A Complete Paris, France Travel Guide (2025)
Paris is one of those places that people have a desire to visit from a young age. It's the kind of place that when you ask someone, "If you could visit anywhere in the world where you would go?" Paris would be the answer. The culture, architecture, laugange, food, and history entice travelers from all over the world.
In this Paris, France travel guide we will go over the very best things to do, hotels, restaurants, cafes, and need to knows on any Paris trip. Read on to discover the best of Paris, France!
Best Paris Hotels & Neighborhoods
Paris is huge so picking a hotel & neighborhood can be a bit stressful. Our favorite neighborhoods in Paris include Le Marais (3rd & 4th), Saint-Germain-des-Prés (6th), and the 7th arrondissement. Each of these neighborhoods has there own vibe...
Le Marais (3rd & 4th) - Perfect if you are looking for classic Parisian charm! In Le Marais you will find stunning architecture, cute boutiques, and tons of galleries. Our favorite Le Marais Hotel is La Chambre du Marais.
Saint-Germain-des-Prés (6th) - Saint-Germain-des-Prés is great for travelers in search of book shops, cafes, and who want to be close to all the main attractions, but not too close. Our favorite Saint-Germain-des-Prés hotel is Hotel La Villa Saint Germain Des Prés.
7th arrondissement - The 7th arrondissement is perfect for first time visitors as it is home to all of Paris' main attractions. it is a bit pricey though. Our favorite hotel in the 7th arrondissement is Le Narcisse Blanc.
🛎️Best Luxury Hotel In Paris - Hôtel Plaza Athénée
🛎️Best Middle Range Hotel In Paris - Hotel La Villa Saint Germain Des Prés
🛎️Best Budget Hotel In Paris - The Originals Boutique
Best Things To Do In Paris
Relax At The Cafes
Okay, as someone who is obsessed with all things coffee, Paris is the absolute best place to go cafe hopping. From the iconic Angelina cafe to much more underground, but equally as good spots like Boot Cafe. Paris is one of the best cities in the world for coffee and pastry lovers!
Our all time favorite cafes in Paris Include Ten Belles, La REcyclerie, and Café de Flore. For more on Paris cafes read our guide all about our favorites here.
Visit The World Renowned Museums
Paris is full of incredible Museums, this is no secret. On a short trip it can be hard to narrow down which ones to visit. Our non-negotiable museums in Paris include The Louvre, Musée d’Orsay, and Musée Rodin.
I won't go over everything to do with these museums, just because there is already so much information on this already, but here are a few need to knows. The. Mona Lisa is housed in The Louvre. The Musée d'Orsay is an art museum. The Musée Rodin is full of sculptures.
See The Eiffel Tower
I really don't need to put this one on here because seeing the Eiffel Tower is one of the first things anyone does when visiting Paris. The iconic landmark sits in the heart of Paris in the 7th arrondissement. It sparkles at night and you can go to the top during the day, The Eiffel Tower is truly a must visit while in Paris!
🇫🇷Eiffel Tower Guided Access up to the 2nd Floor or Summit by Lift
Stop By The Arc de Triomphe
Located just a few steps from the Eiffel Tower is the Arc de Triomphe. The Arc de Triomphe was built in the early 1800s and was built to honor the French Army. This stunning 164 foot arc is a must visit in Paris and only takes a couple of minutes to visit.
Shop On Champs-Élysées
Champs-Élysées is a captivating street in Paris full of shopping, cafes, and restaurants. This street is perfect for visitor looking to experience the iconic Paris shopping scene. It was also named the world's most beautiful avenue!
Marvel At The Notre-Dame Cathedral
I feel like every major European city has a captivating cathedral. And in Paris that is the Notre-Dame Cathedral. Built in the 1100s, The Notre-Dame Cathedral is home to gargoyles and flying buttresses alike.
🕯️Paris Notre Dame Cathedral & lle de la Cite Walking Tour
See The Panthéon
Located in the 5th arrondissement, The Panthéon was originally a church but was later turned into a crypt of sorts, housing bodies of prominent French citizens. Today the Penthéon is open to visit and costs about 13 euros (subject to change).
Explore The Latin Quarter
The Latin Quarter is one of the oldest parts of Paris. This charming area in the 5th & 6th arrondissement is a photographers dream. With mom and pop shops, cool bakeries, eclectic book shops, charming streets, and historic buildings, you could seriously spend days exploring Paris' Latin Quarter.
📸Latin Quarter Highlights Walking Tour
Take a Day Trip To Versailles Palace & Gardens
Located about an hour outside of Paris is the incredible Versailles Palace & Gardens. Once home to the French Royal Family, The Palace of Versailles boast luxury and glamor. You will not believe how the Royal Family lived - golden decor, beautifully manicured gardens, captivating halls, historic treasures. The best way to get to Versailles is by doing a tour.
💎Versailles Palace Skip the Line Guided Tour with Gardens Access
Best Restaurants In Paris
🍴Fine Dining - Epicure
🍴Middle Range - Bistrot Paul Bert
🍴Budget Friendly - Bouillon Pigalle
When To Visit Paris
Paris is a year round destination! The winter offers cool holiday markets and more affordable prices. The spring is great because you will have warm weather and get to see all of the beautiful flowers. The summer is hot and crowded, but still an okay time to visit. The fall is cozy and the leaves change colors!
Getting To/Around Paris
Similarly to London airports, Paris airports are a pain! There are three main airports in Paris - Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG), Paris-Orly Airport (ORY), and Paris-Beauvais Airport (BVA). The most popular is Charles de Gaulle.
Getting to Paris from Charles de Gaulle Airport - shuttle busses or RER trains (1.5 hrs)
Getting To Paris From Paris-Orly Airport - Taking the OrlyBus or the RER B train (via OrlyVal) (45 mins)
Getting To Paris From Paris-Beauvais Airport - Shuttle Bus (1.5 hr)
Overall, Paris is super walkable! But, it is huge so you will probably need to take the train at some point. The best ways to get around Paris is Paris Metro, RER (regional express train), and buses.
Paris, France Travel Guide Wrap Up
Paris is truly an amazing city full of so much history, delectable food, and cool things to do. We hope that this guide to Paris, France helps you plan the perfect trip! If you liked this post be sure to check out our guide to Barcelona or Florence, Italy.
Happy Travels,
Daisy
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