real and democratic — an espresso at the bar buys you a table and a front-row seat on the street.
  • The food runs from three-star temples to corner boulangeries, and the cheap end is often the best of it.

History

From the Roman town of Lutetia on the Île de la Cité, Paris became the capital of the French kings, the crucible of the 1789 Revolution, and — after Baron Haussmann drove his boulevards through the medieval city in the 1850s–60s — the model of the modern European capital. Left largely intact through two world wars, its historic core is remarkably whole, which is exactly why it can feel like a stage set for its own past.

Major sights

Better as a landmark to orient by than a queue to climb — the view of it from the Trocadéro or Champ de Mars beats the view from it. Sparkles on the hour after dark.
Outdoor
Too big to 'do' — pick a wing and go at opening or on a late-night Wednesday/Friday. Book a timed ticket; the Mona Lisa is a scrum, the rest often empty.
Indoor
Notre-Dame & Île de la Cité
The Gothic cathedral, reopened after the 2019 fire, on the island where the city began. Sainte-Chapelle nearby is the stained-glass one to book.
Indoor
The Impressionists in a converted Beaux-Arts railway station — a more manageable and arguably more rewarding museum than the Louvre.
Indoor
Montmartre & Sacré-Cœur
Hilltop village of stairs and studios topped by a white basilica, with the best free panorama in the city. Touristy at the summit, lovely on the back lanes.
Outdoor
Le Marais
The best neighbourhood to simply walk — medieval streets, the Place des Vosges, falafel on Rue des Rosiers, and small museums (Picasso, Carnavalet).
Outdoor

When it rains

Musée de l'Orangerie
Monet's Water Lilies in two oval rooms built for them, plus a jewel-box Impressionist collection below. Small enough to do in an hour.
Indoor
Covered passages
19th-century glass-roofed arcades — Galerie Vivienne, Passage des Panoramas — for dry wandering, old bookshops and tea rooms.
Indoor
Modern art behind the inside-out façade; the top-floor escalator gives a rooftop view. (Note: due to close for a long renovation — check ahead.)
Indoor
A grand café
The civilised rainy-day move: nurse a coffee or a glass of wine at a marble table and watch the street. That is the culture, not a detour from it.
Outdoor

