Paris Travel Essentials – What You Need to Know Before You Go

It's exciting to plan a trip to Paris, especially if you don't go very often. There's a lot to think about — where you're going to stay and what you're going to do and what you're going to eat. Those are the fun things.

Then there are the other, more mundane, things you need to know about. You know, things about the currency, visas (you don't need any for France), how tipping works, what to take, what to leave home. To make that stuff easy for you, we've prepared this Paris travel guide covering all those things and more.

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Our Most Popular Day Trips from Paris

Spend a Day in the Champagne Region
Your driver gathers you from your Paris hotels for a small-group tour led by an expert guide to the Land of Champagne for a day-long tasting of the bubbly. Inclues lunch & tastings.
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Visit the Historic D-Day Beaches
A day trip to the landing beaches of Normandy is one of the most popular day trips from Paris. Visit the monuments, museums, and dedicated cemeteries, as well as the beaches themselves
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Visit the Historic D-Day Beaches
A guided tour to the landing beaches of Normandy makes for one of the most memorable day trips from Paris. Visit the monuments, museums, and dedicated cemeteries, as well as the beaches themselves.
Check Availability…

The Top 10 Tips for Travelers

The Top 10 Tips for Travelers

Do you want to be a tourist? Or a traveler? If you chose the latter — if you want to experience Paris, to feel you fit in — remember these 10 top tips for travelers. Based on our lifetime of visiting The City of Light.

Paris 101 – Easy Guide For First-Time Visitors

Easy Guide For First-Time Visitors

When you're a first-time visitor to Paris you need to know the basics. Things like how Paris is laid out, where the main attractions are, what area you should stay in. So, we've created a quick and easy guide to help you get familiar with the city we know you're going to end up loving.

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Romantic Dinner Cruises In Paris

VIP Dinner Cruise with Bateaux Parisiens
This romantic dinner cruise includes champagne, wine & a classic meal. Choose the Service Privilege option for the best seating, best meal, and the ultimate experience.
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Dinner Cruise by Maxim's of Paris
The legendary Parisian restaurant takes you on a dinner cruise complete with champagne and wine. Choose the 2-hour cruise for a stellar evening in Paris.
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VIP Dinner Cruise with Bateaux Parisiens
This romantic dinner cruise includes champagne, wine & a classic meal. Choose the Service Privilege option for the best seating, best meal, and the ultimate experience.
Reserve your table…

Essential Facts for Visitors

Essential Facts for Visitors

Let's get started with the basics, the things you probably already know but explained in just a bit more detail.

Learn more about the size and geography of Paris, the monetary system in France, how the metric system works, shopping hours, official holidays when things are closed, and lots more.

The Paris Arrondissements

Paris Arrondissements

Paris is made up of twenty arrondissements — administrative districts — each with a distinct feel and atmosphere. Before you travel, it's good to learn what's where in Paris, to learn about attractions and sights in each of the arrondissements, and which areas you'll want to pay the most attention to. We've got just the guide for you!

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Find Hotel Deals for Your Dates in France

Check with Booking.com to find today's sale prices on hotel rooms in every village & city in France. Save 20% to 30%… or even more!

Booking.Com France Hotel Deals
Find hotels in Paris, Burgundy, Provence, the Loire Valley, Normandy, and everywhere else!
Search for your hotel

Find Hotel Deals for Your Dates in France

Booking.Com France Hotel Deals
Find hotels in Paris, Burgundy, Provence, the Loire Valley, Normandy, and everywhere else!
Search for your hotel

How To Choose The Perfect Paris Hotel

How To Choose A Paris Hotel

There are something like 1,500 hotels in Paris — luxury & low end; in all neighborhoods; expensive, moderate, and good values. It really is a confusing choice. We know that, and we know you don't want to stress over a hotel when you're planning your special trips to Paris.

So, we've taken the work out of choosing a hotel. We've narrowed down the 1,500 to the few dozen absolutely top hotels — in all categories, in all price ranges. But, first off, start with our guide to what you need to know when choosing a hotel in Paris. After that, go to our reviews and find the hotel that suits you to a "T". (Remember, we recommend only the best!)

