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About Paris
Paris rewards travellers who pick a neighbourhood and walk it slowly. Boutique hotels cluster in the Marais and Saint-Germain; grand palace stays sit around the Louvre and Champs-Élysées. Metro connections make every arrondissement easy from any base.
At a glance
- Iconic capital best explored on foot and by Metro across compact arrondissements.
- Book museum and restaurant tickets in advance during April–October.
- Base in the 1er, 4e or 6e for the classic first-time experience.
- Contactless payment works nearly everywhere; tipping is optional.
- Currency €; Type C/E 230V plugs; tap water is safe to drink.
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Search all hotels in ParisWhen to visit
April–June and September–October give the best mix of mild weather and fewer queues. July–August are warm but many locals are away; late November through early January adds Christmas markets and low-season rates.
Getting around
The Metro reaches virtually every neighbourhood; a Navigo Easy card is the simplest way to pay. Both CDG and Orly connect to the centre by train, bus or taxi in 45–60 minutes.
Where to stay
Le Marais (3e/4e)
Boutique hotels, galleries and walkable to Notre-Dame.
Saint-Germain (6e)
Left-bank cafés, bookshops and easy Louvre access.
Louvre / Opéra (1er/2e)
Grand palace hotels and central sightseeing.
Montmartre (18e)
Village atmosphere with Sacré-Cœur views.
Your Marhaba Trip Plan
Paris at a glance
- Recommended trip
- 4–7 days
- Best time to visit
- April–June and September–October give the best mix of mild weather and fewer queues.
- Getting around
- The Metro reaches virtually every neighbourhood; a Navigo Easy card is the simplest way to pay.
- Recommended areas
- Le Marais (3e/4e) · Saint-Germain (6e) · Louvre / Opéra (1er/2e)
Top experiences
- Eiffel Tower — Book timed tickets; sunset slots sell out first.
- Louvre — Reserve online and enter via the Carrousel to skip pyramid queues.
- Musée d'Orsay — Impressionist collection housed in a Belle Époque station.
- Notre-Dame & Île de la Cité — Exterior views and Sainte-Chapelle's stained glass.
Book your trip
Do I need a visa for Paris?
- Policy
- Varies by nationality
- Typical stay
- 90 days
France is in the Schengen Area. Many nationalities enter visa-free for up to 90 days in any 180-day period; ETIAS pre-authorisation applies once launched. Others require a Schengen short-stay visa.
Official government sourceHow do I get to Paris?
Airports
- CDG · Charles de Gaulle · 30 km
RER B to Gare du Nord in ~35 min; official taxi flat fare to Right/Left Bank.
- ORY · Orly · 18 km
Orlyval + RER B, or Orlybus to Denfert-Rochereau in ~30 min.
- BVA · Beauvais · 85 km
Low-cost airport; shuttle bus to Porte Maillot in ~1h15.
By rail
Six major stations connect Paris to the rest of Europe by TGV, Eurostar (London) and Thalys (Brussels/Amsterdam).
Schengen external-border checks apply at CDG/ORY for non-EU arrivals.
How do I get around Paris?
- Metro — 14 lines cover every arrondissement; runs ~05:30 to ~01:15 (later on weekends).
- RER — Regional express — fastest way to CDG, Versailles and Disneyland.
- Bus & tram — Scenic surface routes; useful late at night with the Noctilien network.
- Vélib' bikes — Docked bike-share; separate cycle lanes across the centre.
Passes & tickets
Navigo Easy card (rechargeable) or Navigo Découverte weekly pass are the simplest options.
Keep tickets until you exit — inspectors fine on the spot. Avoid Line 1 at peak hour with luggage.
What should I eat and know about food culture in Paris?
Signature dishes
- Croissant & pain au chocolat — Buy from a boulangerie labelled 'artisan'.
- Steak-frites — Bistro classic; ask 'saignant' (rare) or 'à point' (medium).
- Bistro plat du jour — Best-value lunch — a fixed daily dish, often under €20.
Etiquette
- Greet with 'Bonjour' before any request in shops and cafés.
- Service is included; rounding up or leaving a few euros is appreciated but not expected.
- Dinner rarely starts before 19:30; reserve for popular bistros.
Tap water ('une carafe d'eau') is free on request. Wine by the glass is a standard bistro order.
Is Paris safe for travelers?
Overall risk: LowEmergency: 112
- Watch for pickpockets on Metro Line 1, around the Eiffel Tower and at Montmartre.
- Use official taxi ranks or licensed apps rather than street solicitations at stations.
- Keep bags zipped and phones off café terrace tables.
Frequently asked questions
Which arrondissement should I stay in?
First-time visitors do well in the 1er, 4e or 6e — central, safe and walkable to the top sights.
How do I get from CDG to central Paris?
The RER B train reaches central Paris in about 35 minutes for around €11.80. Official flat-fare taxis are €56 to the Right Bank and €65 to the Left Bank.
Do I need to book restaurants in advance?
Yes for popular bistros and any Michelin-listed room, especially at weekends. Same-day walk-in is possible for lunch.
How many days do I need in Paris?
Three full days cover the classic sights; four to five let you add a Versailles day trip and a slower neighbourhood day.
Is Paris family-friendly?
Very — the Jardin du Luxembourg puppet theatre, Cité des Sciences and Bateaux-Mouches river cruises are easy family wins, and most museums are free for under-18s.
What's the best area for a luxury stay?
Palace hotels around Place Vendôme, Rue Saint-Honoré and Avenue Montaigne cluster the Michelin-starred rooms, spas and private-shopping suites.
Can I visit Paris on a budget?
Yes — municipal museums are free the first Sunday of each month, Navigo Easy transit is cheap, and the boulangerie/picnic tradition keeps food costs down.
Is Paris safe at night?
Central arrondissements are generally safe late; watch for pickpockets on Metro Line 1 and around the Eiffel Tower and Montmartre.
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