Paris is always a good idea.
Audrey Hepburn
This writer would bet good money that everyone in the United States (US) is ready for a European vacation. We're ready for sunshine and warmer temperatures, and we'd travel all throughout the US to collect our share of both. This time, however, maybe we could skip the beaches of Florida and the streets of Los Angeles. Setting our sights on Paris, we can discover:
- The best ways to make the trip to Paris
- The right Paris accommodation for your needs
- How to get around in Paris and beyond
- The top eateries to sample
- What to bring for the best travel experience
Traveling to Paris
With many international airports in the US, getting to Paris is a snap. You only need to choose your preferred airline and book your tickets.
Flights to Paris
With the summer travel season kicking into high gear, airlines are offering tantalizing incentives to fly to Paris. A quick check on Skyscanner's or Google Flight's website reveals that round-trip tickets start around $500 per person from Chicago.
The earlier you book your flights, the cheaper flights to Paris may be. Beware not to book more than four months in advance, though. Pricing is too unpredictable, that far out.
Your 2024 trip to Paris may face blocked streets and crowded public transportation as the Olympic Games are underway. Some Paris attractions may be closed, too.
Hotels in Paris City Center
Some travelers want to be in the thick of things; they prefer their Paris accommodation to be where all the action is. This gives them the chance to use all the essential French phrases they mastered ahead of their trip.
The trouble is, in a city like Paris, you'll find action everywhere. Of course, it also depends on what you mean by 'action'. Paris' City Center spans four districts - arrondissements. Within them, you'll find all the high-profile tourist sites.
Just north of that enclave, in the 8th Arrondissement, you'll find the Arc de Triomphe, the Champs Elyséee, and the Grand and Petit Palais. The Eiffel Tower lies across the Seine, in the 7th District. There, you'll also find many popular museums, such as the Musée d'Orsay and Musée du quai Branly.
The Hôtel de Ville houses City Hall, you can't rent any rooms there.
As vast and enticing as Paris is, choosing your Paris accommodation depends on what you plan to do while you're there. If you're of a shopping mindset, the 2nd Arrondissement is for you. There, you'll find many covered shopping arcades, as well as department stores and high-end shops.
Conversely, Arrondissements 3 and 4 are the best for capturing the Paris vibe. Narrow, winding cobbled streets lead you to a succession of quaint markets and cafés. Here, you're close to the former Temple fortress and the Picasso Museum. All of this shows that you must choose where to stay in Paris according to what you want to see and do:
| Landmark/Attraction | District |
|---|---|
| Eiffel Tower | 7th |
| Arc de Triomphe | 8th |
| Champs-Élysées | 8th |
| Sacré Coeur | 18th |
| Opera Garnier | 9th |
| Catacombs | 14th |
| Panthéon | 5th |
| Sainte-Chapelle | 1st |
| Louvre | 1st |
| Tuileries Gardens | 1st |
| Disneyland Paris | 12th |
Paris Accommodation Beyond City Center
Paris boasts an efficient public transit system, so you don't have to look for hotels in Paris' City Center. You can stay on the outskirts and plan your itinerary to the top sites by metro. Unless only the City Center will do, you will likely find yourself better served by choosing a Paris accommodation by other criteria.
Montmartre is a perennial favourite. It features the Moulin Rouge nightclub, which overlooks the alleys famous painters frequented before their renown. You will be within walking distance of the Basilica Sacré Cœur, Paris' highest point.
The Latin Quarter (Arrondissements 5 and 6) are on the Left Bank. Here, you'll find the Pantheon where famous writers roamed. Walk in Sartre's footsteps as you check out eclectic shops and designer boutiques.
Where to Stay in Paris with Kids
Hands down, if you're traveling with little ones, the 19th Arrondissement is your best choice. It boasts two large parks with lots for kids to do and discover. However, if you still prefer hotels in central Paris, aim for the 5th Arrondissement.
That district's Jardin de Plantes is only slightly less accommodating than 19th's parks. Besides, you can pick up some snacks from the nearby rue Mouffetard - Paris' oldest street. Bring those goodies to the park with you; your kids will love you for it.
Disneyland Paris is a popular attraction in France for travelers with children. If that's your destination, too, Arrondissement 12 is where to stay in Paris. It boasts a train link directly to the park, sparing you from battling traffic and paying parking fees. Even if the Magic Kingdom isn't on your itinerary, the nearby Vincennes Forest gives the kids ample room to run and play.
Packing Essentials
What you pack for Paris depends on many factors. We'll cover those in a moment; for now, let's talk about what every guide to traveling in France suggests visitors bring. Besides the bare necessities - personal products, electronics, and standard clothing, we strongly recommend sensible shoes. Paris cobblestones are hard to walk on without supportive, comfortable footwear.
You should also bring some sort of outerwear, even for summer travel. A rain poncho or umbrella will protect you from sudden gushes. A cardigan or hoodie will ensure you stay warm as you tour Paris' chillier spaces, such as the Catacombs. Beyond these recommendations, choose your suitcase fillers based on:
What you plan to do
- tour popular sites
- go shopping
- explore nature
The weather
- damp, chilly, cold
- hot, humid, sunny
Length of stay
- 1-3 days: a couple of outfits
- 5 to 8 days: min. 6 outfits
- up to two weeks: 12 outfits
Ask if your hotel has laundry facilities so you won't have to pack as much.
Where to Eat in Paris
This chapter is the most difficult to write, because it's hard to know where to begin. Paris is so jam-packed with tantalizing foods that recommending a mere handful of eateries simply won't do.
Take bistros, for instance. Such small, cozy restaurants present a limited, moderately-priced menu.
Top bistro picks include Recoin and the Bistrot Paul Bert (11th Arrondissement), and Bistrot des Tournelles (4th Arrondissement). Les Arlots serves a satisfying sausages and mash potatoes; Faubourg Diamant dishes up vegan delicacies (both in the 10th Arrondissement). This list expands your restaurant choices.
| Restaurant name | District | What you'll find | Price range |
|---|---|---|---|
| BigLove | 3rd | Vegetarian pizza, pasta and other Italian fare; desserts | mid-high |
| Chez Denise | 1st | Meat-based menu, served bistro style. | midrange |
| Rani Mahal | 2nd | Indian food; vegetarian and meat-based dishes | inexpensive |
| Creperie Beaubourg | 4th | Sweet, savory crepes and galettes | inexpensive |
| Le Petit Prince de Paris | 5th | French dishes, heavy on sauces | midrange |
| Le Timbre | 6th | A bit of everything, seasonal dishes | expensive |
| Au Pied de Fouet | 6th and 7th | Burgers, salads, sides, desserts | inexpensive |
| Ladurée | Multiple locations throughout the city | Cakes, macarons, brunch | expensive |
Stop by a bakery for breakfast croissants, and enjoy them while walking around the quiet morning streets!
Getting Around in Paris
As noted above, Paris boasts an excellent public transportation system. With a bit of study, you can master the metro map; learning the bus system isn't difficult, either. All the city's highlights are well-connected and marked on the transport systems' maps.
You might hail a taxi to reach a specific destination, or hire a car to drive on your own. However, driving in Paris can sometimes be challenging. Perhaps it's best to leave it to native Parisians.
Despite all the traffic and bustle, Paris ranks among the best places to visit in France. This timeless city has everything a traveler - or reveler could want. You'll find art and culture, fine foods and great wines. Paris is history at every turn, with liberal doses of modern mixed in.
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