5 Distinctive Paris City Guides

5 Distinct Paris City Guides

Paris is deep, diverse, ancient, and modern. There's a wide a variety of experiences to be had here, and that fact is clearly shown in the diverse views of Paris found in these 5 distinctly different city guides. From a veteran publisher's new format map-guide to seeing Paris through postmodernistic lens to a guide last updated in 1968, here are some fascinating ways of viewing and visiting the City on the Seine.

art/shop/eat Paris – A Mini Guidebook from Blue Guides

art/shop/eat Paris

Our favorite overall Paris travel guide book might just be the Blue Guide to Paris. Therefore, we were pretty sure we were going to like the Blue Guide's mini version. What's not to like about a guide titled art/shop/eat Paris ? This lightweight, portable guide is a good tool to slip into your bag as you set out on your first explorations of Paris. We found this to be a surprisingly useful compact guidebook for the visitor who's interested in seeing the art highlights of Paris. Great for shopping & restaurants, too.

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Go Deeper Into France: Day Trips From Paris

Small-Group Loire Valley Chateaux & Wine Tasting Trip from Paris
Journey to the magical castles of the Loire Valley in on a day trip that also features a guided tasting of the best regional wines. This small-group tour travels in a luxury Eurovan.
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Mysterious Mont Saint-Michel
The magnificent floating island of Mont Saint-Michel is a sight to behold. Travel through the picturesque Normandy countryside with an expert guide on a day trip from Paris that includes a cider tasting
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Small-Group Loire Valley Chateaux & Wine Tasting Trip from Paris
Journey to the magical castles of the Loire Valley in on a day trip that also features a guided tasting of the best regional wines. Your small group travels in a luxury Eurovan.
Check Availability…

How to Save Euros in Paris & Have Fun Doing It

How to Save Euros in Paris

Paris can be an expensive place, but you won't have to extend your line of credit if you plan well and follow our handy traveler tips. Let's learn how you can save money in Paris, and when you should spend.

The Weather in Paris – Sunny & Delicious

The Weather in Paris

Paris has a mild climate. Days are often sunny in spring, summer and even autumn, and you should expect some rain in winter. Within those parameters, though, is a fair amount of variation from year to year. For instance, last summer in Paris was fairly chilly and wet, while this summer was sunny and warm — hot, in fact

In our guide to Paris weather we lay out the average temperatures and conditions, month by month, and also include packing tips for each season.

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Delectable Food Tours in Paris

Discover the Food & Wine of the Marais
Visit the top food & wine shops in the historic Marais, tasting the best of French foods. There's plenty of sampling on this small-group tour.
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Cheese & Wine Tasting in a Paris Cellar
In the cheese-aging cellar of a Paris fromagerie you discover 7 classic French cheeses and the wines that pair with them. Lots of sampling!
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Cheese & Wine Tasting in a Paris Cellar
In the cheese-aging cellar of a Paris fromagerie you discover 7 classic French cheeses and the wines that pair with them. Lots of sampling!
Check Availability…

Our Guide to the Travel Guide Books

Guide to the Travel Guide Books

Of course, we like to think that you can find all the travel advice you need right here at Paris Insiders Guide. But we know that sometimes it's nice to hold a book in your hands. Since we've read and used a ton of Paris travel guide books over the years we thought it would be good to share our experience. There are lots of Paris travel books that claim to be perfect for you in one way or another, but here are the ten that score above the rest.

Sales Tax & Tipping in France

Taxes, Tipping & Etiquette

Did you know that, as a visitor, you may be eligible for a refund of the sales tax (called the VAT) you paid on your shopping purchases in Paris? The process recently became much easier, and we take you through it step by step, from purchase to refund.

In this mini travel guide we also discuss tipping in France, whether in restaurants or with taxis or anywhere else. (Hint: don't do it!)

