Why Go to Paris
YOUR DESTINATION AT A GLANCE
Paris is the City of Light, and it casts a spell on millions of visitors every year. The Seine winds through the city past grand museums, centuries-old churches and elegant boulevards lined with trees and glowing streetlamps, while stylish Parisians head to the market, the cafe or the cinema. Ernest Hemingway famously described Paris as a moveable feast, a place that stays with you for life.
There's so much to see. Ride to the top of the Eiffel Tower, see the masterpieces of the Louvre and the Impressionists at the Musee d'Orsay, and visit Notre-Dame Cathedral, beautifully restored and reopened. Climb to Sacre-Coeur in Montmartre, stroll the Champs-Elysees to the Arc de Triomphe, browse the boutiques of Le Marais and take an evening cruise on the Seine. Day trips to the Palace of Versailles, Giverny and the Champagne region are easy. And don't forget the simple pleasures: wandering the neighborhoods, enjoying a crepe from a street stand and lingering at a sidewalk cafe.
Paris's top attractions often require timed tickets, so planning ahead pays off. I'll choose the right neighborhood, book skip-the-line entries and plan days that balance sightseeing with time to simply enjoy the city.
BEST FOR
Couples, art enthusiasts, foodies and first-time Europe travelers
BEST MONTHS
April to June and September to October
EXPLORE
- 1st Arrondissement: The Louvre, the Tuileries and the Palais Royal at the heart of the city.
- Le Marais: Medieval lanes, boutiques, museums and lively cafés.
- Saint-Germain-des-Prés: Classic Left Bank cafés, bookshops and the Luxembourg Gardens.
- 7th Arrondissement: The Eiffel Tower, the Musée d'Orsay and elegant residential streets.
- Montmartre: Hilltop village charm with Sacré-Cœur and artists' squares.
SIX18 SIGNATURE DESTINATION GUIDE
Paris
Europe › Western Europe › France › Ile-de-France
Café terraces, timeless art and the glow of the Eiffel Tower over the Seine.
Historical & Heritage
Art
Culinary
Romance
SIX18 INSIDER TIP
Book timed tickets for the Louvre, Eiffel Tower and Sainte-Chapelle before you leave home, then leave one afternoon completely unplanned for café time.
Experiences Worth Exploring
THINGS TO DO
Book summit tickets online well ahead, and picnic on the Champ de Mars for the evening sparkle.
Eiffel Tower
The symbol of Paris rises 1,083 feet above the Champ de Mars, with sweeping views from its observation decks. After dark, it sparkles for five minutes at the top of every hour.
Use the Carrousel or Porte des Lions entrances, and pick a few wings rather than trying to see it all.
Louvre Museum
The world's most visited museum holds the Mona Lisa, the Venus de Milo and thousands of masterpieces inside a former royal palace.
Go straight to the top floor for the Impressionists, then work your way down.
Musée d’Orsay
Set in a grand former railway station, the Orsay holds the world's finest collection of Impressionist art, including Monet, Renoir, Degas and Van Gogh.
Entry is free; reserve a time slot online to skip the longest lines.
Notre-Dame Cathedral
Paris' Gothic masterpiece reopened in December 2024 after its painstaking restoration, with gleaming stone, restored stained glass and its spire back on the skyline.
Visit on a bright morning, when the light through the windows is at its most dazzling.
Sainte-Chapelle
Hidden inside the Palais de Justice, this 13th-century chapel is wrapped in towering stained-glass windows that glow like jewels on a sunny day.
A legendary palace hotel on the Faubourg Saint-Honoré, known for its three-Michelin-star dining, rooftop pool and impeccable service.
Le Bristol Paris
8th Arrondissement / Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré
Hotel Tags
An 18th-century palace on the Place de la Concorde, restored with sumptuous rooms and views over the city's grandest square.
Hôtel de Crillon, A Rosewood Hotel
8th Arrondissement / Place de la Concorde
Hotel Tags
An icon off the Champs-Élysées, famous for its spectacular floral displays, Michelin-starred restaurants and elegant rooms.
Four Seasons Hotel George V, Paris
8th Arrondissement / Avenue George V
Hotel Tags
A grand palace hotel facing the Tuileries Garden, with opulent interiors and an easy walk to the Louvre.
Le Meurice, Dorchester Collection
1st Arrondissement / Rue de Rivoli
Hotel Tags
Saint-Germain's only palace hotel, an Art Nouveau landmark with a spa, chic bars and Left Bank charm.
Mandarin Oriental Lutetia, Paris
6th Arrondissement / Boulevard Raspail
Hotel Tags
Curated Accommodations
WHERE TO STAY
November in Paris
High 51°F · Low 42°F · Rain 2.1 in
Beaujolais Nouveau arrives on the third Thursday of November, and holiday lights go up on the Champs-Élysées.
The best times to visit Paris are April through June and September through October, when the weather is mild, gardens are in bloom and the city is buzzing. Summer is warm and busy, while August is quieter as many Parisians leave on vacation. Winter is cool and gray, but brings holiday lights, lower rates and shorter museum lines.
Best Times to Visit Paris
WHEN TO GO
Where to Dine
DINING
Eating in Paris is an event, from buttery croissants at the corner boulangerie to multi-course dinners at Michelin-starred tables. The best meals are often at small neighborhood bistros, where the menu is written on a chalkboard.
- Café culture: Linger over coffee on a terrace in Saint-Germain or Le Marais, the true Parisian pastime.
- Markets: Covered markets like Marché des Enfants Rouges in Le Marais are perfect for lunch.
- Must-try: Croissants, steak frites, French onion soup, macarons and a classic crème brûlée.
06
Walking
Paris is one of the world's most walkable cities. The best way to discover it is simply to wander.
05
Buses & Bikes
City buses are scenic and easy to use, and Vélib' bike-share stations are found throughout the city.
04
Taxis & Rideshares
Taxis and rideshares are easy to find, and official airport taxis charge fixed fares to central Paris.
03
Trains to Versailles & Beyond
The RER C reaches Versailles in about 40 minutes, and high-speed TGV trains connect Paris to the rest of France and Europe.
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Métro & RER
The Métro is fast, frequent and reaches nearly everywhere. Use a contactless card or the Navigo Easy pass for simple tapping in and out.
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Flying In
Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) is the main international gateway, about 45 minutes from the center by RER B train or taxi. Orly (ORY) serves many European and some international flights.
Most visitors fly into Charles de Gaulle and take the RER B train or a fixed-fare taxi into the city. Once you're here, the Métro reaches nearly every corner, and walking between neighborhoods is half the fun. Skip the rental car; driving and parking in Paris are a challenge.
Getting Around Paris