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Eiffel Tower at dusk with the silhouette of Paris in the background.
Eiffel Tower at dusk with the silhouette of Paris in the background.

Paris

Published: 31 March 2023, 12:15

City of Love

Paris is one of the most beloved cities in the world. Around 19 million tourists flocked to the City of Love in 2019 and enjoyed the charm of its romantic quarters with their intimate cafés, the panache of its big fashion houses and the art of its world-famous museums. Paris is divided into 20 arrondissements (districts), which are best explored on foot, by metro or by bike, which can be hired easily on every streetcorner. Because of the spiral numbering system, they are also referred to as l'escargot (the snail) by the city’s residents.

Everyone knows it and everyone loves it: the symbol of Paris is the Eiffel Tower. Every year, France’s tallest building attracts seven million visitors who come to enjoy stunning views of Paris from its lofty height. The Arc de Triomphe on the Champs-Élysées, Notre-Dame, Sacré-Cœur on Montmartre and the Louvre, the most visited museum in the world, are among the most popular sights and are of course legendary. The banks of the Seine and the many beautiful Parisian parks such as the Jardin des Tuileries or the Jardin du Luxembourg bid you take a moment to relax and take a stroll. Outside of Paris, the Palace of Versailles and Disneyland are the main crowd pullers.

Numbers, data, facts

  • Time difference: none
  • Population: 2,145,906
  • Official language: French
  • Currency: euro

10 Must-Sees for Your First Time in Paris

Eiffel Tower with the Seine in the foreground during daylight.
In 1889 the Eiffel Tower was completed by Gustave Eiffel. It was built on the occasion of the world exhibition marking the 100th anniversary of the French Revolution. © Ekaterina Belova / Adobe Stock
Notre-Dame de Paris on the Île de la Cité, surrounded by the Seine.
Notre-Dame de Paris is enthroned on the Île de la Cité on the Seine. After the 2019 fire, the Gothic cathedral is scheduled to reopen in December 2024. © evannovostro / Adobe Stock
Arc de Triomphe with star-shaped roads radiating in Paris.
Twelve streets radiate out from the colossal Arc de Triomphe. Every evening the Eternal Flame is rekindled here at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. © pigprox / Adobe Stock
The Panthéon in Paris with neoclassical dome and columned façade.
The Panthéon, with its imposing architecture, now serves as a mausoleum for important figures commemorated in France, including Marie Curie and Victor Hugo. © Nikitin Mikhail / Adobe Stock
Montmartre with cobbled alleys.
The bohemian quarter of Montmartre, where Picasso and Van Gogh once lived, is famous for its quaint cobbled streets, small gardens and… © MarinadeArt / Adobe Stock
Sacré-Cœur with white dome above Paris on the hill of Montmartre.
… Sacré-Cœur! The 55-metre-high dome of the gleaming white basilica offers wonderful views over the whole of Paris. © ShinyChunks / Adobe Stock
Ornate Pont Alexandre III facing Grand Palais and Hôtel des Invalides.
The protected Pont Alexandre III is probably the most symbolic bridge in the capital. It connects the Grand Palais with the Hôtel des Invalides. © susanne2688 / Adobe Stock
Louvre with glass pyramid in the courtyard and classical façade behind.
The Musée du Louvre with its large glass pyramid, the Mona Lisa and over 38,000 other masterpieces, belongs on everybody’s bucket list. © Torval Mork / Adobe Stock
Courtyard of Versailles Palace with symmetrical façade and paving.
The Palace of Versailles has around 1,300 rooms. The former seat of Louis XIII is famous for its imposing gardens and hall of mirrors. © aterrom / Adobe Stock
Jardin du Luxembourg with fountain and Statue of Liberty in green park.
The Jardin du Luxembourg is 26 hectares in size and, in addition to several wells and fountains, also has a small, modern copy of New York’s Statue of Liberty. © chrisdorney / Adobe Stock

Insider Tips for the Alternative Paris

Paris can be noisy and crowded, especially in the high season. Far away from the well-known sights and thronging crowds, the trendy arrondissements in particular, which are becoming increasingly popular with young people, offer both variety and tranquillity. Here, you’ll find lively markets, covered passages, green oases and the best bakeries in the city: in Marais, Montparnasse or Canal St Martin little treasures are just waiting to be discovered. Accept their offer of cultural diversity and picturesque streets, and start your voyage of discovery.

Canal St. Martin with paths, trees, and cafés in northern Paris.
Breathe deeply under the arching trees of the Canal St. Martin and in the many bars and restaurants in the northern part of the city. © Frank Lambert / Adobe Stock
Parc des Buttes-Chaumont with lake, temple, and view of Sacré-Cœur.
Located in a former quarry, Parc des Buttes-Chaumont offers a wonderful view of Sacré-Cœur with a lake, temple and viewing platform. © dbrnjhrj / Adobe Stock
Galerie Vivienne with glass roof, mosaic floor, and elegant boutiques.
In Paris there are over 20 hidden covered passages that invite you to take a stroll, shop and have a coffee. One of them is the Vivienne Gallery. © Beboy / Adobe Stock
Cabaret Au Lapin Agile in Montmartre with rustic façade and wine bar charm.
French songs and laughs ring out over glasses of wine in the tiny and cosy Cabaret Au Lapin Agile in Montmartre. © dbrnjhrj / Adobe Stock
Pont de Bir-Hakeim with Eiffel Tower view and striking steel arches.
Attention film fans: the Pont de Bir-Harkeim not only offers great views of the Eiffel Tower, scenes from the film Inception were also filmed here. © Simon / Adobe Stock

Paris from BER

Aircraft shortly before touchdown on the runway

Air France

easyJet

Transavia Airlines 

Paris Orly (ORY)

Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG)

Five travel tips for…

  1. Admire the Mona Lisa in the Musée du Louvre
  2. Visit the Musée d'Orsay with its impressionist art
  3. View contemporary art in the industrial building of the Centre Pompidou
  4. Marvel at Monet's Water Lilies in the Musée de l'Orangerie
  5. Relax in the garden of the Musée Rodin next to the Thinker.

  1. Visit Disneyland Paris
  2. Get creeped out in the Parisian catacombs
  3. Make your own chocolate at the Chocolate Museum
  4. Rent miniature boats in the Jardin du Luxembourg and let them float in the large pool
  5. Participate in an interactive workshop at the Centre Pompidou

  1. Rent a bike from Vélib and explore the city
  2. Join a river cruise on the Seine
  3. Attend a cabaret show at the Moulin Rouge
  4. Visit a museum during the Nocturnes until late in the evening
  5. Dance with huge crowds on the banks of the Seine on weekends in summer

  1. Explore the Rue Daguerre with its many small shops and restaurants
  2. Take in the classic Paris skyline, including the Eiffel Tower, from the roof terrace of the Tour Montparnasse
  3. Sample culinary specialties from all over the world at the Marché des Enfants-Rouges
  4. Sample delicious pastries at the bakery Du Pain et des Idées
  5. Learn about African culture at Le Comptoir Général

Picture source title: © MarinadeArt / stock.adobe.com

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