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Paris city guide

Plan a Paris stay with monuments, museums, markets, gardens, riverside walks, and local tips.

A Paris guide to monuments, museums, food, and river walks

Paris rewards travelers who like beauty, history, and a walkable city. France's capital gathers UNESCO-listed riverbanks, Gothic churches, a royal palace turned museum, an opera house, covered markets, and gardens inside a compact center.

From planning your stay with Radisson Hotels to exploring the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, Notre-Dame, the Musée d'Orsay, Sainte-Chapelle, and the Marais, this guide gathers the city's most useful ideas.

Walk the banks of the Seine, climb the Arc de Triomphe for the view down the Champs-Élysées, pause at the Palais Garnier, and leave room for the Jardin du Luxembourg or a morning at the Marché des Enfants Rouges. It suits first-time visitors, couples, families, food lovers, and culture seekers who want a city break with room to slow down.

Blog images - 2025 - Discover the delights of Paris food Food amp Drink Exploring Nightlife in Paris

Why visit Paris on your next France city escape

Paris combines landmark history, major museum collections, and a center you can cross on foot.

  • The Eiffel Tower, the Arc de Triomphe, Notre-Dame, and Sainte-Chapelle anchor the city's monument trail.
  • The Louvre is the world's most visited museum, and the Musée d'Orsay holds the largest Impressionist collection.
  • The banks of the Seine between the Pont de Sully and the Pont d'Iéna have been UNESCO-listed since 1991.
  • Covered markets, bistros, brasseries, bakeries, and street food make eating out part of the day.
  • Metro, RER, tram, bus, and walkable districts make Paris easy without a car.

When to visit Paris⁠

Season

Spring (March–May)

Summer (June–August)

Autumn (September–November)

Winter (December–February)

Best for

Gardens, café terraces, mild walks, river strolls

Riverside evenings, gardens, terraces, long days

Museums, golden gardens, mild walks, café days

Museums, opera evenings, cafés, indoor galleries

Travel tip

Pack layers for cool mornings, and check opening hours before planning a full museum day.

Carry water, save river walks for the evening, and keep museums for hot afternoons.

Bring a rain layer, since rainfall in Paris is spread across the year with no dry season.

Wear warm shoes, and check holiday opening hours before planning a packed museum day.
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Getting around Paris

Paris is easiest to explore on foot, backed by the metro, RER, trams, and buses. The metro runs 16 lines and more than 300 stations, marked by a yellow M, from about 6 am–12:45 am, and 1:45 am on Fridays and Saturdays. Five RER lines, A to E, cross the city and reach the wider Île-de-France region, 5:30 am–12:45 am. There are also 15 tram lines and night buses.

Île-de-France Mobilités runs the network, and most visitors use a Navigo Easy or Paris Visite pass. RER B serves Charles de Gaulle, and metro line 14 runs directly to Orly. Airport trips need a separate Paris Region to Airports ticket. You do not need a car in the city.

Explore Paris by travel style, mood, and the kind of day you want

Some days in Paris are built around monuments and galleries, while others are better spent drifting between market stalls, park benches, and café tables. Whichever way you lean, the center is compact enough that you can change your mind halfway through the afternoon and still get where you were going.

Eiffel Tower

Monument seekers

Move between the Eiffel Tower, the Arc de Triomphe, Notre-Dame, and Sainte-Chapelle.

Discover landmarks
Blog images - 2025 - Discover enchanting things to do in Paris Destination Louvre Palace Paris France

Museum and art lovers

Give unhurried hours to the Louvre, the Musée d'Orsay, and the Grand Palais.

Explore the art
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Food market wanderers

Browse the Marché des Enfants Rouges and Marché d'Aligre, then eat at a bistro or brasserie.

Taste Paris
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Park and river fans

Walk the Parc Rives de Seine, the Jardin du Luxembourg, and the Cimetière du Père Lachaise.

Head outdoors
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Family explorers

Mix the Jardin d'Acclimatation, the Parc Zoologique de Paris, gardens, and a Seine cruise.

Plan family days

Paris itineraries and easy city day plans

These day plans group nearby places so you spend less time crossing Paris and more time inside it. Each one covers a manageable stretch of the city rather than trying to cover everything at once, and the compact center means most walks between stops are short.

Leave room for the things that are not on the list. A long lunch, a bookshop, a bench by the Seine, or a second lap of a gallery you liked are often what people remember afterwards. Book timed entry wherever a landmark offers it, and check opening hours before you set out, since these change through the year.

Blog images - 2025 - Discover enchanting things to do in Paris Destination What to see in Paris

One day in Paris

  • Morning: start at Notre-Dame on the Île de la Cité, then walk to Sainte-Chapelle.
  • Lunch: stop in the Latin Quarter or the Marais.
  • Afternoon: cross the Seine to the Louvre, or choose the Musée d'Orsay if you prefer the Impressionists.
  • Evening: walk the Champs-Élysées to the Arc de Triomphe, then finish near the Eiffel Tower.

