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“Paris is the greatest temple ever built to material joys and the lust of the eyes.”
Expect the unexpected in Paris. For all of its world-renowned sites, there is so much more to discover in the City of Light. Paris is one of the world's top destinations for travelers, but there are ways to avoid tourist congestion.
Our curated guide takes you from morning markets to rooftop sunsets, through ancient cemeteries and precious parkland, to secret gardens that allow a respite from the buzz of the city. Our destinations allow you to experience popular attractions without the crowds while providing a starting point to explore the parts of the city you may never knew existed. As with all of our guides, you are encouraged to use these itineraries as a starting point to make your own Parisian memories.
Views from the Dome of Sacré-Coeur
THE CITY
Settled in the 3rd Century
≈ 15 million tourists annually
Over 450 parks
Busiest rail station in Europe
Essentials
Year-round. While crowds are common throughout the year, particularly at major attractions, expect the most visitors in July and August. Compass & Key recommends the fringe months of May, June, September and October.
Vacation rentals can be a great way to feel like a local, and occasionally they can be larger than standard hotel rooms. If you're looking for the amenities of a hotel, Compass & Key recommends staying in the Latin Quarter, our favorite neighborhood to call 'home' while in Paris. It provides the perfect blend of architectural beauty, interesting sites, authentic restaurants and easy access to the rest of the city.
For a complete list of curated hotels in Paris, visit the Compass & Key Hotel List.
Top Pick: Hôtel Les Dames du Panthéon ($, hotellesdamesdupantheon.com) was inspired by historical French women who have missed out on fame and glory. Overlooking the Pantheon in the heart of the Latin Quarter, the 35 rooms combine vintage furniture and art in a contemporary aesthetic. We loved perusing the art books over a glass of wine in the lobby bar. Metro: Luxembourg
Book below, direct through the hotel website, or through Tablet Hotels
There is no shortage of delightful cuisine to discover in Paris. Expect to linger at a sit-down cafe, so if you have a big day planned, opt for a croissant in the morning and baguette for lunch at the various quick-service shops throughout the city. Some markets also offer prepared meals along with fruits and vegetables. Our interactive map showcases our favorite restaurants in each area, but the place we return to every time is Le Coupe Chou in the Latin Quarter with classic French cuisine and a cozy atmosphere.
Le Coupe Chou in Paris - Restaurant Reviews, Menu and Prices - TheFork
"This restaurant is located in a quiet alley of the Quartier Latin in Paris, one of the oldest in Paris, between the Pantheon, Collège de France and Notre...
HOW TO GET THERE
Most visitors fly into Charles de Gaulle international airport. Compass & Key recommends taking the Paris metro RER B line for the 50-minute journey to several city-center stations for about €10. Taxi fares start at €50. Both recommended hotels are accessible from the RER B line with less than a 10-minute walk from their respective stations. If you opt for public transport, plot your journey with CityMapper.
GETTING AROUND
Paris is a walking city, first and foremost. However, we highly recommend also utilizing the efficient Metro rail system. CityMapper is our transit app of choice for Paris (and many other cities).
The Metro, while not the cleanest of public transportation systems, is nonetheless effective in traversing across the city and allows you to mingle with locals and visitors alike. Pick up a book of 10-tickets at any Metro station and try it out. Make sure to keep your ticket after going through the turnstile, as you'll need it to exit.
The bike share system in Paris has been around since 2007 and cycling lanes are well marked and used often. However, a new internet-connected bike share system with some electric bikes in the fleet is running into multiple rollout problems, with users reporting difficulty in finding available bikes. For more information, visit Vélib’ 2018.
CHECK FLIGHT TIMES TO PARIS (Charles de Gaulle Airport)
Where to Go
Compass & Key has curated six itineraries for wandering Paris. Select an itinerary for a dynamic map and guide to the destination. To save and download these itineraries to your smartphone, follow Compass & Key on the Mapstr app (free).
RELATED CONTENT
Beyond Paris: 3 Easy Day Trips
Resources
A collection of our must-have guide books to the City of Light. Click on the images to purchase online, or note the titles and go to your favorite local bookstore.
Easily fitting in a daypack or purse, this is an ideal companion as you explore each neighborhood.
Detailed interior maps of key attractions, like the Louvre, is one of many reasons we prefer Eyewitness guides.
These three tiny booklets - one for each country - are the size of a credit card and help navigate the menus with a simple A to Z glossary.
Our copy is well worn from use as this is our favorite guidebook while in Paris. Of the forty gardens, we've visited about a dozen and have always been delighted.
If using the bike share system is on your list, this guide showcases routes in five areas that are cycle friendly and offer plenty to do.
The Paris Visitors Bureau to browse for events during your trip and the latest news about the city.
Our Museums & Markets infographic with a summary of opening times for the sites featured in our itineraries to help you plan your days.
The official Paris Museum Pass, which can be purchased in advance or onsite at many of the locations. The pass can be worthwhile if your visit is at least three days, if nothing other than to skip the lines.
The Paris Metro Walking Map, showing estimated walking times between stations, to encourage visitors to wander on foot, particularly during times when the trains may be congested.
Eat With Paris, where you can book meals and cooking classes hosted by locals. Recommended for the first or second day of your trip so you can ask your host about unique things to do and see.
Context Tours Paris, providing historian-led tours with six people or less. We're eyeing the Chocolates & Pastries tour for our next visit.
Fat Tire Bike Tours Paris, our favorite way to get to know the city for the first time while getting some exercise. Plan the tour for the same day you land to help fight jet lag. Compass & Key enjoyed the day bike tour on our first trip to Paris, and the Versailles day excursion on our second trip.
August Restaurant Closings, from Paris by Mouth, as many independent shops and restaurants will close annually for select periods from late July through August. This list is also a handy reference for fave restaurants from this local food tour company!
Interactive Map
Explore the Compass & Key interactive map for Paris, showcasing so much more than just the places in our itineraries. Some sites we have visited while others were discovered through favorite travel writers and bloggers. Simply click on the icon to learn more.
✤ Map Under Construction - Back Online Soon ✤
GUIDES ON THE GO
Take this Compass & Key walking tour with you by following @compassandkey on Mapstr, an app that lets you create a personal map with all of your favorite places, anywhere in the world. Learn more in our Mapstr review.
OUTTAKES
CURATED PARIS TRAVEL STORIES FROM AROUND THE WEB
The best wellness spots in Paris
Sophistication is a given in Paris. But a flurry of holistic hangouts has boosted its allure by treating mind and spirit as well as body. This article was first published in the January/February 2021 issue of Traveller magazine
The Most Exciting Pâtisseries in Paris Are Run by Women
A new crop of pastry chefs is lending a fresh perspective to the historically male-dominated craft. ...
8 New Books You Need to Read Before Flying to France
Few countries are as (ahem) storied as France, and for good reason-its capital is a long-heralded epicenter of fashion and food, and its countryside has been the source material for some of the world's greatest artists. Whether you're planning a trip or just want to scratch a Francophile itch, these eight new reads can inspire.
