Guide to Paris

Paris. Just saying the word makes people sigh, reach for a beret, and hum Edith Piaf. It’s the city of romance, revolutions, and really good bread. But beneath the clichés (yes, the Eiffel Tower is fabulous, and yes, the croissants taste better here), Paris is a living, breathing city that rewards anyone willing to wander a little further than the nearest souvenir shop.

Here’s your slightly cheeky but very practical guide to conquering Paris without losing your sanity—or your luggage.

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Getting to Paris

By Plane: Three Airports, Three Very Different Vibes

Charles de Gaulle (CDG) – The big boss, 25 km northeast of Paris.

• The main international hub and where you’ll likely land if flying long-haul.
• Budget airlines: EasyJet, Vueling, Norwegian.
• Getting into town: RER B train (40 mins), Le Bus Direct, taxis, or ride-share. The train is cheapest, but beware rush-hour luggage Tetris.

Orly (ORY) – Smaller and closer, 13 km south of Paris.

• Handy for European and domestic flights.
• Budget airlines: Transavia, EasyJet, Vueling.
• Getting into town: Orlyval light rail → RER B, or Orlybus straight to Denfert-Rochereau.

Beauvais-Tillé (BVA) – 85 km north (yes, technically “Paris” in the same way Disneyland is “Paris”).

• Budget airlines: Ryanair, Wizz Air.
• Getting into town: Shuttle bus (~1 hr 15 min) to Porte Maillot.

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By Train: The Glamorous Way In

Paris has six main train stations, each serving different directions like spokes on a chic bicycle wheel.

• Gare du Nord – Eurostar from London, Thalys from Brussels, Amsterdam, Cologne.
• Gare de l’Est – Strasbourg, Germany, Luxembourg.
• Gare de Lyon – South of France (Provence, Côte d’Azur), Switzerland, Italy.
• Gare Montparnasse – Western France (Loire Valley, Bordeaux).
• Gare Saint-Lazare – Normandy and beyond.
• Gare d’Austerlitz – Central France, overnight trains.

Pro Tip: Trains often beat planes for short hops in Europe—less stress, more scenery, and you end up in the city center instead of cow fields.

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Getting Around Paris

Forget cars (unless your dream holiday involves traffic jams). The Metro is your best friend.

• Tickets: Buy single t+ tickets, or get a Navigo Easy/Pass if you’re in town for a few days.
• How to use: Feed your ticket into the machine, keep it for exit, and dive into the tiled tunnels.
• Maps: On walls, apps, and even printed paper if you’re feeling old-school.
• Etiquette: Stand right, walk left on escalators. Let others off first. And for the love of baguettes, don’t block doors.

Other options:

• Buses: Slower but scenic. Great above-ground tour if you snag a window seat.
• Velib’ bikes: Public rental bikes for the fearless. Helmet optional, courage required.
• Walking: Many sights are closer than they look. Just wear good shoes—cobblestones don’t forgive.

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Major Sights: The Classics

• Eiffel Tower – The diva of Paris. Book online tickets months ahead if you want to go up. Or just enjoy her sparkling nightly light show from a riverside picnic.
• Louvre Museum – The world’s largest art museum (and yes, Mona Lisa is smaller than expected). Book tickets online, go early or late.
• Musée d’Orsay – Impressionist heaven in a converted Beaux-Arts railway station. Shorter queues than the Louvre.
• Notre-Dame Cathedral – Still closed for interior visits after the fire, but the façade and area are stunning.
• Arc de Triomphe – Climb up for arguably the best view of the city—Eiffel Tower included.
• Sacré-Cœur & Montmartre – Hilltop basilica with views, artists, and cobbled streets that scream “bohemian.”

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More Sights: Beyond the Usual Suspects

• Sainte-Chapelle – Stained-glass paradise, a rainbow trapped in stone.
• Panthéon – Resting place of France’s greatest minds (Voltaire, Rousseau, Marie Curie).
• Opéra Garnier – All chandeliers and red velvet. Even if you don’t see a show, tour the building.
• Les Invalides – Military history museum and Napoleon’s tomb.
• Pompidou Centre – Inside-out architecture and modern art.
• Père Lachaise Cemetery – Where Jim Morrison, Edith Piaf, and Oscar Wilde rest. Surprisingly atmospheric.
• Catacombs of Paris – Underground tunnels lined with bones. Morbid but fascinating (book in advance).

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Eating in Paris

Breakfast

• Locals: A croissant and coffee at the counter.
• Tourists: Add juice, eggs, and regret.

Cheap Eats

• Bakeries: Sandwiches, quiches, pastries for under €6.
• Street crêpes: Both sweet (Nutella, banana) and savory (ham, cheese).
• Falafel: Rue des Rosiers in the Marais = falafel heaven.

Mid-Range

• Bistros: Steak frites, onion soup, escargots.
• Brasseries: Traditional menus with a lively atmosphere.

High-End

• Michelin Stars: Guy Savoy, Arpège, Le Meurice. Expect food as art (and bills as masterpieces).
• Pro Tip: Go for lunch prix fixe menus—fine dining at semi-affordable prices.

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Nightlife

Paris isn’t just candlelit dinners—it knows how to party, too.

• Cabaret: Moulin Rouge, Lido, Crazy Horse. Expect sequins, feathers, and champagne.
• Jazz Clubs: Le Caveau de la Huchette (swing dancing, historic vaults), Duc des Lombards (serious jazz).
• Cocktail Bars: Experimental Cocktail Club in Montorgueil, Little Red Door in the Marais.
• Late-Night: Wander Pigalle for nightlife that ranges from chic to cheeky.
• River Cruises: Evening Seine cruises with dinner or music are equal parts romantic and touristy—and who cares?

