Paris — The City of Light, Love, and Limitless Discovery
Travel guide by Bonne Vacances Travel Agency
1) Introduction
Paris is not just a destination — it’s a mood, a melody, and a memory in the making. From sunrise strolls along the Seine to late-night jazz tucked inside candlelit cellars, Paris invites you to live slower, dream bigger, and taste deeper. This city isn’t about checking off a list — it’s about savoring moments that linger.
Whether you’re standing in awe before the Mona Lisa, sipping espresso in a hidden courtyard café, or watching the Eiffel Tower sparkle against the night sky, Paris makes you feel as though you’re both part of history and writing your own story. It’s no wonder Bonne Vacances travelers tell us Paris stays in their soul long after they’ve flown home.
2) When to Visit
- Spring (Mar–May): Blossom-lined boulevards, café terraces, occasional showers. Book April–May early.
- Summer (Jun–Aug): Long days, open-air cinema, Paris Plages by the Seine. Busiest months; museums open late.
- Autumn (Sep–Nov): Golden parks, grape-harvest menus, cultural season in full swing — our favorite time.
- Winter (Dec–Feb): Cozy bistros, festive lights, quieter museums. Pack warm layers.
3) Getting There & Local Transport
Air & Rail
Fly into CDG (long-haul hub) or ORY (closer to town). Eurostar links London in ~2h15. TGV connects Champagne, Loire, Provence, and the Riviera.
Airport Transfers
Private car (pre-booked), fixed-fare taxis, or RER B + metro. Contactless cards make tap-in/out seamless; we’ll guide you to the right option based on bags/arrival time.
Within the City
- Metro/RER/Buses: Fast and frequent. Get a Navigo Easy card and load tickets or day passes.
- Walking: Paris is wonderfully walkable — bring good shoes.
- Vélib’ Bikes: Docking stations everywhere; riverside bike paths shine at sunset.
- Rideshare/Taxis: Handy late-night or with luggage; we’ll pair you with reliable options.
4) Top Attractions & Traveler Picks (8–10 by Style)
Family
- Jardin du Luxembourg sailboats
- Natural History Museum & Gallery of Evolution
- Carousels by the Eiffel Tower
- Chocolate & pastry workshop
Couples
- Sunset Seine cruise
- Rooftop bars with Eiffel views
- Hidden Marais courtyards
- Private Louvre highlights tour
Solo
- Photography walks on Île Saint-Louis & Île de la Cité
- Bookshops of Saint-Germain
- Canal Saint-Martin picnic
- Left-Bank jazz caves
Groups
- Montmartre tasting crawl (cheese, crêpes, wine)
- Versailles bike tour
- Wine class + bistro dinner
- Market-to-table cooking class
5) Culture & Experiences
- Cabarets & jazz cellars (Moulin Rouge spectacle or intimate cave à jazz)
- Markets: Marché d’Aligre (oysters!) & Marché des Enfants Rouges
- Hands-on classes: French pastry, cheese/wine pairing, perfume-making
- Picnics on the Seine’s berges at blue hour
6) Food & Drink
Eat like a Parisian: croissant at the counter, prix-fixe bistro lunch, apéro with olives and charcuterie, and a late dinner that lingers.
Restaurant Suggestions
- Budget: Boulangeries & crêperies; falafel at L’As du Fallafel (Marais).
- Mid-range: Classic bistros in Saint-Germain; Oberkampf wine bars; Canal Saint-Martin neo-bistros.
- Luxury: Tasting menus in the 1st/7th; grand cafés with Belle Époque rooms.
7) Where to Stay — Areas & Hotel Picks
Best Areas
- 1st/7th: Louvre & Eiffel — iconic sights, refined stays.
- Le Marais: Boutiques, nightlife, Sunday vibes.
- Saint-Germain: Left-Bank elegance, literary cafés.
- Canal Saint-Martin: Creative, great value.
By Budget (Examples)
- Budget: Generator (value private rooms), Hotel Ekta.
- Mid-range: Hôtel Henriette (13th), Hotel Recamier (6th).
- Luxury: Le Bristol, Shangri-La Paris, Hôtel de Crillon.
Booking Tips
Request courtyard rooms for quiet, check elevator size, and consider breakfast-included rates to save time on early starts.
8) Day Trips & Excursions
- Versailles: Hall of Mirrors + gardens; we love “Musical Fountains” days and bike rentals.
- Champagne (Reims/Epernay): Cathedral, cellars, and vineyard lunches.
- Giverny: Monet’s gardens (late spring to early fall are dreamy).
9) Practical Tips & Safety
Essentials
Currency: EUR • Language: French (greet with “Bonjour”) • Tipping: Service included; round up or add 5–10% for great service.
Costs (ballpark)
- Metro ride: €2.15
- Prix-fixe lunch: €18–28
- Mid-range dinner: €35–60 pp
Etiquette & Packing
Lower voices in apartments/cafés; don’t handle produce at markets unless invited. Pack a compact umbrella and comfortable shoes.
Apps
Citymapper/Google Maps, SNCF Connect (rail), Uber/Free Now, TheFork (restaurants).
Accessibility
Major museums are accessible; older metro stations vary. We plan step-free routes and secure accessible rooms on request.
10) Sample Itinerary — 7 Full Days (Morning / Afternoon / Evening)
- Day 1: Louvre highlights • Tuileries stroll • Seine cruise & bistro dinner
- Day 2: Montmartre morning • Musée d’Orsay • Saint-Germain wine bar
- Day 3: Île de la Cité & Notre-Dame area • Marais boutiques • Falafel & jazz
- Day 4: Eiffel morning • Left Bank walk • Rooftop sunset cocktails
- Day 5: Versailles day (gardens/bikes) • Crêpe dinner
- Day 6: Covered passages • Opera district • Late-night speakeasy
- Day 7: Market shopping • Picnic by the Seine • Departure assistance
11) Traveler Inspiration
“To know Paris is to know a great deal.” — Henry Miller
Read The Paris Wife, watch Midnight in Paris, and bring a notebook — Paris tends to turn travelers into writers.
12) Image Gallery
We’ll stitch the icons to the little joys.
From timed entries to the coziest bistros, we choreograph a Paris that feels like yours.