Paris: 40 Best Tips for Your Visit

Millions of couples a year head to Paris for long weekends. Paris is one of the most popular tourist destinations. And although it has been called the most romantic city in the world for years, there is something for everyone. Students, families with children and seniors will enjoy a visit to Paris. Let’s take a look at what to see in Paris, the best places to stay and how to skip the ticket lines.

When to go to Paris: weather in Paris

Weather in Paris is not too different from our weather, summers are warm, only winters are a bit milder than here. Generally it does not rain too often here. The hottest months are July and August, the coldest month is January. You can therefore go to Paris in spring, summer and autumn.

How to get to Paris

Paris is quite accessible from the Czech Republic and you can choose from several options for travel.

By car to Paris

We don’t recommend travelling by car to Paris because, as in big cities, you will have to deal with parking and quite heavy traffic. It is far more convenient to fly to Paris.

By car from Prague

If you are travelling by car from Prague, you have a choice of the three fastest routes, but they are very similar to each other and merge in certain sections. In all cases, you will go to Nuremberg first.

1. From Nuremberg you will continue straight on to Heilbronn, Saarbrücken and then on to Reims and Paris. It is the fastest route, taking you 9 hours 27 minutes.
2. From Nuremberg, you’ll go to Heilbronn and Mannheim again, but in Saarbrücken you’ll turn off to Luxembourg and rejoin the route in Reims. This route is the longest, taking 10 hours and 28 minutes.
3. The third option is to go from Nuremberg towards Würzburg, Mainz, and then connect again to Saarbrücken. This ride will take 9 hours and 57 minutes.

By car from Brno

If you are coming from Brno, you will have the same options, again you will first head to Nuremberg, then you will choose one of the three routes according to the current situation. The most comfortable and fastest way is to take the motorway from Brno to Prague and from there to Germany.

By bus to Paris

If you don’t have the option (or just don’t want) to drive, RegioJet and Flixbus provide direct bus connections to Paris. A one-way ticket costs on average CZK 1,000, but they can cost less. Buses mostly run overnight and the journey takes on average around 14 hours. Both companies run about twice a week.

By train to Paris

While it is possible to get to Paris by train, it is probably the least convenient option. A one-way ticket costs around CZK 2,000, the journey takes around 16 hours, and you change trains a few times, mostly in Germany. There are no direct train services to Paris.

By air to Paris

On the other hand, it is most convenient to fly to Paris by plane. Paris has three airports that can be reached by direct flight from Prague. To the airport Paris-Charles de Gaulle is served by Air France, Vueling and CSA. Read, how to get cheap flights.

Transavia flies to Paris-Orly airport and if you prefer low cost airlines, then Ryanair flies to Paris-Beauvais airport. The cheapest tickets start at CZK 1,800, but they are usually between CZK 3,000 and 5,000.

Where to stay strategically in Paris

We recommend staying right in the centre so you can walk as much as possible. If you like delicious breakfasts, we recommend a cheaper hotel with smaller rooms from the ibis Paris Bastille Faubourg St Antoine chain. Mary’s Hotel République is also very close to the centre. A short walk from the Louvre, you will find the excellent Maison Armance – Esprit de France.

How to get around Paris

The best way to get around Paris is by metro, but of course there are also buses and taxis.

Public transport tickets and where to buy them

Public transport tickets in Paris are divided by time period and zone, so it’s a good idea to know how often and where you plan to travel in Paris and choose your ticket accordingly. You can then get them e.g. in newsagents or vending machines at metro stations.

In all cases, you can also pay by card. You can also get discount cards that include all public transport and other discounts and good deals. The best value tourist card is the Paris City Pass.

Metro

The most common and fastest way to get around Paris is by metro. The metro takes you everywhere in the city and has stations near all the major sights. The Paris metro has 16 lines in total, but everything is very clear and simple.

Tram

If you only want to move a short distance around the centre, you can also use the trams. They have only 10 lines, designated T1 – T10. However, they don’t currently operate outside of the centre itself and it’s a relatively expensive option to move.

Round

A very common means of transport in Paris is the bicycle, so it would be a shame not to take advantage of this opportunity. Almost the entire city is flat and there is an interesting cycle path around the Seine River. You can also reach all the sights by bike and there are bike rental stations almost all over the city. You can rent a bike through a machine and pay by card. However, all the main sights are very close to each other, so they are also very accessible on foot.

Paris without a tour operator: Historical sights

Paris offers plenty of historical sights you shouldn’t put off visiting. Let’s take a look at what to see in Paris.