Where to stay

10 Pl. de la Concorde, 75008 Paris, France · rosewoodhotels.com
Indoor
8 Quai du Louvre, 75001 Paris, France · chevalblanc.com
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19 Av. Kléber, 75116 Paris, France · peninsula.com
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30 Rue La Pérouse, 75116 Paris, France · majestic-hotel.com
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112 Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré, 75008 Paris, France · oetkerhotels.com
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10 Av. d'Iéna, 75116 Paris, France · shangri-la.com
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30-32 Rue du Sentier, 75002 Paris, France · thehoxton.com
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31 Av. George V, 75008 Paris, France · fourseasons.com
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251 Rue Saint-Honoré, 75001 Paris, France · mandarinoriental.com
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9 Rue Gît-le-Cœur, 75006 Paris, France · vieuxparis.com
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81 Bd Gouvion-Saint-Cyr, 75017 Paris, France · marriott.com
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7 Rue du Champ de Mars, 75007 Paris, France · hotelduchampdemars.com
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22 R. des Petites Écuries, 75010 Paris, France · hotellemilierose.com
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12 Rue du Château d'Eau, 75010 Paris, France · hotelamoiparis.com
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11 Rue Simon le Franc, 75004 Paris, France · beaubourg-paris-hotel.com
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1 Rue Casimir Delavigne, 75006 Paris, France · google.com
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30 Rue Duret, 75116 Paris, France · hotelduret.com
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44 Rue Madame, 75006 Paris, France · hotelvillamadameparis.com
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11 Rue Berryer, 75008 Paris, France · hotelsalomonderothschild.com
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38-40 Rue Saint-Séverin, 75005 Paris, France · hoteleurope.net
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85 Rue de la Pompe, 75116 Paris, France · hotelvillaglamour.com
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59 Bd de Belleville, 75011 Paris, France · thepeoplehostel.com
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40 Rue de Rivoli, 75004 Paris, France · francelouvre.com
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22 Rue de l'Abbé Grégoire, 75006 Paris, France · hoteldesevres.com
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32 Bd des Italiens, 75009 Paris, France · hotellondon.fr
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141 Rue Saint-Honoré, 75001 Paris, France · hotel-louvre-saint-honore.com
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35 Rue du Banquier, 75013 Paris, France · hotelvillaromanticparis.com
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19-21 Rue Thiers, 78100 Saint-Germain-en-Laye, France · pavillonhenri4.fr
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9-11 Pl. du Colonel Fabien, 75010 Paris, France · staygenerator.com
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5 Rue Amélie, 75007 Paris, France · hotelamelie-paris.com
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7 Rue de Nesle, 75006 Paris, France · hoteldenesleparis.com
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23 Rue Madeleine Michelis, 92200 Neuilly-sur-Seine, France · hotelneuillypark.com
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20 Rue du Temple, 75004 Paris, France · dwinhotel.com
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3 Rue Saint-Bon, 75004 Paris, France · hotelandrea.paris
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37 Bd du Montparnasse, 75006 Paris, France · hotel-le-montparnasse.com
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22 Grande Rue, 77630 Barbizon, France · hotelleriedubasbreau.fr
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85 Rue Saint-Honoré, 75001 Paris, France · hotelsthonore.com
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15 Pl. Vendôme, 75001 Paris, France · ritzparis.com
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29 Rue Malar, 75007 Paris, France · eiffelmalar.com
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25 Av. Montaigne, 75008 Paris, France · dorchestercollection.com
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4 Rue Niépce, 75014 Paris, France · hilton.com
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2bis Cité Bergère, 75009 Paris, France · hotelvictoriaparis.com
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32 Bd Pasteur, 75015 Paris, France · hotel-madrigal.com
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2 Pl. de la Défense, 92800 Puteaux, France · hilton.com
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3 more places in the Ultimate edition. See the Ultimate edition →

