Visiting Paris – Tips for Your City Break

Visiting Paris is the perfect way to spend a weekend or enjoy a short city break. This beautiful, historic city also makes a great starting point if you are planning to tour other areas of France.

I first visited Paris when I was 16 and was immediately smitten. Since then I have been lucky to make many return visits, most recently in January 2025, with another trip planned for April 2025. Paris is definitely looking its best since the 2024 Olympics, and people are much friendlier than they were in years gone by as well.

Visiting Paris – How to Get There

Eurostar

If you live in or are visiting the UK, the Eurostar train from St Pancras Station in London is definitely the easiest way to travel when visiting Paris as you can be in the city in under 3 hours. You clear French customs at St Pancras and your luggage is with you the whole time so you can just walk off the train at the Gare du Nord and be on your way.

As always, I recommend travelling the best class of travel you can afford as a comfortable journey can make for a much more relaxing trip. I recommend Eurostar’s Business Premier class. Although there is no pre-boarding, the seats are more comfortable and food and beverages are included in the price of your ticket. It is a great way to get your trip off to a good start.

Getting From The Gare du Nord To Your Accommodation

If you are travelling with very little luggage, you may want to use the métro (subway) to get to your destination. You will need to download the free Navigo App to buy tickets.

If you prefer to use a taxi, it is a good idea to pre-book one either through your hotel or with a recommended taxi firm. There is a supervised taxi rank outside of the Gare du Nord, however you may have to queue for some time. Never accept a ride from the touts who are in and around the station, offering a taxi without the wait. You could lose a lot of money or worse.

Flying

Travelling by air is my second choice, but on the whole it takes longer. Not only that, but you have to clear customs on arrival in Paris and there are often long queues. (A friendly warning, when we travelled by air in June 2023, the restrooms at Charles de Gaulle airport were after customs and the queue was very long!) If you have checked baggage you need to wait for it, and then there is the journey into the city itself. This takes about an hour or longer by car or bus depending on traffic. You can also take the RER (train) which takes about 40 minutes.

Ferry

I would only recommend taking the ferry from Dover to Calais if you were planning to tour more of France by car after visiting Paris. Otherwise it can be challenging and expensive. First you have to get to Dover, and then while the ferry itself takes under two hours, there is still the onward journey from Calais to Paris. Driving from Calais to Paris takes about three and a half hours.

Please be aware that there are now restrictions on the types of cars that are allowed in Paris depending on the emissions they produce. You are likely to need a Crit’Air Anti-Pollution Vehicle Sticker and parking in Paris can be hard to find as well as costly.

For foot passengers, the train from Calais to Paris can take even longer than the actual Eurostar journey, meaning you have a minimum journey of five hours, even if you are already in Dover before you begin your journey.

Where to Stay when Visiting Paris

These are the unbiased recommendations that I give to my friends for hotels where my husband and I have stayed at our own expense. It is regularly updated as we try new hotels and revisit old favourites.

Intercontinental Paris Le Grand

Located opposite The Opéra in Paris, this elegant hotel has a long and interesting history. We were given a warm welcome when we stayed here in May of 2023. Our suite overlooking the Opéra was beautiful, comfortable and really well laid out. We even had a little balcony. You can occasionally feel the vibrations of the métro, which is located directly under the hotel, but after a little while you hardly notice. The area around the Opéra is relatively crowd-free and fairly quiet at night which meant we slept really well.

Hotel du Collectionneur, 51 – 57 Rue de Courcelles

The Hotel du Collectionneur is located close to the Arc du Triomphe at the top of the Champs Elysées. We first stayed here in 2016 and stayed for the third time in January 2025. We have stayed in their Deluxe King rooms as well as twice in our favourite rooms so far – the Prestige vue Eiffel suites with a large balcony and a view over the rooftops to the Eiffel Tower. We have booked to stay there again in April 2025.

It is a very busy hotel, but the public areas are large and beautifully decorated. The bar is friendly and convivial. The only disappointing thing is the breakfast. The hotel is very big, but the layout of the breakfast buffet means it is very chaotic and depending on the guests, things can even get a bit pushy. On one occasion the bread and baked goods were dry.

I would recommend popping round the corner to L’Élysée Saint Honoré for breakfast or getting a taxi outside the hotel and heading over to the historic literary café Les Deux Magot in Saint-Germain-des-Prés, one of my favourite places for breakfast in Paris. You may have to queue but it is worth it for their delicious café au lait, freshly squeezed orange juice, croissants and tartine (small baguettes, split in half that you spread with butter and jam). And if you like hot chocolate, you are in for a real treat! NB. Please note Les Deux Magot is closed for renovations until March 10, 2025.

The Intercontinental Champs Elysées – Etoile

This pretty boutique hotel is ideally located just a stone’s throw from the Champs Elysées in one direction and the Pont d’Alma in the other. In the past I recommended it as a great hotel to stay in if you plan to explore Paris on foot. The staff were very friendly and in the past we have lovely stays in our favourite suite here.

