🕷️ Crawler Inspector

URL Lookup

Direct Parameter Lookup

Raw Queries and Responses

1. Shard Calculation

Query:

Response:

Calculated Shard: 84 (from laksa083)

2. Crawled Status Check

Query:

curl -X POST \
  'http://laksa084.int.ahrefs:8124/' \
  -H 'Content-Type: text/plain' \
  -H 'X-ClickHouse-Database: crawler3' \
  -H 'Authorization: Basic YXBpOg==' \
  -d 'SELECT getAhrefsURLFromUnparsed(src_unparsed) AS found_url, ifNull(toUnixTimestamp(download_stamp), 0) AS crawl_time, ifNull(toUnixTimestamp(props_url_first_seen), 0) AS first_indexed_time, download_http_code AS http_code, src_unparsed AS src_unparsed, src_root_hash AS src_root_hash, history_drop_reason AS history_drop_reason, meta_title AS meta_title, meta_descriptions AS meta_descriptions, attrs_boilerpipe_text AS attrs_boilerpipe_text, attrs_markdown AS attrs_markdown, attrs_readable_markdown AS attrs_readable_markdown, meta_canonical AS meta_canonical FROM crawler3.page_info_local FINAL PREWHERE (src_root_hash, src_unparsed) IN ((getAhrefsRootHashFromUnparsed(getAhrefsUnparsedNoserviceFromURL(\'https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2026/travel/paris-france-guide.html\')), getAhrefsUnparsedNoserviceFromURL(\'https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2026/travel/paris-france-guide.html\'))) FORMAT JSONEachRow'

Response:

{"found_url":"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/interactive\/2026\/travel\/paris-france-guide.html","crawl_time":1769871633,"first_indexed_time":0,"http_code":200,"src_unparsed":"com,nytimes!www,\/interactive\/2026\/travel\/paris-france-guide.html s443","src_root_hash":"4566504020376537684","history_drop_reason":null,"meta_title":"Paris Travel Guide: Where to Stay, Hotels and Neighborhoods to Visit - The New York Times","meta_descriptions":["From the must-see locations to the most frequently asked questions, our guide has all you need to plan your next visit."],"attrs_boilerpipe_text":"Your Guide to Paris\nHow do you navigate Paris for the first time — a city where every cobblestone street seems to whisper centuries of history and every corner cafe promises an unforgettable bon vivant moment? With 20 arrondissements (districts) spiraling outward from the Seine River, Paris can feel both eminently walkable and dizzying in its possibilities. Do you prioritize the greatest hits, like the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre and Notre-Dame Cathedral, above all else? Perhaps most important, how do you balance postcard Paris with the dynamic and forward-looking version of the city that locals love?\nThis guide is a starting point, with tips and suggestions for your inaugural visit to the City of Light that may inspire your future visits, too. Whatever you do, remember: Parisians embrace a slower pace, so follow their lead and start your journey by focusing on one or two neighborhoods at a time to absorb their character fully. And whenever your feet tire and you feel you can’t possibly eat another bite, kick back in any number of parks to rest and plan your next move.\nWhat to Do\nTerrace culture\nIn every neighborhood, at all hours, locals linger on cafe terraces, coffee or wine in hand, engrossed in conversation or a book. Practice the Parisian art of leisure at legendary cafes like\nLes Deux Magots\nand\nLe Nemours\n, or neighborhood favorites like\nÀ la Renaissance\nand\nLe Progrès\n.\nTip:\nTake a seat midmorning or late afternoon (outside mealtime) for unhurried service.\nA Seine cruise\nParis was born on the Seine, so there’s no better way to feel its rhythm and see the sights than from the river. Hop on a group cruise with\nBateaux Mouches\nor\nVedettes du Pont Neuf\n, or charter a private boat with\nGreen River Cruises\nfor front-row views and more privacy.\nTip:\nBook a sunset cruise, the most atmospheric time of day when the landmarks glow and locals gather along the riverbanks.\nBreads and pastries \nThe best of Paris’s\n1,300 boulangeries\nand pâtisseries mix tradition and innovation. Head to\nMamiche\nfor cream puffs and babka;\nPoilâne\nfor hearty sourdough;\nUtopie\nfor an\naward-winning baguette\nand éclairs;\nLa Maison d’Isabelle\nfor a prizewinning croissant;\nPierre Hermé\nfor unique macarons; and\nTapisserie\nfor its maple-syrup tart.\nTip:\nGo early in the morning for the widest selection or after lunch before the 4 p.m. goûter (afternoon snack) crowds descend.\nEiffel Tower and Notre-Dame\nNo visit to Paris is complete without its two most recognizable landmarks. The Eiffel Tower, built for the 1889 World’s Fair, defines the skyline and sparkles with 20,000 lights hourly after dusk. Notre-Dame Cathedral, the 12th-century Gothic masterpiece\nreborn\nin 2024 after painstaking post-fire restoration, remains the city’s spiritual and architectural heart.\nTip:\nGo in and go up! Book tickets to climb to the first and second floors (674 steps) of the\nEiffel Tower\nand then finish in the lift to the top floor. Expect to climb 424 steps through the\nNotre-Dame belfry’s roof structure\nfor panoramic views.\nLouvre and the Musée d’Orsay\nThe city’s most famous museums practically face each other across the Seine. On the right bank, the\nLouvre\n: a once-royal palace showcasing antiquities and masterpieces like the “Mona Lisa” and the “Venus de Milo.” On the left bank, the\nMusée d’Orsay\n, a converted Beaux-Arts train station highlighting Impressionist and Post-Impressionist works by Monet, Degas and Renoir.\nTip:\nBook timed tickets in advance, ideally at opening, to avoid long waits. \nBe a flâneur\nPractice\nthe art of being a flâneur\n, a casual wanderer and observer. Born in 19th-century Paris and immortalized by the French poet and essayist Charles Baudelaire, the flâneur strolls without purpose as the city unfolds. For a bit of direction,\ntrace Paris’s gardens in bloom\nor\nfollow the Seine River’s 23 UNESCO-listed bridges\nend to end.\nTip:\nPick a starting point — a bridge, a monument, a metro stop — and start strolling from there, sans Google Maps.\nThe Waiters of Brasserie Lipp\nBrasserie Lipp opened in 1880 and hasn’t changed much since.\nArc de Triomphe\nInspired by Rome’s Arch of Titus, the triumphal arch (visitors can climb to  the top for exceptional views) was commissioned by Napoleon in 1806 to honor his army. Its sculpted reliefs and eternal flame pay tribute to France’s fallen soldiers. \nTip:\nStroll 1.2 miles from the Arc along the Avenue des Champs-Elysées to reach the avenue’s far end at the Place de la Concorde.\nSacré-Coeur Basilica\nThis white-domed basilica crowning the hill of Montmartre offers some of the best panoramic views in Paris and free admission to explore or attend Mass.\nTip:\nGet a ticket (€8 for adults) to climb the nearly 300 narrow steps to the dome for even better views.\nPanthéon\nOriginally a church honoring Ste. Geneviève, a patron saint of Paris, the domed Panthéon now enshrines France’s greats, from Voltaire and Marie Curie to Joséphine Baker, within its neoclassical walls.\nTip:\nDon‘t miss a replica of Foucault’s pendulum; the original was first presented here in 1851 as proof of the Earth’s rotation.\nTuileries Gardens\nConnecting the Louvre and the Place de la Concorde, Paris’s oldest and largest garden was redesigned by André Le Nôtre in the 17th century in three grand sculpture-lined sections whose elegant symmetry endures unchanged today.\nTip:\nAt the western end of the garden, visit the\nJeu de Paume\n, an arts center specializing in multimedia by international artists from the 20th and 21st centuries.\nThe Medici Fountain \nIn the Luxembourg Gardens’ most romantic corner, a 17th-century Italianate fountain recalls Marie de Medici’s Florence. Its reflective basin and the green Sénat chairs surrounding it invite rest — or a photo op.\nTip:\nNeed a book to read for your meditative hang? Browse nearby at\nthe Red Wheelbarrow\n, an English-language bookshop, or\nLibrairies des Editions des Saints Pères\n, which publishes facsimile manuscript editions of classic texts.\nMarket life\nThe bustling Bastille food market draws crowds Thursdays and Sundays to 100 stalls. Further east, the Marché d’Aligre and its covered annex offer a broader selection and a slice of local life six days a week.\nPetit and Grand Palais \nThese grand Beaux-Arts neighbors from the 1900 World’s Fair draw crowds for their striking glass roofs and blockbuster exhibitions. Entrance to the\nPetit Palais’\ns permanent collection, with masterworks by Rembrandt, Gauguin and Cézanne, is free.\nTip:\nBook lunch or dinner at\nLe Grand Café\n, the Grand Palais’s refreshed restaurant.\nPalais Garnier\nOpulent interiors and Marc Chagall’s spectacular ceiling make a stunning backdrop to ballet, opera and classical concerts in this Second Empire theater. \nTip:\nCan’t see a performance? Book a\nguided tour\nof the opera house instead.\nArt crawl\nFrom the\nPalais de Tokyo\nto the\nFondation Louis Vuitton\n, the\nBourse de Commerce\n, and the reimagined\nFondation Cartier\n, Paris’s modern and contemporary art spaces deliver blockbuster exhibitions year-round in buildings as striking as the art.\nTip:\nThe Pompidou Center is closed for five years for extensive restorations. Add it to your list for 2030.\nBibliophile shopping\nAlong the Seine, green bookstalls known as bouquinistes have sold secondhand written treasures for four centuries — open-air literary kin to storied bilingual shops like\nShakespeare & Company\nand\nGalignani\n.\nSainte-Chapelle\nA 13th-century marvel of Gothic architecture, this chapel hasn’t served as a church since the French Revolution, but its 1,113 stained-glass panels inspire plenty of worshipful awe.\nTip:\nDownload the Sainte-Chapelle Stained Glass app for context on each of the stained-glass windows and the scenes depicted. (Available on Google Play and the Apple App Store.)\nLes Puces de St.-Ouen\nParis’s legendary northern “flea market” is actually a five-acre complex of 12 distinct covered markets with thousands of stalls selling antiques, vintage fashion and other treasures.\nTip:\nStart with the\nMarché Vernaison\n, the oldest of the markets. Keep in mind that most markets are open Friday through Monday, busiest at the start of the weekend.\nParis Center\nFrom the Marais to the Louvre, through the Tuileries Gardens and across Little Tokyo, the first four arrondissements that make up central Paris are also its historic heart, home to all the hallmarks of a Paris experience: history, river access, cafes aplenty and marquee monuments.\nBest for:\nArt lovers, fashionistas, culture mavens \nWhere to stay:\nCaron de Beaumarchais ($$)\nThings to do:\n mahJ (Jewish History Museum) ($); Musée de la Chasse et de la Nature ($); Musée Carnavalet (free)\nWhere to eat and drink:\nChocolaterie Jade Genin ($); Juveniles ($$); Bar Hemingway ($$$); Berthillon ($)\nMontmartre\nPerched above the city, Montmartre’s warren of winding streets still echoes with the ghosts of Picasso and Modigliani. Major village vibes can be felt as you wind your way down from the white domes of Sacré-Coeur Basilica, crossing cobblestone squares and passing artisanal bakeries and corner cafes that overlook the city. At its heart is a small working vineyard that recalls the hill’s rural past.\nBest for:\nSightseers, romantics, families \nWhere to stay:\nElysée Montmartre Hotel ($$)\nThings to do:\nMusée de Montmartre ($); Halle Saint-Pierre ($-$$); Au Lapin Agile cabaret ($$-$$$)\u2028\nWhere to eat and drink:\nMaison Aleph ($); Gisou ($$); Bouillon Pigalle ($)\nSt.-Germain-des-Prés and Latin Quarter\nAdjacent neighborhoods, these Left Bank staples capture two sides of Parisian intellectual past and present: the polished cafes and bookshops of St.-Germain, where Jean-Paul Sartre once held court, and the more lively Latin Quarter, anchored by the Sorbonne University. Between them, narrow streets lead to bookshops, art galleries, bistros and the leafy beauty of the Jardin du Luxembourg.\nBest for:\nBon vivants, romantics, students \nWhere to stay:\nHôtel Dame des Arts ($$$)\nThings to do:\nInstitut du Monde Arabe ($); Musée National Eugène Delacroix ($); Caveau de la Huchette Jazz & Swing ($$)\nWhere to eat and drink:\nTea salon at the Grande Mosquée de Paris ($); Atica ($$$); L’Avant Comptoir du Marché ($$); Ten Belles ($); Plaq ($$)\nCanal St.-Martin & Canal de l’Ourcq\nRecognizable for their cast-iron footbridges and tree-lined quays, the banks of the 19th-century Canal St.-Martin are a lively gathering place. Artists, cafes and wine bars occupy former warehouses and factories, and locals picnic along the water. Northward, the waterway feeds into the Bassin de la Villette, the city’s largest artificial lake, lined with cinemas and cafes, and the\nCanal de l’Ourcq\n, opposite the\nPhilharmonie de Paris\nand the\nCité des Sciences\n.\nBest for:\nArtists and creatives, couples, families \nWhere to stay:\nLe Citizen ($$) \nThings to do:\nMarin d’Eau Douce canal ride ($$-$$$); Artazart ($-$$); Centre Commercial ($$)\nWhere to eat and drink:\nSur Mer ($$); Residence Kann ($); Paname Brewing Company ($); JJ Hings ice cream ($)\nBelleville\nOnce a separate village annexed to Paris in 1860, Belleville and its hilltop neighbors Ménilmontant and Jourdain are among the city’s most diverse enclaves, shaped by immigration, political activism and art. The birthplace of Édith Piaf and the Paris Commune, a revolutionary government that ruled for 72 days, the area has winding streets, small shops, two large parks and a dynamic dining scene that preserve a rare, village-like spirit.\nBest for:\nArtists and creatives, food lovers, solo travelers\nWhere to stay:\nThe People Belleville ($)\nThings to do:\nParc des Buttes-Chaumont; Parc de Belleville; La Bellevilloise ($-$$)\nWhere to eat and drink:\nLe Petit Grain ($); Aux Folies ($); Ama Siam ($$); Le Cheval d’Or ($$$)\nTrocadéro and Eiffel Tower\nAcross the Seine from the Eiffel Tower, Trocadéro’s grand esplanade delivers the city’s most cinematic view, framed by stately museums like the\nPalais de Tokyo\nand the\nMusée de l’Homme\n. Crossing the Iéna Bridge leads to the Champ-de-Mars, a green expanse ideal for picnics and catching the tower’s evening sparkle. The surrounding neighborhood brims with cafes and elegant market streets like Rue Cler.\nBest for:\nFamilies, couples, museum lovers \nWhere to stay:\nSAX Paris, LXR Hotels & Resorts ($$$)\nThings to do:\nHôtel des Invalides ($); Palais Galliera ($); Musée d’Art Moderne ($)\nWhere to eat and drink:\nLes Marches ($); Saint Pearl ($); Carette ($$)\nLeft Bank vs. Right Bank\nParis is split by the Seine River: The Right Bank (north) has long been associated with commerce, luxury and grand boulevards, while the Left Bank (south) embodies intellect, bohemia and cafe culture. At the center are two naturally occurring islands, the Île St.-Louis and the Île de la Cité. The latter is home to Notre-Dame Cathedral and Sainte-Chappelle, and both are worth exploring. Monuments, museums and excellent dining abound on both sides of the river, so plan to navigate from one side of the river to the other, on foot, bus, metro or bicycle.\nChâteau de Versailles\nSpend the day touring royal excess at Louis XIV and Marie Antoinette’s gilded palace, a 30- to 60-minute ride on the regional rail line RER C from Paris, and then lose yourself in the expansive formal gardens.\nTip:\nStart with the palace when it opens and then escape the crowds to explore the gardens and the Trianon palaces in the afternoon.\nPicasso Museum\nCome for the world’s largest Picasso collection, which spans paintings, sculptures and ceramics in a stunning mansion in the Marais neighborhood.\nTip:\nVisit the temporary exhibitions showcasing modern artists, many of them women.\nMusée de l’Orangerie\nBuilt under Napoleon III to house the Tuileries’ orange trees,\nL’Orangerie\nnow showcases Monet’s eight “Water Lilies” murals, works by Cézanne and Matisse, and stellar temporary shows.\nTip:\nGet tickets when the museum opens to experience Monet’s “Water Lilies” in near silence — the oval rooms fill quickly, and the immersive effect fades as the crowds pour in.\nJardin des Plantes\nFounded in 1626 as Louis XIII’s royal medicinal garden, this sprawling park houses a working botanical institute with greenhouses, an alpine garden and one of the oldest zoos in the world.\nTip:\nDon’t miss the\nNatural History Museum\non the garden’s edge, with its soaring Galerie de l’Évolution, filled with lifelike animal displays.\nWalking tours\nFrom\nfashion\nand\nwomen’s history\nto\nBlack and Afro-Caribbean culture\nand the\nFrench capital during World War II\n, there’s a thematic walking tour for every interest.\nCooking and baking classes\nWhy just eat croissants when you can learn to make them?\nLa Cuisine Paris\noffers cooking and baking classes in two Seine-facing spaces.\nMusée Rodin\nThis intimate\nmuseum\ntraces Rodin’s evolution through sculptures, paintings and plasters, alongside works by his protégée Camille Claudel and paintings by Monet and van Gogh from his personal collection.\nTip: \nPlan your visit for a dry day: Many of Rodin’s sculptures, including “The Thinker,” are displayed in the museum’s rose-filled sculpture garden.\nCovered galleries and passages\nExplore 18th-century glass-roofed (and rainproof) passages, like\nGalerie Vivienne\n,\nPassage des Panoramas\nand the\nGaleries du Palais-Royal\n, filled with boutiques, galleries and historic cafes.\nTip:\nAbout 30 covered passages remain today. Plot an itinerary that allows you to visit them all. \nPère Lachaise Cemetery\nOscar Wilde, Édith Piaf and Jim Morrison are among the 1.3 million souls buried across 110 acres of this peaceful hillside necropolis — the world’s most visited.\nTip:\nThe cemetery is more sprawling than it appears. Plan your route ahead of time by using the Père Lachaise\ninteractive map\n.\nWine tasting\nGet a crash course in wine through tastings and an app-guided tour at\nLes Caves du Louvre\n, set in a vast 18th-century vaulted cellar in the First Arrondissement that once extended all the way to the Louvre Palace.\nTip:\nIf spirits are more your style, book a gin-making class with the owners’ other establishment,\nDistillerie de l’Arbre-Sec\n.\nPremium chocolateries\nA chocolate playground awaits! Explore bean-to-bar confections at\nPlaq\nand\nLe Chocolat Alain Ducasse\n, edible sculptures at\nPatrick Roger\nand inventive flavor pairings at\nJacques Genin\n.\nA Tour Through the Bourse de Commerce\nA former commodities exchange, the Bourse is now a contemporary art museum.\nIs the Paris Museum Pass worth it?\nThe Paris Museum Pass\n, beginning with a two-day (€70 for adults), one-time-only pass, offers access to about 50 museums and monuments in Paris. (Museums and monuments are mostly free for visitors under 18.) To be cost-effective, the pass requires visiting several museums and monuments per day and booking required time slots in advance, which doesn’t leave much room for spontaneity. Individual museum tickets may provide greater flexibility.\nWhere to Stay\n$\n$$$$\nDouble room rates start at $130\n$$\n$$$\nRates from $200 to $400\n$$$\n$$\nRates from $400 to $600\n$$$$\n$\nAbove $600\n$$$$$\nAbove $1,500\nHôtel de Crillon\nThis 18th-century landmark hotel features six dining establishments, an opulent spa, a gilded bar with a frescoed ceiling beloved by Parisians and a grand suite where, legend has it, Marie Antoinette once took piano lessons.\nHotel Balzac\nThis 1930s-chic hotel on Balzac’s former estate features an alcove bar, a Japanese spa and elegant, comfortably sized rooms.\nLe Grand Mazarin \nMaximalist is the operative word for this hotel, where canopy beds give way to a frescoed pool and a basement lounge packed with dancing locals.\nLa Fondation \nA former car park, this Brutalist complex combines 58 spacious rooms, a sports club (with a climbing wall), office space and a rooftop garden.\nHotel des Grands Voyageurs \nThis quiet Left Bank spot near Le Bon Marché blends trans-Atlantic glamour and Parisian flair, complete with rope-lined corridors, mahogany paneling and a sleek bar-brasserie.\nHôtel Observatoire Luxembourg\nThis revamped boutique hotel is steps from Luxembourg Gardens and public transit and has a lively all-day restaurant in shades of green. Minimalist, comfortable rooms.\nHôtel Massé\nContemporary art, 1970s vintage (including bedside lamps from the German industrial designer Ingo Maurer, nicknamed the Poet of Light) and a relaxed ground floor make this hotel feel like your own Parisian pied-à-terre.\nBabel\nThis bohemian hotel in the city’s most diverse food enclave combines Moroccan aesthetics (glass lanterns, ocher-hued bedrooms) and Silk Road-inspired cooking in a spacious restaurant.\n25hours Hotel Terminus Nord\nOpposite the Gare du Nord train station, the colorful hotel mirrors the neighborhood’s multicultural energy with patterned textiles, vintage décor and the\nSape bar\ncelebrating Congolese sapeur fashion culture.\nHotel Folie\nSurrounded by buzzy restaurants, this intimate hotel (formerly Hôtel de Charonne) offers blue or green striped rooms and a farmhouse-chic salon that evokes the 11th Arrondissement’s rural past.\nThe People\nA design-forward hostel-hotel hybrid overlooking the Seine River offers dorms and private rooms, a rooftop terrace, and vibrant energy in the bar-restaurant TiTi Palacio.\nWhere to Eat and Drink\n$\n$$\nStreet food and casual eats\n$$\n$\nAccessible-midrange\n$$$\nUpscale to luxurious\nCafé Verlet \nBetween the Louvre and the Palais Royal, the city’s oldest coffeehouse serves single-origin coffees and teas alongside sweet and savory breakfast options. \nMaison Fleuret \nTake your coffee with some reading material. This former bookshop turned compact cafe serves sweet and savory vegetarian breakfasts amid floor-to-ceiling shelves of titles from Gallimard, a prestigious French publisher.\nLe Petit Vendôme \nJoin the (fast-moving) line for the star item: a jambon-beurre. The sandwich comes on a crispy baguette slathered with unsalted butter from a giant wedge and quality ham cooked on the bone.\nMinicafé\nThis serene cafe, once a monastic boutique run by nuns on a 14th-century cobblestone street (Rue des Barres), serves specialty coffee, granola bowls and cakes. Outdoor seating is available. \nChez Georges \nThe prototypical bistro, preserved to perfection: pressed tablecloths, handwritten menus, career waiters and robust portions of classics like sole meunière and grilled rib-eye with marrow.\nDu Pain et des Idées\nA Canal St.-Martin favorite since 2002 for rustic loaves and viennoiseries (breakfast pastries). The baker-owner now offers Roman-style pizzas and natural wine for lunch next door at\nLa Table\n.\nKunitoraya \nSince 1991, this udon bar has drawn crowds the moment doors open at noon for its handmade noodles. Now, fans line up for onigiri too, with the Japanese rice balls served from a take-out window.\nLastre Sans Apostrophe \nThis gourmet deli lures locals with award-winning pâtés en crôute (meat pies baked in flaky pastry) and jarred classics like coq au vin and beef Bourguignon.\nFalafel on Rue des Rosiers \nFalafel reigns in Paris’s historic Jewish quarter, where\nL’As du Fallafel\nand\nChez Hanna\nserve crisp, overflowing pita sandwiches that draw famously long lines.\nChez Carrie \nVegetables — in salads, fritters, dips and more — play a starring role in this warm and inviting bistro. Save room for the seasonal soft-serve topped with toasted buckwheat.\nLe Marché des Enfants Rouges \nBeyond its status as the oldest covered market in Paris, this is an ideal spot for indecisive diners with its specialty stands and international prepared-food stalls.\nUrfa Durum \nOn a street dotted with flavorful, affordable options, these Kurdish flatbread sandwiches, filled with spiced meat and vegetables grilled over an open flame, deserve a special stop.\nBreizh Café \nBrittany meets Japan at this 30-year-old crepe and buckwheat galette cafe with classic and modern recipes, like lobster with apple and miso-yuzu mayo.\nParis, City of Love\nIn legend, popular culture and real life, Paris is a city of romance.\nCultural dos and don’ts\nBe sure to say “bonjour” or “bonsoir” when entering shops or restaurants and before asking someone for assistance. Those salutations, along with “merci,” are a nonnegotiable form of social etiquette.\nBe mindful of local dining times. Lunch service typically runs from 12 to 2 p.m. and dinner begins at 7 or 7:30 p.m., with the exception of basic cafes, which offer nonstop service.\n$\n$$\nStreet food and casual eats\n$$\n$\nAccessible-midrange\n$$$\nUpscale to luxurious\nChez Denise \nThis original bistro from Les Halles’ heyday as the city’s central fresh food market still serves gargantuan portions of classic French fare like blanquette de veau late into the night.\nLe Tagine \nThis family-run staple has paired soulful Moroccan couscous and tagines with natural wines for four decades — long before vin nature, or natural wine, became a Parisian obsession.\nLe Duc\nSince 1967, this Left Bank institution has been a chic draw for classic French seafood and its polished wood-paneled design that evokes a yacht at sea.\nHuîtrerie Régis\nRegulars sit shoulder-to-shoulder in this compact raw bar, known for its variety of oysters from Brittany producers as well as scallops and sea urchin.\nDucasse sur Seine\nAboard this sleek electric boat, the star chef-restaurateur Alain Ducasse reimagines the dinner cruise, serving seasonal cooking while drifting by the city’s monuments.\nAma Siam\nGrab a seat on a multicolored stool and order khao soi, an egg noodle soup with a curry paste broth, natural wine or Laotian beer at this ode to Southeast Asian home cooking.\na.lea \nAway from the Montmartre crowds on a quiet street, this lovely modern bistro delivers elegant, produce-driven dishes with an affordable wine selection.\nLe Chardenoux\nThis bistro wows with its Art Nouveau detailing and an ethereal painted ceiling. Come for whole fish and baba au rhum, a small syrup-and-rum-soaked cake.\n$\n$$\nA drink costs under $12\n$$\n$\n$12-$20\n$$$\nMore than $20\nDe Vie \nBeneath the owners’ tasting-menu restaurant, this sleek bar serves hyper-seasonal cocktails à la carte or as part of a five-part tasting, with snacks like radish chips and marinated olives.\nLe Rosebud\nIn this dimly lit bar, white-vested bartenders mix classic cocktails for a nostalgic local crowd that recalls its past as a divey hangout for Jean-Paul Sartre and Marguerite Duras.\nHarry’s New York Bar\nThis storied New York bar, covered in collegiate pennants and famously frequented by the Lost Generation writers like Gertrude Stein and Ernest Hemingway, has been pouring classic cocktails from a mahogany bar since 1911.\nBar Nouveau\nIt’s a tight squeeze at this Art Nouveau-inspired bar that serves six ever-changing cocktails. Packed? Don’t fret: More seats await in the moodier, more modern downstairs bar.\nDanico\nPast the ovens at the popular pizzeria Daroco or through the historic covered passage, Galerie Vivienne, sits this sleek cocktail bar with soaring ceilings and a rotating menu of international spirits.\nCravan\nThis multistory bar in a 17th-century hôtel particulier (private mansion) offers guests three distinct atmospheres to sip creative cocktails. There’s also a Rizzoli bookshop and a minuscule rooftop cinema that seats only a few people.\nAugustin Marchand d’Vins \nBeneath a red neon sign, this intimate wine bar goes big on charm, with exposed beams, marble tables and stellar natural wines paired with thoughtful small plates.\nFolderol\nIce cream and natural wine are the unexpected best-selling companions, attracting families, couples and serious oenophiles to this wine-shop-meets-bar.\nLe Bar des Maillets d’Argent\nCoffee and croissants by day, a cognac lover’s hangout by night in this 1930s-style lounge bar on the ground floor of the legendary Tour d’Argent restaurant.\nLe Mary Celeste\nCome for a creative cocktail, a glass of natural or biodynamic sparkling wine, or craft beer on tap, but stay for the small plates and late-night energy. \nThe Basics\nDo I need a visa?\nAmericans do not need a visa to visit France if traveling for less than 90 days. By late 2026, American travelers will need pre-approval via the European Travel Information and Authorization System.\nWhat is the best time of year to visit?\nThere are fewer crowds beginning mid-autumn through spring, making the shoulder season the best time to visit. As with much of Europe, avoid mid-August, when many Parisian restaurants and shops close.\nWhat currency is used?\nThe euro. Mastercard and Visa credit and debit cards are widely accepted, but there can be a minimum in retail shops to use them. Have cash handy for these transactions or to leave small tips. Local A.T.M.s are plentiful.\nDo I need a converter?\nYou will need a plug adapter for France’s Type C or E outlets.\nIs tipping required?\nTipping is not required. However, it’s common to leave small change or round up the bill for good service at casual restaurants or in taxis. For hotel housekeeping and fine dining establishments, a 5 to 10 percent tip is appreciated. Increasingly, restaurants and bars offer the option of adding a tip when paying by credit card.\nIs it safe to drink the tap water?\nYes. There are\n1,200 free public drinking fountains\nspread out across the city, especially in parks and gardens, where you can fill up your own reusable water bottle.\nWhich airport should I fly into?\nMost international flights arrive at Roissy Charles de Gaulle (CDG), northeast of the city, but some land at Orly (ORY) airport, south of the city.\nHow do I get from the airport to central Paris?\nFor a one‑way journey into Paris from CDG, the cheapest options (both €13) are to take the regional train (RER B), which takes about 25 minutes to the Gare du Nord, the city’s northernmost and busiest main train station, or the Roissybus, which can take up to an hour, to a central stop adjacent to the opulent opera house, Opéra Garnier. From Orly Terminal 3, metro line 14 conveniently connects to the Chatelet station in central Paris within 25 minutes (€13). A taxi or an Uber from CDG to central Paris is the most direct but will typically cost €56 to €65, and from Orly, around €36 to €45.\nDo I need to rent a car? How easy is it to take public transportation?\nYou definitely don’t need a car. Paris is one of the best-connected cities in Europe. You can get around entirely by metro, bus, tram or bike, and easily on foot.\nDoes Uber exist? Are there other local ride-share options?\nYes,\nUber\nand\nBolt\nare popular ride-share options in Paris. The apps\nFreeNow\nand\nG7\nare for official taxis, which may be faster because they are permitted to use bus lanes.\nIs there a dress code for restaurants in Paris?\nFine dining restaurants will stipulate if a jacket and tie are required for men, but for the most part, restaurants lean toward a casual but put-together style.\nWhat should I wear to avoid looking like a tourist?\nParisians abide by smart casual. Even to go out at night, they’ll wear sleek sneakers or leather flats, jeans and a nice top unless formal attire is required. You won’t find them in athleisure unless they are exercising. Follow their lead and skip the leggings, bike shorts and sports bras and, as The New York Times’s fashion director, Vanessa Friedman,\nsuggests\n, avoid anything too flashy or impossible to walk in — no stilettos. And do leave the flip-flops at home.","attrs_markdown":"[Skip to content](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/interactive\/2026\/travel\/paris-france-guide.html#site-content)[Skip to site index](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/interactive\/2026\/travel\/paris-france-guide.html#site-index)\n\nSearch & Section Navigation\n\nSection Navigation\n\nSearch\n\n[Log in](https:\/\/myaccount.nytimes.com\/auth\/login?response_type=cookie&client_id=vi&redirect_uri=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nytimes.com%2Fsubscription%2Fonboarding-offer%3FcampaignId%3D7JFJX%26EXIT_URI%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fwww.nytimes.com%252Finteractive%252F2026%252Ftravel%252Fparis-france-guide.html&asset=masthead)\n\nTravel 101\n\n# Your Guide to **Paris**\n\n- Share full article\n- 287\n\nBy [Lindsey Tramuta](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/by\/lindsey-tramuta) Videos by Sam Youkilis\n\nDec. 3, 2025\n\nYour Guide to Paris\n\n[What to Do](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/interactive\/2026\/travel\/paris-france-guide.html#do)[Where to Stay](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/interactive\/2026\/travel\/paris-france-guide.html#stay)[What to Eat and Drink](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/interactive\/2026\/travel\/paris-france-guide.html#eat_drink)[The Basics](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/interactive\/2026\/travel\/paris-france-guide.html#basics)[My List](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/interactive\/2026\/travel\/paris-france-guide.html#my_list)\n\nHow do you navigate Paris for the first time — a city where every cobblestone street seems to whisper centuries of history and every corner cafe promises an unforgettable bon vivant moment? With 20 arrondissements (districts) spiraling outward from the Seine River, Paris can feel both eminently walkable and dizzying in its possibilities. Do you prioritize the greatest hits, like the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre and Notre-Dame Cathedral, above all else? Perhaps most important, how do you balance postcard Paris with the dynamic and forward-looking version of the city that locals love?