Paris
The City of Love needs no introduction. Paris has featured in many films and all kinds of art throughout the centuries. The world’s most-visited city is full of experiences for you to enjoy, from delicious baked goods to some of Europe’s most beautiful architecture.
Start With These:
Articles About Paris
My 14 Top Things to Do in Paris, France
How I Spent 4 Days and 3 Nights in Paris: A Full Itinerary
A Practical Guide to Visiting the Musée D’Orsay in Paris
Traveling to Paris
Paris is top of many people’s bucket lists for lots of good reasons. While France’s capital is certainly a polarizing place, it’s hard to deny the city’s romantic atmosphere as you wander along its streets. On every corner, you’ll also find lots of beautiful buildings that bring people back again and again.
Despite being a big city, Paris is surprisingly easy to navigate. It’s become much more bike-friendly in recent years, and the Metro system is excellent and affordable. Charles De Gaulle and Orly—the city’s two main airports—are also easy to travel to and from.
Located in the northern part of France, Paris is also easy to reach by train from London, Amsterdam, and many other European cities.
Endless Discoveries Await
No matter how many times you visit Paris, you still won’t see and experience everything. The city is full of iconic locations, such as the Eiffel Tower and the Arc de Triomphe. Seeing these is an absolute must when you visit the city for the first time.
Beyond that, though, Paris has plenty of other experiences worth discovering. The city’s bakeries are arguably the best in the world, and trying a fresh baguette or croissant is obligatory whenever you’re in town. And of course, the French capital has no shortage of excellent restaurants.
Paris is also home to some of the world’s best museums, such as the Musée D’Orsay. Some of these are the size of villages and need some prior planning, but you absolutely should allocate significant time to them if you’re interested in culture.
Useful Information for Your Paris Trip
- Money: Paris uses the Euro (€ / EUR). Card payments are widely accepted.
- Weather: Winter in Paris is mild and occasionally cold, and rain is not uncommon. Summer, on the other hand, is warm and can sometimes get uncomfortably hot.
- Visas and Entry Requirements: France is in the EU. If you have an EU, EEA, or Swiss passport, you can visit without special restrictions. Citizens of many other countries, including the UK and the US, can visit for up to 90 days visa-free, but you must register using the new Entry / Exit (EES) system when entering from outside the Schengen Area. Some nationalities need a tourist Visa to visit France (and, by extension, Paris); learn more here.
- Safety: Despite what some have said online in recent years, Paris is still a safe city. Pickpockets do, however, exist. Don’t put your valuables in easy-to-reach places and avoid leaving your bags on tables. Scams also exist—but in both instances, you should be fine if you exercise common sense.
- Accommodation: Paris has a wide range of accommodation, but much of it is expensive. Still, you can find budget options—though many of these will be out of the city center. If I was to pick one neighborhood to stay in, I’d suggest Le Marais.