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Two days in Paris

Day 1

  • Morning: see Notre-Dame and Sainte-Chapelle on the Île de la Cité.
  • Lunch: eat in the Latin Quarter or the Marais.
  • Afternoon: give the rest of the day to the Louvre.
  • Evening: dine near the Palais Garnier, or book a performance there.

Day 2

  • Morning: climb the Arc de Triomphe for the view down the Champs-Élysées.
  • Lunch: stop near the Grand Palais.
  • Afternoon: visit the Musée d'Orsay.
  • Evening: follow the Parc Rives de Seine toward the Eiffel Tower.

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Three days in Paris

For days one and two, follow the 2-day itinerary at a relaxed pace.

Day 3

  • Morning: ride to Montmartre for the Basilique du Sacré-Cœur and the village streets below it.
  • Lunch: browse the Marché des Enfants Rouges in the Haut Marais.
  • Afternoon: walk the Jardin du Luxembourg, or take the quieter lanes of the Cimetière du Père Lachaise.
  • Evening: end with a slow dinner in the Marais or near the Seine.

Top 10 things to do, see, taste, and explore across Paris

Idea Why go? Time needed Best for
Eiffel Tower Ride to the summit of the 330-meter tower for city views. 1.5–2.5 hrs First-time visitors, view seekers
Musée du Louvre Tour the world's most visited museum, once a royal palace. 3–4 hours Art lovers, first-time visitors
Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Paris See the restored Gothic cathedral on the Île de la Cité. 1–2 hours History fans, architecture lovers
Musée d'Orsay See the largest Impressionist collection, in a 1900 station. 2–3 hours Art lovers, architecture fans
Sainte-Chapelle See 1,113 stained-glass windows in a Rayonnant Gothic gem. 45–60 mins Architecture fans, photo lovers
Arc de Triomphe Climb to the terrace for the view down the Champs-Élysées. 45–60 mins View seekers, history fans
Basilique du Sacré-Cœur Visit the 1919-consecrated basilica on Paris's highest hill. 1 hour View seekers, walkers
Palais Garnier Tour the opera house and its Chagall-painted ceiling. 1–2 hours Music lovers, design fans
Jardin du Luxembourg Rest between Saint-Germain-des-Prés and the Latin Quarter. 1 hour Families, slow travelers
Cimetière du Père Lachaise Walk past the tombs of many well-known figures. 1–2 hours History fans, quiet walkers
Blog images - 2025 VOL 2 - Paris flea markets
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Local etiquette, practical tips, and Paris know-how

Paris runs on small courtesies. A simple "bonjour" on entering a shop or café, and a goodbye on the way out, matters more than visitors expect. Staff are addressed as monsieur or madame.

The service charge is included in restaurant bills by law, so a tip is never obligatory, though rounding up is common. A carafe of tap water is free on request, as are bread and cutlery.

Notre-Dame and other working churches ask for clothing covering shoulders, torso, and thighs, and men remove hats indoors. The blue-gray zinc roofs are the work of roofers whose know-how joined UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage list in 2024.

Explore our hotels in Paris

East Side Hotel Paris Gare de l Est, a member of Radisson Individuals - Standard Room

East Side Hotel Paris Gare de l'Est, a member of Radisson Individuals

1-3 cour de la ferme Saint-Lazare
info.eastsidehouse@radissonindividuals.com
+33 1 48 24 84 84
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Hotel Details
Hotel Yac Paris Clichy, a member of Radisson Individuals - Exterior Hotel

Hotel YAC Paris Clichy, a member of Radisson Individuals

69 Bis Boulevard Jean Jaurès, Clichy
info.yachotel@radissonindividuals.com
+33 184 200 111
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Hotel Details
Le Relais de la Malmaison, a member of Radisson Individuals - Exterior

Le Relais de La Malmaison, a member of Radisson Individuals

93 Boulevard Franklin Roosevelt, 92500, Rueil-Malmaison
info.relaismalmaison@radisson.com
+33 1 47 32 01 33
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Hotel Details
Radisson Blu CDG Airport Terminal Hotel, Paris - Hotel Buliding

Radisson Blu CDG Airport Terminal Hotel, Paris

3 Bis Rue De la Haye, Tremblay-en-France
info.airport.paris@radissonblu.com
+33 1 70 03 11 63
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Hotel Details
Blog images - 2025 VOL 2 - Discover the allure of south ParisBlog images - 2024 - Join the Excitement for Visiting Paris this Summer Destination Vosges square

Landmarks, monuments, and heritage walks

Paris is a city of set-piece monuments, and most first visits are built around them. Start at the Eiffel Tower, then cross to the Arc de Triomphe for the view down the Champs-Élysées.

