Paris is at the top of many travelers’ lists and how can you argue with a visit to the City of Light? This city mixes culture, cuisine, and scenery to attract visitors each year. But there are always questions about how to properly prepare for this wonderful place. That’s why we created this ultimate Paris trip planning guide that’ll help you along every step of the journey.
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Planning a Paris Trip
Featured Image via Flickr by photophilde. This article was originally created on April 13, 2016. It has been maintained and updated (as of June 12, 2018) to reflect current viewpoints and travel trends.
Pick the Best Time to Visit
Paris is a four-season destination, but your visit here depends on personal preference. The late spring and summer months are filled with ideal weather, and these seasons are when many Parisians leave the city for the beaches and other summer holiday destinations.
Budget travelers should look to spring or fall for a balance between best Paris flight deals and weather. You can save even more money on your trip if you decide to visit Paris and the rest of France during the winter, a time of year that doesn’t receive as many tourists.
Choose the Right Hotel
Picking the right place to stay in Paris requires thoughts about your budget, timing, and the location where you want to start. Be sure to book early, since hotels often offer lower rates for advanced reservations. Book something close to the most popular Paris attractions to save yourself the hassle of long daily journeys. If you’re OK with more travel time each day, then a hotel away from the city center shouldn’t be a problem.
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See Three Popular Spots, But Don’t Rush
Your Paris itinerary will easily fill up with the best things to see in France as a whole. You can easily get lost in your expectations when traveling, but keeping a simple rule of three will keep your ambitions at a practical level. Even if you’re thinking about a short stay, any Paris visitor would be happy to explore the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre’s premier art collections, and the Arc de Triomphe. Honorable mentions include the Musée d’Orsay and the Notre Dame de Paris.
Search for Lesser-Known Paris Attractions
Many Paris visitors know all about the city’s best attractions, but what about the lesser-known Paris attractions that go overlooked? Something special yet unknown might be worth a visit. Think about Paroisse Saint-Étienne-du-Mont, an immaculate Gothic church that’s within reach of the Pantheon and La Conciergerie. La Conciergerie is a former palace near the Sainte-Chapelle that housed many criminals during the French Revolution, including Marie Antionette. These two venues can be the start of many more places and activities to explore outside mainstream Paris travel.
Prepare for a Wonderful Trip
Now that you have some ideas about how to choose your travel time and hotel, you can prepare for your Paris visit. Remember that the place teems with tourists in the warmer months and slows down during fall and winter. Don’t worry about seeing everything, but keep an eye out for Paris’s uncovered spots.
We’re excited for you and hope your journey to Paris is a meaningful one. Enjoy your stay and don’t forget to pack your camera while leaving enough space for the souvenirs.
