Paris holidays & city breaks

Then, of course, there’s the world-famous food and drink scene, from unbeatable cafes and achingly cool bars to innovative restaurants and tasty street food joints. Head to Montmartre for art, tea and absinthe, to the Marais for contemporary experiences – such as coffee shops that share spaces with concept stores or informal libraries – and, if you’re in the mood to splash to cash or celebrate, look to the 8th arrondissement. Fine food and fine wine awaits.

Summer draws the biggest crowds, creating a spike in airfares and hotel costs. Around the same time, many locals tend to skip town to hit the beach. On the bright side, dozens of free open-air concerts pop up in the parks and there are long, summer evenings to while away.

As autumn sets in, tourist numbers decline and you’re more likely to pick up a cheap city break. Paris is festive and romantic during the build-up to Christmas, but dark and cold for the rest of the season (the average temperature is 5C in December and January). Still, it’s a good time to visit as the museums are at their quietest.

The Eiffel Tower is one of the world's greatest towers. If you’re a first-timer to the city, enjoy a more visceral experience by taking the lift to the top and gazing down upon the city. Head up after dark for a different, twinkly take on the skyline – and sip a glass of bubbly at the top-floor champagne bar while you’re there.

Hungry? Splurge on a meal at the second-floor Le Jules Verne restaurant or enjoy a bite at the less pricey 58 Tour Eiffel on the first floor.

The Louvre

Paris is home to well over 100 museums, but the crowning glory is undoubtedly the Louvre, one of the most visited museums in the world and home to masterpieces such as Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa and Jean Auguste Dominique Ingres’ Une Odalisque.

If you've got cash to spare, book a private tour with your own dedicated art expert, skipping the queues and dodging most of the crowds in the process. Otherwise, visit in the evening, when the popular museum is quietest.

The Arc de Triomphe

Standing proudly amid chaotic traffic, the Arc de Triomphe is a symbol of Paris. Anchored in the star-shaped Place Charles de Gaulle, the Arc is more than just monument – it’s also home to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and doubles up as a viewing platform.

For a small fee, you can trek up the 284 steps to the top, where you'll be treated to sweeping views over the city. Aim to visit at sunset to see it in all its stunning glory.

Montmartre and Sacré-Coeur

Discover the history of Paris at the arty, village-like Montmartre, thick with festival atmosphere and bohemian spirit.

Nowadays, the steep cobblestones leading up to the Sacré-Coeur (Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Paris) can feel like something of a tourist circus – but veer off the main drags and you'll find hole-in-the-wall bars and buzzing cafés. Once home to struggling artists, absinthe dabblers and can-can dancers, this is a place where hints of the past still linger in the streets.

Centre Pompidou

In contrast to Montmartre, it’s all about the future at the Centre Pompidou, a colossal cultural hub/contemporary art gallery whose unique façade is as much a talking point as the shows and objects inside.

Its collection includes progressive modern and contemporary works like Louise Bourgeois’ Precious Liquids, Piet Mondrain’s New York City and Marc Chagall’s Les Mariés de la Tour Eiffel.

While Paris’ metro system makes the city easy to navigate without the need to stay right in the thick of things, if you do want to be within walking distance of some key sights, try looking at hotels around the Eiffel Tower. This will put you close to the Musée d’Orsay and Musée Rodin, or look to the 1st arrondissement, which is where you’ll find the Louvre.

For travellers on a budget

Bastille is near the popular Le Marais district, but is cheaper. There are great places to eat and drink, as well as boutique stores to browse. See the site of the old Bastille Prison, watch a performance at Opéra Bastille or visit the Frank Gehry-designed Cinémathèque Française.

Montmartre is another affordable option, with hotels and guesthouses across a range of budgets. Plus, it’s likely to be an area on your to-visit list anyway, being home to Dalí Paris, the La Machine du Moulin Rouge and the Sacré-Coeur. Veer away from the tourist traps to find loads of cheap restaurants and bars.

For food and drink

The 11th arrondissement, which includes neighbourhoods such as Bastille and streets such as Oberkampf, should be the first place foodies look for accommodation. This area is known for its restaurants and bars. There are classic French food establishments, Mexican bars, pizzerias, bakeries and fine-dining restaurants that are booked up months in advance.

Another great place is Canal Saint-Martin, with an array of restaurants serving Argentine, Italian, Japanese and Korean cuisines. It’s also home to few health food joints too. For fine dining, stay around the Louvre, where there are Michelin-starred restaurants and some slightly less eye-wateringly-expensive options with great tasting menus.

For nightlife

The 11th arrondissement is a great place to kick-start any evening, with craft beer bars, rooftop cocktail spots and trendy speakeasies. Look around Rue Oberkampf for a great selection of bars, clubs and live music venues.

South Pigalle has a fun nightlife scene, with bars that range from basement dives to tiki-style joints, with some elegant cocktail bars thrown into the mix. It’s also home to the Moulin Rouge, where you can get the full can-can experience. Le Marais is another neighbourhood for party animals in Paris, and there’s a big LGBTQ scene here.

For culture

Stay in the 1st arrondissement to be within walking distance of the Louvre – one of Paris’ biggest cultural attractions – Notre-Dame, the Champs-Élysées and the Centre Pompidou. Around the Eiffel Tower, you’ll be near the Musée d’Orsay, Musée Rodin and Musée du Quai Branly.

If you stay in Le Marais, you’re still only across the river from Notre-Dame and also in the same neighbourhood as the Musée Picasso, Maison de Victor Hugo and the Musée d’Art et d’Histoire du Judaïsme.