Why You Should Visit Paris: Romance, Croissants, and a Lifetime’s Worth of Memories
Paris. Just saying the name makes you want to sigh dramatically and book a ticket. The French capital has long been the poster child for romance, art, food, and fashion—and if you missed the city’s dazzling display during the last Olympic Games, here’s your chance to see why Paris is more than just a backdrop for postcards. It’s a must-see, once-in-a-lifetime destination.
Getting to Paris
By Air: Budget and Beyond
Paris is served by not one, not two, but three airports—because a city this fabulous needs options.
- Charles de Gaulle (CDG): The main international hub, 25 km northeast of the city. Budget-friendly carriers like EasyJet, Norwegian, and Vueling fly here alongside long-haul airlines.
- Orly (ORY): Smaller, 13 km south of Paris. Transavia and EasyJet bring in plenty of bargain hunters.
- Beauvais-Tillé (BVA): About 85 km away (technically closer to cows than cafés). Ryanair and Wizz Air land here, and shuttles whisk you into Paris in about 75 minutes.
By Train: The Classy Way In
Why endure budget-airport chaos when you could sip wine on a train? Paris is connected to Europe’s biggest cities via high-speed rail:
- Eurostar zips from London in about 2 hours 20 minutes.
- Thalys brings you from Brussels or Amsterdam in under 3 hours.
- TGVs shoot in from Lyon, Bordeaux, Marseille, and Geneva at speeds that would impress the Olympics’ sprinters.
Pro Tip: Arrive by train if you can—it drops you right into the heart of Paris with zero baggage reclaim stress.
Must-See Sights (and Why They’ll Steal Your Heart)
- Eiffel Tower: She sparkles every night on the hour, and trust me, you’ll never get tired of it. Take the lift to the summit or simply picnic in the Champ de Mars with wine and cheese.
- Louvre Museum: Home to the Mona Lisa and roughly 35,000 other works that might steal the spotlight if she weren’t so famous.
- Musée d’Orsay: Impressionist heaven housed in a former railway station.
- Notre-Dame Cathedral: Still breathtaking, even as restoration continues.
- Sacré-Cœur & Montmartre: The basilica overlooks the city, while Montmartre’s cobbled streets feel like stepping into a painting.
- Arc de Triomphe & Champs-Élysées: Parisian grandeur at its finest. Climb the arch for the best panoramic view.
- Sainte-Chapelle: A stained-glass symphony that’ll leave you speechless.
Pro Tip: Book tickets online whenever possible. Queues in Paris are less romantic than they sound.
Nightlife: From Cabaret to Cocktails
Paris doesn’t sleep—it simply changes outfits after dark.
- Cabaret Shows: Moulin Rouge, Lido, and Crazy Horse—expect sequins, champagne, and a lot of leg kicks.
- Jazz Clubs: Duc des Lombards for serious jazz fans; Le Caveau de la Huchette if you want to swing dance in a centuries-old cellar.
- Bars & Cocktails: Sip experimental mixes in the Marais or Oberkampf, or join the locals with a bottle of wine along the Seine’s banks.
- Pro Tip: Start your night late. Dinner often doesn’t begin until 8 or 9 pm, and bars hum until well past midnight.
Dining: Croissants to Michelin Stars
Breakfast
Don’t expect eggs and bacon—Parisians prefer croissants, pain au chocolat, and strong coffee.
Affordable Eats
- Boulangeries (bakeries): Fresh sandwiches and pastries for under €6.
- Falafel in Le Marais: World-famous, wallet-friendly.
- Crêpes: Sweet or savory, found on nearly every corner.
Splurge-Worthy Dining
Paris is spoiled with Michelin-starred restaurants:
- Guy Savoy (3 stars) for haute cuisine.
- Arpège (3 stars) for vegetable-focused fine dining.
- Le Meurice for palace-style glamour.
Pro Tip: Try lunch prix fixe menus at Michelin restaurants—you’ll get the experience for a fraction of the dinner price.
Accommodation: Something for Every Wallet
- Luxury: Ritz Paris, Le Meurice, Shangri-La—where chandeliers and history compete for attention.
- Mid-Range: Boutique hotels in Saint-Germain or the Latin Quarter balance charm and budget.
- Budget: Hostels, Ibis hotels, or quirky guesthouses. You can even Airbnb in a Haussmann apartment if you want to “play local.”
Pro Tip: Book early. Rooms vanish faster than croissants at breakfast time.
A City Once in a Lifetime
Paris is the city of light, love, and legendary moments. The last Olympic Games reminded the world how dazzling Paris can be when it takes the stage—but truthfully, every day here feels like a gold-medal event. Whether it’s your first trip or your fifteenth, there’s always another museum, another café, another hidden square waiting to surprise you.
And yes—it really is a once-in-a-lifetime city. But don’t be shocked if “once” turns into “every chance you get.”
Pro Tips for Paris Newbies
- Always say “Bonjour” or “Bonsoir” when entering shops. It’s not just polite—it’s survival.
- Watch your bag. Pickpockets adore Paris as much as tourists do.
- Skip cafés directly next to major sights unless you enjoy €10 espressos.
- Off-season (November–March) means fewer crowds, cheaper hotels, and equally delicious pastries.
Paris isn’t just somewhere you visit—it’s somewhere you feel. It’s candlelit dinners, golden sunsets on the Seine, and the thrill of climbing the Arc de Triomphe with the city spread beneath you. It’s everything you’ve seen in films—and more.
So, pack your best shoes, learn to say “Bonjour” with confidence, and prepare to fall in love with Paris—forever.