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Experience the Splendor Of Versailles

Versailles with Priority Access + Gardens
Skip the long lines to experience the grandeur of Versailles on a guided tour. Stroll through the stunning gardens with your guide, then visit Marie Antoinette's estate.
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Half-Day, Skip-the-Line Tour of Versailles
If you don't have a full day, this popular half-day tour of Versailles includes priority access with an expert guide. The small-group ensures personal attention and includes transportation right from your hotel.
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Versailles with Priority Access + Gardens
Skip the long lines to experience the grandeur of Versailles on a guided tour. Stroll through the stunning gardens with your guide, then visit Marie Antoinette's estate.
More information…

More Information for Travelers

Information for Travelers

There are a few other things about Paris you'll want to know about, and they're covered in this additional guide. Things like the ID you will need, whether or not you need a visa to enter France, health & travel insurance, and customs and duties. We also discuss bringing along electrical appliances, adaptors and plugs; and even bringing your pet.

Planning a Honeymoon in Paris

Honeymoon in Paris

With romance at every turn, Paris is an incredible place to spend your honeymoon, making it oh-so romantic and a time you will cherish forever.

We'll share with you some of the best honeymoon activities The City of Love has to offer — the most romantic hotels, how to skip the long lines, and the top romantic things to do on your voyage de noces à Paris.

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The Left Bank Of Paris – Top Things To Do

Dinner & Cabaret at Paradis Latin Theater
Spend a memorable evening in the Latin Quarter at the Paradis Latin cabaret, including dinner, VIP seating, the musical show, and champagne.
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Chocolate & Pastry Walking Tour of Saint-Germain-des-Prés
On a food walking tour through this historic Left Bank district discover the finest pastry and chocolate shops. Lots of sampling will ensue!
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The Left Bank Of Paris

Dinner & Cabaret at Paradis Latin Theater
Spend a memorable evening in the Latin Quarter at the Paradis Latin cabaret, including dinner, VIP seating, the musical show, and champagne.
Check Availability…

Christmas in Paris

Christmas in Paris

We think it's the best Christmas city in Europe. It's also one of our favorite times to be in Paris. There's ice skating and other events at the Hotel de Ville, seasonal lights brighten streets throughout the city, department store windows sparkle with extra-special displays, and foods of the festive season fill the shops and markets. Learn how to plan you own Noël à Paris.

Paris on a Budget

Paris on a Budget

Can those two words ever go together — Paris and Budget? We think they can, with careful planning, budget accommodations, wise spending, and eating & drinking a lot better than you do at home!

So, we've put together a guide for travelers who want to save a few Euros while in the City of Light. If that describes you, be sure to read the article…

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Experience Montmartre

Dinner & Cabaret at the Moulin Rouge
Take your seats at the world’s most famous cabaret – delight in the spectacular show while enjoying a traditional French multi-course dinner. Choose the Belle Epoque Menu for the best experience.
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A Taste of Montmartre Food & Wine Tour
Embark on a tour of Montmartre — one of the city's most charming neighborhoods — to see its sights and sample its food. Taste croissants & éclairs, cheeses & charcuterie, wine & chocolate, with a local food expert.
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A Taste of Montmartre Food & Wine Tour
Embark on a tour of Montmartre — one of the city's most charming neighborhoods — to see its sights and sample its food. Taste croissants & éclairs, cheeses & charcuterie, wine & chocolate, with a local food expert.
Check Availability…

Paris Travel Planner – Part One

Paris Travel Planner

When you're planning your first trip to Paris, it's nice to have a little expert help. We're happy to share our years of experience. Use our online Paris travel planner to plot every step of your trip, from airlines to hotels to what to do while you're there.

Allons-y, come on, let's make this your best vacation ever.

Paris Activities Planner – Part Two

Paris Activities Planner

In Part One we got you to Paris, found you a great hotel, and tucked you in. Now it's time to make sure you've planned for your Paris activities — even before you've left home.

Paris is a very busy place, so it's important to plan in advance for the things you want to see and do while you're there. One of our best pieces of advice is, don't wait until you get to Paris to decide what you're going to do. You'll either be disappointed because things have sold out, or you'll spend lots of time standing in lines. Don't worry, though. Our activities planner helps you avoid all that and have a memorable visit.

Six Free Paris Planning Guides

A Gift from Us to You.
Bon Voyage !