Paris Travel Guide

Paris needs no introduction — the City of Light is one of the world's most visited destinations for good reason. Its extraordinary museums, iconic monuments, unparalleled cuisine, and romantic atmosphere create an experience unlike anywhere else on Earth. This guide helps US travelers navigate Paris intelligently, avoiding tourist traps and making the most of every moment.

Top Highlights

• Eiffel Tower (book tickets online)
• Louvre Museum
• Musée d'Orsay
• Notre-Dame Cathedral (reopened 2024)
• Montmartre & Sacré-Coeur
• Palace of Versailles day trip

Getting to Paris

Paris is served by two major airports: Charles de Gaulle (CDG), the main international hub north of the city, and Orly (ORY), south of Paris, primarily used for European flights. Most US-Paris flights land at CDG. Direct flights are available from many US cities including New York, Chicago, Miami, Los Angeles, and more.

• Air France offers the most non-stop options from US cities
• Delta has a strong CDG hub; United and American also fly direct
• Orly is closer to central Paris but rarely used for US arrivals
• RER B train from CDG to city center: ~50 min (~€12)
• CDG taxi to Paris: fixed rate €55 (left bank) or €62 (right bank)

Visa & ETIAS

US citizens do not need a visa for stays under 90 days in France (Schengen Zone). However, the EU's ETIAS travel authorization system is being implemented and will require pre-registration.

• No visa required for US citizens for stays under 90 days
• ETIAS pre-travel authorization required from 2026 (~€7)
• ETIAS approval is quick and valid for 3 years
• Passport must be valid at least 3 months beyond planned departure

Getting Around Paris

Paris has one of the world's best urban transit systems. The Metro (14 lines), RER trains, buses, and Vélib' bike-share make it easy to get anywhere.

• Buy a carnet of 10 tickets or a weekly Navigo pass for unlimited travel
• Paris Visite pass covers unlimited Metro/RER rides for tourists
• Vélib' bike-share is excellent for the flatter districts (1st-8th)
• Uber and Bolt operate in Paris — often faster than taxis
• Walking is the best way to experience central Paris (arrondissements 1-7)

Paris Arrondissements

Paris is divided into 20 arrondissements (districts) numbered 1-20 in a spiral. The most-visited are in the center.

• 1st: Louvre, Tuileries, very touristy, central
• 4th: Marais, hip cafes, Jewish quarter, Notre-Dame
• 5th: Latin Quarter, Sorbonne, bookshops — classic Paris
• 7th: Eiffel Tower, Musée d'Orsay, quieter and upscale
• 18th: Montmartre, Sacré-Coeur, artsy but touristy
• 11th/12th: Local Paris, great restaurants, Bastille nightlife

Food & Dining in Paris

Parisian food culture operates on its own schedule. Lunch is 12-2pm, dinner starts at 7:30pm. Eating at "off" hours marks you as a tourist.

• Croissants and café au lait for breakfast — always at the bar for lower prices
• Fixed-price lunch menus (formule) at traditional bistros: €15-25 for 2-3 courses
• Boulangeries for afternoon goûter (snack) — pain au chocolat essential
• Wine with dinner is expected and remarkably affordable
• Book dinner reservations 1-2 weeks ahead for popular spots