Paris Tourism

We just have one word for you: Paris. Does that send a little shiver down your spine? Does it leave a sweet taste in your mouth? Do you see the swooping lines of the Eiffel Tower? Do you hear the stretch and pull of the accordion? There are so many compelling reasons to travel to this city. So, why not take a sojourn through Paris with us today? You can decide where you’d like to go, what you’d like to see and what to eat. 

Today, we’ll wine and dine together, take a lazy boat ride over the Seine, stroll through cobbled streets, window (or word) shop at different stores and wander around the Louvre. Ready to peer into Paris’ heart? 

Highlights Of Paris

Tourist Spots In Paris:

There are some spots in Paris that automatically stand out – literally. Think of the curving, graceful lines of the Eiffel tower spearing out into the sky. Or the delicate spires of the Cathedral Notre-Dame de Paris that pierce the beautiful blue. Think of the slick spread of the monumental boulevard known as the Champs Elysees. The decadent cream and gold shaded Baroque architecture of the Palais Garnier Opera de Paris, where you can see mesmerising opera, ballet, classical music and gala events. Breathe in the Parisian air that surrounds the wide octagonal square in the heart of Paris, known as the Place de la Concorde. Stand in awe of the stately Arc de Triomphe built in 1836, to commemorate the soldiers who lost their lives fighting in the French Revolution. Take a river cruise on the soothing silk of the river Seine. Listen to angelic voices rise and soar when you attend a musical concert at Saint-Chapelle. Stroll along the tufty grass at the beautiful Luxembourg Gardens. Add a little bit of royalty to your Paris trip with a visit to the Place des Vosges, Palais Royal where the French royals and aristocrats lived. Chew on a slice of history, when you take a tour of La Concierge where Marie Antoinette was imprisoned. Add a splash of style to your trip by visiting the Foundation Louis Vuitton and slip into the peaceful green oasis, known as the Parc des Buttes Chaumont. Let your inner child out at the incredible Disneyland in Paris!

Art Of Paris:

To every art aficionado, Paris is at the top of the list. The arts are revered here, carefully enshrined, worshipped and watched over in some of the most beautiful museums. Do note, that you can buy a Paris Museum pass, which acts as a sort of painting passport to over 60 museums and monuments in Paris. Your first stop must (obviously) be the Louvre. The Mona Lisa, Venus de Milo, works by Michaelangelo, Da Vinci, Caravaggio, Eugene Delacroix – this is art heaven. Not far behind, is the National Museum of Modern Art at the Centre Pompidou, which houses over 100,000 works from painters like Picasso, Matisse, Warhol, Pollock and others. For the best of Impressionist and Expressionist pieces, visit the Musee d’Orsay and enjoy works by Monet, Manet, Degas, Gaugin and more. When you’re strolling along the Champs Elysees, make sure to duck into the Petit Palais, which features 1,300 works from masters like Cezanne, Courbet, Monet and others. Leave the masters of the past behind, and step into the Modern Art Museum of the City of Paris, which boasts of 8,000 exciting pieces by photographer Henri Cartier-Bresson, Elaine Sturtevant and others. If you’re looking for beautiful sculptures, you’ll be spellbound by the work at Musee Rodin, including the iconic “Thinker” statue. 

Cuisine Of Paris:

If you have any thoughts of holding back, or eating light on this trip, banish them now. The bread, cheese, pastries and wine will weaken the resolve of the strongest person. Start with the humble baguette and the flaky croissant lathered in rich French butter from your neighbourhood Boulangerie. Bite into the crisp outer shell of the macaron and let the rich filling of buttercream, ganache or jam flood your taste buds. Discover the dreamy, creamy centre of a delicate chocolate éclair. Explore every kind of cheese, from the creamy and supple Camembert, the ripe Brie de Meaux, the punch of Roquefort, the velvety Reblochon, the firm yet sweet Comte and the little bites of Chevre. For a special night, try the exquisite Duck Confit and pick up some gourmet chocolates for your loved ones at home (if you can stop yourself from eating all of them). For a hearty meal, go for the French classic Steak and Frites at your local bistro. Sink into a deep mug of chocolat chaud (hot chocolate). If you’re hungry after a long day of walking around the city, a lovely crepe (ham and cheese or banana Nutella) will chase those hunger pangs away. There are so many dishes to add to your list – oysters, coq au vin, cream filled profiteroles, thick French onion soup, foie gras, Sole Meuniere and even escargots (snails), if you’re feeling adventurous.

