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
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
Per person, per day on the ground, lodging, food, local transport and activities. Excludes international flights (see Getting there).
Métro: €2.50/ride or day pass €12.30. Museums: €16-32 each or Museum Pass €90/2 days.
Getting there
Where to stay
Historic, walkable, great food, central
Literary cafés, galleries, Left Bank charm
Village feel, cheaper, hilly, artistic
Nightlife, local restaurants, good value
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: July 2026.