Known as the most romantic city in the world, Paris welcomes more than 30 million visitors each year, drawn to see the great sights and experience the city’s unique atmosphere. Whether traveling by Eurostar or by plane, for a short weekend getaway or a longer stay, Paris is an immensely rewarding destination to visit.

Get there

The Eurostar now departs from King’s Cross St Pancras and arrives at Paris Gare du Nord in the city center. For most incoming international flights, Charles De Gaulle (located 25 km north of the city) is the main airport in Paris. Transfers, taxis, train or bus are your main options to get to the city center once you have arrived, and all of them take approximately 60 minutes. If you arrive at Orly or Beauvais, the other two airports in Paris, shuttles and taxis will take about 30 and 90 minutes respectively.

If you’re on a weekend getaway, you probably want as little hassle and as much free time as possible during your trip to Paris; An airport shuttle is the most convenient way to get from the airport to your hotel in Paris, and shuttles, unlike the bus or train, will drop you off directly at your hotel.

Where to stay

Paris has a wide variety of hotels. Luxury accommodations are provided by hotels like the Plaza Athenee, which has housed the rich and famous for nearly a century, and the Four Seasons. The city also has plenty of good mid-range hotels (the Hotel St Jaques and the Lindburgh Hotel are particularly recommended) along with cheap and friendly youth hostels such as St Christopher Inns and Calincourt Square. Whatever your budget, you should be able to find a hotel or hostel that suits your needs. They all have one crucial thing in common: they are extremely busy and booking well in advance is highly recommended. During weekends and holiday periods, reservation is essential!

If you want to try something a little different, the independent Shakespeare and Company bookstore lets visitors (or “tumbleweeds,” as they’re affectionately known) stay for free in exchange for a few hours of work a day.

to do

Once you’ve arrived at your hotel in Paris (by bus, taxi, bus, or train), it’s time to see the sights. The “Big Three” sights to see are the Eiffel Tower, the Arc de Triomphe and Notre Dame Cathedral. The Eiffel Tower, built in 1889, remains the most famous sight in Paris, and a trip to the top (if you have the stomach for it!) offers unforgettable views of the city. The Arc de Triomphe, built by Napoleon, is a central landmark, and Notre Dame de Paris is a spectacular 12th-century Gothic cathedral. Equally famous is the Louvre Art Gallery, home to the Mona Lisa and other masterpieces by Leonardo da Vinci and many other artists.

Elsewhere, the beautiful hilltop district of Montmatre has long been a mecca for artists, as Picasso and Dalí lived here in the early 20th century, and wandering the streets and cafes is a great way to spend a lazy afternoon. The Left Bank around Montparnasse is another beautiful area with a lot of history; For late-night drinking here, try Le Select, a favorite tavern of 1920s expats like Hemingway and F. Scott Fitzgerald.

There is much to see and do in Paris, and the surrounding area offers attractions such as the Palace of Versailles, Fontainebleu Forest, and Disneyland Paris. Whatever you want from your visit to Paris, you’re sure to find something to keep you entertained!