So you’re planning a trip to the beautiful City of Light? Paris is one of the most amazing places to visit in the world, and its charm draws visitors back year after year. I am lucky enough to have visited Paris more times than I can count so I feel well-placed to advise on how to plan a trip to Paris!
There’s plenty to see and do in this wonderful city with iconic landmarks such as the Eiffel Tower, the Palace of Versailles, and more. That said, the planning stages of a trip to Paris can be very overwhelming – especially if you’re visiting the city for the first time.
So much information is available that you might get lost trying to plan it all by yourself. Luckily, you don’t have to. I’ve created this step-by-step guide to make the planning process as stress-free as possible.
The best time to visit Paris often depends on what you hope to get from your trip. There isn’t really a bad time to visit Paris. However, seasons, changing weather, and factors such as crowds and flight prices can play a crucial role in the success of your trip.
The high season in Paris is from June to August, with a peak in tourist numbers from July. The low season is from September to November, when everyone starts going back to work and school. Late mid-December and early January see a slight peak in numbers again as some people return to Paris to celebrate the festive season.
Personally, I enjoy Paris the most in April/May and September/October. There are generally fewer tourists, more locals and the weather is usually quite good.
Here’s a more detailed season overview:
Spring In Paris
Spring is one of the best times to visit Paris. The weather is pleasant, with clear blue skies and moderate temperatures. Spring falls in March, April and May. This is when the city’s cherry blossoms start blooming, making Paris even more charming than it already is. Springtime in Paris makes it very easy to see why it's repeatedly voted as one of the most beautiful cities in Europe.
Spring is one of the most idyllic seasons to see Paris. It is also an excellent time to visit because it's just before the busy summer season, so there are fewer crowds in the city. Plus the lines to get into most of the popular attractions aren’t as long.
Summer in Paris
Summer in Paris means longer days with the sun rising at around 6 am and only setting just after 9 pm. It occupies the months of June, July, and August. Temperatures in the city are lovely and warm, averaging around 25°C (77°F). Summer sees an endless line-up of outdoor activities and festivals that you can enjoy.
This does, however, mean that summer is France’s peak season, meaning that the city is often overcrowded with tourists from all over the world. Summer sees a price hike in flight, accommodation, and tour costs as companies look to make the most of the high season to carry them through the quieter ones.
I would avoid visiting Paris in August if possible. All the locals will have left for their summer vacations and Paris without its locals isn't quite the same.
Autumn/Fall
Autumn or Fall lasts from the months of September to November. This is when it starts getting a little chillier and days become shorter. You can also expect milder temperatures, usually around 13ºC and 17°C (55°F – 62°F). During this time of the year, the weather is a little unpredictable.
This is when Paris starts getting a bit windier, and you can also expect some light showers. Many people might not know this, but autumn is still considered the high season in Paris, in the months of September and October.
While the summer crowds will be gone by then, the weather is pretty decent, making it an optimal time to visit. You can score good deals on flights and accommodation during this time, so be sure to book in advance.
Autumn is also when most Parisians return from holiday, so you can get a real feel of the city. One thing to note is that some of the attractions are closed in autumn, so check beforehand that the places you want to visit will still be open.
Winter in Paris
Winter in Paris is cold. We’re talking anything between 3°C (37°F) and colder and 12°C (54°F). Some people think this is the worst time to visit the French capital, considering the weather to be too miserable and gloomy to do anything.
Contrary to popular belief, winter in Paris is not as terrible as many people make it out to be. There are plenty of indoor activities to enjoy. It's also the best time to enjoy all the city's popular attractions without the long lines and crowds.
Paris in December is particularly beautiful. The French know how to do amazing Christmas decorations and evidence of the festive season will be all over the city. It is a particularly charming and picturesque time to visit Paris.
Savvy travellers will also tell you that winter is the best time to visit because of the deals you’ll score on flights, accommodations and tours. Keep in mind though that some attractions are closed during this time, only opening again in spring and summer.
Still, there’s a wide range of activities that you can do in winter that will keep you warm. This includes visiting Angelina, the most famous tea house in Paris and enjoying their legendary hot chocolate. You can also warm up by enjoying some classic and hearty French dishes.
2. Decide on Your Budget
Your budget is a crucial part of planning any trip. Transport, accommodation, visas, tours and food must all be accounted for. And let’s face it, Paris is not the cheapest city, so having a budget and planning ahead is imperative.
Having a rough idea of what you would like to spend on your trip is a good idea. Once you start looking into accommodation, flights, and other things, you will then be able to see where you’ll need to adjust your budget.
3. Search and Book Flights / Train Tickets
Depending on where you’re travelling from, you’ll either need to book a flight, or you can arrive by train from other European destinations.
By Train
If you live in Europe, there are several high-speed trains that you can take to Paris. These include the Eurostar, which will take you from London directly to Paris in just under three hours. You can choose between a standard coach, standard premier or business premier and travel in the ultimate luxury.
