Paris

The city of love, art and history

Paris stands out as a major European city known for its art, history and daily life. The Seine flows through neighborhoods filled with cafes, bookshops and galleries. Walking along the river reveals bridges lined with sculptures and street performers. Public transport connects key areas like Montmartre, where artists work and the Marais district, home to historic buildings and shops. Markets sell fresh bread, cheese and pastries in many streets. The city’s layout makes it easy to explore on foot or by metro while experiencing both famous landmarks and quiet corners.

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City in France

$$$

$	Cheap
$$	Medium
$$$	Expensive, upscale
$$$+	Very expensive, luxury

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Safety: 6.9

General Safety:	6
Health & medical:	9
Accessibility:	5
Tap water:	9

Read details

3/5

Tourist areas and hotels have good English speakers, but in local cafés and shops, it can be hit-or-miss. Learning a few basic French phrases is appreciated.

Highlights Attractions Getting there Hotels Tips Travel costs Safety Articles

Last update: 12 Oct 2026

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Paris Summary

These place ratings give you a quick overview of how well a destination matches different types of trips.

‘Best for’ scores:
The specific interest scores show where this place really shines – whether it's ideal for hiking, food & drink experiences, museums or other activities. These highlights help you understand what makes the destination special at a glance.

‘Your personal’ scores:
This reflects how well a place matches your personal preferences. You can adjust the importances of travel topics or other personal requirements categories in your account settings.

‘Suited for’ badges:
These give you a quick overview of how well a destination suits specific types of travellers, to help you find the places that match your lifestyle, preferences or travel situation.

Read how our scores work

World-class for art, culture and landmarks. Visit iconic museums, admire historic monuments, stroll along the Seine and enjoy renowned cafés and cuisine.

Place score

9.3

Best at:

Fine dining

Local cuisine

Museums

Architecture

Art

Personal score

Suited for

👶 7

Families

🧓 6

Seniors

❤️ 10

Couples

✡️ 9

Kosher

France – Quick facts

Guide Etiquette Holidays Other

Power Grid:	230 V, 50 Hz Plug: Type C , Type E Type C: Type E: Read about power adapters
Currency:	Euro (EUR) £1 ≈ €1.19
Cashless info:	Rating 5/5 Cashless payments are widely accepted, especially in cities and tourist areas. Save with a travel credit card
eSIM providers:	Best value: Saily Flexibility: Airalo Read our in-depth comparison

Tipping:	Tipping is optional but appreciated in restaurants (5-10%) and for exceptional service.
Public drinking:	Public drinking is allowed in designated areas, but restrictions apply in some cities.
Public smoking:	Smoking is banned in indoor public spaces but common in outdoor cafes.

Bastille Day (July)	Parades and fireworks occur nationwide.
Easter (March/April)	Cultural celebrations and closures.
Christmas (December)	Markets and festive events.

Emergency contact:	Emergency Numbers: 112 (EU emergency), 15 (Ambulance), 17 (Police), 18 (Fire)
Taxi apps:	Uber, Bolt, Heetch
Other:	France offers diverse experiences, from art and culture to nature and cuisine. Be cautious in crowded areas.

Best times to travel

The best times to travel section shows how the months compare for a visit, so you can find the time of year that fits what you want to do.

Background colours of the months:
The colour shows the typical temperature: yellow (hot), green (mild) and blue (cold). How strong the colour is shows the travel season: full colour means high season, soft colour means shoulder season and soft-striped means off season.

Weather symbols:
Each month has one symbol showing what the weather is typically like, such as hot and sunny, freezing or a rainy or snowy season. Use them to quickly spot months that match the weather you want, or to avoid the ones that don't.

Crowdedness:
The people icon shows how busy the place usually is. The more people, the more crowded it gets.

Additional notes:
The grey info boxes point out special things worth knowing, like recurring weather issues or seasonal events.

for Paris, France

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Jan

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Feb

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Mar

🌤️

Apr

🌤️

May

🌤️

Jun

🌤️

Jul

🌤️

Aug

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Sep

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Oct

🌥️

Nov

☁️

Dec

High season:	April - July, Sep. - Oct.
Shoulder season:	March, Aug., Dec.
Crowdedness:	9 (Very crowded)

Tap on a month for more info Hover over a month for more info

Climate details

August: many small restaurants and shops close as Parisians go on holiday

Eiffel Tower, Louvre and Sainte-Chapelle need advance tickets, sold out for days from April to October

Don't miss

🗼 Climb the Eiffel Tower and admire the city skyline
🌆 Stroll along the romantic Seine River at sunset
🖼️ Explore the masterpieces at the Louvre Museum
🥐 Enjoy a fresh croissant at a Parisian café terrace
⛪ Visit the gothic Notre-Dame Cathedral and its towers
👜 Shop for designer fashion along Avenue des Champs-Élysées

You've been here?