1) Eiffel Tower

The most famous symbol of Paris, the Eiffel Tower was built in 1889 and was the largest building in the world until 1930. It stands 324 metres tall and was built to commemorate the centenary of the Great French Revolution. It was originally intended to stand on the site only temporarily, but was eventually left until now.

The tower has a total of three observation platforms, at heights of 57 metres, 115 metres and 276 metres. NThere are stairs, a cable car, and an elevator from the second to the third floor. On the first floor there is a restaurant, a café, a cinema with films about the history of the building and a glass floor.

You can buy tickets to the tower either online in advance or at the door, and prices will vary depending on which floor you plan to ascend, and whether you use the stairs or the lift.

Where to buy tickets for the Eiffel Tower?

We prefer to buy our tickets for attractions through GetYourGuide because everything always works smoothly, you don’t have to queue for tickets anywhere and the price is always the same as when you buy them at the official places.

2) Notre-Dame Cathedral

Another of the symbols of Paris is the Gothic Notre-Dame Cathedral, whose construction lasted from 12. until after the 14th. century. Before the Eiffel Tower was built, the cathedral was the tallest building in France, with towers reaching 69 metres high.

In 2019, the building was engulfed in flames and the fire could not be extinguished for 12 hours. For this reason, the monument is now closed to tourists, but it is worth seeing from the outside.

3) Sainte Chapelle

Another place on the list of things to see in Paris is Sainte Chapelle. The Holy Chapel was built in just seven years and is famous for its beautiful stained glass windows. Each of the fifteen windows is 15 metres high and depicts a total of 1113 biblical scenes. If you want to admire this beauty with your own eyes, you need to make a reservation in advance.

4) Sacré-Cœur Basilica

One of the other symbols of Paris and also a place where there are always a lot of tourists and locals who meet here is the Secré-Coeur Basilica. The “Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Jesus”, whose ground plan is in the shape of a cross, is particularly interesting for its pure white façade. Due to its colour, turrets and domes, it is sometimes referred to as the “meringue”. The basilica is an important pilgrimage site and the surrounding park is ideal for relaxing or picnicking in the grass.

5) Arc de Triomphe

The famous Arc de Triomphe in Paris is one of the most famous in the world. And every other city in Europe has them. :))) This is where the Tour de France cycling race ends every year. He had it built in 19. century Napoleon Bonaparte to celebrate his victory at the Battle of Austerlitz. The arch is decorated mainly with stories from wars and Roman mythology. For a fee, you can enjoy the view from its rooftop.

6) Basilica of Saint Denis

The basilica was built in 1140 and is the first church in the world to be built in pure Gothic style. Formerly used as a burial place for French kings, this church is often called the French necropolis. Here are the remains of all the monarchs who ruled France from the 10th century. until after 18. century.

7) The Sainte-Geneviève Library

The St. Jovefa Library is a state and university library built between 1843 and 1850. The architect of the building was Henri Labrouste, one of the first to use iron as a building material.

The strange thing is that the iron structure was not covered by the wall, but remained uncovered, thus becoming part of the decoration. The interior of the library is also extremely interesting. He has around two million documents in his collection.

8) Bourbon Palace

The palace is the seat of the French National Assembly. It was originally built for the daughter of Louis XIV, but at the end of the 18th century it was confiscated as national property. The palace is interesting for its Corinthian columns and its decoration in the ancient style, which was added during the time of Napoleon Bonaparte.

9) Palais Royal

An important historical monument in Paris is the Palais Royal, or Royal Palace. The original palace dates back to 1622, but today only the south-eastern wing remains. The building became a royal palace in 1643, when Anne of Austria and her son Louis XIV moved to the site. PThe palace burned down several times in the past and was subsequently reconstructed. Today it is the seat of the Council of State and the Constitutional Council, the French Court of Justice and the National Theatre.

10) Disability

The magnificent building was given this special name after its function in the 17th century. century, when King Louis XIV. built as a home for war veterans. In the middle of the building is a church with a dominant dome, which adds to the grandeur of the whole building.

Today it houses a hospital, a retirement home and a museum of the military and the French army. Here you will also find the grave of Napoleon Bonaparte and other important personalities.

11) Conciergerie

Conciergerie means purgatory, originally this palace was used by the steward of the royal palace. During the Great French Revolution, the building was used as a prison with a capacity of 1200 prisoners.

For example, Princess Marie Antoinette and Maximilien Robespierre were imprisoned here . Since 1914, the Conciergerie has been open to the public as a museum.