Restaurants & places to go

oysters · . Probably one of the best oysters in the world 🌍 📍Paris | Milano | Rome | Barcelona | Madrid | London | Geneva | Ibiza | Monaco 👇 Shop… · huitresamelie.com
Indoor
Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Su 09:00-02:00 Wikipedia: fr:Lipp · 151 Boulevard Saint-Germain · brasserielipp.fr
Indoor
Canteen, Restaurant · Ancienne gare désaffectée depuis 1934 Opening hours: Mo-Th 08:00-24:00; Fr 08:00-02:00; Sa 12:00-02:00; Su 11:00-22:00 Features: vegan… · larecyclerie.com
Indoor
Cafe · Café parisien, restaurant et café littéraire historique et institutionnel du quartier Saint-Germain-des-Prés de Paris. Il décerne le prix des Deux… · lesdeuxmagots.fr
Indoor
French, Restaurant · Ancien restaurant Rougeot Opening hours: Mo-Su 11:30-00:00 Features: step-free access, air conditioning · 59 Boulevard du Montparnasse,… · bouillon-chartier.com
Indoor
Coffee Shop, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Su 11:45-24:00 Features: step-free access, air conditioning Wikipedia: fr:Restaurant Julien · bouillon-julien.com
Indoor
Falafel, Israeli, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Th 11:00-24:00; Fr 11:00-17:00; Su 11:00-24:00 Features: takeaway, delivery, kosher Wikipedia: fr:Délicieux · asdufallafel.com
Indoor
Fish, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Su 12:00-14:30,19:00-22:30 Features: outdoor seating Wikipedia: fr:La Closerie des Lilas · closeriedeslilas.fr
Indoor
Ice Cream, Ice Cream · Opening hours: We-Su 10:00-20:00 Features: step-free access Wikipedia: fr:Berthillon · 31 Rue Saint-Louis en l'Île, Paris, 75004 · berthillon.fr
Indoor
Seafood, Restaurant · Seafood restaurant · prunier.com
Indoor
Barbecue, French, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Fr 12:00-14:30,19:00-23:30; Sa,Su 12:00-14:45,19:00-23:30 · 271 Boulevard Pereire, Paris, 75017 · relaisdevenise.com
Indoor
Armenian, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Sa 12:00-15:00,19:00-23:00 · 17 Rue Bleue, Paris, 75009 · facebook.com
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Grill, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Th, Su 12:00-14:15, 19:00-22:30; Fr-Sa 12:00-14:15, 19:00-23:00 · clover-grill.com
Indoor
Kurde, Mediterranean, Restaurant · Opening hours: Fr-Sa 12:00-00:00; Su-Th 12:00-23:00 Features: outdoor seating, takeaway, step-free access, air conditioning · restaurantderya.com
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Crepe, Ice Cream, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Sa 11:30-14:30,18:30-22:30 Features: vegan options, step-free access · 30 Place Jacques Carat, Cachan, 94230 · gwenn-ha-du-cachan.fr
Indoor
Fine Dining, Restaurant · Opening hours: Tu-Sa 19:00-22:00 · 31 Avenue George V, 75008 · fourseasons.com
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Asian, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Su 12:00-23:00 Features: outdoor seating, vegetarian options · lepetitcambodge.fr
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Japanese, Restaurant · Opening hours: We-Su 11:00-23:00; Mo-Tu 11:00-20:00 · 16 Rue Debelleyme, 75003 · ogata.com
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Fusion Asiatique, Restaurant · Fusion Asiatique restaurant · 8-12 Rue Boissy d'Anglas, Paris, 75008 · buddhabar.com
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Italian, Italian Pizza, Restaurant · Restaurant et bar à vin Opening hours: Mo-Th 12:00-14:30, 19:00-22:30; Fr-Sa 12:00-14:30, 19:00-23:00 Features: outdoor… · grazia-maria-restaurant-paris.eatbu.com
Indoor
Breakfast, Coffee Shop, Cafe · Nous livrons à votre domicile ou au bureau dans tout Paris (intra-muros) chaque mercredi Opening hours: Mo-Fr 08:00-18:30;… · https
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Burger, Salad, Cafe · café, bar, brasserie Opening hours: Mo-Sa 07:00-21:00; Su 08:00-14:00 Features: outdoor seating · 22 Boulevard Fernand Hostachy,… · restaurant-le-village.fr
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Lebanese, Restaurant · Restaurant libanais. Accueil chaleureux et prix corrects. Opening hours: Mo-We 11:00-15:00, 18:30-22:30; Th-Sa 11:00-15:00, 17:30-22:30… · olabar.fr