Why travel to Paris?

Paris is a dream for lovers of art, history and gastronomy. Stroll along the Seine, admire the Eiffel Tower and dive into the city's rich past at places like the Louvre and Notre-Dame. At night, the city transforms into a glittering wonderland of lights and romance. And let’s not forget the food – from fresh croissants to Michelin-starred dining, every meal is an experience.

🏯Places worth seeing

1 Eiffel Tower
One of the world's most iconic landmarks, the Eiffel Tower defines Parisian skyline and engineering prowess. Despite heavy tourist crowds, secure your early morning slot to enjoy clear views without the queues.
2 Louvre Museum
This Parisian institution houses the world's largest art collection, featuring the iconic Mona Lisa and Venus de Milo. Expect intense crowds around famous pieces; secure timed tickets early to navigate the vast galleries efficiently.
3 Museum of Orsay
A former railway station turned art museum showcases Impressionist and Post-Impressionist masterpieces from 1848 to 1914, including works by Monet, Van Gogh and Degas, set within a striking Beaux‑Arts building on the Seine.
4 Notre-Dame Cathedral
A Gothic masterpiece on Île de la Cité, Notre-Dame Cathedral showcases intricate stonework, flying buttresses and stained glass windows that narrate biblical stories. Its spire once dominated Paris's skyline until the 2019 fire.
5 Montmartre
A historic hilltop district in Paris, Montmartre features cobblestone streets, white-washed churches and artistic studios overlooking the city. Its charming squares and cafes offer a timeless atmosphere away from tourist crowds.
6 Sainte-Chapelle
This Gothic masterpiece inside Notre-Dame features stunning stained glass and intricate stone tracery. Visitors marvel at its soaring height and delicate architecture, making it one of Paris's most treasured medieval treasures to explore today.
7 Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Paris
8 Palace of Versailles
9 Opéra Garnier
10 Pantheon
11 Musée d'Orsay
12 Champs Élysées

🎡Places for activities

1 Catacombs of Paris
This underground ossuary beneath Paris holds six million remains within its vast limestone galleries. While often crowded, visiting early morning offers a solemn, intimate perspective on this unique historical site.
2 Le Marais
3 Disneyland Paris
4 Belleville
5 Trocadéro Gardens
6 Père Lachaise Cemetery
7 Latin Quarter
8 Canal Saint-Martin
9 Rue Montorgueil
10 Marché d'Aligre

🏞️Natural landmarks

1 Bois de Vincennes
2 Bois de Boulogne
3 Tuileries Garden
4 Parc Monceau
5 Promenade Plantée
6 Île Saint-Louis
7 Jardin du Luxembourg
8 Parc des Buttes Chaumont
9 Île de la Cité
10 Parc de Belleville

🛍️Shopping

1 Passage du Grand-Cerf
2 Le BHV Marais
3 Le Bon Marché
4 Avenue Montaigne
5 Rue Saint-Honoré
6 Accès Parking Haussmann - Printemps
7 Marché Bastille

🎈Events

Bastille Day (July 14)
Paris Fashion Week
Roland Garros (French Open)
Nuit Blanche (All-Night Art Festival)
Fête de la Musique (June 21)
Christmas Markets
Paris Jazz Festival
Techno Parade
Paris Plages (Urban Beach Event)
Tour de France Finish

Explore on map

Open map view

Knowledge before you go

Book timed tickets for major sights; queues can consume your day.
Stay near a central Métro line for easy cross-city access, especially if visiting multiple museums and evening riverfront areas.
Learn a few basic French phrases; polite greetings often lead to warmer service in cafés, bakeries and neighborhood shops.
Picnic like locals by buying cheese, baguette and wine, then enjoy sunset along the Seine or on Canal Saint-Martin.

