Paris
Paris
Short overview
Grand boulevards, riverside walks and café terraces make Paris one of the world's great walking cities. Come for the art, the bakeries and the views — and expect high prices, busy sights and small hotel rooms.
Best times to go
April – June
Blossoming parks, long evenings and café terraces in full swing, before the August holidays.
September – October
Golden light, new exhibitions and the city back to its everyday rhythm after summer.
Good for
first-time visitors to Europe, art and food lovers, couples and anyone who likes exploring on foot.
Skip if
you're on a tight budget or dislike crowds — Paris is expensive and the headline sights are busy year-round.
Things to do
The Louvre
The world's most visited museum, from the Mona Lisa to ancient Egypt, under I. M. Pei's glass pyramid.
3–4 hours
€22 entry (book a time slot)
The Louvre
The world's most visited museum, from the Mona Lisa to ancient Egypt, under I. M. Pei's glass pyramid.
3–4 hours
€22 entry (book a time slot)
The Louvre
The world's most visited museum, from the Mona Lisa to ancient Egypt, under I. M. Pei's glass pyramid.
3–4 hours
€22 entry (book a time slot)
Eiffel Tower
Take the lift or climb the stairs for sweeping views across the rooftops, ideally at sunset.
2–3 hours
€23–36 depending on level
2–3 hours
€23–36 depending on level
Montmartre and Sacré-Cœur
Wander the hilltop village of artists, cobbled lanes and the white basilica overlooking Paris.
2–3 hours
Free
2–3 hours
Free
Cheapest
€
90
/week
Free parks, churches and neighbourhood walks, plus the Louvre and one more museum.
Best value
€
280
/week
A Paris Museum Pass, the Eiffel Tower and a Seine cruise.
Splurge
€
1,200
/week
A private Louvre guide, Versailles day trip, cabaret night and a cooking class.
Cheapest
€
90
/week
Free parks, churches and neighbourhood walks, plus the Louvre and one more museum.
Best value
€
280
/week
A Paris Museum Pass, the Eiffel Tower and a Seine cruise.
Splurge
€
1,200
/week
A private Louvre guide, Versailles day trip, cabaret night and a cooking class.
Cheapest
€
90
/week
Free parks, churches and neighbourhood walks, plus the Louvre and one more museum.
Best value
€
280
/week
A Paris Museum Pass, the Eiffel Tower and a Seine cruise.
Splurge
€
1,200
/week
A private Louvre guide, Versailles day trip, cabaret night and a cooking class.
Food and drink
Start with a bakery, picnic at lunch and splurge on dinner. Bistro set menus are the best way to eat well for less.
Breakfast
Cheapest
Croissant from a boulangerie
Buttery, flaky and best eaten warm on the walk.
€
2
Best value
Café crème and tartine
Buttered baguette with jam and a milky coffee at a zinc bar.
€
8
Splurge
Brasserie breakfast
Eggs, viennoiseries, juice and coffee on a terrace in Saint-Germain.
€
22
Breakfast
Cheapest
Croissant from a boulangerie
Buttery, flaky and best eaten warm on the walk.
€
2
Best value
Café crème and tartine
Buttered baguette with jam and a milky coffee at a zinc bar.
€
8
Splurge
Brasserie breakfast
Eggs, viennoiseries, juice and coffee on a terrace in Saint-Germain.
€
22
Breakfast
Cheapest
Croissant from a boulangerie
Buttery, flaky and best eaten warm on the walk.
€
2
Best value
Café crème and tartine
Buttered baguette with jam and a milky coffee at a zinc bar.
€
8
Splurge
Brasserie breakfast
Eggs, viennoiseries, juice and coffee on a terrace in Saint-Germain.
€
22
Lunch
Cheapest
Jambon-beurre baguette
The Parisian sandwich: ham and butter in a fresh baguette, eaten by the Seine.
€
6
Best value
Falafel in the Marais
Stuffed pitas from the famous stands on Rue des Rosiers.
€
10
Splurge
Bistro formule
A two-course set lunch with a glass of wine at a neighbourhood bistro.
€
25
Lunch
Cheapest
Jambon-beurre baguette
The Parisian sandwich: ham and butter in a fresh baguette, eaten by the Seine.
€
6
Best value
Falafel in the Marais
Stuffed pitas from the famous stands on Rue des Rosiers.
