Paris, France
Bonjour Paris!
Paris is the capital city of France and it is all about being sexy, love, and a city of romance for what most people have claimed to be. There are loads of historical buildings, churches, and shopping places you may visit. If you don’t already know, Paris may top the list for being the most visited city in Europe, or probably the world?
I find Paris to be really packed and busy at times, almost similar to London in the United Kingdom. Depending on your pace, I would suggest a 4 – 6 days of visit may be sufficient as you may or may not include a day trip to Disneyland too.
However, take extra precaution if you are visiting Paris due to pickpockets and scammers. Keep your valuables at a safe zone, and don’t keep all of them in one place!
PLACES TO VISIT AND THINGS TO DO IN PARIS
Eiffel Tower
From day to night and sunsets, I have witnessed the beautiful and the most iconic building here in Paris, that is the Eiffel Tower. There are many platforms where you will be able to snap good pictures of the Eiffel Tower, either from the Champ de Mars, Seine River, or even from the Place de la Concorde.
If you are entering the Eiffel Tower, you may choose to visit the first floor, second floor, or the top of the Eiffel Tower. By doing so, you may take the lifts up to the second floor for EUR11 per adult; or otherwise you could take the stairs (with 669 steps) to the second floor for EUR7 per adult instead. You may also take the lift entrance to the top for EUR17 per adult.
You may visit Eiffel Tower – Website for more information on its opening hours (different season varies) and its admission rates.
Nearest Metro / RER station: Champ de Mars-Tour Eiffel; or Bir-Hakeim
Arc de Triomphe
The Arc de Triomphe is one of the most famous monuments in Paris, overlooking the Champs-Élysées. To get to the middle, you may access via underground stairway while you shouldn’t cross the road just like that as the roundabout was said to have the most frequent car accidents in Paris.
Nearest Metro / RER station: Charles de Gaulle Etoile
Champs-Élysées
Champs-Élysées is a long way down the road, about 1.9 kilometers filled with luxury and non-luxury brands, and tourists of course. Many would visit these places to buy branded luxury goods as it is cheaper due to its origin, and was able to claim VAT.
For guys out there, hold on to your credit cards!
Nearest Metro / RER station: Charles de Gaulle Etoile; or George V; or Franklin D. Roosevelt depending by which direction you are heading to.
Pont Alexandre III Bridge & Les Invalides
Pont Alexandre III Bridge
Les Invalides
You will see the Pont Alexandre III bridge that leads you to the Les Invalides, a complex of buildings containing museums and historical monuments.
You may visit Les Invalides – Website for more information.
Nearest Metro / RER station: Invalides; or Varenne; or La Tour Maubourg depending by which direction you are heading to.
Luxor Obelisk @ Place de la Concorde
This is an Egyptian obelisk that is over 3,000 years old and was originally situated at the entrance of the Luxor Temple, in Egypt. Why it ended up here?
The obelisk was said to be gifted by the Ruler of the Egypt and have arrived in year 1833, while the twin of the obelisk still remains at Luxor Temple, Egypt.
Nearest Metro / RER station: Concorde
Tuileries Garden (Jardin des Tuileries)
Once you come to the end of Champs-Élysées, you will come by the Tuileries Garden located in between the Place de la Concorde and the Louvre Museum.
When the weather is not too cold, its actually a good spot to hangout by the trees and pond. How about a bottle of beer?
Nearest Metro / RER station: Tuileries; or Concorde
Arc de Triomphe du Carrousel
This is another Arc you can find in Paris, located in the Palace du Carrousel. It was built in the 1800’s to commemorate the Napoleon’s military victories.
Nearest Metro / RER station: Palais Royal Musée du Louvre
The Louvre Museum / Louvre Palace / Perrault’s Colonnade
The Louvre Museum is the world’s largest museum and has been a historical monument in Paris, housing the famous Mona Lisa painting. The Mona Lisa panting was an art done by Leonardo da Vinci back in year 1503. Next to the Museum is the Louvre Palace, now a royal palace.
You may visit The Louvre Museum – Website for more information on guided tours and opening hours.
Next to the Palace, you will also find the Perrault’s Colonnade.
Nearest Metro / RER station: Palais Royal Musée du Louvre; or Louvre – Rivoli
Surrounding Quai des Tuileries
Not too far away from the Louvre Museum/Palace, you may walk along Quai des Tuileries near to Pont des Arts bridge. There are things to buy from vendors surrounding that area too.
Nearest Metro / RER station: Palais Royal Musée du Louvre; or Louvre – Rivoli
Luxembourg Palace
Luxembourg Palace is a huge palace located by the Luxembourg Gardens, that was previously used as a royal residence. You may take a stroll along the gardens to set-up a picnic if you would like!
Nearest Metro / RER station: Luxembourg
Panthéon
The Panthéon looks almost similar but not as popular to the one in Rome, Italy. This was however, built originally as a church.