However, on a recent visit, instead of the suite we thought we had booked, we were given a lesser one right over the restaurant. It appeared to us, in our experience, to be more the standard of an Executive or Deluxe room. The hotel was fully booked so we were given free breakfast and addition IHG loyalty points to try and make up for our disappointment. However the vibe of the hotel has changed, and things got very noisy in the early hours of the morning, so despite having prepaid, we moved to another hotel for the second night.

The hotel is clean and conveniently located, and most of the staff are very friendly and helpful, so you may well want to give The Intercontinental Champs-Elysées a try. Sadly our disappointment means we are unlikely to stay there again.

Getting Around Paris

I really do not recommend driving in Paris. It is nerve-wracking at best, and even more challenging now due to the emission restrictions affecting what cars are allowed in the capital. There are plenty of taxis, but the traffic is almost always heavy, so I recommend walking or taking the métro (subway) when possible.

Places to Visit

There are so many interesting things to do and see in Paris. These are just a few of my favourites. I will continue to keep this post updated as I discover new ones.

Visiting Paris – Historic Sites

Eiffel Tower

There is a new layout and fencing as you approach the Eiffel Tower. Perhaps due to this, the crowds were much bigger this time than I have ever encountered. Luckily we had not planned to actually go up the tower as we have done it so many times before. If you do plan to visit, I would recommend planning to go in the early morning and pre-booking your tickets.

Arc du Triomphe

Located at the Western end of the Champs Elysées, a climb to the top of this historic monument will reward you with an incredible view over Paris. The climb is fairly gentle, split across several staircases with floors you can wander around on the way up. So you can climb to the first floor, have a little look around, then climb to the second, etc. Walking around under the Arc is also very interesting, and it’s hard not to be moved by the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

The Palais Garnier – L’Opéra de Paris

I have visited before but was never able to go beyond the great staircase. On our most recent visit, we were able to tour the whole building, including the theatre itself where you can see the famous ceiling painted by Chagall. The opulence in this incredibly historic building is almost overwhelming. It’s definitely a must-see, and a bargain at 14 Euro each (at time of writing).

Church of The Madeleine

This beautiful example of Neo-Classic architecture is reminiscent of a temple. When you walk through the grand doors, the interior seems lit from within. Soaring ceilings, huge Corinthian columns and gorgeous artwork make this a must-see. The church has a lovely, welcoming feel to it as well if you fancy sitting down and staying a little while.

Visiting Paris – Museums

The Louvre

Perhaps the most famous of Paris’ museums, this former palace houses both the Venus de Milo and the Mona Lisa. The Louvre is a former palace and just walking around outside is impressive, before you even begin to peruse the thousands of important historic items, sculptures and works of art contained inside. The Louvre is almost always busy and queues from early in the day, so again, I recommend getting there early in the day.

Le Musée d’Orsay

Built in a former train station, this museum is beautiful from an architectural perspective in its own right, before you even begin to look at the collection it contains. From art, architecture and the decorative form to sculpture and photography, there really is something for everyone here. They also have an impressive collection of Impressionist art. It is definitely worth a visit but be sure to check the website and buy your tickets in advance for the best experience.

Le Musée Marmottan Monet

We stumbled on beautiful museum on a walk in Paris a few years ago and visited again in June of this year. They have an unrivalled collection of works by Monet, Berthe Morisot, Renoir, Sisley, Pissarro and more. The collection is housed in a former home, giving the unique experience of viewing some of the paintings as if they were simply being used for decoration.

Petite Palais

This lovely museum (above) includes lots of wonderful paintings, art exhibits and history. The building is absolutely gorgeous and there is a beautiful courtyard. It is a lovely place to while away a couple of hours.

Notre-Dame de Paris

The Notre Dame is still under restoration post the 2019 fire, but it is now open for visitors. There are long queues so it is best to make a reservation in advance. We were unable to get tickets on our most recent visit to Paris and did not have time to queue, so do visit the official Notre Dame website before you travel for up to date information and to hopefully book tickets.

La Galerie Dior

If you love fashion and its history, or are a fan of the Apple TV series The New Look, you may enjoy a visit to La Galerie Dior at 11 rue François 1re in the 8th arrondissement. In addition to the beautiful clothes and accessories on display you can also visit Christian Dior’s office and look down through a glass floor into the workrooms from years gone by. Our visit was enhanced by a private tour arranged by my consultant who helps me at Dior in London, but I would definitely return on my own. The exhibit is apparently updated regularly. Be sure to book in advance or you will have to stand in long queues. If you would like a sneak peek at La Galerie Dior, check out my Instagram reel from our visit to Paris.

Visiting Paris – Shopping

There some wonderful places to shop in Paris, including the lovely little avenue in the 8th arrondissement pictured above.

Galleries Lafayette

Even if you are not interested in shopping, it is worth visiting Galleries Lafayette just for its beautiful Art Nouveau architecture. This huge department store is composed of three buildings and sells just about everything you can possibly think of buying from high end designer fashion and homewares to souvenirs. There is also gourmet department – a sort of very high end food hall – where you can buy everything from snacks to a weekly shop. Enjoy a meal or snack at one of their many cafés and restaurants in the Galleries Lafayette and visit the 8th floor for an amazing view from The Terrace.

