visit to paris essay in french

Art & Culture Travel Blog

My travel diary: three days in paris.

• Tea Gudek Šnajdar

Paris is one of my favourite cities!

I’m so in love with its museums, French cuisine and the city’s vibe. I’m pretty lucky Paris is only three hours away by train from Amsterdam. So, I’m there quite often. However, recently, I was in Paris for the first time on a solo trip. It was a mix of business and personal trips, so I had enough time to enjoy the city during my short trip. Well, here is my travel diary with things I did during my three days in Paris.

Three days in Paris

Day one – fashionable paris.

This post contains some affiliate links.

I caught an early train from Amsterdam and was in Paris already at 10 am, soI had the whole day to explore the city. It was a rainy, grey Monday morning, and I felt like I was the only person in the city. Paris is usually packed with tourists, but its streets were almost empty this time. I had a feeling like I travelled to some different time when it was only the city of Parisians and a few travellers.

And I was one of those travellers… Explorers… Having the city only for myself.

⤷ Read more : Beginners’ art & culture guide to Paris

Palais Garnier & Coco Chanel

I took a walk from the Jardin du Luxembourg, where my hotel was located, towards the Seine River, Louvre and Palais Garnier.

Before my trip, I read Christina Henry de Tessan’s book ‘Forever Paris’ . She created several self-guided tours around Paris through which travellers could follow in the footsteps of some famous people that used to live there.

I decided to follow the life of Coco Chanel. My tour started in front of the Opera Garnier, from where I continued wandering around the neighbourhood. I’ve passed next to the first Chanel store, one of the apartments the famous designer used to live in and next to the place where she used to have her morning coffee.

There is something special in reading about someone’s life and then strolling the streets where that person lived. Somehow, I could almost see Coco Chanel rushing through the small side streets from her apartment to the office with some new fashion drawings under her arm.

⤷ TIP : When in Paris next time, explore Opera Garnier! It’s a beautiful building, and you can learn a lot about it with this self-guided tour around it .

Marais, street art & vintage shops

My first day in Paris was reserved for immersing in Parisian fashion. I had a nice and delicious lunch in one of the restaurants with a view of the Opera Garnier. And decided to spend my afternoon exploring some famous vintage shops in the Marais neighbourhood. I’ve never spent much time in that area, and it was such a  pleasant surprise. I loved its picturesque streets filled with small cute stores, cafes and restaurants. The whole area has such a relaxed vibe.

It’s filled with street and I loved spotting it all around me. I didn’t have enough time to join some of the street art tours this time, but would definitely like to do that on one of my future trips to Paris.

Marais is well known for some of the best vintage stores in Paris. You never know what you’ll find in them – Dior earrings or some other gem from the 1980s. Well, I wasn’t so lucky… But, I definitely enjoyed visiting them, checking the clothes they have and talking with other shoppers (who were some of the coolest people I’ve met in Paris).

I felt a bit sick that day, so I returned to my hotel early. I got myself a nice cup of hot tea and went to sleep.

⤷ Read more : Check out my post about exploring Paris like a local for more ideas about things to do and see in Marais.

Day two – Impressionists’ Paris

Looking for impressionists at montmartre.

When I woke up the following day, I was feeling much better. So, after breakfast in a restaurant close to my hotel, I was ready for some sightseeing again. Day two was reserved for learning more about and exploring the French Impressionism in Paris. It’s one of my favourite painting styles, and I am in love with that time, the bohemian lifestyle and the culture at the end of the 19th century.

⤷ Read more : Impressionists in Paris

I decided to take a tour around the Montmartre neighbourhood and learn more about the Impressionist painters that used to live and work there. I met my guide below the Sacré-Coeur Church, and we went to Montmartre, where he showed me some places important for the Impressionist movement in Paris.

When we left the most popular area of Montmartre behind us, some streets and houses still looked the same as they did at the end of the 19th century. I could almost imagine carriages strolling through those streets and music coming from the small cabarets.

The most special place for me was the house where Vincent and Theo van Gogh lived together during the two years Vincent spent in Paris. The painting Van Gogh painted while looking through the window of that apartment is displayed in the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam . I know the painting so well, and once standing there, the place almost felt familiar to me.

⤷ Read more : Locations linked to Vincent van Gogh in Paris

Musée d’Orsay

After a short break and some tarte tatin , I went to the Musée d’Orsay. That’s THE museum to visit if you want to see some of the most famous modern paintings. And it’s home to one of the best Impressionist collections in Paris.

⤷ Read more : Impressionists at Musée d’Orsay

The building in which the museum is located is a piece of art and history itself. It was built as a train station at the end of the 19th century and later converted into a museum. Visiting it will provide you with a fantastic combination of industrial architecture and a modern art collection.

⤷ TIP : To avoid queueing in front of the museum and waiting to get in, buy your Musée d’Orsay online ticket before your visit.

Musée Marmottan Monet

My guide gave me an excellent recommendation for a lovely little restaurant close to the Musée d’Orsay, called Les Antiquaires. After a delicious lunch there, I went to another museum with one of the best collections of Impressionists’ paintings in Paris – Musée Marmottan Monet.

⤷ Read more : What to see at the Musée Marmottan – Monet in Paris

I visited it a few years ago on a student trip and have wanted to return since. The museum has a beautiful collection of one of the best female Impressionists – Berthe Morisot. And the most extensive collection of  artworks made by Claude Monet . It’s not a busy museum, so there is a lot of space to enjoy some of the masterpieces of Impressionism in peace and quiet. I’m always wondering why everyone is rushing to see Mona Lisa, while there are many beautiful museums around the city, like this one.

After this trip to Paris, I’m even more in love with Impressionism than before. If the hygiene level were just a bit higher, I would love to live during that time. I would be an art dealer and go on little trips to nature to paint with Monet and Renoir. Oh, those sweet dreams…

⤷ TIP : Here is the online ticket for Musée Marmottan – Monet

⤷ Read more : Best museums in Paris

Day three – Modernist Paris

My last day in Paris started with one of the best breakfasts and the most amazing coffees I have ever tried. I had breakfast at a charming restaurant, Carette, located close to Trocadero. I’m sure it will become my new favourite place in Paris.

Since I have been to Paris many times, I know the city quite well. However, there was a part I was always kind of missing – the Modernist Paris. It played an essential role in shaping the city – Art Nouveau metro entrances and Eiffel Tower are just the most famous examples of architecture from that time.

To learn more about it, I decided to join a walking tour called the ‘Modernist Architecture’. During the tour, we explored some of the modernist buildings, learnt about the movement and visited Foundation Le Corbusier and the modern architecture exhibition in the Palais de Chaillot ( here is the online ticket for it ). It was so interesting to see how the Modernist movement shaped the way we are living today.

After the tour and a quick lunch, it was time to catch a train back to Amsterdam. My three days in Paris were dedicated to art, mostly Impressionism and modern architecture. I also tried to learn more about some of its famous former citizens like Monet, Renoir, Cezanne and Coco Chanel.

However, once again, I have realised solo travel isn’t bad. And that French are some of the nicest people out there, who know how to cook well and enjoy life. Well, maybe my next visit should be dedicated to learning how to enjoy life like a Parisian.

Au revoir!  Until the next time, my dear city!

⤷ TIP : If you plan to visit Paris and some of its cultural sites, consider buying Paris City Card. You’ll get free or discounted entrance to many of them with it. Here is the link with more info about it .

france , impressionism , paris , solo traveling , Travel diary

Paris: Beautiful and Breathtaking

Introducing paris, the history, the city life, the art and architecture.

The French capital city, Paris, by the river Seine, is one of the most seductive and celebrated cities in the world. With beauty and romance in each and every part of it, it is not an exaggeration to tell that it is the most beautiful city in the world. The landmarks of Paris, like the celebrated Eiffel tower and the Louvre Museum, are more familiar than any other in the world. Like all great cities, Paris is rich and populous. Unlike other great cities, Paris is always alive and pulsating. This vibrant city is a kaleidoscope of art, literature, film, architecture, and whatnot. Paris is portrayed as the city of lights (“La Ville-Lumière”), the city of love, and the city of fashion, and is one of the richest cities in the world. No other city is so loved by its inhabitants. Anyone who has visited this charming city falls head over heels in love with it.

Paris is considered inhabited permanently from around 4200BC, the oldest known inhabitants being the Celtic tribes called Parisii. Paris was conquered by the Romans by BC52 and it expanded to become a prosperous city with palaces, temples, baths, theatres, and forums over the years. Paris was made the capital city first by King Clovis I. The Counts ruled Paris in the middle ages and saw the increasing prosperity of the city as a hub of commerce, trade, politics, and culture. Many famous architectural marvels like the cathedral of Notre Dame and the basilica at St. Denis were built during the middle ages. Paris was conquered by the British and lost its title as the capital but it regained the title when Charles VII reclaimed the city from the English after the Hundred Years’ War in 1436. Paris was the main center of the French Revolution in the late 1680s. It was Napoleon the Third who made the greatest transformation of the city to almost the way in which we see it now. Paris was occupied by the Russians and the Germans in its past. With the advent of industrialization, Paris grew to become the richest high–tech city in the world.

The very first impression about Paris is its noise. The busy streets with shouting street vendors, the untiring barking of dogs, the blaring automobile horns, and the constant motion of people make Paris look like a turmoil. But the beauty of the city is so overwhelming that the noise is often forgotten.

The design of the city is very unique and is quite unlike other major cities in the world. The center of the city is called intra-muros, a Latin term for ‘within the walls’, and is a small compact form of the big city. The city districts called arrondissements are arranged spirally around the center. There are almost twenty city districts around the city center. The districts are divided into quarters or neighborhoods. The city stands on a relatively plain flat land and hence the Eiffel Tower, the Centre Pompidou or the Telegraph metro station can give an excellent view of the whole city.

The city life of Paris is a celebration of festivals. It has a culture of art, music, films, museums, and theatres. It is one of the leading business and fashion centers in the world. A blend of both old and new architecture, parks and squares, the beautiful Seine River, and the beautiful Parisians make it a unique and fascinating place to visit or to live in. The spring season is the best to visit, especially in May – June. The city is also beautiful and easy to live in during the autumn. The beautifully landscaped parks and walkways make it a pedestrian-friendly city. The streets are lined with booksellers and street artists. The walk through the beautiful streets takes you along small and beautifully adorned shops, sidewalk cafes, art galleries, elegant restaurants, and hotels. Paris has a population of about 11.3 million which is about 19% of the population of France. Yet, it is one of the most preferred tourist destinations in Europe.

Some of the world’s renowned museums are located in Paris which includes the Louvre and Musée d’Orsay . An estimate says that there are almost 130 museums in Paris, which is an enormous number for a city. Louvre is the city’s most important attraction which houses masterpieces like the Mona Lisa and the Venus de Milo statue. Musée d’Orsay holds the paintings and arts of the impressionist period including the famous The Lady and the Unicorn . Musee Picasso and Musee Rodin are exclusive museums for the works of Pablo Picasso and Auguste Rodin respectively. The third-largest museum, the Musee du quai branly was opened in June 2006 and encases arts and artifacts from Asia, Africa, and the Americas.

The Opera Garnier is the largest opera in Paris and showcases classic ballets and operas. The modern Opera Bastiile has ballets and operas with a mix of classic and modern forms. Theatres and Operas have always been an indispensable part of French culture, especially in Paris.

Paris has a mix of Roman, Gothic, and French architectural styles. The most famous piece of Parisian architecture is perhaps the Eiffel Tower. The Basilique de St. Denise is a classic example of French gothic architecture. The Notre Dame de Paris and the Basilique du Sacre-Coeur are the cathedrals in the city. The Place de la Concorde and the Place de la Bastille are architectural marvels and hold a significant positions in French history.

Paris also has a huge number of exquisite hotels, beautiful French houses with narrow streets, and a balanced mix of modern and ancient architecture.

Paris has a mixture of cultures because of its large immigrant population and this has been the base of its diverse culinary skills. French cuisine is rich in fresh ingredients and a wide variety of flavors. Parisians have perhaps the most refined and complex cooking procedures which make the most delicious food on the planet. Paris has got a large number of small and large elegant restaurants which cater to the tastes of almost everyone. The Parisians have an artistic style in serving their meals and the food is something to be savored. Fresh baked bread and cheese are part of a Parisian’s daily diet. Paris serves nearly five hundred varieties of cheese made from goat, ewe, or cow milk. Each region in Paris has its own specialty. The entire city is lighted up in the night which renders the most breathtaking sight from the top of the Eiffel tower. The city is rightly called the city of lights with its mind-blowingmind blowing beauty in the night. Paris has been a favorite destination for tourists, students, and businessmen right from the eleventh century. The presence of the world’s most famous landmarks has made Paris a dream destination for many. Paris is also the economical capital of France. As an old French saying says, when Paris sneezes, France catches a cold.

Cite this paper

• Chicago (N-B)
• Chicago (A-D)

StudyCorgi. (2021, October 25). Paris: Beautiful and Breathtaking. https://studycorgi.com/paris-beautiful-and-breathtaking/

"Paris: Beautiful and Breathtaking." StudyCorgi , 25 Oct. 2021, studycorgi.com/paris-beautiful-and-breathtaking/.

StudyCorgi . (2021) 'Paris: Beautiful and Breathtaking'. 25 October.

1. StudyCorgi . "Paris: Beautiful and Breathtaking." October 25, 2021. https://studycorgi.com/paris-beautiful-and-breathtaking/.

Bibliography

StudyCorgi . "Paris: Beautiful and Breathtaking." October 25, 2021. https://studycorgi.com/paris-beautiful-and-breathtaking/.

StudyCorgi . 2021. "Paris: Beautiful and Breathtaking." October 25, 2021. https://studycorgi.com/paris-beautiful-and-breathtaking/.

This paper, “Paris: Beautiful and Breathtaking”, was written and voluntary submitted to our free essay database by a straight-A student. Please ensure you properly reference the paper if you're using it to write your assignment.

Before publication, the StudyCorgi editorial team proofread and checked the paper to make sure it meets the highest standards in terms of grammar, punctuation, style, fact accuracy, copyright issues, and inclusive language. Last updated: November 9, 2023 .

If you are the author of this paper and no longer wish to have it published on StudyCorgi, request the removal . Please use the “ Donate your paper ” form to submit an essay.

Home > Paris Attractions > Paris is Always a Good Idea: 10 Reasons to Visit Paris

Paris is Always a Good Idea: 10 Reasons to Visit Paris

Why visit paris.

Paris is always a good idea . The French capital is one of the most romantic cities in Europe and one of the world’s most visited cities.

There are endless reasons to visit Paris repeatedly: it is a beautiful and cultural city, very walkable, with great sights, and it has been a source of inspiration for many writers, artists, and filmmakers. ‘ Paris is Always a Good Idea ‘, Audrey Hepburn said. But why people love Paris so much? Why visit Paris?

As locals in Paris, we are lucky to enjoy the City of Light all year round, through its different seasons, events, and also different moods. We like to play explorers in our city and wander around the districts of Paris , from the most touristy to the most popular with the amazed eyes of the enamored stroller.

There’s always familiar air through the streets of Paris, which is never quite the same or quite another. Between a postcard panorama and the inhabitants’ reality, the eternal Paname , in perpetual motion, is constantly evolving, keeping the living traces of its history in its heart of stone.

If you wonder why Paris is the best place to visit or why you should go to Paris, this article is for you. Below, we share what we love most about Paris –  the top 10 reasons to visit Paris – completing the list with beautiful shots by fellow travel bloggers.

Because Paris is Always a Good Idea   ♥

NB: This post is dedicated to N, thanks for your courage and effort to become a Parisian!

Seasons in Paris

What is the best time to visit Paris? All the seasons in Paris have their charm, and if you can visit the city more than once, try to do it under different seasons for a different Paris experience.

In Spring , the exuberance of flowering trees and cherry and apple trees’ beauty are all sweet promises.

Summer is the craziest season in Paris, the high season when everybody wants to come, and the locals can’t wait to leave. But summer is also the season of the best festivals, apéritif drinks on the terrace, and nights under the stars.

In autumn , Paris returns to tranquility and can cuddle its guests. The fall foliage in Paris parks is something to see, while the natural light playing on the other of the stone is exceptional.

When winter and the winter holidays come, Paris’s streets are all lit up to reveal their enchantment.

The River Seine, Paris’ Most Beautiful Avenue

The River Seine (La Seine in French) is Paris’ most beautiful avenue and one of the main reasons to go to Paris. The River Seine winds its way through the heart of Paris, bisecting it from east to west. It is the origin of the city, and Paris’s development is uniquely tied to the river.

A stroll along the Seine’s banks on a sunny day is a wonder: majestic historical buildings reflected on its waters, the typical Parisian rooftops , the bridges of the Seine , each one with a unique style . . . But also the iconic bouquinistes , improvised picnics by locals dangling their feet over the water, and even a crazy beach area in the summer!

At sunset, take a Seine night cruise to enjoy the City’s top monuments’ nocturnal revival: magical atmosphere guaranteed.

Beautiful Architecture

From Roman times to the Middle Ages, from the Haussmannian creations to the contemporary buildings, Paris’s architectural richness is anchored in the form of contemporaneity that goes beyond the idea of ​​a city-museum.

Paris also offers visitors an interesting game of architectural contrasts that can only enhance its beauty: Pei’s pyramid in the Louvre’s classic courtyard, the ultramodern Centre Pompidou in front of Gothic Saint-Merry Church, or the Musée du Quai Branly at the foot of the Eiffel Tower are only a few examples.

Next time you visit Paris, watch it from above to admire the city’s landscape and its architectural blend. During the day, several landmarks offer breathtaking panoramic views of Paris, such as the Eiffel Tower,   Tour Montparnasse , or Arc de Triomphe. At night, admire the city’s skyline from some of the best rooftop bars in Paris , cocktail in hand, and gazing across the lights and landmarks that define the city.

With such magnificent architecture and views, it’s no wonder that Paris is on everybody’s Europe Bucket List !

GOOD TO KNOW: Why is Paris also known as ‘The City of Light’ or ‘City of Lights’? This is because, in the past, it was a famous center of education and ideas. Also, Paris was one of the first cities to adopt street lighting. In 1828, Paris started lighting the Champs-Elysées with gas lamps.

