Local Favourites
Du Pain et des Idées
A beautifully preserved 19th-century bakery famed for its swirled pastries and rustic bread. Weekdays only.
Order Escargot pistache-chocolat, pain des amis
Europe · France
Paris
Grand boulevards, world-class museums, cafe terraces and fairytale landmarks make Paris the classic romantic city break, rewarding both first-timers and returning visitors.
Best timeApril to June and September to October
Ideal trip4–6 days
Budget level₹₹₹₹
Getting thereParis Charles de Gaulle (CDG) and Orly (ORY); direct flights from Delhi, Mumbai and others
Visa (Indian passport)Schengen visa, apply through VFS/TLScontact (approximate — verify before travel) Other passport, or hold a US / UK / Schengen visa? Check the visa guide
Great Okay Not ideal
HoneymoonArtFoodShopping
Four ways to see Paris
Touristy, offbeat, local or hidden?
Every traveller is different. Browse by style, then let the planner mix them into a day-by-day plan.
The famous must-sees
Eiffel Tower≈ ₹3,400
Iconic wrought-iron tower with views from the summit. Visit at dusk to see the city lights come on and the sparkle show.
scenic · about 3 hrs · best in the eveningFree alternative: Trocadero esplanade — Free terrace directly across the river with the best classic photo view of the tower, though no lift or summit.
Louvre Museum≈ ₹2,100
Home of the Mona Lisa and thousands of artworks. Pick a few wings rather than trying to see everything.
culture · about 4 hrs · best in the morningFree alternative: Petit Palais — Free permanent collection of paintings and sculpture in a grand building, smaller and calmer than the Louvre.
Notre-Dame and the Ile de la CiteFree
Restored Gothic cathedral reopened after the fire. Entry is free; reserve a time slot online, and admire the exterior details.
culture · about 1.5 hrs · best in the morningMontmartre and Sacre-CoeurFree
Hilltop artist quarter with a white basilica, steep lanes and city views. Beware of street scams near the steps.
culture · about 3 hrs · best in the afternoonArc de Triomphe≈ ₹1,500
Napoleon-era monument at the top of the Champs-Elysees; climb the stairs for a star-shaped view of avenues.
scenic · about 1.5 hrs · best in the eveningFree alternative: Galeries Lafayette rooftop terrace — Free rooftop terrace with a panorama of Paris rooftops and the Opera; quieter and with cafes.
Seine river cruise≈ ₹1,700
An hour on the water past bridges and landmarks. Dinner cruises are pricier, a plain evening sightseeing cruise is enough.
scenic · about 1.5 hrs · best in the eveningFree alternative: Quai walk to Pont des Arts — Free riverside promenade past bridges, bookstalls and monuments, with similar views at a walking pace.
Palace of Versailles≈ ₹2,100
Louis XIV's grand palace with the Hall of Mirrors and huge gardens, an easy day trip by train. Avoid Mondays when closed.
culture · about 7 hrsQuieter, still easy to reach
Canal Saint-Martin strollFree
Tree-lined canal with iron footbridges, small cafes and picnic spots favoured by young Parisians.
relax · about 2 hrs · best in the afternoonPere Lachaise CemeteryFree
Leafy hillside cemetery where Oscar Wilde, Jim Morrison and Edith Piaf rest. Grab a map at the gate; paths are uneven.
culture · about 2.5 hrs · best in the morningSainte-Chapelle≈ ₹1,250
Tiny Gothic chapel whose upper floor is almost entirely stained glass. Best on a sunny day.
culture · about 1 hr · best in the morningFree alternative: Saint-Sulpice church — Free large church with grand stained glass and murals, less colourful than Sainte-Chapelle but peaceful.
