I used to think Paris was overrated—crowded, overpriced, and overhyped.

But the moment I started walking around—taking in the buildings, watching the Eiffel Tower sparkle at night, grabbing a warm croissant from a corner bakery the next morning—I got it.

Paris has a way of catching you off guard. It’s not just the famous sights (though yes, they really are stunning). It’s the little things: quiet gardens tucked into every arrondissement, late-night walks with nowhere to be, buttery pastries that melt in your mouth, and neighborhoods that feel like they’ve leapt out of a film.

These guides will take you through the Paris that changed my mind—not just the postcard views, but the cozy corners and quiet magic I didn’t expect to fall in love with.

PARIS TRAVEL ESSENTIALS

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Best Time to Go

April – June & Sept – Oct for mild weather, fewer crowds

How Long

3 to 5 days is a sweet spot for most travelers

Daily Budget

€80–100/day. Use WISE to save on ATM fees.

Getting There

Fly into CDG (intl), ORY (domestic), or BVA (budget)

How to Get Around

Take the metro. Buy in advance and save 32%!

PARIS eSIM

Get a France or Europe eSIM $3 off code: GLADIS1238

travel insurance

This is what I use for healthcare and trip delays

PARIS Custom ItinerarY

[Coming Soon]

Traveling beyond Paris? Explore my France Travel Guide for top cities, unique experiences, and essential travel tips.

Must-have
Louvre at Night

Paris Museum

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What to Do in Paris

Butte Aux Cailles - Off the beaten path in Paris

25 Best-Kept Hidden Gems In Paris

A View of Eiffel Tower illuminated at night, from the Seine River with moored sightseeing boats and tree-lined banks under a twilight sky.

15 Best Things to Do in Paris at Night

Best Spots to View the Eiffel Tower

Best view of Eiffel Tower in the distance and the French flag flying prominently in the foreground. This view of Paris is from the top of Pantheon.

23 Best Free Views in Paris +7 Secret Spots

A cozy picnic spread on a soft white blanket features a basket of seeded breadsticks and rolls, a tray of croissants and macarons, fresh strawberries, a jar of honey, and a mason jar of orange juice with a blue straw. The warm lighting suggests a relaxed outdoor setting, possibly in Paris.

How To Have Picnic at the Eiffel Tower

Stately pine trees stand tall in Bois de Boulogne, one of the best picnic spots in Paris. Their trunks casting long shadows over the vibrant green underbrush, creating a serene and majestic woodland landscape.

25 Best Parks in Paris Away from Crowds

Freshly baked, golden-brown croissants on a tray, held by a person in an oven mitt at a Baking Class in Paris.

15 Best Cooking and Baking Classes in Paris

Colorful pastel townhouses line the cobblestone street of Rue Crémieux in Paris, with vibrant facades in yellow, blue, and pink.

Rue Crémieux: The Prettiest Street in Paris

Fresh Fruits lined in a stall in Rue Cler Paris

Rue Cler: A Local Market Street in Paris

A tall, intricately decorated minaret of the Grand Mosque of Paris rises against a vivid blue sky, partially framed by lush palm fronds and greenery.

The Grand Mosque of Paris Guide

I Love You - Wall of Love Paris

The Wall Of Love Paris Guide

Best Experiences & Tours

Take a French Baking Class Cruise the Seine at Sunset Walk the Top of the Eiffel Tower Visit the Louvre After Hours Enjoy a Picnic at the Eiffel Tower See Montmartre with a Local Artist Join the Official Emily in Paris Walking Tour Visit Sainte-Chapelle During Golden Hour Join a Vintage Shopping Tour Book a Paris Private Shoot Climb the Arc de Triomphe

Best Day Trips from Paris

Château de Chambord in the Loire Valley, an iconic Renaissance castle with multiple towers and chimneys, framed by autumn leaves. This majestic sight is a prime example of the destinations reachable by day train trips from Paris.

Easy Day Trips from Paris by Train

Contrast of the classic 18th-century Mauritshuis museum building and the modern skyscrapers of The Hague, Netherlands, with a foreground of vibrant orange tulips and serene water, a unique cultural blend found on the best day trips from Paris by train to other countries.

Closest Countries to Paris by train

Grand Trianon: Versailles’ Hidden Gem

Best Guided Tours & Getaways

Versailles Palace & Gardens Giverny Loire Valley Castles Champagne Region Wine Tour Brussels & Bruges Day Trip Mont-Saint-Michel Disneyland Paris Tickets Disneyland Paris Transfers

Where To Eat in Paris

Two customers seated at an outdoor table of Le Bon Georges in Paris, reviewing a chalkboard menu framed by lush greenery.

Where Do Locals Eat in Paris? A Complete Guide

Charming street-side dining at Le Petit Pontoise with red and white rattan chairs, reflecting the quaint and casual elegance of Paris bistro culture.

19 of the Best French Bistros in Paris

A chef preparing a gourmet dish at ANONA, featuring a beautifully plated entree with garnishes.

Affordable Michelin Star Restaurants

Best Food Tours & Culinary Experiences

Wine & Cheese Tasting with a Sommelier Croissant Baking Class Emily in Paris Official Food Tour Chocolate & Pastry Tour in Le Marais French Macaron Baking Class Traditional French Food Tour Baking Class with a Parisian Baker Homemade French Dinner with a Local Paris Vegan Street Food Tour Gourmet Dinner with a Parisian chef

Where To Stay In Paris

Facade of the Hidden Hotel in Paris with a wooden exterior, exuding a quiet charm, as a man on a bicycle passes by.

The 21 Most Eco-Friendly Hotels in Paris

Hôtel de l'Abbaye lounge area with a blue couch adorned with pillows, positioned by a glass window that overlooks the peaceful garden, a perfect escape in this quiet hotel in Paris.

25 Quiet Hotels in Paris for a Stress-Free Stay

BEST places to stay

The People Nation (Hostel, €) The People Belleville (Hostel, €) Hidden Hotel (Hotel, €€) Hotel Henriette (Hotel, €€) Maison Souquet (Hotel, €€€) Relais Christine (Hotel, €€€) Shangri-La Paris (Hotel, €€€) Le Bristol Paris (Hotel, €€€) Montmartre Artist Apartment with Garden (Apartment, €€) Eiffel Tower Studio with Balcony (Apartment, €€)

Slow & Soulful Paris

An elegant marble statue dominates the Jardin des Grands Explorateurs, among the best picnic spots in Paris. Surrounded by neatly trimmed hedges and lush lawns, set against a backdrop of stately Parisian buildings and clear skies.

Slow Travel Paris: How to See Paris Like a Local

Is Paris Overrated? My Honest Take

Silhouette of the Eiffel Tower at dusk with the Ferris wheel from Tuileries Garden on the right, and a classic Parisian street lamp adorned with a resting bird in the foreground, all against a golden sunset sky.

Why is Paris the City of Love and Light