The Capital of Haute Couture and Fashion

Paris is always a good idea, also for great shopping. Thanks to fashion designers like Coco Chanel, Christian Dior, Louis Vuitton, or Yves Saint Laurent , Paris is today the capital of haute couture and fashion.

There is great shopping in the city , especially in the famous Golden Triangle of Paris (Champs Elysées – Avenue Georges V – Avenue Montaigne). The most prestigious international labels display their best creations.

More modest budgets will prefer the Grands Boulevards with its huge Art-Déco shopping malls or the streets of Le Marais , with their trendy shops and vintage shops.

Paris is a Cultural City

If you like arts and culture, you will quickly understand why Paris is the best place to visit. Paris is a source of inspiration for cinema, literature, music, but it also inspires the most cultured visitors with its artistic and cultural program.

The city counts 153 museums, with worldwide known names like the Louvre Museum or the Orsay Museum. If you are looking for more peaceful places to cure your thirst for art, other museums like the Modern Art Museum or the Musée des Arts et Métiers are also interesting.

Paris always attracted great creators looking for inspiration and fame. Today, people can visit the work of artists like Picasso, Dali,  Zadkine, or Monet in beautiful, intimate museums, or even in their original workshops.

For a more local experience, visit the Musée Carnevalet , which offers a fascinating glimpse into Paris’s history. Or explore some smaller museums like the Paris Sewer Museum or the (oh so Parisian) Perfume Museum .

Finally, don’t miss the theatres’ programs, the two opera houses, neighborhood cinemas, auteur cinemas, and cabarets. And the art & photography galleries that punctuate the streets of Le Marais offer many free exhibitions of absolute tranquility.

The City of 100 Villages

One of the reasons why Paris is the best place to visit is its capacity to wonder first-timers and more experienced visitors.

Paris is the city of the Haussmannian buildings and boulevards. Still, it is also the city of a hundred villages: flowery alleys, country villas, and bucolic dead ends are a total change of scenery and the curious walkers’ joy.

In the heart of the city of stone, try to venture off the beaten path, and you may find a Paris stuck in time, exotic and out of the ordinary. These micro-neighborhoods such as Butte Bergeyre , Mouzaïa , or the Butte aux Cailles are all wonderful places – far from the urban rush – waiting to be discovered.

The Green Spaces: Out of the City without Leaving the City

Paris boasts more than 450 parks and gardens, true verdant settings to breathe fresh air and places of happy memories.

The best parks in Paris include popular names like the Luxembourg Gardens in Paris 6 or the Tuileries Gardens  in Paris 1. Still, there are also lesser-known places like Parc des Buttes Chaumont or the Promenade Plantée , waiting to be discovered. Adventurous walkers will head to the Petite Ceinture for one of the most quirky explorations in Paris.  

The Café Culture in Paris 

The Parisian cafe , complete with the row of round tables facing outward to the sidewalk, is something of an icon and one of Paris’s best pleasures. Even though the weather in Paris can be capricious, there will always be someone parked there with a newspaper, an espresso, or a café crème.

Parisian cafes were the meeting place of the French Enlightenment in the 17th century, and they were the stage of passionately engaging intellectual chats during the roaring twenties. People like Hemingway or Sartre made these public spaces their workplaces, and some of their masterworks were born in Parisian cafes.

What to do in a Parisian cafe? You should people-watch . Just sit on the row of tiny, round tables facing outward, order your coffee (or another drink), and take all the time you need to relax, watching the world go by.

French Gastronomy

Why go to Paris instead of another European capital? Paris and France are also well known for their cuisine. French cuisine and Paris food sound fancy, but in the end, it’s all about quality – fresh produce and creating a harmonious dish that elevates the quality of the main ingredient.

The City of Lights boasts over 70 Michelin-starred restaurants, but people with lower budgets can also have an amazing meal in a traditional brasserie or a Parisian bistro .

Food Tours are also a great way to discover a specific Arrondissement of Paris while tasting some of the city’s famous foods . Food tours in Paris usually last 3 to 4 hours and combine walking & sightseeing with gourmet breaks, so you get the best of both worlds.

All this without forgetting the French wine! Wine is one of France’s treasures; the wine regions of France  produce between 7 and 8 billion bottles of wine per year! Wine-tasting tours (or just a glass in a trendy wine bar) are a great way to start a memorable night in Paris , especially if paired with a plate of cheese.

The Sparkling Eiffel Tower

Paris is always a good idea to see The Eiffel Tower is the symbol of Paris and France. Perhaps is the Eiffel Tower what makes Paris one of the most romantic cities in Europe ?

Despite all the controversy during its construction and inauguration for the World’s Fair (1889), today, we cannot imagine visiting Paris without climbing up to the Tower’s summit for some of the best views of Paris .

Since 1985, the Eiffel Tower is adorned with lights that sparkle for 5 minutes every hour on the hour. The sparkling has a reach of 80 kilometers, being this the signal for the nocturnal revival of monuments in Paris.

If you can afford it, book a hotel with Eiffel Tower views for a memorable Paris trip.

DID YOU KNOW? According to YouTube, the Eiffel Tower is one of the Most Romantic Places to Propose in the World. Since YouTube’s launch in 2005, the Eiffel Tower is always on its Top 10 Locations for Proposals in the World, only beaten in France by Disneyland Paris (!)

The Perfect Base for Memorable Day Trips

Paris is always a good idea. But the city itself was not enough; there are many interesting places to visit near Paris: historical places, natural places, or picturesque small towns in the French countryside.

There are many beautiful castles to visit near Paris , and we recommend visiting the royal Château de Versailles , or Château de Fontainebleau whilst Château de Chantilly  is much more intimate.

The list of best day trips from Paris includes the Mont Saint-Michel , Monet’s Gardens in Giverny , or the medieval town of Provins .

Have you visited Paris? Why is Paris a good place to visit, in your opinion?

Click here for more Paris Travel Inspiration

Back to Homepage

Related content and further reads

• The most popular quotes about Paris
• Check out this beautiful list of 30 things to do in Paris
• Paris in 7 days guide

Pin it now & read it later 

Disclaimer: This post includes affiliate links, meaning we get a small commission if you make a purchase through our links. It costs you nothing more (in fact, if anything, you’ll get a nice discount) but helps us to go on creating incredible Paris content for you. We trust all products promoted here and would never recommend a product that isn’t of value. World in Paris is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases at no expense to you.

About WORLD IN PARIS

Quirky parisian explorers with a preference for lesser-known sights, we are continuously looking for new ideas and tips to bring you the best of the city of light read more about us ., i am elisa, the travel blogger behind world in paris. quirky explorer with a preference for the local side of my city and its lesser-known sights, i am continuously looking for new ideas to enjoy the best of paris & around . do you want to go beyond the louvre museum or the eiffel tower keep clicking for first-hand information & my best tips learn more.

• South Africa
• Dominican Republic
• Bosnia and Herzegovina
• Netherlands
• Switzerland
• United Kingdom
• Itineraries
• Travel photography tips
• Travel Tips
• Weekend getaways
• Unique Accommodations
• Work together

No products in the basket.

Return to shop

• Search for:

Europe , France , Weekend getaways

Visiting paris for the first time: the ultimate beginner’s guide to paris.

On my first visit to Paris during a high school trip, I was immediately captivated by The impressive City of Lights. It wasn’t until I was in college that I had the opportunity to work in Paris for 10 days. That’s when I really fell in love with this vibrant metropolis. After that, many more Paris getaways followed. Living just a 3-hour drive from The City of Lights has its advantages. During my twenties, this beautiful city became the mecca for spontaneous trips with friends. Why shopping or party in our neighborhood while we could go a for weekend getaway in Paris? Since then, visiting Paris has become an annual tradition. This is how the idea arose to create a beginner’s guide to Paris with all the info you need for visting Paris for the first time.

** disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. That means we can receive a commission if you buy something that we really recommend. There are no extra costs you and it supports our blog. Thank you.  ** 

How to get to Paris?

From Belgium you can easily travel to Paris with the TGV or Thalys. It takes about an hour and a half from Brussels. A cheaper and less comfortable option is the flixbus. This takes a little longer, but these buses depart from various places in Belgium. So you don’t have to travel to Brussels first.

For a weekend getaway in Paris we always go by car. You’ll need an Air Quality Certificate   to drive in the city centre.You can easily order this online.

If you decide to travel to Paris by car, opt for a hotel with parking or a public parking garage nearby. Both the parking in the hotel as well as the public parking facilities will be paying. Therefore, be sure to compare prices and book a place in advance. We always park our car in a parking garage just outside the city. These are usually cheaper and if you don’t use your car within the city, you do not need to purchase an Air Quality Certificate. We always make sure that there is a metro station nearby, so that we can travel by metro from the parking lot to our hotel.

Of course, Paris can also be reached by plane from further destinations. You’ll probably arrive in Paris airport Charles De Gaulle. From there, you can easily take the RER to Gare du Nord or Châtelet – Les Halles metro station. From these stops you can continue with the metro to the heart of The City of Lights.

Thinking of visiting multiple cities in Europe? Then Paris should definitely be on your Europe City itinerary . Because this city is so easily accessible by public transport it’s very easy to combine a trip to Paris with several other European cities. F or example, you can take the train to Paris in London and it only takes 3 hours. You just have to buy a train ticket in France and off you go.

How to get around in Paris?

Paris is a beautiful city to explore on foot. But with its 20 districts, this city is immense. If you want to see a lot in a short period of time, it isn’t always possible to do everything on foot.

The metro is the ideal means of transport for getting around the city. If you are going for several days, it’s best to immediately buy a day pass ” mobilis ” or one for several days “ Paris visite travel pass “. The latter option is slightly more expensive. The advantage is that you also get discounts at certain main sights in Paris. If you aren’t interested in these discounts? Then go for the Mobilis day pass.

If you’re visiting Paris for the first time, I can imagine that it’s more interesting to move around above the ground so that you can get to know the city better. A pleasant way to get around in Paris is by renting a bicycle or vespa. The perfect place to do this is at freescoot . Here you can rent nice, trendy city bikes, but also beautiful red Vespas at reasonable prices. Freescoot is located in the heart of Paris along the Seine and within walking distance of Nortre Dame. The perfect place to start your tour of Paris. The business manager will be happy to help you map out the perfect route, and off you go!

Since a few years you can also use an electric scooter to explore Paris. You can find them almost on every corner of the street. These are easy to use and convenient for covering short distances within the city. They are also very affordable. To unlock the scooter, just download the app of the brand you want to use. Usually you have to pay a small amount as a guarantee through this app. Afterwards you pay per minute that you use the scooter.

When is the best time to visit Paris?

Every season has its charms in Paris. In the spring you can admire the beautiful cherry blossoms at Notre Dame. Are you visiting Paris during summertime ? Then you can enjoy a picnic along the Seine and experience sultry evenings on one of the many terraces in the pleasant neighborhoods of Quartier Latin and Saint Germain. When the leaves start to fall in autumn you can observe the beautiful autumn colors in one of the many impressive city parks. And when the weather is bad, there are plenty of varied indoor activities such as seeing beautiful artworks in the Louvre or shopping in one of the world’s famous galleries. In winter, the Christmas spirit comes alive in this city like nowhere else. The Christmas light decorations in Paris are renowned worldwide.

How long to stay in Paris?

To visit Paris for the first time, you should really take your time. Paris is so overwhelming and there is so much to experience. The danger is that you will run from one attraction to another without actually experiencing Paris. Therefore, I recommend to book at least 3 nights so that you have at least 4 full days to fully absorb The City of Lights. You could also opt to stay a bit longer to do some amazing day trips from Paris .

Where to stay in Paris

Deciding where to stay in Paris is always a difficult choice. On one hand you want to stay in a nice neighborhood, but on the other hand you also want a qualitative stay. I have already tried many hotels in Paris and I can definitely recommend these:

Hotel Saint Paul Rive Gauche

Hotel Saint Paul Rive Gauche is located between the fifth and sixth arrondissement of Paris, more precisely between the Latin Quarter and Saint Germain. These are by far my favorite neighborhoods in Paris. This beautiful four star boutique hotel is housed in an elegant 17th century building. It was completely renovated in 2015, but the French elegant style and authenticity can still be admired in many facets.

Read more about Hotel Saint Paul Rive Gauche

Hotel Maison Malesherbes

Hotel Maison Malesherbes is located in the 8th arrondissement of Paris, more precisely in the Saint Augustin district. This neighborhood is characterized by beautiful, large Parisian boulevards with on both sides impressive buildings, quite the architecturale gems. This enchanting four star boutique hotel is also housed in one of these classic buildings. The unique interior of Hotel Maison Malesherbes ensures that you feel like you’re in an 18th-century French bourgeois mansion.

Read more about Hotel Maison Malesherbes

Hotel Le Friedland

Hotel Le Friedland   is located in the heart of the 8th arrondissement as well, on the famous boulevard Faubourg Saint Honoré with its luxurious shops. The hotel is also situated a stone’s throw from the equally famous Champs-Elysées with the Arc de Triomphe as its crown jewel. This contemporary four star boutique hotel with minimalist design is therefore the perfect base for a weekend full of shopping.

Read more about Hotel Le Friedland

More hotels in Paris

Of course there are many more beautiful hotels in Paris. This map widget from booking makes it extremely easy for you to find the perfect hotel in the area where you would like to stay.

Booking.com

The best sights and things to do when visiting Paris for the first time

Now that you have a better idea of ​​how and when to travel to Paris, how to get around in the city and where to stay, I want to take you along the must-see sights and activities in The City of Lights.

The best things to do in Paris

Eiffel tower.

When it comes to the Eiffel Tower , opinions are divided. Some are big fans and others think this gigantic tower is a monstrosity. Regardless of the difference of opinions, the Eiffel Tower is one of the most popular landmarks in France and an icon in Paris. So if you are visiting Paris for the first time, it’s a definitely something you need to see. If you have time to brave a queue, you might wanna consider to climb the Eiffel Tower . The view from this Parisian icon will certainly not disappoint.

If there is one thing that shouldn’t be missing on your first trip to Paris, it is a visit to the Louvre. This is not only the largest museum in France, but in the world. You’ll find some very famous artworks here, such as the Mona Lisa and the Venus de Milo. But that is not everything. During a visit to the Louvre you can immerse yourself in the splendor of different ancient and classical art movements. The exterior of the Louvre is gorgeous as well. The museum is located in the old city palace of the French kings. In the courtyard you can enjoy the beautiful historical architecture in combination with a touch of contemporary design.

Jardin du Palais Royal

One of the most beautiful gardens in Paris is Jardin Du Palais Royal. The name already gives it away, because this beautiful garden is the back yard of Palais Royal. Jardin du Palais Royal is surrounded by several architectural gems such as historical shopping galleries and mansions. It’s the perfect place to escape the busy city. You’ can also find the famous artwork Les Deux Plateau, with the black and white striped columns, here. This has grown into an real Instagram hotspot.

Notre Dame is one of the largest Cathedrals in France and probably the most famous one. Because this beautiful Gothic building plays the lead role in a well-known Disney classic: “The Hunchback of Notre Dame.” Unfortunately, the Nortre Dame is currently closed due to the fire in 2019. But you can still admire the exterior of this impressive cathedral. In spring you can also spot beautiful pink cherry blossoms in the park next to the Notre Dame.

Musée D’Orsay

This museum houses a phenomenal collection of Impressionist and Post-Impressionist paintings and sculptures. Besides that Musée D’Orsay is located in a former train station. The combination of this unique setting with a beautiful art collection makes this museum absolutely worth a visit during your stay in Paris.

Opéra Garnier

One of the most impressive buildings in Paris is by far Opéra Garnier. Both the exterior and interior are breathtaking. The icing on the cake is definitely the stunning theatre. You can visit Opéra Garnier during the day. If you want to be immersed in the opulent luxury of the Neo-Baroque, make sure to put Opéra Garnier on your itinerary.

Jardin du luxembourg

Paris is a vibrant city with a lot to see and discover. Don’t forget to interrupt your visit with a relaxing walk in the Jardin du Luxembourg. This garden is also home to many treasures such as the beautiful De Medici fountain. Make some time to admire the Palais du Luxembourg and relax in one of the many chairs. This garden is located close to the Sorbonne and is therefore the favorite hangout of many students.

Sainte – Chapelle

One of the most beautiful churches in Paris and also one of the most popular sights is Sainte – Chapelle. This chapel was built by order of Louis IX. Impressive are the huge stained glass windows in the upper chapel depicting no less than 100 Bible stories. This is definitely a must see!

Secret passages

Paris has numerous secret passages. Most of them remain from the 18th and 19th centuries and are often unique architectural gems. The most beautiful are the neoclassical gallery Véro-Dodat near the Louvre and Galerie Vivienne with its beautiful mosaic floors.

The best neighborhoods to visit in Paris

Montmartre is probably the most famous area in Paris. But the image of Montmartre is often romanticized because it’s used as the setting for love stories and romantic films very often. Today, however, it’s a real tourist attraction, but that doesn’t take away that it is still a nice neighborhood to experience.

Montmartre is best known for the painters market ‘Place du Tertre’, the beautiful Sacred Heart Basilica better known as the Sacré-Coeur and the Moulin Rouge. But if you take the time to explore Montmarte , you will discover many more nice places. Especially those little streets around the heart of Montmartre are wonderful to get lost in. You’ll also find some famous instagram spots such as La Maison Rose and Le Consulat. But there are many more other pleasant cafes and restaurants to take a break. Montmarte is also the place-to-be if you would like to experience a cabaret show and see a real cancan performed.

Saint Germain en Quartier Latin

Within the 5th and 6th arrondissement on the left bank of the Seine you will find the adjacent neighborhoods Saint Germain and Quartier Latin. These are by far my favorite neighborhoods in Paris because they are both super charming and picturesque. In Saint Germain there is a lot to do, from large busy boulevards to little cobbled streets, beautiful architecture, many cozy and trendy restaurants and bars, beautiful boutiques and art galleries. Quartier Latin is the student district of Paris where the oldest university in Europe, the Sorbonne, is located. Here too you will find many cozy streets and alleys with the best bars to go out in the evening. The must-see sights within these neighborhoods are Jardin de Luxembourg and the Pantheon.