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International, Restaurant · Après votre match ou durant votre pause déjeuner, venez profitez d’une cuisine traditionnelle dans un cadre chaleureux et sportif.… · urbansoccer.fr
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Healthy, Sandwich, Salad, Pie, Fast Food · Opening hours: Mo-Fr 08:00-19:00; Sa 09:00-19:00; Su 11:30-16:30 Features: outdoor seating, takeaway, vegan… · exki.com
Indoor
Ramen, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Th 12:00-15:00, 18:00-22:00; Fr 12:00-15:00, 18:00-23:00; Sa 12:00-23:00; Su 12:00-23:30 Features: vegetarian options,… · ippudo.fr
Indoor
Tea, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-We 10:30-22:00; Th 10:30-22:30; Fr-Sa 10:30-23:00; Su 10:30-22:00 Features: outdoor seating, takeaway, delivery, halal,… · artisancrepier.com
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Friture, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Th 11:45-23:00; Fr-Sa 11:45-23:30; Su 11:45-23:00 · 82 Boulevard du Montparnasse, 75014 · restaurantleon.fr
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Chicken, Fast Food · Opening hours: Su-Th 11:30-01:00; Fr 14:00-02:00; Sa 11:30-02:00 Features: takeaway, delivery, halal · 74 Boulevard Barbès, Paris, 75018 · chickenspot.com
Indoor
Sandwich, Salad, Fast Food · Opening hours: Mo-Fr 07:00-15:00 Features: outdoor seating, takeaway, delivery, vegetarian options, step-free access · 23 Avenue… · classcroute.com
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Salad, Sandwich, Fast Food · Opening hours: Mo-Fr 08:00-15:00 Features: outdoor seating, takeaway · 1-7 Cours Valmy, Puteaux, 92800 · cojean.fr
Indoor
Pizza, Fast Food · Opening hours: Mo-Th 11:30-14:30,18:00-22:30; Fr-Sa 11:30-14:30,18:00-23:00; Su 12:00-14:30,18:00-22:30 Features: takeaway · 155 Grande… · dominos.fr
Indoor
Alsatian, Flammkuchen, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Th 11:30-23:30; Fr-Sa 11:30-24:00; Su 11:30-23:30 Features: outdoor seating, takeaway · flams.fr
Indoor
Steak House, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Th 11:00-23:30; Fr-Sa 11:00-00:30; Su 11:00-23:30 Features: outdoor seating, vegetarian options, air conditioning… · hippopotamus.fr
Indoor
French Tacos, Fast Food · Opening hours: 11:00-23:00; Su 12:00-23:00 Features: takeaway · 12 Rue Vavin, Paris, 75006 · restaurants.o-tacos.com
Indoor
Thai, Fast Food · Opening hours: Su-Th 12:00-24:00; Fr 12:00-00:30; Sa 12:00-01:00 Features: outdoor seating, takeaway, delivery, vegetarian options · 88 Rue… · tablapizza.fr
Indoor
Poke, Fast Food · Opening hours: Mo-Fr 11:30-14:30,18:30-22:30; Sa 11:30-16:00,18:30-22:30; Su 11:30-22:30 Features: takeaway · 119 Boulevard Jean Jaurès · restaurants.pokawa.com
Indoor
Sushi, Fast Food · Opening hours: Mo-Sa 11:00-14:30,18:00-22:30; Su 11:00-14:45,18:00-22:00 Features: takeaway, delivery · 8 Place Jean Jaurès,… · sushishop.fr
Indoor
Bubble Tea, Cafe · Opening hours: Mo-Su 13:00-22:00 Features: outdoor seating, takeaway, vegan options, air conditioning · 123 Rue Saint-Denis · yifangtea.fr
Indoor
Beef Bowl, Coffee Shop, French, Vietnamese, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Fr 10:00-23:00; Sa 16:00-23:00 Features: outdoor seating, vegetarian options,… · brasserie-laforet.fr
Indoor
Vietnamese, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo,Tu,Th,Fr 11:30-15:00,18:00-22:00; We 11:30-15:00; Sa 18:00-22:00 Features: takeaway, vegetarian options, halal · 9… · sabay-oi.fr
Indoor
Regional, French, Moroccan, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Fr 11:30-14:45 Features: outdoor seating, takeaway, air conditioning · 50 rue de Lagny, Montreuil,… · lassiette-voyageuse.eatbu.com
Indoor
Cambodian, African, Maghrebi, Equatorian, Guadeloupean, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Sa 12:00-14:00 Features: outdoor seating, takeaway, delivery, vegan… · mamayoka.com
Indoor
Malaysian, Restaurant · Opening hours: Tu-Su 12:00-14:30,19:00-22:30 Features: outdoor seating, step-free access · 111-113 Avenue d'Ivry, Paris, 75013 · lesarawan.com
Indoor
Chinese, Fondue, Restaurant · Opening hours: Th-Tu 12:00-15:00,18:00-23:00; We 18:00-23:00 Features: outdoor seating, vegetarian options · 97 Rue de Charonne · restoauciel.fr
Indoor