€
10
Splurge
Bistro formule
A two-course set lunch with a glass of wine at a neighbourhood bistro.
€
25
Lunch
Cheapest
Jambon-beurre baguette
The Parisian sandwich: ham and butter in a fresh baguette, eaten by the Seine.
€
6
Best value
Falafel in the Marais
Stuffed pitas from the famous stands on Rue des Rosiers.
€
10
Splurge
Bistro formule
A two-course set lunch with a glass of wine at a neighbourhood bistro.
€
25
Dinner
Cheapest
Crêperie dinner
Savoury galettes and a bowl of cider in Montparnasse.
€
18
Best value
Classic bistro dinner
Steak frites or duck confit with crème brûlée and a carafe of wine.
€
45
Splurge
Gastronomic tasting menu
Multi-course haute cuisine at one of the city's acclaimed restaurants.
€
200
Dinner
Cheapest
Crêperie dinner
Savoury galettes and a bowl of cider in Montparnasse.
€
18
Best value
Classic bistro dinner
Steak frites or duck confit with crème brûlée and a carafe of wine.
€
45
Splurge
Gastronomic tasting menu
Multi-course haute cuisine at one of the city's acclaimed restaurants.
€
200
Dinner
Crêperie dinner
€
18
Savoury galettes and a bowl of cider in Montparnasse.
Classic bistro dinner
€
45
Steak frites or duck confit with crème brûlée and a carafe of wine.
Gastronomic tasting menu
€
200
Multi-course haute cuisine at one of the city's acclaimed restaurants.
Cheapest
€
210
/week
Bakery breakfasts, picnic lunches and crêperie or falafel dinners.
Best value
€
450
/week
Bistro set lunches, a few dinners out and wine bar evenings.
Splurge
€
1,200
/week
Brasserie meals, natural wine bars and one gastronomic dinner.
Cheapest
€
210
/week
Bakery breakfasts, picnic lunches and crêperie or falafel dinners.
Best value
€
450
/week
Bistro set lunches, a few dinners out and wine bar evenings.
Splurge
€
1,200
/week
Brasserie meals, natural wine bars and one gastronomic dinner.
Cheapest
€
210
/week
Bakery breakfasts, picnic lunches and crêperie or falafel dinners.
Best value
€
450
/week
Bistro set lunches, a few dinners out and wine bar evenings.
Splurge
€
1,200
/week
Brasserie meals, natural wine bars and one gastronomic dinner.
Don't leave without trying
Don't leave without trying
The perfect croissant
Made with French butter and laminated into dozens of layers — look for bakeries with the 'artisan boulanger' sign.
The perfect croissant
Made with French butter and laminated into dozens of layers — look for bakeries with the 'artisan boulanger' sign.
Where to stay
The Marais and Saint-Germain are central and charming. The 11th and 10th are cheaper and full of good bars and restaurants.
Cheapest
Hostel near Canal Saint-Martin
Modern dorms and private rooms in a lively area with cheap eats and canal-side bars.
€350/week
/night
€
50
Cheapest
Hostel near Canal Saint-Martin
Modern dorms and private rooms in a lively area with cheap eats and canal-side bars.
€350/week
/night
€
50
Best value
Boutique hotel in the Marais
Small but stylish rooms in a historic district close to everything.
€1,330/week
/night
€
190
Best value
Boutique hotel in the Marais
Small but stylish rooms in a historic district close to everything.
€1,330/week
/night
€
190
Splurge
Palace hotel near the Champs-Élysées
Gilded rooms, a Michelin-starred restaurant and a spa in one of the city's legendary hotels.
€5,250/week
/night
€
750
Splurge
Palace hotel near the Champs-Élysées
Gilded rooms, a Michelin-starred restaurant and a spa in one of the city's legendary hotels.
€5,250/week
/night
€
750
Unique stay
Apartment with an Eiffel Tower view
A Haussmann-era flat with a wrought-iron balcony facing the tower's sparkling lights.
€2,240/week
/night
€
320
Unique stay
Apartment with an Eiffel Tower view
A Haussmann-era flat with a wrought-iron balcony facing the tower's sparkling lights.
€2,240/week
/night
€
320
Unique stay
Apartment with an Eiffel Tower view
A Haussmann-era flat with a wrought-iron balcony facing the tower's sparkling lights.
