Paris

Paris draws visitors for its museums, its architecture and neighborhoods that feel distinct, from the Left Bank bookshops to the hill of Montmartre.

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Paris is the capital of France, on the Seine in the north of the country. Visitors come for the Louvre and other major museums, the Gothic cathedral of Notre-Dame, the Eiffel Tower, and the cafés along wide boulevards. The city is split into 20 arrondissements, numbered in a spiral from the center. Each district has its own feel, so the neighborhood you choose shapes the trip.

Three to four days suits a first visit: enough for the main sights with time to wander. Spring and early fall are the most comfortable seasons for walking. Summer is busier, and winter has shorter days and fewer crowds. Book the big museums for morning slots, give each day to one or two neighborhoods, and leave time for long lunches. The metro reaches most areas, and many sights are within walking distance of each other.

Paris in five

Book museums by time slotThe Louvre, the Orsay and Sainte-Chapelle sell timed tickets online, and each museum closes one day a week. Check the closing day before you plan a route.Timed entry at Versailles
Load tickets on a Navigo Easy or your phonePaper metro tickets have been phased out. A Navigo Easy card from any station, or the official app, does the job.
RER B from CDG, metro 14 from OrlyThe RER B runs from Charles de Gaulle to Gare du Nord in 25 to 30 minutes, by the airport's own figure. Metro line 14 runs straight from Orly into the center.
Book Sainte-Chapelle on its own siteTickets are sold by the Centre des monuments nationaux. Buy them there, and keep a second date free in case the one you want is gone.
Pick one arrondissement a dayThe Marais to walk, Saint-Germain for quiet, the 11th for bars, Montmartre for views. A day in one area saves metro time.

Things to do in Paris

See all attractions in Paris

Sight · ParisLe Bateau-Lavoir

Museum · ParisMusée Nissim de CamondoCheck whether the museum has reopened before travelling; the supplied information lists renovation closure until early 2026.

Museum · ParisMuseum of Romantic LifeVisit at an off-peak time if you want a quieter look around.

Free trip plannerPlan a trip to ParisPut the places you like in Paris on a map, give them days, and let one button order each day. Free, with no account.Plan a trip

Need to know

Airports: CDG, 25–30 min to Gare du Nord by RER B; Orly by metro line 14
Transit: Navigo Easy card or a phone ticket
Best base: Le Marais, Saint-Germain or the 11th
City tax: Per person, per night, added to hotel bills
Emergency: 112

Weather by month

Rainy days
Snowy days
Festival

Best
Good
Mixed
Poor

JanuaryRain13 rainy days1 snowy dayHigh7°Low2°Cold, sales
FebruaryPartly cloudy11 rainy daysHigh10°Low3°Grey, quiet
MarchRain13 rainy daysHigh12°Low5°Early spring
AprilPartly cloudy10 rainy daysHigh16°Low7°Blossom, showers
MayPartly cloudy12 rainy daysHigh19°Low10°Mild, long days
JuneRain12 rainy daysHigh24°Low14°Long evenings
JulyPartly cloudy9 rainy daysHigh26°Low16°Warm, busy
AugustPartly cloudy9 rainy daysHigh26°Low16°Locals away
SeptemberPartly cloudy10 rainy daysHigh22°Low13°Warm, back to work
OctoberRain13 rainy daysHigh17°Low11°Crisp, autumn color
NovemberRain12 rainy daysHigh11°Low6°Grey, quiet
DecemberRain14 rainy daysHigh8°Low4°Lights, markets

Average daily high and low in Paris, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.

Festivals: May Villette Sonique · Jun Solidays · Aug Rock en Seine · Sep Fête de l'Humanité

Right now in Paris

Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.

Feels like: 8°
Humidity: 83%
Wind: 14 km/h
Chance of rain: 53%

Paris

09:05 PM

Monday, November 2

GMT+1

Today12°9°53%Monday: Rain. High 12°, Low 9°. Chance of rain 53%.
Tue11°6°3%Tuesday: Rain. High 11°, Low 6°. Chance of rain 3%.
Wed10°4°0%Wednesday: Cloudy. High 10°, Low 4°. Chance of rain 0%.
Thu10°3°4%Thursday: Cloudy. High 10°, Low 3°. Chance of rain 4%.
Fri12°5°5%Friday: Fog. High 12°, Low 5°. Chance of rain 5%.
Sat11°5°5%Saturday: Fog. High 11°, Low 5°. Chance of rain 5%.
Sun10°2°11%Sunday: Rain. High 10°, Low 2°. Chance of rain 11%.

Updated 05:19 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com

Money

Mid-market rate1 USD = 0.8961 EUR

Amount

Converted to

EUR · Euro

Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API

What's on in Paris

Concerts, festivals and big events in and around the city

Events calendar

Coming up

Every year

MayVillette SoniqueParis
JunSolidaysParis
AugRock en SeineParis
SepFête de l'HumanitéParis

Day trips by train

Before you go to Paris

Stays in ParisMarais, Saint-Germain and MontmartreCheck availability

Louvre, Orsay and Versailles ticketsTimed entry; slots sell out firstBook timed entry

eSIM for ParisData for the metro app and mapsRead the guide

Insurance for Paris tripsCover for theft and strike delaysRead the guide

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Rules for Paris, checked

Non-EU visitors should check the France-Visas site for visa rules before booking flights.Source
Tap a contactless card or validate a paper ticket at the Metro gate. Ticket inspectors ride the trains, and riding without a valid ticket brings a fine.
Pickpockets operate on crowded Metro lines and at busy sites such as the Louvre and Sacré-Coeur. Keep phones and bags zipped and in front of you.
Service is included in restaurant and café bills by law. Leaving a few coins for good service is common but not required.

All Paris guides

people sitting on chair near building during daytime

Where to stayWhere to stay in Paris: five neighborhoods comparedChecked Oct 13, 2026

a city street with a bunch of people walking down it

ItineraryParis in 3 days: the islands, the Louvre and MontmartreChecked Oct 13, 2026

Plan around Paris

All of France

Regions, TGV, EES and money basics

Read the guide Visit Versailles from Paris

Train, tickets and the best time to go

Read the guide Paris to Giverny day trip

Train, shuttle and Monet's garden

Read the guide Fontainebleau

A quieter palace day trip

Read the guide Reims

Champagne cellars 45 minutes by TGV

Read the guide EES explained

The Schengen border check and what to expect

Read the guide

Paris FAQ

How many days do you need in Paris?

Four days covers the big museums, the Marais, Montmartre and a day trip. Three is enough for highlights; five lets you slow down or add Versailles and Giverny.

How do I get from Charles de Gaulle airport to central Paris?

Take the RER B: 25 to 30 minutes to Gare du Nord by the airport's own figure, then on to the Left Bank. Taxis and buses also run from the airport.

Is a Paris Museum Pass worth it?

Only if you plan several museums over a few days. For one or two big sights, buy timed tickets for those instead and skip the pass, since the pass does not always skip the queue.

Which part of Paris is best for a first visit?

The Marais or Saint-Germain, both walkable with metro lines close by. Choose Montmartre for atmosphere and views, and the 11th for bars and restaurants.

Is Paris safe for tourists?

The UK government's travel advice for France warns of pickpockets and bag theft on the metro, the RER and at mainline stations. Keep bags zipped and in front of you there, and phones out of back pockets.