388 more places in the Ultimate edition. See the Ultimate edition →

Airports

Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) 23 km to the centre
Paris (Roissy-en-France, Val-d'Oise), IDF, FR — You board from the indoor waiting area — no need to plan for the weather. ✈ 108 airlines (Air France, Alitalia, easyJet, Delta Air Lines…) · direct flights to 237 destinations incl. New York, Chicago, Miami, Toulouse, Casablanca… (OpenFlights route data).
✈ Airlines & flight paths — 108 airlines, 237 direct destinations

Routes and aircraft from OpenFlights (open data; a point-in-time snapshot). * = codeshare. Linked destinations open their own guidebook. Flight numbers are not in the open data — they come from the airline or a paid schedule feed.

Indoor
Paris Orly Airport (ORY) 14 km to the centre
Paris (Orly, Val-de-Marne), IDF, FR — You board from the indoor waiting area — no need to plan for the weather. ✈ 30 airlines (Air France, Transavia France, Iberia Airlines, Vueling Airlines…) · direct flights to 119 destinations incl. Lisbon, Porto, Palma de Mallorca, Cayenne, Djerba… (OpenFlights route data).
✈ Airlines & flight paths — 30 airlines, 119 direct destinations

Routes and aircraft from OpenFlights (open data; a point-in-time snapshot). * = codeshare. Linked destinations open their own guidebook. Flight numbers are not in the open data — they come from the airline or a paid schedule feed.

Indoor
Paris-Le Bourget International Airport (LBG) 14 km to the centre
Paris, IDF, FR — You board from the indoor waiting area — no need to plan for the weather.
Indoor
Toussus-le-Noble Airport (TNF) 21 km to the centre
Toussus-le-Noble, Yvelines, IDF, FR — Indoor waiting areas, but some gates board by bus or on foot across the apron — plan for the weather on the day.
Indoor | Outdoor
Pontoise-Cormeilles Aerodrome (POX) 35 km to the centre
Cormeilles-en-Vexin, Val-d'Oise, IDF, FR — Indoor waiting areas, but some gates board by bus or on foot across the apron — plan for the weather on the day.
Indoor | Outdoor
Melun-Villaroche Airfield 37 km to the centre
Moissy-Cramayel, Seine-et-Marne, IDF, FR — Indoor waiting areas, but some gates board by bus or on foot across the apron — plan for the weather on the day.
Indoor | Outdoor

Regional airports

Further out, but often the cheapest way in — the airports the low-cost carriers use. Each links to its own town's guide for getting from there into the city.

Beauvais–Tillé Airport (BVA) 69 km to the centre
Beauvais, HDF, FR — You board from the indoor waiting area — no need to plan for the weather. ✈ 4 airlines (Ryanair, Wizz Air, Air Moldova, Eurolot) · direct flights to 59 destinations incl. Vilnius, Alghero, Alicante, Arrecife, Barcelona… (OpenFlights route data).
✈ Feeder airport · 69 km from Paris · Ryanair, Wizz Air, Air Moldova · Getting around Beauvais →
✈ Airlines & flight paths — 4 airlines, 59 direct destinations

Routes and aircraft from OpenFlights (open data; a point-in-time snapshot). * = codeshare. Linked destinations open their own guidebook. Flight numbers are not in the open data — they come from the airline or a paid schedule feed.

