Paris, City of Lights and Capital of Fashion

Currency: Euro

Language: French, English 🙂

Tax Refund: Can be done together on your final departure from European Union

From Airport / Train Station to the City

The main international airport that tourist will arrive will be in Charles de Gaulle International Airport, the other would be Orly International Airport. CDG is located to the north east of the airport, it is huge and confusing here so cater additional time for transfer. To get to central Paris you can take the RER train from Terminal 3. For those who are not in T3 the free CDGVAL shuttle train can connect you. The train stop at Gare du Nord, Châtelet-Les Halles, Saint-Michel Notre-Dame, Luxembourg, Port-Royal, Denfert-Rochereau and Cité Universitaire. Tickets cost 10 Euro.

From ORY, you can take the OrlyBus from the airport to the Metro Denfert Rochereau. It takes roughly 30mins and cost 7.70 euro.

Paris is well connected with numerous train station and there is no central station. However all of the train station are located in town and connected to the metro. The Eurostar is also a popular way to get around Paris and London.

Attractions

Lourve Museum

Nearest Metro: Palais-Royal–Musée du Louvre

The world famous museum with the pyramid, famed for housing Mona Lisa and also being the site for many famous movies, this place is as crowded as it can get. The museum is so huge that you can only focus on the famous ones. Not open on Tuesday. Daily from 9am till 6pm with night opening until 9.45pm on Wed and Fri. Free admission on first sun of the month. Tickets cost 15 Euros.

Chateau de Versilles

RER C5 line, station: Versailles Rive Gauche

A royal chateau by decreed, this is one of the best and well known place in the world. Extremely gorgeous and well decorated it is a palace and dream from everyone. Expect, gold, ornate, a French place fit for royalty. Open in 1682, it is located near Paris. Expect many tourists and crowd. Tickets should be bought online to avoid the crowd, the place can be reached via the RER C5 line. The grounds itself are magnificent too. Expect to spend more than half a day here. A worthy UNESCO World Heritage Site. The tickets cost 18Euro and the guided tour cost 7Euro additionally. In the winter it is open from 9am to 5.30pm

Eiffel Tower

Nearest Metro:  Bir-Hakeim, Trocadero

Need not say more, this is the greatest representation of the city, a symbol of Paris, a symbol of romance. It is one of the world most visited sites. Tickets can be bought online and cost €14.50 for the reduced ticket with access to the top. Open from 9 a.m. to midnight. Don’t miss the night view with all the lights on too.

Shakespeare and Company

Located along the banks of the Seine River and near the Notre Dame, it is the bookstore to go to in the world. Famous for being the filming location of many tv series and shows the place is amazing. It has a mystic feel to it. It once spread that if you helped to pack the books you could stay overnight in the store for free. It is open daily from 10am to 11pm.

Musée d’Orsay

One of the greatest museum in the world that housed many collection from the 19th and 20th century. It is housed in a former train station. The exterior façade is gorgeous. Tickets with concession cost 9 Euros.

Sacré-Cœur

A place that is postcard worthy, this is also one of the spot where you can get a whole view of the city since the church is perched on a hill. The white façade church is gorgeous along with the steps. You could find plenty of people taking pictures over here. It may be a walk to get up though. A great church from the 1912.

Notre Dame Cathedral

Another great worship site in Paris, this is a French Gothic Cathedral and it has been around for close to a thousand years. The façade is worth admiring as well as the interior and also the climb to the top. A must visit in town. It is open daily from 7.45am to 6.45pm and admission is free.

Pont de Bir-Hakeim

One can’t do itself justice by not visiting the filming place of one of the greatest movie in life. This is the iconic arch bridge that inception was film. Together with the metal railings of the bridge it looks especially awesome on pictures. A must visit place for snaps. The bridge itself also have it roots from the 19th century.

Grand Palais

An exhibition hall located right in Champs Elysees. Together with the surrounding greens, the hall with a domed roof, built in 1900 is amazing. It deserves a walk around and admire the façade. Sometimes there would be event being housed which may be another surprise that lies in wait for you.