\n\nThis guide is a starting point, with tips and suggestions for your inaugural visit to the City of Light that may inspire your future visits, too. Whatever you do, remember: Parisians embrace a slower pace, so follow their lead and start your journey by focusing on one or two neighborhoods at a time to absorb their character fully. And whenever your feet tire and you feel you can’t possibly eat another bite, kick back in any number of parks to rest and plan your next move.\n\n[View and share our full Google map of recommendations.](https:\/\/maps.app.goo.gl\/PxToVVvAdLfFcrDXA)\n\n### More Travel 101\n[![](https:\/\/static01.nyt.com\/images\/2025\/09\/22\/multimedia\/00-rome-guide-promo\/00-rome-guide-promo-articleLarge-v2.jpg) Rome Everything you need to know for your first trip to the Eternal City — and for your future visits, as well.](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/interactive\/2025\/travel\/rome-italy-guide.html)\n\n[![](https:\/\/static01.nyt.com\/images\/2025\/10\/27\/multimedia\/00-london-guide-promo\/00-london-guide-promo-articleLarge.jpg) London There is so much to do and see in the British capital that it can feel overwhelming. We’re here to help.](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/interactive\/2025\/travel\/uk-london-guide.html)\n\n[![](https:\/\/static01.nyt.com\/images\/2025\/11\/19\/multimedia\/trav-tokyo-guide-promo-still-kvqj\/trav-tokyo-guide-promo-still-kvqj-articleLarge.jpg) Tokyo Visiting Tokyo for the first time is like stepping into the future and the past at once. Our guide helps you make sense of it.](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/interactive\/2025\/travel\/tokyo-japan-guide.html)\n\n## What to Do\n### The Essentials\nEvery first trip to Paris should include these landmarks, museums and quintessential experiences.\n\n- ![Patrons sit outside a Parisian cafe with drinks on the table and wait staff working in the background. ](https:\/\/static01.nyt.com\/images\/2025\/12\/01\/multimedia\/trav-paris-guide-terrace-tcbp\/trav-paris-guide-terrace-tcbp-mobileMasterAt3x-v2.jpg?width=600&quality=75&auto=webp&disable=upscale)\n  #### Terrace culture\n  In every neighborhood, at all hours, locals linger on cafe terraces, coffee or wine in hand, engrossed in conversation or a book. Practice the Parisian art of leisure at legendary cafes like [Les Deux Magots](https:\/\/lesdeuxmagots.fr\/) and [Le Nemours](https:\/\/www.lenemours.paris\/), or neighborhood favorites like [À la Renaissance](https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/a_la_renaissance\/?hl=en) and [Le Progrès](https:\/\/www.leprogresmarais.fr\/).\n  \n  **Tip:** Take a seat midmorning or late afternoon (outside mealtime) for unhurried service.\n  Save to list\n- ![A river boat makes its way down the Seine River with a bridge and Parisian landmarks in the background. ](https:\/\/static01.nyt.com\/images\/2025\/11\/06\/multimedia\/trav-paris-guide-essentials-cruise-jqvb\/trav-paris-guide-essentials-cruise-jqvb-mobileMasterAt3x.jpg?width=600&quality=75&auto=webp&disable=upscale)\n  #### A Seine cruise\n  Paris was born on the Seine, so there’s no better way to feel its rhythm and see the sights than from the river. Hop on a group cruise with [Bateaux Mouches](https:\/\/www.bateaux-mouches.fr\/fr) or [Vedettes du Pont Neuf](https:\/\/www.vedettesdupontneuf.com\/), or charter a private boat with [Green River Cruises](https:\/\/www.greenriver-paris.fr\/) for front-row views and more privacy.\n  \n  **Tip:** Book a sunset cruise, the most atmospheric time of day when the landmarks glow and locals gather along the riverbanks.\n  Save to list\n- ![A pastry encrusted with sesame and lemon rinds. ](https:\/\/static01.nyt.com\/images\/2025\/11\/06\/multimedia\/trav-paris-guide-essentials-bakery-pgbq\/trav-paris-guide-essentials-bakery-pgbq-mobileMasterAt3x.jpg?width=600&quality=75&auto=webp&disable=upscale)\n  #### Breads and pastries\n  The best of Paris’s [1,300 boulangeries](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2024\/07\/15\/travel\/best-paris-bakeries.html) and pâtisseries mix tradition and innovation. Head to [Mamiche](https:\/\/www.mamiche.fr\/) for cream puffs and babka; [Poilâne](https:\/\/www.poilane.com\/) for hearty sourdough; [Utopie](https:\/\/boulangerieutopie.com\/) for an [award-winning baguette](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2024\/07\/15\/travel\/best-paris-bakeries.html) and éclairs; [La Maison d’Isabelle](https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/maison_isabelle_paris\/?hl=en) for a prizewinning croissant; [Pierre Hermé](https:\/\/www.pierreherme.com\/) for unique macarons; and [Tapisserie](https:\/\/www.tapisserie-patisserie.fr\/) for its maple-syrup tart.\n  \n  **Tip:** Go early in the morning for the widest selection or after lunch before the 4 p.m. goûter (afternoon snack) crowds descend.\n  Save to list\n- ![The Eiffel Tower, a Parisian landmark made of iron, is lit with warm lights with a dark evening sky in the background. ](https:\/\/static01.nyt.com\/images\/2025\/11\/06\/multimedia\/trav-paris-guide-essentials-eiffel-gwml\/trav-paris-guide-essentials-eiffel-gwml-mobileMasterAt3x.jpg?width=600&quality=75&auto=webp&disable=upscale)\n  #### Eiffel Tower and Notre-Dame\n  No visit to Paris is complete without its two most recognizable landmarks. The Eiffel Tower, built for the 1889 World’s Fair, defines the skyline and sparkles with 20,000 lights hourly after dusk. Notre-Dame Cathedral, the 12th-century Gothic masterpiece [reborn](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/interactive\/2024\/12\/05\/arts\/design\/notre-dame-reopens-paris.html) in 2024 after painstaking post-fire restoration, remains the city’s spiritual and architectural heart.\n  \n  **Tip:** Go in and go up! Book tickets to climb to the first and second floors (674 steps) of the [Eiffel Tower](https:\/\/www.toureiffel.paris\/en\/explore) and then finish in the lift to the top floor. Expect to climb 424 steps through the [Notre-Dame belfry’s roof structure](https:\/\/www.tours-notre-dame-de-paris.fr\/en\/actualites\/the-new-notre-dame-de-paris-towers-tour) for panoramic views.\n  Save to list\n- ![Museum visitors of all ages stand, sit and wander while looking at painting in a large gallery room with a skylight in the ceiling.](https:\/\/static01.nyt.com\/images\/2025\/12\/01\/multimedia\/trav-paris-guide-02-kvqp\/trav-paris-guide-02-kvqp-mobileMasterAt3x.jpg?width=600&quality=75&auto=webp&disable=upscale)\n  #### Louvre and the Musée d’Orsay\n  The city’s most famous museums practically face each other across the Seine. On the right bank, the [Louvre](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2023\/09\/22\/arts\/design\/laurence-des-cars-louvre.html): a once-royal palace showcasing antiquities and masterpieces like the “Mona Lisa” and the “Venus de Milo.” On the left bank, the [Musée d’Orsay](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2020\/03\/05\/arts\/design\/musee-dorsay-expansion.html), a converted Beaux-Arts train station highlighting Impressionist and Post-Impressionist works by Monet, Degas and Renoir.\n  \n  **Tip:** Book timed tickets in advance, ideally at opening, to avoid long waits.\n  Save to list\n- ![A group of people look out onto Parisian sights with a soft evening light outlining their figures.](https:\/\/static01.nyt.com\/images\/2025\/12\/01\/multimedia\/trav-paris-guide-01-kvqp\/trav-paris-guide-01-kvqp-mobileMasterAt3x.jpg?width=600&quality=75&auto=webp&disable=upscale)\n  #### Be a flâneur\n  Practice [the art of being a flâneur](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2023\/06\/19\/travel\/walking-travel-cities.html), a casual wanderer and observer. Born in 19th-century Paris and immortalized by the French poet and essayist Charles Baudelaire, the flâneur strolls without purpose as the city unfolds. For a bit of direction, [trace Paris’s gardens in bloom](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2023\/06\/19\/travel\/paris-travel-gardens-parks.html) or [follow the Seine River’s 23 UNESCO-listed bridges](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2019\/11\/04\/travel\/paris-bridges-seine.html) end to end.\n  \n  **Tip:** Pick a starting point — a bridge, a monument, a metro stop — and start strolling from there, sans Google Maps.\n  Save to list\n\n### The Waiters of Brasserie Lipp\nBrasserie Lipp opened in 1880 and hasn’t changed much since.\n\nIt is one of the few remaining Parisian restaurants with a corps of servers, almost all men, who spend their careers dedicated to the trade.\n\nAt Lipp, the servers still wear black bow ties and black tuxedo jackets. Pascal Hue has been there since 2024.\n\nThe menu is full of classics like sole meunière (pan-fried sole with lemon), choucroute garnie (sauerkraut with sausages) and pied de porc farci (stuffed pig’s foot).\n\nThe waiters wear numbered pins that indicate their seniority. The lower the number, the longer they’ve been on the job. Osman Zengin has been working at Lipp since 2014. He wears pin seven.\n\nRegulars have also been coming to Lipp for decades, sometimes multiple times a week for the daily specials, which have rotated through the same dishes since the 1930s.\n\nAbdelaziz Kendjouh has been working at Lipp since 2021 and wears lapel pin 13. He tops the profiteroles glacées with chocolate sauce.\n\n### Top Attractions\nThe City of Light dials up the magic at every turn. These landmarks and local rituals are among the greatest hits for any Paris visit.\n\n- ![The Arc De Triomphe, a Paris landmark made of stone and sculptures, is seen from street level. ](https:\/\/static01.nyt.com\/images\/2025\/11\/06\/multimedia\/trav-paris-guide-attractions-arc-pmjh\/trav-paris-guide-attractions-arc-pmjh-mobileMasterAt3x-v8.jpg?width=600&quality=75&auto=webp&disable=upscale)\n  #### Arc de Triomphe\n  Inspired by Rome’s Arch of Titus, the triumphal arch (visitors can climb to the top for exceptional views) was commissioned by Napoleon in 1806 to honor his army. Its sculpted reliefs and eternal flame pay tribute to France’s fallen soldiers.\n  \n  **Tip:** Stroll 1.2 miles from the Arc along the Avenue des Champs-Elysées to reach the avenue’s far end at the Place de la Concorde.\n  \n  [Map](https:\/\/maps.app.goo.gl\/urXdwbfj37GmtNpm8) ∙ [Website](https:\/\/www.paris-arc-de-triomphe.fr\/)\n  Save to list\n- ![A church of white stone and three domes sits at the top of a hill with the evening light illuminating it. ](https:\/\/static01.nyt.com\/images\/2025\/12\/01\/multimedia\/trav-paris-guide-attractions-Sacre\/trav-paris-guide-new-05-tklj-mobileMasterAt3x.jpg?width=600&quality=75&auto=webp&disable=upscale)\n  #### Sacré-Coeur Basilica\n  This white-domed basilica crowning the hill of Montmartre offers some of the best panoramic views in Paris and free admission to explore or attend Mass.\n  \n  **Tip:** Get a ticket (€8 for adults) to climb the nearly 300 narrow steps to the dome for even better views.\n  \n  [Map](https:\/\/maps.app.goo.gl\/BkY69ZFqBJEetPpx5) ∙ [Website](https:\/\/www.sacre-coeur-montmartre.com\/)\n  Save to list\n- ![A view from inside the Panthéon where intricate murals and stone work can be seen leading up to a dome lit by natural light coming from windows. ](https:\/\/static01.nyt.com\/images\/2025\/12\/01\/multimedia\/trav-paris-guide-attractions-Panthon\/trav-paris-guide-new-02-tklj-mobileMasterAt3x.jpg?width=600&quality=75&auto=webp&disable=upscale)\n  #### Panthéon\n  Originally a church honoring Ste. Geneviève, a patron saint of Paris, the domed Panthéon now enshrines France’s greats, from Voltaire and Marie Curie to Joséphine Baker, within its neoclassical walls.\n  \n  **Tip:** Don‘t miss a replica of Foucault’s pendulum; the original was first presented here in 1851 as proof of the Earth’s rotation.\n  \n  [Map](https:\/\/maps.app.goo.gl\/P9BkkaQTPH9T2DNi6) ∙ [Website](https:\/\/www.paris-pantheon.fr\/)\n  Save to list\n- ![A women sits reclined in a chair along a stone path in a garden of greenery and statues. She is facing the setting sun and a long shadow is cast behind her. ](https:\/\/static01.nyt.com\/images\/2025\/11\/06\/multimedia\/trav-paris-guide-attractions-tuileries-pfqm\/trav-paris-guide-attractions-tuileries-pfqm-mobileMasterAt3x-v2.jpg?width=600&quality=75&auto=webp&disable=upscale)\n  #### Tuileries Gardens\n  Connecting the Louvre and the Place de la Concorde, Paris’s oldest and largest garden was redesigned by André Le Nôtre in the 17th century in three grand sculpture-lined sections whose elegant symmetry endures unchanged today.\n  \n  **Tip:** At the western end of the garden, visit the [Jeu de Paume](https:\/\/jeudepaume.org\/), an arts center specializing in multimedia by international artists from the 20th and 21st centuries.\n  \n  [Map](https:\/\/maps.app.goo.gl\/TzQCVQQpaJSeP49X6) ∙ [Website](https:\/\/parisjetaime.com\/culture\/jardin-des-tuileries-p3545)\n  Save to list\n- ![A decorative pool is lined with mum flowers that leads to a fountain feature of four columns and various statues of historical figures. ](https:\/\/static01.nyt.com\/images\/2025\/12\/01\/multimedia\/trav-paris-guide-attractions-Medici\/trav-paris-guide-new-01-tklj-mobileMasterAt3x.jpg?width=600&quality=75&auto=webp&disable=upscale)\n  #### The Medici Fountain\n  In the Luxembourg Gardens’ most romantic corner, a 17th-century Italianate fountain recalls Marie de Medici’s Florence. Its reflective basin and the green Sénat chairs surrounding it invite rest — or a photo op.\n  \n  **Tip:** Need a book to read for your meditative hang? Browse nearby at [the Red Wheelbarrow](https:\/\/theredwheelbarrowbookstore.com\/), an English-language bookshop, or [Librairies des Editions des Saints Pères](https:\/\/www.spbooks.com\/), which publishes facsimile manuscript editions of classic texts.\n  \n  [Map](https:\/\/maps.app.goo.gl\/ktaWymrkGpo9VJJ59) ∙ [Website](https:\/\/jardin.senat.fr\/)\n  Save to list\n- ![A women in sunglasses, a red hat and heavy sweater walks through a Parisian food market while shoppers around her browse the stalls. ](https:\/\/static01.nyt.com\/images\/2025\/12\/01\/multimedia\/trav-paris-guide-markets\/trav-paris-guide-new-06-tklj-mobileMasterAt3x.jpg?width=600&quality=75&auto=webp&disable=upscale)\n  #### Market life\n  The bustling Bastille food market draws crowds Thursdays and Sundays to 100 stalls. Further east, the Marché d’Aligre and its covered annex offer a broader selection and a slice of local life six days a week.\n  Save to list\n- ![A large-ornate gold and bronze doorway marks the entrance to a large stone building with columns, statues and a grand stairway leading up to it. ](https:\/\/static01.nyt.com\/images\/2025\/12\/01\/multimedia\/trav-paris-guide-attractions-Palais\/trav-paris-guide-new-07-tklj-mobileMasterAt3x.jpg?width=600&quality=75&auto=webp&disable=upscale)\n  #### Petit and Grand Palais\n  These grand Beaux-Arts neighbors from the 1900 World’s Fair draw crowds for their striking glass roofs and blockbuster exhibitions. Entrance to the [Petit Palais’](https:\/\/www.petitpalais.paris.fr\/en)s permanent collection, with masterworks by Rembrandt, Gauguin and Cézanne, is free.\n  \n  **Tip:** Book lunch or dinner at [Le Grand Café](https:\/\/www.legrandcafe-paris.com\/), the Grand Palais’s refreshed restaurant.\n  Save to list\n- ![Theatre balconies upholstered in red velvet curtains, chairs and railings with gilded columns and relief details. ](https:\/\/static01.nyt.com\/images\/2025\/12\/03\/multimedia\/trav-paris-guide-garnier-gjzl\/trav-paris-guide-garnier-gjzl-mobileMasterAt3x.jpg?width=600&quality=75&auto=webp&disable=upscale)\n  #### Palais Garnier\n  Opulent interiors and Marc Chagall’s spectacular ceiling make a stunning backdrop to ballet, opera and classical concerts in this Second Empire theater.\n  \n  **Tip:** Can’t see a performance? Book a [guided tour](https:\/\/www.operadeparis.fr\/en\/visits\/palais-garnier) of the opera house instead.\n  \n  [Map](https:\/\/maps.app.goo.gl\/PCJaL3tpYcNYAjym7) ∙ [Website](https:\/\/www.operadeparis.fr\/en)\n  Save to list\n- ![A person looks into a small opening in the wall that is part of a art exhibit. The wall features a large downward facing arrow highlighting the opening to look through. ](https:\/\/static01.nyt.com\/images\/2025\/12\/01\/multimedia\/trav-paris-guide-art-gkfh\/trav-paris-guide-art-gkfh-mobileMasterAt3x.jpg?width=600&quality=75&auto=webp&disable=upscale)\n  #### Art crawl\n  From the [Palais de Tokyo](https:\/\/palaisdetokyo.com\/en\/) to the [Fondation Louis Vuitton](https:\/\/www.fondationlouisvuitton.fr\/en), the [Bourse de Commerce](https:\/\/www.pinaultcollection.com\/en\/boursedecommerce), and the reimagined [Fondation Cartier](https:\/\/www.fondationcartier.com\/en), Paris’s modern and contemporary art spaces deliver blockbuster exhibitions year-round in buildings as striking as the art.\n  \n  **Tip:** The Pompidou Center is closed for five years for extensive restorations. Add it to your list for 2030.\n  Save to list\n- ![A variety of prints, posters and books sit on display at an outdoor bookstall beneath a green yawning while a passerby reaches for a print hung from up high. ](https:\/\/static01.nyt.com\/images\/2025\/11\/06\/multimedia\/trav-paris-guide-attractions-biblio-bvmg\/trav-paris-guide-attractions-biblio-bvmg-mobileMasterAt3x.jpg?width=600&quality=75&auto=webp&disable=upscale)\n  #### Bibliophile shopping\n  Along the Seine, green bookstalls known as bouquinistes have sold secondhand written treasures for four centuries — open-air literary kin to storied bilingual shops like [Shakespeare & Company](https:\/\/www.shakespeareandcompany.com\/) and [Galignani](https:\/\/www.galignani.fr\/).\n  Save to list\n- ![Visitors look up at the multicolored stained glass windows that reach several stories high of this vaulted building with a circular stained glass window featured at one end. ](https:\/\/static01.nyt.com\/images\/2025\/12\/01\/multimedia\/trav-paris-guide-attractions-Sainte-Chapelle\/trav-paris-guide-new-04-tklj-mobileMasterAt3x.jpg?width=600&quality=75&auto=webp&disable=upscale)\n  #### Sainte-Chapelle\n  A 13th-century marvel of Gothic architecture, this chapel hasn’t served as a church since the French Revolution, but its 1,113 stained-glass panels inspire plenty of worshipful awe.\n  \n  **Tip:** Download the Sainte-Chapelle Stained Glass app for context on each of the stained-glass windows and the scenes depicted. (Available on Google Play and the Apple App Store.)\n  \n  [Map](https:\/\/maps.app.goo.gl\/tEY9Pz9Q1F3KyvmH8) ∙ [Website](https:\/\/www.sainte-chapelle.fr\/en)\n  Save to list\n- ![Shoppers browse the outdoor aisles of a market while an individual sits near some piles of dishes and picture frames for sale. ](https:\/\/static01.nyt.com\/images\/2025\/12\/03\/multimedia\/trav-paris-guide-flea-mvpj\/trav-paris-guide-flea-mvpj-mobileMasterAt3x.jpg?width=600&quality=75&auto=webp&disable=upscale)\n  #### Les Puces de St.-Ouen\n  Paris’s legendary northern “flea market” is actually a five-acre complex of 12 distinct covered markets with thousands of stalls selling antiques, vintage fashion and other treasures.\n  \n  **Tip:** Start with the [Marché Vernaison](https:\/\/marchevernaison.com\/), the oldest of the markets. Keep in mind that most markets are open Friday through Monday, busiest at the start of the weekend.\n  Save to list\n\n### Neighborhoods\nFrom familiar monuments to quiet cafes and cutting-edge galleries, Paris’s 20 arrondissements, or districts, have something to captivate every traveler.\n\n- ![A long hallway covered with murals, gilded moulding and paintings with windows on the left and doorways on the right. ](https:\/\/static01.nyt.com\/images\/2025\/11\/06\/multimedia\/trav-paris-guide-neighborhoods-center-pmhf\/trav-paris-guide-neighborhoods-center-pmhf-mobileMasterAt3x-v3.jpg?width=600&quality=75&auto=webp&disable=upscale)\n  #### Paris Center\n  From the Marais to the Louvre, through the Tuileries Gardens and across Little Tokyo, the first four arrondissements that make up central Paris are also its historic heart, home to all the hallmarks of a Paris experience: history, river access, cafes aplenty and marquee monuments.\n  \n  **Best for:** Art lovers, fashionistas, culture mavens   \n  **Where to stay:** Caron de Beaumarchais (\\$\\$)  \n  **Things to do:** mahJ (Jewish History Museum) (\\$); Musée de la Chasse et de la Nature (\\$); Musée Carnavalet (free)  \n  **Where to eat and drink:** Chocolaterie Jade Genin (\\$); Juveniles (\\$\\$); Bar Hemingway (\\$\\$\\$); Berthillon (\\$)\n  Save to list\n- ![A cyclist looks at their phone from a top vista where the city of lowrise apartments and trees can be seen below. ](https:\/\/static01.nyt.com\/images\/2025\/11\/06\/multimedia\/trav-paris-guide-neighborhoods-montmartre-twzb\/trav-paris-guide-neighborhoods-montmartre-twzb-mobileMasterAt3x-v3.jpg?width=600&quality=75&auto=webp&disable=upscale)\n  #### Montmartre\n  Perched above the city, Montmartre’s warren of winding streets still echoes with the ghosts of Picasso and Modigliani. Major village vibes can be felt as you wind your way down from the white domes of Sacré-Coeur Basilica, crossing cobblestone squares and passing artisanal bakeries and corner cafes that overlook the city. At its heart is a small working vineyard that recalls the hill’s rural past.\n  \n  **Best for:** Sightseers, romantics, families   \n  **Where to stay:** Elysée Montmartre Hotel (\\$\\$)  \n  **Things to do:** Musée de Montmartre (\\$); Halle Saint-Pierre (\\$-\\$\\$); Au Lapin Agile cabaret (\\$\\$-\\$\\$\\$)   \n  **Where to eat and drink:** Maison Aleph (\\$); Gisou (\\$\\$); Bouillon Pigalle (\\$)\n  Save to list\n- ![A neighborhood cafe with a patio and umbrellas is lit while passerbys look onward. ](https:\/\/static01.nyt.com\/images\/2025\/12\/01\/multimedia\/trav-paris-guide-Saint-Germain\/trav-paris-guide-new-08-tklj-mobileMasterAt3x.jpg?width=600&quality=75&auto=webp&disable=upscale)\n  #### St.-Germain-des-Prés and Latin Quarter\n  Adjacent neighborhoods, these Left Bank staples capture two sides of Parisian intellectual past and present: the polished cafes and bookshops of St.-Germain, where Jean-Paul Sartre once held court, and the more lively Latin Quarter, anchored by the Sorbonne University. Between them, narrow streets lead to bookshops, art galleries, bistros and the leafy beauty of the Jardin du Luxembourg.\n  \n  **Best for:** Bon vivants, romantics, students   \n  **Where to stay:** Hôtel Dame des Arts (\\$\\$\\$)  \n  **Things to do:** Institut du Monde Arabe (\\$); Musée National Eugène Delacroix (\\$); Caveau de la Huchette Jazz & Swing (\\$\\$)  \n  **Where to eat and drink:** Tea salon at the Grande Mosquée de Paris (\\$); Atica (\\$\\$\\$); L’Avant Comptoir du Marché (\\$\\$); Ten Belles (\\$); Plaq (\\$\\$)\n  Save to list\n- ![People gathered in pairs and small groups sit on the ground next to a waterway while enjoying the weather. ](https:\/\/static01.nyt.com\/images\/2025\/11\/06\/multimedia\/trav-paris-guide-neighborhoods-canal-gjvq\/trav-paris-guide-neighborhoods-canal-gjvq-mobileMasterAt3x-v3.jpg?width=600&quality=75&auto=webp&disable=upscale)\n  #### Canal St.-Martin & Canal de l’Ourcq\n  Recognizable for their cast-iron footbridges and tree-lined quays, the banks of the 19th-century Canal St.-Martin are a lively gathering place. Artists, cafes and wine bars occupy former warehouses and factories, and locals picnic along the water. Northward, the waterway feeds into the Bassin de la Villette, the city’s largest artificial lake, lined with cinemas and cafes, and the [Canal de l’Ourcq](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2025\/08\/31\/world\/europe\/a-city-reinvented-paris-is-now-greater-paris.html), opposite the [Philharmonie de Paris](https:\/\/philharmoniedeparis.fr\/fr) and the [Cité des Sciences](https:\/\/www.cite-sciences.fr\/fr\/accueil).\n  \n  **Best for:** Artists and creatives, couples, families   \n  **Where to stay:** Le Citizen (\\$\\$)   \n  **Things to do:** Marin d’Eau Douce canal ride (\\$\\$-\\$\\$\\$); Artazart (\\$-\\$\\$); Centre Commercial (\\$\\$)  \n  **Where to eat and drink:** Sur Mer (\\$\\$); Residence Kann (\\$); Paname Brewing Company (\\$); JJ Hings ice cream (\\$)\n  Save to list\n- ![A view down a road lined with lowrise buildings on the left and cars on the right with the Eiffel Tower lit in the distance. ](https:\/\/static01.nyt.com\/images\/2025\/12\/01\/multimedia\/trav-paris-guide-neighborhoods-Belleville\/trav-paris-guide-new-03-tklj-mobileMasterAt3x.jpg?width=600&quality=75&auto=webp&disable=upscale)\n  #### Belleville\n  Once a separate village annexed to Paris in 1860, Belleville and its hilltop neighbors Ménilmontant and Jourdain are among the city’s most diverse enclaves, shaped by immigration, political activism and art. The birthplace of Édith Piaf and the Paris Commune, a revolutionary government that ruled for 72 days, the area has winding streets, small shops, two large parks and a dynamic dining scene that preserve a rare, village-like spirit.\n  \n  **Best for:** Artists and creatives, food lovers, solo travelers  \n  **Where to stay:** The People Belleville (\\$) **Things to do:** Parc des Buttes-Chaumont; Parc de Belleville; La Bellevilloise (\\$-\\$\\$)  \n  **Where to eat and drink:** Le Petit Grain (\\$); Aux Folies (\\$); Ama Siam (\\$\\$); Le Cheval d’Or (\\$\\$\\$)\n  Save to list\n- ![A vendor is silhouetted in the foreground holding the miniature Eiffel tower while onlookers walk int he background to and from the real Eiffel Tower. ](https:\/\/static01.nyt.com\/images\/2025\/11\/06\/multimedia\/trav-paris-guide-neighborhoods-trocadero-kzvc\/trav-paris-guide-neighborhoods-trocadero-kzvc-mobileMasterAt3x-v3.jpg?width=600&quality=75&auto=webp&disable=upscale)\n  #### Trocadéro and Eiffel Tower\n  Across the Seine from the Eiffel Tower, Trocadéro’s grand esplanade delivers the city’s most cinematic view, framed by stately museums like the [Palais de Tokyo](https:\/\/palaisdetokyo.com\/?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=23147912308&gbraid=0AAAABBX5-zE_krJFBCdHc3ifUBhVG8XoW&gclid=CjwKCAiAwqHIBhAEEiwAx9cTeYLrlbhAU8UhtPpmgPxjda1huPJ-8l3DStIe8-aSELwaqDH8TrvmSxoCAJ0QAvD_BwE) and the [Musée de l’Homme](https:\/\/www.museedelhomme.fr\/fr). Crossing the Iéna Bridge leads to the Champ-de-Mars, a green expanse ideal for picnics and catching the tower’s evening sparkle. The surrounding neighborhood brims with cafes and elegant market streets like Rue Cler.\n  \n  **Best for:** Families, couples, museum lovers   \n  **Where to stay:** SAX Paris, LXR Hotels & Resorts (\\$\\$\\$)  \n  **Things to do:** Hôtel des Invalides (\\$); Palais Galliera (\\$); Musée d’Art Moderne (\\$)  \n  **Where to eat and drink:** Les Marches (\\$); Saint Pearl (\\$); Carette (\\$\\$)\n  Save to list\n\n### Left Bank vs. Right Bank\nParis is split by the Seine River: The Right Bank (north) has long been associated with commerce, luxury and grand boulevards, while the Left Bank (south) embodies intellect, bohemia and cafe culture. At the center are two naturally occurring islands, the Île St.-Louis and the Île de la Cité. The latter is home to Notre-Dame Cathedral and Sainte-Chappelle, and both are worth exploring. Monuments, museums and excellent dining abound on both sides of the river, so plan to navigate from one side of the river to the other, on foot, bus, metro or bicycle.\n\n### Go Deeper\nIf you have time, enrich your immersion in Paris (and just beyond) through world-class museums, gardens and cultural experiences.\n\nGalerie Vivienne, built in 1823.\n\n- #### Château de Versailles\n  Spend the day touring royal excess at Louis XIV and Marie Antoinette’s gilded palace, a 30- to 60-minute ride on the regional rail line RER C from Paris, and then lose yourself in the expansive formal gardens.\n  \n  **Tip:** Start with the palace when it opens and then escape the crowds to explore the gardens and the Trianon palaces in the afternoon.\n  \n  [Map](https:\/\/maps.app.goo.gl\/9q6fZk9ujaMSieAy8) ∙ [Website](https:\/\/www.chateauversailles.fr\/)\n  Save to list\n- #### Picasso Museum\n  Come for the world’s largest Picasso collection, which spans paintings, sculptures and ceramics in a stunning mansion in the Marais neighborhood.\n  \n  **Tip:** Visit the temporary exhibitions showcasing modern artists, many of them women.\n  \n  [Map](https:\/\/maps.app.goo.gl\/LKXx6yTf3VwftNGZ7) ∙ [Website](https:\/\/www.museepicassoparis.fr\/en)\n  Save to list\n- #### Musée de l’Orangerie\n  Built under Napoleon III to house the Tuileries’ orange trees, [L’Orangerie](https:\/\/www.musee-orangerie.fr\/en) now showcases Monet’s eight “Water Lilies” murals, works by Cézanne and Matisse, and stellar temporary shows.\n  \n  **Tip:** Get tickets when the museum opens to experience Monet’s “Water Lilies” in near silence — the oval rooms fill quickly, and the immersive effect fades as the crowds pour in.\n  \n  [Map](https:\/\/maps.app.goo.gl\/uqG3GkrERsgAd2bw9) ∙ [Website](https:\/\/www.musee-orangerie.fr\/en)\n  Save to list\n- #### Jardin des Plantes\n  Founded in 1626 as Louis XIII’s royal medicinal garden, this sprawling park houses a working botanical institute with greenhouses, an alpine garden and one of the oldest zoos in the world.\n  \n  **Tip:** Don’t miss the [Natural History Museum](https:\/\/www.mnhn.fr\/en) on the garden’s edge, with its soaring Galerie de l’Évolution, filled with lifelike animal displays.\n  \n  [Map](https:\/\/maps.app.goo.gl\/8zSZ9aXzw8ychYhu7) ∙ [Website](https:\/\/www.jardindesplantesdeparis.fr\/en)\n  Save to list\n- #### Walking tours\n  From [fashion](https:\/\/www.maisonfirestone.com\/tours) and [women’s history](https:\/\/womenofparis.co\/) to [Black and Afro-Caribbean culture](https:\/\/www.leparisnoir.com\/) and the [French capital during World War II](https:\/\/www.contexttravel.com\/cities\/paris\/tours\/paris-wwii-nazi-occupation-tour), there’s a thematic walking tour for every interest.\n  Save to list\n- #### Cooking and baking classes\n  Why just eat croissants when you can learn to make them? [La Cuisine Paris](https:\/\/lacuisineparis.com\/) offers cooking and baking classes in two Seine-facing spaces.\n  Save to list\n- #### Musée Rodin\n  This intimate [museum](https:\/\/www.musee-rodin.fr\/) traces Rodin’s evolution through sculptures, paintings and plasters, alongside works by his protégée Camille Claudel and paintings by Monet and van Gogh from his personal collection.\n  \n  **Tip:** Plan your visit for a dry day: Many of Rodin’s sculptures, including “The Thinker,” are displayed in the museum’s rose-filled sculpture garden.\n  \n  [Map](https:\/\/maps.app.goo.gl\/pyr814pW4zgw3jyz5) ∙ [Website](https:\/\/www.musee-rodin.fr\/en)\n  Save to list\n- #### Covered galleries and passages\n  Explore 18th-century glass-roofed (and rainproof) passages, like [Galerie Vivienne](https:\/\/www.galerie-vivienne.com\/), [Passage des Panoramas](https:\/\/passagesetgaleries.fr\/passage-des-panoramas\/) and the [Galeries du Palais-Royal](https:\/\/passagesetgaleries.fr\/galeries-palais-royal\/), filled with boutiques, galleries and historic cafes.\n  \n  **Tip:** About 30 covered passages remain today. Plot an itinerary that allows you to visit them all.