€2,240/week
/night
€
320
Getting around
The Métro reaches every corner of the city, but walking between neighbourhoods is often the best part.
Public transport
Coverage
Sixteen Métro lines, the RER and buses cover the whole city, with a station every few hundred metres. Load tickets onto a Navigo Easy card or your phone.
Single ticket
€
2.50
Weekly pass
€
31.60
Which modes are available?
Métro and RER
Buses
Vélib' bike share
Public transport
Coverage
Sixteen Métro lines, the RER and buses cover the whole city, with a station every few hundred metres. Load tickets onto a Navigo Easy card or your phone.
Single ticket
€
2.50
Weekly pass
€
31.60
Which modes are available?
Métro and RER
Buses
Vélib' bike share
Car rental
Car usefulness
Avoid it in Paris. Traffic is heavy, parking is scarce and the centre has low-emission rules. Only rent for trips to Normandy or the Loire.
Price
€
50
/day
Young driver fee
€
30
/day
Parking
€
35
/day
Street parking costs up to €6 an hour for visitors, and underground garages charge €30–45 a day.
Car rental
Car usefulness
Avoid it in Paris. Traffic is heavy, parking is scarce and the centre has low-emission rules. Only rent for trips to Normandy or the Loire.
Price
€
50
/day
Young driver fee
€
30
/day
Parking
€
35
/day
Street parking costs up to €6 an hour for visitors, and underground garages charge €30–45 a day.
Cheapest
€
32
/week
A weekly Navigo pass and lots of walking.
Best value
€
60
/week
A weekly Navigo pass plus airport trains both ways.
Splurge
€
400
/week
Taxis around town and private airport transfers.
Cheapest
€
32
/week
A weekly Navigo pass and lots of walking.
Best value
€
60
/week
A weekly Navigo pass plus airport trains both ways.
Splurge
€
400
/week
Taxis around town and private airport transfers.
Cheapest
€
32
/week
A weekly Navigo pass and lots of walking.
Best value
€
60
/week
A weekly Navigo pass plus airport trains both ways.
Splurge
€
400
/week
Taxis around town and private airport transfers.
Total costs
Everything you’ll spend once you’re there, per person. Getting there isn’t included.
Cheapest
Paris, Île-de-France, France
Food costs
€30–€40
Accommodation
€45–€60
Getting around
€5–€8
Activities
€10–€20
Miscellaneous
€5–€10
PER DAY
€95–€138
PER WEEK
€670–€970
Per person in shoulder season. Summer, fashion weeks and major events can push hotel prices up 30% or more.
Cheapest
Paris, Île-de-France, France
Food costs
€30–€40
Accommodation
€45–€60
Getting around
€5–€8
Activities
€10–€20
Miscellaneous
€5–€10
PER DAY
€95–€138
PER WEEK
€670–€970
Per person in shoulder season. Summer, fashion weeks and major events can push hotel prices up 30% or more.
Cheapest
Paris, Île-de-France, France
Food costs
€30–€40
Accommodation
€45–€60
Getting around
€5–€8
Activities
€10–€20
Miscellaneous
€5–€10
PER DAY
€95–€138
PER WEEK
€670–€970
Best value
Paris, Île-de-France, France
Food costs
€60–€85
Accommodation
€160–€220
Getting around
€8–€12
Activities
€30–€50
Miscellaneous
€15–€20
PER DAY
€273–€387
PER WEEK
€1,910–€2,710
Per person in shoulder season. Summer, fashion weeks and major events can push hotel prices up 30% or more.
Best value
Paris, Île-de-France, France
Food costs
€60–€85
Accommodation
€160–€220
Getting around
€8–€12
Activities
€30–€50
Miscellaneous
€15–€20
PER DAY
€273–€387
PER WEEK
€1,910–€2,710
Per person in shoulder season. Summer, fashion weeks and major events can push hotel prices up 30% or more.
Best value
Paris, Île-de-France, France
Food costs
€60–€85
Accommodation
€160–€220
Getting around
€8–€12
Activities
€30–€50
Miscellaneous
€15–€20
PER DAY
€273–€387
PER WEEK
€1,910–€2,710
Splurge
Paris, Île-de-France, France
Food costs
€150–€250
Accommodation
€500–€800
Getting around
€40–€80
Activities
€100–€200
Miscellaneous
€30–€50
PER DAY
€820–€1,380
PER WEEK
€5,740–€9,660
Per person in shoulder season. Summer, fashion weeks and major events can push hotel prices up 30% or more.
