Paris
Destination Guide

The Ultimate Guide Before You Plan for your Next Trip

Known for its enchanting boulevards and charming bistros Paris indeed evokes a sense of romance than no other cities in the world can ever offer. The fascinating wine bars and the quaint little bookshops will you just win you over whilst you will relish the opportunity to walk into the most exotic museums and the most precious Gothic architecture of the Middle Ages. The iconic monuments like the Eiffel Tower and the Arc De Triomphe will put you in a state of trance whilst the beautiful gardens will give you the perfect opportunity for you to have a truly Parisian experience.

Attractions in Paris

From medieval architecture to ornamental gardens, the iconic monuments to enriched museums, there are many attractions in Paris besides the Eiffel Tower.

Musee d’Orsay

Paris is not only the city of Louvre Museum but it is also the city of another fascinating art-museum popularly known as the Musee d’Orsay. This museum is only dedicated to the impressionist artists of the previous era and a trip to this place is indeed a treat for the art-lovers and the tourists. Housed in a former railway station this place has a very periodic appeal with the huge glass-cover and also the big clock. The museum houses various art works from the middle of 1800's to the 1900's and each of them have a very specific theme. Works of famous impressionist painters like the Monet, Renoir, Pissaro, and of course Van Gogh.

Palace of Versailles

Which was once a hunting lodge for the French Royals is now a majestic landmark for the tourists to enjoy. The huge structure of the building boasts its ornamental design and its oppulant architecture attract a lot of tourist throughout the year. The exterior boasts a lovely garden whilst the interior is even more beautiful. With its enchanting Hall of Mirrors. With more than 357 mirrors on 17 huge arches this place will surely dazzle your senses. The palace had ceased to be a royal residence from the French Revolution and now it serves as a museum showcasing France's history.

Les Catacombes

Representing the dark side of Paris Les Catacombes narrates Paris's haunting past. The spot, which is now a major tourist attraction of Paris has a very dreadful history. Many Parisians chose to be burried in this place when the old cemeteries started to close. The lack of space made the bodies clutter against each other thereby making it one of the dismaying scene ever. However, no place in Paris exist without its touch of art as here also tourists will find artistically placed bones along with poetry written in this underground mass burial ground. This place was a refuge of many secret societies over the years.

Eiffel Tower

A list of Paris's major attractions cannot be completed without the mention of the iconic Eiffel Tower. Located in the famous Champ de Mars park this tower reaches a soaring height of over a 1000 feet. The structure which was once built for the World Exposition fair back in the year 1889 is surely the most visited and most photographed structure of entire France. As the Parisian sun sets in the horizon the Eiffel Tower lits up making it a even more spectacular sight. Tourists have the provision of going-up to the top on an elevator and then enjoy marvelous French cuisine in the Eiffel Tower restaurant.

Sacre-Coeur

This beautiful basilica has a white-domed architecture and it is located at the charming hill-tops of Montmarte. Visited by the locals and the tourists alike this architecture is one of the most visited places in entire Paris. As only the Montmarte hills is one of the favorite eating and picnic spot for the Parisian, this monument adds to the appeal. Nestled nicely on the top of the hill this marble architecture beckons many wanderers and suckers for art. The gold mosaic interiors along with the stained glass windows will give you a glimpse of the peak of European sophistication. Moreover, the building also houses the world's largest clock.

Pont Alexandre |||

Art and romance is spread all across the city of Paris and this bridge overlooking the Seine River is the perfect example of it. Joining the Eiffel Tower with the Champs-Elysee and the Les Invalides this iconic bridge is a site to savor for every tourist. It is arguably the most extravagant and definitely the most ornate bridge in entire Europe as you can find multiple sculptures and statues spread all across the bridge. The statues include figurines of winged horses, some nymphs as the cherubs decorate the top of the bridge.

Luxembourg Gardens

Though the name might confuse you a bit but the garden of Luxembourg is indeed in Paris. This enchanting little garden is the second largest public park in entire Paris. An ideal place to have an afternoon walk or a leisurely stroll is full of beautiful flowers and plants. There is several orchards spread across the garden and as so typically of France there are fountains and beautiful statues. There is a separate jogging path and tennis lawns and the playground is quite something. There are plenty of scope for the children to enjoy as there are provisions for pony rides and puppet shows and the French kids there sail their toy boats in the pond.

Moulin Rouge

The year 1889 was an eventful year for the Parisians because that year saw the introduction of the Eiffel Tower and also the Moulin Rouge opened its gate to the public. Moulin Rouge, a name which was synonymous to modern entertainment for the Parisians is still an iconic landmark to visit. Featured in various Hollywood classics this venue has helped the Parisian elites to indulge in dark entertainment over the last century or so. Even now you will see a decent crowd in Moulin Rouge and as a tourist you are bound to have a nice time, walking down the memory lanes of this charming city.

