# Paris Travel Guide

> Plan your Paris trip with arrondissement guides, the best months to visit, museum tips, and a free AI itinerary generator from a Fora-certified advisor.

- Country: France
- Canonical page: https://savvyjetsetter.ca/destinations/paris
- Last updated: 2026-04-11
- Author: Bobby Atwal, TICO-registered travel advisor (Fora Travel), Toronto — https://savvyjetsetter.ca/inquiry

## Overview

The benchmark European capital. 20 arrondissements of Haussmann-era uniformity with enough variation that every neighbourhood feels distinct. The Louvre, Versailles, a cathedral rebuilding itself, and the densest concentration of Michelin stars in the world. First-timers get overwhelmed; repeat visitors realise Paris is best at 6am or after 9pm when the daytime crowds have gone. Walkable, iconic, unforgiving if you don't book ahead.

## At a glance

- **Best time to visit:** April-June and September-October are the sweet spots — mild temperatures, blooming parks, long days.
- **How long to stay:** Four to six days for first-timers. Three days only hits the absolute icons (Louvre, Eiffel, Notre-Dame exterior, one neighbourhood walk).
- **Budget:** $90-130 USD/day (budget hotel in 10th/11th arr, bakery breakfast EUR3-5, bistro lunch formule EUR15-20, metro).
- **Getting there from Canada:** Fly into Charles de Gaulle (CDG) for most long-haul or Orly (ORY) for European/domestic. From YYZ, CDG is 7 hours direct on Air Canada or Air France.

## Best time to visit

**April-June and September-October** are the sweet spots — mild temperatures, blooming parks, long days. July-August are hot, humid, and locals leave town (many small restaurants close in August). December is magical for Christmas markets and windows but cold and wet. Avoid the week of Fashion Week (late February/September) and the Olympics window unless that's the point.

## Budget

**Budget:** $90-130 USD/day (budget hotel in 10th/11th arr, bakery breakfast EUR3-5, bistro lunch formule EUR15-20, metro). **Mid-range:** $220-380 USD/day (boutique hotel in 6th/7th, bistro dinners, museum passes, maybe one Michelin lunch). **Luxury:** $800+ USD/day (Le Bristol, Ritz, George V, 2-star Michelin dinners, private driver). Skip the "tourist menu" restaurants around the Eiffel Tower — they are the worst food in Paris at double the price.

## Getting there

**Fly into Charles de Gaulle (CDG)** for most long-haul or **Orly (ORY)** for European/domestic. From YYZ, CDG is 7 hours direct on Air Canada or Air France. From CDG, take the RER B train to central Paris (~EUR12, 35-50 min) or a Roissybus to Opera (~EUR16). Avoid the CDG taxi line unless you have heavy luggage — it's slow and expensive (~EUR60 flat rate to central Paris).

## Getting around

**Metro is the fastest way** — dense, cheap, and reaches everything. A Navigo Easy card or carnet of 10 tickets saves money. **Walking** between the Louvre, Tuileries, and Saint-Germain is part of the experience. **Velib** bikes are great for the Seine. Avoid taxis/Ubers during rush hour — the metro is 3x faster. The RER C gets you to Versailles.

## Quick facts

- **Airport:** Charles de Gaulle (CDG) or Orly (ORY)
- **Currency:** EUR (Euro, ~1 USD = 0.92 EUR)
- **Language:** French
- **Time zone:** GMT+1 (CET)
- **Plugs:** Type E/F, 230V
- **Visa (Canadians):** Schengen: 90 days visa-free for most Western passports
- **Tipping:** Service compris; round up only

## Where to stay

- **Le Marais (3rd/4th)** — The trendiest historic district — medieval streets, boutiques, LGBTQ+ friendly, the best falafel in the city. Central and walkable. Best for: first-timers, couples, shoppers.
- **Saint-Germain (6th)** — The literary Left Bank with the famous cafés (Flore, Deux Magots), the best bookstores, and Luxembourg Gardens. Elegant and quiet. Best for: repeat visitors, slow travelers.
- **Montmartre (18th)** — The hilltop village with Sacré-Cœur, the Place du Tertre, and the cobblestone streets. Touristy by day, charming at night. Best for: photographers, Amélie fans.
- **Latin Quarter (5th)** — Historic student neighbourhood with the Panthéon, Luxembourg Gardens nearby, Shakespeare and Company bookstore. Slightly touristy but walkable to everything. Best for: first-timers, budget travelers.
- **7th Arrondissement** — The Eiffel Tower district with grand boulevards, Rodin Museum, and some of the fanciest hotels. Elegant and central. Best for: luxury travelers, iconic views.
- **Canal Saint-Martin (10th)** — Hip canal-side neighbourhood with independent cafés, vintage shops, and younger crowds. Away from tourists. Best for: younger travelers, foodies, second visits.