\n  Save to list\n- #### Père Lachaise Cemetery\n  Oscar Wilde, Édith Piaf and Jim Morrison are among the 1.3 million souls buried across 110 acres of this peaceful hillside necropolis — the world’s most visited.\n  \n  **Tip:** The cemetery is more sprawling than it appears. Plan your route ahead of time by using the Père Lachaise [interactive map](https:\/\/pere-lachaise.plan-interactif.com\/en\/#!\/category\/963467).\n  \n  [Map](https:\/\/maps.app.goo.gl\/3nQnfFZEsrGiJPat5)\n  Save to list\n- #### Wine tasting\n  Get a crash course in wine through tastings and an app-guided tour at [Les Caves du Louvre](https:\/\/www.cavesdulouvre.com\/), set in a vast 18th-century vaulted cellar in the First Arrondissement that once extended all the way to the Louvre Palace.\n  \n  **Tip:** If spirits are more your style, book a gin-making class with the owners’ other establishment, [Distillerie de l’Arbre-Sec](https:\/\/www.distilleriedelarbresec.com\/).\n  \n  [Map](https:\/\/maps.app.goo.gl\/htTj27tFyxyc3ePN7) ∙ [Website](https:\/\/www.cavesdulouvre.com\/)\n  Save to list\n- #### Premium chocolateries\n  A chocolate playground awaits! Explore bean-to-bar confections at [Plaq](https:\/\/plaqchocolat.com\/en) and [Le Chocolat Alain Ducasse](https:\/\/www.lechocolat-alainducasse.com\/en\/), edible sculptures at [Patrick Roger](https:\/\/www.patrickroger.com\/en) and inventive flavor pairings at [Jacques Genin](https:\/\/jacquesgenin.fr\/).\n  Save to list\n\n### A Tour Through the Bourse de Commerce\nA former commodities exchange, the Bourse is now a contemporary art museum.\n\nIt displays the Pinault Collection, created by François Pinault, a founder of the luxury group Kering.\n\nThe renovation was done by the Japanese architect Tadao Ando, who placed a massive concrete cylinder in the middle of the rotunda. Recently, giant pieces by the artist Meg Webster were displayed there.\n\nEach piece was made with a different material, including beeswax.\n\n“Circle of Branches” made from twigs, hay and tree branches was created specifically to be exhibited at the Bourse.\n\nTowering above is a glass and iron dome, which has been restored to its original splendor. Encircling it is a monumental painting created in 1889 that depicts scenes of global trade.\n\n### Shopping\nWhether you browse the renowned department stores or go straight for the quirky independent shops, quality souvenirs abound in every neighborhood.\n\nÀ la Mère de Famille has been selling sweets for more than 250 years.\n\n**\\$**\\$\\$ Inexpensive shops\n\n**\\$\\$**\\$ Midrange and nicer stores (including vintage)\n\n**\\$\\$\\$** Expensive and luxury boutiques\n\n- #### À la Mère de Famille\n  An enchanting sweets shop from one of the city’s oldest chocolateries, with original wood-paneled décor, glass jars of bonbons and kid-friendly chocolates.\n  \n  \\$ ∙ Grands Boulevards\n  \n  [Map](https:\/\/maps.app.goo.gl\/z7fbbpQ9vrGii7QD6) ∙ [Website](https:\/\/www.lameredefamille.com\/)\n  Save to list\n- #### Le Bon Marché Rive Gauche\n  Among the world’s first department stores, this grand shop draws locals for its refined edit of fashion and design, plus a legendary gourmet food annex, [La Grande Épicerie](https:\/\/www.lagrandeepicerie.com\/en).\n  \n  \\$\\$\\$ ∙ St.-Germain-des-Prés\n  \n  [Map](https:\/\/maps.app.goo.gl\/f57gZUqgqEE8hwEA8) ∙ [Website](https:\/\/www.lagrandeepicerie.com\/en\/rive-gauche)\n  Save to list\n- #### Galeries Lafayette and Printemps Haussmann\n  These Art Nouveau shopping landmarks sit side by side and pair ornate domes with fashion and accessories. But only [Galeries Lafayette](https:\/\/haussmann.galerieslafayette.com\/en\/) offers [360-degree views](https:\/\/haussmann.galerieslafayette.com\/en\/the-terrace-at-galeries-lafayette\/) from the eighth-floor rooftop.\n  \n  \\$\\$\\$ ∙ Opéra\n  \n  [Map](https:\/\/maps.app.goo.gl\/DSN7MjYSs7TummNx9)\n  Save to list\n- #### Merci\n  This buzzy concept store carries international fashion, design and lifestyle brands under one roof, with two on-site cafes and rotating thematic pop-ups.\n  \n  \\$\\$ ∙ Marais\n  \n  [Map](https:\/\/maps.app.goo.gl\/444mfVYrK1zYd7C86) ∙ [Website](https:\/\/merci-merci.com\/en)\n  Save to list\n- #### Conservatoire des Hémisphères\n  A destination for tea lovers, this apothecary-style shop works with single-origin leaves, offering classic, flavored and rare teas and the option to create your own blend.\n  \n  \\$\\$ ∙ St.-Germain-des-Prés\n  \n  [Map](https:\/\/maps.app.goo.gl\/hrnxXZy6KXfzKd9e8) ∙ [Website](https:\/\/hemispheresparis.com\/)\n  Save to list\n- #### Messy Nessy’s Cabinet\n  Near Notre-Dame, the pocket-size shop brings the author Vanessa Grall’s popular [online world](https:\/\/www.messynessychic.com\/) of eclectic stories to life with quirky antiques, France-themed books and playful Paris-themed collectibles.\n  \n  \\$\\$ ∙ Latin Quarter\n  \n  [Map](https:\/\/maps.app.goo.gl\/HtuApk2wK81B6pGz6) ∙ [Website](https:\/\/shop.messynessychic.com\/)\n  Save to list\n- #### Marin Montagut\n  This whimsical shop spotlights the work of the artist and author Marin Montagut, carrying a selection of his hand-painted glassware, candles and objets d’art.\n  \n  \\$\\$ ∙ Luxembourg Gardens\n  \n  [Map](https:\/\/maps.app.goo.gl\/tGDxqW9VtGDBgAFQ7) ∙ [Website](https:\/\/www.marinmontagut.com\/en)\n  Save to list\n- #### E. Dehillerin\n  Beloved by Julia Child, this maze of a shop has specialized in copper pots and cooking tools for chefs and home cooks for 200 years.\n  \n  \\$\\$ ∙ Les Halles\n  \n  [Map](https:\/\/maps.app.goo.gl\/gjXa2K63vbAg73kZ9) ∙ [Website](https:\/\/www.edehillerin.fr\/en\/)\n  Save to list\n- #### Fromagerie Quatrehomme\n  An award-winning, family-run flagship cheese shop, with four other locations, has expertly aged cheeses and unique offerings like goat cheese from Burgundy infused with Nikka Japanese whiskey.\n  \n  \\$\\$ ∙ St.-Germain-des-Prés\n  \n  [Map](https:\/\/maps.app.goo.gl\/EyQRa9U7xS9Z4frY9) ∙ [Website](https:\/\/quatrehomme.fr\/en\/)\n  Save to list\n- #### Landline\n  This independently owned shop is a go-to for homewares, tableware, toys, paper goods and clothing from sustainable French and European makers, free from plastic.\n  \n  \\$\\$ ∙ Goncourt\n  \n  [Map](https:\/\/maps.app.goo.gl\/wdTctb3cVY74H9tB9) ∙ [Website](https:\/\/landlineparis.com\/password)\n  Save to list\n- #### Brigitte Tanaka\n  This shop’s sheer organza bags reinterpret grocery sacks of yesteryear with playful embroidered motifs, like the Paris metro, croissants and more.\n  \n  \\$\\$ ∙ Paris Center\n  \n  [Map](https:\/\/maps.app.goo.gl\/q1cqpBVLGvSCLtaD7) ∙ [Website](https:\/\/brigittetanaka.com\/en)\n  Save to list\n- #### Mélodies Graphiques\n  A Marais must for stationery, calligraphy essentials, notebooks, stamps and even handmade bookmarks.\n  \n  \\$ ∙ Marais\n  \n  [Map](https:\/\/maps.app.goo.gl\/7Jrk1TAgNvYJw7y89) ∙ [Website](https:\/\/melodies-graphiques.com\/)\n  Save to list\n\n### Is the Paris Museum Pass worth it?\n[The Paris Museum Pass](https:\/\/www.parismuseumpass.fr\/en), beginning with a two-day (€70 for adults), one-time-only pass, offers access to about 50 museums and monuments in Paris. (Museums and monuments are mostly free for visitors under 18.) To be cost-effective, the pass requires visiting several museums and monuments per day and booking required time slots in advance, which doesn’t leave much room for spontaneity. Individual museum tickets may provide greater flexibility.\n\n## Where to Stay\n### Hotels\nBeyond its ever-growing roster of gilded palaces, Paris brims with boutique hotels and budget-friendly stays offering fresh, design-driven alternatives.\n\nThe entrance to Hotel Balzac, just steps from the Champs-Elysées.\n\n**\\$**\\$\\$\\$\\$ Double room rates start at \\$130\n\n**\\$\\$**\\$\\$\\$ Rates from \\$200 to \\$400\n\n**\\$\\$\\$**\\$\\$ Rates from \\$400 to \\$600\n\n**\\$\\$\\$\\$**\\$ Above \\$600\n\n**\\$\\$\\$\\$\\$** Above \\$1,500\n\n- #### Hôtel de Crillon\n  This 18th-century landmark hotel features six dining establishments, an opulent spa, a gilded bar with a frescoed ceiling beloved by Parisians and a grand suite where, legend has it, Marie Antoinette once took piano lessons.\n  \n  \\$\\$\\$\\$\\$  ∙ Place de la Concorde\n  \n  [Map](https:\/\/maps.app.goo.gl\/nRMxjDWwGraEujgU8) ∙ [Website](https:\/\/www.rosewoodhotels.com\/en\/hotel-de-crillon)\n  Save to list\n- #### Hotel Balzac\n  This 1930s-chic hotel on Balzac’s former estate features an alcove bar, a Japanese spa and elegant, comfortably sized rooms.\n  \n  \\$\\$\\$\\$ ∙ Champs-Elysées\n  \n  [Map](https:\/\/maps.app.goo.gl\/xGDBEAZo2HJ1ce1D7) ∙ [Website](https:\/\/www.hotelbalzac.paris\/)\n  Save to list\n- #### Le Grand Mazarin\n  Maximalist is the operative word for this hotel, where canopy beds give way to a frescoed pool and a basement lounge packed with dancing locals.\n  \n  \\$\\$\\$\\$ ∙ Marais\n  \n  [Map](https:\/\/maps.app.goo.gl\/Cvfmm14dF5ofzCVx9) ∙ [Website](https:\/\/www.legrandmazarin.com\/)\n  Save to list\n- #### La Fondation\n  A former car park, this Brutalist complex combines 58 spacious rooms, a sports club (with a climbing wall), office space and a rooftop garden.\n  \n  \\$\\$\\$\\$ ∙ Parc Monceau\n  \n  [Map](https:\/\/maps.app.goo.gl\/yxc623eh86WuGeyV9) ∙ [Website](https:\/\/www.lafondationhotel.com\/)\n  Save to list\n- #### Hotel des Grands Voyageurs\n  This quiet Left Bank spot near Le Bon Marché blends trans-Atlantic glamour and Parisian flair, complete with rope-lined corridors, mahogany paneling and a sleek bar-brasserie.\n  \n  \\$\\$\\$ ∙ Montparnasse\n  \n  [Map](https:\/\/maps.app.goo.gl\/TvR6AJpuDaTGSBCt6) ∙ [Website](https:\/\/www.hoteldesgrandsvoyageurs.com\/)\n  Save to list\n- #### Hôtel Observatoire Luxembourg\n  This revamped boutique hotel is steps from Luxembourg Gardens and public transit and has a lively all-day restaurant in shades of green. Minimalist, comfortable rooms.\n  \n  \\$\\$\\$ ∙ Luxembourg Gardens\n  \n  [Map](https:\/\/maps.app.goo.gl\/DqUD99jN7EkKCBa37) ∙ [Website](https:\/\/www.observatoirehotel.com\/fr\/)\n  Save to list\n- #### Hôtel Massé\n  Contemporary art, 1970s vintage (including bedside lamps from the German industrial designer Ingo Maurer, nicknamed the Poet of Light) and a relaxed ground floor make this hotel feel like your own Parisian pied-à-terre.\n  \n  \\$\\$\\$ ∙ Pigalle\n  \n  [Map](https:\/\/maps.app.goo.gl\/4mAnPMyk1ASXf5Rp7) ∙ [Website](https:\/\/www.hotelmasse.com\/)\n  Save to list\n- #### Babel\n  This bohemian hotel in the city’s most diverse food enclave combines Moroccan aesthetics (glass lanterns, ocher-hued bedrooms) and Silk Road-inspired cooking in a spacious restaurant.\n  \n  \\$\\$ ∙ Belleville\n  \n  [Map](https:\/\/maps.app.goo.gl\/eD4NsmH1vgEfvxaz7) ∙ [Website](https:\/\/www.babel-belleville.com\/en\/)\n  Save to list\n- #### 25hours Hotel Terminus Nord\n  Opposite the Gare du Nord train station, the colorful hotel mirrors the neighborhood’s multicultural energy with patterned textiles, vintage décor and the [Sape bar](https:\/\/sapebar.fr\/en\/) celebrating Congolese sapeur fashion culture.\n  \n  \\$\\$ ∙ Gare du Nord\n  \n  [Map](https:\/\/maps.app.goo.gl\/XfYH5aBpj33WhtgW7) ∙ [Website](https:\/\/25hours-hotels.com\/paris\/terminus-nord\/)\n  Save to list\n- #### Hotel Folie\n  Surrounded by buzzy restaurants, this intimate hotel (formerly Hôtel de Charonne) offers blue or green striped rooms and a farmhouse-chic salon that evokes the 11th Arrondissement’s rural past.\n  \n  \\$ ∙  Charonne\n  \n  [Map](https:\/\/maps.app.goo.gl\/Zjcw8Fi2zUyasx247) ∙ [Website](https:\/\/en.orsohotels.com\/hotel-folie)\n  Save to list\n- #### The People\n  A design-forward hostel-hotel hybrid overlooking the Seine River offers dorms and private rooms, a rooftop terrace, and vibrant energy in the bar-restaurant TiTi Palacio.\n  \n  \\$ ∙ Marais\n  \n  [Map](https:\/\/maps.app.goo.gl\/xMLWuAh5ezL7oyDCA) ∙ [Website](https:\/\/www.thepeoplehostel.com\/en\/destinations\/paris-marais\/)\n  Save to list\n\n## Where to Eat and Drink\n### Breakfast and Lunch\nHistorically a city of sweet breakfasts (croissants, tartines and coffee at every turn), Paris now embraces a broader morning selection. At lunch, sandwiches, stews and modern bistros make daytime dining worth reserving.\n\nCandied fruit at Café Verlet.\n\n**\\$**\\$\\$ Street food and casual eats\n\n**\\$\\$**\\$ Accessible-midrange\n\n**\\$\\$\\$** Upscale to luxurious\n\n- #### Café Verlet\n  Between the Louvre and the Palais Royal, the city’s oldest coffeehouse serves single-origin coffees and teas alongside sweet and savory breakfast options.\n  \n  \\$  ∙ Paris Center\n  \n  [Map](https:\/\/maps.app.goo.gl\/XteBJh9FTByZgKeL6) ∙ [Website](https:\/\/www.verlet.fr\/en\/)\n  Save to list\n- #### Maison Fleuret\n  Take your coffee with some reading material. This former bookshop turned compact cafe serves sweet and savory vegetarian breakfasts amid floor-to-ceiling shelves of titles from Gallimard, a prestigious French publisher.\n  \n  \\$ ∙ St.-Germain-des-Prés\n  \n  [Map](https:\/\/maps.app.goo.gl\/ypVa8j69PFJtkrPT9) ∙ [Website](https:\/\/maisonfleuret.fr\/pages\/the-coffee-shop)\n  Save to list\n- #### Le Petit Vendôme\n  Join the (fast-moving) line for the star item: a jambon-beurre. The sandwich comes on a crispy baguette slathered with unsalted butter from a giant wedge and quality ham cooked on the bone.\n  \n  \\$ ∙ Opéra\n  \n  [Map](https:\/\/maps.app.goo.gl\/2RRtawwJSbowh84B9) ∙ [Website](https:\/\/lepetitvendome.fr\/en)\n  Save to list\n- #### Minicafé\n  This serene cafe, once a monastic boutique run by nuns on a 14th-century cobblestone street (Rue des Barres), serves specialty coffee, granola bowls and cakes. Outdoor seating is available.\n  \n  \\$ ∙ Marais\n  \n  [Map](https:\/\/maps.app.goo.gl\/EfUGYV7YD6f24MuN7) ∙ [Website](https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/minicafeparis\/?hl=en)\n  Save to list\n- #### Chez Georges\n  The prototypical bistro, preserved to perfection: pressed tablecloths, handwritten menus, career waiters and robust portions of classics like sole meunière and grilled rib-eye with marrow.\n  \n  \\$\\$\\$ ∙ Paris Center\n  \n  [Map](https:\/\/maps.app.goo.gl\/sPQGKDbQmeWzX6xL6) ∙ [Website](https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/chezgeorgesruedumail\/?hl=en)\n  Save to list\n- #### Du Pain et des Idées\n  A Canal St.-Martin favorite since 2002 for rustic loaves and viennoiseries (breakfast pastries). The baker-owner now offers Roman-style pizzas and natural wine for lunch next door at [La Table](https:\/\/www.la-table-dpdi.com\/).\n  \n  \\$ ∙ Canal St.-Martin\n  \n  [Map](https:\/\/maps.app.goo.gl\/WysVtSyi9de5Jw7i9) ∙ [Website](https:\/\/www.la-table-dpdi.com\/)\n  Save to list\n- #### Kunitoraya\n  Since 1991, this udon bar has drawn crowds the moment doors open at noon for its handmade noodles. Now, fans line up for onigiri too, with the Japanese rice balls served from a take-out window.\n  \n  \\$\\$  ∙ Paris Center\n  \n  [Map](https:\/\/maps.app.goo.gl\/41pjae1fQKTdZpHx6) ∙ [Website](https:\/\/udon-bistro.com\/)\n  Save to list\n- #### Lastre Sans Apostrophe\n  This gourmet deli lures locals with award-winning pâtés en crôute (meat pies baked in flaky pastry) and jarred classics like coq au vin and beef Bourguignon.\n  \n  \\$\\$  ∙ Eiffel Tower\n  \n  [Map](https:\/\/maps.app.goo.gl\/srn8bHT2Y2TS6ArJ7) ∙ [Website](https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/yohanlastre)\n  Save to list\n- #### Falafel on Rue des Rosiers\n  Falafel reigns in Paris’s historic Jewish quarter, where [L’As du Fallafel](https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/lasdufallafel\/?hl=en) and [Chez Hanna](https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/chezhannaparis\/?hl=en) serve crisp, overflowing pita sandwiches that draw famously long lines.\n  \n  \\$ ∙ Marais\n  \n  [Map](https:\/\/maps.app.goo.gl\/7QX2RHt8X2w6ejedA)\n  Save to list\n- #### Chez Carrie\n  Vegetables — in salads, fritters, dips and more — play a starring role in this warm and inviting bistro. Save room for the seasonal soft-serve topped with toasted buckwheat.\n  \n  \\$\\$ ∙ Paris Centre\n  \n  [Map](https:\/\/maps.app.goo.gl\/9Nkr6x7cuMTs6z2y5) ∙ [Website](https:\/\/www.chezcarrie.com\/)\n  Save to list\n- #### Le Marché des Enfants Rouges\n  Beyond its status as the oldest covered market in Paris, this is an ideal spot for indecisive diners with its specialty stands and international prepared-food stalls.\n  \n  \\$\\$ ∙ Marais\n  \n  [Map](https:\/\/maps.app.goo.gl\/DeQC8AaA3Wta2y9QA) ∙ [Website](https:\/\/www.paris.fr\/lieux\/marche-couvert-des-enfants-rouges-5461)\n  Save to list\n- #### Urfa Durum\n  On a street dotted with flavorful, affordable options, these Kurdish flatbread sandwiches, filled with spiced meat and vegetables grilled over an open flame, deserve a special stop.\n  \n  \\$ ∙ Strasbourg-St.-Denis\n  \n  [Map](https:\/\/maps.app.goo.gl\/YsHd6R1ogfBHeVN56) ∙ [Website](https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/urfadurumparis\/)\n  Save to list\n- #### Breizh Café\n  Brittany meets Japan at this 30-year-old crepe and buckwheat galette cafe with classic and modern recipes, like lobster with apple and miso-yuzu mayo.\n  \n  \\$\\$ ∙ Odéon\n  \n  [Map](https:\/\/maps.app.goo.gl\/4knGndQ8eCBaWweT7) ∙ [Website](https:\/\/www.breizhcafe.com\/)\n  Save to list\n\n### Paris, City of Love\nIn legend, popular culture and real life, Paris is a city of romance.\n\nThe authorities have cracked down on couples placing “love locks” on bridges, but more ephemeral expressions of affection are everywhere.\n\nOn the streets in the Fourth Arrondissement.\n\nOn the Rue de Seine, a historic street on the city’s Left Bank.\n\nIn the Tuileries Garden at the heart of the city.\n\nOn a date at Bistrot Paul Bert, in the trendy 11th Arrondissement.\n\nAnd in the steamy windows of Bar Le Cinquante, in the 10th.\n\n### Cultural dos and don’ts\nBe sure to say “bonjour” or “bonsoir” when entering shops or restaurants and before asking someone for assistance. Those salutations, along with “merci,” are a nonnegotiable form of social etiquette.\n\nBe mindful of local dining times. Lunch service typically runs from 12 to 2 p.m. and dinner begins at 7 or 7:30 p.m., with the exception of basic cafes, which offer nonstop service.\n\n### Dinner\nThe evening meal is serious business in Paris, where time-honored bistros sit side by side with inventive restaurants championing seasonal cooking with wide-reaching influences. Try these fine tables to begin your culinary journey.\n\nClassic French fare at Chez Denise.\n\n**\\$**\\$\\$ Street food and casual eats\n\n**\\$\\$**\\$ Accessible-midrange\n\n**\\$\\$\\$** Upscale to luxurious\n\n- #### Chez Denise\n  This original bistro from Les Halles’ heyday as the city’s central fresh food market still serves gargantuan portions of classic French fare like blanquette de veau late into the night.\n  \n  \\$\\$  ∙ Les Halles\n  \n  [Map](https:\/\/maps.app.goo.gl\/bi1J89jRfQfS6wxc9) ∙ [Website](https:\/\/la-tour-montlhery-chez-denise.res-menu.com\/#google_vignette)\n  Save to list\n- #### Le Tagine\n  This family-run staple has paired soulful Moroccan couscous and tagines with natural wines for four decades — long before vin nature, or natural wine, became a Parisian obsession.\n  \n  \\$\\$  ∙ Oberkampf\n  \n  [Map](https:\/\/maps.app.goo.gl\/wguAFKDbhax8eUyj8) ∙ [Website](https:\/\/www.letagine-restaurant.com\/)\n  Save to list\n- #### Le Duc\n  Since 1967, this Left Bank institution has been a chic draw for classic French seafood and its polished wood-paneled design that evokes a yacht at sea.\n  \n  \\$\\$\\$ ∙ Montparnasse\n  \n  [Map](https:\/\/maps.app.goo.gl\/yN16yfZHWfYKTHku6) ∙ [Website](http:\/\/restaurantleduc.com\/)\n  Save to list\n- #### Huîtrerie Régis\n  Regulars sit shoulder-to-shoulder in this compact raw bar, known for its variety of oysters from Brittany producers as well as scallops and sea urchin.\n  \n  \\$\\$ ∙ St.-Germain-des-Prés\n  \n  [Map](https:\/\/maps.app.goo.gl\/jXJGiaBb3dwaMMUq7) ∙ [Website](https:\/\/huitrerie-regis.com\/en\/home\/)\n  Save to list\n- #### Ducasse sur Seine\n  Aboard this sleek electric boat, the star chef-restaurateur Alain Ducasse reimagines the dinner cruise, serving seasonal cooking while drifting by the city’s monuments.\n  \n  \\$\\$\\$ ∙ Trocadéro\n  \n  [Map](https:\/\/maps.app.goo.gl\/adqZrPe5VDjXmLQF8) ∙ [Website](https:\/\/www.ducasse-seine.com\/en\/the-cuisine)\n  Save to list\n- #### Ama Siam\n  Grab a seat on a multicolored stool and order khao soi, an egg noodle soup with a curry paste broth, natural wine or Laotian beer at this ode to Southeast Asian home cooking.\n  \n  \\$\\$ ∙ Belleville\n  \n  [Map](https:\/\/maps.app.goo.gl\/JThejPMkamzAUzVf7) ∙ [Website](https:\/\/www.amasiam.com\/)\n  Save to list\n- #### a.lea\n  Away from the Montmartre crowds on a quiet street, this lovely modern bistro delivers elegant, produce-driven dishes with an affordable wine selection.\n  \n  \\$\\$ ∙ Montmartre\n  \n  [Map](https:\/\/maps.app.goo.gl\/m5tFWcHLRuauMBDA6) ∙ [Website](https:\/\/www.alearestaurant.com\/)\n  Save to list\n- #### Le Chardenoux\n  This bistro wows with its Art Nouveau detailing and an ethereal painted ceiling. Come for whole fish and baba au rhum, a small syrup-and-rum-soaked cake.\n  \n  \\$\\$\\$  ∙ Charonne\n  \n  [Map](https:\/\/maps.app.goo.gl\/9oQZ1ZY14NB5UeXf9) ∙ [Website](https:\/\/restaurantlechardenoux.com\/)\n  Save to list\n\n### Bars\nRaise your glass and say, “Santé!” The drinking scene in Paris, from its vibrant wine bars to creative cocktail dens, is reason enough to plan an itinerary around apéro hour, the French tradition of pre-dinner drinks and nibbles.\n\nKnown for cocktails, Harry’s New York Bar also serves hot dogs.\n\n**\\$**\\$\\$ A drink costs under \\$12\n\n**\\$\\$**\\$ \\$12-\\$20\n\n**\\$\\$\\$** More than \\$20\n\n- #### De Vie\n  Beneath the owners’ tasting-menu restaurant, this sleek bar serves hyper-seasonal cocktails à la carte or as part of a five-part tasting, with snacks like radish chips and marinated olives.\n  \n  \\$\\$ ∙ Paris Center\n  \n  [Map](https:\/\/maps.app.goo.gl\/JAFYeepjKWKxRzuS8) ∙ [Website](https:\/\/devie.bar\/)\n  Save to list\n- #### Le Rosebud\n  In this dimly lit bar, white-vested bartenders mix classic cocktails for a nostalgic local crowd that recalls its past as a divey hangout for Jean-Paul Sartre and Marguerite Duras.\n  \n  \\$\\$ ∙ Montparnasse\n  \n  [Map](https:\/\/maps.app.goo.gl\/vxwaAJ96Yvi4oZgRA) ∙ [Website](https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/lerosebud\/?hl=en)\n  Save to list\n- #### Harry’s New York Bar\n  This storied New York bar, covered in collegiate pennants and famously frequented by the Lost Generation writers like Gertrude Stein and Ernest Hemingway, has been pouring classic cocktails from a mahogany bar since 1911.\n  \n  \\$\\$ ∙ Opéra\n  \n  [Map](https:\/\/maps.app.goo.gl\/Rne4nazowFRQwYbZ8) ∙ [Website](https:\/\/www.harrysbar.com\/en\/harrys-bar-traditionally-inventive-since-1911\/)\n  Save to list\n- #### Bar Nouveau\n  It’s a tight squeeze at this Art Nouveau-inspired bar that serves six ever-changing cocktails. Packed? Don’t fret: More seats await in the moodier, more modern downstairs bar.\n  \n  \\$\\$ ∙ Marais\n  \n  [Map](https:\/\/maps.app.goo.gl\/fy9VSZs3aW1uzvfj7) ∙ [Website](https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/bar_nouveau_\/?hl=en)\n  Save to list\n- #### Danico\n  Past the ovens at the popular pizzeria Daroco or through the historic covered passage, Galerie Vivienne, sits this sleek cocktail bar with soaring ceilings and a rotating menu of international spirits.\n  \n  \\$\\$ ∙ Paris Center\n  \n  [Map](https:\/\/maps.app.goo.gl\/qR2PZPzYSmiASWdK6) ∙ [Website](https:\/\/www.daroco.com\/en\/)\n  Save to list\n- #### Cravan\n  This multistory bar in a 17th-century hôtel particulier (private mansion) offers guests three distinct atmospheres to sip creative cocktails. There’s also a Rizzoli bookshop and a minuscule rooftop cinema that seats only a few people.\n  \n  \\$\\$ ∙ St.-Germain-des-Prés\n  \n  [Map](https:\/\/maps.app.goo.gl\/UDjTJTUQapdB9MG38) ∙ [Website](https:\/\/www.cravanparis.com\/en)\n  Save to list\n- #### Augustin Marchand d’Vins\n  Beneath a red neon sign, this intimate wine bar goes big on charm, with exposed beams, marble tables and stellar natural wines paired with thoughtful small plates.\n  \n  \\$\\$ ∙ St.-Germain-des-Prés\n  \n  [Map](https:\/\/maps.app.goo.gl\/xxmWWbjMb2vfwfhu8) ∙ [Website](https:\/\/augustinmarchand.com\/)\n  Save to list\n- #### Folderol\n  Ice cream and natural wine are the unexpected best-selling companions, attracting families, couples and serious oenophiles to this wine-shop-meets-bar.\n  \n  \\$ ∙ Oberkampf\n  \n  [Map](https:\/\/maps.app.goo.gl\/M5V7HuZNwsuBZXbi6) ∙ [Website](https:\/\/www.folderol.fr\/)\n  Save to list\n- #### Le Bar des Maillets d’Argent\n  Coffee and croissants by day, a cognac lover’s hangout by night in this 1930s-style lounge bar on the ground floor of the legendary Tour d’Argent restaurant.\n  \n  \\$\\$\\$ ∙ Latin Quarter\n  \n  [Map](https:\/\/maps.app.goo.gl\/k2mC42XTmwP3MMUGA) ∙ [Website](https:\/\/tourdargent.com\/le-bar-des-maillets-dargent\/)\n  Save to list\n- #### Le Mary Celeste\n  Come for a creative cocktail, a glass of natural or biodynamic sparkling wine, or craft beer on tap, but stay for the small plates and late-night energy.\n  \n  \\$\\$ ∙ Marais\n  \n  [Map](https:\/\/maps.app.goo.gl\/k2JNX3B8ZoU865uBA) ∙ [Website](https:\/\/www.lemaryceleste.com\/)\n  Save to list\n\n## The Basics\n- ## Do I need a visa?\n  Americans do not need a visa to visit France if traveling for less than 90 days. By late 2026, American travelers will need pre-approval via the European Travel Information and Authorization System.\n- ## What is the best time of year to visit?\n  There are fewer crowds beginning mid-autumn through spring, making the shoulder season the best time to visit. As with much of Europe, avoid mid-August, when many Parisian restaurants and shops close.\n- ## What currency is used?\n  The euro. Mastercard and Visa credit and debit cards are widely accepted, but there can be a minimum in retail shops to use them. Have cash handy for these transactions or to leave small tips. Local A.T.M.s are plentiful.\n- ## Do I need a converter?\n  You will need a plug adapter for France’s Type C or E outlets.\n- ## Is tipping required?\n  Tipping is not required. However, it’s common to leave small change or round up the bill for good service at casual restaurants or in taxis. For hotel housekeeping and fine dining establishments, a 5 to 10 percent tip is appreciated. Increasingly, restaurants and bars offer the option of adding a tip when paying by credit card.\n- ## Is it safe to drink the tap water?\n  Yes. There are [1,200 free public drinking fountains](https:\/\/fontaine.eaudeparis.fr\/) spread out across the city, especially in parks and gardens, where you can fill up your own reusable water bottle.\n- ## Which airport should I fly into?\n  Most international flights arrive at Roissy Charles de Gaulle (CDG), northeast of the city, but some land at Orly (ORY) airport, south of the city.\n- ## How do I get from the airport to central Paris?\n  For a one‑way journey into Paris from CDG, the cheapest options (both €13) are to take the regional train (RER B), which takes about 25 minutes to the Gare du Nord, the city’s northernmost and busiest main train station, or the Roissybus, which can take up to an hour, to a central stop adjacent to the opulent opera house, Opéra Garnier. From Orly Terminal 3, metro line 14 conveniently connects to the Chatelet station in central Paris within 25 minutes (€13). A taxi or an Uber from CDG to central Paris is the most direct but will typically cost €56 to €65, and from Orly, around €36 to €45.\n- ## Do I need to rent a car? How easy is it to take public transportation?\n  You definitely don’t need a car. Paris is one of the best-connected cities in Europe. You can get around entirely by metro, bus, tram or bike, and easily on foot.\n- ## Does Uber exist? Are there other local ride-share options?\n  Yes, [Uber](https:\/\/www.uber.com\/) and [Bolt](https:\/\/bolt.eu\/en-fr\/) are popular ride-share options in Paris. The apps [FreeNow](https:\/\/www.free-now.com\/fr-en\/) and [G7](https:\/\/www.g7.fr\/en\/) are for official taxis, which may be faster because they are permitted to use bus lanes.\n- ## Is there a dress code for restaurants in Paris?\n  Fine dining restaurants will stipulate if a jacket and tie are required for men, but for the most part, restaurants lean toward a casual but put-together style.\n- ## What should I wear to avoid looking like a tourist?\n  Parisians abide by smart casual. Even to go out at night, they’ll wear sleek sneakers or leather flats, jeans and a nice top unless formal attire is required. You won’t find them in athleisure unless they are exercising. Follow their lead and skip the leggings, bike shorts and sports bras and, as The New York Times’s fashion director, Vanessa Friedman, [suggests](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2022\/07\/08\/fashion\/clothes-travel-france.html), avoid anything too flashy or impossible to walk in — no stilettos. And do leave the flip-flops at home.\n\n##### My Paris List\n## Save items to create your list.\n\n[View and share our full Google map of recommendations.](https:\/\/maps.app.goo.gl\/PxToVVvAdLfFcrDXA)\n\n### More Paris Coverage\n[![](https:\/\/static01.nyt.com\/images\/2023\/07\/01\/travel\/22hours-paris-tjzf\/22hours-paris-tjzf-articleLarge.jpg) 36 Hours in Paris June 22, 2023](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/interactive\/2023\/06\/22\/travel\/things-to-do-paris.html)\n\n[![](https:\/\/static01.nyt.com\/images\/2025\/05\/28\/multimedia\/00trav-Paris-Museums-jgqf\/00trav-Paris-Museums-jgqf-articleLarge.jpg) In Paris, 3 Troves of Art and Curios Even the Parisians Don’t Know About June 9, 2025](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2025\/06\/09\/travel\/paris-art-museums.html)\n\n[![](https:\/\/static01.nyt.com\/images\/2024\/07\/15\/travel\/00PARIS-BAKERIES-COMBO\/00PARIS-BAKERIES-COMBO-articleLarge.jpg) An Insider’s Guide to the Most Mouthwatering Bakeries in Paris July 15, 2024](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2024\/07\/15\/travel\/best-paris-bakeries.html)\n\n[![](https:\/\/static01.nyt.com\/images\/2024\/08\/06\/travel\/00Peniche-paris-illo\/00Peniche-paris-illo-articleLarge.jpg) In Paris, a Riverboat Sojourn on the Banks of the Seine Sept. 18, 2024](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2024\/09\/18\/travel\/paris-seine-riverboat.html)\n\n[![](https:\/\/static01.nyt.com\/images\/2024\/11\/22\/realestate\/notre-dame\/notre-dame-articleLarge.jpg) How to Visit Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris Nov. 29, 2024](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2024\/11\/29\/travel\/notre-dame-cathedral-paris-visit.html)\n\n[![](https:\/\/static01.nyt.com\/images\/2025\/05\/24\/travel\/00paris-ollie-guide-tkbw\/00paris-ollie-guide-tkbw-articleLarge.jpg) ‘Paris Here I Come!’: The Story of a 1950s Guide for Black Travelers May 8, 2025](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2025\/05\/08\/travel\/black-paris-travel-guide-1950s.html)\n\n- Share full article\n- 287\n\nPhotographs by Camille McOuat, Violette Franchi, James Hill, Dmitry Kostyukov, Andrea Mantovani, Nathalie Mohadjer, Joann Pai and Elliott Verdier for The New York Times; Simbarashe Cha\/The New York Times.  \n  \nEdited by Lynda Richardson and Amy Virshup.   \n  \nProduced by Gabriel Gianordoli, Rebecca Lieberman, Eve Lyons and Jessie Schwartz.   \n  \nAdditional production: Heather Phillips, Emily Wolfe, Jason Chiu, Eric Morse, Marek Smolinski and Anna Venarchik.