The secret to a successful trip is plenty of advance planning - and then knowing how to get around once you arrive.
Here is all the essential Paris information you need to decide when to visit, what to pack, what to do before you come, and how to get from the airport to the city.
You'll also find plenty of tips about finding your way around the city, including where to get the best maps, recommendations for useful guidebooks, and getting around on the famous Paris Metro (as well as how to see the city on wheels, by water, and on foot).
Plus, be sure to check out the information about French money, tipping, and even 10 easy-to-learn French words and phrases essential to having a great experience.
Top photo: Notre Dame at the left and Ile Saint-Louis on the right, (c) Paris Discovery Guide
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Start Planning Your Visit: Do These Things First
Decide When to Come
When to visit? Here are the most important things to consider when planning your trip to Paris
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Spring or Fall? June or December? Everything you need to know to pick the right season for your visit
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What to expect from Paris weather by season plus packing tips for typical weather conditions
More
Find Out More about Paris Weather and What to Pack for Each Month
Predicting Paris weather can be tricky. Find out what to expect plus our tried-and-true packing tips for each month:
January - February - March - April - May - June - July - August - September - October - November - December
Good to Know: How to stay cool during Paris summer heatwaves
Plan Your Trip
What to Do & See in Paris
- 10 Top Paris Attractions: Planning what to do and see in Paris? Start here
- Paris Arrondissements: What's an arrondissement? It's a district, and Paris has 20 of them, and each has its own personality, attractions, and things to do. Here's what you'll find in each one
- Best Paris Skyline Views: Where to see and photograph iconic Paris scenes
- What to Do on Your First Day in Paris - How to make the most of your first day while fighting jet lag
- Why Visit Paris? - All the reasons why you're planning a trip to Paris!
Before You Leave Home: More to Know
More to Consider
- Do you need travel insurance for your Paris trip? Which insurance plans are best?
- Paris Museum Pass - Should you get it? How much money and time can you really save with it?
- Paris travel questions and answers - What others have asked (and our answers)
You're Here! Now What?
Fun Ways to See Top Paris Attractions
Other Essential Information for Your Trip to Paris
- What to expect at your Paris hotels - From check-in time to room size to where to eat breakfast, our essential tips about Paris hotels have you covered
- Skip-the-Line tickets - How to see the top Paris attractions without wasting time standing in line
Related Articles about Planning Your Trip to Paris
- Top Paris Events - The year at a glance
- Paris Concerts - From classical concerts in historic churches to stadium tours - what's on!
- Easy Day Trips from Paris - How to visit Versailles, Giverny, Mont Saint Michel, D-Day Normandy Beaches, Disneyland, London, Bruges, & more places in just one day
- Eiffel Tower Tickets - How to get tickets to the Eiffel Tower - without waiting in long lines!
- Paris Beaches - Where to find them, and fun activities and things to do
- Paris Museum Exhibitions - Top museum shows to see while you're in Paris