Indoor

Getting there by ferry

Saint-Germain-des-Prés
Ferry terminal · 0.6 km from the centre · Batobus
Outdoor
Notre-Dame
Ferry terminal · 0.8 km from the centre · Batobus
Outdoor
Louvre
Ferry terminal · 0.9 km from the centre · Batobus
Outdoor
Hôtel-de-Ville
Ferry terminal · 0.9 km from the centre · Batobus
Outdoor
Musée d'Orsay
Ferry terminal · 1.3 km from the centre · Batobus
Outdoor
Jardin des Plantes
Ferry terminal · 1.8 km from the centre · Batobus
Outdoor
Saint-Germain-des-Prés – Notre-Dame
Ferry route · Batobus
Outdoor
Hôtel-de-Ville – Louvre
Ferry route · Batobus
Outdoor
Musée d'Orsay – Saint-Germain-des-Prés
Ferry route · Batobus
Outdoor
Notre-Dame – Jardin des Plantes
Ferry route · Batobus
Outdoor
Batobus : Tour de Paris
Ferry route · Batobus
Outdoor
Batobus : Tour de Paris via Beaugrenelle
Ferry route · Batobus
Outdoor
Invalides – Musée d'Orsay
Ferry route · Batobus
Outdoor
Louvre – Place de la Concorde
Ferry route · Batobus
Outdoor

Where things are

Full geo-intelligence in Better Mapping →
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Photographs

When to go

Tourist season
May – June, September

Mild, long days and terrace weather without the August shutdown or the deep-summer crowds. Early June and September are the sweet spot.

Shoulder season
October – April

Cool to cold and often grey, but the museums are quiet, the light is cinematic, and hotel rates ease. December brings the lights; January the sales.

Worth avoiding
August

Parisians decamp and many neighbourhood restaurants and shops close for the month, even as tourist numbers stay high. Hot, and hollowed out.

Getting there & around

Getting there. Charles de Gaulle (CDG) is the main international airport, ~35–50 min to the centre by RER B or the new CDG Express; Orly (ORY) is closer to the south, and Beauvais (BVA) serves budget flights an hour out. Six mainline stations put you on high-speed trains to London (2h15), Brussels (1h20) and across France. By water: 6 ferry terminals within 20 km (nearest: Saint-Germain-des-Prés, 0.6 km); routes include Saint-Germain-des-Prés – Notre-Dame, Hôtel-de-Ville – Louvre, Musée d'Orsay – Saint-Germain-des-Prés.

Getting around. Walk — Paris is compact and rewards it. The Métro is dense, cheap and fast (get a Navigo Easy card or carnet); it reaches everywhere within a short stroll. Buses are scenic, the RER links the airports and suburbs, and Vélib' bikes suit the riverside. You will not want a car.

Local transit

Metro, bus, tram, RER · The Métro, buses, trams and RER lines within Paris. · Fares: Navigo card or Navigo Easy · Airport: RER B from Charles de Gaulle; Orlyval and Metro 14
Public transit · Schedules & GTFS data
Public transit · Schedules & GTFS data
Public transit · Schedules & GTFS data

Trains & rail

Rail operator
Rail operator
Rail operator
High-speed trains London–Paris, Brussels and Amsterdam through the Channel Tunnel. · London, England (UK) guide →

Coaches & shuttles

About four hours from Paris Bercy; Eurostar does it in 80 minutes. · Brussels/Bruxelles guide →
Intercity coach

Private aviation

On-demand charter, jet cards and the semi-private scheduled carriers that serve this city.

Broker · Any aircraft via operators worldwide · Global charter broker with 30+ offices; private jets, group charters and cargo.
FBO, charter, management · Managed fleet · FBO network and management across Europe, Africa, the Middle East and Asia-Pacific.
Fractional, jet card · Embraer Praetor, Bombardier Challenger & Global, Gulfstream · Fractional ownership and jet cards in North America and Europe.
Charter, management · Large-cabin & VIP airliners · Geneva-based operator known for large-cabin and VIP airliner charters.
Charter, management, FBO, MRO · Managed fleet worldwide · General Dynamics company: charter, completions and FBOs in Europe, the Middle East, Asia and the US.

Tours & experiences

Sightseeing
Food & Wine · 4 hours · from €89/pp
Sightseeing