Grand boulevards, world class art and cafe life.
Paris is a dense, elegant capital where nearly every street has a cafe, a bakery or a monument. It suits first-timers, couples and anyone who loves art, food and fashion. Big museums, river views and village-like neighbourhoods sit side by side.
Tap a card to open it. Day trips are marked.
The iron tower built for the 1889 World's Fair is the city's symbol. Lifts and stairs lead to viewing decks over the Seine.
Stairs to the second floor cost the least; the lift to the summit costs the most (2026 estimate).
One of the largest art museums in the world, home of the Mona Lisa and Venus de Milo. The former royal palace alone takes hours to explore.
A general ticket is around 22 EUR; free for under 18s and EU residents under 26.
The vast royal palace of Louis XIV with its Hall of Mirrors and formal gardens. It shows how the French monarchy lived before the Revolution.
Palace pass is cheaper than the all-access pass; fountain show days cost extra.
The Gothic cathedral on the Ile de la Cite reopened in December 2024 after the 2019 fire. Its restored interior is bright and striking.
Free entry; a free timed slot is recommended (2026).
Napoleon's triumphal arch stands at the top of the Champs-Elysees. The rooftop terrace looks down the city's grand avenues.
Rooftop access is paid; free for under 18s and some EU residents.
A former railway station filled with Impressionist art by Monet, Renoir and Van Gogh. The giant station clock is a favourite photo spot.
Standard ticket around 16 EUR; free on the first Sunday evening of some months.
The white domed basilica crowns the Montmartre hill. Around it are artists' squares, steep lanes and wide city views.
The basilica is free; the dome climb is paid.
The famous avenue runs from the Arc de Triomphe to Place de la Concorde. It is lined with flagship stores, cinemas and cafes.
2026 general access is free; optional purchases and separately charged activities are extra.
Boats glide past the Louvre, Notre-Dame and the Eiffel Tower. It is a relaxed way to see many sights in an hour.
Standard sightseeing cruise price; dinner cruises cost far more.
A royal chapel from the 1200s with walls made almost entirely of stained glass. On a sunny day the upper chapel glows.
Around 13 to 16 EUR; combo tickets with the Conciergerie exist.
Everything above is open to read. A Hodolog account lets you build the trip around it.
Choose how many days you have.
Day one central islands and the Louvre, day two the Eiffel Tower, arch and Orsay, day three Montmartre.
Monet's house and water lily garden, open spring to autumn.
47 mi · Train to Vernon and shuttle or bike, about 1h30 each way
Champagne cellars and a great Gothic cathedral.
90 mi · High speed train, about 45 minutes
A tidal island abbey, best with an overnight stay.
224 mi · Train plus bus or a long coach tour, 3 to 4 hours each way
A royal chateau with lavish rooms and a big forest.
40 mi · Train from Gare de Lyon, about 40 minutes plus a bus
A cathedral city with famous champagne cellars.
90 mi · High-speed train, about 45 minutes
Easy family outing with two parks.
20 mi · RER A, about 40 minutes
Best: April to June and September to October. Mild weather and long days without the peak summer crowds.
Daily high and average, by month
Typical inches per month
Quiet season. Lower prices, fewer crowds.
Climate normals: NASA POWER (public domain). For your own dates, a trip's Plan tab shows the forecast and the usual weather.
July 14
National holiday with a military parade on the Champs-Elysees and fireworks at the Eiffel Tower.
June 21
Free live music on streets and squares across the city.
Early June (2026)
An all-night contemporary art event in public spaces.
Late February to early March and late September to early October
Mostly industry events, but hotels fill up.
July 14, annual recurring date
The 2026 edition has passed; check the next official programme for access restrictions and fireworks arrangements.
The US State Department rates France Level 2, exercise increased caution, mainly for terrorism and unrest; pickpocketing on the metro and at big sights is the most common visitor problem.
Central Paris is compact and flat, and walking between neighbourhoods is often the nicest way to see it.
A dense metro, RER trains, buses and trams cover the city; pay with a Navigo Easy card or a phone ticket.
The neighborhoods that suit most first visits.
Best for: first-timers, couples
Central, lively and full of small shops, museums and restaurants.
Best for: couples, art lovers
Classic Left Bank streets close to the Louvre and Orsay.
Best for: budget, first-timers
Student energy and good value near Notre-Dame.
Best for: budget, couples
Hilltop village feel with cheaper hotels, a bit away from the center.
Best for: budget travellers, nightlife seekers
Relaxed, trendy and well connected by metro and trains from Gare du Nord and Gare de l'Est.
Best for: families, first-timers
Quiet residential streets and easy access to major sights.
| Main airport | Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG), 16 mi from the center |
| To the center | RER B trains reach Gare du Nord and Chatelet in about 30 to 40 minutes (2026); taxis charge a fixed fare to central Paris. |
| Around town | Use the metro for longer hops and walk within neighbourhoods. Velib bikes and riverside paths work well in good weather. |
| Ride apps | Uber, Bolt, G7, FreeNow, G7 Taxi |
Best eaten warm from a neighbourhood bakery in the morning.
A bistro classic of steak with fries.
Light almond meringue cookies in many flavours.
Rich broth topped with bread and melted cheese.
A toasted ham and cheese sandwich, great for lunch.
Tender beef chunks slow-braised in red Burgundy wine with pearl onions, mushrooms, bacon lardons, and carrots.
| Plugs | Type C and E, 230 V |
| Tap water | Safe to drink |
| Tipping | Service is included in restaurant bills; rounding up or leaving a euro or two is a kind extra. |
| Payments | Cards and contactless are accepted almost everywhere; keep a little cash for markets. |
| Etiquette | Say bonjour when entering a shop and keep voices low on public transport. Cover shoulders in churches. |
Paris grew from a Gallic settlement on an island in the Seine into the seat of French kings. Medieval Gothic churches were followed by royal palaces, the Revolution of 1789 and Haussmann's rebuilding of the city in the 1800s. The Eiffel Tower went up for the 1889 World's Fair, and the city hosted the Summer Olympics in 2024.
Researched 2026-10-12. Check official sources and recent changes before you go.