12) Paris Catacombs

The catacombs of Paris date back to the time of the ancient Romans, who originally created them as stone mines. These mines became a place for the burial of remains only in 1786, since when about 6 million skeletons have accumulated here.

The catacombs consist of 190 km long corridors and are located 20 m underground. Only a fraction of these corridors is open to the public, the walls of which are lined with skulls in this part. Children up to 18 years old are free, adults pay 14 euros. It is open Tuesday to Sunday and although this walk through the corridors will probably be slightly morbid, it is well worth a visit.

13) Basilica of St. Clothilde

The Neo-Gothic church was built in the 19th century. century and is dedicated to St. Clothilde and St. Valeria. The altar dates back to 2007. The two side towers reach a height of 69 metres. The church will amaze you especially with its decoration – stained glass windows, paintings and statues.

If the building reminds you of anything, it is because it served as a model for the Church of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in China, which was built just a few years later.

The best museums to visit in Paris

In Paris you will find the more unknown museums in Paris. If you love art, you’ll definitely want to visit the Louvre and the “little green picture” in the form of the Mona Lisa (evil tongues call it green because it still hasn’t been cleaned and probably won’t be for a long time) by Leonardo da Vinci. But there are also a lot of modern art museums in Paris.

14) Louvre

One of the most famous museums in the world with a total collection of 554,000 exhibits is housed in the Palais de Louvre. It’s a good idea to decide what you want to see at the Louvre before you visit.

It is the most visited and the largest museum in the world. Occasional exhibitions have been held here since 1628, but an official public museum was not opened here until 1793.

From the total collection, there are about 35,000 exhibits divided into several branches, from Egyptian art, through Oriental ceramics to the Modern Age. The biggest attraction are paintings such as the Mona Lisa or the Madonna in the Rocks by Leonardo da Vinci, but also other works by world-famous artists.

Where to buy tickets to avoid long queues

If you want to have enough time to visit the museum, set aside at least one full day. You still won’t get everything done. Buy tickets in advance via GetYourGuide or via tickets-paris or you’ll be standing in a really long line.

15) Museum d’Orsay

If there is one museum I would recommend, it is the d’Orsay, located in the former train station. It is aimed at impressionists. Among the most famous paintings in the collection are undoubtedly works by Vincent van Gogh, Edgar Degas, Paul Gaugin, Paul Cézanne and Claude Monet. The advantage of this museum is that it is not as huge as the Louvre.

16) Musée Rodin

Museum Dedicated to the life and work of the famous artist Auguste Rodin, the museum was founded in 1919. It houses more than 6,000 sculptures, 8,000 paintings, 8,000 photographs and 7,000 other art objects.

The artist’s most famous sculptures are exhibited here, such as. The Thinker, Adam and Eve or The Man with the Broken Nose, but also objects from his personal collection as an art collector. The exhibition also focuses on the work of Rodin’s pupil Camille Claudel.

Where to buy tickets

Like everywhere else, we used GetYourGuide.

17) The Musée de la Magie

This incredibly interesting museum is not to be missed, as you will learn a lot of interesting facts about the history of magic and illusionism. It is divided into several parts, the first part focuses on the history and important personalities of magic, you will also enjoy a magic performance. You continue on to rooms with magic mirrors and optical illusions. Finally, take a look around the small shop and feel free to purchase a course in the school of magic here.

18) Musée national des Arts asiatiques – Guimet – Guimet Museum

The museum was founded in 1889 by a Lyon manufacturer Émile Guimet for his magnificent collection of Egyptian, Asian and ancient art. Note that the Egyptian part of the collection was eventually moved to the Louvre, so you will find Himalayan, Afghan, Pakistani, as well as Indian and Japanese, Chinese and Korean and many other collections.

18) Centre Pompidou

The Centre Pompidou is one of the most important modern art museums in the world and is housed in a building that is a work of art in itself.

The Musée national d’art moderne is located in the Centre Pompidou, a colourful avant-garde building that is an attraction in itself. The museum’s exhibition is dedicated to art 20. and 21st century and is located in 4. and 5th floor of the building.

Each floor is dedicated to one of two periods (modern and contemporary art). The museum owns more than 70,000 works, including paintings, sculptures, sculptures, video art, design, architecture and film art. This makes it the largest collection of modern art in the world.

17) Palais de Tokyo

Palais de Tokyo is one of the most important contemporary art museums in Paris and has no permanent exhibitions, so always check out what they’re showing. It was opened as early as 1937 as an exhibition pavilion for the world exhibition under the name Palais des Musées d’art moderne.

