Paris is the world’s most visited tourist destination – for a reason. Sublime architecture, incredible museums, memorable cafés and restaurants, style, sophistication and substance by the bucket load.
Paris City Guide
Best way to find your bearings: A tour will help you get a feel for the city straight away. Food, bike, bus, photo tours and a whole lot more to be enjoyed. The metro system is easy to use and many of the metro stations have English speaking help assistants to make life easier for you. One of the best tours I know is Bustronome, a glass top bus that tours the major sites over lunch or dinner while you quaff fine wines and Champagne and indulge in gourmet style food – magnifique!
Wander: It’s definitely a place to wander and wonder at. Secret squares, hidden passages, ancient buildings, swish shops, quirky bars, the river Seine, the Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe, Notre Dame, Sacre Coeur – I’ve run out of room, but, you get the picture!
Eating and Drinking: There are bars where you get free food with your beer or you can pay more than 500 Euros for dinner in the poshest restaurants in town. For my money, a 2 course lunch or dinner at the lovely Hotel Peninsula (voted one of the world’s Top Ten) at 48 Euros in the Lobby restaurant is incredible value in a spectacular setting.
Top Tip: There’s so much to do in Paris that it’s a good idea to plan in advance what you really want to see and then map your route to fit everything in rather than hurtle round the city by metro doubling back. First timers really ought to see the Eiffel Tower, it’s a cliché for sure, but so what – it’s a legend! Montmartre is a must for its artistic vibe, village feel and oh-so pretty streets.
Lots more Paris information in our Paris section
5 places to smooch in Paris – the most romantic bits!
5 fabulous historic sites where you see the Paris of the past... in the present
5 great things to do in Paris in the Summer – dancing at the side of the Seine and the best cafés with cool courtyards
How to spend one day of the Left Bank – the best things to do and see and where to find them
Where to take sublime photos of the roofs of Paris (and take a break at the same time!)
The Paris Flower Market – a hint of yesteryear in beautiful surroundings in the shade of Notre Dame
Paris Tourist Office: There are several tourist office welcome centres including at Gare du Nord, 18, rue de Dunkerque. A “Welcome kiosk” beneath the glass roof, in the Ile-de-France zone, offers a booking service for hotels, tours and transport
