Paris, France
Paris, the city of lights, has long captivated the hearts of patriots, poets, and painters.
Standing tall and proud in the city centre is the Eiffel Tower, one of Paris's most prominent landmarks. The tower offers three levels of observation decks: the first floor, the second floor, and the top floor.
Waiting in line to get to the Eiffel Tower can be a time-consuming activity, sometimes taking up to 2-4 hours. Therefore, it's best to purchase reserved entry tickets in advance or book a guided tour that includes skip-the-line tickets. If you want access to the third-floor summit, make sure your ticket includes access to it. It's essential to plan ahead as tickets can sell out months in advance.
Make your way to Île de la Cité, home to the Cathedral of Notre Dame, one of the most famous Catholic churches in the world.
A short walk away is the Sainte Chapelle, another stunning cathedral for it’s stained glass.
Take a stroll along one of the most iconic streets in the world - the Champs-Elysees, which extends from the Place de la Concorde to the Arc de Triomphe. Climb to the top of the Arc for great views of Paris.
The Louvre is an enormous museum, and one could easily spend several days exploring its vast collection. However, you can still see its most famous works, such as the Mona Lisa, Venus de Milo, and the Winged Victory, in just an hour or two. Keep in mind that this museum can have extremely long lines as well, so it's recommended to purchase tickets in advance.
The Musée d'Orsay is one of Europe's largest museums and has impressive collection’s by Monet, Renoir, Cézanne and Van Gogh, making it a must see for art enthusiasts. It is recommended to purchase tickets in advance.
Visit the impressionist art gallery Musée de l’Orangerie , best known for having the “Water Lilies” murals by Monet and other masterpieces of Renoir and Picasso. Tickets required.
Located on the left bank of the River Seine, Jardin du Luxembourg (Luxembourg Park) offers the perfect setting for a leisurely walk or picnic. While you're there, don't miss the chance to visit the magnificent Palais du Luxembourg (Luxembourg Palace), situated right inside the park.
With a collection of over 5,000 masterpieces and tens of thousands of archival pieces, the Picasso Museum provides an in depth look into the creative process of Pablo Picasso.
The Montmartre neighborhood is a lovely place to walk along hilly streets, get a portrait drawn at Place du Tertre, and enjoy a drink at one of the many street cafes.
Walk along the charming area of Saint-Germain-des-Prés or take a relaxing Seine River cruise.
Cruises are available throughout the day, but during a twilight cruise, the city lights up around you.
Explore the catacomb tunnels, lined with human bones, that run beneath the streets of Paris. Since only around 200 people are allowed in the Catacombs at a time, the waiting times can be up to three hours long. You can skip the long lines by purchasing advanced tickets or booking a guided tour. Please note that this tour may not be suitable for small children or those sensitive to dark and confined spaces.
Although it may seem like a bizarre way to spend your day, the Pere Lachaise Cemetery is known as one of the most popular cemeteries in the world. Take a walk around the tombstones and mausoleums, and you'll be amazed at what you discover.
Palais Garnier, is one of the most known opera houses in the world. You can take a tour of the interior or catch a performance during your visit.
Explore the Latin Quarter, which is lined with bistros, bars, shops, and the most famous educational institution in France, the Sorbonne, or the University of Paris.
See the Pantheon, Boulevard Saint-Michel, and Rue Mouffetard street.
Just outside of Paris, visit the UNESCO World Heritage listed Palace of Versailles. Dating back to 1038, the Palace of Versailles was once the official residence of the Kings of France.
While there is so much to do and see in Paris, did you know that in just a few hours you could be in another incredible French location?
Here are a few ideas.....
Giverny
Spend a day in Giverny, around 1.5 hours from Paris, and the home of Claude Monet. Inspired by the beautiful, peaceful, and colourful countryside of Giverny, Claude Monet settled here in 1883 and stayed for the rest of his life. Enjoy the wonderful flower gardens and the famous Japanese bridge before taking the time to visit Monet's home and former studio.
The house and gardens are open to the public for tours. We recommend buying your tickets online to avoid lines at the house, as this is a very popular attraction. The village is also surrounded by breathtaking hills that give you panoramic views of Giverny - if you feel like a hike!
Amboise
Depart by train from Paris to St Pierre des Corps. The approximate travel time is 1 hour. Transfer to the serene town of Amboise, around 30 minutes from the train station.
Amboise is where Leonardo da Vinci spent his final years. The town is full of narrow streets with historic timbered houses, and is located along the Loire River.
Visit the impressive Chateaux of the Loire Valley.
Highlights Include:
Chateau de Blois
Chateau de Cheverny
Chateau de Chambord
Chateau de Chenonceau
Reims
Discover the captivating city of Reims, around 1 hour and 30 minutes from Paris, and located right in the heart of the Champagne region.
Highlights include:
Notre Dame Cathedral
Palais de Tau
Bollinger
Gosset
Deutz
Ay
Hautvillers
Bouzy
Le Mesnil
Epernay
Perrier-Jouet
Mercier
Moet et Chandon
Located just 60 miles outside of Paris, Chartres is the perfect day trip location from the big city and an even better location to spend a couple of nights. Famous for its stunning 13th century cathedral with its blue stained glass-windows and other well-known Christian relics, Chartres has a sense of the old Gothic era, as well as a Roman architectural influence. Explore the laid-back streets full of history in this beautiful old town and take a romantic stroll across the footbridges of the Eure River before enjoying local French cuisine in some of the town's local restaurants.
A two hour car-ride southwest of Paris leads into the rolling hills of France's Burgundy region. Known for its Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, the vineyards here yield some of the country's finest wines. Burgundy has five territories, and Route des Grands Crus (road of great wines) takes you through Côte de Beaune and Côte de Nuits.
Rouen
The medieval city of Rouen is a masterpiece. With a tumultuous history, the city was once the capital of Normandy lined with half-timber houses, some of which still stand today. The city is also known as the place where Joan of Arc was burned alive - the spot that is today a historic landmark in the city in front of the modern L’église Sainte-Jeanne-d’Arc. The impressive cathedral is also worth a visit, the Gothic structure features the tallest spire in France and some exceptional architectural details that should not be missed.
Bayeux
The infamous D-Day landings in 1944 are still remembered in the region's cemeteries, battlefields and memorials, and the small historic town of Bayeux is one of the closest towns to the landing beaches. Overlooked by its impressive Romanesque cathedral, with Gothic flairs, the town and its landmark somehow survived the war. The most well-known sight in the cathedral, and the town, is the Bayeux Tapestry, which was commissioned back in 1077 and tells the story of William the Conqueror's invasion of England.
Mont St-Michel
There is so much fascination with the precarious abbey of Mont St-Michel. Located on a tiny ancient island that is well over a thousand years old, the Gothic abbey at the very top of the island is the attraction that fascinates people the most, and it's easy to see why. Climb to the top to avoid the crowded streets at the bottom of the island, and to get the best views of the region.
Approximate travel time by train:
Paris - Avignon: 2.5 hrs.
Paris - London: 2.5 hrs.
Paris - Strasbourg: 2 hrs.
Paris - Dijon: 1.5 hrs.
Paris - Bordeaux: 2 hrs.