\n\nSee more on: [Louvre](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/topic\/organization\/louvre)\n\nRead 287 comments\n\n- Share full article\n- 287\n## Related Content\nAdvertisement\n\n[SKIP ADVERTISEMENT](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/interactive\/2026\/travel\/paris-france-guide.html#after-bottom)\n## Site Index\n## Site Information Navigation\n- [© 2026 The New York Times Company](https:\/\/help.nytimes.com\/hc\/en-us\/articles\/115014792127-Copyright-Notice)\n\n- [NYTCo](https:\/\/www.nytco.com\/)\n- [Contact Us](https:\/\/help.nytimes.com\/hc\/en-us\/articles\/115015385887-Contact-The-New-York-Times)\n- [Accessibility](https:\/\/help.nytimes.com\/hc\/en-us\/articles\/115015727108-Accessibility)\n- [Work with us](https:\/\/www.nytco.com\/careers\/)\n- [Advertise](https:\/\/advertising.nytimes.com\/)\n- [T Brand Studio](https:\/\/advertising.nytimes.com\/custom-content\/)\n- [Privacy Policy](https:\/\/help.nytimes.com\/hc\/en-us\/articles\/10940941449492-The-New-York-Times-Company-Privacy-Policy)\n- [Cookie Policy](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/privacy\/cookie-policy)\n- [Terms of Service](https:\/\/help.nytimes.com\/hc\/en-us\/articles\/115014893428-Terms-of-Service)\n- [Terms of Sale](https:\/\/help.nytimes.com\/hc\/en-us\/articles\/115014893968-Terms-of-Sale)\n- [Site Map](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/sitemap\/)\n- [Canada](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/ca\/)\n- [International](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/international\/)\n- [Help](https:\/\/help.nytimes.com\/hc\/en-us)\n- [Subscriptions](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/subscription?campaignId=37WXW)","attrs_readable_markdown":"Your Guide to Paris\n\nHow do you navigate Paris for the first time — a city where every cobblestone street seems to whisper centuries of history and every corner cafe promises an unforgettable bon vivant moment? With 20 arrondissements (districts) spiraling outward from the Seine River, Paris can feel both eminently walkable and dizzying in its possibilities. Do you prioritize the greatest hits, like the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre and Notre-Dame Cathedral, above all else? Perhaps most important, how do you balance postcard Paris with the dynamic and forward-looking version of the city that locals love?\n\nThis guide is a starting point, with tips and suggestions for your inaugural visit to the City of Light that may inspire your future visits, too. Whatever you do, remember: Parisians embrace a slower pace, so follow their lead and start your journey by focusing on one or two neighborhoods at a time to absorb their character fully. And whenever your feet tire and you feel you can’t possibly eat another bite, kick back in any number of parks to rest and plan your next move.\n\nWhat to Do\n\n- #### Terrace culture\n  In every neighborhood, at all hours, locals linger on cafe terraces, coffee or wine in hand, engrossed in conversation or a book. Practice the Parisian art of leisure at legendary cafes like [Les Deux Magots](https:\/\/lesdeuxmagots.fr\/) and [Le Nemours](https:\/\/www.lenemours.paris\/), or neighborhood favorites like [À la Renaissance](https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/a_la_renaissance\/?hl=en) and [Le Progrès](https:\/\/www.leprogresmarais.fr\/).\n  \n  **Tip:** Take a seat midmorning or late afternoon (outside mealtime) for unhurried service.\n- #### A Seine cruise\n  Paris was born on the Seine, so there’s no better way to feel its rhythm and see the sights than from the river. Hop on a group cruise with [Bateaux Mouches](https:\/\/www.bateaux-mouches.fr\/fr) or [Vedettes du Pont Neuf](https:\/\/www.vedettesdupontneuf.com\/), or charter a private boat with [Green River Cruises](https:\/\/www.greenriver-paris.fr\/) for front-row views and more privacy.\n  \n  **Tip:** Book a sunset cruise, the most atmospheric time of day when the landmarks glow and locals gather along the riverbanks.\n- #### Breads and pastries\n  The best of Paris’s [1,300 boulangeries](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2024\/07\/15\/travel\/best-paris-bakeries.html) and pâtisseries mix tradition and innovation. Head to [Mamiche](https:\/\/www.mamiche.fr\/) for cream puffs and babka; [Poilâne](https:\/\/www.poilane.com\/) for hearty sourdough; [Utopie](https:\/\/boulangerieutopie.com\/) for an [award-winning baguette](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2024\/07\/15\/travel\/best-paris-bakeries.html) and éclairs; [La Maison d’Isabelle](https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/maison_isabelle_paris\/?hl=en) for a prizewinning croissant; [Pierre Hermé](https:\/\/www.pierreherme.com\/) for unique macarons; and [Tapisserie](https:\/\/www.tapisserie-patisserie.fr\/) for its maple-syrup tart.\n  \n  **Tip:** Go early in the morning for the widest selection or after lunch before the 4 p.m. goûter (afternoon snack) crowds descend.\n- #### Eiffel Tower and Notre-Dame\n  No visit to Paris is complete without its two most recognizable landmarks. The Eiffel Tower, built for the 1889 World’s Fair, defines the skyline and sparkles with 20,000 lights hourly after dusk. Notre-Dame Cathedral, the 12th-century Gothic masterpiece [reborn](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/interactive\/2024\/12\/05\/arts\/design\/notre-dame-reopens-paris.html) in 2024 after painstaking post-fire restoration, remains the city’s spiritual and architectural heart.\n  \n  **Tip:** Go in and go up! Book tickets to climb to the first and second floors (674 steps) of the [Eiffel Tower](https:\/\/www.toureiffel.paris\/en\/explore) and then finish in the lift to the top floor. Expect to climb 424 steps through the [Notre-Dame belfry’s roof structure](https:\/\/www.tours-notre-dame-de-paris.fr\/en\/actualites\/the-new-notre-dame-de-paris-towers-tour) for panoramic views.\n- #### Louvre and the Musée d’Orsay\n  The city’s most famous museums practically face each other across the Seine. On the right bank, the [Louvre](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2023\/09\/22\/arts\/design\/laurence-des-cars-louvre.html): a once-royal palace showcasing antiquities and masterpieces like the “Mona Lisa” and the “Venus de Milo.” On the left bank, the [Musée d’Orsay](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2020\/03\/05\/arts\/design\/musee-dorsay-expansion.html), a converted Beaux-Arts train station highlighting Impressionist and Post-Impressionist works by Monet, Degas and Renoir.\n  \n  **Tip:** Book timed tickets in advance, ideally at opening, to avoid long waits.\n- #### Be a flâneur\n  Practice [the art of being a flâneur](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2023\/06\/19\/travel\/walking-travel-cities.html), a casual wanderer and observer. Born in 19th-century Paris and immortalized by the French poet and essayist Charles Baudelaire, the flâneur strolls without purpose as the city unfolds. For a bit of direction, [trace Paris’s gardens in bloom](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2023\/06\/19\/travel\/paris-travel-gardens-parks.html) or [follow the Seine River’s 23 UNESCO-listed bridges](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2019\/11\/04\/travel\/paris-bridges-seine.html) end to end.\n  \n  **Tip:** Pick a starting point — a bridge, a monument, a metro stop — and start strolling from there, sans Google Maps.\n\n### The Waiters of Brasserie Lipp\nBrasserie Lipp opened in 1880 and hasn’t changed much since.\n\n- #### Arc de Triomphe\n  Inspired by Rome’s Arch of Titus, the triumphal arch (visitors can climb to the top for exceptional views) was commissioned by Napoleon in 1806 to honor his army. Its sculpted reliefs and eternal flame pay tribute to France’s fallen soldiers.\n  \n  **Tip:** Stroll 1.2 miles from the Arc along the Avenue des Champs-Elysées to reach the avenue’s far end at the Place de la Concorde.\n- #### Sacré-Coeur Basilica\n  This white-domed basilica crowning the hill of Montmartre offers some of the best panoramic views in Paris and free admission to explore or attend Mass.\n  \n  **Tip:** Get a ticket (€8 for adults) to climb the nearly 300 narrow steps to the dome for even better views.\n- #### Panthéon\n  Originally a church honoring Ste. Geneviève, a patron saint of Paris, the domed Panthéon now enshrines France’s greats, from Voltaire and Marie Curie to Joséphine Baker, within its neoclassical walls.\n  \n  **Tip:** Don‘t miss a replica of Foucault’s pendulum; the original was first presented here in 1851 as proof of the Earth’s rotation.\n- #### Tuileries Gardens\n  Connecting the Louvre and the Place de la Concorde, Paris’s oldest and largest garden was redesigned by André Le Nôtre in the 17th century in three grand sculpture-lined sections whose elegant symmetry endures unchanged today.\n  \n  **Tip:** At the western end of the garden, visit the [Jeu de Paume](https:\/\/jeudepaume.org\/), an arts center specializing in multimedia by international artists from the 20th and 21st centuries.\n- #### The Medici Fountain\n  In the Luxembourg Gardens’ most romantic corner, a 17th-century Italianate fountain recalls Marie de Medici’s Florence. Its reflective basin and the green Sénat chairs surrounding it invite rest — or a photo op.\n  \n  **Tip:** Need a book to read for your meditative hang? Browse nearby at [the Red Wheelbarrow](https:\/\/theredwheelbarrowbookstore.com\/), an English-language bookshop, or [Librairies des Editions des Saints Pères](https:\/\/www.spbooks.com\/), which publishes facsimile manuscript editions of classic texts.\n- #### Market life\n  The bustling Bastille food market draws crowds Thursdays and Sundays to 100 stalls. Further east, the Marché d’Aligre and its covered annex offer a broader selection and a slice of local life six days a week.\n- #### Petit and Grand Palais\n  These grand Beaux-Arts neighbors from the 1900 World’s Fair draw crowds for their striking glass roofs and blockbuster exhibitions. Entrance to the [Petit Palais’](https:\/\/www.petitpalais.paris.fr\/en)s permanent collection, with masterworks by Rembrandt, Gauguin and Cézanne, is free.\n  \n  **Tip:** Book lunch or dinner at [Le Grand Café](https:\/\/www.legrandcafe-paris.com\/), the Grand Palais’s refreshed restaurant.\n- #### Palais Garnier\n  Opulent interiors and Marc Chagall’s spectacular ceiling make a stunning backdrop to ballet, opera and classical concerts in this Second Empire theater.\n  \n  **Tip:** Can’t see a performance? Book a [guided tour](https:\/\/www.operadeparis.fr\/en\/visits\/palais-garnier) of the opera house instead.\n- #### Art crawl\n  From the [Palais de Tokyo](https:\/\/palaisdetokyo.com\/en\/) to the [Fondation Louis Vuitton](https:\/\/www.fondationlouisvuitton.fr\/en), the [Bourse de Commerce](https:\/\/www.pinaultcollection.com\/en\/boursedecommerce), and the reimagined [Fondation Cartier](https:\/\/www.fondationcartier.com\/en), Paris’s modern and contemporary art spaces deliver blockbuster exhibitions year-round in buildings as striking as the art.\n  \n  **Tip:** The Pompidou Center is closed for five years for extensive restorations. Add it to your list for 2030.\n- #### Bibliophile shopping\n  Along the Seine, green bookstalls known as bouquinistes have sold secondhand written treasures for four centuries — open-air literary kin to storied bilingual shops like [Shakespeare & Company](https:\/\/www.shakespeareandcompany.com\/) and [Galignani](https:\/\/www.galignani.fr\/).\n- #### Sainte-Chapelle\n  A 13th-century marvel of Gothic architecture, this chapel hasn’t served as a church since the French Revolution, but its 1,113 stained-glass panels inspire plenty of worshipful awe.\n  \n  **Tip:** Download the Sainte-Chapelle Stained Glass app for context on each of the stained-glass windows and the scenes depicted. (Available on Google Play and the Apple App Store.)\n- #### Les Puces de St.-Ouen\n  Paris’s legendary northern “flea market” is actually a five-acre complex of 12 distinct covered markets with thousands of stalls selling antiques, vintage fashion and other treasures.\n  \n  **Tip:** Start with the [Marché Vernaison](https:\/\/marchevernaison.com\/), the oldest of the markets. Keep in mind that most markets are open Friday through Monday, busiest at the start of the weekend.\n\n- #### Paris Center\n  From the Marais to the Louvre, through the Tuileries Gardens and across Little Tokyo, the first four arrondissements that make up central Paris are also its historic heart, home to all the hallmarks of a Paris experience: history, river access, cafes aplenty and marquee monuments.\n  \n  **Best for:** Art lovers, fashionistas, culture mavens   \n  **Where to stay:** Caron de Beaumarchais (\\$\\$)  \n  **Things to do:** mahJ (Jewish History Museum) (\\$); Musée de la Chasse et de la Nature (\\$); Musée Carnavalet (free)  \n  **Where to eat and drink:** Chocolaterie Jade Genin (\\$); Juveniles (\\$\\$); Bar Hemingway (\\$\\$\\$); Berthillon (\\$)\n- #### Montmartre\n  Perched above the city, Montmartre’s warren of winding streets still echoes with the ghosts of Picasso and Modigliani. Major village vibes can be felt as you wind your way down from the white domes of Sacré-Coeur Basilica, crossing cobblestone squares and passing artisanal bakeries and corner cafes that overlook the city. At its heart is a small working vineyard that recalls the hill’s rural past.\n  \n  **Best for:** Sightseers, romantics, families   \n  **Where to stay:** Elysée Montmartre Hotel (\\$\\$)  \n  **Things to do:** Musée de Montmartre (\\$); Halle Saint-Pierre (\\$-\\$\\$); Au Lapin Agile cabaret (\\$\\$-\\$\\$\\$)   \n  **Where to eat and drink:** Maison Aleph (\\$); Gisou (\\$\\$); Bouillon Pigalle (\\$)\n- #### St.-Germain-des-Prés and Latin Quarter\n  Adjacent neighborhoods, these Left Bank staples capture two sides of Parisian intellectual past and present: the polished cafes and bookshops of St.-Germain, where Jean-Paul Sartre once held court, and the more lively Latin Quarter, anchored by the Sorbonne University. Between them, narrow streets lead to bookshops, art galleries, bistros and the leafy beauty of the Jardin du Luxembourg.\n  \n  **Best for:** Bon vivants, romantics, students   \n  **Where to stay:** Hôtel Dame des Arts (\\$\\$\\$)  \n  **Things to do:** Institut du Monde Arabe (\\$); Musée National Eugène Delacroix (\\$); Caveau de la Huchette Jazz & Swing (\\$\\$)  \n  **Where to eat and drink:** Tea salon at the Grande Mosquée de Paris (\\$); Atica (\\$\\$\\$); L’Avant Comptoir du Marché (\\$\\$); Ten Belles (\\$); Plaq (\\$\\$)\n- #### Canal St.-Martin & Canal de l’Ourcq\n  Recognizable for their cast-iron footbridges and tree-lined quays, the banks of the 19th-century Canal St.-Martin are a lively gathering place. Artists, cafes and wine bars occupy former warehouses and factories, and locals picnic along the water. Northward, the waterway feeds into the Bassin de la Villette, the city’s largest artificial lake, lined with cinemas and cafes, and the [Canal de l’Ourcq](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2025\/08\/31\/world\/europe\/a-city-reinvented-paris-is-now-greater-paris.html), opposite the [Philharmonie de Paris](https:\/\/philharmoniedeparis.fr\/fr) and the [Cité des Sciences](https:\/\/www.cite-sciences.fr\/fr\/accueil).\n  \n  **Best for:** Artists and creatives, couples, families   \n  **Where to stay:** Le Citizen (\\$\\$)   \n  **Things to do:** Marin d’Eau Douce canal ride (\\$\\$-\\$\\$\\$); Artazart (\\$-\\$\\$); Centre Commercial (\\$\\$)  \n  **Where to eat and drink:** Sur Mer (\\$\\$); Residence Kann (\\$); Paname Brewing Company (\\$); JJ Hings ice cream (\\$)\n- #### Belleville\n  Once a separate village annexed to Paris in 1860, Belleville and its hilltop neighbors Ménilmontant and Jourdain are among the city’s most diverse enclaves, shaped by immigration, political activism and art. The birthplace of Édith Piaf and the Paris Commune, a revolutionary government that ruled for 72 days, the area has winding streets, small shops, two large parks and a dynamic dining scene that preserve a rare, village-like spirit.\n  \n  **Best for:** Artists and creatives, food lovers, solo travelers  \n  **Where to stay:** The People Belleville (\\$) **Things to do:** Parc des Buttes-Chaumont; Parc de Belleville; La Bellevilloise (\\$-\\$\\$)  \n  **Where to eat and drink:** Le Petit Grain (\\$); Aux Folies (\\$); Ama Siam (\\$\\$); Le Cheval d’Or (\\$\\$\\$)\n- #### Trocadéro and Eiffel Tower\n  Across the Seine from the Eiffel Tower, Trocadéro’s grand esplanade delivers the city’s most cinematic view, framed by stately museums like the [Palais de Tokyo](https:\/\/palaisdetokyo.com\/?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=23147912308&gbraid=0AAAABBX5-zE_krJFBCdHc3ifUBhVG8XoW&gclid=CjwKCAiAwqHIBhAEEiwAx9cTeYLrlbhAU8UhtPpmgPxjda1huPJ-8l3DStIe8-aSELwaqDH8TrvmSxoCAJ0QAvD_BwE) and the [Musée de l’Homme](https:\/\/www.museedelhomme.fr\/fr). Crossing the Iéna Bridge leads to the Champ-de-Mars, a green expanse ideal for picnics and catching the tower’s evening sparkle. The surrounding neighborhood brims with cafes and elegant market streets like Rue Cler.\n  \n  **Best for:** Families, couples, museum lovers   \n  **Where to stay:** SAX Paris, LXR Hotels & Resorts (\\$\\$\\$)  \n  **Things to do:** Hôtel des Invalides (\\$); Palais Galliera (\\$); Musée d’Art Moderne (\\$)  \n  **Where to eat and drink:** Les Marches (\\$); Saint Pearl (\\$); Carette (\\$\\$)\n\n### Left Bank vs. Right Bank\nParis is split by the Seine River: The Right Bank (north) has long been associated with commerce, luxury and grand boulevards, while the Left Bank (south) embodies intellect, bohemia and cafe culture. At the center are two naturally occurring islands, the Île St.-Louis and the Île de la Cité. The latter is home to Notre-Dame Cathedral and Sainte-Chappelle, and both are worth exploring. Monuments, museums and excellent dining abound on both sides of the river, so plan to navigate from one side of the river to the other, on foot, bus, metro or bicycle.\n\n- #### Château de Versailles\n  Spend the day touring royal excess at Louis XIV and Marie Antoinette’s gilded palace, a 30- to 60-minute ride on the regional rail line RER C from Paris, and then lose yourself in the expansive formal gardens.\n  \n  **Tip:** Start with the palace when it opens and then escape the crowds to explore the gardens and the Trianon palaces in the afternoon.\n- #### Picasso Museum\n  Come for the world’s largest Picasso collection, which spans paintings, sculptures and ceramics in a stunning mansion in the Marais neighborhood.\n  \n  **Tip:** Visit the temporary exhibitions showcasing modern artists, many of them women.\n- #### Musée de l’Orangerie\n  Built under Napoleon III to house the Tuileries’ orange trees, [L’Orangerie](https:\/\/www.musee-orangerie.fr\/en) now showcases Monet’s eight “Water Lilies” murals, works by Cézanne and Matisse, and stellar temporary shows.\n  \n  **Tip:** Get tickets when the museum opens to experience Monet’s “Water Lilies” in near silence — the oval rooms fill quickly, and the immersive effect fades as the crowds pour in.\n- #### Jardin des Plantes\n  Founded in 1626 as Louis XIII’s royal medicinal garden, this sprawling park houses a working botanical institute with greenhouses, an alpine garden and one of the oldest zoos in the world.\n  \n  **Tip:** Don’t miss the [Natural History Museum](https:\/\/www.mnhn.fr\/en) on the garden’s edge, with its soaring Galerie de l’Évolution, filled with lifelike animal displays.\n- #### Walking tours\n  From [fashion](https:\/\/www.maisonfirestone.com\/tours) and [women’s history](https:\/\/womenofparis.co\/) to [Black and Afro-Caribbean culture](https:\/\/www.leparisnoir.com\/) and the [French capital during World War II](https:\/\/www.contexttravel.com\/cities\/paris\/tours\/paris-wwii-nazi-occupation-tour), there’s a thematic walking tour for every interest.\n- #### Cooking and baking classes\n  Why just eat croissants when you can learn to make them? [La Cuisine Paris](https:\/\/lacuisineparis.com\/) offers cooking and baking classes in two Seine-facing spaces.\n- #### Musée Rodin\n  This intimate [museum](https:\/\/www.musee-rodin.fr\/) traces Rodin’s evolution through sculptures, paintings and plasters, alongside works by his protégée Camille Claudel and paintings by Monet and van Gogh from his personal collection.\n  \n  **Tip:** Plan your visit for a dry day: Many of Rodin’s sculptures, including “The Thinker,” are displayed in the museum’s rose-filled sculpture garden.\n- #### Covered galleries and passages\n  Explore 18th-century glass-roofed (and rainproof) passages, like [Galerie Vivienne](https:\/\/www.galerie-vivienne.com\/), [Passage des Panoramas](https:\/\/passagesetgaleries.fr\/passage-des-panoramas\/) and the [Galeries du Palais-Royal](https:\/\/passagesetgaleries.fr\/galeries-palais-royal\/), filled with boutiques, galleries and historic cafes.\n  \n  **Tip:** About 30 covered passages remain today. Plot an itinerary that allows you to visit them all.\n- #### Père Lachaise Cemetery\n  Oscar Wilde, Édith Piaf and Jim Morrison are among the 1.3 million souls buried across 110 acres of this peaceful hillside necropolis — the world’s most visited.\n  \n  **Tip:** The cemetery is more sprawling than it appears. Plan your route ahead of time by using the Père Lachaise [interactive map](https:\/\/pere-lachaise.plan-interactif.com\/en\/#!\/category\/963467).\n- #### Wine tasting\n  Get a crash course in wine through tastings and an app-guided tour at [Les Caves du Louvre](https:\/\/www.cavesdulouvre.com\/), set in a vast 18th-century vaulted cellar in the First Arrondissement that once extended all the way to the Louvre Palace.\n  \n  **Tip:** If spirits are more your style, book a gin-making class with the owners’ other establishment, [Distillerie de l’Arbre-Sec](https:\/\/www.distilleriedelarbresec.com\/).\n- #### Premium chocolateries\n  A chocolate playground awaits! Explore bean-to-bar confections at [Plaq](https:\/\/plaqchocolat.com\/en) and [Le Chocolat Alain Ducasse](https:\/\/www.lechocolat-alainducasse.com\/en\/), edible sculptures at [Patrick Roger](https:\/\/www.patrickroger.com\/en) and inventive flavor pairings at [Jacques Genin](https:\/\/jacquesgenin.fr\/).\n\n### A Tour Through the Bourse de Commerce\nA former commodities exchange, the Bourse is now a contemporary art museum.\n\n### Is the Paris Museum Pass worth it?\n[The Paris Museum Pass](https:\/\/www.parismuseumpass.fr\/en), beginning with a two-day (€70 for adults), one-time-only pass, offers access to about 50 museums and monuments in Paris. (Museums and monuments are mostly free for visitors under 18.) To be cost-effective, the pass requires visiting several museums and monuments per day and booking required time slots in advance, which doesn’t leave much room for spontaneity. Individual museum tickets may provide greater flexibility.\n\nWhere to Stay\n\n**\\$**\\$\\$\\$\\$ Double room rates start at \\$130\n\n**\\$\\$**\\$\\$\\$ Rates from \\$200 to \\$400\n\n**\\$\\$\\$**\\$\\$ Rates from \\$400 to \\$600\n\n**\\$\\$\\$\\$**\\$ Above \\$600\n\n**\\$\\$\\$\\$\\$** Above \\$1,500\n\n- #### Hôtel de Crillon\n  This 18th-century landmark hotel features six dining establishments, an opulent spa, a gilded bar with a frescoed ceiling beloved by Parisians and a grand suite where, legend has it, Marie Antoinette once took piano lessons.\n- #### Hotel Balzac\n  This 1930s-chic hotel on Balzac’s former estate features an alcove bar, a Japanese spa and elegant, comfortably sized rooms.\n- #### Le Grand Mazarin\n  Maximalist is the operative word for this hotel, where canopy beds give way to a frescoed pool and a basement lounge packed with dancing locals.\n- #### La Fondation\n  A former car park, this Brutalist complex combines 58 spacious rooms, a sports club (with a climbing wall), office space and a rooftop garden.\n- #### Hotel des Grands Voyageurs\n  This quiet Left Bank spot near Le Bon Marché blends trans-Atlantic glamour and Parisian flair, complete with rope-lined corridors, mahogany paneling and a sleek bar-brasserie.\n- #### Hôtel Observatoire Luxembourg\n  This revamped boutique hotel is steps from Luxembourg Gardens and public transit and has a lively all-day restaurant in shades of green. Minimalist, comfortable rooms.\n- #### Hôtel Massé\n  Contemporary art, 1970s vintage (including bedside lamps from the German industrial designer Ingo Maurer, nicknamed the Poet of Light) and a relaxed ground floor make this hotel feel like your own Parisian pied-à-terre.\n- #### Babel\n  This bohemian hotel in the city’s most diverse food enclave combines Moroccan aesthetics (glass lanterns, ocher-hued bedrooms) and Silk Road-inspired cooking in a spacious restaurant.\n- #### 25hours Hotel Terminus Nord\n  Opposite the Gare du Nord train station, the colorful hotel mirrors the neighborhood’s multicultural energy with patterned textiles, vintage décor and the [Sape bar](https:\/\/sapebar.fr\/en\/) celebrating Congolese sapeur fashion culture.\n- #### Hotel Folie\n  Surrounded by buzzy restaurants, this intimate hotel (formerly Hôtel de Charonne) offers blue or green striped rooms and a farmhouse-chic salon that evokes the 11th Arrondissement’s rural past.\n- #### The People\n  A design-forward hostel-hotel hybrid overlooking the Seine River offers dorms and private rooms, a rooftop terrace, and vibrant energy in the bar-restaurant TiTi Palacio.\n\nWhere to Eat and Drink\n\n**\\$**\\$\\$ Street food and casual eats\n\n**\\$\\$**\\$ Accessible-midrange\n\n**\\$\\$\\$** Upscale to luxurious\n\n- #### Café Verlet\n  Between the Louvre and the Palais Royal, the city’s oldest coffeehouse serves single-origin coffees and teas alongside sweet and savory breakfast options.\n- #### Maison Fleuret\n  Take your coffee with some reading material. This former bookshop turned compact cafe serves sweet and savory vegetarian breakfasts amid floor-to-ceiling shelves of titles from Gallimard, a prestigious French publisher.\n- #### Le Petit Vendôme\n  Join the (fast-moving) line for the star item: a jambon-beurre. The sandwich comes on a crispy baguette slathered with unsalted butter from a giant wedge and quality ham cooked on the bone.\n- #### Minicafé\n  This serene cafe, once a monastic boutique run by nuns on a 14th-century cobblestone street (Rue des Barres), serves specialty coffee, granola bowls and cakes. Outdoor seating is available.\n- #### Chez Georges\n  The prototypical bistro, preserved to perfection: pressed tablecloths, handwritten menus, career waiters and robust portions of classics like sole meunière and grilled rib-eye with marrow.\n- #### Du Pain et des Idées\n  A Canal St.-Martin favorite since 2002 for rustic loaves and viennoiseries (breakfast pastries). The baker-owner now offers Roman-style pizzas and natural wine for lunch next door at [La Table](https:\/\/www.la-table-dpdi.com\/).\n- #### Kunitoraya\n  Since 1991, this udon bar has drawn crowds the moment doors open at noon for its handmade noodles. Now, fans line up for onigiri too, with the Japanese rice balls served from a take-out window.\n- #### Lastre Sans Apostrophe\n  This gourmet deli lures locals with award-winning pâtés en crôute (meat pies baked in flaky pastry) and jarred classics like coq au vin and beef Bourguignon.\n- #### Falafel on Rue des Rosiers\n  Falafel reigns in Paris’s historic Jewish quarter, where [L’As du Fallafel](https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/lasdufallafel\/?hl=en) and [Chez Hanna](https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/chezhannaparis\/?hl=en) serve crisp, overflowing pita sandwiches that draw famously long lines.\n- #### Chez Carrie\n  Vegetables — in salads, fritters, dips and more — play a starring role in this warm and inviting bistro. Save room for the seasonal soft-serve topped with toasted buckwheat.\n- #### Le Marché des Enfants Rouges\n  Beyond its status as the oldest covered market in Paris, this is an ideal spot for indecisive diners with its specialty stands and international prepared-food stalls.\n- #### Urfa Durum\n  On a street dotted with flavorful, affordable options, these Kurdish flatbread sandwiches, filled with spiced meat and vegetables grilled over an open flame, deserve a special stop.\n- #### Breizh Café\n  Brittany meets Japan at this 30-year-old crepe and buckwheat galette cafe with classic and modern recipes, like lobster with apple and miso-yuzu mayo.\n\n### Paris, City of Love\nIn legend, popular culture and real life, Paris is a city of romance.\n\n### Cultural dos and don’ts\nBe sure to say “bonjour” or “bonsoir” when entering shops or restaurants and before asking someone for assistance. Those salutations, along with “merci,” are a nonnegotiable form of social etiquette.\n\nBe mindful of local dining times. Lunch service typically runs from 12 to 2 p.m. and dinner begins at 7 or 7:30 p.m., with the exception of basic cafes, which offer nonstop service.\n\n**\\$**\\$\\$ Street food and casual eats\n\n**\\$\\$**\\$ Accessible-midrange\n\n**\\$\\$\\$** Upscale to luxurious\n\n- #### Chez Denise\n  This original bistro from Les Halles’ heyday as the city’s central fresh food market still serves gargantuan portions of classic French fare like blanquette de veau late into the night.\n- #### Le Tagine\n  This family-run staple has paired soulful Moroccan couscous and tagines with natural wines for four decades — long before vin nature, or natural wine, became a Parisian obsession.\n- #### Le Duc\n  Since 1967, this Left Bank institution has been a chic draw for classic French seafood and its polished wood-paneled design that evokes a yacht at sea.\n- #### Huîtrerie Régis\n  Regulars sit shoulder-to-shoulder in this compact raw bar, known for its variety of oysters from Brittany producers as well as scallops and sea urchin.\n- #### Ducasse sur Seine\n  Aboard this sleek electric boat, the star chef-restaurateur Alain Ducasse reimagines the dinner cruise, serving seasonal cooking while drifting by the city’s monuments.\n- #### Ama Siam\n  Grab a seat on a multicolored stool and order khao soi, an egg noodle soup with a curry paste broth, natural wine or Laotian beer at this ode to Southeast Asian home cooking.\n- #### a.lea\n  Away from the Montmartre crowds on a quiet street, this lovely modern bistro delivers elegant, produce-driven dishes with an affordable wine selection.\n- #### Le Chardenoux\n  This bistro wows with its Art Nouveau detailing and an ethereal painted ceiling. Come for whole fish and baba au rhum, a small syrup-and-rum-soaked cake.\n\n**\\$**\\$\\$ A drink costs under \\$12\n\n**\\$\\$**\\$ \\$12-\\$20\n\n**\\$\\$\\$** More than \\$20\n\n- #### De Vie\n  Beneath the owners’ tasting-menu restaurant, this sleek bar serves hyper-seasonal cocktails à la carte or as part of a five-part tasting, with snacks like radish chips and marinated olives.\n- #### Le Rosebud\n  In this dimly lit bar, white-vested bartenders mix classic cocktails for a nostalgic local crowd that recalls its past as a divey hangout for Jean-Paul Sartre and Marguerite Duras.\n- #### Harry’s New York Bar\n  This storied New York bar, covered in collegiate pennants and famously frequented by the Lost Generation writers like Gertrude Stein and Ernest Hemingway, has been pouring classic cocktails from a mahogany bar since 1911.\n- #### Bar Nouveau\n  It’s a tight squeeze at this Art Nouveau-inspired bar that serves six ever-changing cocktails. Packed? Don’t fret: More seats await in the moodier, more modern downstairs bar.\n- #### Danico\n  Past the ovens at the popular pizzeria Daroco or through the historic covered passage, Galerie Vivienne, sits this sleek cocktail bar with soaring ceilings and a rotating menu of international spirits.\n- #### Cravan\n  This multistory bar in a 17th-century hôtel particulier (private mansion) offers guests three distinct atmospheres to sip creative cocktails. There’s also a Rizzoli bookshop and a minuscule rooftop cinema that seats only a few people.\n- #### Augustin Marchand d’Vins\n  Beneath a red neon sign, this intimate wine bar goes big on charm, with exposed beams, marble tables and stellar natural wines paired with thoughtful small plates.\n- #### Folderol\n  Ice cream and natural wine are the unexpected best-selling companions, attracting families, couples and serious oenophiles to this wine-shop-meets-bar.\n- #### Le Bar des Maillets d’Argent\n  Coffee and croissants by day, a cognac lover’s hangout by night in this 1930s-style lounge bar on the ground floor of the legendary Tour d’Argent restaurant.\n- #### Le Mary Celeste\n  Come for a creative cocktail, a glass of natural or biodynamic sparkling wine, or craft beer on tap, but stay for the small plates and late-night energy.\n\nThe Basics\n\n- ## Do I need a visa?\n  Americans do not need a visa to visit France if traveling for less than 90 days. By late 2026, American travelers will need pre-approval via the European Travel Information and Authorization System.