Paris Holidays - Compare Prices & Departure Dates

Paris, the capital of France, is one of the most visited cities in world with its wide, tree-lined boulevards, the grand architecture, the world famous museums, the River Seine, the parks, cafes, restaurants and bars. Paris is romance on a grand scale, whose attraction never fades no matter how many times you visit and at whatever time of year.

Paris is one ahead of UK time and the currency is the euro. The official language is of course French, but in the main touristy areas many restaurant menus, museums guides etc are also printed in English. UK nationals don’t need any visa to visit Paris.

Paris is so easy to get to from the UK and there is a wealth of transport choices available.

The Eurostar train will effortlessly take you from London St Pancras, Ebbsfleet or Ashford to Paris Gare du Nord in around two hours and 15 minutes.

Many visitors arrive in Paris on escorted coach tours from the UK, so you will be either taking a ferry crossing from Dover (around one to one and half hours) or going on the Eurotunnel (35 minutes) before onward travel to Paris.

You can also drive over to Paris via the ferry or Eurotunnel, but it is a nightmare to drive on the famous peripherique ring road and parking is expensive, so unless you are going to Paris before travelling to an onward destination, it is probably easier to leave the car at home.

There are also flights from the vast majority of regional as well as all the London airports which fly into any of Paris’ three airports:

Charles de Gaulle International Airport Roissy (IATA code CDG) is the major airport hub to the north of Paris used by scheduled and low cost airlines alike. A myriad of terminals at different locations can be confusing for the first time traveller, so make sure you know which terminal you land at so you know where to head to on your way back. The RER commuter train runs straight from Terminal 3 at the airport into the city centre. There are also Roissy Buses which go directly to the Opera area of Paris and there are plenty of pre-bookable taxis and shared transfer companies as well.

Orly International Airport (IATA code ORY) is an older airport southwest of Paris that serves many domestic destinations for Air France as well as charter and low cost airlines. There are two terminals connected by Orlyval light railway which also connect you to the RER line to the centre of Paris. You can also travel into Paris by various airport bus services such as Jetbus or Orlybus and is about 40 minutes away.

Last but not least is Beauvais Airport (IATA code BVA), a much smaller airport usually used for regional flights, but increasingly by low cost airlines such as Ryanair as well. Situated north of Paris, airport buses to take you to the Porte Maillot Metro station in about an hour and then the Metro is direct into Paris.

If you’re on a real budget for your Paris trip, there are coaches direct from London to Paris offered by companies such as Eurolines.

Once in Paris getting about is simplicity itself, the city is divided into 20 areas or neighbourhoods know as ‘arrondissements’. Navigation is pretty easy and the Metro map simple to follow. A top tip is to buy a ‘carnet’ of single Metro tickets to use rather than paying each time. These tickets can also be used on the buses. Paris is also a delight to explore on foot!

There is so much to see and do in Paris that you probably won’t get to do everything in just one visit. If you’re on an escorted tour, you’ll see all the highlights and if you’re travelling independently, a bit of research before you set off will save time and meandering aimlessly!

Paris sightseeing highlights include:

• The Eiffel Tower – most people the world over will associate the tower with Paris. Take the ride to the top to enjoy wonderful views of the city.

• Notre Dame – probably the greatest Gothic Cathedral in the world, Notre Dame sits beside the Seine on the Ile de la Cite. If a building ever had presence and character then this is it. Two musts are to visit at night, and to take the wonderful roof tour to take in the incredible collection of gargoyles. The Ile de la Cite is also home to a simple and evocative memorial to the holocaust.

• Sacre Coeur – an incredible church, simply beautiful, sitting high above the city in Montmarte, its famous white architecture dominates the city. Do take a walk amongst the surrounding streets, as Montmarte is full of restaurants and art galleries.

• The Louvre – the most famous museum in Paris and it is enormous. You will never get round it all in one day. A stunning setting and full to the brim of famous paintings including the Mona Lisa.

• Musee Gare d’Orsay – a wonderful museum in one of Paris’s old train stations. A beautiful building in its own right, the Gare d’Orsay is home to thousands of paintings and sculptures by the likes of Monet, Renoir, Van Gogh and Cezanne.

• Jardin du Luxembourg – beautiful landscaped gardens with lots of fountains in that classic Parisien style

• The Seine – the main river in Paris which winds its way through the centre. Lots of boat trips go up and down the river offering a unique viewpoint of all the main sights.

• Champs Elysees and Arch de Triomphe – you can’t beat walking along the Champs Elysees at night, with twinkling lights in the trees and the shops and streets alive with people. Forget shopping here its mostly offices, fast food places and so forth. Very much a tourist place now.

