Complete Paris Travel Guide: Eiffel Tower, Louvre and French Cuisine

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Why Visit Paris

Paris needs no introduction. The City of Light has captivated travellers for centuries with its art, architecture, cuisine and undeniable romance. From ancient Roman ruins to cutting-edge contemporary art, every arrondissement tells a different story.

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Best Time to Visit

Spring (April–June): Ideal. 15–25°C, cherry blossoms, outdoor cafes open, long days.
Autumn (September–October): Perfect. Fewer tourists than summer, pleasant temperatures, beautiful colours.
Summer (July–August): Warmest but most crowded and expensive. Many Parisians leave the city.
Winter (December–February): Cold (2–8°C) but Christmas markets, fewer tourists and lower prices.

Top Attractions

Iconic Landmarks

Eiffel Tower: Paris's most iconic monument. Tickets: €28.30 to the summit (lift), €14.20 to the 2nd floor by stairs. Book online well in advance — tickets sell out weeks ahead.
Notre-Dame Cathedral: Reopened in December 2024 after 5 years of restoration following the 2019 fire. Free entry. Stunning Gothic architecture.
Arc de Triomphe: Panoramic views from the top. Entry €16. Free on the first Sunday of each month (November–March).
Sacre-Coeur: White basilica atop Montmartre hill. Free entry. The dome (€7) offers the best panoramic view of Paris.

Museums

Louvre Museum: Home of the Mona Lisa. Entry €22 on site, €26 with online booking (includes timed entry). Free for under-18s and EU residents under 26. Closed Tuesdays. Go Wednesday or Friday evening (open until 21:45) to avoid crowds.
Musee d'Orsay: Impressionist masterpieces (Monet, Renoir, Van Gogh) in a stunning former train station. Entry €16. Free first Sunday of each month.
Centre Pompidou: Modern and contemporary art. Entry €15. Closed Tuesdays. The building itself is an architectural landmark.

Tip

Buy a Paris Museum Pass (2 days €55, 4 days €70) for skip-the-line access to 60+ museums. It pays for itself after 3–4 visits and saves enormous queuing time.

Neighbourhoods

Le Marais (3rd & 4th): The trendiest neighbourhood. Historic Jewish quarter with incredible falafel (L'As du Fallafel), boutique shopping, and Place des Vosges.
Montmartre (18th): Bohemian heart of Paris. Sacre-Coeur, street artists at Place du Tertre, charming cobblestone streets and vineyard.
Saint-Germain-des-Pres (6th): Literary Paris. Cafe de Flore, Luxembourg Gardens, upscale boutiques.
Latin Quarter (5th): Student vibes, affordable restaurants, the Pantheon. Great for budget travellers.
Canal Saint-Martin (10th): Trendy cafes, vintage shops and a relaxed atmosphere along the canal.

Getting Around

Metro: 16 lines covering the entire city. A single ticket (t+) costs €2.55. A carnet of 10 tickets is no longer available — use a Navigo Easy card (€2) and load trips at €2.55 each, or a weekly Navigo pass (€30.75, Monday–Sunday).
Bus: Same ticket as metro. Bus 69 passes most major landmarks — a cheap alternative to tourist buses.
Velib: Public bike-sharing. €5 day pass with 45-minute rides included.

From airports to city centre:

CDG (Charles de Gaulle): RER B train €14, 35 minutes to Chatelet. Roissybus €16.60, 60 minutes to Opera.
Orly: Orlyval + RER B €14.10, 35 minutes. OrlyBus €11.50, 30 minutes to Denfert-Rochereau.
Taxi: Flat rate €56 (Right Bank) or €65 (Left Bank) from CDG. €41 (Right Bank) or €36 (Left Bank) from Orly.

Warning

Paper metro tickets are being phased out. Get a Navigo Easy card at any station — it's reusable, costs €2, and you load trips onto it. Contactless bank cards also work directly on metro gates.

French Cuisine in Paris

Croissant: A proper Parisian croissant from an artisan boulangerie. €1.20–€1.50. Maison Landemaine and Du Pain et des Idees are exceptional.
Steak-frites: Classic bistro dish. €15–22 at neighbourhood bistros. Le Relais de l'Entrecote serves only this — unlimited frites.
Croque-monsieur: Grilled ham and cheese sandwich with bechamel. €8–12. A Parisian cafe staple.
Crepes: Sweet (Nutella, sugar-lemon) or savoury (galettes with ham, cheese, egg). €4–8 from street stalls, €10–15 in creperies.
Wine: A glass of wine from €4–6 in a bar, €6–10 in restaurants. France produces the world's finest wines.
Baguette: Still €1.10–€1.30 by law (the prix du pain). Fresh from any boulangerie.

Hotels in Paris

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Practical Tips

Visa: EU/Schengen rules. UK citizens can visit visa-free for up to 90 days. Passport required.
Currency: Euro (EUR). £1 ≈ €1.17. Cards accepted almost everywhere but small cafes may prefer cash.
Tipping: Service is included (service compris). Rounding up or leaving €1–2 for excellent service is appreciated but not expected.
Language: Learn basic French — bonjour, merci, s'il vous plait. Parisians appreciate the effort, even if they switch to English.
Water: Tap water is excellent. Ask for "une carafe d'eau" (free) instead of bottled water in restaurants.
Pickpockets: Be vigilant on the metro (lines 1, 4) and around tourist hotspots. Keep bags in front of you.

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