Nearest Metro / RER station: Luxembourg; or Cardinal Lemoine
Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Paris & Love Lock Bridges
Ever heard of the Disney character, the Hunchback of Notre Dame? If you ever watch the animated Disney movie, you will notice the Cathedral of Notre Dame just like the one in the picture above.
So far, there wasn’t any admission fares to get in and the interior looks amazing. You may visit Notre Dame – Website for more information.
Nearest Metro / RER station: Saint-Michel – Notre-Dame; or Cité
Palais de Justice and the Oldest Clock
Oldest Clock in Paris
The is known to be the Palace of the City, and what attracts me here is the oldest clock in Paris. This however, reminds me of the Astronomical Clock in the old town of Prague, Czech Republic.
Nearest Metro / RER station: Saint-Michel – Notre-Dame; or Cité
Sacré-Cœur (The Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Paris)
Located on the summit is the Sacré-Cœur, a Roman Catholic church overlooking the city of Paris. To get up here, you may climb the stairs or take the funicular that costs similarly to the metro ticket. The funicular is open for 7 days a week, from 6am to 12.45am (different season may vary).
If the skies are clear on a sunny day, I bet that you would love the panoramic view that you will just sit back and relax by the stairs. The interiors were an eye-opening experience too.
You may visit Sacré-Cœur – Website for more information.
Nearest Metro / RER station: Abbesses
Palais Garnier
The Palais Garnier is also known as a Opera House in Paris. Need a night-out to go to the theater? This is the right place for you.
You may visit Palais Garnier (Opera House) – Website for more information on opening hours and ticketing.
Nearest Metro / RER station: Opéra
Galeries Lafayette
Lafayette is an upmarket department store containing a huge range of brands that many would pay a visit, just like how they shop at Champs-Élysées.
You may visit Galeries Lafayette – Website for more information on its brands and opening hours, as they vary from time to time.
Nearest Metro / RER station: Chaussée d’Antin La Fayette; or Auber; or Opéra
Cruise along the Seine River
Whenever in Paris, you should not miss the chance by taking the sightseeing cruise that goes along the Seine River and turns around by the Seine Islands.
One of the sightseeing cruise company that I know was Bateaux Parisiens that is located really close to the Eiffel Tower, by the Seine River. It costs about EUR15 per adult (subject to changes) for a duration of an hour cruise and it includes an individual audio guide.
You may visit Bateaux Parisiens (Sightseeing Cruise) – Website for more information on the sightseeing cruise, and etc.
Nearest Metro / RER station: Champ de Mars-Tour Eiffel; or Bir-Hakeim
OTHER OPTIONAL PLACES WORTH VISITING
Disneyland Paris
If you had not been to the Disneyland before, you may then consider to visit the Disneyland in Paris! This may however, be optional but worth your entire day.
You may visit Disneyland Paris – Website for more information.
Nearest Metro / RER station: Marne-la-Vallée station
Grand Palais
This is an exhibition hall and a museum complex, located closely to the Champs-Élysées.
Nearest Metro / RER station: Champs-Élysées Clemenceau
Petit Palais
This is an art museum built in the year 1900, but only if you are keen of arts!
Nearest Metro / RER station: Champs-Élysées Clemenceau
Musée d’Orsay
This is a museum in Paris and you may visit if you fancy them. Admissions are however, chargeable at EUR12 for a full rate (subject to changes) for entry into the permanent collections and exhibitions.
Nearest Metro / RER station: Gare du Musée d’Orsay
Church of Saint-Sulpice
Awesome looking Roman Catholic Church that is opened from year 1870, even before the Eiffel Tower.
Nearest Metro / RER station: Saint-Sulpice
Hôtel de Ville (City Hall)
The Gothic-like building is the city’s local administration, located close to the Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Paris.
Nearest Metro / RER station: Hôtel de Ville
Saint-Étienne-du-Mont
Located very close to the Panthéon is the Saint-Étienne-du-Mont, another Roman Catholic church that was completed in year 1624.
Nearest Metro / RER station: Cardinal Lemoine
Moulin Rouge!
If you don’t already know, the Moulin Rouge! refers to the comedy film in year 2001 and it was nominated for eight Oscars. Now, the Moulin Rouge! is a glamorous nightclub.
Nearest Metro / RER station: Blanche
FOOD AND DRINKS YOU’D LIKE TO TRY
Pierre Hermé
It was said that the best macarons in the world comes from Paris. In my opinion, I find that Pierre Hermé do have really good macarons and very much worthy to try as they tasted less sweeter compared to the ones in Ladurée too. A box of 6 macarons costs about EUR15 – EUR20.
You may visit Pierre Hermé – Website for more information and where about of its stores.