How to travel to Paris

Paris is served by three airports: Charles de Gaulle (CDG) for international flights, Orly (ORY) for European and domestic flights and Beauvais (BVA) for budget airlines. High-speed trains (TGV) connect Paris to other major European cities.

Access summary

From Charles de Gaulle (CDG): RER B train to center about 30–40 min.
From Orly (ORY): Orlyval + RER B or tram/metro about 30–45 min.
By Eurostar: High-speed trains from London, Brussels, Amsterdam about 2–3.5 hours.

Check your route from anywhere

Where to stay in Paris

Paris offers everything from budget hostels to luxury hotels. The Marais is trendy and central, Saint‑Germain is chic, Montmartre has a bohemian feel and the Latin Quarter is great for budget travelers.

Hotel recommendations

*by rating and popularity. Commissions have no influence on the rankings.

The People Paris Marais

8.7

Hotel Tourisme Avenue

9.0

The People Paris Nation

8.6

Pullman Paris Tour Eiffel

8.5

Mayflower Paris Opera

8.7

Citadines Les Halles Paris

8.7

Citadines Tour Eiffel Paris

Novotel Paris Centre Tour Eiffel Hotel

8.1

Explore more accommodations

How to get around Paris

The metro is the fastest way to get around, with 16 lines covering the city. Buses, trams and rental bikes (Vélib') are also great options. Walking is highly recommended in central areas to soak in the atmosphere.

Budget snapshot

Costs compared to home

We calculate the average costs when travelling to destinations and compare those with the living costs at your home. With this you can get an estimate of how expensive or cheap the destination is for you.

To customise this, you can set up which location and price level are used for the calculations in your account settings.

+10 %

Daily expenses in Paris are around 10% higher than the average across United States. That means you'll spend more on meals and getting around.

Exchange rate trend

The exchange rate price factor shows how expensive or cheap a currency currently is compared to its historical average. It's a quick way to see if a country is currently more or less affordable due to exchange rate changes.

-3 %

Your exchange rate (GBP to EUR) is 3% better than in recent years. That means travelling now costs around the same compared to the past.

Travel costs

To help you plan your trip, we provide estimated daily costs per person (when travelling as a pair) for different travel styles. These numbers give you an idea of what you might spend each day at this destination, including accommodation, food, transport and activities.

Additionally, we also provide average hotel costs for different travel styles to give you an estimate for the accommodation only.

Please note that these are only estimates. The real costs depend on booking times, season and other factors.

Daily cost summary

Travel style categories explained:

Backpacker:
Staying in hostels or budget hotels, cooking your own meals or eating cheap and choosing low-cost activities.

Mid-range:
Staying in mid-range hotels, eating at a mix of restaurants and casual spots and enjoying a variety of activities.

Luxury:
Staying in luxury hotels, dining out at high-end restaurants and enjoying premium experiences without worrying about the price.

	Backpacker	Mid-range	Luxury
💵 Total costs per day, including accommodation	£80	£160	£416
🏨 Accommodation per night, per person	£38	£75	£150
🍝 Food per day	£33	£74	£229
🚕 Transportation per day	£9	£11	£37

Food & Drink

🍽️ Restaurant Dinner, per person	£26
🍛 Lunch Set, per person	£12.50
🍟 Fast food combo	£10.50
🍝 Preparing your own food, per day	£11
☕ Cappuccino	£3.90
🍺 Beer in a restaurant, 0.5 l	£6.50

Transportation

🚌 Public transport ticket	£2.20
🚕 Taxi Ride, 10 km / 6 mi	£22
⛽ Petrol, 1 l	£1.60

Other

🎞️ Cinema ticket	£11.50
👩‍⚕️ Doctor's consult	£23
🤧 Cold medication	£3.40
💇 Basic haircut	£19

Safety information overview

General safety

Paris is generally safe, but watch out for pickpockets, especially in tourist areas and on public transport. Avoid deserted areas at night and be cautious in crowded spaces.

Health & Medical

Medical care is excellent, with well-equipped hospitals and pharmacies available throughout the city. EU travelers should bring an EHIC card; others should consider travel insurance.

Accessibility

Metro accessibility is limited, with many stations lacking elevators. Buses are more accessible. Major attractions like the Louvre and Eiffel Tower have good facilities for visitors with mobility challenges.

Tap water

Tap water is safe and high quality. Public fountains (Wallace fountains) provide free drinking water across the city.