On the Île de la Cité, Notre-Dame and Sainte-Chapelle sit minutes apart, one a restored Gothic cathedral, the other lined with 1,113 stained-glass windows. Montmartre adds the Basilique du Sacré-Cœur on the highest hill in Paris, and the Palais Garnier brings a 19th-century opera house into the day.

Much of this walk is protected ground. The banks of the Seine between the Pont de Sully and the Pont d'Iéna have been UNESCO-listed since 1991.

Blog images - 2025 - Paris museums discover hidden gems Culture Mus e de l OrangerieBlog images - 2025 - Paris museums discover hidden gems Culture galleries paris

Museums, galleries, and art-filled days

Two collections carry most of the weight here. The Louvre is the world's most visited museum, set in a former royal palace tied to French history for eight centuries, and a first visit works better if you pick a wing rather than trying to see everything.

Across the Seine, the Musée d'Orsay holds the world's largest collection of Impressionist and post-Impressionist painting, inside the former Gare d'Orsay, a station built for 1900 and converted into a museum in 1986. The Grand Palais adds a stone, steel, and glass hall near the Champs-Élysées that hosts major exhibitions.

Check opening hours before you commit to a full museum day.

Blog images - 2025 - Discover the delights of Paris food Food amp Drink Lunch in ParisBlog images - 2025 VOL 2 - Food markets Paris

Paris food, markets, and café culture

Eating in Paris is less about one signature dish than how often you stop. The city runs on bistros, brasseries, bakeries, pastry counters, and street food, and a market snack can be as good as a booked table.

The Marché des Enfants Rouges in the Haut Marais was created in 1615 and is the oldest covered food market in the city, with produce stalls sitting alongside prepared-food counters. The Marché d'Aligre and the food shops along rue Montorgueil are worth the walk too.

One local habit is worth knowing. A carafe of tap water is free on request in any Parisian restaurant, and the service charge is already included in the bill.

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For gardens, riverside walks, and slower days

Paris is compact, which makes it a good city to cross on foot. The Parc Rives de Seine runs seven kilometers along both banks, from the Pont d'Iéna to the Pont des Arts on the left bank and from the Pont Neuf to the port de l'Arsenal on the right.

The Jardin du Luxembourg sits between Saint-Germain-des-Prés and the Latin Quarter, and it is the easiest place in the center to stop moving for an hour. For something quieter, the Cimetière du Père Lachaise reads more like a park, with paths running past the tombs of many well-known figures.

Rainfall is spread across the year with no dry season, so carry a light layer whatever the month.

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For an easy family pace in Paris

Paris works well with children when each day has one main stop and plenty of room around it. The metro reaches almost everywhere, and the compact center keeps the walks between sights short.

The Jardin d'Acclimatation is a full leisure park, and the Parc Zoologique de Paris is an easy second stop. The Jardin du Luxembourg and the Parc Rives de Seine give everyone space to move between museum visits, and a Seine cruise turns getting around into part of the outing.

Plan the big landmark for the morning and something lighter after lunch. Gardens and river walks are the easiest way to reset a long day.

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Paris travel tips, common questions, and practical planning answers

General

  • How many days do I need in Paris?

    Two to three days covers the main monuments, one or two major museums, a market morning, and time by the Seine. The city tourist office plans its own routes around one, two, or three days.

  • What is the best way to get around Paris?

    Walk inside the compact center, then use the metro, RER, trams, and buses for longer trips. A Navigo Easy or Paris Visite pass suits most visitors, and you do not need a car.

  • How do I get from the airport into Paris?

    RER B serves Charles de Gaulle, and metro line 14 runs direct to Orly in about 25 minutes. Both need a separate Paris Region to Airports ticket rather than a standard fare.

  • When is the best time to visit Paris?

    Paris has a mild oceanic climate, running from around 2°C in winter to 25°C in summer. Spring and autumn are the most comfortable windows, and rain is spread across the year.

  • Do I need a visa to visit Paris?

    Paris is in France and the Schengen Area. Entry rules depend on your nationality, passport, and length of stay, so check official guidance before booking if you are unsure.

  • Do I need to tip in Paris?

    Tipping is not obligatory. The service charge is included in restaurant bills by law, so rounding up for good service is a gesture rather than an expectation.

  • Can I drink the tap water in Paris?

    Yes. A carafe of tap water is free on request in any Parisian restaurant, along with bread and cutlery, and many visitors carry a refillable bottle for sightseeing days.

  • What should I wear in Paris?

    Comfortable walking shoes matter most. Notre-Dame and other working places of worship ask for clothing covering shoulders, torso, and thighs, and men remove hats indoors.

  • Is English widely spoken in Paris?

    French is the everyday language. Tourist-facing services publish in several languages and the city tourist office is staffed in around a dozen, but a greeting in French is always welcome.

  • Do I need a ticket to visit Notre-Dame?

    No. Access to the cathedral is free every day of the year. Check opening hours before you go, and dress modestly, since it remains a working place of worship.