Located in the 3rd and 4th arrondissement lies one of the oldest districts in Paris, Le Marais. While many other neighborhoods in Paris were modernized at the beginning of the 19th century, Le Marais retained its authenticity. That is why today this is the ideal neighborhood to get lost in little picturesque streets and alleys. You’ll find many little boutiques, second-hand shops, galleries, nice restaurants and trendy cafes. A must-see in Le Marais is Paris’s oldest square, Place des Vosges. A beautiful square surrounded by 17th century houses and many antique dealers. In good weather, this is the ideal place for Parisians to relax in the sun.

The best views to admire in Paris

Pont alexandre iii.

One of my favorite views is from the most beautiful bridge in Paris, Pont Alexandre III. Here you have a great panorama of the Seine and a part of the city. You can spot the Eiffel Tower as well. Not only the view, but also Pont Alexandre III is phenomenal. The bridge is completely built in Art Nouveau style and decorated with beautiful details such as those typical Parisian lanterns but also cherubs, nymphs and flying golden horses.

A walk along the Seine is definitely something you should do when the weather is sunny. Be sure to bring a nice bottle of French wine, a baguette and some cheese for a delicious apero. During your walk, don’t forget to stop by the impressive Place de la Concorde, the largest square in Paris.

A River cruise on the Seine is surprisingly pleasant as well.  With the beautiful music of Edith Piaf in the background, you immediately get into the Parisian mood. A boat trip also offers some goregeous views of the city.

Trocadéro is a large park located right in front of the Eiffel Tower. This is the famous place where you can admire the pride of Paris in all its glory. It’s therefore pretty busy here because everyone wants to take a snapshot of the Eiffel Tower. That doesn’t alter the fact that the view is still spectacular.

Sacré-Coeur

The basilique du Sacré-Coeur is located on the hill of Montmartre. This sight is not only worth a visit because of its beautiful architecture with impressive white domes, but from the stairs to the entrance you have a stunning view of Paris. It’s wonderful to stop here for a moment and enjoy the beautiful skyline of Paris.

Arc De Triomphe

From on top of Arc De Triomphe you have a gorgeous view of Paris as well. The only disadvantage is, just like with the Eiffel Tower, that you have to pay a few euros to see it. If money is not an issue, then it’s certainly worth it to climb this monument.

Rooftop Galeries Lafeyette

During the opening hours of Galeries Lafeyette you can enjoy the view from the rooftop for free. Here you have a beautiful panorama of the Paris skyline and you can even catch a glimpse of the Eiffel Tower.

Where to shop in Paris?

If you enjoyed the view from the rooftop of the Galeries Lafeyette, you might as well take a look inside. Galeries Lafayette is one of the luxury department stores located on the famous Houssmann Boulevard. If you don’t like shopping it’s still a good idea to check out this Boulevard because of the impressive architecture.

During the holidays  this is the area where you can soak up the Christmas atmosphere like in no other. Did you know that the Christmas decorations of Galeries Lafayette’s are world famous? So if you are in Paris during the Christmas season, you should definitely pop in to admire the impressive Christmas tree. A bit further on the Houssmann Boulevard you will find Au Printemps. This luxury department store has the most beautiful Christmas windows which attract many admirers every year again.

The Champs-Élysées also known as the most prestigious avenue in Paris, is also a true shopping paradise. In addition to the luxury brands, you will also find the popular retail chains. If you like shopping in large and well-known stores, you will certainly find what you are looking for in Rue de Rivoli in Le Marais.

If you want to avoid the popular retail chains and are looking for smaller and more unique boutiques, then you have to be in the southern part of Le Marais. In Rue Vieille du Temple and Rue du Roi de Sicile you will find unique fashion boutiques and second-hand shops as well as trendy bars and restaurants.

If you would like some variation between luxury fashion houses and local boutiques, I recommend shopping in Saint Germain. You can also find a lot of beautiful vintage shops and art galleries there. Moreover, it is very pleasant neighborhood to wander around. Le Bon Marché is also located in this district. This is the oldest department store in Paris and well worth a visit.

Local specialties you need to try when visiting Paris

The French cuisine is known worldwide. The French take their food very seriously and there are definitely some important facts about French food   you need to know. But when you visit Paris for the first time, these are local specialties that you should definitely try!

Croissant & pain au chocolat

You can’t start your day in Paris without a delicious freshly baked croissant or pain au chocolat. Just like a real Parisian, you should take a seat on a terrace or bench. While enjoying your typical Parisian breakfast you can fill your time with people watching. Delicious croissants are not difficult to find in Paris. But you will definitely find one of the tastiest at Maison D’Isabelle . By the way, this place won an award for the best croissant in Paris in 2018.

A real French specialty is the macaron. I think everyone knows this small, colorful pastry with delicious, soft fillings by now. Paris is the perfect city to stock up on a small supply of macarons. The difficulty lies in not consuming them before you return home. You can get the tastiest macarons at Pierre Hermé and Ladurée .

Crepes are by far the most common snacks in Paris. These delicious French pancakes are part of the street food culture here. You can find a food truck or stand that serves crepes with your topping of choice on almost every street corner. But you’ll find the best crepes at Breizh Café .

You would almost think I’m kidding. Besides all these yummy snacks, snails? But the escargot is indeed a must try French specialty. You can order this exclusive delicacy in many different restaurants, but my favorite place to eat them for a decent price is Bouillon Chartier .

Where to eat in Paris?

Bistrot vivienne.

Breakfast or lunch in a typical 19th-century Parisian bistro is possible at Bistrot Vivienne . This cozy bistro is located in the hidden passage of Galerie Vivienne. You can take a seat in the lounge by the fireplace or on the characteristic Parisian terrace. Upstairs you can also take a look in the cabinet of curiosities.

The beautiful Belle Epoque tearoom where Coco Chanel was a regular visitor, is definitely worth a visit. Angelina is located on Rue de Rivoli, so  it’s the perfect place to have a break during shopping. If you’re here you should try the house specialty, hot chocolate. And why not order a delicious pastry as well? You only live once, right?

Pink Mamma is currently by far one of the most popular restaurants in Paris. This because of its instagrammable interior. This delicious Italian restaurant may have 4 floors, but this is no guarantee you will get a table. If you want to get a spot here, you must reserve your table well in advance. It should also mention that Pink Mamma is a restaurant chain with several restaurants with the same name. The Pink Mamma I’m talking about is the Pink Mamma in Rue de Douai.

Experience Belle Epoque on a completely different level and have lunch in the restaurant “ Le Lobby “, which is part of the Peninsula hotel. Taste international dishes at a culinary level and immerse yourself in luxury. The lobby is known for its impressive high tea time, but the lunch menu is also worth while.

L’Oiseau Blanc

Do you want to have lunch with an amazing view of the Eiffel Tower? The best place to do that is in the restaurant L’Oiseau Blanc also located in the Peninsula hotel. Here you can enjoy traditional French cuisine with a phenomenal view of the pride of Paris. A place by the window is therefore in high demand, so book your table well in advance.

Bouillon Chartier

The  Bouillon Chartier restaurant is a legend in Paris. The authentic restaurant in Montmartre is more than 100 years old and originated from a simple concept, namely a good meal at a democratic price. In addition to the delicious typical French dishes, you can enjoy the beautiful interior completely in Art Nouveau style. There is also a second Bouillon Chartier in Montparnasse.

Another fun fact is that the bouillon restaurants actually formed the first major restaurant chain in Paris. In 1900 there were about 250 in Paris, all in the then predominant Art Nouveau style. Only a few of these have survived. Bouillon Racine and Petit Bouillon Pharamond are also highly recommended.

Another super cozy restaurant, ideal for a dinner with friends or family is Pollidor . Here you can enjoy tasty French dishes from grandmother’s kitchen, in yet another very authentic setting.

With this comprehensive beginner’s guide to Paris, I have tried to give as many tips as possible for visting Paris for the first time. I hope that with my tips you will have an unforgettable first Paris experience.

Do you feel like visiting Paris? What would you definitely not want to miss on your first trip to The City of Lights? Let me know in the comments below.

Thank you for reading

Yours truly,

Stay tuned for new blog posts and subscribe right below!

Pin it for later

Travel tips and essentials

Find plane tickets

Find airport parking

Find vacation accommodations

Find a rental car

Book tickets, tours and excursions

Book a transfer with a bus or train

Find a travel guide

Find the right travel photography gear

You might also like these

Free lightroom preset for stunning vacation photos

How to spend 3 perfect days in Florence | Italy

How to spend a perfect weekend in Brussels?

Sarah de gheselle, 10 thoughts on “ visiting paris for the first time: the ultimate beginner’s guide to paris ”.

Opera Garnier is my absolute favourite place in Paris! It’s so impressive!

I know right? It’s so stunning!

This post has given me so much wanderlust! I need to go back to Paris and see some of the things I missed on this itinerary 🙂

I hope you can visit Paris very soon!

Paris was the last trip I made in January 2020 before the pandemic. It was my 2nd time there, this time staying in Le Marais. *Sigh* I love Paris! Thanks for a great post, Sarah. And for giving me a bit of virtual travel.

Oh I do miss it too! Hope we can revisit the City of Lights soon!

Wow! What a fabulous guide. I hope to go to Paris this Spring if things open up. This guide will certainly come in handy. Thanks for sharing your knowledge.

Oh I hope you get to see Paris soon! 🙂

This is an amazing first timer’s guide to Paris. It looks like you had so much fun in Paris and your photos are beautiful!

Thank you Disha, this means so much to me! <3

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

• phototography
• social media en blog promotion

Username or email address  *

Password  *

Remember me Log in

Lost your password?

The last time I see Paris will be on the day I die. The city was inexhaustible, and so is its memory.

Introduction

Paris, the capital of France, is located in northern France on both banks of the Seine River, 145 km (90 mi.) from the river's mouth on the English Channel. A total of 2,257,981 (2009) inhabitants live in Paris proper, and 11,728,240 persons (2009) live in greater Paris (the Ile-de-France region), which is one of Europe's largest metropolitan areas. A city of world importance and the business, historic, intellectual, diplomatic, religious, educational, artistic, and tourist center of France, Paris owes its prosperity in large part to its favorable position on the Seine, which has been a major commercial artery since the Roman period.

Paris has been one of the major cities of Europe since the Middle Ages, but the development of the city as it exists today occurred in the second half of the 19th century. Its greatest growth came during a 40-year period after 1850, when the population doubled in size to more than 2 million; it reached a peak in 1921 (2,906,500), after which people began migrating away from the city. Since then, as homes have been replaced by offices in Paris proper, most of the growth has occurred in the suburbs, where a large portion of the blue-collar work force lives. Of a total of 2 million commuters, about half travel daily from the outlying areas to the city center, and half travel from central Paris to the suburbs.

The economic activities of Paris overshadow those of any other part of France in importance and complexity. About 65 percent of the nation's bank and corporate headquarters are in the city. Much of the industry in central Paris is of the small-scale craft type, based on skill and most often family owned. Many of these industries make luxury items such as perfumes, furs, gloves, jewelry, toys, clothing, wooden articles, and other high-value goods.

Book printing and publishing are major activities in central Paris. Heavier industries are situated in the suburbs. These include the manufacture of automobiles, machine tools, railroad rolling stock, electric and electronic products, chemicals, and processed foods. Construction and the production of building materials are also important. Tourism, however, is by far the city's largest source of income; it is one of Europe's leading tourist attractions.

Paris is divided into 20 unequally sized arrondissements , or districts, each with its own mayor. Each of these is again divided into four sections. Two prefects and a mayor administer the city as a whole with the assistance of a general council.

"Paris is the greatest temple ever built to material joys and the lust of the eyes." – Henry James (1843-1916), U.S. novelist.

Transportation

Paris is the head of barge and ship navigation on the Seine and is the fourth most important port in France (after Marseille, Le Havre, and Dunkerque). The Loire , Rhine , Rhône , Meuse , and Scheldt rivers can be reached by canals connecting with the Seine, and a large amount of the imports and exports of the city are transported via water. Total freight carried to and from the port annually amounts to 43 million U.S. tons. Paris is also a major rail, highway, and air transportation hub. Two international airports, Roissy-Charles de Gaulle (CDG) and Orly , as well as Le Bourget (for private aircraft), serve the city. CDG ranks as the fifth busiest international airport in the world, and Orly as the seventh.

The city's subway system, the Métro , was opened on July 19, 1900, its first line being from Porte de Vincennes to Porte Maillot. Engineer Fulgence Bienvenüe oversaw the construction phase, while architect Hector Guimard designed the decorative Art Nouveau entrances. The system boasts 213 km (132 miles) of track and 16 lines (including two auxiliary lines). There are 300 stations (not including RER stations); 87 of these offer interchanges between lines. A total of 3553 cars transport roughly 6 million people per day, while the system itself employed 10,141 (not including RER) in 2010. Every building in Paris is within 500 meters (3/10 mile) of a métro station. The Réseau Express Régional ( RER ), inaugurated in the 1960s, connects the city with its outlying suburbs.

"Good Americans, when they die, go to Paris." – Thomas Appleton (1812-84), U.S. author.

Lawrence M. Sommers, Professor of Geography, Michigan State University, East Lansing.

Sources: 2001 Grolier Multimedia Encyclopedia , ©2000 Grolier Interactive Inc. – All Rights Reserved.

Bibliography: Rudolph Chelminski, Paris (1977). Pierre Couperie, Paris through the Ages , trans. by Marilyn Low (1971). Norma Evenson, Paris: A Century of Change, 1878-1978 (1979). Janet Flanner, Paris Journal , 2 vols. (1966-71) and Paris Was Yesterday, 1925-39 (1989). Daniel Roche, The People of Paris (1987). Jerrold Seigel, Bohemian Paris (1987). David Thomson, Renaissance Paris (1984). Alex Karmel, A Corner in the Marais: Memoir of a Paris Neighborhood (1998). Anthony Sutcliffe, Paris: An Architectural History (1993). Andrew Trout, City on the Seine: Paris in the Time of Richelieu and Louis XIV (1996). Johannes Willms, Paris: Capital of Europe – From the Revolution to the Belle Epoque , trans. by Eveline L. Kanes (1996).

Images: xxx

Academic Programs Study French language and culture in Paris and other cities throughout France. Choose from our list of 170+ academic year, semester or summer programs.

Airports of Paris Useful guide to the Paris region's airports – Beauvais-Tillé (BVA), Roissy-Charles de Gaulle (CDG), Le Bourget (LBG), and Orly (ORY). Includes details on all forms of transport between the city and airports: via bus, limousine, private shuttle, taxi, or train.

Airport Shuttle Ride in a comfortable, air-conditioned mini-van between Paris airports (or train stations) and your hotel, residence, or convention center within Paris city limits, selected suburbs, and/or Disneyland area. An affordable and convenient alternative to taxis, trains, or buses.

Canal & River Cruise Relax on a leisurely 2½-hour cruise with Paris Canal Croisières: gaze at majestic architecture along the Seine River, then marvel at the engineering of the locks and bridges on the Canal St. Martin.

Events Calendar Updated constantly, in collaboration with ViaFrance, browse our listings of arts & cultural events, exhibits, concerts, festivals, and celebrations taking place in Paris and throughout the provinces of France.

Feeling Safe in Paris Helpful tips for tourists to enjoy a safe visit to Paris: police services; keeping yourself, your money, personal belongings, and vehicle secure. What to do if you become a victim of assault or theft.

Guided Tours Join us for a wonderful guided tour of Paris, Versailles, the castles of the Loire Valley, Monet's Gardens, or venture further afield in France. Choose from walking, bike, and bus tours, river cruises – or the latest rage: the Segway Personal Transporter ™! All tours are accompanied by expert guides.

Métro, Bus, & Tramway Passes A Paris Pass allows unlimited travel on all Métro and RER (rail) lines, the Montmartre funicular, and city buses – including Balabus, Montmartrobus, Orlybus, and Roissybus. Available with a validity of between 1 to 5 days, for travel in Zones 1-3 (Paris city) or 1-5 (includes suburbs).

Museums & Monuments Card With the Paris Pass , you can also breeze right past the long lines of tourists waiting at the Louvre, Musée d'Orsay, Arc de Triomphe, Fontainebleau Castle, Versailles Palace, and 65 other attractions in and around Paris. Offering unlimited admission to all locations, it is available for durations of 1, 3, or 5 consecutive days.

Paris Balades Claudia Renau has assembled a richly illustrated series of architectural walks for all the arrondissements of Paris, plus La Défense, the Bois de Vincennes, and the Bois de Boulogne. Includes a map for each area. (in French only)

Seine Dinner Cruise Enjoy a leisurely evening cruise and gourmet dinner, while partaking in the most romantic sights and stunning architecture of Paris – including the Eiffel Tower, Louvre, Notre Dame Cathedral, Orsay Museum, Statue of Liberty, and the magnificent bridges spanning the Seine.

Street Maps (by address) ViaMichelin allows you to generate a detailed map by entering a street address. Viewers can zoom in or out for detail of the neighborhood or general cityscape orientation as needed. A similar service is offered by Mappy.fr .

Street Maps (by métro station) If you know which Métro stop you'll be heading to, RATP offers hundreds of detailed neighborhood maps in color – showing every conceivable street, landmark, public park and body of water. (PDF format requires free Adobe Reader .)

Travel Center Look for the best travel values and book all your reservations securely online: airline tickets, apartments, car rentals & short-term leasing, city passes, hostels, hotel rooms, tours & activities, rail passes, vacation rentals, and more.

VR Galleries 360° Sponsored by France Télécom, these galleries provide virtual reality, panoramic views of Paris – including the Seine River, parks and gardens, public squares, views from city rooftops, "Unknown Paris", and more. (Viewing requires free Quicktime browser plug-in.)

Web Cams of Paris Perched on top of the Eiffel Tower and other high places, TF1's cameras enable you to see Paris in real time. They are available 24 hours a day, whatever the weather conditions in the French capital. To see the city at its best, we suggest you surf on this page between 7:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m. GMT (1:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Eastern Time in the U.S.).