Musee d’Orsay

Palace of Versailles

Les Catacombes

Eiffel Tower

Sacre-Coeur

Pont Alexandre |||

Luxembourg Gardens

Moulin Rouge

Musee d’Orsay

Palace of Versailles

Les Catacombes

Eiffel Tower

Centre Pompidou

This destination at the Beaubourg area of Paris is a cultural hub for the modern Parisians as it offers many avenues of entertainment. Firstly there is a huge library in that building called the Musée National d’Art Moderne, This is the largest museum of Modern Art in entire Europe. The library stretches for three floors Apart from that there is a movie theater, a bookshop, and also a panoramic view from the terrace. Read more

The center also uses its first and the top for exhibitions. So, overall it is a tempting refuge for book lovers and art lovers to spend their afternoons and the tourists can surely pay this place a visit whilst they are at Paris. Read less

Place de la Concorde

Located in the east end of the famous Champs-Elysées is this enchanting Parisian fountain. Centered on this cassic European fountain is the most famous and definitely the largest square of entire Paris. This square also has a very significant role in the French revolution. It is the same square where people iconic figures like the Marie Antoinette and French King Louis XVI were executed along with many others during the French Revolution. After that the square has witnessed many changes one of the latest additions being the introduction of the Egyptian obelisk from the Temple of Luxor back in the 19th century.

Cruise on Seine

Once you visit Paris then you must take a cruise down the enchanting river of Seine. It will definitely give you a romantic experience to remember. You can enjoy the ornate skyline of Paris as the cruise will make you go under many bridges and tunnels and you will surely enjoy the change of light and shade of the Parisian sky. The cruise will make you sail pass the iconic landmarks like the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, Notre Dame Cathedral along with many other iconic landmarks of Paris. The cruise lasts for an hour and it is also available during the night time making the experience even more romantic.

Disneyland Paris

If you are travelling to Paris with your kids then you cannot possibly miss out on the opportunity to take a trip down to the Disneyland Paris. More than just a themed park this park is almost an exact replica of the one they have in Los Angeles. Inaugurated in the year 1992 this place offers all the facilities and amenities that you can expect from a Disneyland. It has hotels and resorts along with nice French themed shopping centers. The Disney characters are obviously the same but the overall appeal of the park is very charming and European.

Pere Lachaise Cemetery

Never imagined a cemetery to be in the list of must-visit places of Paris? Wait till you see this quaint little one. Being the resting place of iconic artists like Jim Morrison and Oscar Wilde this cemetery is by far the most popular graveyard of entire Europe. Built back in the year 1804 this cemetery is also the resting place of the famous Parisian singer Edith Piaf who transformed the caberet scene of Paris. Naturally the cemetery is full of sculptures and each family has written the story of the deceased adding to the charm of the place.

In the Spotlight

The name Paris has now become synonymous to good food and fabulous wine. The French culinary scene has gained recognition throughout the world and it is needless to say that Paris is the ultimate hub of French cuisine. Now there are several French restaurants spread all across the globe, perhaps at least one in ever city, however, enjoying French food in the City of Lights is a completely different experience.

Josephine Chez Dumonet : This century old eatery can be considered as the French restaurants of the French restaurants. Nothing can beat its Parisian appeal as the hot and savory sauces here just speak for themselves. Read More

From the traditional boeuf bourguignon to the scrumptious French desserts, you will never repent a trip in this place. The charming little patio chairs are always filled with readers and writers and people discussing art and poetry. That is why it is vital that you reserve your place well in advance so that you do not miss out this fabulous Parisian experience. Read less

Oysters at l’Huitrerie Regis : A trip to Saint-Germain-des-Prés will mean that you should visit this fabulous seafood joint in Paris. Read More

No Parisian cuisine gets completed without a hint of fresh and scrumptious seafood and if you are in a mood to taste the freshest oysters with a Parisian white wine then this is the place to be. Apart from oysters, there are prawns, crabs, shrimps, and mussels are shipped every day from the Marennes d’Oléron region bordering the Atlantic Coastlines of France. The chef here is very particular about the freshness and the quality of the seafood and you might not get a chance to taste the oysters if you reach there late. Read less

Taloa at A. Noste: Explore Paris's Basque influence in this delightful bistro and indulge in the floppy and yet delicious Basque style sandwiches which had been so popular for years in this quaint little eatery. Read More

The sandwiches are stuffed with wee Basque delicacies like the confit de canard, pork belly and also hot chorizo. The restaurant is also known for its fabulous Basque tapas and it is an extreme continental experience that you will have once you enter the door. The attitude is quite laid back here and it is an ideal place to visit on a leisurely afternoon. There is also a dinning room upstairs where southwestern French farm food are being served. Read less

