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Paris

  • Paris, Ile-de-France, France

Last updated: 22 September, 2024
Expert travel writer: Anna Brooke

Paris is, quite simply, one of the world’s great capital cities. It’s famed for its harmonious golden stone architecture, its majestic monuments, its world-class museums and art galleries, and its intellectual pedigree as the home of the Enlightenment. More than anything, though, Paris embodies a unique lifestyle.  

Glamorous and seductive, this is a dynamic, lived-in city whose inhabitants have perfected the French art de vivre – it’s a flaneur’s paradise, a place to enjoy strolling around the streets, window shopping, absorbing market banter, eating at bistros and people-watching on café terraces. 

 

Orientation

Paris is neatly contained within the peripherique (ring road), divided into 20 arrondissements that spiral out from the Louvre (1st). Each has its own distinct character, from the wealthy, traditional 7th, to the poorer, multicultural 19th.  

The city is also often divided into more nebulous villages, including the Right Bank areas of straight-laced Palais-Royal, gay-friendly Marais and villagey Montmartre, and the Left Bank areas of the intellectual Latin Quarter, literary St-Germain-des-Prés and aristocratic Faubourg St-Germain. 

Tours, tickets & transfers

18

Our selection of the best Viator tours of this destination, plus helpful tickets and transfers

  • Paris

This is one of most comprehensive walking tours of Paris - a must for first-time visitors to the city! You will hear about and possibly meet some the legends of one of Europe’s best-loved cities. Included in the tour, the incredible Eiffel Tower, a lively stroll through old Montmartre where Van Gogh and Picasso once lived, then upwards to the Sacre-Coeur for the best panoramic view of the City of Light. The show continues down with a view of the Champs élysées and the majestic Arc de Triomphe and not forgetting the Moulin Rouge we will experience a beautiful slice of French culture in the Latin Quarter where you can pick up a snack from a nearby street market filled with patisseries.

Price £55

Min age 2

Rating 4.85 / 5 [2194 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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  • Paris

Welcome to our small family business. We offer you an unforgettable cruise on the Seine. Your cruise is private. We have two types of boats. You can see both in the gallery. The standard boat is the cheapest and smallest boat on the Seine. If price is the most important thing for you - choose a small boat. If comfort is more important than price - choose a slightly more expensive but much more luxurious larger boat. Remember that a small boat does not have a table. Our small boat still accommodates a maximum of 5 passengers , but we also have new boats, larger, more luxurious, more stable and spacious, great audio system - ones that accommodate 8 passengers. If you want to choose a luxury boat, choose the option for 6 people or more, it does not matter if you are alone or there are actually 6 people, the cruise is private. View our boats in the gallery. Enjoy a tourist cruise and beautiful views of the Seine (Statue of Liberty, Eiffel Tower, Pont Alexandre 3, New Bridge, Notre Dame Cathedral, Paris Plage ...) Excellent as a surprise gift to celebrate a birthday or outing with friends. Admire the city of love and lights from the water on this Paris cruise. Embark down the Seine, one of the longest rivers in France, and take in Paris’ sights on the riverside, such as the iconic Eiffel Tower and Notre Dame. Hop on board the boat and get comfortable before taking off from Port Javel Haut ( in Paris city, face Statue of Liberty). Feel free to bring your own snacks and drinks on board to fully enjoy your trip. Pets are also welcome. First, you’ll cruise in front of the Statue of Liberty monument, followed by the Eiffel Tower, the Alexander III Bridge, the Orsay Museum, and the Louvre. The boat will pass under the historic Pont Neuf, Europe's oldest stone bridge and the first bridge in Paris. Just beyond it, you will have a unique view of Notre-Dame Cathedral and the Paris Plages, a famous artificial beach located along the Seine. After your scenic cruise around Paris, return to the Port of Javel Haut. Please download the "Google maps aplication" and open the link I am sending you in message. This is the correct location for our trip. Please use only my location. Dond forgot phone with service for google maps ( for finding mitting spot). On the spot, just go to the river bank and serch your small boat. Please don't be to late. Don't forget that it's a big city where there is a problem with taxis and there are big traffic. Please arrive 15 minutes early at the meeting point. In the case of a private cruise we wait latecomers maximum of 60 minutes (of course this shortens the cruise time). If you don't show up, there is no refund. Time this tour it 1,5h See you soon :)