Printemps

Another large department store close to the Galleries Lafayette, however Printemps tends to be a bit less busy. They have a broader selection of brands at more price points than Galleries Lafayette and it is a great place for picking up souvenirs that are not tacky or touristy.

Avenue Montaigne

This is one of the most prestigious avenues in Paris featuring high-end shopping at its best. Flagship stores for brands like Dior, Chanel, Louis Vuitton and more vie for the attention of well-heeled shoppers. Whether you are window shopping or in the market for something very special, the Avenue Montaigne is a great place to visit. It is also the home of the Plaza Athénée, one of Paris’ most famous hotels.

The Champs Elysées

The Champs Elysée is home to the flagship stores of many luxury brands as well as some lovely independent shops. It is best to visit early in the day as it can get very crowded.

Lupicia Tea House

If you love tea, this is the place for you! Lupicia is the largest tea house in Japan, but they also stores in the US and Australia. Their only flagship store in Europe s located at 40 Rue Bonapart in the 6th arrondissement. There’s a lovely tea room at the back of the shop where you can enjoy tea and pastries, but you can also just come here to browse or buy from their selection of over 100 teas and tea accessories. The staff are incredibly friendly and helpful, and we always come away with some lovely loose leaf teas in pretty tins to enjoy at home.

Shakespeare and Company

This historic English-language bookstore on the Left Bank is a must-see for any book lover. The store is housed in a 17th century monastery and is a labyrinth of charming, book-lined rooms, each brimming with literary treasures and cosy reading nooks. Founded as Le Mistral in 1951 by the late George Whitman, the store was renamed Shakespeare and Company in 1964 to mark the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare’s birth. This was also in tribute to the legendary bookstore of the same name owned by the renowned bookseller and publisher, Sylvia Beach, from 1919 to 1941. George’s daughter, Sylvia—named after Beach herself—continues to run the store today.

Visiting Paris – Recommended Restaurants

Food is a huge part of any visit to Paris, but there are so many wonderful places to eat it can be daunting knowing where to go. Click here for a list of My Favourite Paris Restaurants.

Top Tips For Visiting Paris

Wear comfortable shoes. With so much to discover, Paris is a wonderful city to explore on foot, however cobbled streets can make walking in heels a challenge.

The weather can be capricious, so I recommend layering so you are comfortable. Take a light rain coat even in warm weather and do not forget your umbrella. It can get extremely cold in the winter months – temperatures often drop below 0°C – so if you are visiting then be sure to pack layers, a warm winter coat, boots, gloves and a hat.

The French take good manners very seriously. When you enter a place of business, staff will greet you with a polite “Bonjour, madam/mademoiselle or monsieur”. It is customary to return the greeting, or even initiate it. If you are going up to a counter to purchase something, greet the staff member before placing your order. Omitting this step is considered extremely rude. Always say please (s’il vous plaît) and thank you (merci).

If you try to speak French and the person you are speaking to responds in English, do not be embarrassed. They are only trying to make you feel more comfortable. If you want to practice your French, just explain and most people will happily carry on in French.

Technically you are supposed to carry your identification documents with you, but a driving license will suffice. Ideally your hotel room will have a safe in it so you can leave your passport there. Do not carry your passport with you unless it is absolutely necessary. Be sure to have a photocopy of your passport and driver’s license (if you have one) in your luggage to keep at your hotel or other accommodation in case the originals are lost or stolen.

Be careful with your possessions. Carry the smallest handbag you can, preferably a cross-body bag that you can hold on to easily. Stay alert and try not to allow yourself to be distracted in crowded places. Pickpockets are very creative. Avoid the touts selling in the streets around tourist attractions. If someone approaches and requests you to participate in a ‘survey’, simply walk away. Sometimes people are impersonating surveyors and have a colleague who will pick your pocket while they distract you with questions. Watch out for thieves on bicycles and motorbikes who will try to steal your mobile phone while you are holding it unlocked. (This is happening more often in London as well.)

Do not purchase fake designer goods or bring them with you. Buying or possessing counterfeit goods in France is punishable by stiff fines and even time in prison. Be sure any designer goods you wear or carry are completely authentic, and keep the documentation to prove it with you.

All this may sound a bit complicated or even intimidating, but on the whole Paris is a safe and friendly city if you follow a few precautions, keep your wits about you and do not allow yourself to be distracted. I hope you enjoy this beautiful city as much as we do on our visits there!

Disclaimer: This post contains my honest opinions and the advice I give to friends. None of our experiences were gifted and we paid all our own expenses. Information is correct to the best of my knowledge at the time of writing and I accept no responsibility for, nor can I be held liable for, your experience of any of these venues. Always book your accommodation before arriving in Paris for best prices and availability. Most of the restaurants mentioned will need to be booked in advance. To avoid disappointment, be sure to visit restaurant and venue websites for opening times, their full terms and conditions, and to check prices, availability and payment terms.