As a Londoner, I love the Eurostar. The Eurostar leaves from St Pancras in the middle of London and arrives in Gare du Nord, the center of Paris. If you choose to fly between the two cities, both airports are located a good distance from the central parts of town, adding considerably to your travel time.
There is something almost romantic about traveling on the Eurostar and it is certainly a much lower stress way to travel versus flying.
Then there's also TGV Rail, a high-speed intercity train that operates between major cities in France. Its network also extends beyond France to countries such as Germany, Spain, Italy, Belgium, Luxembourg, and Switzerland. You can choose between a standard coach seat or business class. The cost difference between the two classes is often quite small and I tend to upgrade quite often if a journey is more than one or so hours long.
It’s best to book your train tickets up to 3 months in advance, especially if you visit Paris during summer when seats fill up fast. That way, you can save a few bucks and use it elsewhere during your trip.
By Plane
Two main airports serve Paris, namely Charles de Gaulle and Paris Orly. Charles de Gaulle is situated 23 kilometres away from the city and is the largest airport in France. It's also the second busiest airport in Europe, so many international flights land here.
Paris Orly is only about 13 kilometres from the city and serves as the secondary hub for national carrier AirFrance. It mainly receives flights from other destinations in Europe by smaller airlines but also gets a large number of international flights, especially during the high season.
Most visitors from outside France will arrive at Charles de Gaulle. It is a big and sometimes confusing airport. Once you have your bags head to the RER station and jump on a train. Like London, with Paris traffic it is seldom a good idea to take a taxi from the airport to the centre of town.
4. Search & Book Your Accommodation
Now that you’ve figured out how you’re going to get to Paris, it’s time to think about where you’re going to stay.
Paris Arrondissements
Paris is divided up into 20 arrondissements or “districts” which also have their own administrative divisions. It’s super important to pick the right arrondissements when looking for accommodation, especially if you want to be close to all the main sights and attractions.
The Most Popular Arrondissements
1st & 2nd
Arrondissements 1 and 2 are located in the city centre. These are the most popular districts where you’ll find attractions like the Louvre and the Seine River. These are the most popular districts because you can go on walking or bike tours, museum tours or a Seine River cruise.
These are good districts to stay in if you’re a first-time visitor, although being in the city centre, accommodation is generally a bit more expensive here. They are also the smallest arrondissements in the city.
3rd & 4th
The 3rd arrondissement and half of the 4th is home to my favourite area in Paris, the Marais district. I love the narrow cobblestone streets and quirky buildings of the Marais. This is the perfect area to drop the map and just walk and discover hidden gems of Paris.
5th & 6th
The 5th arrondissement is called the Latin Quarter. It runs from the south of Notre Dame, past the Pantheon and heads down towards the 13th and 14th arrondissements. This is where you’ll get a feel of how the locals live, with quaint squares, historical monuments, and a lively student atmosphere.
The 6th arrondissement known as Saint-Germain-des-Pres is popular for its Quartier Saint-Germain-des-Pres. It's a hub for creatives and students. This district is also popular for its narrow streets and cafés.
7th & 8th
Arrondissements 7 and 8 are also quite popular with first-time visitors, as this is where you’ll find the Eiffel Tower, Champs-Elysees, and the Arc de Triomphe. Accommodation in these areas is usually more expensive all year round because they are popular districts close to some of Paris’ most popular attractions.
18th
The 18th arrondissement is home to one of the most idyllic neighborhoods in Paris — Montmartre. This neighborhood is perched on a high hill and has some of the best views of Paris. It’s located on the northernmost edge of Paris and borders the 9th arrondissement.
Montmartre is known for its cobblestone streets, artistic flair, bistros, and bohemian atmosphere. It has a good mix of reasonably priced accommodation options.
5. Travel Documentation & Insurance
Visas
Depending on where you are from, you may need a Schengen Visa or short-stay visa. This will allow you to stay in France for up to three months. It will also allow you to travel to other countries within the Schengen territory. If you are from a country in the European Union, you will not need a visa to visit France.
Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is absolutely essential, simply because anything can happen whilst travelling. From getting sick to needing flight reimbursements, theft, or loss of luggage, it's good to know that you’ll be covered if such unfortunate events happen.
Therefore it's important not to skimp on travel insurance. Furthermore, it is a requirement that you need it when applying for a visa, otherwise your visa won’t be approved.
6. Learn Some Basic French to Help You Get Around
Learning a little bit of French before your trip is a good idea, as it will definitely help you get around. Also, French people tend to be more helpful if you at least try to speak in their language - and they love to correct your pronunciation!
Even if you don't know any French just learn how to say good morning, good evening and thank you and say them in French to everyone. The French can get annoyed that they are expected to speak English so throwing a small bone with greetings helps.
Here are some essential French words for travelling:
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