Paris
France, Europe
Art, food, and architecture so beautiful it makes you angry you don't live here.
France's capital, where grand 19th-century boulevards follow the curve of the Seine past landmark museums, cafés, and monuments. A city built for wandering, neighbourhood by neighbourhood.
Our honest take
Paris earns every cliché — but skip the Eiffel Tower queue (view it from Trocadéro instead), eat where locals eat (not on the Champs-Élysées), and walk everywhere. The city reveals itself in side streets, not landmarks.
Why go
- The food scene is unmatched — even a random boulangerie is excellent
- Every neighbourhood has a distinct personality worth exploring
- World-class museums you could spend weeks in
Skip if you can
- Champs-Élysées restaurants — tourist traps with mediocre food at 3x prices
- Montmartre portrait artists — aggressive and overpriced
- Eiffel Tower summit queue — 2h wait; the view from Sacré-Cœur is free
Things to do
- Museum visits
- Seine river cruise
- Café culture
- Shopping
Where locals eat
Flaky butter croissant — judge a bakery by this alone. Should shatter when you bite it.
Du Pain et des Idees (Canal Saint-Martin) or Cedric Grolet at Opera — skip chains like Paul
Bavette or entrecote with a pile of thin fries and bearnaise — the Parisian lunch default
Le Relais de Entrecote (one menu, no choices, just steak) or Bistrot Paul Bert in the 11th
Grilled ham and cheese sandwich with bechamel — heavier than it sounds, perfect at 11am
Any zinc-counter cafe in Saint-Germain, or Cafe de Flore if you want the cliche with your croque
Slow-cooked duck leg with crispy skin, served with potatoes cooked in the duck fat
Chez lAmi Jean in the 7th (Basque-influenced, loud, excellent) or Au Petit Cler nearby
Costs
Métro: €2.50/ride or day pass €12.30. Museums: €16-32 each or Museum Pass €90/2 days.
Airport, transport, and accommodation options
Good to know
- Pickpockets on Métro lines 1 and 4, and around Eiffel Tower
- Petition scam at Sacré-Cœur — don't sign anything
- Strikes can shut down transport — check before travel
- Tap water is safe and free in restaurants (ask for 'une carafe d'eau')
Prices, visa rules, and transport details may change. Always verify with official sources before booking. Last updated: August 2026.