your ultimate guide toParis

As if a killer food scene, the legendary boutiques of Saint-Germain and some of the most beautiful architecture in the world weren’t reason enough to visit, Paris is also chock-a-block with epic attractions.

Naturally a mooch around The Louvre, home of the Mona Lisa, is unmissable, but there are countless more world-class museums and galleries besides. Get inspired with our guide of Paris’s other museums.

Look out over the city from Montmartre’s Sacré-Cœur or pay your respects to the unknown soldier buried under the Arc de Triomphe. Stroll the narrow streets of the Île Saint-Louis, a river island of 17th-century mansions and enticing courtyards, or take a picnic to the Jardin des Plantes, one of the best things to see in Paris with kids.

Need more ideas for things to see in Paris? Explore it through the eyes of a local to get off the beaten track.

Tours and packages in Paris

Paris’s leafy boulevards and gritty alleyways sprawl over 105 square kilometres and every stone has a story to tell, which is a why a tour may be your best bet for getting under the destination’s skin.

Lose yourself in a Parisian walking tour with a knowledgeable guide. Whether you opt for a chocolate tour (one of the best things to do Paris with teenagers), a literary tour or to follow in the footsteps of the city’s darling, Coco Chanel, you’ll feel like a local in no time. The best part? Many of Paris’s walking tours are free.

If you’re keen to cover more ground, little could be as romantic as freewheeling along the banks of the Seine, perhaps between Porte de la Gare and Pont du Garigliano. You can hire a Vélib’, one of the government-owned bikes, for just a couple of euros.

There are some iconic day tours from Paris to choose from too. Brush up on your world-war history at the Western Front battlefields, be amazed by the extravagance of Marie Antoinette’s private playground at the Palace of Versailles and don’t miss Giverny, home of impressionist painter Claude Monet. A stroll around his beautiful gardens and water lily ponds is one of the top things to do in Paris in April, when the spring flowers are at their best.

Whether you’re a first-time visitor or an old-hand, choosing where to stay in Paris can have an enormous impact on your trip. Luckily, there is a hotel to suit every personality.

How about an airy loft apartment overlooking the Champs-Élysées? Or a mansion filled with period furniture à la Louis XV? Will you choose a Michelin-starred restaurant or subterranean spa? A funky hostel or sleek design hotel, where you can nibble a croissant on your private balcony?

Take a look at our curated guide to some of Paris’s best places to stay.

Best Hotels in Paris

They may have had a revolution, but you’ll still be treated like royalty when you stay at one of Paris’s grand dame hotels.

Le Meurice, Le Bristol and the Four Seasons George V are among the 10 best hotels in Paris, and you can find plenty more hotel inspiration here.

The Hotel Providence is a gem of a boutique bolthole with just 18 rooms bejewelled with one-off flea market finds, opulent fabrics and roll-top baths.

If your budget is lower, try Les Piaules. Housed in an Art Deco building and with a suntrap roof terrace, this is one of the best hostels in Paris.

Best areas to stay in Paris

Generally the Left Bank (of the Seine) is associated with classic architecture and the once-bohemian bars where the likes of Hemingway drank, while the Right Bank throbs with the energy of modern-day Paris. Stay within walking distance of a metro station and you won’t go far wrong.

One of the best areas to stay in Paris in an Airbnb is the 11th arrondissement, a quirky local’s area with plenty of cool restaurants and an authentic vibe. With its ivy-clad mansions, Montmartre is best for couples and honeymooners, while the 7th arrondissement is ideal for first-timers because of its proximity to the Eiffel Tower and the Musée d’Orsay.