• Alliance Française
• Alternate Lifestyles
• American Club
• Architecture
• Bicycle Tours

Paris – the City of Light Do you know of a great Paris web page we should list here? Are you a webmaster for a site on Parisian arts & culture, dining, history, museums, transportation – or other areas of interest? Please explore our subtopics to see where your link would be appropriate, then submit it!

Are you an author, educator, student or traveler who would like to write an article for the enjoyment of our francophile community? Please download our author's guidelines (48K PDF). Thank you!

What to Expect on Your First Trip to Paris- A First Time Visitor’s Guide

Purchases made through links earn us a small commission, at no extra cost to you.

I’ll always remember my first trip to Paris. I was in the eleventh grade, on a school trip to experience the French culture I’d been learning about and romanticizing in my mind for so long.

In many ways, my first trip to Paris was exactly what I expected. There were grand buildings, manicured gardens and parks, centuries old cathedrals, and impressive monuments. I was captivated by the architecture of Notre-Dame Cathedral , the elegance of the Eiffel Tower, and the artistry inside the Louvre.

Ever since that first trip to Paris, I’ve been in love with the city, with travel, and with Europe. My long distance love affair with Paris continued into my thirties, when I returned with my husband for our honeymoon.

I wasn’t sure what to expect on a trip to Paris as an adult, worried that maybe the city wasn’t as magical as I remembered as a teenager.

As I became re-acquainted with the city, I realized that by being on a school tour, I had actually been sheltered from the things that really immerse you in, and teach you about a city. Things like figuring out public transportation, budgeting for meals, choosing accommodations, conversing with locals, and deciding what to see and what to skip to make the most of your visit.

I consider our honeymoon my “true” first trip to Paris, as it’s the one where I went beyond just sightseeing and actually learned how to travel in Paris.

What to Expect on Your First Trip to Paris

Even though Paris was everything I anticipated it would be, that’s not to say there weren’t some surprises.

I decided to put together this Paris travel guide for first-time visitors to help answer questions or concerns you may have about visiting Paris for the first time.

Fair warning- people seem to either love Paris or hate it (I think it’s one of the best cities to visit in Europe ). By being aware of what to expect when visiting Paris, you will have a better trip since you’re more prepared, confident, and mindful of some of the cultural differences.

Here’s a look at what you can expect on your first trip to Paris, including some practicalities and Paris travel tips based our personal experience.

Getting Orientated- Geography of Paris

• Paris is split in half by the Seine River. North of the river is considered the Right Bank (Rive droite) and south of the river is the Left Bank (Rive gauche). There are two small islands in the river- Île de la Cité , which is the historic heart of Paris, and Île St-Louis.
• Postal districts known as arrondissements are used to describe areas of Paris. The first (premier) arrondissement is in the centre of Paris, from which the rest spiral outward in a clockwise direction. You’ll see the arrondissements abbreviated as 1 er , 2 e , 3 e , 4 e etc. on maps and when denoting addresses.
• Each area of Paris has a distinct atmosphere, whether it be bohemian, intellectual, chic, or cosmopolitan. Our neighbourhood guide explains this in more detail and can help you decide where to stay in Paris .

• It goes without saying that French is the primary language spoken in Paris. An effort to speak French, even if only a few basic words or polite greetings, is appreciated.
• In our experience, we found that many people in the service and tourism industries could speak some English and would switch languages when it became obvious we knew very minimal French. We would get good service by using French first, especially saying “Bonjour, Madame” or “Bonjour, Monsieur” when we entered a café or shop, and not assuming that everyone spoke English.

Survival Tips:

Try and master some common French words and basic phrases. When in doubt, use the Google Translate app. During our first trip to Paris, we found the following French words and phrases helpful:

• Bonjour- Hello
• Au revoir- Goodbye
• S’il vous plait- Please
• Merci- Thank you
• Pardon- Excuse me
• Combien?- How Much?
• Ou est…?- Where is…?
• Parlez-vous anglais?- Do you speak English?
• Je ne comprends pas- I don’t understand
• Je ne parle pas francais- I don’t speak French

Transportation in Paris

• Paris has a comprehensive transportation network (known as RATP) that includes a subway system (Metro), buses, and regional trains (RER). A nice thing about using public transportation in Paris is that RER and Metro stations are close together and you can transfer between the two for free (within Paris).
• Our favourite way to get around Paris was to walk, but we’d use the subway and regional trains to travel long distances (or when we got tired). We also made use of Paris’ self-service bike system (Vélib’).

Using the Paris Metro and RER Trains

• The Paris Metro consists of 13 colour-coded and numbered lines linking together Paris’ neighbourhoods. The RER network of regional trains has 5 lines indicated with letters and a colour code.
• Signs in the stations will indicate the colour and number (metro) or letter (RER) of the line, along with the direction of travel (final destination on that route). The line’s map is displayed in every train, making it easy to find your stop.
• The fare system is based on concentric zones. Zones 1-3 encompass central Paris, where most of the tourist attractions are. Zones 4-5 cover the greater Paris area, including the Palace of Versailles and Disneyland.
• Single journey tickets and packs of ten can be bought from a multi-lingual machine in the subway station or at ticket windows.
• If you plan to use public transportation a lot, consider buying a Mobilis (unlimited day use ticket) or Paris Visite Pass/Paris Tour Travel Pass (unlimited multi-day pass).
• The Paris Metro operates from 5:30 am- 1:15 am, except for Friday and Saturday nights when it runs until 2:15 am. The RER operates daily from 4:30 am- 1:20 am. Confirm current hours  HERE .
• You must keep your ticket with you until you leave the station.

Bike Sharing

• Vélib’ Metropole is a 24-hour self-service bike sharing system that allows users to rent a bike for a small fee from 1,400 stands in Paris. Simply enter your payment information, take a bike, use it, and return it to any Vélib stand.
• The price depends on how long you use the bike and is charged in 30 minute increments. If you buy a 24 hour pass the first 30 minutes are free, so if you return the bike every half hour, you’ll only pay the rental fee and not an additional usage fee.
• Sometimes the bikes are in poor condition (flat tires, broken pedals), so make sure you inspect it before taking it from the stand.

Attractions and Sightseeing Passes

• There are so many places to visit on your first trip to Paris that it can be overwhelming trying to fit it all in. Our 4 day Paris itinerary is perfect for first-time visitors to Paris and has plenty of inspiration and tips.
• Since Paris brings in a lot of tourists, this means that popular attractions, like the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre, can have long waits to get in. If you have your heart set on visiting a place, are travelling in high season (summer), or have limited time in the city, I’d recommend booking tickets in advance online.
• The Paris Pass- A complete sightseeing pass that includes free entrance to over 75 attractions, fast-track entry at select popular attractions (including the Louvre and Musee d’Orsay), a hop-on-hop-off bus tour, and a guidebook to help plan your first trip to Paris. Learn more about the pass and buy it here .
• The Paris Museum Pass- Offers fast track entry and free admission to museums and monuments in and around Paris. Here is our review of the Paris Museum Pass , plus tips for using it.
• Some attractions in Paris have airport-like security ( Sainte-Chapelle comes to mind), and these security lines can’t be skipped with fast track passes (that only applies to ticket lines).
• Most museums in Paris close one day a week, usually Mondays or Tuesdays. The Louvre is closed on Tuesdays and Musée d’Orsay on Mondays.
• The best way to avoid crowds at Paris’ popular museums is to visit in the evening on days when they are open late. The Louvre is open late on Wednesdays and Fridays until 9:45 pm. Musée d’Orsay is open late on Thursdays until 9:45 pm.
• Some museums have free admission days near the beginning of the month. The Louvre is free on the first Saturday of each month from 6:00 pm- 9:45 pm. Musée d’Orsay is free on the first Sunday of the month.

Accommodations

• Hotel rooms in Paris are much smaller compared to what you get in North America. Even with only two of us, our mid-range hotel room in the Latin Quarter was very cramped (the hallways and bathroom reminded me of being on a cruise ship!) If you are travelling with a family, or just want more space, consider renting an apartment.
• Accommodations in Paris are a lot more expensive than elsewhere in France. Hotels typically don’t include breakfast in the rate, but you may find some that do.
• A government tourist tax will be applied to your accommodation bill for each night and each person. The rate depends on the type of accommodation.
• Paris is popular year round, so it’s best to book accommodations in advance.

Restaurants and Eating Out

• There’s definitely no shortage of highly rated and expensive restaurants in Paris, but there’s also plenty of options that cater to smaller budgets. For dinner, we had no trouble finding restaurants where we could have a meal for around €15/person. For breakfast and lunch, we opted for light meals at cafés and boulangeries (bakeries). For nicer, multi-course meals, expect to pay €35 and up.
• Menus are displayed outside and prices shown include taxes and service. There are set menus (often for lunch) and à la carte menus.
• Eating out in Paris is an experience that is not to be rushed. Don’t be surprised if the service is slower than what you are used to at home, with a bit of a gap between courses. You’ll likely also have to ask for your bill to be brought to the table when you’re ready to leave.
• Restaurant servers are more formal and less smiley than in North America and I think this gets misinterpreted as being unfriendly or rude. Their job is to take your order and bring your food, after that they’ll give you your space. Standards for good service are just different in Paris, so don’t expect outgoing small talk and constant attention from servers.
• Tap water in Paris is safe to drink, so no need to buy bottled water unless you want sparkling. Ask the waiter for carafe d’eau (a pitcher of water) or eau du robinet (tap water). By law, restaurants in France are required to serve tap water free of charge.
• Lunch is usually served between noon and 2:00 pm. Restaurants open for dinner at 7:00 pm and usually close at 10:30 pm, but in busier districts some stay open past midnight. Parisians don’t dine until at least 8:30 pm.
• Tipping in restaurants is not expected the way it is in North America. The norm is to round the bill up and leave some change on the table if service is good.

• Paris has four distinct seasons. In spring (March- June), average temperatures range from 4°C – 12°C early in the season, to 10°C- 20°C in late spring. Summer (June- September), sees average temperatures from 13°C- 25°C. In autumn (September- December), temperatures range from 12°C- 21°C early in the season and 5°C- 10°C as it gets closer to Christmas. Winter (December- March) sees temperatures from 1°C- 7°C.

• We didn’t feel like Paris was dangerous or less safe than any other big city. Our main concern was pickpocketing, since tourists are a target for this type of crime. We noticed a few scams where someone would approach with a “survey”, a “petition”, or something else to read as a distraction while their accomplices lift money from your pocket or purse.
• As a precaution, we kept our money in our front pockets, not in a wallet, or in an inside pocket of my camera backpack, which has its zippered opening against my back and not facing out.
• Another annoyance was people trying to sell us useless junk outside of tourist attractions (I don’t need a laser pointer!)

Public Toilets

• Paris has 400 public toilets (sanisettes) located around the city. The ones on main roads/busy areas are open 24/7 while the rest are open from 6:00 am-10:00 pm. They have been free to use since 2006.

Paris Tourist Information

• For tourist information in Paris, try the welcome centres at Hôtel de Ville and Gare du Nord. You can also get information at the Reception du Carrousel du Louvre, directly linked to the Louvre Museum.

Other Observations and Tips for Your First Trip to Paris

• Paris can be romantic , but don’t be surprised if it’s dirtier, smellier, and noisier than you expected. We even saw a few rats by Notre-Dame Cathedral!
• Having a picnic is a great way to enjoy Paris. Popular picnic spots are at Parc du Champ de Mars, in between the Eiffel Tower and École Militaire, and at Luxembourg Gardens.
• All of Paris’ six main-line train stations are served by the metro, making it easy to do a day trip from the city or move on to other European destinations.
• Forget the stereotype about Parisians being rude. Just like every other place in the world, you will encounter rude people and polite people. I touched on this before, but if you set out on your first trip to Paris expecting cultural differences, especially in regards to service, social conventions, and rules of conversation, then it’ll be easier to adjust. My top travel tip for Paris is to always be quick to offer a greeting in French, wait for a responding Bonjour, then be direct and to the point, expecting the same in return. Understanding conversational norms goes a long way in Paris!

Final Thoughts About Visiting Paris

I don’t often make repeat visits to places, but it will take many more trips before I tire of visiting Paris.

The city’s beauty and inherent romanticism allows me to overlook its faults and simply enjoy being in Paris. Whether it’s learning about French history at places like the Conciergerie , wandering through a park, or enjoying some sweet treats at a pâtisserie, Paris captures 100% of my attention and never lets go.

Tours in Paris

Here is a trusted site that has a large inventory of  TOURS AND TICKETS FOR ACTIVITIES IN PARIS . You can book everything from walking tours, bike tours, guided visits, skip-the-line tickets, wine tastings, river cruises, show tickets, and day trips out of the city. There are so many great activities to choose from!

Accommodations in Paris

For your convenience, here is a list of  HOTELS IN PARIS . Please consider booking your Paris accommodations through the included link. It costs you nothing extra and helps support this website. Thank you!

More Paris Attractions and Travel Guides

• La Madeleine
• Tomb of Sainte-Geneviève
• The Wall for Peace
• Paris in Black and White- Photo Series

Follow Us On Social Media

Facebook | Instagram | X | Pinterest

Join the Facebook Group

Why Visit Paris? 25 Reasons to Visit Paris, France in 2024

Why visit Paris? What is so special about Paris anyway? Is Paris safe? If you’re asking yourself these questions, then you have come to the right place.

Millions of people every year travel from around the world to the City of Lights to watch the Eiffel Tower sparkle… but why? What makes Paris that much better than that of London, Dublin, Prague, or Barcelona?

Well, I’m here to show you all of the magical things that Paris has to offer that you won’t find in any of those other cities!

The list below contains 25 reasons to visit Paris, many of which you likely haven’t considered. Even if you aren’t sure about the luxurious cuisine or the sophisticated shopping, keep in mind that Paris has been named one of the most beautiful cities in the world for a reason…

So, why visit Paris you ask ? Let me show you!

Why Visit Paris?

Below, I’ve listed 25 great reasons why you should visit Paris .

You’re bound to agree with at least one of them, so be prepared to start booking your trip to Paris practically immediately after reading this post!

1. Why Visit Paris? Paris has Something for Everyone!

And I’m not saying this lightly…

Paris is one of the largest cities in Europe with over 20 different neighborhoods (or arrondissements ) to explore, each with its own unique personality.

For example, you can explore the 1 st arrondissement where you’ll find some of the top-rated museums in the world such as Le Louvre or you can make your way over to the 7 th arrondissement where you can stroll the gardens surrounding the Eiffel Tower!

From iconic landmarks , world-class museums , the ancient history of the Catacombs (which are particularly spooky around Halloween ), Michelin-star cuisine , one of the leading fashion industries in the world, and romantic ambiance , there is no doubt that Paris is an extremely diverse city with a lot going on.

Not interested in any of the activities I just mentioned? No problem! In Paris, it’s also completely acceptable to grab a blanket and read a book in the park, enjoy a cappuccino on the riverbank, or spend hours strolling through the Luxembourg Gardens.

No matter what feasts your fancy, Paris is an exciting destination for travelers of all kinds !

2. To Appreciate the Culture

Like I have said before, even if you don’t enjoy taking part in museums, attractions, and activities like taking a Seine River cruise , there is still a lot to marvel over in Paris.

Parisian culture is entirely unique from the rest of France, you see. You won’t find striped shirts and berets everywhere you look, but instead charming cobblestone streets , endless cigar and wine shops , and outdoor cafes as far as the eye can see.

French culture focuses on the small things: good wine , good food , and good people . As you have probably heard the stereotype, Parisians occasionally don’t have much patience for rude tourists… and why should they?

They’re simply looking to fill their days with friendly conversations and small delights . They’re very much like you and me, so even if you aren’t looking to sightsee for days on end, simply start a conversation with a local.

If you’re able to get out even just a few phrases in French , they will usually be delighted to chat with you! Just remember that not all Parisians know English or are bilingual, so you should do your best with learning some French if you can.

3. To Eat Fresh Baked Croissants and Baguettes…

Even if you don’t claim to be a “foodie” traveler or haven’t heard much about France’s Michelin-star cuisine, there is no denying that the food in France is some of the best in the entire world .

The smell of freshly baked croissants and baguettes fills the streets of Paris on a daily basis! Traditionally served at breakfast with butter or local jams, these flaky treats are a true source of happiness for Parisians and tourists alike.

Beyond the art of puff pastry, however, is an entire world known as the French art of cooking! Soft, chewy baguettes with a browned, crisp exterior are paired with local meats and cheeses for a heavenly lunch or evening snack.

Bakeries and patisserie shops are overflowing with delicate creations while streetside cafes are serving up hot and bubbly croque monsieurs. The French are known for their ingenious use of butter , so I suggest leaving your diet at home …

If you’re still asking yourself, “why visit Paris?”, simply take my advice and go and allow the food to win over your heart!

4. To Find Yourself Swooning Over the Fashion

I for one was never really interested in fashion… at least until I saw how well-dressed all of the Parisian locals were! It isn’t unnatural to see most people wearing business casual outfits (i.e. a blouse, pencil skirt, and flats for the ladies and khakis and a collared shirt for the men.)

The Champs-Élysées is one of the most glamorous and sophisticated shopping districts in the entire world with many of the latest trends being featured in the annual Paris Fashion Week (a very prestigious event).

Although many of the shops on the Champs-Élysées may be a bit out of your price range (a typical blouse can start as high as 200 euros …), that doesn’t mean you won’t find some exceptional pieces of clothing all around the city for great deals.

Simply peruse the local shops on many of the small, cobblestone side streets and you’ll be rocking some high-end Paris fashion in no time!

5. Why Visit Paris? To Enjoy the Romantic Ambiance!

Also known as “ the City of Love “, Paris is one of the most romantic cities in the world. If you’re asking yourself, “why visit Paris?”, and can’t seem to think that you’ll enjoy much of the sights, attractions, or culture, come for the romance – I promise, it’ll take your breath away!

From the iconic architecture to the city’s beautiful array of evening lights, everywhere you look there is something to “ooh” and “ahh” at.

It’s the perfect destination to visit solo and find yourself learning more about your personal interests and self than ever before. It’s also wonderful for couples who want to enjoy an elegant dinner under the dazzling lights of the Eiffel Tower or a quiet evening walk along the Seine.