Shopping In Paris: 

Strengthen those arm muscles and stretch your legs – you’re going shopping in Paris. This is a city that understands style and beauty intimately and so it’s only right that you should take a little piece for yourself. Head to the Boulevard St. Germain for incredible home décor shops, gourmet food stores and fashion boutiques. For makeup, dresses and skin care products you should make a stop at the Rue Du Commerce, with its mix of high-end brands and small boutiques. For authentic Parisian products visit the slick Les Halles shopping centre. If vintage is your style, then you’ll have a wonderful time at Le Marais. For the shopaholics, with a budget to blow, the Triangle D’or will hit the sweet spot. Couture, titans like Dior and Chanel, designer jewellery, delicate French perfumes, bags from Louis Vuitton – this is indulgence on a whole new scale. At the other end of the spectrum, is the cheerful and affordable Saint-Ouen Flea Market where you can buy vintage clothes, antique furniture and great shoes. Finally, for accessories, toys, cosmetics, high-end brands and everything under the Parisian sun, visit the Avenue Des Champs Elysees.

Interesting facts about Paris:

• The original name of Paris was Lutetia, when it was founded in 3rd Century BC
• In total, there are 1803 monuments and 173 museums in Paris
• On average Paris sees 10 film or commercial shoots every day
• The oldest café in Paris is called Le Procope, and was founded in 1686
• Paris has the largest number of libraries in the world – 830 in total
• Paris has only one stop sign in the city
• There are 6,100 streets (or rues) in Paris. The shortest one is only 6 metres long
• To climb to the top of the Eiffel Tower you have to climb 1665 steps 

Location Of Paris:

The most romantic city of the world can be found at the bend of the river. Or to put it more succinctly, Paris is located in Northern Central France, at the north-bending arc of the Seine River. By Road, the centre of Paris is 450 kilometres away from London, 287 kilometres from Calais, 305 kilometres from Brussels, 774 kilometres from Marseille, 385 kilometres from Marseille and 135 kilometres from Rouen. 

Best time to visit Paris:

From April to June and October to early November, mild warm weather seeps into Paris and the tourist crowd thins down to let the city breathe. This is when you should make your trip to Paris. If you’re looking to shop, winter sales hit Paris from early January to mid-February and summer sales flood the city from June-July. Tourist heavy months include June to mid-September and mid-to-late December, so avoid these crowds if you’re looking to experience a quieter Paris. Low season is from January to March. Carry an umbrella in anticipation of cold drizzles and chilly mist.

How to reach Paris:

By Air: Three international airports handle the massive influx of tourists that visit this beautiful city. Charles de Gaulle International Airport, Aeroport de Beauvais Tille and Orly International Airport. Air France, Etihad, Air India, Lufthansa and Emirates operate flights on a daily basis from Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Chennai, Kolkata, Pune and Hyderabad to Charles de Gaulle and Orly Airport. Typically, the flight duration from Bangalore to Paris is around 10 hours (for direct flights).
Once you are in Paris, you can travel by road or rail. 

By Road: Paris is well-equipped with an excellent bus service – both in the city and to surrounding cities in France. Eurolines is one of the most trusted bus operators in Paris. You can book tickets via Megabus, if you’d like to travel to Brussels, Amsterdam and the UK. Do note that traffic is heavy in the city, so the best option available is public transport.

By Rail: Paris is well-connected to the rest of France and Europe, via rail. There are six different railway stations, where trains run to and from various European cities. The most important trains include Trains a Grande Vitesse, Thalys, Eurostar, Train Express Regionale and the Intercity trains. 

History Of Paris:

Paris’s history stretches all the way back to 8000 BC, during the Mesolithic period, when the first traces of human settlement were discovered. In 52 BC, the Romans defeated the ruling Parisii, and established the town of Luteitia. When the Roman Empire collapsed, the city was Christianised and occupied by Clovis I who made it his capital city. The Middle Ages saw Paris become an important religious and commercial hub. The 14th and 15th centuries were dark times, with the rise of the Bubonic Plague and the Hundred Years War, respectively. The 16th and 18th century saw Paris intellectual side flourish with the rise in book publishing and the movement of Enlightenment (philosophical thought). The French Revolution shook the city from 1789, which was rebuilt and accoutred with statues and monuments by Napolean I. Paris became the fashion capital around the time of Napolean III and also saw two more revolutions. Paris was rocked by World War I and German Occupation (from 1940 to 1944) in World War II. Between the two wars, the city became the capital of modern art and a hub for artists, intellectuals and writers.  

So, how has your Parisian experience been so far? Ready to eclipse the written word and experience the city in person? Then, head on over to our France Holiday packages and book your trip to the city of lights