\n- ## What is the best time of year to visit?\n  There are fewer crowds beginning mid-autumn through spring, making the shoulder season the best time to visit. As with much of Europe, avoid mid-August, when many Parisian restaurants and shops close.\n- ## What currency is used?\n  The euro. Mastercard and Visa credit and debit cards are widely accepted, but there can be a minimum in retail shops to use them. Have cash handy for these transactions or to leave small tips. Local A.T.M.s are plentiful.\n- ## Do I need a converter?\n  You will need a plug adapter for France’s Type C or E outlets.\n- ## Is tipping required?\n  Tipping is not required. However, it’s common to leave small change or round up the bill for good service at casual restaurants or in taxis. For hotel housekeeping and fine dining establishments, a 5 to 10 percent tip is appreciated. Increasingly, restaurants and bars offer the option of adding a tip when paying by credit card.\n- ## Is it safe to drink the tap water?\n  Yes. There are [1,200 free public drinking fountains](https:\/\/fontaine.eaudeparis.fr\/) spread out across the city, especially in parks and gardens, where you can fill up your own reusable water bottle.\n- ## Which airport should I fly into?\n  Most international flights arrive at Roissy Charles de Gaulle (CDG), northeast of the city, but some land at Orly (ORY) airport, south of the city.\n- ## How do I get from the airport to central Paris?\n  For a one‑way journey into Paris from CDG, the cheapest options (both €13) are to take the regional train (RER B), which takes about 25 minutes to the Gare du Nord, the city’s northernmost and busiest main train station, or the Roissybus, which can take up to an hour, to a central stop adjacent to the opulent opera house, Opéra Garnier. From Orly Terminal 3, metro line 14 conveniently connects to the Chatelet station in central Paris within 25 minutes (€13). A taxi or an Uber from CDG to central Paris is the most direct but will typically cost €56 to €65, and from Orly, around €36 to €45.\n- ## Do I need to rent a car? How easy is it to take public transportation?\n  You definitely don’t need a car. Paris is one of the best-connected cities in Europe. You can get around entirely by metro, bus, tram or bike, and easily on foot.\n- ## Does Uber exist? Are there other local ride-share options?\n  Yes, [Uber](https:\/\/www.uber.com\/) and [Bolt](https:\/\/bolt.eu\/en-fr\/) are popular ride-share options in Paris. The apps [FreeNow](https:\/\/www.free-now.com\/fr-en\/) and [G7](https:\/\/www.g7.fr\/en\/) are for official taxis, which may be faster because they are permitted to use bus lanes.\n- ## Is there a dress code for restaurants in Paris?\n  Fine dining restaurants will stipulate if a jacket and tie are required for men, but for the most part, restaurants lean toward a casual but put-together style.\n- ## What should I wear to avoid looking like a tourist?\n  Parisians abide by smart casual. Even to go out at night, they’ll wear sleek sneakers or leather flats, jeans and a nice top unless formal attire is required. You won’t find them in athleisure unless they are exercising. Follow their lead and skip the leggings, bike shorts and sports bras and, as The New York Times’s fashion director, Vanessa Friedman, [suggests](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2022\/07\/08\/fashion\/clothes-travel-france.html), avoid anything too flashy or impossible to walk in — no stilettos. 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Boilerpipe Text	Your Guide to Paris How do you navigate Paris for the first time — a city where every cobblestone street seems to whisper centuries of history and every corner cafe promises an unforgettable bon vivant moment? With 20 arrondissements (districts) spiraling outward from the Seine River, Paris can feel both eminently walkable and dizzying in its possibilities. Do you prioritize the greatest hits, like the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre and Notre-Dame Cathedral, above all else? Perhaps most important, how do you balance postcard Paris with the dynamic and forward-looking version of the city that locals love? This guide is a starting point, with tips and suggestions for your inaugural visit to the City of Light that may inspire your future visits, too. Whatever you do, remember: Parisians embrace a slower pace, so follow their lead and start your journey by focusing on one or two neighborhoods at a time to absorb their character fully. And whenever your feet tire and you feel you can’t possibly eat another bite, kick back in any number of parks to rest and plan your next move. What to Do Terrace culture In every neighborhood, at all hours, locals linger on cafe terraces, coffee or wine in hand, engrossed in conversation or a book. Practice the Parisian art of leisure at legendary cafes like Les Deux Magots and Le Nemours , or neighborhood favorites like À la Renaissance and Le Progrès . Tip: Take a seat midmorning or late afternoon (outside mealtime) for unhurried service. A Seine cruise Paris was born on the Seine, so there’s no better way to feel its rhythm and see the sights than from the river. Hop on a group cruise with Bateaux Mouches or Vedettes du Pont Neuf , or charter a private boat with Green River Cruises for front-row views and more privacy. Tip: Book a sunset cruise, the most atmospheric time of day when the landmarks glow and locals gather along the riverbanks. Breads and pastries The best of Paris’s 1,300 boulangeries and pâtisseries mix tradition and innovation. Head to Mamiche for cream puffs and babka; Poilâne for hearty sourdough; Utopie for an award-winning baguette and éclairs; La Maison d’Isabelle for a prizewinning croissant; Pierre Hermé for unique macarons; and Tapisserie for its maple-syrup tart. Tip: Go early in the morning for the widest selection or after lunch before the 4 p.m. goûter (afternoon snack) crowds descend. Eiffel Tower and Notre-Dame No visit to Paris is complete without its two most recognizable landmarks. The Eiffel Tower, built for the 1889 World’s Fair, defines the skyline and sparkles with 20,000 lights hourly after dusk. Notre-Dame Cathedral, the 12th-century Gothic masterpiece reborn in 2024 after painstaking post-fire restoration, remains the city’s spiritual and architectural heart. Tip: Go in and go up! Book tickets to climb to the first and second floors (674 steps) of the Eiffel Tower and then finish in the lift to the top floor. Expect to climb 424 steps through the Notre-Dame belfry’s roof structure for panoramic views. Louvre and the Musée d’Orsay The city’s most famous museums practically face each other across the Seine. On the right bank, the Louvre : a once-royal palace showcasing antiquities and masterpieces like the “Mona Lisa” and the “Venus de Milo.” On the left bank, the Musée d’Orsay , a converted Beaux-Arts train station highlighting Impressionist and Post-Impressionist works by Monet, Degas and Renoir. Tip: Book timed tickets in advance, ideally at opening, to avoid long waits. Be a flâneur Practice the art of being a flâneur , a casual wanderer and observer. Born in 19th-century Paris and immortalized by the French poet and essayist Charles Baudelaire, the flâneur strolls without purpose as the city unfolds. For a bit of direction, trace Paris’s gardens in bloom or follow the Seine River’s 23 UNESCO-listed bridges end to end. Tip: Pick a starting point — a bridge, a monument, a metro stop — and start strolling from there, sans Google Maps. The Waiters of Brasserie Lipp Brasserie Lipp opened in 1880 and hasn’t changed much since. Arc de Triomphe Inspired by Rome’s Arch of Titus, the triumphal arch (visitors can climb to the top for exceptional views) was commissioned by Napoleon in 1806 to honor his army. Its sculpted reliefs and eternal flame pay tribute to France’s fallen soldiers. Tip: Stroll 1.2 miles from the Arc along the Avenue des Champs-Elysées to reach the avenue’s far end at the Place de la Concorde. Sacré-Coeur Basilica This white-domed basilica crowning the hill of Montmartre offers some of the best panoramic views in Paris and free admission to explore or attend Mass. Tip: Get a ticket (€8 for adults) to climb the nearly 300 narrow steps to the dome for even better views. Panthéon Originally a church honoring Ste. Geneviève, a patron saint of Paris, the domed Panthéon now enshrines France’s greats, from Voltaire and Marie Curie to Joséphine Baker, within its neoclassical walls. Tip: Don‘t miss a replica of Foucault’s pendulum; the original was first presented here in 1851 as proof of the Earth’s rotation. Tuileries Gardens Connecting the Louvre and the Place de la Concorde, Paris’s oldest and largest garden was redesigned by André Le Nôtre in the 17th century in three grand sculpture-lined sections whose elegant symmetry endures unchanged today. Tip: At the western end of the garden, visit the Jeu de Paume , an arts center specializing in multimedia by international artists from the 20th and 21st centuries. The Medici Fountain In the Luxembourg Gardens’ most romantic corner, a 17th-century Italianate fountain recalls Marie de Medici’s Florence. Its reflective basin and the green Sénat chairs surrounding it invite rest — or a photo op. Tip: Need a book to read for your meditative hang? Browse nearby at the Red Wheelbarrow , an English-language bookshop, or Librairies des Editions des Saints Pères , which publishes facsimile manuscript editions of classic texts. Market life The bustling Bastille food market draws crowds Thursdays and Sundays to 100 stalls. Further east, the Marché d’Aligre and its covered annex offer a broader selection and a slice of local life six days a week. Petit and Grand Palais These grand Beaux-Arts neighbors from the 1900 World’s Fair draw crowds for their striking glass roofs and blockbuster exhibitions. Entrance to the Petit Palais’ s permanent collection, with masterworks by Rembrandt, Gauguin and Cézanne, is free. Tip: Book lunch or dinner at Le Grand Café , the Grand Palais’s refreshed restaurant. Palais Garnier Opulent interiors and Marc Chagall’s spectacular ceiling make a stunning backdrop to ballet, opera and classical concerts in this Second Empire theater. Tip: Can’t see a performance? Book a guided tour of the opera house instead. Art crawl From the Palais de Tokyo to the Fondation Louis Vuitton , the Bourse de Commerce , and the reimagined Fondation Cartier , Paris’s modern and contemporary art spaces deliver blockbuster exhibitions year-round in buildings as striking as the art. Tip: The Pompidou Center is closed for five years for extensive restorations. Add it to your list for 2030. Bibliophile shopping Along the Seine, green bookstalls known as bouquinistes have sold secondhand written treasures for four centuries — open-air literary kin to storied bilingual shops like Shakespeare & Company and Galignani . Sainte-Chapelle A 13th-century marvel of Gothic architecture, this chapel hasn’t served as a church since the French Revolution, but its 1,113 stained-glass panels inspire plenty of worshipful awe. Tip: Download the Sainte-Chapelle Stained Glass app for context on each of the stained-glass windows and the scenes depicted. (Available on Google Play and the Apple App Store.) Les Puces de St.-Ouen Paris’s legendary northern “flea market” is actually a five-acre complex of 12 distinct covered markets with thousands of stalls selling antiques, vintage fashion and other treasures. Tip: Start with the Marché Vernaison , the oldest of the markets. Keep in mind that most markets are open Friday through Monday, busiest at the start of the weekend. Paris Center From the Marais to the Louvre, through the Tuileries Gardens and across Little Tokyo, the first four arrondissements that make up central Paris are also its historic heart, home to all the hallmarks of a Paris experience: history, river access, cafes aplenty and marquee monuments. Best for: Art lovers, fashionistas, culture mavens Where to stay: Caron de Beaumarchais ($$) Things to do: mahJ (Jewish History Museum) ($); Musée de la Chasse et de la Nature ($); Musée Carnavalet (free) Where to eat and drink: Chocolaterie Jade Genin ($); Juveniles ($$); Bar Hemingway ($$$); Berthillon ($) Montmartre Perched above the city, Montmartre’s warren of winding streets still echoes with the ghosts of Picasso and Modigliani. Major village vibes can be felt as you wind your way down from the white domes of Sacré-Coeur Basilica, crossing cobblestone squares and passing artisanal bakeries and corner cafes that overlook the city. At its heart is a small working vineyard that recalls the hill’s rural past. Best for: Sightseers, romantics, families Where to stay: Elysée Montmartre Hotel ($$) Things to do: Musée de Montmartre ($); Halle Saint-Pierre ($-$$); Au Lapin Agile cabaret ($$-$$$)  Where to eat and drink: Maison Aleph ($); Gisou ($$); Bouillon Pigalle ($) St.-Germain-des-Prés and Latin Quarter Adjacent neighborhoods, these Left Bank staples capture two sides of Parisian intellectual past and present: the polished cafes and bookshops of St.-Germain, where Jean-Paul Sartre once held court, and the more lively Latin Quarter, anchored by the Sorbonne University. Between them, narrow streets lead to bookshops, art galleries, bistros and the leafy beauty of the Jardin du Luxembourg. Best for: Bon vivants, romantics, students Where to stay: Hôtel Dame des Arts ($$$) Things to do: Institut du Monde Arabe ($); Musée National Eugène Delacroix ($); Caveau de la Huchette Jazz & Swing ($$) Where to eat and drink: Tea salon at the Grande Mosquée de Paris ($); Atica ($$$); L’Avant Comptoir du Marché ($$); Ten Belles ($); Plaq ($$) Canal St.-Martin & Canal de l’Ourcq Recognizable for their cast-iron footbridges and tree-lined quays, the banks of the 19th-century Canal St.-Martin are a lively gathering place. Artists, cafes and wine bars occupy former warehouses and factories, and locals picnic along the water. Northward, the waterway feeds into the Bassin de la Villette, the city’s largest artificial lake, lined with cinemas and cafes, and the Canal de l’Ourcq , opposite the Philharmonie de Paris and the Cité des Sciences . Best for: Artists and creatives, couples, families Where to stay: Le Citizen ($$) Things to do: Marin d’Eau Douce canal ride ($$-$$$); Artazart ($-$$); Centre Commercial ($$) Where to eat and drink: Sur Mer ($$); Residence Kann ($); Paname Brewing Company ($); JJ Hings ice cream ($) Belleville Once a separate village annexed to Paris in 1860, Belleville and its hilltop neighbors Ménilmontant and Jourdain are among the city’s most diverse enclaves, shaped by immigration, political activism and art. The birthplace of Édith Piaf and the Paris Commune, a revolutionary government that ruled for 72 days, the area has winding streets, small shops, two large parks and a dynamic dining scene that preserve a rare, village-like spirit. Best for: Artists and creatives, food lovers, solo travelers Where to stay: The People Belleville ($) Things to do: Parc des Buttes-Chaumont; Parc de Belleville; La Bellevilloise ($-$$) Where to eat and drink: Le Petit Grain ($); Aux Folies ($); Ama Siam ($$); Le Cheval d’Or ($$$) Trocadéro and Eiffel Tower Across the Seine from the Eiffel Tower, Trocadéro’s grand esplanade delivers the city’s most cinematic view, framed by stately museums like the Palais de Tokyo and the Musée de l’Homme . Crossing the Iéna Bridge leads to the Champ-de-Mars, a green expanse ideal for picnics and catching the tower’s evening sparkle. The surrounding neighborhood brims with cafes and elegant market streets like Rue Cler. Best for: Families, couples, museum lovers Where to stay: SAX Paris, LXR Hotels & Resorts ($$$) Things to do: Hôtel des Invalides ($); Palais Galliera ($); Musée d’Art Moderne ($) Where to eat and drink: Les Marches ($); Saint Pearl ($); Carette ($$) Left Bank vs. Right Bank Paris is split by the Seine River: The Right Bank (north) has long been associated with commerce, luxury and grand boulevards, while the Left Bank (south) embodies intellect, bohemia and cafe culture. At the center are two naturally occurring islands, the Île St.-Louis and the Île de la Cité. The latter is home to Notre-Dame Cathedral and Sainte-Chappelle, and both are worth exploring. Monuments, museums and excellent dining abound on both sides of the river, so plan to navigate from one side of the river to the other, on foot, bus, metro or bicycle. Château de Versailles Spend the day touring royal excess at Louis XIV and Marie Antoinette’s gilded palace, a 30- to 60-minute ride on the regional rail line RER C from Paris, and then lose yourself in the expansive formal gardens. Tip: Start with the palace when it opens and then escape the crowds to explore the gardens and the Trianon palaces in the afternoon. Picasso Museum Come for the world’s largest Picasso collection, which spans paintings, sculptures and ceramics in a stunning mansion in the Marais neighborhood. Tip: Visit the temporary exhibitions showcasing modern artists, many of them women. Musée de l’Orangerie Built under Napoleon III to house the Tuileries’ orange trees, L’Orangerie now showcases Monet’s eight “Water Lilies” murals, works by Cézanne and Matisse, and stellar temporary shows. Tip: Get tickets when the museum opens to experience Monet’s “Water Lilies” in near silence — the oval rooms fill quickly, and the immersive effect fades as the crowds pour in. Jardin des Plantes Founded in 1626 as Louis XIII’s royal medicinal garden, this sprawling park houses a working botanical institute with greenhouses, an alpine garden and one of the oldest zoos in the world. Tip: Don’t miss the Natural History Museum on the garden’s edge, with its soaring Galerie de l’Évolution, filled with lifelike animal displays. Walking tours From fashion and women’s history to Black and Afro-Caribbean culture and the French capital during World War II , there’s a thematic walking tour for every interest. Cooking and baking classes Why just eat croissants when you can learn to make them? La Cuisine Paris offers cooking and baking classes in two Seine-facing spaces. Musée Rodin This intimate museum traces Rodin’s evolution through sculptures, paintings and plasters, alongside works by his protégée Camille Claudel and paintings by Monet and van Gogh from his personal collection. Tip: Plan your visit for a dry day: Many of Rodin’s sculptures, including “The Thinker,” are displayed in the museum’s rose-filled sculpture garden. Covered galleries and passages Explore 18th-century glass-roofed (and rainproof) passages, like Galerie Vivienne , Passage des Panoramas and the Galeries du Palais-Royal , filled with boutiques, galleries and historic cafes. Tip: About 30 covered passages remain today. Plot an itinerary that allows you to visit them all. Père Lachaise Cemetery Oscar Wilde, Édith Piaf and Jim Morrison are among the 1.3 million souls buried across 110 acres of this peaceful hillside necropolis — the world’s most visited. Tip: The cemetery is more sprawling than it appears. Plan your route ahead of time by using the Père Lachaise interactive map . Wine tasting Get a crash course in wine through tastings and an app-guided tour at Les Caves du Louvre , set in a vast 18th-century vaulted cellar in the First Arrondissement that once extended all the way to the Louvre Palace. Tip: If spirits are more your style, book a gin-making class with the owners’ other establishment, Distillerie de l’Arbre-Sec . Premium chocolateries A chocolate playground awaits! Explore bean-to-bar confections at Plaq and Le Chocolat Alain Ducasse , edible sculptures at Patrick Roger and inventive flavor pairings at Jacques Genin . A Tour Through the Bourse de Commerce A former commodities exchange, the Bourse is now a contemporary art museum. Is the Paris Museum Pass worth it? The Paris Museum Pass , beginning with a two-day (€70 for adults), one-time-only pass, offers access to about 50 museums and monuments in Paris. (Museums and monuments are mostly free for visitors under 18.) To be cost-effective, the pass requires visiting several museums and monuments per day and booking required time slots in advance, which doesn’t leave much room for spontaneity. Individual museum tickets may provide greater flexibility. Where to Stay $ $$$$ Double room rates start at $130 $$ $$$ Rates from $200 to $400 $$$ $$ Rates from $400 to $600 $$$$ $ Above $600 $$$$$ Above $1,500 Hôtel de Crillon This 18th-century landmark hotel features six dining establishments, an opulent spa, a gilded bar with a frescoed ceiling beloved by Parisians and a grand suite where, legend has it, Marie Antoinette once took piano lessons. Hotel Balzac This 1930s-chic hotel on Balzac’s former estate features an alcove bar, a Japanese spa and elegant, comfortably sized rooms. Le Grand Mazarin Maximalist is the operative word for this hotel, where canopy beds give way to a frescoed pool and a basement lounge packed with dancing locals. La Fondation A former car park, this Brutalist complex combines 58 spacious rooms, a sports club (with a climbing wall), office space and a rooftop garden. Hotel des Grands Voyageurs This quiet Left Bank spot near Le Bon Marché blends trans-Atlantic glamour and Parisian flair, complete with rope-lined corridors, mahogany paneling and a sleek bar-brasserie. Hôtel Observatoire Luxembourg This revamped boutique hotel is steps from Luxembourg Gardens and public transit and has a lively all-day restaurant in shades of green. Minimalist, comfortable rooms. Hôtel Massé Contemporary art, 1970s vintage (including bedside lamps from the German industrial designer Ingo Maurer, nicknamed the Poet of Light) and a relaxed ground floor make this hotel feel like your own Parisian pied-à-terre. Babel This bohemian hotel in the city’s most diverse food enclave combines Moroccan aesthetics (glass lanterns, ocher-hued bedrooms) and Silk Road-inspired cooking in a spacious restaurant. 25hours Hotel Terminus Nord Opposite the Gare du Nord train station, the colorful hotel mirrors the neighborhood’s multicultural energy with patterned textiles, vintage décor and the Sape bar celebrating Congolese sapeur fashion culture. Hotel Folie Surrounded by buzzy restaurants, this intimate hotel (formerly Hôtel de Charonne) offers blue or green striped rooms and a farmhouse-chic salon that evokes the 11th Arrondissement’s rural past. The People A design-forward hostel-hotel hybrid overlooking the Seine River offers dorms and private rooms, a rooftop terrace, and vibrant energy in the bar-restaurant TiTi Palacio. Where to Eat and Drink $ $$ Street food and casual eats $$ $ Accessible-midrange $$$ Upscale to luxurious Café Verlet Between the Louvre and the Palais Royal, the city’s oldest coffeehouse serves single-origin coffees and teas alongside sweet and savory breakfast options. Maison Fleuret Take your coffee with some reading material. This former bookshop turned compact cafe serves sweet and savory vegetarian breakfasts amid floor-to-ceiling shelves of titles from Gallimard, a prestigious French publisher. Le Petit Vendôme Join the (fast-moving) line for the star item: a jambon-beurre. The sandwich comes on a crispy baguette slathered with unsalted butter from a giant wedge and quality ham cooked on the bone. Minicafé This serene cafe, once a monastic boutique run by nuns on a 14th-century cobblestone street (Rue des Barres), serves specialty coffee, granola bowls and cakes. Outdoor seating is available. Chez Georges The prototypical bistro, preserved to perfection: pressed tablecloths, handwritten menus, career waiters and robust portions of classics like sole meunière and grilled rib-eye with marrow. Du Pain et des Idées A Canal St.-Martin favorite since 2002 for rustic loaves and viennoiseries (breakfast pastries). The baker-owner now offers Roman-style pizzas and natural wine for lunch next door at La Table . Kunitoraya Since 1991, this udon bar has drawn crowds the moment doors open at noon for its handmade noodles. Now, fans line up for onigiri too, with the Japanese rice balls served from a take-out window. Lastre Sans Apostrophe This gourmet deli lures locals with award-winning pâtés en crôute (meat pies baked in flaky pastry) and jarred classics like coq au vin and beef Bourguignon. Falafel on Rue des Rosiers Falafel reigns in Paris’s historic Jewish quarter, where L’As du Fallafel and Chez Hanna serve crisp, overflowing pita sandwiches that draw famously long lines. Chez Carrie Vegetables — in salads, fritters, dips and more — play a starring role in this warm and inviting bistro. Save room for the seasonal soft-serve topped with toasted buckwheat. Le Marché des Enfants Rouges Beyond its status as the oldest covered market in Paris, this is an ideal spot for indecisive diners with its specialty stands and international prepared-food stalls. Urfa Durum On a street dotted with flavorful, affordable options, these Kurdish flatbread sandwiches, filled with spiced meat and vegetables grilled over an open flame, deserve a special stop. Breizh Café Brittany meets Japan at this 30-year-old crepe and buckwheat galette cafe with classic and modern recipes, like lobster with apple and miso-yuzu mayo. Paris, City of Love In legend, popular culture and real life, Paris is a city of romance. Cultural dos and don’ts Be sure to say “bonjour” or “bonsoir” when entering shops or restaurants and before asking someone for assistance. Those salutations, along with “merci,” are a nonnegotiable form of social etiquette. Be mindful of local dining times. Lunch service typically runs from 12 to 2 p.m. and dinner begins at 7 or 7:30 p.m., with the exception of basic cafes, which offer nonstop service. $ $$ Street food and casual eats $$ $ Accessible-midrange $$$ Upscale to luxurious Chez Denise This original bistro from Les Halles’ heyday as the city’s central fresh food market still serves gargantuan portions of classic French fare like blanquette de veau late into the night. Le Tagine This family-run staple has paired soulful Moroccan couscous and tagines with natural wines for four decades — long before vin nature, or natural wine, became a Parisian obsession. Le Duc Since 1967, this Left Bank institution has been a chic draw for classic French seafood and its polished wood-paneled design that evokes a yacht at sea. Huîtrerie Régis Regulars sit shoulder-to-shoulder in this compact raw bar, known for its variety of oysters from Brittany producers as well as scallops and sea urchin. Ducasse sur Seine Aboard this sleek electric boat, the star chef-restaurateur Alain Ducasse reimagines the dinner cruise, serving seasonal cooking while drifting by the city’s monuments. Ama Siam Grab a seat on a multicolored stool and order khao soi, an egg noodle soup with a curry paste broth, natural wine or Laotian beer at this ode to Southeast Asian home cooking. a.lea Away from the Montmartre crowds on a quiet street, this lovely modern bistro delivers elegant, produce-driven dishes with an affordable wine selection. Le Chardenoux This bistro wows with its Art Nouveau detailing and an ethereal painted ceiling. Come for whole fish and baba au rhum, a small syrup-and-rum-soaked cake. $ $$ A drink costs under $12 $$ $ $12-$20 $$$ More than $20 De Vie Beneath the owners’ tasting-menu restaurant, this sleek bar serves hyper-seasonal cocktails à la carte or as part of a five-part tasting, with snacks like radish chips and marinated olives. Le Rosebud In this dimly lit bar, white-vested bartenders mix classic cocktails for a nostalgic local crowd that recalls its past as a divey hangout for Jean-Paul Sartre and Marguerite Duras. Harry’s New York Bar This storied New York bar, covered in collegiate pennants and famously frequented by the Lost Generation writers like Gertrude Stein and Ernest Hemingway, has been pouring classic cocktails from a mahogany bar since 1911. Bar Nouveau It’s a tight squeeze at this Art Nouveau-inspired bar that serves six ever-changing cocktails. Packed? Don’t fret: More seats await in the moodier, more modern downstairs bar. Danico Past the ovens at the popular pizzeria Daroco or through the historic covered passage, Galerie Vivienne, sits this sleek cocktail bar with soaring ceilings and a rotating menu of international spirits. Cravan This multistory bar in a 17th-century hôtel particulier (private mansion) offers guests three distinct atmospheres to sip creative cocktails. There’s also a Rizzoli bookshop and a minuscule rooftop cinema that seats only a few people. Augustin Marchand d’Vins Beneath a red neon sign, this intimate wine bar goes big on charm, with exposed beams, marble tables and stellar natural wines paired with thoughtful small plates. Folderol Ice cream and natural wine are the unexpected best-selling companions, attracting families, couples and serious oenophiles to this wine-shop-meets-bar. Le Bar des Maillets d’Argent Coffee and croissants by day, a cognac lover’s hangout by night in this 1930s-style lounge bar on the ground floor of the legendary Tour d’Argent restaurant. Le Mary Celeste Come for a creative cocktail, a glass of natural or biodynamic sparkling wine, or craft beer on tap, but stay for the small plates and late-night energy. The Basics Do I need a visa? Americans do not need a visa to visit France if traveling for less than 90 days. By late 2026, American travelers will need pre-approval via the European Travel Information and Authorization System. What is the best time of year to visit? There are fewer crowds beginning mid-autumn through spring, making the shoulder season the best time to visit. As with much of Europe, avoid mid-August, when many Parisian restaurants and shops close. What currency is used? The euro. Mastercard and Visa credit and debit cards are widely accepted, but there can be a minimum in retail shops to use them. Have cash handy for these transactions or to leave small tips. Local A.T.M.s are plentiful. Do I need a converter? You will need a plug adapter for France’s Type C or E outlets. Is tipping required? Tipping is not required. However, it’s common to leave small change or round up the bill for good service at casual restaurants or in taxis. For hotel housekeeping and fine dining establishments, a 5 to 10 percent tip is appreciated. Increasingly, restaurants and bars offer the option of adding a tip when paying by credit card. Is it safe to drink the tap water? Yes. There are 1,200 free public drinking fountains spread out across the city, especially in parks and gardens, where you can fill up your own reusable water bottle. Which airport should I fly into? Most international flights arrive at Roissy Charles de Gaulle (CDG), northeast of the city, but some land at Orly (ORY) airport, south of the city. How do I get from the airport to central Paris? For a one‑way journey into Paris from CDG, the cheapest options (both €13) are to take the regional train (RER B), which takes about 25 minutes to the Gare du Nord, the city’s northernmost and busiest main train station, or the Roissybus, which can take up to an hour, to a central stop adjacent to the opulent opera house, Opéra Garnier. From Orly Terminal 3, metro line 14 conveniently connects to the Chatelet station in central Paris within 25 minutes (€13). A taxi or an Uber from CDG to central Paris is the most direct but will typically cost €56 to €65, and from Orly, around €36 to €45. Do I need to rent a car? How easy is it to take public transportation? You definitely don’t need a car. Paris is one of the best-connected cities in Europe. You can get around entirely by metro, bus, tram or bike, and easily on foot. Does Uber exist? Are there other local ride-share options? Yes, Uber and Bolt are popular ride-share options in Paris. The apps FreeNow and G7 are for official taxis, which may be faster because they are permitted to use bus lanes. Is there a dress code for restaurants in Paris? Fine dining restaurants will stipulate if a jacket and tie are required for men, but for the most part, restaurants lean toward a casual but put-together style. What should I wear to avoid looking like a tourist? Parisians abide by smart casual. Even to go out at night, they’ll wear sleek sneakers or leather flats, jeans and a nice top unless formal attire is required. You won’t find them in athleisure unless they are exercising. Follow their lead and skip the leggings, bike shorts and sports bras and, as The New York Times’s fashion director, Vanessa Friedman, suggests , avoid anything too flashy or impossible to walk in — no stilettos. And do leave the flip-flops at home.