No matter your reasons for visiting Paris, the romance will stand out to you once you spend just a short amount of time walking Paris at night !

6. To Take Advantage of Its Prime Location

Say you ask yourself “why visit Paris?” countless times and you really can’t seem to find anything you think you’ll enjoy, then at least come and use it as the perfect starting point to another trip!

Paris is one of the most popular starting locations for European itineraries across Europe. You can use it as just an arrival point for exploring the rest of France, or even the rest of Europe!

From Paris, you’ll find high-speed trains that will take you all over France as well as the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, Spain, Germany, and more! There is truly no end to where you can go from Paris, so even if you aren’t sure about visiting, use its prime location as a reason for visiting Paris.

After all, you may just find along your short travels through the French capital that you wish to return and see more of this amazing city!

7. To Fall in Love with the Language

I studied French for seven years and to this day still find it to be charming , strong , and romantic all at the same time!

Everywhere you go in Paris, you will hear at least one person around you speaking French at all times. The French language flows swiftly (due to this, most people speak French very fast) and has a strong focus on soft consonants and vowels which makes for easy transitions .

I personally love listening to French everywhere I go… so much so that I decided to pick it back up again in my spare time. Whether or not you plan to do the same, it’s easy to see why it’s one of the most commonly used languages across Europe (and even the world!)

It flows quite romantically and after all… it’s called “the language of love ” for a reason.

8. It’s Beautiful in Every Season

If you’ve been reading any Paris travel journals or guidebooks lately, you have probably heard that the best time to visit Paris is in the summers when the weather is at its warmest and businesses are in full swing.

But, I don’t quite agree with that stance… Paris is beautiful all throughout the year ! In my article linked above, I go more in-depth about why the spring and fall shoulder seasons are the best time to visit Paris, however, there are wonderful pros to visiting any time of the year.

In the summers, yes you’ll find great weather and lots of festivals, but there will also be tens of thousands more tourists and long lines at all of the restaurants and attractions.

In the shoulder seasons, you’re more likely to experience some rain (I actually find Paris in the rain quite romantic), but accommodation and travel rates have dropped and most of the tourists have left the city providing you with the ultimate local experience!

In the winters, you can find an ice skating rink inside the Eiffel Tower as well as endless Christmas markets serving up hot, mulled wine and exquisite handmade crafts and hand-painted ornaments.

If “why visit Paris” is still coming up in your conversations, just remember that no matter when you decide to visit Paris, it will be beautiful !

9. To Discover the World-Renowned Museums

Paris is home to some of the most impressive museums in Europe! Whether you’re an art or history buff looking to explore every nook and cranny of the incredible exhibits on offer, or are simply a tourist looking to get a selfie with the famous Mona Lisa painting, I’m certain that there is something here you will find interesting.

If the ladder is more your style, be sure to book your Louvre tickets online in advance and make note of any Covid-19 precautions they have.

There are also dozens of museums worth exploring… over 125 to be exact!

Explore some mid-19 th -century French sculptures at the Musée d’Orsay located in a former railway station or stroll the halls of the Musée de Cluny which can be found in the Abbey House and contains dozens of impressive tapestries from the 15 th century!

10. Why Visit Paris? To Cruise the Seine River!

To walk the streets of Paris is one thing, but to navigate the mighty Seine via cruise line is another! Whether you’re looking for an exciting and adventurous Parisian experience or are simply hoping to sit back and relax as someone else takes you around the French capital, both can be done on a Seine cruise.

While they do have boat tours operating at all hours of the day, the evening ones in the summers are particularly delightful. Enjoy a rooftop dinner while gliding by the Eiffel Tower, then relax in a chair with a blanket and a glass of wine as you watch all of the sparkling city lights glisten on the river.

Seine River cruises are quite popular among tourists, so I suggest doing some research ahead of time on the local companies and what the ride includes. Advanced bookings are also recommended to prevent any disappointment!

11. To Enjoy an Apéritif at a Streetside Cafe

You’ve heard me say it before, but Paris isn’t only known for its outstanding attractions and beautiful scenery. It’s also well known for its numerous outdoor cafes boasting everything from waiters dressed in black tie to more relaxed cafes with wine carafes and fresh French bread.

Even if you aren’t interested in spending your time waltzing back and forth across bridges in search of famed gardens and prestigious stores, there is a lot of good to be had while enjoying an apéritif at a streetside cafe!

Meet the locals, relish in the simplicity of people-watching, and sample the refreshing local beverages offered in Paris.

Apéritifs also pair well with local meats, cheeses, fondue, and breads, as well as some patisseries and desserts like crème brûlée. So, why visit Paris? Because it’s one of the best places in the world to enjoy a beverage on its charming side streets with friendly locals!

12. You can Visit on Any Budget

Whether you plan on visiting on a backpacker’s budget or have extensive funding for your travels, Paris has you covered.

You can find everything from shared dormitories in hostels with singular bathrooms per floor to luxurious presidential suites with views of the Eiffel Tower on the top floor of a grand hotel. No matter how you wish to experience Paris, you can be sure to find something in your price range .

In addition to accommodations, you can also find a wide range of pricing for things like transportation methods, food, and even attractions!

My One Day in Paris itinerary covers everything you’ll need to know about how to receive discounts on the local museums and sites, as well as my latest tips and travel hacks for visiting Paris on a budget .

If you don’t believe me when I say you truly can visit on ANY budget, I visited when I was in college with just my work-study money to my name… if I can do it on that tight of a budget, so can you!

13. To Have a Picnic

If you enjoy relaxing in the sun on a comfortable blanket with a glass of wine or coffee, a good book, and either just yourself or friends, then a picnic in Paris needs to be on your bucket list .

As you may already know, Paris has several excellent parks to do this on. The Luxembourg Gardens are one of the most popular places to do this, but since the art of “ picnicking ” is quite common among tourists and locals alike, there are lots of places to soak up some sun.

The Jardin des   Tuileries , or the Tuileries Garden, is on the right bank just across from the Orsay Museum and offers one of the best local parks in Paris! Backed by two museums, a fun ferris wheel, and a beautiful, central fountain, you can’t go wrong by choosing to lay your blanket here.

There are also plenty of others including the Champ de Mars (the lawn in front of the Eiffel Tower) and the Parc Monceau in the 8 th arrondissement.

14. Why Visit Paris? To Watch the Eiffel Tower Sparkle!

Most people only ever see pictures or movies with the Eiffel Tower sparkling in all its glory, but you could be one of the few that gets to see it in person!

When thinking of all of the reasons to visit Paris, seeing the Eiffel Tower do its phenomenal light show after dark should be high on your list. It’s a spectacular sight to see and is also quite romantic!

The light show happens every hour on the hour after dark and lasts for 5 minutes, so if you’re planning on popping a very special question to a very special someone, you really couldn’t ask for a better time.

If you were hoping for a little more privacy for your special moment, I suggest finding a quiet side street with excellent views of the light show, but without all of the people… you can usually find some all around the 7th arrondissement !

15. To Slow Down Time

The Parisians not only know how to party in style, but also how to relax like nobody’s business. Spend your days strolling the city parks, enjoying the flora and fauna of the Luxembourg Gardens, or walking along the Seine!

Paris is the perfect place to sit back and enjoy a glass of wine while people-watching at a quaint streetside cafe. So, why visit Paris, you ask?

Because you can literally spend hours on end “ sightseeing ” when you’re really just walking between patisseries seeking out the best croissant in Paris.

A weekend in Paris is the ultimate way to let all of your “normal life” stresses melt away. Instead of worrying about getting between destinations quickly, spend some time sampling the cheese and wine, listening to the church bells of the Notre Dame, and even sitting on a Seine River cruise.

It may just be the most relaxing place of your whole vacation!

16. To Appreciate its Uniqueness

Paris really is unlike anywhere else in the world. With dozens of European cities and towns under my belt, I’ve never seen or heard of another place where you can see such beauty and charm while simultaneously enjoying unparalleled cuisine and elegance.

Paris offers incredible attractions and activities for travelers of all budgets , while also maintaining its high level of sophistication and unchangeable culture. And with its dozens of Michelin-star restaurants, calling Paris “luxurious” is a vast understatement.

Whether you’re looking for a cozy, candlelit dinner in the snow or a lively nightclub with an exotic dance floor and trendy cocktails, Paris has it all !

Even if you don’t really have an answer to the question, “why visit Paris?”, you should visit for at least a few days to appreciate how different it is from any other European city and almost all other cities in the world.

17. To Take in All of Its Beautiful Sights

Outside of its famous landmarks and impressive museums, Paris is home to some of the most amazing sights I have ever seen.

By simply walking the streets of this French city, you can come across street artists painting Mona Lisa’s on the sidewalk, guitarists singing on the cobblestones, boats gliding by the Eiffel Tower, and two lovers placing a lock on one of the many bridges all over the city.

I found Paris to be full of different personalities and people from all over the world who came together to be in one of the most beautiful places on Earth.

You can also find charming outdoor markets, marvelous book stores, and everything in between. While Paris is often recognized for its iconic landmarks, renowned museums, and Michelin-star cuisine, it has far more to offer than that!

You just need to slow down and take a look at the smaller things going on around you. If you’re wondering why you should visit Paris, consider going just for its magical ambiance and beautiful sights everywhere you look!

18. Why Visit Paris? To Learn About Its History!

Did you know that Paris began all the way back in the 3 rd century ? And that there are underground ossuaries holding the remains of over six million people beneath the city? I didn’t before I visited.

During the Revolution and the city’s multitude of tragic wars, Parisians who were killed were brought underground to a place now known as the Catacombs of Paris . Today, you can visit these ossuaries and witness the millions of skulls that have been artfully placed throughout the tunnels.

Throughout the city’s museums, you can also find information dating back to hunter-gatherers making claims to the land during the 9 th century and see how the French capital transformed over time into the bustling, cultural metropolis it is today.

Even for those who don’t call themselves “history enthusiasts”, the history of Paris is no doubt interesting and surprising to most!

19. To Revel In Its Exciting Night Scene

Whether you’re 20 and heading to Paris with some friends or in your late 70s and looking for the perfect bottle of wine to bring home with you, Paris has something for all ages .

Across the city, you can find underground nightclubs , trendy bars , hip cafes , and quirky joints overflowing with teenagers and young adults dancing to live music and drinking colorful cocktails.

But, if you were hoping to witness a more casual side of Paris’ night scene, there are also dozens of sophisticated rooftop bars offering extensive wine lists with views of the Eiffel Tower!

Paris’ nightlife is one of the best in Europe mainly owing to its diverse range of eclectic joints offering different kinds of music and catering to the styles of all ages.

No matter how old you are, you can be sure that Paris will have some fun times waiting for you!

20. To Stand Before Its Iconic Landmarks

The Eiffel Tower, the Notre Dame Cathedral, Montmartre, the Arc de Triomphe, Luxembourg Gardens, Le Louvre… need I say more?

Paris is home to dozens of exceptional sights and attractions as well as iconic landmarks that are equally as beautiful.

If you’re asking yourself, “why visit Paris?”, the answer is simple – the city’s landmarks are easily recognized worldwide and they are well worth a visit on any trip to France, or even Europe for that matter!

Spend some time perusing the Luxembourg Gardens, climb the Arc de Triomphe, and enjoy a Michelin-star meal inside the Eiffel Tower. You can also visit in the winter and go ice skating on the first floor of the Eiffel Tower!

Personally, I loved stepping back and just listening to the Notre Dame bells ring… it was something so pure and beautiful that I haven’t heard anywhere else and often think of it as one of my favorite memories from visiting Paris.

21. Explore Its Centuries of Beautiful Artwork

Ever heard of Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa ? Or Eugène Delacroix’s Liberty Leading the People ? What about Van Gogh’s Self Portrait ?

If any of these are ringing a bell, then it’s likely that you’ll enjoy Paris and its extensive network of art exhibitions and vast collections from some of the most famous artists of all time.

Many of these famous works can be found in the museums we discussed such as Le Louvre , Le Musée d’Orsay , and Musée de Cluny , however, there are thousands of more works to be discovered in the dozens of other museums throughout the city!

Many of the works found in Paris date back centuries, so you can feel as though you’ve been swept back in time to the Mesolithic Period of France.

In addition to the works found inside the museums and art galleries, you’ll also likely witness beautiful street art around every corner.

22. Why Visit Paris? To Catch a Show at the Moulin Rouge

As one of the most iconic things to do in Paris, the Moulin Rouge should be reason enough alone to answer your “why visit Paris” question! With some of the most exciting performances in Europe, a night out to the Moulin Rouge is often a bucket list item for many travelers.

Guests who attend can choose between two types of tickets : just the show or dinner and a show. Those who choose to have dinner at the theatre will be rewarded with some of the best seating in the house!

Catch a traditional cabaret , similarly known as the “can-can dance”, and spend the evening listening to singing and dancing by some legendary performers making their way through Europe!

Since tickets book up fast, be sure to reserve your ticket online in advance well before your trip.

23. Its Incredible Size

Did you know that many people end up visiting Paris two or even three times during their travels? It’s true!

Paris is very large, although not as large as London, New York City, or other foreign cities, and many of its attractions are widely spread out . For example, it would take you nearly 35 minutes to walk from the Eiffel Tower to the Arc de Triomphe or even upwards of an hour if you wanted to walk to the Panthéon!

If you plan on visiting Paris at least once in your life, you’ll want to try and fit in many of the major landmarks, museums, and attractions, however, depending on how much time you have this isn’t always possible.

So, if this article convinces you to visit Paris, keep in mind that you’ll likely need at least 3 days or more if you plan to see all of the major sights and attractions.

You will have the city’s well-organized public transportation system to help you out (I highly suggest taking advantage of the metro for long distances), so at least you’ll have that in your favor!.

24. Why Visit Paris? To Take Day Trips to Nearby Cities!

After you’ve spent enough time exploring Paris (I recommend at least 3 days in Paris ), it is by no means time to go home. Instead, you can spend some time traveling to one of the dozens of nearby destinations right around the corner!

From Colmar and Strasbourg to the beaches of Normandy and Mont Saint-Michel , there are years worth of French destinations that you could discover on these day trips from Paris . Not to mention some incredible wine tours from Paris , as well, particularly to the Bordeaux wine region .

To make it easy, Paris is also home to one of the most highly-developed public transportation systems worldwide , so you can hop right on a bus, train, or plane to get anywhere you need to go in France.

Even if you’re asking yourself why you should visit Paris, consider visiting even if only to use it as a base for further France exploration ! Though, you may want to consider giving yourself at least a few hours here or a flexible schedule in case you decide to increase your time in Paris.

25. Why Not Visit Paris?

So, why visit Paris you ask? How about instead, you ask yourself “ why shouldn’t I visit Paris? “

If you can come up with three reasonable, valid reasons not to visit Paris, then by all means skip it! But, I truly do think you would enjoy even just one small piece of this remarkable city…

Just to reiterate, in Paris, you can find everything from exciting history and beautiful landmarks to divine cuisine and picture-perfect scenery. You don’t have to spend your days bouncing between museums or waiting in line at attractions, but instead, you could relax and enjoy a picnic with a view of the Seine River.

Paris doesn’t have to be about getting caught up in all of the neverending excitement. You can choose to take part in as relaxing or adventurous of a vacation here as you please.

So, when you find yourself questioning whether a visit to Paris would be worth your time, consider asking yourself to come up with three good reasons why Paris wouldn’t be worth your time. But, I have a good feeling that this will be harder than you think!

FAQ: Why Visit Paris?

Is paris worth visiting.

Paris is a world of extremes. Extreme personalities, extreme foods, and extreme landmarks. Depending on who you ask, you’re going to receive very contradictory opinions from people around the world.

The only way to form an opinion of Paris for yourself is, well, to visit of course! We absolutely loved Paris when we visited and highly recommend that you do too. But, that doesn’t mean we were blind to the city’s less than desirable features either…

Yes, you’ll still find tourist traps, overpriced souvenirs , and some not-so-friendly locals the same way you would in any city. But, that’s no reason to consider not visiting Paris altogether!

In short, Paris is absolutely worth visiting and it would be a big loss for you to never attempt to visit owing to other people’s opinions.

What is so Special about Paris?

Paris is special for its limitless sophistication and grandeur among other cities in Europe. Nowhere else can you find elegant wine carts roaming the streets like the one shown above, or seemingly endless outdoor farmer’s markets, and enough Michelin-star food scenes for all the people of the world to enjoy.

Paris is also easily recognized worldwide for its iconic landmarks that are famous across the globe. The Eiffel Tower, Le Louvre, the Arc de Triomphe, the Sacré-Cœur, the Notre Dame Cathedral… just to name a few .

Paris is entirely unique to the rest of Europe owing to its romantic ambiance, impressive landmarks, stunning architecture, and gorgeous scenery everywhere you turn. Then, there’s also the food, the people (yes, most of the locals in Paris are very kind!), and the elegant music that fills the streets!

Why is Paris the Best Place to Visit?

There are endless reasons for why Paris is the best place to visit! But, these reasons will be different for each person who visits.

For some, like myself, Paris was amazing for its incredible food and wine, its outstanding scenery and landmarks everywhere I went, and the lovely Seine River that perfectly cuts through it. Many days, it truly felt like I was walking the streets of a storybook.

Others may prefer to swoon over the museums and the city’s captivating history. And for some, it’s a combination of everything that makes Paris the best place to visit.

Why is Paris Famous?

Paris is famous for its Michelin-star restaurants and sophisticated cuisine, its charming cobblestone streets, its romantic ambiance, and its iconic landmarks.

With so much to do, see, and try in this fantastic city, one could spend months and even years here without exploring the deepest depths of the City of Lights .

If you’re still wondering “ why visit Paris? ” and can’t seem to come up with a reason, continue reading this post to learn about 25 reasons why you should visit Paris!

Paris is so full of life, energy, and beauty all around. With proclaimed streets, iconic landmarks, amazing sights and scenery, it’s easy to get caught up in all that there is to do here.

But, if you find yourself on the other end of this and are asking yourself why visit Paris over and over again, simply consider the 25 reasons to visit Paris I have provided you with above. If you can find even just one thing that you think you would enjoy, then go!

