There’s a joke in certain circles, that whenever something goes wrong in Paris, we blame Emily. I think you know of whom I speak.
27.11.2023 - 07:48 / lonelyplanet.com
Bustling, diverse and surprising: such is Paris!
Due to its variety and density, navigating the city for the first time may seem challenging. Even after nearly 20 years of living in Paris, I still encounter nuances in the local lifestyle and learn about Parisian peculiarities, such as being fined for taking a Metro corridor the wrong way.
Here are some practical tips and cultural insights to help you plan for your trip and better understand France's capital.
As the busiest city in France, Paris isn’t short of events, attractions or activities. A glimpse of it can be caught in just a couple of days, but to truly experience the city's diverse sights and experiences, five days to a week is considered ideal. Paris can be enchanting year-round, yet it's worth noting that August is the traditional holiday period in France, which might mean encountering closures and a slowdown in local activities.
With limited time, pinpoint in advance the main attractions you want to visit. Booking online for museums, exhibitions or theater performances will save you a lot of time waiting in lines. Remember, Parisians enjoy their museums as much as tourists do, so visiting on weekdays and starting early can significantly change your experience of busy landmarks.
If you’re more the type who goes with the flow, you might want to stroll until you find yourself surprisingly lost, discovering the unique identity of each arrondissement (district). They are all shaped uniquely by various layers of history. With most landmarks concentrated in the city center, it is easy to wander around and never get bored. In fact, there's even a French word for this way to visit a place: flâner.
You might traverse from the upscale Champs-Élysées to the tourist-packed Saint-Michel, then to the trendy Le Marais and the more bohemian Belleville, all within the city's boundaries, without even realizing it. For deeper insights, consider themed tours (food, culture, history, street art, architecture, etc). Many Parisians are eager to share their city with visitors, and it’s a great way to get first-hand insider tips.
Wear something comfortable, because Paris is best explored on foot. Dark clothes will generally help you blend in with the Parisians and help deter pickpockets. That said, if you are into dressing up, don’t feel shy! This is the home of couture afterall.
More importantly if you wish to blend in, is being mindful of personal space, especially on public transportation. The golden rule when navigating Paris, particularly on the Metro and RER (suburban train network) is to be unobtrusive.
During busy times, especially at rush hour (from 7am to 9am and 5pm to 7pm), put your backpack or luggage down and avoid using fold-down seats. When the carriage
There’s a joke in certain circles, that whenever something goes wrong in Paris, we blame Emily. I think you know of whom I speak.
Paris is the global capital of romance but the 2024 Olympics and Paralympic Games bring yet another reason to summer in the City of Lights. The Games is that rare sporting event that works its magic on all kinds of travelers and adds a unique twist to a vacation. In addition to the Olympic Village in the suburb of Seine-Saint-Denis, major landmarks including the Eiffel Tower, Les Invalides, and Place de la Concorde will be transformed into venues. Pencil in a date night at one of these romantic Airbnbs close to the Paris Olympic sites.
The countdown has begun: France will welcome the 2024 Summer Olympic Games from July 26 until August 11 with the Paralympic Games following from August 28 to September 8. Paris and the Île-de-France region form the cradle of the action where the spectacle will kick off at 8:24 p.m. sharp (or, 20:24 – touché).
Whether you haven't kicked off your Christmas shopping yet, lack inspiration, or simply haven't had a moment to ponder it, fret not. Keep reading for some great Parisian gift ideas crafted by some of the city's most talented creators that are guaranteed to bring some of that seasonal festive cheer to your loved ones and create a reminiscent feeling of travel to the French capital until their next visit.
Belmond, the luxury company behind the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express (VSOE), made a historic announcement this week that will delight those who love luxury European luxury train travel. The company said that in June 2024, the VSOE will travel to the Italian Riviera for the first time on a three-night experience that links Paris and the Ligurian coastal resort of Portofino. Once in Portofino, guests check into the Splendido, A Belmond Hotel, for two nights.
2023 is coming to a close, which means the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris are fast approaching. The opening ceremony is scheduled for July 26, with the Games finishing Aug. 11; the Paralympics will run from Aug. 28 through Sept. 8.
Attention, all travel enthusiasts. If you want to maximize your travel plans and book an additional flight at no extra cost, booking a Flying Blue stopover can help unlock more value from your miles. In 2022, Air France-KLM Flying Blue began allowing stopovers on its own one-way, round-trip and multi-city award ticketed flights. Then, in 2023, the airline loyalty program expanded stopovers to all partner award tickets.
This summer, travelers can experience the Italian Riviera like never before—by arriving on Belmond’s Venice Simplon-Orient-Express (VSOE).
A ring worth €750,000 which went missing at the Ritz hotel in Paris has been found in a vacuum cleaner.
Travelers flying to Europe on Air Canada can now seamlessly book trains to their onward destinations thanks to the carrier’s new air-to-rail program.
The Louvre Museum said it would raise its basic ticket price to 22 euros from 17 euros beginning next month in the latest sign that visitors may face higher costs ahead of next year’s Summer Olympics in Paris.
New plans to simplify travel for French school parties to the UK were unveiled on Thursday after the number of trips plummeted following Brexit.