L'Assiette : This is the ideal kind of restaurant which makes Paris the perfect food city. The chef here puts his heart out in the kitchen and the result is something quite especial. Read More

The kitchen is alive in this restaurant as the guests often enjoy the vibrant vibe presented by the owners of this place. Enjoy the ultimate Parisian dinner with the likes of foi gras, pork-knuckle rillettes and also some of the most delicious cassoulet. The French flare of this place is expressed well through the various dessert menus and smell of tomatoes and coriander fill the air. Read less

Comice: Run by a husband and a wife together this restaurant is elegant and yet relaxed at the same time. The ornate decor will surely capture your imagination as the arrangements of this place is done by a very famous local florist. Read More

The ultimate Parisian essence, fetched fresh from the gardens, is what you will get in this charming little eatery. The food is absolutely French with oysters, duck foi gras, butter-poached lobster and hazelnut strawberries available in this place and the wine list is something unique as apart from the regular French wines, both the chefs focus on bringing different kinds of wines from around the world. Read less

Euro is the currency accepted all over Paris as it is the part of the European Union. Euro has replaced Franc, the previous currency which once was the base of all monetary transactions in Paris. So, even now some shops and the markets, mostly the off-beat stalls, has a Franc price tag attached to it along with a Euro price tag. However, as a tourist you need not go through the hassles of the conversion rates and all as you will pay them simply with Euros. Most of the big hotels and the restaurants of Paris accept international debit and credit cards whilst the cabs and some of the smaller shops will be preferred to be paid by cash. You can withdraw cash from various ATMs available all throughout the city.

Special Tips

The Parisian food joints who accepts cash for payments will not like it if you hand them over a Euro 500 note. So, there is no point taking a larger denomination of Euro in Paris.
Barring your hotel cost you will need around Euro 100 to Euro 125 per day on the travel and everything.
You can cut the daily cost to Euro 60 to Euro 70 per day depending on the kind of adventure you like to have.
Metro tickets are around Euro 1.60 per trip, per person and you need to pay them with changes.
If you are not having it from the hotels you should try to keep every meal within the range of Euro 8 to 10 thereby making it easier on your purse. Paris can prove to be very expensive if you are not careful.

Entertainment & Event

The charming greenery and the lovely multi-cultural festivals makes Paris a happening place.

Flora and Fauna

Flora and Fauna

Flora and Fauna

Paris, despite being a heavily populated city, is not short of its fair share of green. Starting from the joggers' parks to the nearby gardens, from the forestland to the river banks you can various types of trees and animals in and around Paris. Ring necked snakes, blue winged crickets, the grey heron, and the egret are found in plenty in and around Paris. There are also a plenty of variety of birds staying near the river banks and small patches of forests in Paris. Plenty of variety of fish also inhabit the lakes and river of Paris

The likes of kingfisher, the mallard ducks, the mute swans, the grey wagtails, the sandpipers, the water hens, and the crested grebes are all found all across the city. The water banks of Paris also offers a nice habitat for the birds like kingfisher and the swans. The water of Paris is also enriched with various variety of fish like the catfish, common roaches, daces, chubs, and gudgeons.
Festivals

Festivals

Festivals

The multi-cultural city of Paris is known for its various celebrations and festivals. The summer starts with the beautiful Carnaval de Paris when the entire city is covered in colors. Then there is of course the Printemps du Cinéma which is closely followed by the famous June festival known as the Fête de la Musique. The Parisians love their art and music and this type of celebrations bring the entire city together. Then there is of course the ever so popular Festival de de l'Ourcq where the tourists can enjoy a boat cruise discovering the various traditions and customes of the Parisians.

This event is closely followed by two more exotic events in the form of Paris Quartier d'Eté and then the Paris Plages. Whilst the latter is beach (artificially made beaches) celebration done on the banks of the River Seine the former is all about music and cultural events. The autumn months are known for the festivals like Nuit Blanche and the Journées du Patrimoine whilst the winter experiences the traditional Christmas and the New Years day. The Parisians also celebrate the Chinese New Year in a grand way.
culture

culture

Culture

Parisians are known for their love of art and culture and they are very deeply-rooted to their culture and tradition. Very proud of their language and customs, the Parisians, are often very warm hosts to the tourists. Paris is definitely the cultural hub of the entire country as they initiate several literary, cultural, and culinary innovation. Paris is indeed the most cosmopolitan city of entire France and as a result the Parisians are very well-versed with many foreign languages including English.

Parisians are known for their culinary innovations and have a very refined taste in food and wine. Their laid-back and relaxed attitude towards life is very well visible from the fact that many Parisians spend their days in the park or in the breweries reading and writing. Paris will give you a feel that city life exists beyond the hustle-n-bustle which is often common in other cities like London or New York.