Markdown	[Skip to content](https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2026/travel/paris-france-guide.html#site-content)[Skip to site index](https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2026/travel/paris-france-guide.html#site-index) Search & Section Navigation Section Navigation Search [Log in](https://myaccount.nytimes.com/auth/login?response_type=cookie&client_id=vi&redirect_uri=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nytimes.com%2Fsubscription%2Fonboarding-offer%3FcampaignId%3D7JFJX%26EXIT_URI%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fwww.nytimes.com%252Finteractive%252F2026%252Ftravel%252Fparis-france-guide.html&asset=masthead) Travel 101 # Your Guide to Paris - Share full article - 287 By [Lindsey Tramuta](https://www.nytimes.com/by/lindsey-tramuta) Videos by Sam Youkilis Dec. 3, 2025 Your Guide to Paris [What to Do](https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2026/travel/paris-france-guide.html#do)[Where to Stay](https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2026/travel/paris-france-guide.html#stay)[What to Eat and Drink](https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2026/travel/paris-france-guide.html#eat_drink)[The Basics](https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2026/travel/paris-france-guide.html#basics)[My List](https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2026/travel/paris-france-guide.html#my_list) How do you navigate Paris for the first time — a city where every cobblestone street seems to whisper centuries of history and every corner cafe promises an unforgettable bon vivant moment? With 20 arrondissements (districts) spiraling outward from the Seine River, Paris can feel both eminently walkable and dizzying in its possibilities. Do you prioritize the greatest hits, like the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre and Notre-Dame Cathedral, above all else? Perhaps most important, how do you balance postcard Paris with the dynamic and forward-looking version of the city that locals love? This guide is a starting point, with tips and suggestions for your inaugural visit to the City of Light that may inspire your future visits, too. Whatever you do, remember: Parisians embrace a slower pace, so follow their lead and start your journey by focusing on one or two neighborhoods at a time to absorb their character fully. And whenever your feet tire and you feel you can’t possibly eat another bite, kick back in any number of parks to rest and plan your next move. [View and share our full Google map of recommendations.](https://maps.app.goo.gl/PxToVVvAdLfFcrDXA) ### More Travel 101 [![](https://static01.nyt.com/images/2025/09/22/multimedia/00-rome-guide-promo/00-rome-guide-promo-articleLarge-v2.jpg) Rome Everything you need to know for your first trip to the Eternal City — and for your future visits, as well.](https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2025/travel/rome-italy-guide.html) [![](https://static01.nyt.com/images/2025/10/27/multimedia/00-london-guide-promo/00-london-guide-promo-articleLarge.jpg) London There is so much to do and see in the British capital that it can feel overwhelming. We’re here to help.](https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2025/travel/uk-london-guide.html) [![](https://static01.nyt.com/images/2025/11/19/multimedia/trav-tokyo-guide-promo-still-kvqj/trav-tokyo-guide-promo-still-kvqj-articleLarge.jpg) Tokyo Visiting Tokyo for the first time is like stepping into the future and the past at once. Our guide helps you make sense of it.](https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2025/travel/tokyo-japan-guide.html) ## What to Do ### The Essentials Every first trip to Paris should include these landmarks, museums and quintessential experiences. - ![Patrons sit outside a Parisian cafe with drinks on the table and wait staff working in the background. ](https://static01.nyt.com/images/2025/12/01/multimedia/trav-paris-guide-terrace-tcbp/trav-paris-guide-terrace-tcbp-mobileMasterAt3x-v2.jpg?width=600&quality=75&auto=webp&disable=upscale) #### Terrace culture In every neighborhood, at all hours, locals linger on cafe terraces, coffee or wine in hand, engrossed in conversation or a book. Practice the Parisian art of leisure at legendary cafes like [Les Deux Magots](https://lesdeuxmagots.fr/) and [Le Nemours](https://www.lenemours.paris/), or neighborhood favorites like [À la Renaissance](https://www.instagram.com/a_la_renaissance/?hl=en) and [Le Progrès](https://www.leprogresmarais.fr/). Tip: Take a seat midmorning or late afternoon (outside mealtime) for unhurried service. Save to list - ![A river boat makes its way down the Seine River with a bridge and Parisian landmarks in the background. ](https://static01.nyt.com/images/2025/11/06/multimedia/trav-paris-guide-essentials-cruise-jqvb/trav-paris-guide-essentials-cruise-jqvb-mobileMasterAt3x.jpg?width=600&quality=75&auto=webp&disable=upscale) #### A Seine cruise Paris was born on the Seine, so there’s no better way to feel its rhythm and see the sights than from the river. Hop on a group cruise with [Bateaux Mouches](https://www.bateaux-mouches.fr/fr) or [Vedettes du Pont Neuf](https://www.vedettesdupontneuf.com/), or charter a private boat with [Green River Cruises](https://www.greenriver-paris.fr/) for front-row views and more privacy. Tip: Book a sunset cruise, the most atmospheric time of day when the landmarks glow and locals gather along the riverbanks. Save to list - ![A pastry encrusted with sesame and lemon rinds. ](https://static01.nyt.com/images/2025/11/06/multimedia/trav-paris-guide-essentials-bakery-pgbq/trav-paris-guide-essentials-bakery-pgbq-mobileMasterAt3x.jpg?width=600&quality=75&auto=webp&disable=upscale) #### Breads and pastries The best of Paris’s [1,300 boulangeries](https://www.nytimes.com/2024/07/15/travel/best-paris-bakeries.html) and pâtisseries mix tradition and innovation. Head to [Mamiche](https://www.mamiche.fr/) for cream puffs and babka; [Poilâne](https://www.poilane.com/) for hearty sourdough; [Utopie](https://boulangerieutopie.com/) for an [award-winning baguette](https://www.nytimes.com/2024/07/15/travel/best-paris-bakeries.html) and éclairs; [La Maison d’Isabelle](https://www.instagram.com/maison_isabelle_paris/?hl=en) for a prizewinning croissant; [Pierre Hermé](https://www.pierreherme.com/) for unique macarons; and [Tapisserie](https://www.tapisserie-patisserie.fr/) for its maple-syrup tart. Tip: Go early in the morning for the widest selection or after lunch before the 4 p.m. goûter (afternoon snack) crowds descend. Save to list - ![The Eiffel Tower, a Parisian landmark made of iron, is lit with warm lights with a dark evening sky in the background. ](https://static01.nyt.com/images/2025/11/06/multimedia/trav-paris-guide-essentials-eiffel-gwml/trav-paris-guide-essentials-eiffel-gwml-mobileMasterAt3x.jpg?width=600&quality=75&auto=webp&disable=upscale) #### Eiffel Tower and Notre-Dame No visit to Paris is complete without its two most recognizable landmarks. The Eiffel Tower, built for the 1889 World’s Fair, defines the skyline and sparkles with 20,000 lights hourly after dusk. Notre-Dame Cathedral, the 12th-century Gothic masterpiece [reborn](https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2024/12/05/arts/design/notre-dame-reopens-paris.html) in 2024 after painstaking post-fire restoration, remains the city’s spiritual and architectural heart. Tip: Go in and go up! Book tickets to climb to the first and second floors (674 steps) of the [Eiffel Tower](https://www.toureiffel.paris/en/explore) and then finish in the lift to the top floor. Expect to climb 424 steps through the [Notre-Dame belfry’s roof structure](https://www.tours-notre-dame-de-paris.fr/en/actualites/the-new-notre-dame-de-paris-towers-tour) for panoramic views. Save to list - ![Museum visitors of all ages stand, sit and wander while looking at painting in a large gallery room with a skylight in the ceiling.](https://static01.nyt.com/images/2025/12/01/multimedia/trav-paris-guide-02-kvqp/trav-paris-guide-02-kvqp-mobileMasterAt3x.jpg?width=600&quality=75&auto=webp&disable=upscale) #### Louvre and the Musée d’Orsay The city’s most famous museums practically face each other across the Seine. On the right bank, the [Louvre](https://www.nytimes.com/2023/09/22/arts/design/laurence-des-cars-louvre.html): a once-royal palace showcasing antiquities and masterpieces like the “Mona Lisa” and the “Venus de Milo.” On the left bank, the [Musée d’Orsay](https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/05/arts/design/musee-dorsay-expansion.html), a converted Beaux-Arts train station highlighting Impressionist and Post-Impressionist works by Monet, Degas and Renoir. Tip: Book timed tickets in advance, ideally at opening, to avoid long waits. Save to list - ![A group of people look out onto Parisian sights with a soft evening light outlining their figures.](https://static01.nyt.com/images/2025/12/01/multimedia/trav-paris-guide-01-kvqp/trav-paris-guide-01-kvqp-mobileMasterAt3x.jpg?width=600&quality=75&auto=webp&disable=upscale) #### Be a flâneur Practice [the art of being a flâneur](https://www.nytimes.com/2023/06/19/travel/walking-travel-cities.html), a casual wanderer and observer. Born in 19th-century Paris and immortalized by the French poet and essayist Charles Baudelaire, the flâneur strolls without purpose as the city unfolds. For a bit of direction, [trace Paris’s gardens in bloom](https://www.nytimes.com/2023/06/19/travel/paris-travel-gardens-parks.html) or [follow the Seine River’s 23 UNESCO-listed bridges](https://www.nytimes.com/2019/11/04/travel/paris-bridges-seine.html) end to end. Tip: Pick a starting point — a bridge, a monument, a metro stop — and start strolling from there, sans Google Maps. Save to list ### The Waiters of Brasserie Lipp Brasserie Lipp opened in 1880 and hasn’t changed much since. It is one of the few remaining Parisian restaurants with a corps of servers, almost all men, who spend their careers dedicated to the trade. At Lipp, the servers still wear black bow ties and black tuxedo jackets. Pascal Hue has been there since 2024. The menu is full of classics like sole meunière (pan-fried sole with lemon), choucroute garnie (sauerkraut with sausages) and pied de porc farci (stuffed pig’s foot). The waiters wear numbered pins that indicate their seniority. The lower the number, the longer they’ve been on the job. Osman Zengin has been working at Lipp since 2014. He wears pin seven. Regulars have also been coming to Lipp for decades, sometimes multiple times a week for the daily specials, which have rotated through the same dishes since the 1930s. Abdelaziz Kendjouh has been working at Lipp since 2021 and wears lapel pin 13. He tops the profiteroles glacées with chocolate sauce. ### Top Attractions The City of Light dials up the magic at every turn. These landmarks and local rituals are among the greatest hits for any Paris visit. - ![The Arc De Triomphe, a Paris landmark made of stone and sculptures, is seen from street level. ](https://static01.nyt.com/images/2025/11/06/multimedia/trav-paris-guide-attractions-arc-pmjh/trav-paris-guide-attractions-arc-pmjh-mobileMasterAt3x-v8.jpg?width=600&quality=75&auto=webp&disable=upscale) #### Arc de Triomphe Inspired by Rome’s Arch of Titus, the triumphal arch (visitors can climb to the top for exceptional views) was commissioned by Napoleon in 1806 to honor his army. Its sculpted reliefs and eternal flame pay tribute to France’s fallen soldiers. Tip: Stroll 1.2 miles from the Arc along the Avenue des Champs-Elysées to reach the avenue’s far end at the Place de la Concorde. [Map](https://maps.app.goo.gl/urXdwbfj37GmtNpm8) ∙ [Website](https://www.paris-arc-de-triomphe.fr/) Save to list - ![A church of white stone and three domes sits at the top of a hill with the evening light illuminating it. ](https://static01.nyt.com/images/2025/12/01/multimedia/trav-paris-guide-attractions-Sacre/trav-paris-guide-new-05-tklj-mobileMasterAt3x.jpg?width=600&quality=75&auto=webp&disable=upscale) #### Sacré-Coeur Basilica This white-domed basilica crowning the hill of Montmartre offers some of the best panoramic views in Paris and free admission to explore or attend Mass. Tip: Get a ticket (€8 for adults) to climb the nearly 300 narrow steps to the dome for even better views. [Map](https://maps.app.goo.gl/BkY69ZFqBJEetPpx5) ∙ [Website](https://www.sacre-coeur-montmartre.com/) Save to list - ![A view from inside the Panthéon where intricate murals and stone work can be seen leading up to a dome lit by natural light coming from windows. ](https://static01.nyt.com/images/2025/12/01/multimedia/trav-paris-guide-attractions-Panthon/trav-paris-guide-new-02-tklj-mobileMasterAt3x.jpg?width=600&quality=75&auto=webp&disable=upscale) #### Panthéon Originally a church honoring Ste. Geneviève, a patron saint of Paris, the domed Panthéon now enshrines France’s greats, from Voltaire and Marie Curie to Joséphine Baker, within its neoclassical walls. Tip: Don‘t miss a replica of Foucault’s pendulum; the original was first presented here in 1851 as proof of the Earth’s rotation. [Map](https://maps.app.goo.gl/P9BkkaQTPH9T2DNi6) ∙ [Website](https://www.paris-pantheon.fr/) Save to list - ![A women sits reclined in a chair along a stone path in a garden of greenery and statues. She is facing the setting sun and a long shadow is cast behind her. ](https://static01.nyt.com/images/2025/11/06/multimedia/trav-paris-guide-attractions-tuileries-pfqm/trav-paris-guide-attractions-tuileries-pfqm-mobileMasterAt3x-v2.jpg?width=600&quality=75&auto=webp&disable=upscale) #### Tuileries Gardens Connecting the Louvre and the Place de la Concorde, Paris’s oldest and largest garden was redesigned by André Le Nôtre in the 17th century in three grand sculpture-lined sections whose elegant symmetry endures unchanged today. Tip: At the western end of the garden, visit the [Jeu de Paume](https://jeudepaume.org/), an arts center specializing in multimedia by international artists from the 20th and 21st centuries. [Map](https://maps.app.goo.gl/TzQCVQQpaJSeP49X6) ∙ [Website](https://parisjetaime.com/culture/jardin-des-tuileries-p3545) Save to list - ![A decorative pool is lined with mum flowers that leads to a fountain feature of four columns and various statues of historical figures. ](https://static01.nyt.com/images/2025/12/01/multimedia/trav-paris-guide-attractions-Medici/trav-paris-guide-new-01-tklj-mobileMasterAt3x.jpg?width=600&quality=75&auto=webp&disable=upscale) #### The Medici Fountain In the Luxembourg Gardens’ most romantic corner, a 17th-century Italianate fountain recalls Marie de Medici’s Florence. Its reflective basin and the green Sénat chairs surrounding it invite rest — or a photo op. Tip: Need a book to read for your meditative hang? Browse nearby at [the Red Wheelbarrow](https://theredwheelbarrowbookstore.com/), an English-language bookshop, or [Librairies des Editions des Saints Pères](https://www.spbooks.com/), which publishes facsimile manuscript editions of classic texts. [Map](https://maps.app.goo.gl/ktaWymrkGpo9VJJ59) ∙ [Website](https://jardin.senat.fr/) Save to list - ![A women in sunglasses, a red hat and heavy sweater walks through a Parisian food market while shoppers around her browse the stalls. ](https://static01.nyt.com/images/2025/12/01/multimedia/trav-paris-guide-markets/trav-paris-guide-new-06-tklj-mobileMasterAt3x.jpg?width=600&quality=75&auto=webp&disable=upscale) #### Market life The bustling Bastille food market draws crowds Thursdays and Sundays to 100 stalls. Further east, the Marché d’Aligre and its covered annex offer a broader selection and a slice of local life six days a week. Save to list - ![A large-ornate gold and bronze doorway marks the entrance to a large stone building with columns, statues and a grand stairway leading up to it. ](https://static01.nyt.com/images/2025/12/01/multimedia/trav-paris-guide-attractions-Palais/trav-paris-guide-new-07-tklj-mobileMasterAt3x.jpg?width=600&quality=75&auto=webp&disable=upscale) #### Petit and Grand Palais These grand Beaux-Arts neighbors from the 1900 World’s Fair draw crowds for their striking glass roofs and blockbuster exhibitions. Entrance to the [Petit Palais’](https://www.petitpalais.paris.fr/en)s permanent collection, with masterworks by Rembrandt, Gauguin and Cézanne, is free. Tip: Book lunch or dinner at [Le Grand Café](https://www.legrandcafe-paris.com/), the Grand Palais’s refreshed restaurant. Save to list - ![Theatre balconies upholstered in red velvet curtains, chairs and railings with gilded columns and relief details. ](https://static01.nyt.com/images/2025/12/03/multimedia/trav-paris-guide-garnier-gjzl/trav-paris-guide-garnier-gjzl-mobileMasterAt3x.jpg?width=600&quality=75&auto=webp&disable=upscale) #### Palais Garnier Opulent interiors and Marc Chagall’s spectacular ceiling make a stunning backdrop to ballet, opera and classical concerts in this Second Empire theater. Tip: Can’t see a performance? Book a [guided tour](https://www.operadeparis.fr/en/visits/palais-garnier) of the opera house instead. [Map](https://maps.app.goo.gl/PCJaL3tpYcNYAjym7) ∙ [Website](https://www.operadeparis.fr/en) Save to list - ![A person looks into a small opening in the wall that is part of a art exhibit. The wall features a large downward facing arrow highlighting the opening to look through. ](https://static01.nyt.com/images/2025/12/01/multimedia/trav-paris-guide-art-gkfh/trav-paris-guide-art-gkfh-mobileMasterAt3x.jpg?width=600&quality=75&auto=webp&disable=upscale) #### Art crawl From the [Palais de Tokyo](https://palaisdetokyo.com/en/) to the [Fondation Louis Vuitton](https://www.fondationlouisvuitton.fr/en), the [Bourse de Commerce](https://www.pinaultcollection.com/en/boursedecommerce), and the reimagined [Fondation Cartier](https://www.fondationcartier.com/en), Paris’s modern and contemporary art spaces deliver blockbuster exhibitions year-round in buildings as striking as the art. Tip: The Pompidou Center is closed for five years for extensive restorations. Add it to your list for 2030. Save to list - ![A variety of prints, posters and books sit on display at an outdoor bookstall beneath a green yawning while a passerby reaches for a print hung from up high. ](https://static01.nyt.com/images/2025/11/06/multimedia/trav-paris-guide-attractions-biblio-bvmg/trav-paris-guide-attractions-biblio-bvmg-mobileMasterAt3x.jpg?width=600&quality=75&auto=webp&disable=upscale) #### Bibliophile shopping Along the Seine, green bookstalls known as bouquinistes have sold secondhand written treasures for four centuries — open-air literary kin to storied bilingual shops like [Shakespeare & Company](https://www.shakespeareandcompany.com/) and [Galignani](https://www.galignani.fr/). Save to list - ![Visitors look up at the multicolored stained glass windows that reach several stories high of this vaulted building with a circular stained glass window featured at one end. ](https://static01.nyt.com/images/2025/12/01/multimedia/trav-paris-guide-attractions-Sainte-Chapelle/trav-paris-guide-new-04-tklj-mobileMasterAt3x.jpg?width=600&quality=75&auto=webp&disable=upscale) #### Sainte-Chapelle A 13th-century marvel of Gothic architecture, this chapel hasn’t served as a church since the French Revolution, but its 1,113 stained-glass panels inspire plenty of worshipful awe. Tip: Download the Sainte-Chapelle Stained Glass app for context on each of the stained-glass windows and the scenes depicted. (Available on Google Play and the Apple App Store.) [Map](https://maps.app.goo.gl/tEY9Pz9Q1F3KyvmH8) ∙ [Website](https://www.sainte-chapelle.fr/en) Save to list - ![Shoppers browse the outdoor aisles of a market while an individual sits near some piles of dishes and picture frames for sale. ](https://static01.nyt.com/images/2025/12/03/multimedia/trav-paris-guide-flea-mvpj/trav-paris-guide-flea-mvpj-mobileMasterAt3x.jpg?width=600&quality=75&auto=webp&disable=upscale) #### Les Puces de St.-Ouen Paris’s legendary northern “flea market” is actually a five-acre complex of 12 distinct covered markets with thousands of stalls selling antiques, vintage fashion and other treasures. Tip: Start with the [Marché Vernaison](https://marchevernaison.com/), the oldest of the markets. Keep in mind that most markets are open Friday through Monday, busiest at the start of the weekend. Save to list ### Neighborhoods From familiar monuments to quiet cafes and cutting-edge galleries, Paris’s 20 arrondissements, or districts, have something to captivate every traveler. - ![A long hallway covered with murals, gilded moulding and paintings with windows on the left and doorways on the right. ](https://static01.nyt.com/images/2025/11/06/multimedia/trav-paris-guide-neighborhoods-center-pmhf/trav-paris-guide-neighborhoods-center-pmhf-mobileMasterAt3x-v3.jpg?width=600&quality=75&auto=webp&disable=upscale) #### Paris Center From the Marais to the Louvre, through the Tuileries Gardens and across Little Tokyo, the first four arrondissements that make up central Paris are also its historic heart, home to all the hallmarks of a Paris experience: history, river access, cafes aplenty and marquee monuments. Best for: Art lovers, fashionistas, culture mavens Where to stay: Caron de Beaumarchais (\$\$) Things to do: mahJ (Jewish History Museum) (\$); Musée de la Chasse et de la Nature (\$); Musée Carnavalet (free) Where to eat and drink: Chocolaterie Jade Genin (\$); Juveniles (\$\$); Bar Hemingway (\$\$\$); Berthillon (\$) Save to list - ![A cyclist looks at their phone from a top vista where the city of lowrise apartments and trees can be seen below. ](https://static01.nyt.com/images/2025/11/06/multimedia/trav-paris-guide-neighborhoods-montmartre-twzb/trav-paris-guide-neighborhoods-montmartre-twzb-mobileMasterAt3x-v3.jpg?width=600&quality=75&auto=webp&disable=upscale) #### Montmartre Perched above the city, Montmartre’s warren of winding streets still echoes with the ghosts of Picasso and Modigliani. Major village vibes can be felt as you wind your way down from the white domes of Sacré-Coeur Basilica, crossing cobblestone squares and passing artisanal bakeries and corner cafes that overlook the city. At its heart is a small working vineyard that recalls the hill’s rural past. Best for: Sightseers, romantics, families Where to stay: Elysée Montmartre Hotel (\$\$) Things to do: Musée de Montmartre (\$); Halle Saint-Pierre (\$-\$\$); Au Lapin Agile cabaret (\$\$-\$\$\$) Where to eat and drink: Maison Aleph (\$); Gisou (\$\$); Bouillon Pigalle (\$) Save to list - ![A neighborhood cafe with a patio and umbrellas is lit while passerbys look onward. ](https://static01.nyt.com/images/2025/12/01/multimedia/trav-paris-guide-Saint-Germain/trav-paris-guide-new-08-tklj-mobileMasterAt3x.jpg?width=600&quality=75&auto=webp&disable=upscale) #### St.-Germain-des-Prés and Latin Quarter Adjacent neighborhoods, these Left Bank staples capture two sides of Parisian intellectual past and present: the polished cafes and bookshops of St.-Germain, where Jean-Paul Sartre once held court, and the more lively Latin Quarter, anchored by the Sorbonne University. Between them, narrow streets lead to bookshops, art galleries, bistros and the leafy beauty of the Jardin du Luxembourg. Best for: Bon vivants, romantics, students Where to stay: Hôtel Dame des Arts (\$\$\$) Things to do: Institut du Monde Arabe (\$); Musée National Eugène Delacroix (\$); Caveau de la Huchette Jazz & Swing (\$\$) Where to eat and drink: Tea salon at the Grande Mosquée de Paris (\$); Atica (\$\$\$); L’Avant Comptoir du Marché (\$\$); Ten Belles (\$); Plaq (\$\$) Save to list - ![People gathered in pairs and small groups sit on the ground next to a waterway while enjoying the weather. ](https://static01.nyt.com/images/2025/11/06/multimedia/trav-paris-guide-neighborhoods-canal-gjvq/trav-paris-guide-neighborhoods-canal-gjvq-mobileMasterAt3x-v3.jpg?width=600&quality=75&auto=webp&disable=upscale) #### Canal St.-Martin & Canal de l’Ourcq Recognizable for their cast-iron footbridges and tree-lined quays, the banks of the 19th-century Canal St.-Martin are a lively gathering place. Artists, cafes and wine bars occupy former warehouses and factories, and locals picnic along the water. Northward, the waterway feeds into the Bassin de la Villette, the city’s largest artificial lake, lined with cinemas and cafes, and the [Canal de l’Ourcq](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/08/31/world/europe/a-city-reinvented-paris-is-now-greater-paris.html), opposite the [Philharmonie de Paris](https://philharmoniedeparis.fr/fr) and the [Cité des Sciences](https://www.cite-sciences.fr/fr/accueil). Best for: Artists and creatives, couples, families Where to stay: Le Citizen (\$\$) Things to do: Marin d’Eau Douce canal ride (\$\$-\$\$\$); Artazart (\$-\$\$); Centre Commercial (\$\$) Where to eat and drink: Sur Mer (\$\$); Residence Kann (\$); Paname Brewing Company (\$); JJ Hings ice cream (\$) Save to list - ![A view down a road lined with lowrise buildings on the left and cars on the right with the Eiffel Tower lit in the distance. ](https://static01.nyt.com/images/2025/12/01/multimedia/trav-paris-guide-neighborhoods-Belleville/trav-paris-guide-new-03-tklj-mobileMasterAt3x.jpg?width=600&quality=75&auto=webp&disable=upscale) #### Belleville Once a separate village annexed to Paris in 1860, Belleville and its hilltop neighbors Ménilmontant and Jourdain are among the city’s most diverse enclaves, shaped by immigration, political activism and art. The birthplace of Édith Piaf and the Paris Commune, a revolutionary government that ruled for 72 days, the area has winding streets, small shops, two large parks and a dynamic dining scene that preserve a rare, village-like spirit. Best for: Artists and creatives, food lovers, solo travelers Where to stay: The People Belleville (\$) Things to do: Parc des Buttes-Chaumont; Parc de Belleville; La Bellevilloise (\$-\$\$) Where to eat and drink: Le Petit Grain (\$); Aux Folies (\$); Ama Siam (\$\$); Le Cheval d’Or (\$\$\$) Save to list - ![A vendor is silhouetted in the foreground holding the miniature Eiffel tower while onlookers walk int he background to and from the real Eiffel Tower. ](https://static01.nyt.com/images/2025/11/06/multimedia/trav-paris-guide-neighborhoods-trocadero-kzvc/trav-paris-guide-neighborhoods-trocadero-kzvc-mobileMasterAt3x-v3.jpg?width=600&quality=75&auto=webp&disable=upscale) #### Trocadéro and Eiffel Tower Across the Seine from the Eiffel Tower, Trocadéro’s grand esplanade delivers the city’s most cinematic view, framed by stately museums like the [Palais de Tokyo](https://palaisdetokyo.com/?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=23147912308&gbraid=0AAAABBX5-zE_krJFBCdHc3ifUBhVG8XoW&gclid=CjwKCAiAwqHIBhAEEiwAx9cTeYLrlbhAU8UhtPpmgPxjda1huPJ-8l3DStIe8-aSELwaqDH8TrvmSxoCAJ0QAvD_BwE) and the [Musée de l’Homme](https://www.museedelhomme.fr/fr). Crossing the Iéna Bridge leads to the Champ-de-Mars, a green expanse ideal for picnics and catching the tower’s evening sparkle. The surrounding neighborhood brims with cafes and elegant market streets like Rue Cler. Best for: Families, couples, museum lovers Where to stay: SAX Paris, LXR Hotels & Resorts (\$\$\$) Things to do: Hôtel des Invalides (\$); Palais Galliera (\$); Musée d’Art Moderne (\$) Where to eat and drink: Les Marches (\$); Saint Pearl (\$); Carette (\$\$) Save to list ### Left Bank vs. Right Bank Paris is split by the Seine River: The Right Bank (north) has long been associated with commerce, luxury and grand boulevards, while the Left Bank (south) embodies intellect, bohemia and cafe culture. At the center are two naturally occurring islands, the Île St.-Louis and the Île de la Cité. The latter is home to Notre-Dame Cathedral and Sainte-Chappelle, and both are worth exploring. Monuments, museums and excellent dining abound on both sides of the river, so plan to navigate from one side of the river to the other, on foot, bus, metro or bicycle. ### Go Deeper If you have time, enrich your immersion in Paris (and just beyond) through world-class museums, gardens and cultural experiences. Galerie Vivienne, built in 1823. - #### Château de Versailles Spend the day touring royal excess at Louis XIV and Marie Antoinette’s gilded palace, a 30- to 60-minute ride on the regional rail line RER C from Paris, and then lose yourself in the expansive formal gardens. Tip: Start with the palace when it opens and then escape the crowds to explore the gardens and the Trianon palaces in the afternoon. [Map](https://maps.app.goo.gl/9q6fZk9ujaMSieAy8) ∙ [Website](https://www.chateauversailles.fr/) Save to list - #### Picasso Museum Come for the world’s largest Picasso collection, which spans paintings, sculptures and ceramics in a stunning mansion in the Marais neighborhood. Tip: Visit the temporary exhibitions showcasing modern artists, many of them women. [Map](https://maps.app.goo.gl/LKXx6yTf3VwftNGZ7) ∙ [Website](https://www.museepicassoparis.fr/en) Save to list - #### Musée de l’Orangerie Built under Napoleon III to house the Tuileries’ orange trees, [L’Orangerie](https://www.musee-orangerie.fr/en) now showcases Monet’s eight “Water Lilies” murals, works by Cézanne and Matisse, and stellar temporary shows. Tip: Get tickets when the museum opens to experience Monet’s “Water Lilies” in near silence — the oval rooms fill quickly, and the immersive effect fades as the crowds pour in. [Map](https://maps.app.goo.gl/uqG3GkrERsgAd2bw9) ∙ [Website](https://www.musee-orangerie.fr/en) Save to list - #### Jardin des Plantes Founded in 1626 as Louis XIII’s royal medicinal garden, this sprawling park houses a working botanical institute with greenhouses, an alpine garden and one of the oldest zoos in the world. Tip: Don’t miss the [Natural History Museum](https://www.mnhn.fr/en) on the garden’s edge, with its soaring Galerie de l’Évolution, filled with lifelike animal displays. [Map](https://maps.app.goo.gl/8zSZ9aXzw8ychYhu7) ∙ [Website](https://www.jardindesplantesdeparis.fr/en) Save to list - #### Walking tours From [fashion](https://www.maisonfirestone.com/tours) and [women’s history](https://womenofparis.co/) to [Black and Afro-Caribbean culture](https://www.leparisnoir.com/) and the [French capital during World War II](https://www.contexttravel.com/cities/paris/tours/paris-wwii-nazi-occupation-tour), there’s a thematic walking tour for every interest. Save to list - #### Cooking and baking classes Why just eat croissants when you can learn to make them? [La Cuisine Paris](https://lacuisineparis.com/) offers cooking and baking classes in two Seine-facing spaces. Save to list - #### Musée Rodin This intimate [museum](https://www.musee-rodin.fr/) traces Rodin’s evolution through sculptures, paintings and plasters, alongside works by his protégée Camille Claudel and paintings by Monet and van Gogh from his personal collection. Tip: Plan your visit for a dry day: Many of Rodin’s sculptures, including “The Thinker,” are displayed in the museum’s rose-filled sculpture garden. [Map](https://maps.app.goo.gl/pyr814pW4zgw3jyz5) ∙ [Website](https://www.musee-rodin.fr/en) Save to list - #### Covered galleries and passages Explore 18th-century glass-roofed (and rainproof) passages, like [Galerie Vivienne](https://www.galerie-vivienne.com/), [Passage des Panoramas](https://passagesetgaleries.fr/passage-des-panoramas/) and the [Galeries du Palais-Royal](https://passagesetgaleries.fr/galeries-palais-royal/), filled with boutiques, galleries and historic cafes. Tip: About 30 covered passages remain today. Plot an itinerary that allows you to visit them all. Save to list - #### Père Lachaise Cemetery Oscar Wilde, Édith Piaf and Jim Morrison are among the 1.3 million souls buried across 110 acres of this peaceful hillside necropolis — the world’s most visited. Tip: The cemetery is more sprawling than it appears. Plan your route ahead of time by using the Père Lachaise [interactive map](https://pere-lachaise.plan-interactif.com/en/#!