Paris
Paris
The Fodor's Five
The five things you need to know before traveling to Paris
Explore the city on foot (and don't be afraid of the Paris metro).
Paris is the most beautiful city in the world—it's also one of the smallest of the major cities and easily navigable on foot. There's no better way to take in Paris' countless wonders and legendary beauty than by doing as the Parisians do and strolling to your heart's content. But if you need to get somewhere fast, the Paris metro is clean, reliable, safe, fast, and easy to navigate.
Read More: Everything You Need to Know About Taking the Paris Metro
It's not just the Louvre. Don't skimp on the many museums in Paris.
Paris has more museums than any city in the world (somewhere between 140 and 297, depending on whom you ask) and the city's grand dames—the Louvre, Musée d'Orsay, Centre Pompidou—are just the beginning. Whatever your interest, whether it's history, art, photography, antiques, fashion, period interiors, you name it, Paris has it. A little homework beforehand will render amazing and unprecedented discoveries!
Read More: The 15 Best Museums in Paris
Indulge in the art of window-shopping (and make a few splurges).
As every fashionista knows, Paris is the place to snag a fabulous outfit, a dream handbag, or divine lingerie. But that legendary Parisian style extends far beyond bags and clothing. From alluring perfume to chic French housewares, there are treasures to be found for every taste and on any budget. Window-shopping is a world-class sport here, and even just looking is fun. So pack some comfy shoes and have a ball!
Read More: The 20 Best Places to Shop in Paris
Seek out the best views and vistas in Paris.
Nearly skyscraper-free, Paris boasts one of the most authentic and beautiful skylines in the world. Catching a sunset over the City of Light's legendary zinc rooftops or gazing upon its iconic monuments from afar is a pleasure not to be missed. The Eiffel Tower and Sacré Coeur are classics, but there are innumerable ways to take in the glory of Paris, whether from a rooftop restaurant, a museum terrace, a romantic bridge, or even from the city's iconic department stores.
Read More: Where to Find the Best Views in Paris
Be an adventurous eater.
A food city extraordinaire, this is not the time to skimp on dining out. Luckily that doesn't mean breaking the bank. Experiencing a Michelin-star restaurant is unparalleled, but there are countless great chefs doing great things and stellar dining can be had at all price points. Whether a quintessentially romantic evening, outstanding wine and food pairings, sublime coffee, pastry, artisanal ice cream, or chocolate, you can eat your way through Paris and still never get enough.
Read More: The 19 Best Restaurants in Paris
Recommended Fodor’s Video
Top Neighborhoods
- Smack in the heart of Paris, it's perfect to traverse on foot
- Stroll through the Jardins des Tuileries or dream in the beautiful Jardins des Palais Royal
- Ogle Monet’s most famous Water Lilies at L’Orangerie, a luminous gallery designed by the master himself
- The Bourse de Commerce–Pinault Collection mixes great architecture with top contemporary art
- Marvel at the splendor of the Hôtel de la Marine
- You can go to the Musée Jacquemart-André, a Belle Epoque mansion featuring world-class exhibitions
- Watch an opera or tour the Opéra Garnier
- The Musée Nissim de Camondo gives a glimpse into the prewar lives of aristocratic Parisians
- At the Musée National Gustave Moreau you’ll swear the artist just walked out of the room
- See glorious views from the rooftop of Galeries Lafayette
- You can Discover Left Bank café culture par excellence
- Impressionist art lovers do not walk, run to the Musée d’Orsay
- Paris’ shopping hub, you’ll find everything you could possibly want
- Feel the uplift of the Église Saint-Germain-des-Prés and Église Saint-Sulpice
- Stroll Paris’s grandest gardens: the Jardins de Luxembourg
- Enjoy eye-popping views of Paris from the Arc de Triomphe
- See the Pont d’Alexandre III, Paris’s most romantic bridge with stellar views of the Eiffel Tower
- The Grand Palais and Petit Palais host blockbuster exhibitions
- Shop at the posh designer boutiques
- The Musée Guiment shines among the world’s greatest bastions of Asian art in all its forms
- You can see the 17th-century palace, the Place des Vosges
- It's Paris’ most trend-setting neighborhood
- Medieval and Renaissance architecture mix with art galleries, cafés, and fashionable boutiques
- The Musée de la Chasse et de la Nature and the Musée Carnavalet are not to be missed
- It's Paris' oldest Jewish quarter and its historic LGBTQ+ neighborhood
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CDG, PAR, ORYNeighborhood Guides
Discover the best neighborhoods in Paris with curated recommendations from our editors.
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Neighborhood Guides
Discover the best neighborhoods in Paris with curated recommendations from our editors.
Local Weather
Neighborhood Guides
Discover the best neighborhoods in Paris with curated recommendations from our editors.
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