Parc des Buttes-ChaumontFree
Hilly park with cliffs, a lake, a suspension bridge and a hilltop temple, where locals picnic on weekends.
nature · about 2 hrs · best in the afternoonMusee Rodin gardens≈ ₹1,300
Sculpture garden containing The Thinker beneath old trees, with a museum in a grand mansion. Peaceful retreat in central Paris.
culture · about 2 hrs · best in the afternoonFood, markets, crafts and people
Marche d'AligreFree
Busy neighbourhood market with fruit stalls, cheese and flea-market stalls. Locals shop here, so prices are fair.
food · about 2 hrs · best in the morningMarais bakery and croissant crawl≈ ₹1,000
Taste flaky croissants, pain au chocolat and baguettes from highly rated neighbourhood bakeries on foot.
food · about 2 hrs · best in the morningWine and cheese tasting≈ ₹6,000
Small-group tasting session with a sommelier explaining French regions and cheeses. Vegetarian-friendly but not suitable for non-drinkers.
food · about 2 hrs · best in the eveningRue Mouffetard market streetFree
Historic street lined with food stalls, bakeries, and bistros in the student Latin Quarter, lively with locals each morning.
food · about 2 hrs · best in the morningMacaron or pastry class≈ ₹9,000
Hands-on class with a pastry chef where you bake and take home a box of your own creations.
food · about 3 hrs · best in the afternoonSpots most visitors miss
Passage des PanoramasFree
Covered Parisian arcade from the 1800s with old stamp shops, tea rooms and small eateries away from the crowds.
shopping · about 1 hrRue CremieuxFree
Tiny pedestrian lane of pastel-painted houses, great for photos. Visit quietly as people live here.
scenic · about 0.5 hrs · best in the morningArenes de LuteceFree
Roman amphitheatre hidden behind apartment buildings in the Latin Quarter, now used by locals for football and boules.
culture · about 1 hrMusee de la Vie RomantiqueFree
Small museum in a charming villa with a lovely tea garden, tucked in the quiet lower Montmartre area.
culture · about 1.5 hrs · best in the afternoonEntry fees and times are approximate, per adult, and change often — we confirm everything before you book. Last reviewed November 2026.
Specialities
What Paris is famous for
food
Croissants and baguettes
Buttery pastries and crusty bread from neighbourhood boulangeries, best eaten warm in the morning.
food
Macarons
Delicate almond meringue sandwiches in dozens of flavours from famous patisseries.
food
French cheese
Brie, camembert, comte and goat cheeses bought at a fromagerie or market stall.
drink
Wine and champagne
Regional French wines and sparkling champagne; tastings are widely offered in wine bars.
drink
Cafe au lait and cafe terrace culture
Linger over a coffee at a sidewalk table, like locals, for people-watching.
souvenir
Perfume and cosmetics
French perfumes and skincare from pharmacies and department stores, often cheaper than back home.
souvenir
Art prints and vintage books
Posters and old books from the Seine-side bouquinistes make charming gifts.
experience
Seine evening stroll
Walk or cruise along the river at dusk as bridges and monuments light up.
Where to eat
A taste of Paris
From the stalls locals queue at to the tables critics travel for — chosen for flavour, character and a warm welcome.
Must try
- Croissant and pain au chocolat vegButter-rich viennoiserie from a neighbourhood boulangerie, best warm in the morning.
- Baguette tradition with cheese vegCrusty baguette with a fromagerie selection - note some cheeses use animal rennet.
- Crêpes and galettes vegBuckwheat galettes with egg and cheese, or sweet crêpes with salted-butter caramel.
- Macarons vegAlmond-meringue sandwiches in endless flavours; a classic gift box (contain egg).
- Steak frites / duck confitBistro staples best eaten in a classic zinc-bar setting.
- Chocolat chaud vegThick, almost spoonable hot chocolate, famously served at tea salons.
Street food trail
Le Marais market and falafel stroll
- Best time
- 11 am - 3 pm, Tuesday to Sunday (Enfants Rouges is closed Mondays)
- Takes
- 2.5-3 hours
- Start at
- Marche des Enfants Rouges, 39 rue de Bretagne (Metro Filles du Calvaire)
- Budget
- approx EUR 35-50 (Rs 3,500-5,000) per person
- Marche des Enfants RougesRue de Bretagne, Haut-Marais (3rd)
Try Moroccan couscous or vegetable tagine (veg option). Japanese bento. Fresh fruit and crepes (veg).
