The definitive travel guide to Paris

Among the many names Paris is known by – city of lights, city of love – there’s one more to add this year: the host city of the 2024 Summer Olympics . If you’re heading to the French capital for the Games, maximise your free time by exploring culture-rich neighbourhoods and sampling equally as rich buttery pastries. Here, we’ve curated a helpful guide to ensure you make the most of your Paris experience.

What to see and do

Unmissable attractions 

While there’s no shortage of historical monuments to visit in Paris, the soaring Eiffel Tower is the city’s biggest draw. To experience it without queuing, consider buying your tickets online (up to two months in advance) or hiking up to the second floor of the tower before taking the lift the rest of the way up. When you reach the top, you'll be greeted by an incredible bird-eye’s view of Paris. 

If you want to admire the tower itself, the Place du Trocadero offers a pleasant walk to it and plenty of photo-taking opportunities on the way. Further away, the observation deck atop Montparnasse Tower also boasts a lofty view of the Eiffel Tower poking above the city. Keep an eye on the tower after dark; it glistens every hour.

The Arc de Triomphe is another icon of Paris. Besides sporting magnificent carvings, the arch also offers a 360-degree panorama of the avenues below, branching outwards like a web. Closed since 2019’s devastating fire, the almost-restored Notre Dame Cathedral is scheduled to reopen in December 2024. Until then, visitors can admire the building’s Gothic facade and visit its crypt.

For a deeper dive into history, visit one or more of Paris’ many museums. A trip to the Louvre is a must – and not just for its impressive glass pyramid or a fleeting glimpse of the Mona Lisa. The museum’s collection of artworks is so extensive that it’s nearly impossible to see them all. Plan your visit and follow one of its curated trails before taking a stroll along the pristine flowerbeds of the nearby Jardins des Tuileries.

If works by other renowned artists like Monet and van Gogh interest you, make your way to Musée de l’Orangerie or Musée d’Orsay . More of a contemporary art fan? Check out the Centre Pompidou , an industrial-looking building housing vast collections of Fauvist, Dadaist, and surrealist works.

Admission to Paris’ most popular attractions typically ranges from  €5-15, so if you’re planning to visit several of them, we recommend buying a money-saving Paris Pass . Some of the city’s major museums also offer free admission on certain days (typically the first Sunday of every month), so check out their respective websites for the latest visitor information.

Alternative activities

If you prefer a more leisure-oriented trip with some sightseeing thrown in, spend a languid day in Montmartre, known as the “painter’s neighbourhood”. From atop the Sacre-Coeur , you’ll see Paris’s cityscape unfurl beneath you. Stop by local bakeries and cafés before exploring narrow streets where artists paint and sell their work. Finally, check out the cabaret at the world-famous Moulin Rouge for a taste of the area’s nightlife.

Fancy a picnic with views? Find a spot along the Seine or head a bit further away from central Paris to Parc des Buttes-Chaumont , where you’ll find the fairytale-esque Temple de la Sybille atop a rock overlooking the city. 

Meanwhile, book lovers shouldn’t miss Shakespeare and Company and Abbey Bookshop , just a few minutes away from each other in Paris’ Latin Quarter (5th Arrondissement). Peruse shelves crammed with books, or simply take in the cosy ambience amid the haphazardly stacked tomes.

For a more guided adventure, a variety of food tours , bike or Segway tours and even cooking classes are also available across the city. 

Day trips from Paris

Paris is an excellent stepping-off point for exploring some of France’s other famed regions and towns. Wine lovers will delight in a trip to Champagne , just 45 minutes from Paris by train, where rolling hills, vineyards, and an abundance of tasting opportunities await. 

Outdoorsy travellers and history buffs alike will enjoy an excursion to Normandy , two hours from Paris. A treasure trove of history spanning from the Viking Age to World War II, the region also boasts a beautiful coastline and tons to do on the water .

For an alternative take on French cuisine amid quaint streets, make the two-hour trip to Colmar , a charming village with crisscrossing canals and German-influenced architecture.