There are many unfortunate stereotypes regarding the French capital, however, until you see it with your own two eyes you’ll never know any of them to be true.

I hope these 25 reasons to visit Paris spark your interests and you find yourself no longer wondering “ why visit Paris ” in the first place!

3 French Phrases I Wish I Knew Before Visiting Paris

While many locals do speak English in Paris, there are a few very important phrases I wish I had known before I landed at Charles de Gaulle…

Hey there! I'm Emily Concannon, a seasoned globetrotter who has backpacked her way across over a dozen European countries, immersing myself in the diverse cultures, languages, and cuisines of the region.

My passion for travel transcends personal experiences; I've spent years learning how to transform my globetrotting knowledge into personalized itineraries for fellow travelers worldwide.

With a tally of 26 countries (and counting!) under my belt, my day job involves extensive research on different countries which often leads me to booking a new adventure every chance I get!

• Virginia Beach
• History & facts
• Famous people
• Famous landmarks
• AI interviews
• Science & Nature
• Tech & Business

Discover something new everyday

• Famous places
• Food & Drinks
• Tech & Business

Paris - What you need to know before coming to Paris , Travel

30 must-know French phrases for your visit to Paris

Read Next →

Things to do Near Gare du Nord Station

Paris - Our top 10 lists

Top 45 souvenirs to bring back from Paris

Paris - Night-time activities

15 Most Luxurious Paris Nightclubs

Où se trouve la station de métro la plus proche, une baguette, s’il vous plaît..

Je m’excuse.

Je ne comprends pas., où sont les toilettes.

L’addition, s’il vous plaît.

Bonjour / Bonsoir

Parlez-vous anglais, pouvez-vous m’aider, je parle un peu français., combien ça coûte, je souhaite aller à…, pouvez-vous m’indiquer le chemin, tout droit / à gauche / à droite, pourriez-vous nous prendre en photo, s’il vous plaît.

Acceptez-vous les cartes étrangères?

Où puis-je prélever de l’argent?

Parlez plus lentement, s’il vous plaît.

Comment vous appelez-vous.

Photo by cottonbro studio from Pexels

Enchanté  / Enchantée .

Nous restons., d’où viens-tu / d’où venez-vous, je suis là pour les vacances / le travail..

Photo by Michael Block from Pexels

Quel temps va-t-il faire aujourd’hui?

Photo by Tomas Anunziata from Pexels

Qu’est-ce que vous faites? 

Pouvez-vous m’appeler un taxi, s’il vous plaît.

Photo by Jean-Baptiste Terrazzoni from Pexels

Est-ce que vous avez visité…?

Photo by Lina Kivaka from Pexels

À quelle heure est-ce que cela ferme?

Planning a trip to Paris ? Get ready !

These are  Amazon’s best-selling  travel products that you may need for coming to Paris.

• The best travel book : Rick Steves – Paris 2023 –  Learn more here
• Fodor’s Paris 2024 –  Learn more here

Travel Gear

• Venture Pal Lightweight Backpack –  Learn more here
• Samsonite Winfield 2 28″ Luggage –  Learn more here
• Swig Savvy’s Stainless Steel Insulated Water Bottle –  Learn more here

Check Amazon’s best-seller list for the most popular travel accessories. We sometimes read this list just to find out what new travel products people are buying.

Anna was born and raised in Paris. She studied Languages in Paris and Social Communication in Lisbon. Anna also lived in Madrid for a year. She has been to many places and hopes to go places. Wherever she goes, she always tries to experience each city as locals do. Anna usually has croissants for breakfast in Paris, takes a walk in Camden Town in London, eats lunch in Chiado in Lisbon, and enjoys Madrid's nightlife.

Hello & Welcome

Free walking tours in Paris

Top 5 Tours & Sightseeing in Paris

• Tickets for Louvre Museum
• Musée d'Orsay Reserved Access
• Free Montmartre Tour
• Guided Tour of the Eiffel Tower + Summit access
• Arc de Triomphe: Skip The Line + Rooftop Access

with GetYourGuide and Tiqets

Popular Articles

Top 20 Streets to See in Paris

Paris in two days

Top 15 Things to do Around the Eiffel Tower

The Best Way to Visit Paris Museums

Top 15 Fashion Stores in Le Marais

Visit europe with discover walks.

• Paris walking tours
• Montmartre walking tour
• Lisbon walking tours
• Prague walking tours
• Barcelona walking tours
• Private tours in Europe
• Privacy policy

© 2024 Charing Cross Corporation

Home — Essay Samples — Geography & Travel — Paris — My Visit To Paris

My Visit to Paris

• Categories: Paris Travel and Tourism Industry

About this sample

Words: 545 |

Published: Mar 20, 2024

Words: 545 | Page: 1 | 3 min read

Table of contents

Exploring historical landmarks, immersing myself in french culture, appreciating parisian architecture.

Cite this Essay

Let us write you an essay from scratch

• 450+ experts on 30 subjects ready to help
• Custom essay delivered in as few as 3 hours

Get high-quality help

Dr. Heisenberg

Verified writer

• Expert in: Geography & Travel

+ 120 experts online

By clicking “Check Writers’ Offers”, you agree to our terms of service and privacy policy . We’ll occasionally send you promo and account related email

No need to pay just yet!

Related Essays

2 pages / 761 words

1 pages / 1298 words

5 pages / 2198 words

1 pages / 1534 words

Remember! This is just a sample.

You can get your custom paper by one of our expert writers.

121 writers online

Still can’t find what you need?

Browse our vast selection of original essay samples, each expertly formatted and styled

Related Essays on Paris

Paris, the enchanting French capital city nestled by the river Seine, stands out as a truly captivating and renowned destination. Its allure lies in its romantic ambiance and striking beauty, making it a contender for the title [...]

The Eiffel Tower is located in Paris, France. It’s not a wonder. The construction for making the tower started on January 28, 1887. Paris hosted an Exposition Universelle (World’s Fair) to mark the 100-year anniversary of the [...]

Paris is the capital city of France. With over 12 million inhabitants, it holds around 19% of France’s total population. Paris is most popularly known as the center of fashion. The city is also popular for its fine cuisine, art, [...]

People who are planning a Paris vacation or simply want to marvel the food scenario by proxy, the following blogs are totally drool worthy. David Lebovitz An author and a pasty chef, who creates hilarious combinations [...]

A democratic deficit occurs when government or government institutions fall short of fulfilling the principles of democracy in their practices or operation or where political representatives and institutions are discredited in [...]

The Irish National Accreditation Board (INAB) the state organization with the responsibility for the accreditation of laboratories, certification bodies, and inspection bodies. It provides accreditation in conjunction with the [...]

Related Topics

By clicking “Send”, you agree to our Terms of service and Privacy statement . We will occasionally send you account related emails.

Where do you want us to send this sample?

By clicking “Continue”, you agree to our terms of service and privacy policy.

Be careful. This essay is not unique

This essay was donated by a student and is likely to have been used and submitted before

Download this Sample

Free samples may contain mistakes and not unique parts

Sorry, we could not paraphrase this essay. Our professional writers can rewrite it and get you a unique paper.

Please check your inbox.

We can write you a custom essay that will follow your exact instructions and meet the deadlines. Let's fix your grades together!

Get Your Personalized Essay in 3 Hours or Less!

We use cookies to personalyze your web-site experience. By continuing we’ll assume you board with our cookie policy .

• Instructions Followed To The Letter
• Deadlines Met At Every Stage
• Unique And Plagiarism Free

8 French phrases you'll need in Paris

If you're learning French for a trip to Paris, you probably know some of the basics —but some words have surprising or specific meanings when you're in the city of lights!

Here are eight phrases you'll use all the time in Paris.

Rive gauche and Rive droite

You might recognize gauche (left) and droite (right) from lessons about directions and getting around town, but they have an additional meaning in Paris: which side of the Seine river you're on!

Rive gauche means "left bank," and it includes the arrondissements (Paris neighborhoods) south of the Seine. You'll be on the rive gauche if you visit the Latin Quarter, the Luxembourg Gardens, or the Eiffel Tower.

The rive droite , or "right bank," includes the arrondissements north of the Seine, like the neighborhood Le Marais, the Louvre Museum, and the Arc de Triomphe.

Eau gazeuse and eau plate

When ordering water at a Parisian restaurant, you'll want to let the server know whether you want eau gazeuse (carbonated water) or eau plate (still water). It's standard to get a bottle of water when you order, so if you want to avoid the fancy stuff, opt for une carafe d'eau plate : A carafe of water is free!

Bonne journée and bonne soirée

Bonjour (good morning, good afternoon) and bonsoir (good evening) are how you greet people in French—and they are more important than you might think ! When it's time to tell someone goodbye, there's another pair of words to know: bonne journée for "have a nice day" and bonne soirée for "have a nice evening."

Sur place and à emporter

At bakeries and cafés that have tables where you can sit and eat your goodies, you might be asked whether you want to order them sur place (to eat at the venue) or à emporter (to go, for takeaway). Sometimes eating sur place means you'll pay a slightly higher price. If you'll be picnicking at one of Paris's beautiful gardens or plazas, you'll get a lot of practice ordering food à emporter !

Vous êtes prets ?

Are you reading for your trip to Paris? There are other simple French phrases you can practice to make the most of your experience in France, and for the more ambitious travelers, you can become conversational in French in less time than you think! 

Related Posts All Posts

How to use the verb "to be" in english, 13 synonyms for "interesting" to improve your english writing.

You are using an outdated browser. Upgrade your browser today or install Google Chrome Frame to better experience this site.

• French »
• French practice writing exercises »
• Writing exercise: "Trip to Paris"

Trip to Paris

"séjour à paris" french b1 writing exercise.

Mélanie's sister and her husband went to Paris last year.

Pay attention to the hints!

Some vocabulary you may want to look up before or during this exercise: "to dream about [something]", "sensible (financially)", "in secret", "in tears", "the Louvre museum", "Mona Lisa (painting)", "the Eiffel tower", "(Paris) river boats", "the City of Lights (=Paris)", "even better".

I’ll give you some sentences to translate into French

• I’ll show you where you make mistakes
• I’ll keep track of what you need to practise
• Change my choices if you want

Here's a preview of the text for the writing challenge, when you're ready click the start button above:

My sister and her husband went to Paris last year. She'd been dreaming about it forever, but she thought that it wasn't sensible. Her husband saved in secret, and he surprised her for her birthday. She was in tears! They stayed in the French capital for three weeks: they visited the Louvre museum, where they admired the famous Mona Lisa. They went to the top of the Eiffel Tower, and they had lunch in one of its restaurants! And on the last night, they dined aboard a river boat, and they enjoyed the City of Lights one last time. It was even better than in her dreams!

One of the most exciting things to do in life is take a trip. Here you’ll find a complete French conversation lesson with questions all about different trips you’ve taken. Click here for the downloadable PDF and contact me to try this lesson via Skype!

• As‐tu déjà voyagé dans ton pays de naissance? Quels endroits est‐ce que tu as visité? Have you traveled in the country where you were born? Which places have you visited?
• As‐tu déjà voyagé à l’étranger? Quels pays est‐ce que tu as visité? Have you traveled abroad? Which countries have you visited?
• Combien de pays as‐tu visité? Combien d’états ou provinces (au Canada)? How many countries have you visited? How many states and Canadian provinces have you visited?
• As-tu deja voyagé dans un pays francophone ou tu as pu utiliser ton francais? Have you ever traveled to a French speaking country where you could use your French?
• Apprends-tu le francais avec l’objectif de faire des voyages? Are you learning French with the goal to travel?
• As‐tu récemment voyagé? Où es‐tu allé(e)? Have you taken a trip recently? Where did you go?
• Où est‐ce que tu iras pendant tes prochaines vacances? Avec qui est‐ce que tu voyageras et combien de temps vas‐tu passer dans l’endroit? Where will you go for your next vacation? Who
• will you travel with and how long will you spend there?
• As‐tu fait des voyages quand tu étais un(e) enfant? Où es‐tu allé(e)? Did you travel when you were a child? Where did you go?
• As‐tu déjà voyagé dans ta propre région? Connais‐tu bien la région où tu habites? Have you traveled in the region where you live? Do you know the region well?
• Quand as‐tu fait ton premier voyage à l’étranger? As‐tu eu peur de quitter ton pays la première fois? When did you take your first trip overseas? Were you afraid to leave your country for the first time?
• As‐tu déjà fait un voyage tout(e) seul(e)? Où es‐tu allé(e) et as‐tu eu peur de voyager seul(e)? Have you ever taken a trip alone? Where did you go and were you afraid to travel alone?
• Aimerais‐tu passer le reste de ta vie à l’étranger? Would you like to spend the rest of your life abroad?
• Peux‐tu te rappeler d’un voyage que tu as vraiment aimé? Où es‐tu allé(e)? Can you remember a trip that you really liked? Where did you go?
• Peux‐tu te rappeler d’un voyage que tu n’as pas aimé? Ou est‐tu allé(e)? Can you remember a trip that you didn’t like? Where did you go?
• Préfères‐tu voyager seul(e) où dans un groupe avec un guide? Pourquoi? Do you prefer to travel alone or in a group with a guide?
• As‐tu déjà fait un voyage en train? Où es-tu allé? As‐tu aimé le train? Have you ever traveled by train? Where did you go? Did you like the train?
• Aimes‐tu prendre l’avion ou as-tu en a peur? Do you like to take airplane or are you afraid?
• T’es-tu déjà perdu(e) au voyage? Raconte l’histoire! Have you ever gotten lost on a trip? Tell the story!
• As‐tu déjà fait de l’auto‐stop? Raconte l’aventure! Have you ever done hitch-hiking? Tell the adventure!
• Préfères‐tu voyager avec peu ou beaucoup de baggages? Do you prefer to travel with little or a lot of luggage?
• Aimes‐tu faire du camping et faire de la randonnée? Où as tu fait un tel voyage? Do you like camping or hiking? Where have you taken such a trip?
• Quels pays rêves‐tu encore de visiter dans ta vie? Quels pays est‐ce que tu n’aimerais pas visiter? Which countries do you still dream of visiting in your lifetime? Which countries do you not want to visit?
• Que dois-tu apporter quand tu visites un pays étranger? What do you have to bring with you when you visit a foreign country?
• Quelle est ta ville préférée? Quand as‐tu visité cette ville? Aimerais‐tu vivre là‐bas? What is your favorite city? When did you visit this city? Would you like to live there?
• Aimes‐tu acheter des souvenirs quand tu voyages? Qu’aimes-tu acheter? Do you like to buy souvenirs when you travel? What do you like to buy?
• Quel est l’endroit le plus beau que tu aies visité? What’s the most beautiful country that you’ve visited?
• As‐tu déjà fait une croisière? Où es‐tu allé(e)? Have you ever taken a cruise? Where did you go?
• Aimes‐tu revisiter les mêmes endroits? Do you like to travel back to the same places?
• As‐tu déjà voyagé en première classe? Have you ever traveled in first class?
• En général où vont les gens de ton pays vont en vacances? In general, where do people from your country go for vacation?
• Habites‐tu dans une région touristique? D’où viennent les touristes qui visitent ta région? Do you live in a touristic region? Where do the people come from who visit your area?
• Si tu avais $100,000 et tu pouvais aller n’importe où, où est‐ce que tu irais? If you had $100,00 and you could go anywhere, where would you go?

Main Topics Page

Sharing is caring!

David Issokson

David Issokson is a lifelong language enthusiast. His head is swimming with words and sounds as he speaks over six languages. Of all the languages he speaks, he's the most passionate about French! David has helped hundreds of students to improve their French in his private online lessons. When procrastinating working on FrenchLearner, David enjoys his time skiing and hiking in Teton Valley, Idaho.

See all posts by David Issokson

My First Trip To Paris – A Breakthrough Story

This post came from a writing challenge I took early last year. The prompt was to write your breakthrough story. Of course mine centered around my first trip to Paris in 2011. Here’s how it all came about for me. As a little “getting to know me” post, I thought I would share it with you! I hope it inspires you to make a call to action and make dream travel more of a reality. If not travel, some other thing to conquer.

What’s your breakthrough story?  

When I returned home from my first trip to Paris . I felt so happy, confident, and alive. My whole life changed during that week. I had never felt the support of so many people. Going to Paris that first time opened me up to a whole new world. The confidence to go places and do things by myself. To put myself out there and meet other people. I was good enough for other people to like. I felt validated. It provided long lasting friendships with people that I would have never met. Soul sisters and mentors. Models for what I wanted my life to look like. 

I was scared to go on that trip. Damn right I was scared . Going on a trip with 40 people you never met, except the crazy 86 year old women you agreed to room with after you met her and thought it would work out.

The fact that I dreamed of going to Paris as long as I can remember was going to override that utter fear.

I was 46, had only been on a plane a handful of times and never traveled without someone I knew. After asking everyone I would even think might join me and having no takers, plus the total support of my non-traveling hubby,  I was going to do it . What better way than with a tour. Still on my own, but with a little safety net. I would pay attention to everything we did, because one day I would return. Because Paris is never enough just one time. You have to go again and again.

So I researched and researched as if I was planning it all on my own. I studied maps. Read Rick Steves Paris 2011 like a Bible. Faithfully read the Foder’s travel forums for Paris. These forums gave me hope. Hope that Paris was easy to navigate and a compact city and perfect for the solo female traveler. 

Let me tell you why I decided to finally go for it.

I had decided 7 years prior that I was going to set up a little savings account (AKA the Paris Fund). You see, I had worked with a girl my age who suddenly one day had a brain aneurysm and ended up in a nursing home with no life whatsoever. She actually passed away a few years later. This scared the hell out of me. I actually didn’t really get along with her. We had been almost friends years earlier, but after some work issues, we really no longer got along. She never knew that it was because of her that I decided to begin saving for Paris.  Life is too short and you can get it ripped from you at any time. You need to take what you can. Do what you want. For me my dream was to go to Paris.

I began saving $15 dollars from every paycheck. Slowly but surely that account built up until I had enough to go. It took 7 years, but I finally booked a tour with Holiday Vacations hosted by a Green Bay News Anchor that I admired. As long as Erin was there, it would be okay.

