Paris Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Paris
Paris showing heritage elements, heritage architecture and a fountain
8th Arrondissement showing heritage architecture and street scenes
Paris
Paris

Paris Travel Guide Video

The French capital has taken a long and tumultuous journey through history, gifting the world with its finest art, food, literature and music, along the way.

The Eiffel Tower is the place many start their Parisian sight-seeing, but it might be best to save this ultimate icon of Paris till last. The spectacular views from its 305-metre vantage point make most sense when you've already gathered in the details when Paris is no longer a blank. Instead head for the historic centre of the city – the island in the Seine where Paris started, the Ile de la Cité. Here, the Notre-Dame Cathedral lights up its heart, and from its towers you can take in a viewpoint that has witnessed all of the city's tumultuous history.

And while that history is worn proudly on every street, its most vibrant remnants are gathered into Paris' many magnificent museums and art galleries (because art is history in Paris, after all). The Louvre is its most triumphant, home of the Mona Lisa and much else beside. The Champs-Élysées might be better-known for its uptown shopping, but it also has two fine art museums, the Grand and Petit Palais. And the Pompidou Centre loudly proclaims Paris' insistence on staying contemporary, with its hugely popular National Museum of Modern Art.

The north side of Paris takes the most dramatic architectural line – the Axe Historique. Starting in Place de la Concorde, this line tracks through three of the city's most famous monuments – the Arc de Triomphe du Carrousel, the Arc de Triomphe d'Etoile and the modernist Grande Arch, 13 kilometres west. Here it ends in the modern business district of La Defense, a forest of glass-fronted towers and towering sculptures.

Also on the north-side is a prime example of that old-town charm – the narrow alleys of Montmartre, clustered around the Basilica of the Sacred Heart. This is Paris' bohemian heart, home of the Moulin Rouge and a still-thriving artistic community. Step south of the river and you'll find a very different community – the intellectual musings of the Latin Quarter, home to many of the Sorbonne's colleges, the Senate, and the dreamy open spaces of the Luxembourg Gardens. Close by, you can descend into the bowels of Paris, and explore the macabre magnificence of the Paris Catacombs.

Light and dark reason and passion ancient and modern – every one of Paris' 20 districts picks at the threads of this cultural multiverse in its own particular way.

Where to stay in Paris

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Paris City Center

4/5(1 area review)

Louvre Museum and Notre-Dame are a few top attractions in Paris City Center. Hop around the city on the metro at Palais Royal-Musée du Louvre Metro Station or Louvre - Rivoli Station and check out the area's fascinating museums, stunning cathedral and charming cafes.

Paris City Center
Marais - Pompidou - Notre Dame de Paris featuring modern architecture and a square or plaza as well as a large group of people

Marais

4.5/5(37 area reviews)

Travellers love Marais for its popular shops, and you can see more of Paris by jumping on the metro at Saint-Paul Station or Saint-Sebastien - Froissart Station. You might spend time checking out top sights like Carnavalet Museum and Picasso Museum.

Marais
French Academy showing heritage elements, signage and heritage architecture

Saint-Germain-des-Prés

5/5(33 area reviews)

Known for its charming cafes and popular shops, there's plenty to explore in Saint-Germain-des-Prés. Check out top attractions like Abbey of Saint-Germain-des-Pres and Place Saint-Germain-des-Pres, and jump on the metro at Mabillon Station or Saint-Germain-des-Pres Station to see more of the city.

Saint-Germain-des-Prés
6th Arrondissement showing a garden and a statue or sculpture

6th Arrondissement

5/5(28 area reviews)

Known for its beautiful gardens and charming cafes, there's plenty to explore in 6th Arrondissement. Check out top attractions like Luxembourg Gardens and Saint-Sulpice Church, and jump on the metro at Saint-Sulpice Station or Mabillon Station to see more of the city.

6th Arrondissement
Les Invalides featuring heritage architecture and street scenes as well as a large group of people

7th Arrondissement

4.5/5(59 area reviews)

7th Arrondissement is highly notable for its charming cafes, and you might want to visit top sights like Eiffel Tower and Rodin Museum. See more of Paris by jumping on the metro at Solferino Station or Assemblee Nationale Station.

7th Arrondissement
Arc de Triomphe showing night scenes, a city and street scenes

Champs-Élysées

You might enjoy the river views while in Champs-Élysées. Champs-Élysées is a notable sight, and you can get around town at Franklin D. Roosevelt Metro Station or Champs-Élysées - Clemenceau Station to see more of the city.

Champs-Élysées
Pullman Paris Tour Eiffel

Pullman Paris Tour Eiffel

4 out of 5
18 avenue de Suffren, Entrée au 22 rue Jean Rey, Paris, Paris
The price is NZ$655 per night from 15 Aug to 16 Aug
NZ$655
15 Aug - 16 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star eco-certified hotel in Paris. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and 24-hour room service. Our guests praise the breakfast and the bar ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,326 reviews)
"Loved the location with the Eiffel Tower view and balcony."

Reviewed on 21 Jul. 2025

Pullman Paris Tour Eiffel
Novotel Paris Les Halles

Novotel Paris Les Halles

4 out of 5
8 Place Marguerite De Navarre, Paris, Paris
The price is NZ$618 per night from 17 Aug to 18 Aug
NZ$618
17 Aug - 18 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star eco-certified hotel in Paris. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and room service. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,048 reviews)
"GREAT!"

Reviewed on 23 Jul. 2025

Novotel Paris Les Halles
citizenM Paris Gare de Lyon

citizenM Paris Gare de Lyon

4 out of 5
8 Rue van Gogh, Paris, Ile-de-France
The price is NZ$268 per night from 26 July to 27 July
NZ$268
26 July - 27 July
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Paris. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the bar and the helpful ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,122 reviews)
"Great job citizensM"

Reviewed on 23 Jul. 2025

citizenM Paris Gare de Lyon
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Les Jardins du Marais

Les Jardins du Marais

4 out of 5
74 Rue Amelot, Paris, Paris
Stay at this 4-star luxury residence in Paris. Enjoy free WiFi, a rooftop terrace, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the spacious ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (2,725 reviews)
Great stay
"The hotel could use a bit of a renovation but overall it was cute and clean. Very friendly and helpful staff. Beautiful courtyard."

Reviewed on 24 Jul. 2025

Les Jardins du Marais
Aparthotel Adagio Paris Centre Tour Eiffel

Aparthotel Adagio Paris Centre Tour Eiffel

4 out of 5
14 Rue Du Theatre, Paris, Paris
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly aparthotel in Paris. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a fitness center. Our guests praise the helpful staff ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (476 reviews)
"A nice clean safe hotel with great staff"

Reviewed on 24 Jul. 2025

Aparthotel Adagio Paris Centre Tour Eiffel
Adonis Paris Sud

Adonis Paris Sud

3 out of 5
196 Avenue de Stalingrad, Chevilly-Larue, Val-de-Marne
Stay at this 3-star business-friendly aparthotel in Chevilly-Larue. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful ...
7.4/10 Good! (1,599 reviews)
"It’s good for the price"

Reviewed on 3 Jul. 2025

Adonis Paris Sud
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

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