Luminous Paris: art, bistros and iconic neighbourhoods
Photo by Anthony DELANOIX · unsplash.com
The Ville Lumiere is synonymous with romance, haute cuisine, fashion and art. The Eiffel Tower, the Louvre with the Mona Lisa, Montmartre and Notre-Dame (under restoration) make it the most visited city in the world.
🌤️ Best time to visit
April-June and September-October. Avoid August when Parisians are on holiday and many shops close.
✈️ How to arrive
CDG 25 km away with RER B (35 min, 11.80 euro) or taxi (50-55 euro). Orly 14 km away with Orlyval. Gare du Nord for Eurostar from London (2h20).
🚇 How to get around
Metro (16 lines) - the most extensive in Europe. A carnet of 10 tickets or a weekly Navigo. RER for the sites outside the centre (Versailles, airports).
🏛️ Main attractions
Eiffel Tower
The symbol of Paris (1889), 330 m tall. Spectacular at night with the light show.
Book online in advance. The queue without a booking exceeds 2 hours.
Louvre
The most visited museum in the world with 35,000 works. The Mona Lisa, the Winged Victory of Samothrace, the Venus de Milo.
Book online. Arrive at opening for the Mona Lisa with fewer crowds.
Musee d'Orsay
Impressionist and post-impressionist art in a former railway station. Monet, Renoir, Degas, Van Gogh.
Less crowded than the Louvre, often underrated by tourists.
🍝 Typical cuisine
Croissant, Baguette, Croque-Monsieur, Soupe a l'oignon, Steak-Frites, Crepes, Macarons, Eclair.
🍽️ Recommended restaurants
Septime (Bastille): innovative bistronomy, book ahead. Chez L'Ami Jean: homely Basque cuisine. Paul Bert: the perfect steak. La Tour d'Argent: historic, luxurious, famous for its duck.
🏘️ Where to stay
Marais: trendy, gay-friendly, with Renaissance architecture. Montmartre: bohemian and romantic. Saint-Germain: intellectual and literary. Bastille: lively and less touristy.
🗺️ Nearby day trips
Versailles (40 min by RER C): the most sumptuous royal palace in Europe. Giverny: Monet's garden. Mont Saint-Michel (3h30 by train): the island-abbey.
💡 Practical tips
The Louvre is free for under-26 EU citizens. The Paris Museum Pass for the most visited museums. The metro runs until 00:30 (01:30 at the weekend). Beware of the bracelet scams at Montmartre.