Shopping

I won’t include anything for shopping since the whole city is a shopping paradise. But the most hype up places will be Ave Champs-Élysées and also the department store, Galeries Lafayette Haussmann near the 9th district.

Restaurants

Restaurant Auguste*

54 Rue de Bourgogne, 75007 Paris

Nearest Metro: Varenne

Proud owner of One Michelin star, helmed by Gaël Orieux, you can find delightful modern French food here. His creation and love for seafood is demonstrated in his cuisine. Together with a view of the Eiffel Tower, and’s a prime example of the first rule of good value Michelin dining. The lunch set is super reasonable starting at a mere €37 for a three course midday meal, meaning that for your star, each course weighs in at a mere €12. Closed on Sat and Sun. Reservations open three months ahead.

Le Relais Louis XIII**

8 rue des Grands-Augustins, 75006 Paris

Nearest Metro: Saint Michel, Saint Michel Notre Dame

Fit for a king, the restaurant sits on the grounds of Couvent des Grands-Augustins, the exact place where Louis XIII was proclaimed king in 1610 and the decor is reminiscent of something the king himself would have loved. This two star Michelin restaurant is also famed for their mille-feuille. While costly, the set lunch is reasonable, priced at 60 Euros. Located near the Nontre Dame and the Lourve. Open from Tues till Sat. Reservations are open 2 months ahead.

Astrance***

4 Rue Beethoven, 75016 Paris, France, Nearest Metro: Passy

A stone throw away from the Eiffel Tower, this three star restaurant is definitely worth a visit. Quoted as being innovative and ever changing, Pascal Barbot cuisine depends on his brains and markets produce every day. The 150 Euros set lunch is a worthy set lunch. Open from Tues to Fri. Reservation are necessary and open 2 months ahead.

Septime*

80 Rue de Charonne, 75011 Paris, France, Nearest Metro: Charonne

A visit to Paris would never be complete with one trip to Septime. Now awarded with one Michelin star. The restaurant make use of fresh produce every day. Highly popular, reservation are so recommended. A few weeks in advance booking is necessary. Closed on weekends. Lunch is available from Tues to Fri, 12.30pm to 2pm.

Maloka

28 Rue de la Tour d’Auvergne, 75009 Paris, Nearest Metro: Cadet

This great 18 seat restaurant serves up Brazilian food with a French flair. The food is good and price is superbly reasonable. It is closed on Sun, on other days it is open from 6pm to 12am. On Tues to Sun it is open for lunch from 12pm to 2pm. The set lunch is a bargain.

Pierre Herme

133 avenue des Champs Elysées, 75008 Paris

Of course, one can’t get to Paris without some Macaroons back. Laduree or Pierre Herme that is a decision you have to make. The iconic store in Champs Elysees is located right in the heart of bling in Paris. A coffee with two macaroons, that’s life. Open from 10am to 10.30pm.

Chapon Chocolatier

69 Rue du Bac, 75007 Paris, France

Famous for their chocolate mousse and other product. It is really worthwhile to come here and get some quality chocolate product. Open daily from 9am to 8pm on Tues to Sat, 9am to 3pm on Sun and 2pm to 8pm on Mon.

Laurent Duchene

2 Rue Wurtz, 75013 Paris

Helmed by Meilleur Ouvrier de France, this patisserie is famed for their all sorts of bakes. The most notable must try croissant is being said as the best in the world, handmade with the best butter. Open from Mon to Sat from 7.20am to 8pm.

La Parisienne Madame

48 Rue Madame, 75006 Paris, France

A true authentic French bakery, it is known for making the best baguette in Paris and perhaps the best in the world. It even won an award in 2016 and defeat the rest of the bakery in Paris. It is open daily except wed from 7am to 8pm. The location is near Notre Dame which makes it perfect to grab a baguette to eat while strolling there.