Ladurée
Ladurée do offer a huge variety of flavours and they tasted really good too. However, I find that they tasted sweeter compared to the ones in Pierre Hermé. A box of 6 macarons costs about EUR15 – EUR20. Worth to give them a try!
You may visit Ladurée – Website for more information and where about of its stores.
Oronero Caffè e Gelato
I would highly recommend this caffe here at Oronero. The food here were amazing and they have got friendly service too. The owner, also the manager of the caffe, was friendly and have given a good recommendation from the menu.
You must try their ice-cream sorbets too!
Nearest Metro / RER station: Châtelet
Croissant & Baguette
In Paris, you should also try the French croissant and baguette where you could get in most places. Go to the bakery stores as they tasted better than the complimentary ones that the restaurants may serve.
RECOMMENDED MEANS OF TRANSPORTATION
Metro / RER
To get around Paris, I would say that the Metro / RER system is the best option. Almost similar to London’s Underground Tube, the metro in Paris can be complicating for first-time users. Just take note of the end stations, so you will know which direction you are heading to, as well as transit points so that you can take a shorter route.
You may visit Paris Metro – Maps for more information.
By Foot
I would recommend you to walk along the streets in Paris upon reaching your metro station. You may plan your point of interest by alighting at the designated metro station, and walk your way accordingly.
TYPICAL COSTS AND MONEY SAVING TIPS
Hostel Prices
- Shared dorm rooms: Starts at EUR40 per pax/night, but EUR80 is average.
I am not too sure about hosteling in Paris and based on estimated prices, you could save money this way.
Hotel Prices
- Hotel rooms: Starts about EUR65 per night but a room at a 3-star hotel could possibly be about EUR90 at average per night for 2 persons, depending on your location in Paris.
Food & Drinks
- Typical restaurant: An average meal could cost about EUR10; and
- Good restaurant: Could start as high as EUR25 for an average meal.
Transportation
- From Charles de Gaulle (CDG) Airport: There are several ways to get to Paris city centre from Charles de Gaulle (CDG) Airport, and vice versa as follows:-
- Local buses (Route 350 or 351) that takes about 75 minutes ride for EUR6 per adult;
- RER (Paris by train) that takes about 35 minutes ride for EUR10 per adult;
- Roissybus that takes about 50 – 60 minutes ride for EUR11 per adult;
- Le Bus Direct that takes about 50 – 70 minutes ride for EUR17; or
- By Taxi that takes about 30 – 40 minutes ride for approximately EUR50 – EUR60 depending on your location in Paris.
I would however, highly suggest if you can take RER (Paris by train) instead (#2 above), and it is not too expensive yet able to save your valuable travel time! On the other hand, the RER has an interval of every 10 – 15 minutes. To find RER upon arriving at CDG, you may find them through the signs available throughout the airport.
*Note: Just a good tip that if you are merely doing a transit in CDG airport, you may need to be quick to get through the immigration process before catching your next flight (if you have a tight transition period) as CDG airport can be the busiest airport at times, and causes your delay.
- From London (St. Pancras railway station): You may take Eurostar high-speed railway from London to Paris. Good news that you can do this as it is really convenient if you are travelling from one to another. If you don’t already know, the Eurostar travels through the Channel Tunnel, being the undersea tunnel between the two countries. More details on Eurostar are as follows:-
- Eurostar departs from St. Pancras railway station in London, prior to arriving Gare du Nord railway station in Paris;
- The ticket prices may vary from GBP65 – GBP150 (about EUR75 – EUR170) per adult (one-way), depending on your date of travel;
- This journey takes about 2 hours 15 minutes to 2 hours 30 minutes of ride. Quick isn’t it?; and
- You may visit Eurostar High-Speed Railway – Website for more information.
- Paris Metro / RER: Prices may vary depending on the type of ticket you are purchasing, and it is determined by the different zones you are travelling to.
- You may visit Paris Metro – Ticket Prices for more information.
- If you are taking the Metro pretty often, you may consider to get yourself a book of 10-tickets at EUR14.50 (cheaper than single tickets sold individually at EUR1.90 each), for all within zone-1.
- Otherwise, you may purchase a day-ticket (called as Ticket Mobilis) at EUR7.30 for zones 1 & 2.
- Most attractions within Paris will normally fall within zones 1 & 2. You may still be required to take note of the zones you are travelling to.
- If you heading to Disneyland, you may take the Metro and transit to RER, and getting out at Marne-la-Vallée station. You may visit Paris Metro – Disneyland for more information.
- You will require a separate ticket if you are heading to Charles de Gaulle (CDG) airport.
Admission Fares
The admission fares may easily vary from EUR20 – EUR50 per adult, depending on your visit and interest in Paris.
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Disclaimer: All the information and prices (as at October 2015) provided on this website are based solely on experience and you agree that you use such information entirely at your own discretion and will.