Paris Holidays

Why visit Paris

Paris rewards both first-timers and regulars, with grand boulevards, riverside walks and a café on almost every corner. Its great museums and monuments are famous, but the city is just as good for slow mornings in neighbourhood markets, afternoons browsing independent shops and evenings in a small bistro. Montmartre, the Marais and the Left Bank each have a distinct personality worth exploring on foot.

Highlights of Paris

• Louvre Museum: Home to the Mona Lisa and countless other masterpieces, best visited with a plan and plenty of time.
• Seine river cruise: See Notre-Dame, the bridges and the Eiffel Tower from the water, especially pretty at golden hour.
• Montmartre: Climb to Sacre-Coeur for city views, then wander cobbled lanes past artists' squares and small cafes.
• Le Marais: A historic district of elegant townhouses, boutiques, galleries and the beautiful arcades of Place des Vosges.
• Palace of Versailles: A short trip from the centre to the Hall of Mirrors and formal gardens of the former royal court.

Best time to visit Paris

Spring, from April to June, brings blossom and long, pleasant days, and September to October is mild with fewer crowds. Summer can be hot and busy, though evenings along the Seine are lovely. Winter is cooler and quieter, with festive lights in December, and is a good time for museums and cosy dining.

Getting there from the UK

Eurostar runs from London St Pancras to Paris Gare du Nord in about 2 hours 20 minutes, arriving in the city centre. Flights from London to Charles de Gaulle or Orly take around 1 hour 15 minutes, though airport transfers and check-in add time, so the train is often simplest.

Good to know

The currency is the euro, and French is the language, though English is widely understood in tourist areas. Plugs are the European two-pin type, so UK visitors need an adaptor. The metro is the quickest way to move around. Check the latest GOV.UK foreign travel advice for entry requirements.