Skip to content
CityInDays
The Eiffel Tower seen across the Seine in Paris
Back to all destinations

France

Paris

The classic European capital

Last reviewed: 3 September 2026

Recommended stay
2–4 days
Best time to visit
Spring and early autumn
Airports
CDG · ORY
Photo by Chris Karidis · Unsplash

Paris at a glance

Paris is a city of museums, boulevards and neighbourhood bakeries. The Eiffel Tower, Louvre, Notre-Dame, Arc de Triomphe, Champs-Élysées, Montmartre, Musée d’Orsay, the Seine and Luxembourg Gardens are linked by metro and walking routes. Allow at least half a day for Versailles rather than treating it as an extra stop in the city-centre itinerary.

Quick information

Recommended stay2–4 days
Best time to visitSpring and early autumn
AirportsCDG · ORY
Budget travelRooms and reserved museum tickets move the total most. Check prices shortly before your trip instead of relying on a fixed estimate.

Spring and early autumn are more comfortable for walks along the Seine, Luxembourg Gardens and Montmartre. Summer is busy, so plan the Louvre and Musée d’Orsay for the hottest hours. Winter remains a good time for museums, bakeries and cafés.

Plan your visit

Airport to centre

RER B

Direct rail link from central Paris; the time depends on your starting station

Paris Region airport fareTransport

Must-see sights

Eiffel Tower
Louvre
Notre-Dame
Sights

One-day itinerary

  1. Morning: Notre-Dame exterior or access, then a Louvre slot if booked.
  2. Lunch: Eat around the Île de la Cité or Palais-Royal.
  3. Afternoon: Seine quays toward Musée d’Orsay or Luxembourg Gardens.
  4. Evening: a bakery or neighbourhood bistro away from the busiest tower streets.
Itineraries

Best areas to stay

  1. Centre / Louvre–Marais

    Louvre–Le Marais

    Walkable historic streets near the Louvre, Notre-Dame and the river. Busier, and rooms usually cost more.

    Best for

    First visits, museums and the Seine

  2. Saint-Germain / Luxembourg

    Saint-Germain-des-Prés

    Classic Left Bank near Luxembourg Gardens and Musée d’Orsay — bookshops and a quieter evening than the streets around the tower.

    Best for

    Gardens, cafés and a Left Bank pace

  3. Montmartre

    Hillside streets around Sacré-Cœur. Expect slopes, evening crowds on the main square and a longer ride to the Louvre.

    Best for

    Hill views and a village feel

  4. Champs-Élysées / 8th

    Champs-Élysées

    West of the centre and close to the Arc de Triomphe, with easy access to the grand avenues but more traffic noise than the Marais.

    Best for

    Boulevards and Arc de Triomphe access

Approximate budget

  • Budget

    Varies

    per day, per person

    Simple accommodation, bakeries or markets, public transport and free walks; excludes travel to Paris.

  • Mid-range

    Varies

    per day, per person

    Comfortable room, café and bistro meals, public transport and selected museum tickets.

  • Comfort

    Varies

    per day, per person

    Central higher-end accommodation, frequent dining, taxis and several reserved visits.

Found this guide helpful? Buy us a coffee and help us keep our travel information independent and up to date.

☕ Buy us a coffee