The Eiffel Tower. The Louvre. The Champs-Élysées. Notre-Dame. Versailles. These iconic landmarks have etched themselves into our collective memory, making Paris a truly captivating city. But Paris offers so much more than just famous monuments. It’s about taking leisurely strolls along the Seine, losing yourself in winding streets, hopping into a taxi to explore grand boulevards, and spending hours sipping coffee at a charming café in a lively square where history, art, and revolution come alive. From the heights of Montmartre to the peak of the Eiffel Tower, from the hallowed pews of a soaring church to the tranquil benches of the Tuileries Garden, Paris is everything you’ve dreamed of, and more.
Known as the City of Light, Paris earned this moniker for being the first city to introduce street lighting. This title also reflects Paris’s vital role in the Enlightenment. Today, the name holds true, with 20,000 bulbs illuminating the Eiffel Tower, candlelit dinners in cozy bistros, and the sun streaming through the Louvre’s glass pyramid.
A Journey Through Time
Ready for an unforgettable adventure? Let’s start with the Louvre. Step into this Renaissance palace through the iconic glass pyramid designed by I.M. Pei – a harmonious fusion of old and new. Marvel at the Mona Lisa, Michelangelo and Rembrandt’s masterpieces, and the enigmatic Venus de Milo, now missing its arms. The Louvre houses over 10,000 works of art, making it a treasure trove for art enthusiasts.
Follow the Seine’s graceful flow, crossing the Pont Neuf, to the island home of Notre Dame. While closed to visitors following the devastating fire of 2019, its awe-inspiring Gothic towers and flying buttresses stand as a testament to its resilience. Continue your stroll along the Seine, exploring the Jardin de Tuileries – designed by the same genius behind Versailles. Discover the Musée de l’Orangerie, home to Monet’s captivating Water Lilies paintings, or journey onward to the Place de la Concorde, Paris’s largest square, where the tragic fate of Louis XVI unfolded in 1793. From here, the world’s first grand boulevard, the Champs-Élysées, beckons you to walk its length, culminating at the majestic Arc de Triomphe.
Step into the Musée d’Orsay, a former train station transformed into a spectacular exhibition space for the works of Manet, Monet, Cézanne, and Renoir. Immerse yourself in the charming neighborhoods of St Germain and St Michel, where cafes overflow with silver-topped tables and wicker chairs, students fill the bustling universities, and church spires punctuate the cityscape. Find solace in the Jardin du Luxembourg, a 23-hectare oasis laid out in the 17th century. Consider visiting the Musée Rodin, housed in the sculptor’s former studio and showroom, where you’ll find the iconic Thinker in the garden. The Eiffel Tower rises majestically in the west, at the end of its own grand green boulevard. Ascend to its summit and learn about this engineering marvel of the turn-of-the-century.
A Culinary Paradise
Paris is synonymous with haute cuisine, and the city is overflowing with culinary delights. Michelin-starred Septime creates magic with just three ingredients per dish. Mokonuts blends Middle Eastern and Japanese flavors in a delightful fusion. Dersou pairs innovative dishes with intoxicating cocktails in an Instagram-worthy space. Waly-Fay offers the finest West African cuisine. Cuisine, as the name suggests, beautifully merges French bistro fare with Japanese izakaya, accompanied by carefully curated wines. Eels boasts an open kitchen and fresh herby, citrusy flavors, while Clover Grill serves smoky and meaty delights. Au Nouveau Nez is a quaint bistro with a tiny menu that packs a punch. If you’re looking for something larger, La Felicità offers five kitchens, three bars, and seating for 1,000, all housed in the world’s largest startup campus, Station F.