## Food and drink

- **Septime** (Neo-bistro / 1 Michelin) — 11th arr. World 50 Best. Daily-changing EUR135 tasting menu. Book exactly 3 weeks ahead at 10am Paris time.
- **Le Comptoir du Relais** (Classic bistro) — Yves Camdeborde original. No reservations at lunch — arrive at noon. Cassoulet, confit, terrines.
- **LAmi Jean** (Basque bistro) — 7th arr. Stephane Jegos rotisserie lamb and rice pudding for two. Loud, perfect.
- **Poilane** (Bakery (since 1932)) — The famous round sourdough loaf with the P stamped on it. Boulevard de Grenelle or rue du Cherche-Midi.
- **Du Pain et des Idees** (Bakery) — 10th arr, canal Saint-Martin. The pistachio escargot is their signature. Closed weekends.
- **Le Mary Celeste** (Natural wine + oysters) — Marais cocktail bar with half-shell oysters and funky natural wines. Walk-in only.
- **Frenchie** (Neo-bistro) — 2nd arr. Gregory Marchand alumni of Fifteen (Jamie Oliver). The original tight dining room, book weeks ahead.

## Day trips

- **Versailles** (45 min by RER C) — Louis XIV palace, Hall of Mirrors, Marie Antoinettes estate, and the gardens. A full day — go on Tuesday when the Louvre is closed anyway.
- **Giverny** (75 min by train) — Monets house and water-lily garden. Best April-October. Small-group tours from Paris include transport and lunch.
- **Champagne region (Reims or Epernay)** (45 min by TGV) — Krug, Veuve Clicquot, Moet, Taittinger — all within walking distance of Reims station. 45 min on the TGV.
- **Chartres** (70 min by train) — The gothic cathedral with the original 12th-century stained glass. Quieter than Notre-Dame and twice as impressive.

## Common mistakes

- **Eating near the Eiffel Tower:** Every restaurant with an Eiffel Tower view is a tourist trap. Walk 10 minutes into the 7th arr residential streets for real bistros.
- **Queueing at the Louvre:** Buy timed-entry tickets online. Enter through the Carrousel du Louvre mall entrance (less queue) instead of the Pyramid.
- **Only seeing the 1st-8th arrondissements:** The real Paris is in the 10th, 11th, 19th, and 20th — canal Saint-Martin, Belleville, Menilmontant. Go there for one day.
- **Not booking restaurants ahead:** Every good Paris bistro is booked 2-3 weeks out. Walk-ins at lunch work better than dinner.

## Sample itinerary

### Day 1: Arrive + Right Bank classics

- CDG arrival via RER B
- Jardin des Tuileries stroll
- Louvre late-entry (Wed/Fri 9:45pm)
- Dinner at a 1st arr bistro — Au Pied de Cochon

### Day 2: Marais + Left Bank

- Place des Vosges morning coffee
- Musee dOrsay (Impressionist wing)
- Saint-Germain-des-Pres walk
- Dinner + cocktails at Le Mary Celeste

### Day 3: Versailles Day Trip

- RER C from Saint-Michel (go early, 8am)
- Palace + Hall of Mirrors
- Marie Antoinettes estate + hamlet
- Back to Paris for Septime dinner

### Day 4: Montmartre + Canal Saint-Martin

- Sacre-Coeur + Place du Tertre
- Du Pain et des Idees pastries
- Canal Saint-Martin picnic
- Dinner in the 10th at Chez Marianne or a neo-bistro

### Day 5: Eiffel + Champagne + Departure

- Trocadero Eiffel Tower photos
- Musee Rodin garden
- Champagne tasting at Caves Taillevent
- CDG departure via Roissybus

## Frequently asked questions

### How many days do I need in Paris?

Four to six days for first-timers. Three days only hits the absolute icons (Louvre, Eiffel, Notre-Dame exterior, one neighbourhood walk). Paris rewards slowing down — café mornings, long lunches, evening strolls. Add days if you want Versailles, Giverny, or Champagne region day trips.

### Do I need to pre-book museums?

Yes — the Louvre, Orsay, and Versailles absolutely. Walk-up lines in peak season run 2+ hours. Book timed entries online the night before and skip the queue. The Paris Museum Pass is worth it if you're hitting 4+ museums in 2-4 days.

### Is the metro safe?

Yes, with standard big-city caution. Pickpockets on Line 1 (the tourist line) and around the Louvre and Trocadéro are a real and constant issue. Keep phones in zipped pockets, bags in front, and stay alert. The metro itself is efficient and beats taxis in traffic.

### Should I tip in Paris?

Service is included by law — tipping is optional. Round up at cafés (leave coins), or add 5-10% at sit-down restaurants if service was great. Americans overtip here; French people almost never leave more than spare change. Taxis: round up to the nearest euro.

### Is Paris rude?

No — it's formal. French service culture is transactional, not friendly. Say 'bonjour' when you enter any shop or restaurant and 'merci, au revoir' when you leave — that's the entire key. Americans who open with 'hi, do you speak English' without the greeting get the reputation-level rudeness. Greet first; everything else follows.

## Plan this trip

- Have a TICO-registered advisor plan Paris (complimentary; the hotel pays the commission): https://savvyjetsetter.ca/inquiry?destination=Paris
- Free AI itinerary for Paris: https://savvyjetsetter.ca/plan?destination=Paris
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