City guide · France
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city of France, with an estimated city population of 2.
4 ready itineraries · 3, 5, 7, 10-day plans
Paris is the capital and largest city of France, with an estimated city population of 2.04 million in an area of 105.4 km2 (40.7 sq mi), and a metropolitan population of 13.2 million as of January 2026. Located on the river Seine in the centre of the Île-de-France region, it is the largest metropolitan area and fourth-most populous city in the European Union (EU).
Nicknamed the "City of Light", partly because of its role in the Age of Enlightenment, Paris has been one of the world's major centres of finance, diplomacy, commerce, culture, fashion, and gastronomy since the 17th century. Highlights are listed below.
- Best for
- First-time visitors who want Paris without a car. The 3-day plan stays inside walking range of Landmarks.
- Skip if
- Skip Paris if you only want a beach week or an airport layover. This cluster is for people who will walk most days.
Pick a trip length
One plan per length — open it and walk the days in order.
- 3days3-day itineraryA long weekend walking Paris.Open plan →
- 5days5-day itineraryPopularA first visit to Paris with room for one extra neighborhood.Open plan →
- 7days7-day itineraryA slower week in Paris, with one day outside town.Open plan →
- 10days10-day itineraryFirst-time visitors who want a full Paris trip with day trips.Open plan →
5-day preview
Skim the walking days, then open the full plan.
- 1
Landmarks
Walk Landmarks in Paris. Start at Eiffel Tower, then Arc de Triomphe de l'Étoile and Champs-Élysées. Stay on foot.
Eiffel Tower · Arc de Triomphe de l'Étoile · Champs-Élysées · Notre Dame Cathedral · …
- 2
Landmarks
Walk Landmarks in Paris. Start at Grande Arche de la Défense, then Panthéon and Père-Lachaise Cemetery. Stay on foot.
Grande Arche de la Défense · Panthéon · Père-Lachaise Cemetery · Sainte-Chapelle · …
- 3
Museums and galleries
Walk Museums and galleries in Paris. Start at Picasso Museum, then Musée Marmottan-Monet and Musée de l'Orangerie. Stay on foot.
Picasso Museum · Musée Marmottan-Monet · Musée de l'Orangerie · Musée Delacroix · …
- 4
Museums and galleries
Walk Museums and galleries in Paris. Start at Musée des Arts Décoratifs, then Carnavalet and Cité des sciences et de l’industrie - La Villette. Stay on foot.
Musée des Arts Décoratifs · Carnavalet · Cité des sciences et de l’industrie - La Villette · Mémorial de la Shoah · …
- 5
Day trip toward Chantilly
Leave Paris for the day. Come back to the same bed.
Chantilly · Chartres · Gothic architecture
Where to stay
Bases that fit the walking plan.
Landmarks
2 to 4 nights
Walking this plan
Base here if you want Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe de l'Étoile, Champs-Élysées on foot.
Museums and galleries
2 to 4 nights
Walking this plan
Base here if you want The Louvre, Musée d'Orsay, Rodin Museum on foot.
Getting there & when to go
Lock timing and airport basics early.
Best time
Paris works year-round for a walking trip. Shoulder months are easier on crowds and hills.
- Shoulder months
- High season
- Low season
- Rain days
Airport
Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG)
thumb|Navigo Easy Travel Card Paris has an excellent public transport system that spans every inch of the city. It is well-known for its Métro (short for Chemin de fer métropolitain, "Metropolitan Railway"), RER (short for Réseau Express Régional, "Regional Express Network,"), and Transilien rail networks. The Métro, RER and Transilien are complemented by a large network of trams and buses. Île-de-France Mobilités is the authority that controls and coordinates the different transport companies operating in the Île-de-France region, including Paris.
- Public transit from CDG30 to 60 minutes · Local ticket price. Check the operator the week you fly.
- Taxi or licensed ride hail20 to 45 minutes · Treat any number you see online as an estimate, not a quote.
Practical notes
Short reads before you book.
Understand
Paris sits on the River Seine, in north-central France. Around 2.2 million people live in the city of Paris, but this only represents the urban core within the Boulevard Périphérique.
There are some 10 million people in the wider Métropole du Grand Paris (814 km 2 ) and almost 13 million people living in the metropolitan area, making this one of Europe's largest. Due to high expectations, a tight schedule, and language barriers, not to mention the large crowds and long lines at certain attractions during high season, the city also disappoints some visitors.
Get in
( ), is the primary airport. Colloquially known as Roissy Airport, it is north of the city and is used mainly for long haul flights.
The airport consists of three terminals: Terminal 1, Terminal 2 and Terminal 3, connected by the CDGVAL people mover. It is connected to Paris by train, bus and taxi.
Get around
thumb|Navigo Easy Travel Card Paris has an excellent public transport system that spans every inch of the city. It is well-known for its Métro (short for Chemin de fer métropolitain, "Metropolitan Railway"), RER (short for Réseau Express Régional, "Regional Express Network,"), and Transilien rail networks.
The Métro, RER and Transilien are complemented by a large network of trams and buses. Île-de-France Mobilités is the authority that controls and coordinates the different transport companies operating in the Île-de-France region, including Paris.
Stay safe
Paris is a relatively safe city. This does not stop it from being plagued by petty crime, especially pickpocketing, and muggings.
Scams, of which there are many, are also prevalent, though the police are slowly cracking down on them. While not common, purse snatchings do happen.
Related guides
Helpful next pages for Paris.