Where to eat

Restaurants

Looking for cosy bistros and brasseries serving traditional French fare? Chow down on steak frites and coq au vin at La Fontaine de Mars , a celebrated bistro complete with red checked tablecloths near the Eiffel Tower. Another classic yet chic option is Café de la Paix . With a terrace overlooking the historic Palais Garnier opera house, it serves light lunch and coffee as well as classics like foie gras and onion soup. 

If you’re on the hunt for more affordable options that include both French and international restaurants, explore the Latin Quarter: the neighbourhood is sure to have something that’ll tickle your fancy.

Specialty shops

Between meals, you’ll want to visit a patisserie and boulangerie (or several) for incredible baked goods. Overwhelmed by choice? A good rule is to start with a pain au chocolat or brioche and go from there. For pastries with pedigree, sit down at the fashionable Angelina Paris near Jardins des Tuileries, which serves an assortment of delightful treats, from mont blancs to millefeuilles. For a broad selection of both pastries and bread, stop by Des Gateaux et Du Pain , while Chambelland offers delicious gluten-free breads and pastries. 

Macaron lovers should visit Pierre Hermé for unique flavours and colours to match. Other sweet treats to try include galettes and crepes at Breizh Café , tarte au citron at Sébastian Gaudard , and seasonally flavoured ice cream and fruit sorbet at Berthillon . If you love your cheese, drop by fromagerie Androuet ; it has 10 shops across Paris and staff who are happy to help you find the right cheese for your tastes. 

Where to shop

Put on your walking shoes, because Paris has a plethora of shopping destinations to visit. Combine sightseeing with your retail therapy at department store Galeries Lafayette Haussman , whose gilded arches and glass domed ceiling are well worth stopping to admire. Another popular department store to hit up is Printemps , which has a few locations across the city and a large selection of luxury brands within. 

For high-end shopping streets featuring French and international designer brands, head to Champs-Élysées. If affordable shopping is more your style, the Latin Quarter is the place to be. Curious about Parisian markets? Drop by île de la Cité for the flower market or the Sunday bird market; if it’s food you’re after, head to Le Marché Des Enfants Rouges , the oldest food market in Paris.

If you still have the energy (and space in your suitcase), Paris is home to a number of covered arcades that double as shopping malls, including the elegant Galerie Vivienne and Passage des Panoramas .

Where to stay

In the city centre

Situated in the 1st Arrondissement, Le Meurice is bordered by the Jardins des Tuileries and is a short walk from the Louvre and Place Vendôme. Visited by many a famous artist in the past, the grand hotel is an attraction in its own right. Meanwhile, for a view of the Eiffel Tower from the comfort and elegance of your room, book a stay at Le Metropolitan Paris Tour Eiffel using your Asia Miles.

Looking for an artsy boutique hotel? So/ Paris offers colourful rooms featuring works by local and international artists, and balconies that look out over the city skyline. Hôtel Le Monna Lisa , steps away from popular shopping avenue Champs-Élysées, also boasts rooms adorned with beautiful sculptures and paintings., steps away from popular shopping avenue Champs-Élysées, also boasts rooms adorned with beautiful sculptures and paintings.

On the outskirts

A solid option in Clichy with welcoming rooms and a cosy rooftop terrace is former-printing-house-turned-hotel L’lmprimerie Hôtel, which can also be booked with Asia Miles.

For even more options, we offer a broad selection of hotel stays which can be fully redeemed with miles . Alternatively, you can take advantage of our expanded partnership with Marriott Bonvoy for hotel perks after converting your miles to points.

What to consider while travelling

Getting around

The city centre is largely walkable, but the metro is the fastest way to travel and typically brings you within reach of famous landmarks. A few things that are helpful to note are: some stations don’t have ticket machines; a day pass may be cheaper than multiple tickets; and travelling at non-peak hours will help you avoid the crowds.

Alternatively, you can hop on the Bateaux-Mouches – charming tourist boats that chug along the Seine – for a glimpse of the major sights from the water or rent a city bike if you’re confident exploring the city on two wheels.

Safety

Before you travel, make sure you’ve prepared all necessary travel documents and packed accordingly for the weather. If your trip coincides with any public holidays or events, like the 2024 Olympics, you may need to adapt your schedule around closures and crowds. During your trip, be mindful of your surroundings and belongings, especially in tourist areas.