Paris

Romance, art & café culture

The City of Light rewards slow wandering. Grand boulevards, hidden courtyards, world-defining art and a café on every corner – Paris is as much about lingering as it is about landmarks. These are the picks that go beyond the postcards.

Good to know

arrondissements spiralling out from the centre like a snail’s shell

~130

museums and monuments, from the Louvre to tiny ateliers

+15cm

the Eiffel Tower grows taller in summer as its iron expands

the Louvre is the most-visited museum on Earth

Local tips

Book museum and monument tickets online in advance – the queues are real.
A Paris Museum Pass covers 50+ sites and skips most ticket lines.
Buy a Navigo Easy card or a carnet for the metro rather than single tickets.
A friendly “Bonjour” when you enter a shop or café goes a long way.

Browse Paris

Paris at a glance

Ideal stay: 2 to 3 days
Best time to visit: spring and autumn
Highlights: Arc de Triomphe Rooftop and Sainte-Chapelle
Where to stay: Canal Saint-Martin and Bastille (11th)
Local picks: 97 hand-chosen recommendations
Getting around: walkable, plus easy public transport

Local tips for Paris

Stories and neighbourhood know-how from our local guides.

Local tipsWhere to Stay in Paris: Best Arrondissements for First-TimersWhere to stay in Paris? A local guide to the best arrondissements for first-timers, from Le Marais and Saint-Germain to…

Local tipsHow Many Days Do You Need in Paris? A Local’s GuideHow many days do you need in Paris? A local guide to the ideal trip length, what to do in…

Where to stay in Paris

Compare live hotel prices and availability on the map. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

10th Arr.

Canal Saint-Martin

Iron footbridges, plane trees and a young, café-lined waterway – picnic spot of choice for locals. Free.

★ 4.5

12th Arr.

Coulée verte René-Dumont

The elevated planted walkway atop a former railway viaduct – the inspiration for New York’s High Line. Free.

★ 4.7

Le Marais

Free’P’Star

A cult Marais vintage store giving piles of secondhand clothing a cheap, cheerful second life.

★ 4.7

9th Arr.

Galeries Lafayette Dome & Rooftop

Step inside for the 1912 stained-glass Belle Époque dome, then up to the free rooftop terrace’s skyline view.

★ 4.6

1st Arr.

Jardin des Tuileries

Paris’s oldest public garden, running from the Louvre to Place de la Concorde. Free.

★ 4.9

6th Arr.

Jardin du Luxembourg

The Left Bank’s grandest garden – palace, fountain, tree-lined allées and sailboats on the pond. Free.

★ 4.5

1st Arr.

Jardin du Palais-Royal

A serene arcaded garden hiding Buren’s striped columns – a photogenic oasis steps from the Louvre. Free.

★ 4.7

Belleville (11th)

Le Marché de Belleville

A cosmopolitan open-air market along Boulevard de Belleville every Tuesday and Friday – souk-like and great value, with stalls of fruit, veg and exotic produce ringed by Chinese and North-African shops and eateries. Tip: grab a sweet at the oriental patisserie “Nani”.

★ 4.4

Île de la Cité (4th)

Marché aux Fleurs

A charming, partly-covered flower market a step from Notre-Dame that has traded on the Île de la Cité for over a century. Wander the rare and unusual blooms and soak up the scents even if you are not buying.

★ 4.6

Saint-Ouen

Marché aux Puces de Saint-Ouen

The world’s largest antiques flea market – a labyrinth of 1,700 stalls just north of the city. Free to wander.

★ 4.6

19th Arr.

Parc des Buttes-Chaumont

A dramatic hilly park with cliffs, a waterfall, a suspended bridge and a clifftop temple. A local favourite. Free.

★ 4.5

20th Arr.

Père Lachaise Cemetery

Cobbled, leafy lanes and ornate tombs – Jim Morrison, Oscar Wilde, Édith Piaf and Chopin all rest here. Free.

★ 4.8

Champs-Élysées

Petit Palais Museum

The City of Paris’s fine-arts museum in a 1900 Beaux-Arts palace – permanent collection free, with a pretty garden café.

★ 4.6

8th Arr.

Place de la Concorde

Paris’s largest square, with the Luxor Obelisk and fountains, between the Tuileries and the Champs-Élysées. Free.

★ 4.4

Le Marais

Place des Vosges

Paris’s oldest planned square – symmetrical red-brick arcades framing a quiet garden in the Marais. Free.

★ 4.6

Île de la Cité

Pont Neuf & Île de la Cité

Paris’s oldest standing bridge and the island where the city began – steps lead down to leafy Square du Vert-Galant. Free.

★ 4.8

Grands Boulevards (9th)

Printemps Rooftop Terrace

Ride the lift then escalator to the top of Printemps for a free, breathtaking 360° panorama of Paris – Montmartre on one side, the Eiffel Tower on the other. Grab simple café food or a drink among the rooftops. Note: no step-free access.

★ 4.5

Bastille-Vincennes (12th)

Promenade Plantée (Coulée Verte)

A 4.7 km linear park built atop a disused railway – the world’s first, and an inspiration for New York’s High Line. It starts elevated on the Viaduc des Arts from Bastille, crosses the Jardin de Reuilly, then drops to ground level. Tranquil benches and treetop views.

★ 4.7

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Paris travel FAQ

How many days do you need in Paris?

Two to three days is enough to enjoy the highlights of Paris at a relaxed pace. See our Paris itinerary guide for a day-by-day plan.

Where is the best area to stay in Paris?

Stay central and walkable to the main sights for a first visit. Our where to stay in Paris guide breaks down the best neighbourhoods.

What are the best things to do in Paris?

Browse the local picks above, from top sights and museums to where to eat and stay.

What is the best time to visit Paris?

Spring and autumn usually bring the most comfortable weather and thinner crowds, though Paris is worth visiting year-round.