Paris city breaks
Nicknamed the ‘City of Light’, Paris is an elegant and time-honoured city with a rich cultural history and classic spirit. Everything about the capital oozes elegance, from its world-famous landmarks and rich art history, to its fine dining and luxury fashion. Discover iconic artefacts at the Musée du Louvre, enjoy a picnic lunch at Luxembourg Gardens, or fall in love while looking out over the city’s moonlit landscape on top of the Eiffel Tower.
Things to do
Whether you’re enjoying a romantic getaway with your significant other or a cultural retreat with best friends, a city break in Paris caters to one and all. Some of the world’s most iconic attractions are housed here, including the Eiffel Tower and Musée du Louvre. Wander the grand boulevards, stopping off for a hearty lunch at a cosy bistro.
25 ℃
During the spring, when temperatures are mild and flowers in the city gardens start to bloom.
1 hour 20 minutes
Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) is 23km northeast of Paris. Paris-Orly Airport (ORY) is 9km south of Paris. Beauvais-Tillé Airport (BVA) is located in Tillé, 85km north of Paris.
Travel guide
Things to do
Currency
Travel guide
Travel guide
Weather & Climate
Temperatures °C : Average highs of 20 (°C) in summer and lows of 5 (°C) in winter.
Best time to visit: During the spring, when temperatures are mild and flowers in the city gardens start to bloom. Paris experiences a typical Western European oceanic climate, with warm summers and cold winters. The rainfall is steady and moderate year-round.
PARIS IS BEST FOR…
Couples: Wander hand-in-hand down the tree-lined Champs-Élysées, stopping off for a candlelit dinner.
Foodies: Enjoy beautifully-prepared food and a glass of wine at a cosy neighbourhood bistro.
Shopaholics: Explore the city’s luxury fashion offerings on Avenue Montaigne.
Fast facts:
Language: The language spoken in Paris is French.
Currency: The currency used in Paris is the Euro (€).
Local time: Paris is one hour ahead of GMT/UK time.
Fly to: Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) is 23km northeast of Paris. Paris-Orly Airport (ORY) is 9km south of Paris. Beauvais-Tillé Airport (BVA) is located in Tillé, 85km north of Paris.
Flight time from UK: Approximately 1 hour 20 minutes.
Tourist Information: Further Paris tourist information can be found at https://en.parisinfo.com/.
Visa / Health:
Before your holiday to Paris, visit https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/france for recommendations and advice on visas and health.
Getting around
By metro: The city’s metro system is cost-effective and easy to use. If you’re planning on a lot of sightseeing, buy a Paris Visit pass for unlimited travel on most transport networks.
By bicycle: Cycling around the city is cheap and easy thanks to the Vélib self-service hire scheme. Simply pick up a bike from one of the Vélib stations on the roadside and park it outside another when you’re finished.
By taxi: City taxis are identified by an illuminated Taxi Parisien sign on the roof of the car. You can hail them on the street or by calling one of the main taxi firms.
Events
Shopping extravaganza: Bargain hunters won’t want to miss the January sales when over a thousand shops and boutiques offer discounts as high as 70%. Be at the front doors when they open, usually 10am, to catch the best deals.
Paris carnival: In March, join locals and musicians as they parade through the streets of Paris for the annual carnival. The parade leaves Place Gambetta at 3pm and arrives at the town hall at 7pm.
Paris marathon: December’s festivities include the Fira de Santa Lucia, a large open-air market in the streets around the main cathedral. Handmade crafts and local Christmas decorations are on offer; nativity figurines are especially popular.
Things to do
From shopping and sightseeing to drinking and dining, we’ve picked some of the best things to do in Paris. The City of Lights is renowned as one of the most romantic spots on the planet, but Paris has history, culture and gastronomic delights around every corner, too.
Places to go
The best way to take in all the art and culture the city has to offer is with a Paris Museum pass. This pre-paid card means you’ll get free entry into over 70 monuments and museums across the city, including the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame Cathedral, the Louvre, the Musee D’Orsay and the Paris Catacombs. The pass is valid for between 2-6 days giving you plenty of time to take in the best Paris attractions. Bear in mind most galleries and museums are closed on Mondays or Tuesdays, but if you visit on the first Sunday of the month, entry is generally free.Things to do in Paris
Champs Elysees
Famed for its grandeur and elegance, Champs Elysees is known as the most beautiful avenue in the world, and it’s easy to see why. When in Paris, …Louvre
See some of the world’s most famous artwork as you visit the Louvre in Paris. Arriving at the gallery, spend some time taking pictures of the …Musée d’Orsay
The Musée d’Orsay is not your every day, dusty museum. It’s one of the most popular and exciting museums in the world with impressive art …Parc de la Villette
For a unique evening of entertainment, go and watch a film outdoors at the largest park in Paris, Parc de la Villette. If you’re visiting during …Sacre Coeur & Montmartre
As the second most visited monument in Paris, you should make time to visit the Sacre Coeur during your stay. This beautiful church embodies a …Sainte Chapelle Paris
Step into the Gothic architectural masterpiece of Sainte Chapelle Paris, a royal chapel built in 1248. It only took seven years to complete this …Currency
Paris travel money
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