City Breaks to Paris

Ella Fitzgerald sang of Paris as a timeless town, where each season is blessed with a particular beauty and atmosphere. What could be a better endorsement of Paris weather? There is no bad time to visit: average temperatures in Paris are often mild, though you'll need a warm cover-up to enjoy the city's dazzling Christmas lights. An urban beach takes over the banks of the Seine during the sizzling summers. The city's less crowded then, but some restaurants and shops shut until September. Autumn's golden leaves and light are a delight; the Paris Fashion Week makes for top-notch people-watching, too. Spring, perhaps, is when Paris is at loveliest: the city's in bloom and terrace life can start in earnest again.

Paris is laid out in 20 arrondissements, each a distinct neighbourhood with its own unique atmosphere and tourist attractions. Home to the delicate portrait of the Mona Lisa, the Louvre museum is a must see on a Paris holiday, though it's just one of many stops on a tour of the most iconic Paris attractions. Paris sightseeing is best done on foot: head across the river to the galleries and cafés of Saint-Germain-des-Prés, or north to the Sacré Cœur and its jaw-dropping views over the city. See if you can spot the towers of Notre Dame, or the broad boulevard of the Champs-Elysées leading to the Arc de Triomphe - if you can tear your eyes away, that is, from a certain iron tower.

The Eiffel Tower
Unpopular when first unveiled in 1889, this feat of steel has stood the test of time: you'd be hard-pressed to find a more recognisable symbol of a city. With crowds naturally keen to reach - by lift or leg power - the dizzying heights of its 300 metres, it's worth planning ahead of your Paris holiday to visit the Eiffel Tower. Book online to beat the queues, and make sure to avoid peak times; early mornings or late afternoons will have the best golden light for your snaps. Once you've worked up an appetite, head to Café Lignac, just a stone's throw away: the elegant bistro makes a fitting finale.

Le Moulin Rouge
Topped by the sugarwork dome of the Sacré Cœur, the Montmartre neighbourhood was once famed for its artistic community and bohemian lifestyle. Hip boutiques and restaurants now line its charming cobbled streets, but traces of its glamorous, decadent past still endure. Chief among these is the Moulin Rouge, a luxe cabaret showcasing Cancan dancers whose confident swagger and high kicks have changed little since the days of Toulouse-Lautrec. You'll easily spot it by the red windmill that gives it its name. For a glimpse of the Belle Epoque glitz inside, make sure to book ahead.

Notre-Dame de Paris
In spite of the fire that devastated it in 2019, Notre-Dame cathedral still stands as a masterpiece of Gothic architecture - and the spiritual heart of the city. It may now be a building site, but it's still worth circumnavigating its perch on Ile de la Cité, if only for the informative placards giving insight into the herculean restoration underway. If the distant sight of its majestic towers still leaves you pining for holy wonders, head to the glorious Sainte Chapelle nearby, or to Berthillon for a scoop of sorbet - nothing short of miraculously refreshing on a balmy day on a Paris holiday.

The Louvre museum
Once a medieval fortress, then a Renaissance palace, the Louvre sealed its fate as a cultural treasure (and treasure trove) with the addition of IM Pei's striking glass pyramids. This sprawling museum is worth more than one return visit on a trip to Paris, so you can linger over Renaissance masterpieces or ancient Egyptian wonders as the mood takes you. Outside, the Jardin des Tuileries calls for leisurely walks, or pony rides for little ones. Pop in to the Musée de l'Orangerie to gawp at Monet's vast lily pad paintings, and end your outing at nearby Angelina with a pastry worthy of Marie-Antoinette.

The Paris Catacombs
Channel your inner Goth: for those of a macabre disposition, a visit to the Paris Catacombs makes for a fascinating tour of the city's underbelly. The labyrinthine ossuary packs in some of the city's more lurid history, from Merovingian times through to the Revolution, the Résistance and the occasional illegal rave. You'll find the entrance near the Denfert-Rochereau station in the 14th arrondissement. It's a bit out of the way of the usual tourist itineraries, but a detour to the nearby Fondation Cartier - a striking glass temple to modern art - certainly makes the trip worthwhile.

Versailles
Synonymous in the collective imagination with the excesses of life at court, the Palace of Versailles is just as gilded and opulent as its reputation would have you believe. Louis XIV's residence hosted royal families for just two generations before the revolution struck, but its ostentatious displays of power endure. Highlights include the Hall of Mirrors, a masterful reflection of the Sun King's monumental ego, and Marie-Antoinette's pastoral hamlet on the Trianon estate. Make a day trip of it on your holiday to Paris: the sprawling palace gardens and their spectacular fountains are a joy to explore.

Les Grands Magasins
Though some prefer a more intimate shopping experience, Paris's grand department stores have lost none of their appeal since they opened in the 19th century. Start at La Samaritaine, newly reopened and worth the visit for its restored art nouveau interiors alone. On the Right Bank, Printemps and Galeries Lafayette offer floors of designer goods, luxe fashion and covetable homeware. The former's known for its beauty hall; the latter for its Insta-worthy stained-glass dome. On the Left Bank, Le Bon Marché has a seriously good food hall and arguably the best escalators in town.