Paris was everything I dreamed of and more . The city was beautiful, busy, full of people, wine, cheese, and bakeries around every corner. The first time I saw the Eiffel Tower it took my breath away. And I could see it right out the front doors of our hotel. That first night as I stood on the street and watched those twinkling lights I shed a few tears.

The one dark spot was my roommate . As soon as we took off she treated me like HER travel companion. Constantly complaining about everything. I was not there for her. I had made it perfectly clear that this was my trip and I was going to do what I wanted. After all I paid for my own trip. I was not tied to her. After a tearful call home that first night, I decided to have the best time. I came in late every night long after she went to bed and rose early and was out the door for breakfast without her. Months later I found out she complained to EVERYONE about me, but I did not care. This was MY trip. Soon everyone caught on to her and and began talking to me to make sure I was having fun. This resulted in feeling so wanted and happy. I did things on my own, but I soon formed a friendship with 3 other ladies on the trip . Ann, Beverly, and Elaine made my trip so much fun. They took me under their wing. Beverly is still one of my best friends and at 80 years young inspires me to live life to the fullest. I have so much in common with her, it is insane!! 

I also formed a great friendship our host, Erin, who I actually didn’t talk to a whole lot on the trip. She did check up on me and and made sure I was having a good trip despite the issue with my roommate. I met up with her a few months later when she was talking at a Women’s Night Out event in a small town near mine. I hurried out to say hi to her before she had to get back to Green Bay for her Newscast. We connected and a few weeks later she invited me to an event she was MCing in Appleton. I felt like a VIP as her guest, but something just clicked and we became fast friends and are to this day. I now count her as one of my closest friends. Sometimes you just know when you meet someone.

So my trip to Paris changed my life.

I felt like a rose that finally bloomed. After my whole life not feeling worthy and unimportant, it was my turn to shine. It paved the way to opening myself up to meeting people and travel. Now when I go places, I have the confidence to talk to people. I can walk in a room or event by myself. Still uncomfortable-yes. But you never know who you will meet.

This trip also inspired me to start my blog. Since I love both writing and traveling, I thought why not start one to share my experiences. Even if I could inspire one woman to forge through the fear, take a chance, and go on their dream trip , it would all be worth it. Today this has enabled me to travel more, meet more like minded people, make an occasional TV appearance, and get my work published. One day I would love to set up my own travel consulting business, and spread my message through other outlets.

I say…

Don’t let fear get in the way of fulfilling your dreams. Because one day you may lose the chance .

Do you have a breakthough story? Put a pen to paper and write it down.

Thanks for stopping by and if you liked this post, please share it using the buttons below. Also If you would like to receive all my posts and other exclusive content, please sign up for my newsletter below. Help me to grow!

Related posts

Visiting The Best Wisconsin Harbor Towns: Sheboygan

Balloon Festivals In Wisconsin: A Sky Full Of Colors

Fall Fun In Elgin IL: The Best Attractions & Events

Questions comments share then with me cancel reply.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed .

[…] took me seven years to save the money for my first trip to Paris and when I was ready, no one would go with me. So I signed up for a group tour. This was my first […]

[…] and traveling on your own. In fact, I joined a large group tour when I took my first trip to Paris in 2011 and it opened my world up to new friendships and a self-confidence like I’d never […]

Your transformative journey rings loud and clear in this post. I, too, remember my first trip to Paris and still feel the excitement of being in the City of Light. And each time I go, there are new things to see and experience. Your post brings it all back and encourages readers to keep moving. You’re absolutely right–today could be the last day for any one of us, so we have to grab all we can while we can.

Thank you so much! You get it. I just loved the feeling like I was actually “home” which may be strange to say about a place I had never been.

It’s funny how a trip can change everything. Paris is magical too I went for my 50 th birthday!

It can, and it was such a pivotal moment in my life. It’s the perfect place for a life changing experience.

Privacy Overview

Discover more from lori loves adventure.

Subscribe now to keep reading and get access to the full archive.

Type your email…

Continue reading

National Geographic content straight to your inbox—sign up for our popular newsletters here

How to explore Paris this summer beyond the Olympics

With all eyes on the French capital this summer for the Olympics, there’s never been a better time to visit.

Pinned by the Eiffel Tower, threaded by the Seine and punctuated by grand gardens that are multiplying as part of the city’s bid to become one of Europe’s greenest, Paris is among the world’s most impressive destinations. Here are 17 ways to discover the City of Lights this summer.

1. Go electric on a classic city tour

Battery-powered cars have become an increasingly popular sight in Paris over the last decade – all part of the city’s plan to outlaw all but e-vehicles by 2030. In a vintage Renault 4L, retrofitted by tour company 4 Roues Sous 1 Parapluie with a specially designed battery, you can slip silently between the honey-coloured apartments and cast iron balconies of the eighth arrondissement, the vast alabaster arch of the Arc de Triomphe and the broad, latticed feet of the Eiffel Tower, close enough to see the cogs rotating. This year, it will have been 100 years since Paris last hosted the Olympics in 1924, and the tower is being repainted gold – closer to the colour Gustave Eiffel originally chose – to mark the occasion.

( Paris is going electric — for a new perspective on the city, take a low-carbon car tour . )

2. Hop around the Paris Plages

July to September, Paris embraces beach mode, carving out waterfront stretches of its emblematic river and canals for temporary urban beaches - complete with deckchairs, potted palm trees, ice-cream sellers and entertainment. At Hôtel de Ville (City Hall), quays along the Seine between Pont d’Arcole and Pont Neuf buzz with outdoor, family-friendly action such as a mini via ferrata, football, giant chess, plus sun-loungers between potted palm trees and pétanque. Across the water on the left bank, soak up urban beach life on the stretch of ‘beach’ between Pont d’Alma and Pont de la Concorde. The Paris Plages’ prime swimming hub is Bassin de la Villette - until 2025, when three open-water swimming spots will open for summers in the Seine: at Bras Marie beneath Pont Marie (4e), by the Passerelle Simone de Beauvoir footbridge in Bercy (12e), and at Port de Grenelle (15e).

3. Sleep in a floating hotel on the Seine

Moored at the foot of the Gare d’Austerlitz in central Paris, bobbing gently in the wake of each passing barge, Off Paris Seine offers one of the very few ways in the city to live the life aquatic. Lying low on the surface of the water — low enough for the river’s waves to wash against the walls — the 58 floating rooms here face the city or the Seine, taking inspiration from the natural setting with plenty of warm woods, and accenting them with bright pops of gold and neon orange. The latter takes a maximalist turn in the designer Sunset suite, where everything, from the four-poster bed to the bathtub, is the same vibrant tangerine hue. Come the evening, enjoy a plate of roast octopus with pepper cream beside the pool on the sheltered restaurant terrace, close enough to the water to see shoals of tiny fish rippling across the surface, and watch the tales of the riverbank unfold. From €230 (£197) for a quay-view double, B & B.

4. Sail the waterways in an e-boat

Life moves slowly on the banks of the Bassin de la Villette. The largest artificial lake in Paris — a former industrial port 20 minutes’ walk northeast of the Gare de l’Est — is a place where cormorants bob atop yellow buoys and pet dogs trot in the shade of tall trees. Parisians come here to practice their pétanque and picnic on crusty baguette, legs dangling over the edge of the water. One of the best ways to take it all in is out on the water in an electric boat. From Marin D’Eau Douce’s marina on its southern end, you can journey north at barely walking pace, your soundtrack the lapping of the waves, the distant clinking of glasses and the tinny music of the carousel that sometimes appears on its banks. You’ll know when you’ve reached the Parc de la Villette, with its metallic orb-shaped cinema, and the Canal de L’Ourcq, the banks of which form an al fresco gallery for street artists. Three hours’ e-boat rental for five from €110 (£94); no licence required.

5. Claim a deckchair at the Molitor, birthplace of the bikini

It’s late summer and the sun is filtering through the clouds, spotlighting the bathers snoozing in their deckchairs in fluffy, white bathrobes, as swimmers paddle languidly back and forth.The frenetic pace of the city slows in the 16th arrondissement beside the pool of the Molitor, sheltered from the street on all sides by its tall, canary-yellow walls. When it opened in 1929, it was much as it is now: a place where Parisians could escape and sip glasses of Chablis between the palms — part urban oasis, part social club.

All sorts of events, from artists’ galas to beauty contests, were held here. At one time, a tobacconist and even a hair salon fringed its borders. It was known for being an avant-garde place. Perhaps most famously, French designer Louis Réard unveiled the first bikini here in 1946. His design was considered so scandalous that no model would wear it, so he had to turn to an exotic dancer for its poolside debut.

But by the 1970s, cracks began to show — literally, with chlorine eroding the concrete. The pool closed in 1989, no longer able to fund its vision of extravagant lifestyle, and graffiti artists washed in as its waters drained away. For years, the Molitor lay derelict — a landmark transformed into a backdrop for underground raves. But its story didn’t end there.  

By 2014, it was restored and reopened its doors as a hotel. Those same artists that had instilled beauty into its earlier neglect were invited back, this time to add the finishing touches to the lobby — where a graffiti-splashed Rolls-Royce now sits — and wall murals.  

There are 124 rooms, designed to emulate the feel of an ocean liner; portholes overlook the watery scene below, with the swimmers, snoozers and croque monsieur-ers. After the piscine was rebuilt, it made its Hollywood debut in The Life of Pi . And with bikinis back at the Molitor , the Parisians flooded back, too. Doubles from €330 (£283), B & B. Day pass, including room access, from €290 (£248) for two.

6. Cool off in an al fresco pool

Piscine Joséphine Baker

Swim on the river — rather than in it — at this pool, named after the legendary Jazz Age performer. It’s set on a permanently moored barge, floating on the Seine in the 13th arrondissement not far from the Bastille. The glass roof retracts in good weather, allowing for sunbathing on deck. Alongside the main pool, there’s a paddling pool for children, as well as solariums, saunas, a gym and changing rooms.

Piscine Roger le Gall

To the east of the capital, in the 12th arrondissement, the 164ft Roger Le Gall pool is part of a sports complex, with a retractable roof so that swimming becomes al fresco on sunny summer days. It’s named after a French resistance fighter, and has rolling lawns for sunbathing and dedicated sessions each month for naturists.

Piscine de la Butte-aux-Cailles

One of Paris’s rare listed pool complexes, Butte-aux-Cailles in the southern 13th arrondissement opened its doors in 1924. The main indoor pool still has its art deco arches, while there are also two outdoor ones. They’re all open year-round, kept warm at a toasty 28C thanks to the complex’s natural sulphur spring.

7.   Discover Paris’s belle epoque on foot

It’s easy to slip back in time in Paris; pockets of the gilded belle epoque have been preserved throughout the city centre, casting a spell on most who walk the capital’s streets. This golden age of bohemia, optimism and technological progress flourished in the peaceful years between 1871 and the start of the Second World War. To find its legacy, you need only pay a visit to restaurants like Bouillon Chartier , a timewarp ‘workers’ bistro built with breathtaking flamboyance in 1896, where tables are shared and uniformed waiters still tally the bill on the tablecloth. The Grand Palais, Alexandre III Bridge, Musée d’Orsay and Galeries Lafayette are products of this period, too.

  Many walking tours cater for those wanting to immerse themselves in the era; family-friendly guide Ana Gimena dresses for the era on her tours around the galleries of the Petit Palais and the esplanades around the Seine. Or try the ‘Visit Montmartre with Hysterical Feminists’ tour by Feminists in the City to learn the stories of embattled and half-forgotten female figures from the gilded period.

( Does Paris's belle époque appeal live up to the hype? )

8. Learn to paint like an Impressionist

Celebrate the 150th anniversary of Impressionism in the city where it all began. Monet, Cézanne, Bonnard and many more ventured to the French capital to find inspiration in its skies and landscapes. A stroll along the Seine, along with a visit to the Gardens of Versailles, Tuileries Garden and Luxembourg Gardens will provide great backgrounds for a painting session with Rola Cusson , a tour guide and art teacher with a studio on La Grande Jatte — the setting of Seurat’s 1884 painting A Sunday on La Grande Jatte. For contemporary art, 59 Rivoli is a former artists’ squat-turned-gallery and exhibition space that hosts free concerts every Saturday and Sunday.

9. Take a street-art treasure hunt

Tracking down mosaics by Paris’s anonymous street artist, Invader, means ducking and diving around streets, squares and courtyards off travellers’ usual radar. To add to the 23 million ‘flashes’ validated since 2014, download the FlashInvaders app and snap each pixelated piece you find: space aliens inspired by the 1978 arcade game, but also pop culture figures such as Bugs Bunny, Cinderella, Mario, Picasso, Nina Simone. Score 100 points apiece with Paris’s highest (on the Eiffel Tower), biggest (at Place Igor Stravinsky) and most recent (Invader’s 1500th Parisian mosaic, atop a blue rooftop pipe at Centre Pompidou), which was erected in February 2024.

10. Spot sculptures by the Seine

Stroll along the Seine’s Left Bank, between the Pont de Sully and Pont d’Austerlitz bridges, and you’ll encounter an outdoor gallery stretching for almost half a mile along the waterfront. Opened in 1980, within the Jardin Tino Rossi, the Musée de la Sculpture en Plein Air is still in immaculate shape, displaying remarkably graffiti-free works by 20th-century artists including César, Constantin Brancusi, Nicolas Schöffer and Émile Gilioli. Some pieces are set proudly along the quayside, like oversized mooring posts, while others are weathering gently among the prettily planted gardens patchworked along the riverside, bothered only by the occasional jogger, dog walker and pedestrian commuter, plus a rare tourist or two.  

Standout pieces include Demeurre 1, a bold, blackened bronze gathering of totemic structures created by Etienne Martin in the 1950s, and La Grande Fenetre, by Cuban artist Augustin Cardenas. The latter creates a gleaming white marble waterfront ‘window’ through which to watch the open-roof bateaux mouche tourist boats chug by. On weekend evenings during the summer months, the sculptures become a backdrop for couples practising tango in the small amphitheatres carved into the Quai Saint-Bernard promenade.

11. Embrace two-wheeled Paris

With just over 250 miles of cycleways, including 75 miles of brand new lanes, linking the Eiffel Tower, Place de la Concorde and other soon-to-be Olympic venues, exploring Paris by bike has never been so easy. Dedicated bike tracks link up with shared bike-bus lanes and car-free trails for use by both cyclists and pedestrians. The best routes include a loop along the Seine, taking in landmarks like the Louvre and Notre-Dame; a spin along Canal St-Martin, passing 19th-century locks and lift bridges; and an exhilarating urban route along ‘Street Art Avenue’ to France’s national stadium in Saint-Denis.

12. Party with the Pari Rollers

The Friday Night Fever skate tour organised by the Pari Rollers association is one of the largest meetups of its kind in the world, offering rollerbladers a fun and fast-paced tour of the capital after dark. The weekly, 13-mile urban skate kicks off at Place Raoul Dautry, regularly attracting upwards of 800 participants, and is geared towards confident skaters rather than first-timers. The atmosphere is like a carnival: as well as impressive feats of skating by seasoned pros, there’s music blaring from portable speakers, participants in fancy dress and even parents in the mix with off-road prams. Those who aren’t confident with rollerblading can join the cyclists, e-scooters and longboarders bringing up the rear of the procession – or simply come to watch participants career along the Parisian streets.

( What it's like to party in the French capital with the Pari Rollers. )

13. Stroll reimagined city railways

The original High Line isn’t in New York – it’s in Paris. The Coulée Verte René-Dumont, or Promenade Plantée as it’s become known, was the world’s first elevated urban park when it opened in the late 1980s, transforming a disused railway viaduct into a linear garden of swaying trees, starlings and reflecting pools. Paris is planning to – quite literally – become one of Europe’s greenest capitals, with current mayor Anne Hidalgo promising a “massive greening” when she was elected, and the plan to plant 170,000 trees by 2026 underway. Simultaneously, attention has turned to La Petite Ceinture, another train line that was abandoned in the 20 th century and still circles the city, with some very short stretches open to urban hikers. Parisians are divided on what to do with this ghost line, with some calling to preserve its biodiversity and open up the entire stretch to pedestrians – though most of its length is still closed, in part due to still-active electrical lines. For now, while the authorities decide, the ‘Little Belt’ runs in a broken circle, some of it used for flourishing community gardens and craft fairs, and the rest left to be reclaimed by nature.

( The 'original' High Line is in Paris — here's why you should walk it. )

14. Climb Lafayette’s summer terrace

The eighth-floor terrace of Paris’s most venerable department store is where the capital’s beautiful young things come to pose with cocktails in summer, backed by Galeries Lafayette’s landmark cathedral-like glass dome. Among the sweeping city views, there are other knockouts, too: the Eiffel Tower, Sacré-Coeur and Notre-Dame can all be seen from up here. The terrace’s pop-up restaurant usually opens for the season around May and runs until the end of September. In previous years, it’s been hosted by socialite French chef Julien Sebbag, whose vegetarian small plates menu celebrates eastern-Med salads and focaccias such as the courgette-starring Summertime Sadness — best paired with a spritz of prosecco, orange blossom, cognac and apricot liqueur.

15. Drink farm-fresh cocktails

Tuck into summer’s bounty of berries, beets and all other manner of fruits and veggies, freshly harvested from Europe’s largest urban rooftop farm, at Le Perchoir (‘The Perch’) — a plant-filled conservatory dining spot crowning Pavilion 6 of the exhibition centre Paris Expo Porte de Versailles. The restaurant overlooks Nature Urbaine, a high-tech farm that provides fresh produce to the surrounding 15th arrondissement and some nearby hotels. Produce is grown using aeroponics — a soil-free cultivation technique that can minimise irrigation — creating an edible Eden in a sky-scraping urban space. What’s grown here enriches the menus at Le Perchoir , which is a hot ticket for DJ-led weekend brunches and cocktail-infused evenings. Order la haut (‘the top’) with gin, citrus shrub, rosemary, Peychaud’s bitters and house tonic, alongside a summer vegetable vol au vent, and breathe in the heady scent of rooftop-grown herbs.