Splurge
Paris, Île-de-France, France
Food costs
€150–€250
Accommodation
€500–€800
Getting around
€40–€80
Activities
€100–€200
Miscellaneous
€30–€50
PER DAY
€820–€1,380
PER WEEK
€5,740–€9,660
Per person in shoulder season. Summer, fashion weeks and major events can push hotel prices up 30% or more.
Splurge
Paris, Île-de-France, France
Food costs
€150–€250
Accommodation
€500–€800
Getting around
€40–€80
Activities
€100–€200
Miscellaneous
€30–€50
PER DAY
€820–€1,380
PER WEEK
€5,740–€9,660
Good to know
What to expect, what to avoid, and what nobody tells you before you go.
Reputation vs reality
Loved for
Art, food, romance, architecture and café culture.
Catches visitors off guard
Tiny hotel rooms, high prices, petty theft and how quickly it gets crowded at the big sights.
Common misconception
Parisians aren't rude — a simple 'bonjour' before asking anything changes everything.
Reputation vs reality
Loved for
Art, food, romance, architecture and café culture.
Catches visitors off guard
Tiny hotel rooms, high prices, petty theft and how quickly it gets crowded at the big sights.
Common misconception
Parisians aren't rude — a simple 'bonjour' before asking anything changes everything.
Watch out for
Pickpockets and scams
Watch for petition clipboards and friendship bracelets near the big sights, and keep phones off café tables.
Closed on Mondays and Tuesdays
Many museums close on Mondays or Tuesdays, and the Louvre is shut every Tuesday.
August closures
Lots of family-run restaurants and bakeries close for several weeks in August.
Watch out for
Pickpockets and scams
Watch for petition clipboards and friendship bracelets near the big sights, and keep phones off café tables.
Closed on Mondays and Tuesdays
Many museums close on Mondays or Tuesdays, and the Louvre is shut every Tuesday.
August closures
Lots of family-run restaurants and bakeries close for several weeks in August.
Common questions
How many days do I need?
Four to five days covers the major museums, the Eiffel Tower and a few neighbourhoods, plus a day trip to Versailles.
How do I get from the airport?
The RER B runs from Charles de Gaulle to the centre in about 35 minutes for €13. Taxis charge a fixed €56–65.
Is the Paris Museum Pass worth it?
Yes if you'll visit three or more museums in two days. You still need to book time slots at the Louvre.
Do I need to speak French?
No, English is widely spoken in central Paris. Learning a few basic phrases goes a long way, though.
Common questions
How many days do I need?
Four to five days covers the major museums, the Eiffel Tower and a few neighbourhoods, plus a day trip to Versailles.
How do I get from the airport?
The RER B runs from Charles de Gaulle to the centre in about 35 minutes for €13. Taxis charge a fixed €56–65.
Is the Paris Museum Pass worth it?
Yes if you'll visit three or more museums in two days. You still need to book time slots at the Louvre.
Do I need to speak French?
No, English is widely spoken in central Paris. Learning a few basic phrases goes a long way, though.
Money and payments
Currency
Euro (€). Bank ATMs are everywhere; decline the machine's currency conversion offer.
Cards vs cash
Cards and contactless work almost everywhere, even for a single croissant. Keep a little cash for markets.
Tipping
Service is included by law. Leave small change at cafés or 5–10% for great service at restaurants.
Tourist tax
€0.65–15.60 per person per night depending on hotel category, added to your bill.
Money and payments
Currency
Euro (€). Bank ATMs are everywhere; decline the machine's currency conversion offer.
Cards vs cash
Cards and contactless work almost everywhere, even for a single croissant. Keep a little cash for markets.
Tipping
Service is included by law. Leave small change at cafés or 5–10% for great service at restaurants.
Tourist tax
€0.65–15.60 per person per night depending on hotel category, added to your bill.
Ready to pick your next destination?
Browse every destination in the Passage catalogue and find the one that fits your trip.
Ready to pick your next destination?
Browse every destination in the Passage catalogue and find the one that fits your trip.
Ready to pick your next destination?
Browse every destination in the Passage catalogue and find the one that fits your trip.