Paris pocket guide.
Iconic view of the Eiffel Tower viewed from the Champ de Mars (📷)
Such is the opulence and beauty of Paris, that the city has become engraved into global consciousness as definitive of romance, wealth, and elegance. Paris has so much to offer, and our handy pocket guide will help to gather your bearings and enjoy a pressure free getaway to the City of Love.
🏛 Sights, Culture + Experiences.
At the heart of the French Empire, Paris benefitted profusely from the spoils of its success, blatantly exhibited in the form of stunning classical architecture, lavish urban parks, and grandiose monuments scattered across the city.
At its initial unveiling, the Eiffel Tower (📷) was vehemently despised by Parisians. Nowadays, it is cherished as the enduring symbol of Paris. The scale of the monument may take you by surprise when you first set eyes upon it; with a winding lattice design reaching upwards to pierce the skyline at a vertigo-inducing 984 feet.
As you stroll the Champ de Mars, you will feel the magic of being in the presence of the Iron Lady, as she radiates her glistening golden light.
Honouring causalities of the French Revolution and Napoleonic Wars, the Arc de Triomphe (📷) is the dramatic centre-piece of an infamously busy roundabout on the west end of the Champs-Élysées.
Housed below the archway is the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, where an eternal flame burns in solemn remembrance of unidentified martyrs.
In the heart of Paris, the Île de la Cité floats upon the Seine at the dividing point between the north and south of the city. Undoubtedly the crown jewel of the island is the stunning Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Paris (📷), which gained international notoriety as the setting of Victor Hugo's novel detailing the life of the fictional hunchback, who hid himself away in the towers of Notre-Dame. To this day, the Gothic masterpiece still draws a crowd to admire its extravagant exterior, adorned with the iconic sculpted gargoyles and flying buttresses.
The monolithic hill of Montmartre (📷) dominates North Paris. The community that has flourished here offers a quintessentially Parisian experience, characterised by an assortment of charming cafés and restaurants. Montmartre has become increasingly in vogue, leading to a vibrant and lively atmosphere, heightened by the sheer prettiness of the neighbourhood.
At the summit of Montmartre, the emblematic Sacré-Cœur (📷) keeps a watch upon Paris from the highest point in the city. The panoramic views from the site of the basilica are reward enough for dodging the touts to ascend to the summit.
One of the very best art institutions in the world is located here in Paris. Established in an opulent former palace, the flashy and impressive exterior of the Louvre conceals an extensive collection of seminal artworks. Earning its status as the most visited art museum in the world, the Louvre has curated a commendable 38,000 pieces of art that range from pre-historic times to the current day.
Of course, Da Vinci's Mona Lisa resides here, but there is so much more to uncover. Queues to access the Louvre are notoriously lengthy, so try to arrive early to avoid the swarms of tourists that descend upon the museum daily.
After absorbing the beautiful artwork on display at the Louvre, a more sinister museum-of-sorts lurks beneath the streets of Paris, detailing its darkest chapters.
An eerie escapade for those looking to immerse themselves in the macabre, Catacombes de Paris (📷) is an expansive subterranean labyrinth housing the remains of over 6 million people across a network of winding tunnels. After the Parisian cemeteries began to overflow during the Black Plague, countless skulls and bones propped up these morbid caverns, and serve as a pertinent reminder of our mortality.
The extent of the tunnels is sprawling; so much so that only a small section of the Catacombs are administered and regulated by the Parisian government for tourism. Getting into the Catacombs often entails a hideously long wait, so book tickets in advance.
🌳 Urban Parks + Gardens.
The lavish urban parks found dotted across Paris offer relative solace from its hectic centre. Exhibiting the wealth and elegance of France, each park is pristine and extravagant.
Inspired by ancient Roman architecture, Temple de la Sibylle perches atop a cliff, bearing down upon an artificial lake that runs through Parc des Buttes Chaumont (📷). Located in the north-east of Paris on the verge of the thriving Belleville neighbourhood, this prime location attracts a diverse crowd to revel in the tranquillity of this park.
At the opposite end of the city, Parc Monceau (📷) is slightly off the beaten path relative to Parisian standards. A gem for those looking to gain some peace and quiet, the park was commissioned by Philippe d'Orléans, who was a well-established member of the Freemasons; the influence of which is reflected in the park’s sculptures and statues.
Established in 1993, the elevated urban park of René-Dumont Coulée verte is a veritable park-in-the-sky. Salvaging an obsolete railway line and transforming it into a popular tourist attraction, the project set the stage for similar urban reclamation projects in other parts of the world. A visit here affords an extremely pleasant walk, with nice views and lush greenery lining sections of the walkway.