Fondation Louis Vuitton
It's hard to miss the Fondation Louis Vuitton's sail-like silhouette in the leafy expanse of the Bois de Boulogne. Designed by Frank Gehry, the deconstructivist building plays host to a permanent art collection, twice yearly big-ticket exhibitions and a live music metres. Look out for the bold, cartoon-like creations by Takashi Murakami, which memorably found their way onto a special Louis Vuitton collection. Multi-media commissions are dotted in and around the galleries: wander through Olafur Eliasson's Inside the Horizon, an ethereal and kaleidoscopic sonic installation.

Shopping in Paris is a world-renowned experience, blending high fashion, historic markets, and charming boutiques. Here's a detailed look at what you can expect when shopping in the City of Light:

Le Marais<
For a blend of historical charm and trendy shops, head to Le Marais. This fashionable district is known for its narrow cobblestone streets filled with independent boutiques, vintage shops, and cutting-edge fashion stores. The area also boasts a vibrant mix of cafes and galleries, making it perfect for a leisurely day of shopping and exploring. Don’t miss the concept stores and unique designer finds that give Le Marais its distinctive flair.

Boulevard Haussmann – Galeries Lafayette and Printemps
Boulevard Haussmann is home to two of Paris’s most famous department stores, Galeries Lafayette and Printemps. Galeries Lafayette is a shopping paradise, featuring an extensive range of designer brands, cosmetics, and gourmet foods. Its stunning Art Nouveau glass dome is a sight to behold. Printemps, located nearby, offers a similar upscale shopping experience with a focus on luxury fashion and beauty products. Both stores have rooftop terraces with panoramic views of Paris, adding a magical touch to your shopping day.

<Rue Saint-Honoré
If you’re seeking luxury and sophistication, Rue Saint-Honoré is the place to be. This chic street is lined with high-end boutiques and flagship stores from top fashion houses like Hermès, Chanel, and Dior. The elegant atmosphere and exclusive shopping options make it a favorite among fashion aficionados. It’s also home to the concept store Colette, known for its curated selection of fashion, art, and design items.

Le Bon Marché
Le Bon Marché, located in the Left Bank, is the epitome of Parisian elegance. As one of the oldest department stores in the world, it offers a refined shopping experience with a carefully curated selection of high-end fashion, home decor, and gourmet foods. The adjoining La Grande Épicerie de Paris is a food lover’s paradise, featuring an array of international delicacies and French specialties.

Montmartre
For a more bohemian shopping experience, explore the charming streets of Montmartre. This historic district is known for its artistic vibe and picturesque ambiance. You’ll find quirky boutiques, artisanal shops, and local markets offering unique fashion pieces, handmade crafts, and souvenirs. The area around Sacré-Cœur Basilica provides stunning views of the city, making your shopping trip even more memorable.<

Marché aux Puces de Saint-Ouen
A visit to Paris wouldn’t be complete without exploring the famous Marché aux Puces de Saint-Ouen, one of the largest flea markets in the world. Located just outside the city center, this sprawling market features a labyrinth of stalls selling antiques, vintage clothing, art, and collectibles. It’s a treasure trove for those seeking unique finds and a taste of Parisian history.

Paris’s shopping scene is as diverse and enchanting as the city itself, offering something for every taste and budget. Whether you’re seeking luxury fashion, unique artisan goods, or vibrant local markets, you’ll find plenty to explore and enjoy in the world’s fashion capital.

No Paris holiday is complete without sampling some of the stellar food on offer, and there are plenty of places to eat for every budget. Start at your local market if you're watching your purse: stock up on cheese, rotisserie chicken, fresh fruit and warm-from-the-oven baguettes for a perfect picnic. Bouillons are popular options for a no-frills lunch. Pita bread sandwiches make good portable snacks if you're eating on the hoof; try Miznon for an elevated take. There are plenty of veggie options these days, particularly in the 9th and 10th arrondissement's self-dubbed Veggietown. Finding the best restaurants in Paris takes a bit of insider know-how: read on for the best spots in town.

Where to eat in Paris
Whether you're after traditional French food or a romantic restaurant in Paris, it's worth asking around for tips on where to eat in Paris. There's always something exciting launching in the capital of gastronomy. New Ménilmontant hotspot Fripon has TV darling Pauline Séné at work in the kitchen: expect delicate small plates and round-the-world flavours. A hop and a skip from Gare du Nord, Les Deux Gares serves dishes as inventive as its tortoiseshell ceiling. If you're in an old-school mood, La Grande Brasserie near Bastille does starched linen and classic French fare with style.

Michelin-starred restaurants in Paris
With some hundred Michelin-starred restaurants to its name, Paris is one of the best cities in the world for a memorable meal. Do plan ahead if you have a particular spot in mind: the most famous restaurants in Paris are often fully booked weeks if not months ahead. Casual-cool Septime still tops the list of the top restaurants in Paris; make time for its seven-course tasting menu, each paired with something exquisite from the wine list. Colourful cooking is the order of the day at MoSuke. Stop by for fusion flavours drawing from Mali, Senegal and Japan.

The best bakeries in Paris
It's no surprise Parisians staged a revolution during a bread shortage: the right to carbohydrates is practically a religion. The best bakeries in Paris have a cult following, and most residents, over the years, develop strong opinions on where to get the best croissant in town. Mamiche, Du Pain et des Idées and Sain craft excellent viennoiseries; there's usually a queue, but it moves swiftly. Minimalist Liberté does a fine line in artisanal bread and enticing pastries. For cakes, Septime's Tapisserie spinoff is hard to beat – its sweet grass-scented choux is a firm favourite.