The Francophile's Concise Guide to Paris – Everything You Need for a Perfect Trip to the City of Lights

Welcome to my comprehensive Paris guide. I have put all the experience I have gained over dozens of visits to the City of Lights into the guide you are about to read now, and I have seasoned it with lots of love and humor (because I want it to be a fun guide to read).

There are recommendations for hotels and information about public transportation, but also articles that contain the "secret spice" that you won't find anywhere else, such as historical stories that will enhance your walking experience in Paris, hiking trails in places that most tourists will never reach, recommendations for restaurants that I personally really liked, and more.

Before we begin, I recommend you listen to my interview with Erez Canelo, in which I not only give lots of tips for planning a trip to Paris, but also answer a lot of questions that most travelers struggle with. True, the interview lasts about an hour, but I promise you that this hour will save you a lot of time and hesitation.

https://youtu.be/fsv1FVmpnjI?si=yby8DTgornrTquTf

The best value apartments in Paris (it's worth reserving before they're taken)

The apartment in the north of the Marais

Maximum comfort for families (there is an elevator!). Just steps from the culinary "Red Children's Market".

Check availability and photos

Near the Picasso Museum

Luxury and authenticity in a historic building. Quiet, elegant and within walking distance of the main attractions.

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Apartment on Beauvor Street

Rare in Paris: quiet air conditioning and unlimited hot water. First floor with elevator.

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Want to see more options?

We have carefully filtered and selected dozens of additional recommended apartments in all the equal districts of Paris.

To the complete apartment database

Prefer the comfort of a hotel?

We have collected for you the most recommended hotels in Paris – from intimate boutiques to absolute luxury.

To the list of recommended hotels

Are you done listening to the interview? Great! So let's embark on a journey full of love to Paris to build you the perfect trip, which will make you start missing Paris while you're in it...

Planning a trip to Paris in 5 easy steps

Step 1

Things to order before flying to Paris

In the first part, we will book the flight and accommodation, as these will constitute the “boundaries” of the trip (the trip times and the base from which you will set out to discover Paris each day).

Flights

Hotels

Vacation Rental

Step 2

What do we do in Paris?

Do you know what dates you will be in Paris? Great! Now it's time to decide which ones Attractions Check out which shows you'll see, and of course book tickets (a must for the most popular attractions in Paris). These are the articles that will help you with that:

Museums in Paris

Recommended monuments

Attractions for children

Cabarets and shows

classical music

The Paris Olympics

Step 3

How do we get from place to place?

You've decided which attractions you want to visit, and now it's time to learn how to get there. There are also transportation options like a Seine cruise and a tourist bus, which may not take you to a specific destination but will make you enjoy the journey, so I've included them here.

Public Transport

Car Rental

Cruise on the Seine

Tourist bus

Step 4

Where do you travel?

Okay, we're done with all the admin stuff, so let's get to the really interesting part: the trip itself. Here you'll find itineraries that will help you discover Paris on your own, as well as recommendations for various types of organized tours, if you'd like to discover the secrets of Paris with the help of a local guide. 

Itineraries in Paris

Guided tours

Culinary tours

Trips outside Paris

Step 5

Where do you eat?

I'm sure all these trips will make you uncontrollably hungry (especially after you see the patisserie windows or visit a market or two). Don't worry! I promise you won't be hungry after reading these articles.

Recommended restaurants

Kosher restaurants

Markets I liked

Useful websites about Paris

Just before this guide ends, here is a list of recommended websites about Paris that are not “anonymous Francophiles” 🙂

• Paris Tourist Office
• Paris City Hall website
• Chabad House in Paris
• RATP Paris Metro
• SNCF French railway website
• Paris Airports website
• Official website of the Paris Olympics

Additional information that may interest you

Often called the “City of Love,” Paris is divided into 20 unique districts called “arrondissements.” On a map, these districts look like a snail’s shell, starting in the heart of the city and winding outwards. Each district boasts its own unique characteristics, from the bohemian atmosphere of the 8th arrondissement to the trendy and upscale XNUMXth arrondissement. It’s definitely worth getting to know the different arrondissements of Paris to experience the city in a way that suits you perfectly.

The season you choose to visit Paris has a significant impact on your trip. Spring (April to June) is a particularly special time. The weather is pleasant, and the city blooms in patches of vibrant colors, perfect for relaxing walks. Autumn also brings with it a charming atmosphere with clear air and golden hues. Summer is full of action and tourists, for those who like to feel the vibe of a bustling city. Winter can be magical, especially if you are lucky enough to see the rare snowfall that turns the city into a winter wonderland, or wander through Paris at Christmas time.

facts and figures

• Every year, Paris attracts around 30 million tourists from around the world. With its rich offering of culture, fashion, gastronomy and art, it is no surprise that it is one of the most visited cities in the world.
• About 2 million people live in the city itself, and about 12 million in the suburbs.
• The area of ​​Paris is about 105 square kilometers.
• The time zone for Paris is Central European Time (CET).
• The currency used in France is the Euro (EUR).
• Paris is about 35 meters above sea level, and its highest point is Montmartre.
• The Seine River runs through Paris, dividing it into the Right Bank (Rive Droite) to the north and the Left Bank (Rive Gauche) to the south. There are 37 bridges on the river and its banks were declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the XNUMXs.

Want more?

All articles about the City of Lights

If you didn't find what you were looking for here, however, you should check out The Complete Guide to Paris Because there's a lot more information there, including answers to the questions everyone asks me.

Another option is The site search page, where you can type in the topic you are interested in and view the results.

If you didn't find what you were looking for there either, it's worth checking out all the articles written on the site about Paris (just note that there are hundreds of them 🙂).

All articles about Paris