In the extreme south-west of Paris lies another innovative and unique urban park. Named after French industrial tycoon, Parc André Citroën is a large green-space with a futuristic twist. The massive Ballon Generali is tethered at all times in the park, becoming symbolic in its own right.
Make sure not to miss out on the gorgeous Luxembourg Gardens, the central location of which makes it easy to a visit. The beauty of this park is accentuated by the impressive Luxembourg Palace housed within, not to mention the oft-pictured Medici Fountain installed in 1620.
🍸 Bars + Nightlife.
After-hours in Paris is decidedly eclectic and varied, catering in equal part to those who want to sip cocktails, and others seeking to dance away in a jam-packed dingy cellar to house and techno.
Starting off in the south, two of the best venues are located between the 5th and 13th androssiment on the banks of the River Seine. An open-air pavilion, nightclub Wanderlust invites tourists and locals alike to enjoy drinks in a neo-futuristic environment with ample mood lighting. Close by, Petit Bain entices clientele to hop aboard the deck of a moored boat hosting live music and good vibes all around.
Returning attention to the north, Le Comptoir Général is part bar and part tropical voodoo forest, with a pirate ship thrown in for good measure. A ramshackle interior makes this bar incredibly unique, with a hip crowd flocking to this bar to share conversation accompanied by inventive drinks.
Regardless of how eventful you want your evening to turn out, Le Marais is a great place to be when the sun sets. A firm favourite for chilled nights out, the luxurious Le Perchoir Marais (📷) is a sophisticated bar with an elegant roof terrace, which affords spellbinding views over Paris.
Meanwhile, remaining in Le Marais, it’d be easy to stumble past the remarkable small hangout Zero Zero, a tiny spot that maintains a purposefully shabby chic and is often crammed full of locals who dance away to eclectic DJs spinning everything from hip-hop, funk and house.
Visiting during the summer? Hit up the outskirts of north-eastern Paris where famous concert venue Glazart fills up its courtyard with sand to host open air concerts well into the evening.
🥐 Haute-cuisine + Curbside crêperies.
Regardless of whether you’re visiting Paris on a budget or have left plenty of leeway to sample the mouth-watering cuisine France has become synonymous with, one thing is for certain — you will eat well!
With over 70 Michelin star restaurants within the city's parameters, those with an appetite for fine dining are literally spoiled for choice. One such restaurant is La Table d’Eugène near Montmartre, with a carte blanche menu beginning from a somewhat affordable €89 per person.
To splash out a little, the upscale L'Ange 20 creates delicious and authentic French cuisine from its central location at a price that is agreeable given the high quality of its dishes.
True to its name, La Recyclerie (📷) makes great use of what would have otherwise been derelict space. A former railway station lay in disrepair before being transformed into a trendy buzzing bar and restaurant with an on-site vegetable garden. Come here to enjoy the company of friendly staff and clientele and affordable bar bites.
For travellers looking to conserve their cash, L'as du Fallafel should definitely be on your radar. Cheap without skimping out on quality, this legendary takeaway spot has been heralded as having the unrivalled finest fallafel in town.
Vegans are well looked after here in Paris, with the Hank chain offering tasty vegan burgers and pizzas. On the flip-side, Kraft Hot Dog is located just down the street and offers delicious fast food to go.
💤 Accommodation.
Hostels abundant in Paris, many of which are of exceptional quality; perfect for young sociable travellers to the city. If you are visiting Paris for a romantic weekend or with family, private accommodation varies greatly on where and when you stay. Aim to stay in areas which are vibrant after hours such as Le Marais or Montmartre.
💰 Dorms from €21.00 per night.
💰 Rooms from €90.00 per night.
💰 Dorms from €22.00 per night.
💰 Rooms from €95.00 per night.
💰 Dorms from €17.00 per night.
💰 Rooms from €220.00 per night.
Rounding off.
Countless shades of character are found across the urbanised area that sprawls out in both directions from the River Seine. The south is a grandiose open-air museum flaunting the opulence and excess of the French Empire, with extravagant urban parks and towering monuments to its cultural history.
Meanwhile, the north of Paris is ablaze in the modern age with a vibrant community of Parisians who radiate their 'joie de vivre' to all who cross their path. It is impossible to garner an all-encompassing feel for Paris in a week, or even two. But likely after your first, you will fall in love with this city, leaving little doubt that you will be back to explore further.
