Paris just has that je ne sais quoi. While you may want to avoid the city in peak season due to the high density of tourists, Paris is beautiful year-round and anyone who has been there will tell you that there is always something new to discover. If you’re planning a trip there or just looking for some ideas of what to do when you’re there, look no further…
Move
Getting around Paris is easy. Locals recommend taxis for the quickest way to get across town, but they can be expensive. A cheaper option is the Metro, which is cheaper and very extensive, although it can be crowded. Otherwise, you can go on foot or rent a bike as part of the city’s Vélib’ system. Paris is an incredibly pedestrian-friendly city and one of the greatest joys is just wandering the streets and seeing what hidden gems you come across.
Climate
During the summer, the weather is usually hot and can be humid. In autumn, winter and spring it is cool, with more humid winters. Still, even if it rains, there are plenty of museums and galleries to see, or you can just pass the time in a trendy cafe.
Museums and galeries
The Louvre It is one of the largest and most famous museums, housing many works of art, such as the Mona Lisa (La Joconde) and the Venus de Milo statue.
The Orsay museum is located on the banks of the Seine, housed in the former Gare d’Orsay train station, an impressive Beaux-Arts building. It houses works by greats such as Monet, Cezanne, Renoir and Degas.
Center Georges Pompidouis is a complex in the Beaubourg area of the 4th arrondissement of Paris, close to Les Halles, rue Montorgueil and the Marais. It was designed in the style of high-tech architecture. It houses the Public Information Library, the National Museum of Modern Art and the IRCAM, a musical and acoustic research center. It is named after Georges Pompidou, who was President of France from 1969 to 1974. The Pompidou Center has received more than 150 million visitors since 1977.
Palaces and Monuments
The Eiffel Tower it is a global icon, completed in 1889. Its first and second levels are accessible by elevator and stairs, but you must take an elevator to the top, where you can look out over the entire city for a spectacular view.
The palace of Versailles It is known in French as the Chateau de Versailles. When it was first built, Versailles was a country town: today it is a suburb of Paris! The Versailles court was the center of political power from 1682 to 1789 and is a symbol of the Old Regime. Today it is one of the main tourist attractions in Paris. You can buy a Passport to Versailles at one of the train stations which includes round trip train ticket and admission to more of what you will have time to see.
our lady It is considered one of the best examples of French Gothic architecture in the world and features beautiful stained glass windows and a massive organ, which has a staggering 7,800 pipes! The great bell, Emmanuel, is rung to mark the hours of the day and special occasions. Surprisingly, the cathedral itself was never officially finished…
Arc de Triomphe it is a famous moment that is located in the center of Place Charles de Gaulle at the western end of the Champs Elysees. The triumphal arch honors those who fought for France, particularly in the Napoleonic Wars. Inside and at the top of the arch are inscribed the names of the generals. The Arch is the axis of the historical axis (L’Ax historique), a sequence of monuments and major thoroughfares on a route that runs from the courtyard of the Louvre Palace to the outskirts of Paris.
The pantheon Originally intended as a church dedicated to Saint Genevieve, it is now more famous as a burial place for such famous names as Voltaire, the Curies, and Rousseau. Located in the 5th arrondissement of the Montagne Sainte-Geneviève, the Panthéon dominates all of Paris. Head to the catacombs for a particularly interesting experience. Its architect, Jacques-Germain Soufflot, died before his work was completed and his plans were not fully followed. However, it is one of the most important architectural achievements of its time and the first great neoclassical monument.
Cafes, Restaurants and Bars
gross art – Fantastic setting and amazing decor (food isn’t bad either!)
Cafe Lacombe – perfect for brunch
tribal coffee – cheap pints and free couscous – need I say more?
The drum – all night eating and drinking, for those who get a little hungry at midnight…
North Hotel – discreetly chic with Parisian heritage, fantastically romantic and calm
ephemeral point – run by a non-profit organization that turns vacant land into cultural centers for young artists, presents a variety of interesting exhibitions and concerts.
Hotels
When booking a hotel, keep in mind that while most places are in the city center (districts 1-6), once you start hitting the double digits, you need to be more careful. Consult your hotel or hostel in advance. Don’t go with the cheapest one you find, or you might be surprised to discover that it is, for example, in the middle of the red light district! Hotel review platforms and travel forums are a good place to check if your choice is safe.