Price €399

Min age 0

Rating 4.97 / 5 [1205 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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  • Paris

Imagine cruising effortlessly through the parks and sidewalks of Paris while receiving a great orientation, informative historical and current-day information, heaps of unique and fascinating stories, great photo opportunities and superb personal service from your guide. Well dream no more and book your Paris City Segway Tour today!

Price €59

Min age 12

Rating 4.82 / 5 [1160 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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  • Paris

Experience Paris charming back streets, local neighborhoods and amazing monuments as you cruise leisurely through the city of lights. Perfect for all ages and fitness levels, this bike tour is a fantastic orientation to Parisian culture and local secrets. Discover areas like the Marais, Bastille , Seine riversides, the Latin Quarter and secret passageways.

Price €45

Min age 0

Rating 4.84 / 5 [1119 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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  • Paris

See Paris like a Parisian on a tour by bicycle! Whether it's your first or fifth time in Paris, this bike tour is the perfect way to travel from sight to sight at a leisurely pace. Getting around Paris by bicycle is the ideal orientation if you're new to Paris, and return visitors will discover new facts and hear new stories about the city they love. Either way, you are sure to agree that riding a bike is the best way to see Paris.

Price €25

Min age 0

Rating 4.72 / 5 [978 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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Travel advice

When to go

The cultural season runs from September to June. In July and August, many Parisians go on holiday and the city slows down, so you may find many of the best restaurants and shops are closed. September sees a burst of energy with major exhibitions and fashion shows.  

Christmas has a lively buzz, with many places staying open during the festivities. May and June are ideal for making the most of the outdoor café terraces. 

Getting there and away

The main Paris Charles-de-Gaulle airport, 27km north of the city, is served by RER trains to central Paris, which take about 45 minutes (generally quicker than a taxi); there are also buses to Opéra and minibus hotel shuttle services.  

The smaller Paris Orly airport is easily reached by Orlybus from place Denfert-Rochereau, and taxis are a feasible option as it’s just 14km south of the city. Eurostar trains from London arrive at Gare du Nord. 

Getting around

Paris has an efficient, comprehensive public transport system of buses, metro and RER trains. Taxis are also reasonably priced, but can be hard to find. It’s also an excellent city to explore on foot as many of the major sights are within walking distance of each other. 

Vélib is a highly successful municipal bike hire scheme with docking stations all over the city. However, traffic can be scary despite a growing number of bike lanes. 

 

Where to stay

Try and stay in the centre if you can – you’ll be able to make the most of the city’s unique ambience and heritage, and walk to the major sights. St-Germain-des-Prés, the Latin Quarter, the Louvre and the Marais are all good central choices, combining historic character with ample shopping and eating opportunities.  

The Opéra and Champs-Elysées districts have plenty of hotels too, but are more business-oriented and therefore quieter at weekends. In the north of the city, villagey Montmartre is wonderfully picturesque but a long way from the major museums and galleries. 

Where to eat or drink

Unsurprisingly, many of the fanciest haute cuisine restaurants are near the Champs-Elysées. The new generation of neo-bistros, where many locals actually eat, are scattered all across town, although you’ll find hotspots in the 7th and 11th arrondissements.

Where to shop

Paris lives up to its reputation as the world’s fashion capital with a mind-boggling choice, from the legendary haute couture names on avenue Montaigne producing handcrafted clothes for the happy few, to one-off atelier boutiques, mass chains and rising young labels.  

Prime fashion districts include rue St-Honoré, the northern Marais and St-Germain-des-Prés, with a concentration of fabulous shoe shops on rue de Grenelle. If it’s antiques and designer furniture you’re after, head to Faubourg-St-Germain.