A top tip for visiting the main attractions in Paris is to buy a Paris Museum Pass. These cost 30 euros for two days, 45 euros for four days and 60 euros for six days. It means you can get direct access to over 70 museums and attractions without the painful queuing. You can also buy a Paris Pass which includes the museums and local travel on the Metro, buses and boats. These passes are all on sale from museums, Metro stations, Fnac shops and Tabac-Presse stands and shops.

Also worth noting is that many of the museums shut on Monday or Tuesday, so check opening times before visiting.

In between sight seeing there are other ‘must dos’ in Paris such as just taking the pleasure to have a wander around the city, taking in shops, cafes and bars. Combine this with people-watching, which is a major pastime of all Parisiens. Oh and look out for arguing Parisiens with all their flamboyant gesturing, it’s a proper street show!

Roller skating is also a national pastime in Paris and is legal in the 1st and 2nd arrondisements. There are even special roller nights organised each month with the streets closed off just for roller skating and roller blading.

If you want to travel around quickly and cheaply without tiring out your feet, try Vel’Lib. There are hundreds of these Government-sponsored cycle parks all over the city and in the suburbs. All you do is subscribe for a day or several days using a credit card, then you can take a bike, ride it and then take it back to any Vel’Lib stand in Paris. You pay by the hour and the first half an hour is free.

If you arrive in Paris on an escorted coach tour, all your accommodation will be taken care of, but it’s worth noting that your hotel will usually be in the suburbs (banlieue) rather than the centre of Paris.

Travelling independently in Paris and searching for a hotel once you’ve arrived in the city will take up valuable sight seeing time and can be a hard slog with many hotels being full, especially at peak visiting times. It’s best to research and book in advance, with many of the best room rates and hotel with travel packages being offered online.

Accommodation for all tastes and budgets is available, from hostels right through to luxury international brand five star hotels. There are also increasing numbers of serviced and self catering apartments which may be let for short breaks as well as full weeks or longer.

Pack your credit because you are entering shopping heaven!

Window shop the Haute Couture, much of which can be found in the 8th arrondissement, take in the shoes and leather goods in the 6th, visit the famous Flea Markets such as Saint Ouen Flea Market and of course visit the shrines such as Cartier (8th) and Chanel (8th). There are also some cutting edge fashions to be seen in the 1st and 2nd arrondissements as well!

Whilst supermarkets are making their presence felt more and more, the French still prefer to purchase much of their food from specialist stores and these are simply a joy, do visit and sample the Fromageries, Boulangeries, Patissiers and Delicatessens whilst in Paris.

A word of warning, when visiting the main tourist attractions, be aware that there will usually be people lurking just waiting to hustle you into buying jewellery or even a mini Eiffel tower. Also make sure you keep a good hold on your handbags!

Paris is renowned for having the highest number of restaurants per capita in the world. The French love their food and eating is one of their favourite forms of socialising and entertainment.

If bars and clubs are your scene then you will do well here as well. Check out Barfly, a cool bar with a great house music scene. This is sexy Paris, both staff and clientele are gorgeous.

Most bars are expensive compared to the UK, as the French tend to drink at home more than they do when out and about. There is less of a pub culture as we have in the UK. Bars in the most part are places to drop into to enjoy a quick drink before going on one’s way.

The weather is pretty similar to patterns in the UK. Spring time can be one of the loveliest times to visit Paris, but aware you can be caught in rain showers.

Come July and August it can be sweltering on the Metro, but oddly also very quiet as most Parisiens up sticks and head out of the city on holiday (especially in August).

Another charming time to visit is autumn. Again, the weather can be lovely and the evenings still warm enough to enjoy sitting outside and walking around the city.

If you’re brave and want to party, head to Paris for the Bastille Day celebrations on the 14th July and plunge yourself into the atmosphere of the Bastille Day Parade along the Champs Elysees.

For a romantic short break, a Valentine’s Day visit is a must (but be prepared to pay a premium in hotels as everyone has the same idea!). Or head over the Channel at Christmas time for shopping and mulled wine in Paris.

• Exploring French city life at its best
• Sightseeing
• City break lovers
• Francophiles who love the food, attitude and culture

• Those who just want to laze in the sunshine
• Anyone who’s more of a country lover than city dweller

Michelin online – research hotels and restaurants online using the much respected Michelin guide
Paris Voice – a site for the English-speaking commune in Paris to give you an insight into real Paris life
Official Paris – the official Paris Tourist Office Information website

If you have never been to Paris then go and see what all the fuss is about. If you have been then go again and find some of Paris’s other treasures. The world capital of romance is on our doorstep, perfect for quick escapes and lasting memories.