Shopping Extravaganza
Begin your fashion odyssey on the Champs-Élysées, a haven for haute couture and designer boutiques. Venture to the rue du Faubourg St-Honoré, home to exclusive designer shops, jewelers, antique sellers, and the Palais de l’Élysée, the official residence of the French president. Paris invented the department store, and you could spend a day or more exploring the Galeries Lafayette, whose magnificent stained-glass dome is over a century old. The food hall of the other grand department store, Le Bon Marché, boasts no fewer than 30,000 products. For a one-stop shopping experience, head to Les Halles (pronounced “lay-al” – no “h” or “s”!). Once Paris’s food market for 800 years, it’s now a four-story underground shopping center with 131 shops, topped with a translucent canopy. If perfume is your passion, visit Fragonard’s Perfume Museum for a guided tour through the art of fragrance making.
Evening Delights
As the sun sets, swap your cafe for an apéritif. Try a kir, a blend of white wine and crème de cassis berry liqueur, or the aniseed pastis in summer. If you’re a fan of Ernest Hemingway, don’t miss Bar Hemingway. For breathtaking sunset views, head to Le Perchoir, a rooftop bar. Au Sauvignon offers a captivating journey through the world of French wines. Enjoy cocktails in the library of the mansion-turned-hotel at St James Paris, or embrace Parisian chic at Le Bar des Prés. Gravity Bar’s interior appears to defy gravity, or perhaps it’s the cocktails that create this illusion. Lulu White offers live jazz in a speakeasy-style bar, while Bar des Ferrailleurs, a student-favorite dive bar, features eclectic music mixes. At Chez Bouboule, play petanque-like boule indoors while sipping craft beer, wine, or cider. Prescription and Experimental are two of Paris’s most popular retro-chic bar-clubs.
Beyond the City Walls
Don’t miss Montmartre, a hilly artist’s haven within the city, crowned by the Basilique du Sacré-Coeur. The nearby Abbesses metro station is a must-see, with its wrought iron and glass-covered Art Nouveau entrance. For another panoramic view, visit Montparnasse, a skyscraper that’s worth the climb for its breathtaking vista. Or descend into the depths of Paris in the Catacombes, underground tunnels lined with skulls and bones. For contemporary art, visit the Fondation Louis Vuitton’s new glass-panelled art center. Nearby you’ll find the Stade Roland Garros and a tennis museum. Beyond the city limits, Versailles awaits. This quintessential French château, built by the Sun King, Louis XIV, boasts an extravagant Hall of Mirrors and meticulously cultivated gardens. For more châteaux, take a day trip to the Loire Valley and marvel at Chambord, the largest of them all, or Chenonceau, perhaps the prettiest. Visit Monet’s house and gardens in Giverny, where you’ll find the water lily pond, Japanese bridge, and the palette of colors that inspired his most famous works. Another option is the 12th-century cathedral at Chartres, whose 176 medieval stained-glass windows feature a unique blue that has never been replicated. For fun with or without kids, Disneyland Paris or Parc Astérix are each about an hour from Paris.
Navigating Paris
Aéroport Paris-Beauvais runs its own shuttles, coordinated with arrival times, that take you to Porte Maillot metro station, at the edge of Paris, in 1 hour 15 minutes. This is the most economical option, especially if you book online. Aéroport de Paris-Orly offers trains, buses, and public transportation that takes you to the city center in 25-35 minutes. From both airports, regional buses, trains, taxis, and rental cars are also available. The airports have duty-free shops and newspaper kiosks, cafés, a sports bar, a brasserie, and takeaway options.
The Perfect Time to Visit
There’s never a bad time to visit Paris, which offers plenty of indoor and outdoor attractions. However, mid-May to mid-September offers the best chance for warm and dry weather. Temperatures range between 11°C and 15°C in spring and 15°C and 25°C in summer, though it can get hot and humid in July and August. Light rain and cool evenings are always a possibility, so pack a jacket and umbrella.
From iconic landmarks to charming cafes, from world-renowned museums to captivating neighborhoods, Paris is a city that truly captures the heart. Whether you’re a first-time visitor or a seasoned traveler, Paris always has something new to discover. So, plan your next trip and get ready to fall in love with the City of Lights all over again.
