Paris
Iconic Monuments, Priceless Art & Quintessential Cuisine
Paris Highlights
Where to start with? There’s so much to say about Paris… Visiting the French capital really is a timeless experience. It exudes an air of elegance, captivating you with its enduring allure and capturing your heart forever.
ICONIC SITES
So many iconic sites come to one’s mind when thinking about Paris: the wrought-iron Eiffel Tower, Notre-Dame de Paris’ gorgeous medieval cathedral, the Sacré-Cœur Basilica, the Palace and gardens of Versailles, the Louvre, Orsay Museum, the Sainte-Chappelle… it is easy to go on! As much as there’s so much to see – and often, time’s lacking to see them all – it’s worth noting that Paris is relatively small, hence it’s easy to see, or at least spot them, in a short period of time.
ART EVERYWHERE
Its artistic pedigree is known worldwide. The collections found in Parisian museums come from each part of the world and span every historical period. With more than 140 museums, figuring out which one to visit is not an easy task. We’ll list some of our favorites: Le Louvre, of course, home to the Mona Lisa and other painting treasures. We also love the Orsay Museum. Set in a former railway station, it houses some of the world’s most celebrated impressionist paintings from Monet, Manet, Renoir and other masters. The Centre Pompidou tops our list as well. Before its 5-year refurbishment closure starting in 2025, it is still time to go see its Modern and Contemporary masterpieces.
CAFÉS, BISTROS & MICHELIN-STAR RESTAURANTS
In Paris, the food scene is part of the French art de vivre (way of living). From local boulangeries (bakery shops) selling sandwiches, croissants and other viennoiseries, to bistros where Parisians eat classic casual French dishes such as croque-monsieurs (ham and cheese toasted sandwich) or soupe à l’oignon (onion soup, topped with grated cheese). And there are of course the world renowned Michelin-star restaurants – reservation needed! – to experience the art of French cuisine. For travelers interested in learning some of the French cuisine techniques or how to cook a French dish, we’ll include a cooking class in your itinerary.
RELIVE FRENCH ROYALTY IN VERSAILLES
Versailles resonates with opulence and royalty. Built in the 17th century under the Roi Soleil (Sun King) – Louis XIV – Versailles shows the absolute power of the French Monarchy. In the château, the luxuriousness reaches its peak in the Galerie des Glaces (Hall of Mirrors), a 73 m (240 ft) long spectacular ballroom. Within the Château de Versailles premises, one can stroll in the beautifully laid out gardens designed by Le Nôtre, a real masterpiece of gardens à la française.
SHOPPING MASTERCLASS
Paris definitely is one of the world’s hottest spots to shop. Home to notorious luxurious brands – Louis Vuitton, Dior or Hermès, just to name a few of them – Paris also has plenty of designer brands’ shops and flea markets. For haute couture houses, a few streets (rue Saint-Honoré, avenue Montaigne) gather most of the most famous brands. You may want to shop at La Samaritaine, a famous department store bought by Louis Vuitton’s Bernard Arnault and reopened in 2021. As for designers’ stores, Le Marais is a great option. Head to Porte de Saint-Ouen for the best flea markets.
FANCY A STROLL?
Walking by the River Seine has been made possible with the creation of a car-free 2.5 km (1.5 mi) stretch in 2013. From the 19th-century impressionist Orsay Museum almost up to the Eiffel Tower, one can now freely walks and enjoy the scenic views. Another stretch also runs from The Place de la Concorde to the Arsenal, on the right bank. There are also plenty of beautiful gardens such as the jardin du Luxembourg and areas full of history such as the Quartier Latin (Latin’s Quarter) where one can wander around.
Images
Paris in pictures
Paris Trips
Our trips are 100% customizable
Parisian Magic & Alsace Christmas Markets
7 DAYS, FROM 4,250 USD PER PERSON
Parisian Whispers: A Week in the City of Light
7 DAYS, FROM 4,900 USD PER PERSON
Christmas Getaway in Paris
4 DAYS, FROM 2,550 USD PER PERSON
Love’s Grand Voyage: Paris, Bordeaux & the Atlantic Coast
10 DAYS, FROM 8,200 USD PER PERSON
A French Honeymoon: Paris & the Riviera
8 DAYS, FROM 7,900 USD PER PERSON
A Family Adventure: Paris, the Loire Valley & Bordeaux
11 DAYS, FROM 6,125 USD PER PERSON