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Day Trips

• Versailles: Palaces, gardens, and Hall of Mirrors. RER C gets you there in ~1 hr.
• Disneyland Paris: RER A, ~45 mins. Mickey meets macarons.
• Giverny: Monet’s gardens, ~1 hr 15 min by train.
• Fontainebleau: Château + vast forest for hiking, ~40 min train ride.

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Where to Stay

• Luxury: Ritz, Le Meurice, Shangri-La—sleep like royalty (or at least like someone with a large expense account).
• Mid-Range: Boutique hotels in the Latin Quarter or Marais.
• Budget: Hostels, guesthouses, and budget chains (Ibis, Generator).

Pro Tip: Book early. Paris hotels vanish faster than croissants at breakfast.

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Etiquette: How to Fake It as a Local

• Always say “Bonjour” (morning and daytime) or “Bonsoir” (evening) when entering shops or cafés. It’s not optional.
• Lower your volume. Think conversational jazz, not heavy metal.
• Water: Ask for une carafe d’eau for free tap water.
• Tipping: Service is included, but rounding up is polite.
• Clothing: Leave the sportswear for the gym. You don’t need couture, just neatness.

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Pro Tips

• Book museum tickets online. Queues are Paris’s least romantic feature.
• Pickpockets are active in tourist hotspots—crossbody bag = peace of mind.
• Avoid cafés right next to major sights unless you enjoy €10 espressos.
• Visit early morning or late evening to dodge the worst crowds.
• Off-season (Nov–March) = fewer tourists, cheaper rooms, same Eiffel Tower.

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The Perfect 3-Day Paris Itinerary

(Or how to fall in love with Paris in 72 hours without losing your sanity)

So, you’ve got three days in Paris. That’s enough to see the icons, taste the croissants, sip some wine, and maybe even master a “Bonjour” that won’t make waiters roll their eyes. Follow this itinerary and you’ll leave with Eiffel Tower selfies, sore feet, and possibly a suitcase full of cheese.

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Day 1: Paris, Straight Out of a Postcard

Morning

• Start with the Eiffel Tower (because let’s be honest, you came for the cliché). Book tickets online to skip the line. If you’d rather skip the crowds, admire from below with coffee in hand.
• Walk along the Seine toward Trocadéro for those perfect panoramic shots.

Lunch

• Grab a baguette sandwich or quiche from a local boulangerie and picnic at the Champ de Mars like a true Parisian (minus the selfie stick).

Afternoon

• Head to the Louvre Museum. Even if you just breeze through to Mona Lisa, spend a little time with the underrated gems (Egyptian artifacts and giant canvases).
• Alternatively, if art fatigue sets in, the Musée d’Orsay is a manageable, gorgeous alternative with Impressionists galore.

Evening

• Dinner in Saint-Germain-des-Prés. Cozy bistros, candlelight, wine—Paris at its best.
• Cap it off with a Seine River cruise. Yes, it’s touristy. Yes, it’s magical.

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Day 2: Montmartre, Arches, and Glitter

Morning

• Climb up to Sacré-Cœur Basilica in Montmartre. Admire the sweeping city views, then explore the artists’ square and narrow streets that inspired countless painters.
• Stop at a café for a buttery croissant and people-watching.

Lunch

• Try a savory crêpe or café lunch in Montmartre.

Afternoon

• Stroll down the Champs-Élysées toward the Arc de Triomphe. Brave the climb to the top for one of the best views in Paris (and fewer elbows than the Eiffel Tower).
• If art is your thing, swing by Musée de l’Orangerie to see Monet’s water lilies in glorious oversized form.

Evening

• Dinner in Le Marais—falafel if you’re on a budget, chic bistros if not.
• Nightlife options:
  • Cabaret at Moulin Rouge or Crazy Horse for feathers and champagne.
  • Jazz at Le Caveau de la Huchette if you prefer swing dancing in a historic cellar.
  • Or just sip cocktails in the Marais and feel très chic.

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Day 3: Royals, Revolutionaries, and Hidden Gems

Morning

• Day trip to Versailles (RER C train). Marvel at the Hall of Mirrors, royal chambers, and gardens designed for people who had way too much time and money.
• If palaces aren’t your thing, swap Versailles for the Catacombs of Paris—a creepy but fascinating underground bone collection.

Lunch

• In Versailles: café or picnic in the gardens.
• In Paris: casual café lunch near the Latin Quarter.

Afternoon

• Explore the Latin Quarter: Sorbonne, Shakespeare & Company bookstore, and cobbled streets.
• Visit Sainte-Chapelle—the stained glass will leave you speechless (and possibly blind if it’s sunny).

Evening

• Farewell dinner at a classic brasserie or treat yourself to a Michelin-starred spot.
• Take one last evening stroll along the Seine—Pont Neuf or Pont Alexandre III if you want peak romance.

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Pro Tips for This Itinerary

• Book tickets ahead for Eiffel Tower, Louvre, Catacombs, and Versailles—lines can eat your whole day.
• Wear comfy shoes. Paris looks small on a map but your feet will say otherwise.
• Mix museums and fresh air. Too many galleries in a row = art fatigue.
• Greet everyone with “Bonjour.” Instant charm points.
• Keep snacks handy. Nothing ruins romance like hanger in a two-hour museum queue.

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Three days in Paris will fly by faster than you can say “fromage,” but this itinerary squeezes in the icons, the atmosphere, and enough croissants to keep you powered through. Will you see everything? Non. Will you leave smitten and plotting your return? Absolutely.

Final Word

Paris is a cliché because it’s earned it. Yes, it’s crowded, yes, it can be pricey, but it’s also impossibly beautiful, unapologetically stylish, and endlessly fascinating. Come for the Eiffel Tower, stay for the croissants, and leave with enough stories (and photos) to bore your friends for years.