18) Fondation Louis Vuitton

Fondation Louis Vuitton is one of the newer museums and is housed in a beautiful modern building designed by architect Frank Gehry (and worth a visit for the amazing building alone). There you will find famous paintings by Alex Katz or Andy Warhol.

The best parks and gardens in Paris

When you’ve had enough of the sights and museums, you can head to the local parks and gardens. The Luxembourg Gardens are still one of my favourite gardens in the world. Let’s see where you can go for a romantic walk in nature.

19) Luxembourg Garden

In the middle of Paris you will find a beautiful palace from the 17th century. century, which is now the seat of the French Senate. Around the palace is a large garden with flower beds, statues, water tanks and the famous Medici fountain. It has become a popular resting place for both locals and tourists. It is open to the public free of charge.

20) Jardin des Tuileries

The Tuileries Garden is a French-style public park, formerly the chateau garden of the now demolished Chateau Tulieries. This art garden is a historical monument and you can admire mainly works of art.

In addition to the sculptures of famous artists in the garden itself, there are two galleries. The first of them is located in the former orangery (Musée de l’Orangerie) and is mainly devoted to the works of impressionists and post-impressionists (Matisse, Monet, Cézanne, Picasso and others). The second gallery (Galerie nationale du Jeu de Paume) is located in the former ballroom. Her collection includes works of modern art.

21) The Parc des Buttes-Chaumont

It is the third largest park in Paris, founded in the largest of the local quarries. The park was founded by Napoleon III. and it is important mainly for its plants and birds. Many species of rare trees grow here, e.g. plane tree planted in 1862. If you’re lucky, you may also see a kingfisher on the lake. The park also has a restaurant, a 30-metre cliff and a cave.

22) The Parc Monceau

The beautiful English park in Paris was founded in the 18th century. century and most of the buildings from that time are still in the park today. You will also find a rotunda as a remnant of the city walls. There are also statues of famous personalities, such as French writers and composers.

23) The Parc des Princes

Princes Park is actually a four-star football stadium. It has a seating capacity of 48,712 and is the home stadium of Paris Saint-Germain FC. The stadium has also had the honour of hosting World Cup matches on several occasions.

Shops and markets

Some tourists are more attracted to Parisian shopping than the parks and monuments. There are plenty of shopping malls and streets that attract all shopaholics.

24) Avenue des Champs-Élysées

The “Champs Elysees” is the most famous and expensive street in Paris, yet in 17. century, this place was covered with swamps. The street was founded in 1670 and today is one of the main centres of the city. It ends with a triumphal arch.

Here you will find luxury shops, cinemas, restaurants and cafes, as well as the Elysee Palace – the residence of the President. To celebrate the conquest of the Bastille, the street is annually 14. 6. the French Army’s military parade is taking place. There are also demonstrations and celebrations.

25) Le Marais

Located on the right bank of the Seine, this historic district is full of boutiques, art galleries, hipster cafés and design shops. Although originally a historic Jewish quarter, today it is full of galleries and gay bars. The Centre Pompidou, a modern art gallery, is also located in this district. You can also visit the Museé Victor Hugo (Victor Hugo Museum).

26) Galerie Lafayette

A paradise for all shopping lovers is this historical gallery, which dates back to the reign of Napoleon III. Six floors offer a total of 63 shops, each floor is also divided according to the goods offered by the shops.

You can shop for yourself and for your children, but you can also find party clothes or perfume for your pet. And if you’re not into expensive luxury brands, there’s a flea market on the bottom floor of the gallery.

27) Avenue des Ternes

The street is less than a kilometre long and is full of shops, cafes and restaurants.

27) The Avenue des Gobelins

Avenue des Gobelins is one of the most historically important streets in Paris, and it retains its charm to this day. It is named after the famous tapestry manufactory located at the end of this street. Tapestry is a type of embroidery that has become a symbol of French art and craftsmanship.

If you are an art and history enthusiast, you should not miss a visit to the Musée de la Tapisserie, located near Avenue des Gobelins. This museum will give you more insight into the history of tapestry production.

Do you know the difference between tapestry and tapestry? Every tapestry is a tapestry, but every tapestry is not a tapestry. The tapestry is a tapestry that was woven in the royal Parisian manufactories Les Gobelins, which were founded in. 1664 under the patronage of King Louis XIV. Only works created in these manufactories may be called “Tapestries”.

28) Rue de Rivoli

Rue de Rivoli is one of the most famous and busiest streets in Paris. This elegant avenue stretches along the right bank of the Seine River and offers not only beautiful views, but also a rich history and many interesting places to explore. On this street you will find, among others, many important buildings such as. The tower of Saint – Jacques, the Louvre or the house where Leo Tolstoy lived.