Paris's oldest covered market, dating from 1628. Shared tables fill up by 12:30, so arrive by noon or come mid-afternoon.
EUR 12-18 (Rs 1,200-1,800)Map
- Rue de Bretagne bakeries and cheese shopsHaut-Marais
Try Croissant or pain au chocolat (veg). A cheese tasting (see the rennet tip).
Most traditional French cheeses (Comte, Brie de Meaux, Roquefort) use animal rennet. Ask for 'presure vegetale' (plant rennet) if it matters to you.
EUR 3-8 (Rs 300-800)Map
- L'As du Fallafel34 rue des Rosiers, Marais (4th)
Try Falafel special in pita with grilled aubergine, cabbage, hummus and tahini (veg).
The takeaway queue moves fast. Pay at the window first, then hand your ticket over. It is closed Friday evening and Saturday for Shabbat. The food is kosher, not halal-certified.
EUR 9-12 (Rs 900-1,200)Map
- Place des VosgesMarais
Try A picnic of your falafel or bakery buys on the lawns (veg).
A free, calm stop, ideal for older travellers. Benches line the arcades and there are public toilets nearby.
FreeMap
- Berthillon ice creamRue Saint-Louis-en-l'Ile, Ile Saint-Louis
Try Fruit sorbets such as raspberry or blackcurrant (vegan). Salted caramel ice cream (veg).
A 10-minute walk over the Pont Marie. The main shop closes Monday and Tuesday and has a long summer break, but nearby cafes stock it.
EUR 4-7 (Rs 400-700)Map
Eat smart · every traveller
Diets & dietary needs
- Vegetarian
- Easier than its reputation suggests. Falafel, crepes, bakeries, quiche and market stalls all work. Soups and sauces often use chicken or beef stock (bouillon), so ask.
- Vegan
- Growing fast in the Marais and the 10th and 11th. Classic pastries are butter-heavy. Falafel without sauce and sorbets are safe.
- Jain (no onion, garlic)
- Hard at French places, which rely on onion, shallot and garlic. The Indian restaurants in La Chapelle ('Little India', near Gare du Nord) are your best bet, and some will cook Jain on request.
- Halal
- Widely available in Belleville, Barbes and La Chapelle, and at many kebab shops. Classic French bistros are not halal.
- Gluten-free
- Buckwheat galettes (savoury crepes) at Breton creperies are naturally gluten-free, but check for wheat blends. Macarons are mostly almond-based.
- With children
- Crepes, croissants, baguette with cheese, macarons and ice cream are easy. Steak tartare and some cheeses are raw or unpasteurised, so skip them for small children.
- Spice level
- French food is not spicy at all. Ask for 'harissa' on the side at North African stalls if you miss heat.
Say it like a local
Useful phrases
- I am vegetarianJe suis vegetarien (man) / vegetarienne (woman)zhuh swee vay-zhay-ta-RYAN / vay-zhay-ta-RYEN
- No meat, no fish, no eggSans viande, sans poisson, sans oeufsahn vee-OND, sahn pwa-SON, sahn UHF
- Is there meat stock or anchovy in this?Il y a du bouillon de viande ou des anchois dedans ?eel ya doo boo-YON duh vee-OND oo dayz on-SHWAH duh-DON
- How much?C'est combien ?say kom-BYAN
- Delicious!C'est delicieux !say day-lee-SYUH
- Cards (including contactless) work almost everywhere, even for small amounts. Keep a few euros in coins for toilets and tiny market stalls.
- Always start with 'Bonjour' before ordering. It matters to Parisians and the service improves noticeably.
