Quick Guide: Paris — What to See and How to Get There

Everything you need to plan a trip to Paris: top sights, best food spots, transport options, and practical tips for every budget.

Why Visit Paris

Paris is one of those cities that manages to exceed its own mythology. Walk along the Seine at dusk and the light turns the limestone facades a warm gold that no photograph quite captures. The city is compact enough to explore on foot yet deep enough to reward a dozen visits — every arrondissement has its own rhythm, from the literary cafes of Saint-Germain-des-Pres to the multicultural energy of Belleville.

Beyond the iconic landmarks, Paris is a living city of neighbourhood markets, hidden courtyards, and corner bakeries where the croissants are still made by hand at four in the morning. It is also one of Europe's best-connected capitals, making it an ideal starting point — or stopover — for any continental trip.

Whether you come for the art, the food, the architecture, or simply to sit on a terrace and watch the world pass by with a glass of Cotes du Rhone, Paris delivers. The city has also invested heavily in cycling infrastructure and pedestrian zones in recent years, making it more pleasant to explore than ever.

What to See and Do

1. The Eiffel Tower and Champ de Mars. Skip the long lift queues by climbing the stairs to the second floor — 674 steps that reward you with views and bragging rights. The surrounding park is perfect for a picnic at sunset.

2. The Louvre. You could spend a week here and barely scratch the surface. If time is short, follow the "Louvre Masterpieces" route: Winged Victory of Samothrace, the Mona Lisa, and the Venus de Milo in about 90 minutes. Book timed-entry tickets online to avoid the pyramid queue.

3. Montmartre and Sacre-Coeur. Wander the steep cobblestone streets where Picasso and Toulouse-Lautrec once lived. The view from the basilica steps stretches across the entire city. Visit early morning to beat the crowds.

4. Le Marais. The historic Jewish quarter turned trendy hub. Excellent for vintage shopping, falafel on Rue des Rosiers, and some of the best gallery-hopping in the city. The Place des Vosges, Paris's oldest planned square, is here too.

5. Musee d'Orsay. Housed in a former railway station, it holds the world's finest collection of Impressionist and Post-Impressionist art — Monet, Renoir, Van Gogh, Degas. Less overwhelming than the Louvre and arguably more enjoyable.

6. Canal Saint-Martin. A local favourite. Stroll along the tree-lined canal, cross the iron footbridges, and stop at one of the independent coffee roasters or bookshops that line the waterway. This is the Paris that Parisians actually live in.

7. Palace of Versailles. A 40-minute RER train ride from central Paris takes you to Louis XIV's outrageously opulent palace and gardens. Go on a weekday and head straight to the gardens first — most visitors funnel into the palace, leaving the grounds relatively peaceful in the morning.

How to Get There

By air: Paris has two major airports. Charles de Gaulle (CDG), 25 km northeast of the city, handles most international flights. Orly (ORY), 13 km south, serves European and domestic routes. Direct flights connect Paris to virtually every European capital — London in 1h15, Barcelona in 2h, Berlin in 1h50, Rome in 2h15. From CDG, the RER B train reaches central Paris in 35 minutes for around 11 euros. Compare flight prices on Solvoya to find the best deal.

By train: Paris is the hub of Europe's high-speed rail network. The Eurostar from London St Pancras takes 2h17 to Gare du Nord. Thalys connects Brussels in 1h22 and Amsterdam in 3h20. TGV services reach Lyon in 2 hours, Marseille in 3h15, and Strasbourg in 1h45. Trains from Germany, Switzerland, Spain, and Italy also arrive daily.

By bus: Budget operators like FlixBus and BlaBlaBus connect Paris to dozens of European cities. Brussels takes around 4 hours, Amsterdam 7 hours, and London about 8 hours via Eurotunnel. Prices can be as low as 10-20 euros if booked in advance.

Where to Eat

Croissants and pastries. Start your morning at a neighbourhood boulangerie rather than a tourist-facing cafe. Look for the "Artisan Boulanger" label on the shopfront — it means the bread is made on-site. Du Pain et des Idees near Canal Saint-Martin and Maison Landemaine are reliably excellent.

Falafel on Rue des Rosiers. The legendary L'As du Fallafel in Le Marais serves one of the best falafel pittas you will eat anywhere — crispy on the outside, fluffy inside, piled with aubergine, hummus, and tahini. Expect a queue; it moves fast.

Bistro classics. For an authentic Parisian lunch, find a neighbourhood bistro and order a prix fixe menu — typically a starter, main, and dessert for 15-22 euros. Try duck confit with roasted potatoes, steak-frites with bearnaise sauce, or a simple but perfect omelette aux fines herbes. The 11th arrondissement around Rue Oberkampf has dozens of excellent options.

Market food. The Marche d'Aligre (open every morning except Monday) is a lively open-air market where you can assemble a superb picnic: aged comte cheese, saucisson, olives, fresh bread, and seasonal fruit for under 15 euros.

Practical Tips

Best time to visit: April to June and September to October offer mild weather (15-22°C), manageable crowds, and the best light. July and August can be hot (sometimes above 35°C) and busy, though many Parisians leave the city in August, giving it a quieter feel. Winter is cold but atmospheric, with fewer tourists and Christmas markets from late November.

Budget per day: A comfortable mid-range day in Paris costs around 100-150 euros per person — roughly 60-80 for accommodation (budget hotel or Airbnb), 30-40 for food, and 15-20 for transport and a museum. Bud