/category/963467). [Map](https://maps.app.goo.gl/3nQnfFZEsrGiJPat5) Save to list - #### Wine tasting Get a crash course in wine through tastings and an app-guided tour at [Les Caves du Louvre](https://www.cavesdulouvre.com/), set in a vast 18th-century vaulted cellar in the First Arrondissement that once extended all the way to the Louvre Palace. Tip: If spirits are more your style, book a gin-making class with the owners’ other establishment, [Distillerie de l’Arbre-Sec](https://www.distilleriedelarbresec.com/). [Map](https://maps.app.goo.gl/htTj27tFyxyc3ePN7) ∙ [Website](https://www.cavesdulouvre.com/) Save to list - #### Premium chocolateries A chocolate playground awaits! Explore bean-to-bar confections at [Plaq](https://plaqchocolat.com/en) and [Le Chocolat Alain Ducasse](https://www.lechocolat-alainducasse.com/en/), edible sculptures at [Patrick Roger](https://www.patrickroger.com/en) and inventive flavor pairings at [Jacques Genin](https://jacquesgenin.fr/). Save to list ### A Tour Through the Bourse de Commerce A former commodities exchange, the Bourse is now a contemporary art museum. It displays the Pinault Collection, created by François Pinault, a founder of the luxury group Kering. The renovation was done by the Japanese architect Tadao Ando, who placed a massive concrete cylinder in the middle of the rotunda. Recently, giant pieces by the artist Meg Webster were displayed there. Each piece was made with a different material, including beeswax. “Circle of Branches” made from twigs, hay and tree branches was created specifically to be exhibited at the Bourse. Towering above is a glass and iron dome, which has been restored to its original splendor. Encircling it is a monumental painting created in 1889 that depicts scenes of global trade. ### Shopping Whether you browse the renowned department stores or go straight for the quirky independent shops, quality souvenirs abound in every neighborhood. À la Mère de Famille has been selling sweets for more than 250 years. \$\$\$ Inexpensive shops \$\$\$ Midrange and nicer stores (including vintage) \$\$\$ Expensive and luxury boutiques - #### À la Mère de Famille An enchanting sweets shop from one of the city’s oldest chocolateries, with original wood-paneled décor, glass jars of bonbons and kid-friendly chocolates. \$ ∙ Grands Boulevards [Map](https://maps.app.goo.gl/z7fbbpQ9vrGii7QD6) ∙ [Website](https://www.lameredefamille.com/) Save to list - #### Le Bon Marché Rive Gauche Among the world’s first department stores, this grand shop draws locals for its refined edit of fashion and design, plus a legendary gourmet food annex, [La Grande Épicerie](https://www.lagrandeepicerie.com/en). \$\$\$ ∙ St.-Germain-des-Prés [Map](https://maps.app.goo.gl/f57gZUqgqEE8hwEA8) ∙ [Website](https://www.lagrandeepicerie.com/en/rive-gauche) Save to list - #### Galeries Lafayette and Printemps Haussmann These Art Nouveau shopping landmarks sit side by side and pair ornate domes with fashion and accessories. But only [Galeries Lafayette](https://haussmann.galerieslafayette.com/en/) offers [360-degree views](https://haussmann.galerieslafayette.com/en/the-terrace-at-galeries-lafayette/) from the eighth-floor rooftop. \$\$\$ ∙ Opéra [Map](https://maps.app.goo.gl/DSN7MjYSs7TummNx9) Save to list - #### Merci This buzzy concept store carries international fashion, design and lifestyle brands under one roof, with two on-site cafes and rotating thematic pop-ups. \$\$ ∙ Marais [Map](https://maps.app.goo.gl/444mfVYrK1zYd7C86) ∙ [Website](https://merci-merci.com/en) Save to list - #### Conservatoire des Hémisphères A destination for tea lovers, this apothecary-style shop works with single-origin leaves, offering classic, flavored and rare teas and the option to create your own blend. \$\$ ∙ St.-Germain-des-Prés [Map](https://maps.app.goo.gl/hrnxXZy6KXfzKd9e8) ∙ [Website](https://hemispheresparis.com/) Save to list - #### Messy Nessy’s Cabinet Near Notre-Dame, the pocket-size shop brings the author Vanessa Grall’s popular [online world](https://www.messynessychic.com/) of eclectic stories to life with quirky antiques, France-themed books and playful Paris-themed collectibles. \$\$ ∙ Latin Quarter [Map](https://maps.app.goo.gl/HtuApk2wK81B6pGz6) ∙ [Website](https://shop.messynessychic.com/) Save to list - #### Marin Montagut This whimsical shop spotlights the work of the artist and author Marin Montagut, carrying a selection of his hand-painted glassware, candles and objets d’art. \$\$ ∙ Luxembourg Gardens [Map](https://maps.app.goo.gl/tGDxqW9VtGDBgAFQ7) ∙ [Website](https://www.marinmontagut.com/en) Save to list - #### E. Dehillerin Beloved by Julia Child, this maze of a shop has specialized in copper pots and cooking tools for chefs and home cooks for 200 years. \$\$ ∙ Les Halles [Map](https://maps.app.goo.gl/gjXa2K63vbAg73kZ9) ∙ [Website](https://www.edehillerin.fr/en/) Save to list - #### Fromagerie Quatrehomme An award-winning, family-run flagship cheese shop, with four other locations, has expertly aged cheeses and unique offerings like goat cheese from Burgundy infused with Nikka Japanese whiskey. \$\$ ∙ St.-Germain-des-Prés [Map](https://maps.app.goo.gl/EyQRa9U7xS9Z4frY9) ∙ [Website](https://quatrehomme.fr/en/) Save to list - #### Landline This independently owned shop is a go-to for homewares, tableware, toys, paper goods and clothing from sustainable French and European makers, free from plastic. \$\$ ∙ Goncourt [Map](https://maps.app.goo.gl/wdTctb3cVY74H9tB9) ∙ [Website](https://landlineparis.com/password) Save to list - #### Brigitte Tanaka This shop’s sheer organza bags reinterpret grocery sacks of yesteryear with playful embroidered motifs, like the Paris metro, croissants and more. \$\$ ∙ Paris Center [Map](https://maps.app.goo.gl/q1cqpBVLGvSCLtaD7) ∙ [Website](https://brigittetanaka.com/en) Save to list - #### Mélodies Graphiques A Marais must for stationery, calligraphy essentials, notebooks, stamps and even handmade bookmarks. \$ ∙ Marais [Map](https://maps.app.goo.gl/7Jrk1TAgNvYJw7y89) ∙ [Website](https://melodies-graphiques.com/) Save to list ### Is the Paris Museum Pass worth it? [The Paris Museum Pass](https://www.parismuseumpass.fr/en), beginning with a two-day (€70 for adults), one-time-only pass, offers access to about 50 museums and monuments in Paris. (Museums and monuments are mostly free for visitors under 18.) To be cost-effective, the pass requires visiting several museums and monuments per day and booking required time slots in advance, which doesn’t leave much room for spontaneity. Individual museum tickets may provide greater flexibility. ## Where to Stay ### Hotels Beyond its ever-growing roster of gilded palaces, Paris brims with boutique hotels and budget-friendly stays offering fresh, design-driven alternatives. The entrance to Hotel Balzac, just steps from the Champs-Elysées. \$\$\$\$\$ Double room rates start at \$130 \$\$\$\$\$ Rates from \$200 to \$400 \$\$\$\$\$ Rates from \$400 to \$600 \$\$\$\$\$ Above \$600 \$\$\$\$\$ Above \$1,500 - #### Hôtel de Crillon This 18th-century landmark hotel features six dining establishments, an opulent spa, a gilded bar with a frescoed ceiling beloved by Parisians and a grand suite where, legend has it, Marie Antoinette once took piano lessons. \$\$\$\$\$ ∙ Place de la Concorde [Map](https://maps.app.goo.gl/nRMxjDWwGraEujgU8) ∙ [Website](https://www.rosewoodhotels.com/en/hotel-de-crillon) Save to list - #### Hotel Balzac This 1930s-chic hotel on Balzac’s former estate features an alcove bar, a Japanese spa and elegant, comfortably sized rooms. \$\$\$\$ ∙ Champs-Elysées [Map](https://maps.app.goo.gl/xGDBEAZo2HJ1ce1D7) ∙ [Website](https://www.hotelbalzac.paris/) Save to list - #### Le Grand Mazarin Maximalist is the operative word for this hotel, where canopy beds give way to a frescoed pool and a basement lounge packed with dancing locals. \$\$\$\$ ∙ Marais [Map](https://maps.app.goo.gl/Cvfmm14dF5ofzCVx9) ∙ [Website](https://www.legrandmazarin.com/) Save to list - #### La Fondation A former car park, this Brutalist complex combines 58 spacious rooms, a sports club (with a climbing wall), office space and a rooftop garden. \$\$\$\$ ∙ Parc Monceau [Map](https://maps.app.goo.gl/yxc623eh86WuGeyV9) ∙ [Website](https://www.lafondationhotel.com/) Save to list - #### Hotel des Grands Voyageurs This quiet Left Bank spot near Le Bon Marché blends trans-Atlantic glamour and Parisian flair, complete with rope-lined corridors, mahogany paneling and a sleek bar-brasserie. \$\$\$ ∙ Montparnasse [Map](https://maps.app.goo.gl/TvR6AJpuDaTGSBCt6) ∙ [Website](https://www.hoteldesgrandsvoyageurs.com/) Save to list - #### Hôtel Observatoire Luxembourg This revamped boutique hotel is steps from Luxembourg Gardens and public transit and has a lively all-day restaurant in shades of green. Minimalist, comfortable rooms. \$\$\$ ∙ Luxembourg Gardens [Map](https://maps.app.goo.gl/DqUD99jN7EkKCBa37) ∙ [Website](https://www.observatoirehotel.com/fr/) Save to list - #### Hôtel Massé Contemporary art, 1970s vintage (including bedside lamps from the German industrial designer Ingo Maurer, nicknamed the Poet of Light) and a relaxed ground floor make this hotel feel like your own Parisian pied-à-terre. \$\$\$ ∙ Pigalle [Map](https://maps.app.goo.gl/4mAnPMyk1ASXf5Rp7) ∙ [Website](https://www.hotelmasse.com/) Save to list - #### Babel This bohemian hotel in the city’s most diverse food enclave combines Moroccan aesthetics (glass lanterns, ocher-hued bedrooms) and Silk Road-inspired cooking in a spacious restaurant. \$\$ ∙ Belleville [Map](https://maps.app.goo.gl/eD4NsmH1vgEfvxaz7) ∙ [Website](https://www.babel-belleville.com/en/) Save to list - #### 25hours Hotel Terminus Nord Opposite the Gare du Nord train station, the colorful hotel mirrors the neighborhood’s multicultural energy with patterned textiles, vintage décor and the [Sape bar](https://sapebar.fr/en/) celebrating Congolese sapeur fashion culture. \$\$ ∙ Gare du Nord [Map](https://maps.app.goo.gl/XfYH5aBpj33WhtgW7) ∙ [Website](https://25hours-hotels.com/paris/terminus-nord/) Save to list - #### Hotel Folie Surrounded by buzzy restaurants, this intimate hotel (formerly Hôtel de Charonne) offers blue or green striped rooms and a farmhouse-chic salon that evokes the 11th Arrondissement’s rural past. \$ ∙ Charonne [Map](https://maps.app.goo.gl/Zjcw8Fi2zUyasx247) ∙ [Website](https://en.orsohotels.com/hotel-folie) Save to list - #### The People A design-forward hostel-hotel hybrid overlooking the Seine River offers dorms and private rooms, a rooftop terrace, and vibrant energy in the bar-restaurant TiTi Palacio. \$ ∙ Marais [Map](https://maps.app.goo.gl/xMLWuAh5ezL7oyDCA) ∙ [Website](https://www.thepeoplehostel.com/en/destinations/paris-marais/) Save to list ## Where to Eat and Drink ### Breakfast and Lunch Historically a city of sweet breakfasts (croissants, tartines and coffee at every turn), Paris now embraces a broader morning selection. At lunch, sandwiches, stews and modern bistros make daytime dining worth reserving. Candied fruit at Café Verlet. \$\$\$ Street food and casual eats \$\$\$ Accessible-midrange \$\$\$ Upscale to luxurious - #### Café Verlet Between the Louvre and the Palais Royal, the city’s oldest coffeehouse serves single-origin coffees and teas alongside sweet and savory breakfast options. \$ ∙ Paris Center [Map](https://maps.app.goo.gl/XteBJh9FTByZgKeL6) ∙ [Website](https://www.verlet.fr/en/) Save to list - #### Maison Fleuret Take your coffee with some reading material. This former bookshop turned compact cafe serves sweet and savory vegetarian breakfasts amid floor-to-ceiling shelves of titles from Gallimard, a prestigious French publisher. \$ ∙ St.-Germain-des-Prés [Map](https://maps.app.goo.gl/ypVa8j69PFJtkrPT9) ∙ [Website](https://maisonfleuret.fr/pages/the-coffee-shop) Save to list - #### Le Petit Vendôme Join the (fast-moving) line for the star item: a jambon-beurre. The sandwich comes on a crispy baguette slathered with unsalted butter from a giant wedge and quality ham cooked on the bone. \$ ∙ Opéra [Map](https://maps.app.goo.gl/2RRtawwJSbowh84B9) ∙ [Website](https://lepetitvendome.fr/en) Save to list - #### Minicafé This serene cafe, once a monastic boutique run by nuns on a 14th-century cobblestone street (Rue des Barres), serves specialty coffee, granola bowls and cakes. Outdoor seating is available. \$ ∙ Marais [Map](https://maps.app.goo.gl/EfUGYV7YD6f24MuN7) ∙ [Website](https://www.instagram.com/minicafeparis/?hl=en) Save to list - #### Chez Georges The prototypical bistro, preserved to perfection: pressed tablecloths, handwritten menus, career waiters and robust portions of classics like sole meunière and grilled rib-eye with marrow. \$\$\$ ∙ Paris Center [Map](https://maps.app.goo.gl/sPQGKDbQmeWzX6xL6) ∙ [Website](https://www.instagram.com/chezgeorgesruedumail/?hl=en) Save to list - #### Du Pain et des Idées A Canal St.-Martin favorite since 2002 for rustic loaves and viennoiseries (breakfast pastries). The baker-owner now offers Roman-style pizzas and natural wine for lunch next door at [La Table](https://www.la-table-dpdi.com/). \$ ∙ Canal St.-Martin [Map](https://maps.app.goo.gl/WysVtSyi9de5Jw7i9) ∙ [Website](https://www.la-table-dpdi.com/) Save to list - #### Kunitoraya Since 1991, this udon bar has drawn crowds the moment doors open at noon for its handmade noodles. Now, fans line up for onigiri too, with the Japanese rice balls served from a take-out window. \$\$ ∙ Paris Center [Map](https://maps.app.goo.gl/41pjae1fQKTdZpHx6) ∙ [Website](https://udon-bistro.com/) Save to list - #### Lastre Sans Apostrophe This gourmet deli lures locals with award-winning pâtés en crôute (meat pies baked in flaky pastry) and jarred classics like coq au vin and beef Bourguignon. \$\$ ∙ Eiffel Tower [Map](https://maps.app.goo.gl/srn8bHT2Y2TS6ArJ7) ∙ [Website](https://www.instagram.com/yohanlastre) Save to list - #### Falafel on Rue des Rosiers Falafel reigns in Paris’s historic Jewish quarter, where [L’As du Fallafel](https://www.instagram.com/lasdufallafel/?hl=en) and [Chez Hanna](https://www.instagram.com/chezhannaparis/?hl=en) serve crisp, overflowing pita sandwiches that draw famously long lines. \$ ∙ Marais [Map](https://maps.app.goo.gl/7QX2RHt8X2w6ejedA) Save to list - #### Chez Carrie Vegetables — in salads, fritters, dips and more — play a starring role in this warm and inviting bistro. Save room for the seasonal soft-serve topped with toasted buckwheat. \$\$ ∙ Paris Centre [Map](https://maps.app.goo.gl/9Nkr6x7cuMTs6z2y5) ∙ [Website](https://www.chezcarrie.com/) Save to list - #### Le Marché des Enfants Rouges Beyond its status as the oldest covered market in Paris, this is an ideal spot for indecisive diners with its specialty stands and international prepared-food stalls. \$\$ ∙ Marais [Map](https://maps.app.goo.gl/DeQC8AaA3Wta2y9QA) ∙ [Website](https://www.paris.fr/lieux/marche-couvert-des-enfants-rouges-5461) Save to list - #### Urfa Durum On a street dotted with flavorful, affordable options, these Kurdish flatbread sandwiches, filled with spiced meat and vegetables grilled over an open flame, deserve a special stop. \$ ∙ Strasbourg-St.-Denis [Map](https://maps.app.goo.gl/YsHd6R1ogfBHeVN56) ∙ [Website](https://www.facebook.com/urfadurumparis/) Save to list - #### Breizh Café Brittany meets Japan at this 30-year-old crepe and buckwheat galette cafe with classic and modern recipes, like lobster with apple and miso-yuzu mayo. \$\$ ∙ Odéon [Map](https://maps.app.goo.gl/4knGndQ8eCBaWweT7) ∙ [Website](https://www.breizhcafe.com/) Save to list ### Paris, City of Love In legend, popular culture and real life, Paris is a city of romance. The authorities have cracked down on couples placing “love locks” on bridges, but more ephemeral expressions of affection are everywhere. On the streets in the Fourth Arrondissement. On the Rue de Seine, a historic street on the city’s Left Bank. In the Tuileries Garden at the heart of the city. On a date at Bistrot Paul Bert, in the trendy 11th Arrondissement. And in the steamy windows of Bar Le Cinquante, in the 10th. ### Cultural dos and don’ts Be sure to say “bonjour” or “bonsoir” when entering shops or restaurants and before asking someone for assistance. Those salutations, along with “merci,” are a nonnegotiable form of social etiquette. Be mindful of local dining times. Lunch service typically runs from 12 to 2 p.m. and dinner begins at 7 or 7:30 p.m., with the exception of basic cafes, which offer nonstop service. ### Dinner The evening meal is serious business in Paris, where time-honored bistros sit side by side with inventive restaurants championing seasonal cooking with wide-reaching influences. Try these fine tables to begin your culinary journey. Classic French fare at Chez Denise. \$\$\$ Street food and casual eats \$\$\$ Accessible-midrange \$\$\$ Upscale to luxurious - #### Chez Denise This original bistro from Les Halles’ heyday as the city’s central fresh food market still serves gargantuan portions of classic French fare like blanquette de veau late into the night. \$\$ ∙ Les Halles [Map](https://maps.app.goo.gl/bi1J89jRfQfS6wxc9) ∙ [Website](https://la-tour-montlhery-chez-denise.res-menu.com/#google_vignette) Save to list - #### Le Tagine This family-run staple has paired soulful Moroccan couscous and tagines with natural wines for four decades — long before vin nature, or natural wine, became a Parisian obsession. \$\$ ∙ Oberkampf [Map](https://maps.app.goo.gl/wguAFKDbhax8eUyj8) ∙ [Website](https://www.letagine-restaurant.com/) Save to list - #### Le Duc Since 1967, this Left Bank institution has been a chic draw for classic French seafood and its polished wood-paneled design that evokes a yacht at sea. \$\$\$ ∙ Montparnasse [Map](https://maps.app.goo.gl/yN16yfZHWfYKTHku6) ∙ [Website](http://restaurantleduc.com/) Save to list - #### Huîtrerie Régis Regulars sit shoulder-to-shoulder in this compact raw bar, known for its variety of oysters from Brittany producers as well as scallops and sea urchin. \$\$ ∙ St.-Germain-des-Prés [Map](https://maps.app.goo.gl/jXJGiaBb3dwaMMUq7) ∙ [Website](https://huitrerie-regis.com/en/home/) Save to list - #### Ducasse sur Seine Aboard this sleek electric boat, the star chef-restaurateur Alain Ducasse reimagines the dinner cruise, serving seasonal cooking while drifting by the city’s monuments. \$\$\$ ∙ Trocadéro [Map](https://maps.app.goo.gl/adqZrPe5VDjXmLQF8) ∙ [Website](https://www.ducasse-seine.com/en/the-cuisine) Save to list - #### Ama Siam Grab a seat on a multicolored stool and order khao soi, an egg noodle soup with a curry paste broth, natural wine or Laotian beer at this ode to Southeast Asian home cooking. \$\$ ∙ Belleville [Map](https://maps.app.goo.gl/JThejPMkamzAUzVf7) ∙ [Website](https://www.amasiam.com/) Save to list - #### a.lea Away from the Montmartre crowds on a quiet street, this lovely modern bistro delivers elegant, produce-driven dishes with an affordable wine selection. \$\$ ∙ Montmartre [Map](https://maps.app.goo.gl/m5tFWcHLRuauMBDA6) ∙ [Website](https://www.alearestaurant.com/) Save to list - #### Le Chardenoux This bistro wows with its Art Nouveau detailing and an ethereal painted ceiling. Come for whole fish and baba au rhum, a small syrup-and-rum-soaked cake. \$\$\$ ∙ Charonne [Map](https://maps.app.goo.gl/9oQZ1ZY14NB5UeXf9) ∙ [Website](https://restaurantlechardenoux.com/) Save to list ### Bars Raise your glass and say, “Santé!” The drinking scene in Paris, from its vibrant wine bars to creative cocktail dens, is reason enough to plan an itinerary around apéro hour, the French tradition of pre-dinner drinks and nibbles. Known for cocktails, Harry’s New York Bar also serves hot dogs. \$\$\$ A drink costs under \$12 \$\$\$ \$12-\$20 \$\$\$ More than \$20 - #### De Vie Beneath the owners’ tasting-menu restaurant, this sleek bar serves hyper-seasonal cocktails à la carte or as part of a five-part tasting, with snacks like radish chips and marinated olives. \$\$ ∙ Paris Center [Map](https://maps.app.goo.gl/JAFYeepjKWKxRzuS8) ∙ [Website](https://devie.bar/) Save to list - #### Le Rosebud In this dimly lit bar, white-vested bartenders mix classic cocktails for a nostalgic local crowd that recalls its past as a divey hangout for Jean-Paul Sartre and Marguerite Duras. \$\$ ∙ Montparnasse [Map](https://maps.app.goo.gl/vxwaAJ96Yvi4oZgRA) ∙ [Website](https://www.instagram.com/lerosebud/?hl=en) Save to list - #### Harry’s New York Bar This storied New York bar, covered in collegiate pennants and famously frequented by the Lost Generation writers like Gertrude Stein and Ernest Hemingway, has been pouring classic cocktails from a mahogany bar since 1911. \$\$ ∙ Opéra [Map](https://maps.app.goo.gl/Rne4nazowFRQwYbZ8) ∙ [Website](https://www.harrysbar.com/en/harrys-bar-traditionally-inventive-since-1911/) Save to list - #### Bar Nouveau It’s a tight squeeze at this Art Nouveau-inspired bar that serves six ever-changing cocktails. Packed? Don’t fret: More seats await in the moodier, more modern downstairs bar. \$\$ ∙ Marais [Map](https://maps.app.goo.gl/fy9VSZs3aW1uzvfj7) ∙ [Website](https://www.instagram.com/bar_nouveau_/?hl=en) Save to list - #### Danico Past the ovens at the popular pizzeria Daroco or through the historic covered passage, Galerie Vivienne, sits this sleek cocktail bar with soaring ceilings and a rotating menu of international spirits. \$\$ ∙ Paris Center [Map](https://maps.app.goo.gl/qR2PZPzYSmiASWdK6) ∙ [Website](https://www.daroco.com/en/) Save to list - #### Cravan This multistory bar in a 17th-century hôtel particulier (private mansion) offers guests three distinct atmospheres to sip creative cocktails. There’s also a Rizzoli bookshop and a minuscule rooftop cinema that seats only a few people. \$\$ ∙ St.-Germain-des-Prés [Map](https://maps.app.goo.gl/UDjTJTUQapdB9MG38) ∙ [Website](https://www.cravanparis.com/en) Save to list - #### Augustin Marchand d’Vins Beneath a red neon sign, this intimate wine bar goes big on charm, with exposed beams, marble tables and stellar natural wines paired with thoughtful small plates. \$\$ ∙ St.-Germain-des-Prés [Map](https://maps.app.goo.gl/xxmWWbjMb2vfwfhu8) ∙ [Website](https://augustinmarchand.com/) Save to list - #### Folderol Ice cream and natural wine are the unexpected best-selling companions, attracting families, couples and serious oenophiles to this wine-shop-meets-bar. \$ ∙ Oberkampf [Map](https://maps.app.goo.gl/M5V7HuZNwsuBZXbi6) ∙ [Website](https://www.folderol.fr/) Save to list - #### Le Bar des Maillets d’Argent Coffee and croissants by day, a cognac lover’s hangout by night in this 1930s-style lounge bar on the ground floor of the legendary Tour d’Argent restaurant. \$\$\$ ∙ Latin Quarter [Map](https://maps.app.goo.gl/k2mC42XTmwP3MMUGA) ∙ [Website](https://tourdargent.com/le-bar-des-maillets-dargent/) Save to list - #### Le Mary Celeste Come for a creative cocktail, a glass of natural or biodynamic sparkling wine, or craft beer on tap, but stay for the small plates and late-night energy. \$\$ ∙ Marais [Map](https://maps.app.goo.gl/k2JNX3B8ZoU865uBA) ∙ [Website](https://www.lemaryceleste.com/) Save to list ## The Basics - ## Do I need a visa? Americans do not need a visa to visit France if traveling for less than 90 days. By late 2026, American travelers will need pre-approval via the European Travel Information and Authorization System. - ## What is the best time of year to visit? There are fewer crowds beginning mid-autumn through spring, making the shoulder season the best time to visit. As with much of Europe, avoid mid-August, when many Parisian restaurants and shops close. - ## What currency is used? The euro. Mastercard and Visa credit and debit cards are widely accepted, but there can be a minimum in retail shops to use them. Have cash handy for these transactions or to leave small tips. Local A.T.M.s are plentiful. - ## Do I need a converter? You will need a plug adapter for France’s Type C or E outlets. - ## Is tipping required? Tipping is not required. However, it’s common to leave small change or round up the bill for good service at casual restaurants or in taxis. For hotel housekeeping and fine dining establishments, a 5 to 10 percent tip is appreciated. Increasingly, restaurants and bars offer the option of adding a tip when paying by credit card. - ## Is it safe to drink the tap water? Yes. There are [1,200 free public drinking fountains](https://fontaine.eaudeparis.fr/) spread out across the city, especially in parks and gardens, where you can fill up your own reusable water bottle. - ## Which airport should I fly into? Most international flights arrive at Roissy Charles de Gaulle (CDG), northeast of the city, but some land at Orly (ORY) airport, south of the city. - ## How do I get from the airport to central Paris? For a one‑way journey into Paris from CDG, the cheapest options (both €13) are to take the regional train (RER B), which takes about 25 minutes to the Gare du Nord, the city’s northernmost and busiest main train station, or the Roissybus, which can take up to an hour, to a central stop adjacent to the opulent opera house, Opéra Garnier. From Orly Terminal 3, metro line 14 conveniently connects to the Chatelet station in central Paris within 25 minutes (€13). A taxi or an Uber from CDG to central Paris is the most direct but will typically cost €56 to €65, and from Orly, around €36 to €45. - ## Do I need to rent a car? How easy is it to take public transportation? You definitely don’t need a car. Paris is one of the best-connected cities in Europe. You can get around entirely by metro, bus, tram or bike, and easily on foot. - ## Does Uber exist? Are there other local ride-share options? Yes, [Uber](https://www.uber.com/) and [Bolt](https://bolt.eu/en-fr/) are popular ride-share options in Paris. The apps [FreeNow](https://www.free-now.com/fr-en/) and [G7](https://www.g7.fr/en/) are for official taxis, which may be faster because they are permitted to use bus lanes. - ## Is there a dress code for restaurants in Paris? Fine dining restaurants will stipulate if a jacket and tie are required for men, but for the most part, restaurants lean toward a casual but put-together style. - ## What should I wear to avoid looking like a tourist? Parisians abide by smart casual. Even to go out at night, they’ll wear sleek sneakers or leather flats, jeans and a nice top unless formal attire is required. You won’t find them in athleisure unless they are exercising. Follow their lead and skip the leggings, bike shorts and sports bras and, as The New York Times’s fashion director, Vanessa Friedman, [suggests](https://www.nytimes.com/2022/07/08/fashion/clothes-travel-france.html), avoid anything too flashy or impossible to walk in — no stilettos. And do leave the flip-flops at home. ##### My Paris List ## Save items to create your list. [View and share our full Google map of recommendations.](https://maps.app.goo.gl/PxToVVvAdLfFcrDXA) ### More Paris Coverage [![](https://static01.nyt.com/images/2023/07/01/travel/22hours-paris-tjzf/22hours-paris-tjzf-articleLarge.jpg) 36 Hours in Paris June 22, 2023](https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2023/06/22/travel/things-to-do-paris.html) [![](https://static01.nyt.com/images/2025/05/28/multimedia/00trav-Paris-Museums-jgqf/00trav-Paris-Museums-jgqf-articleLarge.jpg) In Paris, 3 Troves of Art and Curios Even the Parisians Don’t Know About June 9, 2025](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/06/09/travel/paris-art-museums.html) [![](https://static01.nyt.com/images/2024/07/15/travel/00PARIS-BAKERIES-COMBO/00PARIS-BAKERIES-COMBO-articleLarge.jpg) An Insider’s Guide to the Most Mouthwatering Bakeries in Paris July 15, 2024](https://www.nytimes.com/2024/07/15/travel/best-paris-bakeries.html) [![](https://static01.nyt.com/images/2024/08/06/travel/00Peniche-paris-illo/00Peniche-paris-illo-articleLarge.jpg) In Paris, a Riverboat Sojourn on the Banks of the Seine Sept. 18, 2024](https://www.nytimes.com/2024/09/18/travel/paris-seine-riverboat.html) [![](https://static01.nyt.com/images/2024/11/22/realestate/notre-dame/notre-dame-articleLarge.jpg) How to Visit Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris Nov. 29, 2024](https://www.nytimes.com/2024/11/29/travel/notre-dame-cathedral-paris-visit.html) [![](https://static01.nyt.com/images/2025/05/24/travel/00paris-ollie-guide-tkbw/00paris-ollie-guide-tkbw-articleLarge.jpg) ‘Paris Here I Come!’: The Story of a 1950s Guide for Black Travelers May 8, 2025](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/08/travel/black-paris-travel-guide-1950s.html) - Share full article - 287 Photographs by Camille McOuat, Violette Franchi, James Hill, Dmitry Kostyukov, Andrea Mantovani, Nathalie Mohadjer, Joann Pai and Elliott Verdier for The New York Times; Simbarashe Cha/The New York Times. Edited by Lynda Richardson and Amy Virshup. Produced by Gabriel Gianordoli, Rebecca Lieberman, Eve Lyons and Jessie Schwartz. Additional production: Heather Phillips, Emily Wolfe, Jason Chiu, Eric Morse, Marek Smolinski and Anna Venarchik. 