- Pickpockets work the Metro, Sacre-Coeur and the Eiffel Tower area. Ignore 'friendship bracelet' and petition-clipboard approaches.
- Avoid restaurants with picture menus and touts on rue de la Huchette near Saint-Michel. Eat one street back or at markets instead.
Trail stops, hours and prices are approximate and stalls move — check locally. Pronunciations are simplified guides. Last reviewed 9 November 2026.
Where to eat, by budget
Street food, markets and humble legends
Local Favourites
L'As du Fallafel
The Marais' famous falafel stop - expect a queue that moves quickly. Easy vegetarian lunch.
Order Falafel special in pita
Local Favouriteswidely recommended (oldest covered market in Paris)
Marché des Enfants Rouges
A compact 17th-century market packed with lunch stalls from many cuisines. Closed Mondays.
Order Moroccan, Lebanese and Japanese stalls, fresh produce
Acclaimed cafés and celebrated mid-range tables
Smart & Stylishwidely recommended (since 1903)
Angelina (Rivoli)
An ornate tea room opposite the Tuileries, famous for its rich hot chocolate and chestnut-cream Mont-Blanc.
Order L'Africain hot chocolate, Mont-Blanc pastry
Smart & Stylish
Breizh Café
Upmarket crêperie using organic buckwheat and quality Breton butter; a reliable, easy lunch for all ages.
Order Buckwheat galette complète, salted-butter caramel crêpe, Breton cider
Smart & Stylishwidely recommended (international veg chain)
Saravanaa Bhavan Paris
A dependable pure-vegetarian option in Paris' 'Little India' - comfort food for clients after days of French menus.
Order Masala dosa, thali, filter coffee
Award-winning tables, tasting menus and grand hotel dining
Fine Dining & SplurgeMichelin Guide France 2026: 3 stars
Arpège
Alain Passard put vegetables at the centre of three-star cooking decades ago; the best fine-dining match for vegetarian clients in Paris.
Order Vegetable tasting menu from Alain Passard's own gardens
Fine Dining & SplurgeMichelin Guide France 2026: 3 stars
Plénitude (Cheval Blanc Paris)
Intimate dining room overlooking the Seine where sauces are the star of each course. A true special-occasion booking.
Order Arnaud Donckele's sauce-driven tasting menu
Fine Dining & SplurgeMichelin Guide France 2026: 1 star
Frenchie
Gregory Marchand's relaxed but polished restaurant - a friendlier, more affordable way into starred dining.
Order Seasonal tasting menu; the wine bar opposite for walk-ins
Restaurants change hours, menus and prices often; awards are as published at the time of checking. Approximate — verify before you go. Last reviewed 9 November 2026. All our food picks
Time it right
Festivals & events
MayWorld
Cannes Film Festival
Cannes, French Riviera, France · Usually mid-to-late May (confirm closer to the time)
Film premieres, red-carpet evenings and beach screenings fill the Riviera town for about two weeks. Public events and the seaside atmosphere are open to all, even without festival access.
Tip: Hotels triple in price; stay in Nice and take the train in.
JunWorld
Fête de la Musique
Streets and squares across Paris, France · 21 June (fixed every year)
On the longest day of the year, musicians of every kind play for free on streets, bridges and courtyards across Paris. Expect jazz, rock, classical and spontaneous dancing until late.
Tip: Walk, as metro and road closures are heavy; pick one neighbourhood and wander.
JulWorld
Bastille Day and Tour de France finish
Paris, France · 14 July (fixed); Tour de France finishes on the Champs-Élysées about 25 July
A military parade on the Champs-Élysées in the morning, a fireworks show at the Eiffel Tower at night, and street dances at fire stations on the eve. Paris celebrates loudly.
Tip: Reserve a spot early on the Champ de Mars for the fireworks.
Local tip: Book Eiffel Tower and Louvre time slots online in advance, and get a Navigo Easy card for metro rides.
Make Paris yours
Build a free itinerary in a minute, or let our team plan it all — stays, transport and a clear price.