16. Explore urban wine in Montmartre

Once home to Dali, Degas and Van Gough, Paris’s bohemian hilltop Montmartre neighbourhood is also the site of the French capital’s oldest vineyard. Wine production dwindled in the Île-de-France after industrialisation in the 19 th century and by the 1950s, Paris was all but shunned by viticulturalists. Today, however, the area’s vines are seeing a resurgence. Free from additives, Montmartre’s grapes are harvested to great fanfare every October during the Fete du Vendanges, and are just one of a booming number of low-intervention wines now being made across the Île-de-France. A walking tour of Montmartre with Paris Wine Walks can take vinophiles on a historical romp through the cobbled backstreets around the Sacre Coeur, with a finale tasting session of wines from independent vineyards in Paris and beyond.

( Winemaking in Paris is back, and you can discover its history in Montmartre. )

17. Eat in the Eiffel Tower

Book a meal at two-Michelin-starred   Le Jules Verne , helmed by French chef Frédéric Anton. The second-floor salon sits 410ft above ground, with five- and seven-course tasting menus that include indulgences like souffle of scallops with shellfish butter sauce, caviar and caramelised calf sweetbread.  

Bite into the ‘Jardin sur la Seine’ macaron, a raspberry confection laced with single-origin Millot Plantation Madagascar dark chocolate. It’s an exclusive creation for Paris’s Iron Lady, by chocolatier-patissiere Pierre Hermé, available at the second floor’s lower-level macaron bar.  

Celebrate Paris’s seasonal produce, plucked from farms and kitchen gardens around the French capital, with chef Thierry Marx’s informal menus at Madame Brasserie, on the tower’s first floor.  

Have a chocolate ice cream, cocktail and more in the open-air Ferrié Pavilion terrace on the first floor. Garden seating-style armchairs and sofas create a relaxed space with breezy views across the capital and classic French bistro food.  

Get a glass of finest French fizz almost 1,000ft above Paris’s streets in the tower’s little Champagne Bar. It’s a bijou dispensary rather than a place to sit; the tipples can be paired with caviar if desired.

Related Topics

• CITY GUIDES
• EXPLORATION
• FAMILY TRAVEL

You May Also Like

Paris is going electric — for a new perspective on the city, take a low-carbon car tour

Ready, set, skate! What it's like to party in the French capital with the Pari Rollers

For hungry minds.

A family city guide to Paris

The 'original' High Line is in Paris — here's why you should walk it

Can Paris live up to the hype? Find out on a walking tour of its gilded past

10 whimsical ways to experience Scotland

The essential guide to visiting Scotland

• Environment
• Perpetual Planet

History & Culture

• History & Culture
• History Magazine
• Mind, Body, Wonder
• Terms of Use
• Privacy Policy
• Your US State Privacy Rights
• Children's Online Privacy Policy
• Interest-Based Ads
• About Nielsen Measurement
• Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information
• Nat Geo Home
• Attend a Live Event
• Book a Trip
• Inspire Your Kids
• Shop Nat Geo
• Visit the D.C. Museum
• Learn About Our Impact
• Support Our Mission
• Advertise With Us
• Customer Service
• Renew Subscription
• Manage Your Subscription
• Work at Nat Geo
• Sign Up for Our Newsletters
• Contribute to Protect the Planet

Copyright © 1996-2015 National Geographic Society Copyright © 2015-2024 National Geographic Partners, LLC. All rights reserved

• Travel Guides
• Arts and Culture

The Five Phrases Tourists Must Know Before A Trip To France, According To Rick Steves

Maybe you've heard that people in France get annoyed when you visit but don't speak their language. Perhaps that oft-repeated chestnut has even kept you from taking that dream trip to this beautiful country. Everyone is different, and while some people might be fine with you not knowing a word of French, others can certainly seem unhappy about it. Either way, learning a few words is something travel expert Rick Steves says to always do before traveling abroad. It's a mark of respect, but you certainly don't have to be fluent. From Steves' website , he recommends you learn at least five specific phrases to help you on your travels. Even if you have a last-minute business trip to Paris, these words and phrases are easy to learn. In fact, you may know some of them already. 

Don't worry, we're not talking about reading Albert Camus books to prepare to see the Eiffel Tower and Versailles. These are simple things like saying "pardon me," "hello," and "goodbye," as well as "please" and "thank you." Steves suggests that you'll get better treatment if you use these phrases while visiting France. Even a good-faith attempt goes a long way. In addition, we have a few more words and phrases that you can add to this list if you have more time and the inclination to learn. We've also got some additional tips to help you navigate through a country that speaks a language different from your own. 

The five phrases you should learn before visiting France

Steves wrote on his website that you should learn to say "bonjour," which means "good day." You may know this one, but if not, it's pronounced "bohn zhoor." If you feel like you sound too American, try saying the word with a French accent. Silly or not, it's probably going to get you closer than you might otherwise be. To say "goodbye," say "au revoir." It's pronounced "oh rev wah." Steves also recommends you learn to say "pardon me," which is an easy one. It's "pardon," pronounced "par duhn" with the tiniest suggestion of an "n" sound at the end. He mentions that you'll use this a lot on public transportation, but you'll also say this on the street to get someone's attention and to squeeze through crowded tourist spots. 

To say "please," you'll say "s'il vous plaît." Don't be intimidated by the accent marks. It's pronounced "see voo play." "Thank you" is "merci," or "mare see." To greet someone, you can say "bonjour, madame" or "bonjour, monsieur" for "ma'am" and "sir" (madame is pronounced like it is in English, and monsieur is pronounced "mis yur"). Then, simply replace "bonjour" with "au revoir" when you leave.

We also suggest a few other phrases, like "Parlez-vous anglais?" which means "Do you speak English?" (It's best used once you've said "pardon.") It's pronounced "par lay voo ahn glays." Another important one is "Où sont les toilettes?" which means "Where is the bathroom?" (Oo sohn lay twah let).

Other tips for being understood in Paris

An attempt to speak French in France will go a long way, even if you're not good at it. Your accent doesn't have to be perfect. After all, even if someone said "hello" and a few other words in English with a French accent, you would still know what they meant. You can also use hand gestures to back up your words, like waving hello and goodbye, or a hand on your heart while saying "thank you." It's also important to pay attention to context. Are you in a restaurant? Is someone asking for help? A lot of things are communicated without words. Numbers or prices can be written down. Even a simple smile can go a long way. 

If you really need to communicate past a few phrases, however, tourists traveling abroad to France or anywhere else can use Google Translate's phone hacks for a more stress-free trip . Simply  download the app and let it access your camera. Hold it over text to instantly translate menus, labels, signs, and more. You can also do live translation on the app with conversation mode to quickly go back and forth between English and French speakers. Finally, if you have some time before your trip, an app like Duolingo  can give you some more basics. Here are some more of the best language teachers for first time travelers . 

Recommended

• French in France
• DALF C1 & C2
• TCF for Quebec
• Online Exercises
• DELF Scolaire/Junior

DELF A1: Writing a Postcard or letter in french about your vacation

Normal 0 false false false MicrosoftInternetExplorer4

How do you write a postcard or letter in french telling someone, such as a friend, about your vacation? This is a common question to be found on many french exam or test paper. Well this article a step by step guide on how to write a postcard or letter telling someone about your vacation.  

In the Production Ecrite section of your french exam such as the DELF A1 exam, you will be required to write a message, email or letter consisting of 40 to 50 words.  So lets begin!

How to plan your postcard or letter in french

It is possible to plan and practice various response to the possible exercises before the date of your exam.  In general, when you are writing a postcard there are certain information you may include, such as:

• How You went
• Where you went (montagne, plage, campagne, ville…)
• When / with whom you went
• Where or with whom are you staying? (à l’hôtel, chez l’habitant, dans un camping, dans un gîte…) Normal 0 false false false MicrosoftInternetExplorer4
• What you saw or visit/did or are doing, etc
• Are you enjoying yourself?
• What is the weather and or the place like
• When are you coming back?
• Sign your name

While it is not necessary to provide all of the above information, It is important to note that DELF exam instructions, sometimes select from the list above and specifically ask you to include such information. As a result, it is important to practice different response which will include different combination of the suggestions above. The ones highlighted in red are the basics and should almost always be included in your postcard.

Writing your postcard or letter in french

Sample exercise: writing  a postcard or letter in french about your vacation.

Exercise 1                                                                                                   15 points  

Vous êtes en vacances à Nice. Vous envoyez une petite carte postale a un ami à Paris. Vous lui parlez de temps, de vous activités et vous lui donnez votre date de retour. (40 à 50 mots).

Sample letter in french about your vacation :

Bonjour Jean,

  (Word count = 49)

Sample Exercise for You!

Salut______________,

Je suis en vacances à _____________ pour _________________. C’est une ville très ______________. je visite_________________. c’est________________. Il fait______________ . Je rentrerai chez-moi _____________________.

________________

Evaluation:

• Greetings : Bonjour Jean ( We could also use: “Salut Jean Normal 0 false false false MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 ”  “ Cher Jean” . Use “Chère” only if it is a female)
• Where you are and for how long: Je suis en vacances à Nice pour cinq jours
• What you did or are doing: Hier, j’ai jou é au volley sur la plage . Maintenant, je prends le déjeuner dans un petit café.
• Are you enjoying yourself? Super!
• What is the weather and or the place like: Il fait très beau, avec beaucoup de soleil.
• When are you coming back?:  Je rentrerai chez-moi samedi prochain.
• Farewells: Bises ( We could also use: “ Normal 0 false false false MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 A bientôt” “or “a samedi !” or “a la semaine prochaine !” or “au revoir”)
• Sign your name: Janet

There is agreement of adjective and verb: un petit café. Plus I have used three tenses:

• Le présent: je prends, Il fait ,
• le passé composé: j’ai jou é
• le futur: Je rentrerai .

I have included the specific information that they had asked for. I have also stayed within the word limit. 

Remember to stick to the word limit and follow the instructions that are given. If they want you to provide any specific information such as when you are coming back, the weather, what you visited etc this must be included in your postcard. You will lose points if this is not done.

Check for Errors

Remember to read carefully through your text. Check to ensure that plural words have a plural ending. Make sure that there is agreement between adjectives and the nouns they describe (such as une belle église , un beau chateau ). Check all to ensure that all verbs are in the right tense and that the endings match the subject (such as Je vais for the present but Je suis allé for the past ). Check to make sure you have followed the instructions and fully used all the structures that you have learnt during your study.

LEAVE A REPLY Cancel reply

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Visit to France: Cultural Experiences Description Essay

For several millennia now, France has been at the core of European economic and cultural renaissance, and the heritage of this wealth, liveliness, and experience is clearly evident in the astounding multiplicity of things to see in a normal expedition of the country. Indeed, the sheer physical and cultural diversity offered by the country would be almost difficult to deplete in a lifetime of visits. One would be safe to argue that France is adequately endowed with very many attractions that serve to connect the visitors to the origin and essence of European civilization, at least according to what history books teach us. I personally found this to be true after I undertook a trip to the country of many wonders in the fall of 2008.

There are very many attractions in France that five, ten, or perhaps twenty holiday days may never be enough for a typical holiday maker to sample the beauty and elegance of the country. I was mainly attracted by the richness of cultural attractions in the country, which transformed my holidaymaking tour into an educational expedition of some sort. I had previously viewed some TV documentaries about the Gothic cathedrals of the north and the Roman monuments of the south, and read about Dordogne’s prehistoric cave-paintings, but never did it occur to me that I would have the opportunity to experience the breathtaking sceneries firsthand. But here I was, sampling the mesmerizing and well kept cultural artifacts in person. I must say it was a huge educational experience for me especially after I attended several lectures about the historical and cultural importance of the monuments.

No expedition of France can be complete without paying a visit to its capital city, Paris. Referred also as the City of Lights, Paris is seat to some of the most sought after cultural attractions in the world, including the awe-inspiring Eiffel Tower and the Palace of Versailles. The tour guides offered a detailed description of the history and cultural importance of these two marvels, and I must say that the educational experience received was an eye opener, especially after I came to learn that the Eiffel Tower is more than a tourist attraction. The tower, built in 1989, has a very special place in the hearts of many French nationals since it symbolizes the French Revolution. To date, the tower is perhaps the most identifiable structure globally.

The Louvre Palace and Museum are also located in the City of Lights. The palace is certainly one of the largest in the worlds, and has a rich collection of cultural artifacts used by the former rulers of France, including the famous King Napoleon. The palace illustrates traditional French architecture and culture dating back to the Renaissance era. It also houses splendid collection of renowned oriental antiquities from the ancient Mesopotamian, Egyptian, and Greek civilizations. The museum is also endowed with sculptures and paintings from the middle ages to present times. The richness and diversity of culture found in Louvre Museum makes one to appreciate the origins and roots of civilization. It is a cultural experience to behold.

It is never enough to talk about my cultural experience in France without talking about its people. The French populace makes one realize that there exist huge potential in diversity. The capital city, in particular, can be described as a convergence of different cultural orientations as nearly all known racial groups are represented. The cultures have been synchronized to bring out their best potential in thoughts, ideas, innovativeness, dressing styles, food choices, among others. The result is that Paris is a sea of beauty and elegance under the auspices of cultural diversity.

• Chicago (A-D)
• Chicago (N-B)

IvyPanda. (2021, March 18). Visit to France: Cultural Experiences Description. https://ivypanda.com/essays/visit-to-france-cultural-experiences-description/

"Visit to France: Cultural Experiences Description." IvyPanda , 18 Mar. 2021, ivypanda.com/essays/visit-to-france-cultural-experiences-description/.

IvyPanda . (2021) 'Visit to France: Cultural Experiences Description'. 18 March.

IvyPanda . 2021. "Visit to France: Cultural Experiences Description." March 18, 2021. https://ivypanda.com/essays/visit-to-france-cultural-experiences-description/.

1. IvyPanda . "Visit to France: Cultural Experiences Description." March 18, 2021. https://ivypanda.com/essays/visit-to-france-cultural-experiences-description/.

Bibliography

IvyPanda . "Visit to France: Cultural Experiences Description." March 18, 2021. https://ivypanda.com/essays/visit-to-france-cultural-experiences-description/.

• Public Investment: Louvre Museum
• Louvre Museum: Leonardo Da Vinci's "Mona Lisa"
• The Louvre: John the Baptist Restoration
• Mi'kmaq Culture in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia
• Acadian Culture in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, Canada
• Cross-Cultural Mistakes of People Around the World
• Attitude of Being Right
• Two commandments in French

China's Xi praises French ties as Macron prepares to talk trade

• Medium Text

Sign up here.

Reporting by John Irish, Michel Rose, Ingrid Melander, Sybille de La Hamaide, Noemie Olive, Tim Hepher; Editing by Frances Kerry, Bernadette Baum and Alexander Smith

Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles. New Tab , opens new tab

World Chevron

Biden reaches out to Morehouse grads on Gaza, warns of risk to democracy

Some students turned their backs to Biden as his backing of Israel in its war with Hamas riles college graduations.

Four dead in New Caledonia riots as France declares state of emergency

France declared a state of emergency on the Pacific island of New Caledonia on Wednesday after three young indigenous Kanak and a police official were killed in riots over electoral reform.

The state of emergency, which entered into force at 5 a.m. local time, gives authorities additional powers to ban gatherings and forbid people from moving around the French-ruled island.

Police reinforcements adding 500 officers to the 1,800 usually present on the island, have been sent after rioters torched vehicles and businesses and looted stores. Schools have been shut and there is already a curfew in the capital.

Rioting broke out over a new bill,  adopted  by lawmakers in Paris on Tuesday, that will let French residents who have lived in New Caledonia for 10 years vote in provincial elections — a move some local leaders fear will dilute the Kanak vote.

“No violence will be tolerated,” said Prime Minister Gabriel Attal, adding that the state of emergency “will allow us to roll out massive means to restore order.”

He later signed a decree declaring a state of emergency that will last for 12 days and announced that French soldiers would be used to secure New Caledonia’s main port and airport.

Authorities also decided to ban video app  TikTok , which the government during a bout of riots on France’s mainland last summer said helped rioters organize and amplified the chaos, attracting troublemakers to the streets.

TikTok could not immediately be reached for comment.

Earlier in the day, a spokesperson for New Caledonia’s President Louis Mapou said three young indigenous Kanak had died in the riots. The French government later said a 24-year-old police official had died from a gunshot wound.

“He took off his helmet (to speak to residents) and he was shot right in the head,” Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin said.

Noumea resident Yoan Fleurot told Reuters in a Zoom interview that he was staying at home out of respect for the nightly curfew and was very scared for his family.

“I don’t see how my country can recover after this,” Fleurot said, adding he carries a gun during the day when he goes out to film the rioters he called “terrorists.”

Police were outnumbered by protesters, locals told Reuters.

Electoral reform is the latest flashpoint in a decades-long tussle over France’s role in the mineral-rich island, which lies in the southwest Pacific, some 930 miles east of Australia.

France  annexed the island in 1853  and gave the colony the status of overseas territory in 1946. It has long been rocked by pro-independence movements.

New Caledonia is the world’s No. 3 nickel miner and residents have been hit by a crisis in the sector, with one in five living under the poverty threshold.

“Politicians have a huge share of responsibility,” said 30-year-old Henri, who works in a hotel in Noumea. “Loyalist politicians, who are descendants of colonialists, say colonization is over, but Kanak politicians don’t agree. There are huge economic disparities,” he said.

Henri, who declined to give his full name, said there was significant looting, with the situation most dangerous at night.

The French government has said the change in voting rules was needed so elections would be democratic.

But it said it would not rush calling a special congress of the two houses of parliament to rubber-stamp the bill and has invited pro- and anti-independence camps for talks in Paris on the future of the island, opening the door to a potential suspension of the bill.

The major pro-independence political group, Front de Liberation Nationale Kanak et Socialiste (FLNKS), which condemned the violence, said it would accept the offer of dialogue and was willing to work towards an agreement “that would allow New Caledonia to follow its path toward emancipation.”

Most residents were staying indoors.

Witness Garrido Navarro Kherachi said she moved to New Caledonia when she was 8 years old and has never been back to France. Although eligible to vote under the new rules, she says she won’t “out of respect for the Kanak people.”

“I don’t feel I know enough about the history of Caledonia and the struggle of the Kanak people to allow me to vote,” she said.