Entertainment and nightlife in Paris

Who hasn’t heard of Moulin Rouge the most famous cabaret in Paris? He is most famous for the 2001 film of the same name starring Nicole Kidman. But of course there is much more in Paris. You can go to the opera and the ballet or to a classic bar.

29) Opéra Garnier

The opera house was founded in 1875 and you can enjoy mainly opera and ballet here. The story of The Phantom of the Opera is also set here. This myth arose mainly from the fear of the mysterious underground labyrinths beneath the building and the mysterious sounds coming from these very places during the first performances.

30) Lido de Paris

The famous Grand Cabaret closed in 2022, but another theatre will soon open there instead. In the original cabaret you could enjoy the performances of dancers dressed in feathers and sequins, from now on there will be only theatrical performances in the original languages. Lido de Paris will be transformed into a Broadway-style venue.

31) The Crazy Horse

If you still prefer cabaret and would like to enjoy its atmosphere, The Crazy Horse is one such place. You can also have a meal before or after the show and if you want to enjoy the show, you need to book a seat on the official website.

32) Moulin Rogue

The most famous cabaret in Paris is located at the foot of Montmartre and was founded in 1889. The business was originally a dance hall, then operettas were performed here and even served as a cinema for a time.

Since the mid-20s. Guests can enjoy a performance during the century, during which there is the possibility to have dinner. Since 1964, an aquarium was placed on the stage, in which nude dancers presented their performances. The company was especially famous for the American film Moulin Rogue.

Modern neighbourhoods in Paris – where to find the locals

If you want to experience Paris the way the locals see it, head to one of Paris’s trendy neighbourhoods. The most famous is certainly La Défense, where the huge Grande Arche arch is located.

33) La Défense

Located on the western outskirts of Paris, it is one of the largest commercial and financial centres in Europe. It is famous for its skyscrapers, modern buildings and the huge Grande Arche arch.

34) Canal Saint-Martin

The Canal Saint-Martin district is very popular with young Parisians. It offers modern cafés, restaurants and shops along the picturesque Saint-Martin Canal.

35) Saint-Germain-des-Prés

This district is known for its fashion boutiques, luxury shops and art galleries. Located on the left bank of the Seine, it is considered the intellectual and artistic centre of the city.

36) Bercy Village

Bercy Village is a former warehouse district that has been transformed into a modern business and entertainment centre. There are shops, restaurants and cinemas.

Paris and children: what to do with children in Paris

If you’re going to Paris with younger children, you’ll probably want to avoid a full day at the Louvre and try to find a fun activity for them to look forward to.

Fortunately, there is a Disneyland in Paris and children and adults will be entertained by the aforementioned Museum of Magic. Don’t forget to buy tickets for sights and attractions in advance so you don’t have to wait in line with the kids. Like us, you can use the GetYourGuide portal.

37) Disneyland Paris

Children love Disneyland, Disneyland Paris was inaugurated in 1992 and receives around 10 million visitors every year. It is 35 kilometres from Paris and can be reached in about 35 minutes from Paris Central Station.

38) Parc des Buttes-Chaumont

Parc des Buttes-Chaumont is practically one big playground where you can escape the hustle and bustle of the city.

39) Les Catacombes

The original catacombs of Paris were built v 17. and the 18th century. They were used to reinforce underground quarries and to pave streets to prevent their collapse.

But then, when there were no burial places in the city, the bones of six million Parisians were brought here. These mysterious tunnels are located up to 20 metres underground and fascinate both locals and tourists, especially the younger ones.

Map with points of interest on your phone

Save a map of the best places in Paris right on your phone. After purchase, you will receive a link to a non-public Google Map, which you can save by clicking ”Follow/Follow”. This will copy it to your Google account and display it on all devices where you use Google Maps.

Paris for two: What to do romantic in Paris

If you’d like to do something particularly romantic, you can take a cruise on the Seine River with dinner.

Paris and surroundings: Where to go for a day trip

If you’re spending a week in Paris, take a day trip outside of Paris. You can visit one of the chateaux on the Loire or visit Versailles.

40) Château de Versailles

The castle is definitely worth a visit, especially its stunning gardens, as there are a huge number of tourists (really huge) inside. However, if you go outside the weekend and early, you can also enjoy the beautiful interiors, which are more or less empty, but still spectacular rooms. For those of you who arrive in Versailles in the summer and late, I recommend skipping the interior and concentrating on the gardens.

FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions