Visit Paris – A Short Guide

The French capital is one of the world’s most alluring travel destinations, probably because it satisfies our appetite for many of the things that motivate us to travel. It promises great architecture, beautiful people, quaint cafés, leafy parks, grand boulevards, upmarket restaurants, endless cultural pursuits and a gripping history. And while many cities would struggle under the weight of such heavy expectation, Paris rarely seems to disappoint the 45 million tourists that visit each year. It’s easy to see why proud Parisians believe they live in the greatest city in the world.

Flights to Paris

Flights from the UK to Paris take about 1 hour 10 minutes.

Most flights to Paris from the UK fly to Charles de Gaulle airport, the city’s largest, 14 miles northeast of the city – but many flights are also available to two other airports: Orly, which is only 9 miles south of the city, and therefore very convenient; and Beauvais-Tillé, which is about 60 miles north of Paris, and rather inconvenient – despite some low-cost airlines advertising it as ‘serving Paris’.

Some international airlines offering flights to France include Air France, KLM, Etihad and British Airways, often from London airports. In addition, budget airlines such as easyJet, Ryanair and Flybe offer budget flights from various regional UK airports such as Bristol, Manchester, Birmingham and Edinburgh.

Top sights

The iconic Eiffel Tower is a good place to start your exploration of the city, because from the top you enjoy a panoramic view of Paris which can help you to get your bearings and decide which sights you most want to visit. If you use the Métro system you can get around Paris very quickly and easily, but if you’re only there for a weekend’s sightseeing it’s better to focus on a few of the city’s 22 arrondissements (districts) rather than stretching yourself and packing in too much.

Look out for the Musée Carnavalet. the Hôtel de Sully, and Place des Vosges, where you will find the Maison de Victor Hugo. Explore the quaint district of Montmartre, an arty and bohemian area of art studios, stalls selling paintings, and street artists sketching portraits and funny caricatures. You can also enjoy some people-watching from one of the many cosy cafés, then trek uphill to visit the great Basilique du Sacré-Cœur.

Of course Paris is a city for lovers – associated with romance and passion – so what better place to shop for special gifts from France – perfumes, pottery and of course fashion.  The shops offer haute couture from leading designers along with stylish lingerie and accessories.

If modern art and architecture is more your thing, however, take the Metro to la Défense where you’re surrounded by imposing modern buildings. Take a ride in the lift at the Grande Arche de la Défense for an amazing view of the city.

Paris also has scores of museums to suit just about every taste – from internationally-renowned collections such as those at the Louvre, to bizarre exhibits such as those at the Musée des Arts Forains, which showcases some colourful fairground memorabilia.

No trip to Paris is complete without a trip on the River Seine, either, whether you choose a daytime trip or an evening dinner cruise. Other eating options include the lively Quartier Latin, a great place to eat and hang out, with a studenty atmosphere and plenty of fairly inexpensive bistros thanks to the various educational establishments in the area.