Why Paris
Paris rewards slow wandering as much as bucket-list sightseeing. Between the Seine, the grand boulevards and a café on every corner, France’s capital packs world-class museums, iconic monuments and some of the best food in Europe into a compact, walkable centre.
01 Best time to visit
April to June and September to October bring mild weather and lighter crowds than high summer. July and August are warmest but busiest; winter is quiet, cool and atmospheric, with the lowest prices.
Buy museum and monument tickets online with a timed slot — the queues at the Louvre, Eiffel Tower and Catacombs can swallow half a day in peak season.
02 Weather & climate
71°
60°
☔ 81%
71°
53°
76°
56°
75°
59°
72°
55°
62°
54°
Paris has a mild temperate climate. Summers are warm and pleasant, winters cool and grey with the odd frost, and a little rain is possible in any season — pack a light layer and a small umbrella whatever the month.
| Season | Avg high | Avg low |
|---|---|---|
| Winter | 45°F 7°C | 36°F 2°C |
| Spring | 61°F 16°C | 45°F 7°C |
| Summer | 77°F 25°C | 59°F 15°C |
| Autumn | 61°F 16°C | 46°F 8°C |
03 Top 12 things to do in Paris
04 Plan your Paris trip by theme
Short on time, travelling with kids, counting the pennies or dodging the rain? These curated guides pull together the right things to do for how you travel.
05 How long to stay in Paris
On a layover or a single day, ride to the top of the Eiffel Tower, walk the Champ de Mars and along the Seine to Notre-Dame and the Louvre courtyard, then finish with a coffee in the Marais. The core sights sit within a short Métro ride of one another.
06 Where to stay
07 Food & drink
Paris is a moveable feast: neighbourhood boulangeries, corner bistros, covered market halls and some of the world’s finest pastry. Book a table for a classic bistro dinner, and save mornings for a café crème and a fresh croissant.
08 Day trips
09 Getting into Paris from the airport
Most travellers fly into Charles de Gaulle (CDG) — Air France, Delta, United and American all fly direct from the US. Orly (ORY) handles more European and domestic routes.
| From the airport | Time | Cost (approx) |
|---|---|---|
| RER B trainDirect to Gare du Nord & Châtelet; the cheapest option | 35–45 min | ~$13 |
| RoissybusTo Opéra in central Paris | ~60 min | ~$18 |
| Taxi (flat fare)Fixed €56/€65 to the Right/Left Bank | 45–60 min | ~$62–70 |
Paris taxis charge a government-fixed flat fare between CDG and the city — insist on the official rate and ignore touts inside the terminal.
10 Entry & visa for US citizens
- Passport
- Valid for at least 3 months beyond your planned departure from the EU (6 months recommended).
- Visa
- No visa for tourism — up to 90 days within any 180-day period across the Schengen Area.
- Cost
- Free. ETIAS — a roughly €7 online travel authorisation — is expected to launch in late 2026; it is not yet required, so check whether it applies to your travel dates. The EES biometric entry system is already in use at borders (no fee).
- Good to know
- The 90-day clock is shared across all Schengen countries; have proof of onward travel and accommodation ready.
Last checked 2026-09-08. Entry rules change — always confirm with the official government source before you book.
11 Getting around Paris
Fly into Charles de Gaulle (CDG) or Orly (ORY); both link to the centre by train or bus in 35–60 minutes. In the city, the Métro is fast and cheap — a Navigo or carnet of tickets covers most trips.