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Readable Markdown	Your Guide to Paris How do you navigate Paris for the first time — a city where every cobblestone street seems to whisper centuries of history and every corner cafe promises an unforgettable bon vivant moment? With 20 arrondissements (districts) spiraling outward from the Seine River, Paris can feel both eminently walkable and dizzying in its possibilities. Do you prioritize the greatest hits, like the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre and Notre-Dame Cathedral, above all else? Perhaps most important, how do you balance postcard Paris with the dynamic and forward-looking version of the city that locals love? This guide is a starting point, with tips and suggestions for your inaugural visit to the City of Light that may inspire your future visits, too. Whatever you do, remember: Parisians embrace a slower pace, so follow their lead and start your journey by focusing on one or two neighborhoods at a time to absorb their character fully. And whenever your feet tire and you feel you can’t possibly eat another bite, kick back in any number of parks to rest and plan your next move. What to Do - #### Terrace culture In every neighborhood, at all hours, locals linger on cafe terraces, coffee or wine in hand, engrossed in conversation or a book. Practice the Parisian art of leisure at legendary cafes like [Les Deux Magots](https://lesdeuxmagots.fr/) and [Le Nemours](https://www.lenemours.paris/), or neighborhood favorites like [À la Renaissance](https://www.instagram.com/a_la_renaissance/?hl=en) and [Le Progrès](https://www.leprogresmarais.fr/). Tip: Take a seat midmorning or late afternoon (outside mealtime) for unhurried service. - #### A Seine cruise Paris was born on the Seine, so there’s no better way to feel its rhythm and see the sights than from the river. Hop on a group cruise with [Bateaux Mouches](https://www.bateaux-mouches.fr/fr) or [Vedettes du Pont Neuf](https://www.vedettesdupontneuf.com/), or charter a private boat with [Green River Cruises](https://www.greenriver-paris.fr/) for front-row views and more privacy. Tip: Book a sunset cruise, the most atmospheric time of day when the landmarks glow and locals gather along the riverbanks. - #### Breads and pastries The best of Paris’s [1,300 boulangeries](https://www.nytimes.com/2024/07/15/travel/best-paris-bakeries.html) and pâtisseries mix tradition and innovation. Head to [Mamiche](https://www.mamiche.fr/) for cream puffs and babka; [Poilâne](https://www.poilane.com/) for hearty sourdough; [Utopie](https://boulangerieutopie.com/) for an [award-winning baguette](https://www.nytimes.com/2024/07/15/travel/best-paris-bakeries.html) and éclairs; [La Maison d’Isabelle](https://www.instagram.com/maison_isabelle_paris/?hl=en) for a prizewinning croissant; [Pierre Hermé](https://www.pierreherme.com/) for unique macarons; and [Tapisserie](https://www.tapisserie-patisserie.fr/) for its maple-syrup tart. Tip: Go early in the morning for the widest selection or after lunch before the 4 p.m. goûter (afternoon snack) crowds descend. - #### Eiffel Tower and Notre-Dame No visit to Paris is complete without its two most recognizable landmarks. The Eiffel Tower, built for the 1889 World’s Fair, defines the skyline and sparkles with 20,000 lights hourly after dusk. Notre-Dame Cathedral, the 12th-century Gothic masterpiece [reborn](https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2024/12/05/arts/design/notre-dame-reopens-paris.html) in 2024 after painstaking post-fire restoration, remains the city’s spiritual and architectural heart. Tip: Go in and go up! Book tickets to climb to the first and second floors (674 steps) of the [Eiffel Tower](https://www.toureiffel.paris/en/explore) and then finish in the lift to the top floor. Expect to climb 424 steps through the [Notre-Dame belfry’s roof structure](https://www.tours-notre-dame-de-paris.fr/en/actualites/the-new-notre-dame-de-paris-towers-tour) for panoramic views. - #### Louvre and the Musée d’Orsay The city’s most famous museums practically face each other across the Seine. On the right bank, the [Louvre](https://www.nytimes.com/2023/09/22/arts/design/laurence-des-cars-louvre.html): a once-royal palace showcasing antiquities and masterpieces like the “Mona Lisa” and the “Venus de Milo.” On the left bank, the [Musée d’Orsay](https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/05/arts/design/musee-dorsay-expansion.html), a converted Beaux-Arts train station highlighting Impressionist and Post-Impressionist works by Monet, Degas and Renoir. Tip: Book timed tickets in advance, ideally at opening, to avoid long waits. - #### Be a flâneur Practice [the art of being a flâneur](https://www.nytimes.com/2023/06/19/travel/walking-travel-cities.html), a casual wanderer and observer. Born in 19th-century Paris and immortalized by the French poet and essayist Charles Baudelaire, the flâneur strolls without purpose as the city unfolds. For a bit of direction, [trace Paris’s gardens in bloom](https://www.nytimes.com/2023/06/19/travel/paris-travel-gardens-parks.html) or [follow the Seine River’s 23 UNESCO-listed bridges](https://www.nytimes.com/2019/11/04/travel/paris-bridges-seine.html) end to end. Tip: Pick a starting point — a bridge, a monument, a metro stop — and start strolling from there, sans Google Maps. ### The Waiters of Brasserie Lipp Brasserie Lipp opened in 1880 and hasn’t changed much since. - #### Arc de Triomphe Inspired by Rome’s Arch of Titus, the triumphal arch (visitors can climb to the top for exceptional views) was commissioned by Napoleon in 1806 to honor his army. Its sculpted reliefs and eternal flame pay tribute to France’s fallen soldiers. Tip: Stroll 1.2 miles from the Arc along the Avenue des Champs-Elysées to reach the avenue’s far end at the Place de la Concorde. - #### Sacré-Coeur Basilica This white-domed basilica crowning the hill of Montmartre offers some of the best panoramic views in Paris and free admission to explore or attend Mass. Tip: Get a ticket (€8 for adults) to climb the nearly 300 narrow steps to the dome for even better views. - #### Panthéon Originally a church honoring Ste. Geneviève, a patron saint of Paris, the domed Panthéon now enshrines France’s greats, from Voltaire and Marie Curie to Joséphine Baker, within its neoclassical walls. Tip: Don‘t miss a replica of Foucault’s pendulum; the original was first presented here in 1851 as proof of the Earth’s rotation. - #### Tuileries Gardens Connecting the Louvre and the Place de la Concorde, Paris’s oldest and largest garden was redesigned by André Le Nôtre in the 17th century in three grand sculpture-lined sections whose elegant symmetry endures unchanged today. Tip: At the western end of the garden, visit the [Jeu de Paume](https://jeudepaume.org/), an arts center specializing in multimedia by international artists from the 20th and 21st centuries. - #### The Medici Fountain In the Luxembourg Gardens’ most romantic corner, a 17th-century Italianate fountain recalls Marie de Medici’s Florence. Its reflective basin and the green Sénat chairs surrounding it invite rest — or a photo op. Tip: Need a book to read for your meditative hang? Browse nearby at [the Red Wheelbarrow](https://theredwheelbarrowbookstore.com/), an English-language bookshop, or [Librairies des Editions des Saints Pères](https://www.spbooks.com/), which publishes facsimile manuscript editions of classic texts. - #### Market life The bustling Bastille food market draws crowds Thursdays and Sundays to 100 stalls. Further east, the Marché d’Aligre and its covered annex offer a broader selection and a slice of local life six days a week. - #### Petit and Grand Palais These grand Beaux-Arts neighbors from the 1900 World’s Fair draw crowds for their striking glass roofs and blockbuster exhibitions. Entrance to the [Petit Palais’](https://www.petitpalais.paris.fr/en)s permanent collection, with masterworks by Rembrandt, Gauguin and Cézanne, is free. Tip: Book lunch or dinner at [Le Grand Café](https://www.legrandcafe-paris.com/), the Grand Palais’s refreshed restaurant. - #### Palais Garnier Opulent interiors and Marc Chagall’s spectacular ceiling make a stunning backdrop to ballet, opera and classical concerts in this Second Empire theater. Tip: Can’t see a performance? Book a [guided tour](https://www.operadeparis.fr/en/visits/palais-garnier) of the opera house instead. - #### Art crawl From the [Palais de Tokyo](https://palaisdetokyo.com/en/) to the [Fondation Louis Vuitton](https://www.fondationlouisvuitton.fr/en), the [Bourse de Commerce](https://www.pinaultcollection.com/en/boursedecommerce), and the reimagined [Fondation Cartier](https://www.fondationcartier.com/en), Paris’s modern and contemporary art spaces deliver blockbuster exhibitions year-round in buildings as striking as the art. Tip: The Pompidou Center is closed for five years for extensive restorations. Add it to your list for 2030. - #### Bibliophile shopping Along the Seine, green bookstalls known as bouquinistes have sold secondhand written treasures for four centuries — open-air literary kin to storied bilingual shops like [Shakespeare & Company](https://www.shakespeareandcompany.com/) and [Galignani](https://www.galignani.fr/). - #### Sainte-Chapelle A 13th-century marvel of Gothic architecture, this chapel hasn’t served as a church since the French Revolution, but its 1,113 stained-glass panels inspire plenty of worshipful awe. Tip: Download the Sainte-Chapelle Stained Glass app for context on each of the stained-glass windows and the scenes depicted. (Available on Google Play and the Apple App Store.) - #### Les Puces de St.-Ouen Paris’s legendary northern “flea market” is actually a five-acre complex of 12 distinct covered markets with thousands of stalls selling antiques, vintage fashion and other treasures. Tip: Start with the [Marché Vernaison](https://marchevernaison.com/), the oldest of the markets. Keep in mind that most markets are open Friday through Monday, busiest at the start of the weekend. - #### Paris Center From the Marais to the Louvre, through the Tuileries Gardens and across Little Tokyo, the first four arrondissements that make up central Paris are also its historic heart, home to all the hallmarks of a Paris experience: history, river access, cafes aplenty and marquee monuments. Best for: Art lovers, fashionistas, culture mavens Where to stay: Caron de Beaumarchais (\$\$) Things to do: mahJ (Jewish History Museum) (\$); Musée de la Chasse et de la Nature (\$); Musée Carnavalet (free) Where to eat and drink: Chocolaterie Jade Genin (\$); Juveniles (\$\$); Bar Hemingway (\$\$\$); Berthillon (\$) - #### Montmartre Perched above the city, Montmartre’s warren of winding streets still echoes with the ghosts of Picasso and Modigliani. Major village vibes can be felt as you wind your way down from the white domes of Sacré-Coeur Basilica, crossing cobblestone squares and passing artisanal bakeries and corner cafes that overlook the city. At its heart is a small working vineyard that recalls the hill’s rural past. Best for: Sightseers, romantics, families Where to stay: Elysée Montmartre Hotel (\$\$) Things to do: Musée de Montmartre (\$); Halle Saint-Pierre (\$-\$\$); Au Lapin Agile cabaret (\$\$-\$\$\$) Where to eat and drink: Maison Aleph (\$); Gisou (\$\$); Bouillon Pigalle (\$) - #### St.-Germain-des-Prés and Latin Quarter Adjacent neighborhoods, these Left Bank staples capture two sides of Parisian intellectual past and present: the polished cafes and bookshops of St.-Germain, where Jean-Paul Sartre once held court, and the more lively Latin Quarter, anchored by the Sorbonne University. Between them, narrow streets lead to bookshops, art galleries, bistros and the leafy beauty of the Jardin du Luxembourg. Best for: Bon vivants, romantics, students Where to stay: Hôtel Dame des Arts (\$\$\$) Things to do: Institut du Monde Arabe (\$); Musée National Eugène Delacroix (\$); Caveau de la Huchette Jazz & Swing (\$\$) Where to eat and drink: Tea salon at the Grande Mosquée de Paris (\$); Atica (\$\$\$); L’Avant Comptoir du Marché (\$\$); Ten Belles (\$); Plaq (\$\$) - #### Canal St.-Martin & Canal de l’Ourcq Recognizable for their cast-iron footbridges and tree-lined quays, the banks of the 19th-century Canal St.-Martin are a lively gathering place. Artists, cafes and wine bars occupy former warehouses and factories, and locals picnic along the water. Northward, the waterway feeds into the Bassin de la Villette, the city’s largest artificial lake, lined with cinemas and cafes, and the [Canal de l’Ourcq](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/08/31/world/europe/a-city-reinvented-paris-is-now-greater-paris.html), opposite the [Philharmonie de Paris](https://philharmoniedeparis.fr/fr) and the [Cité des Sciences](https://www.cite-sciences.fr/fr/accueil). Best for: Artists and creatives, couples, families Where to stay: Le Citizen (\$\$) Things to do: Marin d’Eau Douce canal ride (\$\$-\$\$\$); Artazart (\$-\$\$); Centre Commercial (\$\$) Where to eat and drink: Sur Mer (\$\$); Residence Kann (\$); Paname Brewing Company (\$); JJ Hings ice cream (\$) - #### Belleville Once a separate village annexed to Paris in 1860, Belleville and its hilltop neighbors Ménilmontant and Jourdain are among the city’s most diverse enclaves, shaped by immigration, political activism and art. The birthplace of Édith Piaf and the Paris Commune, a revolutionary government that ruled for 72 days, the area has winding streets, small shops, two large parks and a dynamic dining scene that preserve a rare, village-like spirit. Best for: Artists and creatives, food lovers, solo travelers Where to stay: The People Belleville (\$) Things to do: Parc des Buttes-Chaumont; Parc de Belleville; La Bellevilloise (\$-\$\$) Where to eat and drink: Le Petit Grain (\$); Aux Folies (\$); Ama Siam (\$\$); Le Cheval d’Or (\$\$\$) - #### Trocadéro and Eiffel Tower Across the Seine from the Eiffel Tower, Trocadéro’s grand esplanade delivers the city’s most cinematic view, framed by stately museums like the [Palais de Tokyo](https://palaisdetokyo.com/?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=23147912308&gbraid=0AAAABBX5-zE_krJFBCdHc3ifUBhVG8XoW&gclid=CjwKCAiAwqHIBhAEEiwAx9cTeYLrlbhAU8UhtPpmgPxjda1huPJ-8l3DStIe8-aSELwaqDH8TrvmSxoCAJ0QAvD_BwE) and the [Musée de l’Homme](https://www.museedelhomme.fr/fr). Crossing the Iéna Bridge leads to the Champ-de-Mars, a green expanse ideal for picnics and catching the tower’s evening sparkle. The surrounding neighborhood brims with cafes and elegant market streets like Rue Cler. Best for: Families, couples, museum lovers Where to stay: SAX Paris, LXR Hotels & Resorts (\$\$\$) Things to do: Hôtel des Invalides (\$); Palais Galliera (\$); Musée d’Art Moderne (\$) Where to eat and drink: Les Marches (\$); Saint Pearl (\$); Carette (\$\$) ### Left Bank vs. Right Bank Paris is split by the Seine River: The Right Bank (north) has long been associated with commerce, luxury and grand boulevards, while the Left Bank (south) embodies intellect, bohemia and cafe culture. At the center are two naturally occurring islands, the Île St.-Louis and the Île de la Cité. The latter is home to Notre-Dame Cathedral and Sainte-Chappelle, and both are worth exploring. Monuments, museums and excellent dining abound on both sides of the river, so plan to navigate from one side of the river to the other, on foot, bus, metro or bicycle. - #### Château de Versailles Spend the day touring royal excess at Louis XIV and Marie Antoinette’s gilded palace, a 30- to 60-minute ride on the regional rail line RER C from Paris, and then lose yourself in the expansive formal gardens. Tip: Start with the palace when it opens and then escape the crowds to explore the gardens and the Trianon palaces in the afternoon. - #### Picasso Museum Come for the world’s largest Picasso collection, which spans paintings, sculptures and ceramics in a stunning mansion in the Marais neighborhood. Tip: Visit the temporary exhibitions showcasing modern artists, many of them women. - #### Musée de l’Orangerie Built under Napoleon III to house the Tuileries’ orange trees, [L’Orangerie](https://www.musee-orangerie.fr/en) now showcases Monet’s eight “Water Lilies” murals, works by Cézanne and Matisse, and stellar temporary shows. Tip: Get tickets when the museum opens to experience Monet’s “Water Lilies” in near silence — the oval rooms fill quickly, and the immersive effect fades as the crowds pour in. - #### Jardin des Plantes Founded in 1626 as Louis XIII’s royal medicinal garden, this sprawling park houses a working botanical institute with greenhouses, an alpine garden and one of the oldest zoos in the world. Tip: Don’t miss the [Natural History Museum](https://www.mnhn.fr/en) on the garden’s edge, with its soaring Galerie de l’Évolution, filled with lifelike animal displays. - #### Walking tours From [fashion](https://www.maisonfirestone.com/tours) and [women’s history](https://womenofparis.co/) to [Black and Afro-Caribbean culture](https://www.leparisnoir.com/) and the [French capital during World War II](https://www.contexttravel.com/cities/paris/tours/paris-wwii-nazi-occupation-tour), there’s a thematic walking tour for every interest. - #### Cooking and baking classes Why just eat croissants when you can learn to make them? [La Cuisine Paris](https://lacuisineparis.com/) offers cooking and baking classes in two Seine-facing spaces. - #### Musée Rodin This intimate [museum](https://www.musee-rodin.fr/) traces Rodin’s evolution through sculptures, paintings and plasters, alongside works by his protégée Camille Claudel and paintings by Monet and van Gogh from his personal collection. Tip: Plan your visit for a dry day: Many of Rodin’s sculptures, including “The Thinker,” are displayed in the museum’s rose-filled sculpture garden. - #### Covered galleries and passages Explore 18th-century glass-roofed (and rainproof) passages, like [Galerie Vivienne](https://www.galerie-vivienne.com/), [Passage des Panoramas](https://passagesetgaleries.fr/passage-des-panoramas/) and the [Galeries du Palais-Royal](https://passagesetgaleries.fr/galeries-palais-royal/), filled with boutiques, galleries and historic cafes. Tip: About 30 covered passages remain today. Plot an itinerary that allows you to visit them all. - #### Père Lachaise Cemetery Oscar Wilde, Édith Piaf and Jim Morrison are among the 1.3 million souls buried across 110 acres of this peaceful hillside necropolis — the world’s most visited. Tip: The cemetery is more sprawling than it appears. Plan your route ahead of time by using the Père Lachaise [interactive map](https://pere-lachaise.plan-interactif.com/en/#!/category/963467). - #### Wine tasting Get a crash course in wine through tastings and an app-guided tour at [Les Caves du Louvre](https://www.cavesdulouvre.com/), set in a vast 18th-century vaulted cellar in the First Arrondissement that once extended all the way to the Louvre Palace. Tip: If spirits are more your style, book a gin-making class with the owners’ other establishment, [Distillerie de l’Arbre-Sec](https://www.distilleriedelarbresec.com/). - #### Premium chocolateries A chocolate playground awaits! Explore bean-to-bar confections at [Plaq](https://plaqchocolat.com/en) and [Le Chocolat Alain Ducasse](https://www.lechocolat-alainducasse.com/en/), edible sculptures at [Patrick Roger](https://www.patrickroger.com/en) and inventive flavor pairings at [Jacques Genin](https://jacquesgenin.fr/). ### A Tour Through the Bourse de Commerce A former commodities exchange, the Bourse is now a contemporary art museum. ### Is the Paris Museum Pass worth it? [The Paris Museum Pass](https://www.parismuseumpass.fr/en), beginning with a two-day (€70 for adults), one-time-only pass, offers access to about 50 museums and monuments in Paris. (Museums and monuments are mostly free for visitors under 18.) To be cost-effective, the pass requires visiting several museums and monuments per day and booking required time slots in advance, which doesn’t leave much room for spontaneity. Individual museum tickets may provide greater flexibility. Where to Stay \$\$\$\$\$ Double room rates start at \$130 \$\$\$\$\$ Rates from \$200 to \$400 \$\$\$\$\$ Rates from \$400 to \$600 \$\$\$\$\$ Above \$600 \$\$\$\$\$ Above \$1,500 - #### Hôtel de Crillon This 18th-century landmark hotel features six dining establishments, an opulent spa, a gilded bar with a frescoed ceiling beloved by Parisians and a grand suite where, legend has it, Marie Antoinette once took piano lessons. - #### Hotel Balzac This 1930s-chic hotel on Balzac’s former estate features an alcove bar, a Japanese spa and elegant, comfortably sized rooms. - #### Le Grand Mazarin Maximalist is the operative word for this hotel, where canopy beds give way to a frescoed pool and a basement lounge packed with dancing locals. - #### La Fondation A former car park, this Brutalist complex combines 58 spacious rooms, a sports club (with a climbing wall), office space and a rooftop garden. - #### Hotel des Grands Voyageurs This quiet Left Bank spot near Le Bon Marché blends trans-Atlantic glamour and Parisian flair, complete with rope-lined corridors, mahogany paneling and a sleek bar-brasserie. - #### Hôtel Observatoire Luxembourg This revamped boutique hotel is steps from Luxembourg Gardens and public transit and has a lively all-day restaurant in shades of green. Minimalist, comfortable rooms. - #### Hôtel Massé Contemporary art, 1970s vintage (including bedside lamps from the German industrial designer Ingo Maurer, nicknamed the Poet of Light) and a relaxed ground floor make this hotel feel like your own Parisian pied-à-terre. - #### Babel This bohemian hotel in the city’s most diverse food enclave combines Moroccan aesthetics (glass lanterns, ocher-hued bedrooms) and Silk Road-inspired cooking in a spacious restaurant. - #### 25hours Hotel Terminus Nord Opposite the Gare du Nord train station, the colorful hotel mirrors the neighborhood’s multicultural energy with patterned textiles, vintage décor and the [Sape bar](https://sapebar.fr/en/) celebrating Congolese sapeur fashion culture. - #### Hotel Folie Surrounded by buzzy restaurants, this intimate hotel (formerly Hôtel de Charonne) offers blue or green striped rooms and a farmhouse-chic salon that evokes the 11th Arrondissement’s rural past. - #### The People A design-forward hostel-hotel hybrid overlooking the Seine River offers dorms and private rooms, a rooftop terrace, and vibrant energy in the bar-restaurant TiTi Palacio. Where to Eat and Drink \$\$\$ Street food and casual eats \$\$\$ Accessible-midrange \$\$\$ Upscale to luxurious - #### Café Verlet Between the Louvre and the Palais Royal, the city’s oldest coffeehouse serves single-origin coffees and teas alongside sweet and savory breakfast options. - #### Maison Fleuret Take your coffee with some reading material. This former bookshop turned compact cafe serves sweet and savory vegetarian breakfasts amid floor-to-ceiling shelves of titles from Gallimard, a prestigious French publisher. - #### Le Petit Vendôme Join the (fast-moving) line for the star item: a jambon-beurre. The sandwich comes on a crispy baguette slathered with unsalted butter from a giant wedge and quality ham cooked on the bone. - #### Minicafé This serene cafe, once a monastic boutique run by nuns on a 14th-century cobblestone street (Rue des Barres), serves specialty coffee, granola bowls and cakes. Outdoor seating is available. - #### Chez Georges The prototypical bistro, preserved to perfection: pressed tablecloths, handwritten menus, career waiters and robust portions of classics like sole meunière and grilled rib-eye with marrow. - #### Du Pain et des Idées A Canal St.-Martin favorite since 2002 for rustic loaves and viennoiseries (breakfast pastries). The baker-owner now offers Roman-style pizzas and natural wine for lunch next door at [La Table](https://www.la-table-dpdi.com/). - #### Kunitoraya Since 1991, this udon bar has drawn crowds the moment doors open at noon for its handmade noodles. Now, fans line up for onigiri too, with the Japanese rice balls served from a take-out window. - #### Lastre Sans Apostrophe This gourmet deli lures locals with award-winning pâtés en crôute (meat pies baked in flaky pastry) and jarred classics like coq au vin and beef Bourguignon. - #### Falafel on Rue des Rosiers Falafel reigns in Paris’s historic Jewish quarter, where [L’As du Fallafel](https://www.instagram.com/lasdufallafel/?hl=en) and [Chez Hanna](https://www.instagram.com/chezhannaparis/?hl=en) serve crisp, overflowing pita sandwiches that draw famously long lines. - #### Chez Carrie Vegetables — in salads, fritters, dips and more — play a starring role in this warm and inviting bistro. Save room for the seasonal soft-serve topped with toasted buckwheat. - #### Le Marché des Enfants Rouges Beyond its status as the oldest covered market in Paris, this is an ideal spot for indecisive diners with its specialty stands and international prepared-food stalls. - #### Urfa Durum On a street dotted with flavorful, affordable options, these Kurdish flatbread sandwiches, filled with spiced meat and vegetables grilled over an open flame, deserve a special stop. - #### Breizh Café Brittany meets Japan at this 30-year-old crepe and buckwheat galette cafe with classic and modern recipes, like lobster with apple and miso-yuzu mayo. ### Paris, City of Love In legend, popular culture and real life, Paris is a city of romance. ### Cultural dos and don’ts Be sure to say “bonjour” or “bonsoir” when entering shops or restaurants and before asking someone for assistance. Those salutations, along with “merci,” are a nonnegotiable form of social etiquette. Be mindful of local dining times. Lunch service typically runs from 12 to 2 p.m. and dinner begins at 7 or 7:30 p.m., with the exception of basic cafes, which offer nonstop service. \$\$\$ Street food and casual eats \$\$\$ Accessible-midrange \$\$\$ Upscale to luxurious - #### Chez Denise This original bistro from Les Halles’ heyday as the city’s central fresh food market still serves gargantuan portions of classic French fare like blanquette de veau late into the night. - #### Le Tagine This family-run staple has paired soulful Moroccan couscous and tagines with natural wines for four decades — long before vin nature, or natural wine, became a Parisian obsession. - #### Le Duc Since 1967, this Left Bank institution has been a chic draw for classic French seafood and its polished wood-paneled design that evokes a yacht at sea. - #### Huîtrerie Régis Regulars sit shoulder-to-shoulder in this compact raw bar, known for its variety of oysters from Brittany producers as well as scallops and sea urchin. - #### Ducasse sur Seine Aboard this sleek electric boat, the star chef-restaurateur Alain Ducasse reimagines the dinner cruise, serving seasonal cooking while drifting by the city’s monuments. - #### Ama Siam Grab a seat on a multicolored stool and order khao soi, an egg noodle soup with a curry paste broth, natural wine or Laotian beer at this ode to Southeast Asian home cooking. - #### a.lea Away from the Montmartre crowds on a quiet street, this lovely modern bistro delivers elegant, produce-driven dishes with an affordable wine selection. - #### Le Chardenoux This bistro wows with its Art Nouveau detailing and an ethereal painted ceiling. Come for whole fish and baba au rhum, a small syrup-and-rum-soaked cake. \$\$\$ A drink costs under \$12 \$\$\$ \$12-\$20 \$\$\$ More than \$20 - #### De Vie Beneath the owners’ tasting-menu restaurant, this sleek bar serves hyper-seasonal cocktails à la carte or as part of a five-part tasting, with snacks like radish chips and marinated olives. - #### Le Rosebud In this dimly lit bar, white-vested bartenders mix classic cocktails for a nostalgic local crowd that recalls its past as a divey hangout for Jean-Paul Sartre and Marguerite Duras. - #### Harry’s New York Bar This storied New York bar, covered in collegiate pennants and famously frequented by the Lost Generation writers like Gertrude Stein and Ernest Hemingway, has been pouring classic cocktails from a mahogany bar since 1911. - #### Bar Nouveau It’s a tight squeeze at this Art Nouveau-inspired bar that serves six ever-changing cocktails. Packed? Don’t fret: More seats await in the moodier, more modern downstairs bar. - #### Danico Past the ovens at the popular pizzeria Daroco or through the historic covered passage, Galerie Vivienne, sits this sleek cocktail bar with soaring ceilings and a rotating menu of international spirits. - #### Cravan This multistory bar in a 17th-century hôtel particulier (private mansion) offers guests three distinct atmospheres to sip creative cocktails. There’s also a Rizzoli bookshop and a minuscule rooftop cinema that seats only a few people. - #### Augustin Marchand d’Vins Beneath a red neon sign, this intimate wine bar goes big on charm, with exposed beams, marble tables and stellar natural wines paired with thoughtful small plates. - #### Folderol Ice cream and natural wine are the unexpected best-selling companions, attracting families, couples and serious oenophiles to this wine-shop-meets-bar. - #### Le Bar des Maillets d’Argent Coffee and croissants by day, a cognac lover’s hangout by night in this 1930s-style lounge bar on the ground floor of the legendary Tour d’Argent restaurant. - #### Le Mary Celeste Come for a creative cocktail, a glass of natural or biodynamic sparkling wine, or craft beer on tap, but stay for the small plates and late-night energy. The Basics - ## Do I need a visa? Americans do not need a visa to visit France if traveling for less than 90 days. By late 2026, American travelers will need pre-approval via the European Travel Information and Authorization System. - ## What is the best time of year to visit? There are fewer crowds beginning mid-autumn through spring, making the shoulder season the best time to visit. As with much of Europe, avoid mid-August, when many Parisian restaurants and shops close. - ## What currency is used? The euro. Mastercard and Visa credit and debit cards are widely accepted, but there can be a minimum in retail shops to use them. Have cash handy for these transactions or to leave small tips. Local A.T.M.s are plentiful. - ## Do I need a converter? You will need a plug adapter for France’s Type C or E outlets. - ## Is tipping required? Tipping is not required. However, it’s common to leave small change or round up the bill for good service at casual restaurants or in taxis. For hotel housekeeping and fine dining establishments, a 5 to 10 percent tip is appreciated. Increasingly, restaurants and bars offer the option of adding a tip when paying by credit card. - ## Is it safe to drink the tap water? Yes. There are [1,200 free public drinking fountains](https://fontaine.eaudeparis.fr/) spread out across the city, especially in parks and gardens, where you can fill up your own reusable water bottle. - ## Which airport should I fly into? Most international flights arrive at Roissy Charles de Gaulle (CDG), northeast of the city, but some land at Orly (ORY) airport, south of the city. - ## How do I get from the airport to central Paris? For a one‑way journey into Paris from CDG, the cheapest options (both €13) are to take the regional train (RER B), which takes about 25 minutes to the Gare du Nord, the city’s northernmost and busiest main train station, or the Roissybus, which can take up to an hour, to a central stop adjacent to the opulent opera house, Opéra Garnier. From Orly Terminal 3, metro line 14 conveniently connects to the Chatelet station in central Paris within 25 minutes (€13). A taxi or an Uber from CDG to central Paris is the most direct but will typically cost €56 to €65, and from Orly, around €36 to €45. - ## Do I need to rent a car? How easy is it to take public transportation? You definitely don’t need a car. Paris is one of the best-connected cities in Europe. You can get around entirely by metro, bus, tram or bike, and easily on foot. - ## Does Uber exist? Are there other local ride-share options? Yes, [Uber](https://www.uber.com/) and [Bolt](https://bolt.eu/en-fr/) are popular ride-share options in Paris. The apps [FreeNow](https://www.free-now.com/fr-en/) and [G7](https://www.g7.fr/en/) are for official taxis, which may be faster because they are permitted to use bus lanes. - ## Is there a dress code for restaurants in Paris? Fine dining restaurants will stipulate if a jacket and tie are required for men, but for the most part, restaurants lean toward a casual but put-together style. - ## What should I wear to avoid looking like a tourist? Parisians abide by smart casual. Even to go out at night, they’ll wear sleek sneakers or leather flats, jeans and a nice top unless formal attire is required. You won’t find them in athleisure unless they are exercising. Follow their lead and skip the leggings, bike shorts and sports bras and, as The New York Times’s fashion director, Vanessa Friedman, [suggests](https://www.nytimes.com/2022/07/08/fashion/clothes-travel-france.html), avoid anything too flashy or impossible to walk in — no stilettos. And do leave the flip-flops at home.
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