Paris Travelers Recommend - page 3

Many travelers go to Normandy to see World War II sites, but taking in World War I battlefields and memorials is also a popular option from Paris. Whether you choose a single-day introduction or an in-depth multi-day tour, here are your options.

Small-Group Day Trips

These tours offer a personalized experience when touring historical World War I sites near Paris. Day tours visit several locations in one region, such as Somme, Aisne, and Marne in Picardy, Verdun in the Meuse department, or Ypres across the border in the Flanders region of Belgium. You can expect a two- to three-hour scenic drive to reach the sites, a midday break for lunch, and informative commentary from your guide throughout the trip. Special tours take place for commemorative events such as ANZAC Day, an Australian day of remembrance.

Multi-Day Tours

Spending two or more days visiting World War I sites allows you to take your time touring each site for a more immersive experience. An overnight tour in the Belgian city of Ypres includes a visit to Menin Gate for an evening Last Post ceremony honoring military heroes from the Great War, while longer multi-day tours head all over northern France and Belgium to visit a range of sites and offer free time for travelers to explore on their own.

Things to Know

• The main WWI sites near Paris are between 60 miles (100 km) and 170 miles (275 km) away by road.

• Ride in a comfortable minivan or bus through the countryside of France to reach the sites, a journey that can take from one to three hours depending on the destination.

• Full-day tours generally last between 10 and 13 hours, so prepare for a long day.

• Tours stop regularly for rest breaks and photo ops, with most also including an hour or more for lunch.

• Bring clothing that can accommodate variable weather conditions and suitable walking shoes.

Sites to See

• In the Somme department, visit the Danger Tree at Hamel, the immense Lochnagar Crater, and the Somme Trench Museum, which features wartime tunnels that display war artifacts such as uniforms and photographs.

• Verdun is home to the Romagne War Museum and the Meuse-Argonne American Cemetery and Memorial, where more than 14,000 US soldiers are buried, making it the largest American cemetery in Europe.

• Aisne and Marne house the Aisne-Marne American Cemetery, the Museum of the Great War in Meaux, and Belleau Wood, one of the war’s most famous battlegrounds.

• In the Ypres area in Belgium, you'll find the Flanders Field Museum, the Tyne Cot Commonwealth War Graves Cemetery and Memorial, John McCrae's Essex Farm site, the Langemark German Cemetery, and Vancouver Corner, a memorial to Canadian soldiers.

French cuisine is arguably the most admired in the world, making any trip to Paris a prime opportunity to enjoy some of the country’s most popular dishes. Whether it’s gooey macarons or classic crepes, here’s our list of the French capital’s must-eats. Bon appetit!

Café au Lait and Croissant: Start your day with a café au lait and croissant at a café-bar. Made with equal parts coffee and scalded milk, the reviving coffee teamed with a buttery croissant is the Parisian breakfast.

French Cheeses: The city is packed with upscale fromageries selling their picks of France’s hundreds of cheeses, from classics to artisanal, sometimes out-there creations. Topping the list are varieties such as Camembert (delicious on fresh baguettes), creamy Brie, blue-veined Roquefort, and nutty-tasting Comté.

Crepes: Parisians can’t get enough of these pancakes, which originate from Brittany—eating them as mains, desserts, and street snacks and dedicating entire restaurants to them. Top crêperies can be found in the Marais, Montparnasse, and Montmartre districts, where diners enjoy buckwheat savory versions known as galettes before gorging on dessert crepes slathered in salted caramel, chocolate, and fruit sauces.

Beef Bourguignonne: This signature Parisian dish is still a big favorite. A rich beef stew braised in red wine with onions, carrots, and garlic, it’s simmered for hours to make it melt-in-your-mouth tender.

Cassoulet: Another old-school staple, cassoulet features on almost every bistro menu from the Latin Quarter to Montmartre. Don’t miss a bowl of this voluptuous, slow-cooked mash-up of preserved duck, white beans, sausage, and vegetables—a warming filler that seems especially perfect in winter.

Macarons and Pastries: No trip to Paris is complete without indulging in France’s multihued mini-meringues and sweet pastries. The much-loved macarons feature crunchy-yet-gooey tops and bases filled with buttercream, ganache, or jam. Enjoy them as desserts or buy boxes of them, perhaps with other treats such as fruit tarts and eclairs, from patisseries.

Crème Brûlée: This classic dessert is a must-try in Paris, where it’s created and treated with reverence. One of its joys is cracking into the caramelized sugar shell to reveal the decadently rich custard beneath—usually vanilla-laced, but often offered in different flavors.

Escargots: Don’t forget to sample what is one of France’s oldest and best-known dishes—even if you have to summon your culinary courage to do so. A plateful of snails swimming in delectable garlic butter is far tastier than it sounds.

Long considered a culinary capital, Paris offers classic French cuisine with a celebrated history. But classic doesn’t mean boring—you’ll find that there are a number of unique ways to feast on authentic Parisian favorites. Here are your options.

• Sit down to dinner with Parisian locals who can share what it’s like living in the City of Light. You’ll meet your hosts in their own home for an evening of dinner and conversation.

• Watch the high kicks during a Moulin Rouge cabaret show as you feast on a gourmet three-course dinner. Enjoy such specialties as duck foie gras, sea bass fillet with mushroom sauce, and a typically delectable French dessert.

• Visit Vaux-le-Vicomte château to see historic horse-drawn vehicles, from a Roman carriage to the 20th-century saloon wagon, before enjoying a three-course candlelit dinner in one of the restaurants on the château grounds.

• Go underground at a Parisian wine cellar for a multi-course meal, perfectly paired with accompanying wines. Each haute cuisine course is matched with a glass of wine, plus you'll enjoy a glass of Champagne to start and a digestif to finish.

• Head to the water for a cruise on the Seine River, where you’ll admire the sights of Paris and learn about the city’s history from an informative audio guide. Choose a tour that follows the cruise with a meal at Les Ombres Restaurant, located on the rooftop of the Musée du Quai Branly, so you can marvel at panoramic views of Paris and the iconic Eiffel Tower.

If you’re short on time in Paris but still want to get outside the city, a day trip by train is one of the most efficient ways to do so. Here are a few options that allow you to experience more of France—or even a different country—from Paris in less than 24 hours.

Giverny — 1 hour from Paris

Claude Monet’s home and gardens in the small French village of Giverny is one of the top day trip destinations from Paris. Guided tours typically take place via coach, but it is possible to get there by SNCF train from Gare St. Lazare to the Vernon–Giverny station, which is 3.7 miles (6 kilometers) from Monet’s house. Taxis and a shuttle bus (from spring to fall) are available from the station to the house, where you can explore the gardens, Japanese bridge, and water lily pond that inspired much of Monet’s work.

London — 2.5 hours from Paris

Just across the English Channel, the historical sights of London are waiting to be explored on a day trip via the Eurostar, which departs from Gare du Nord. This high-speed train delivers you to London’s St. Pancras station, from where you can head to the attractions that interest you, such as Westminster Abbey, the Victoria and Albert Museum, or Hyde Park, just to name a few. Some tours include a River Thames cruise or a hop-on hop-off sightseeing pass.

Provence — 3 hours from Paris

Traveling by France’s high-speed TGV train, you can get to and from Provence in a day. From Paris’ Gare du Nord, travel south to Avignon, a town known for its historical center, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that includes Avignon Cathedral and the Palais des Papes (Palace of the Popes). If you want to see more than just Avignon, opt for a tour that includes transportation to additional villages such as St Rémy de Provence and Les Baux de Provence.

The City of Light shines extra brightly around the winter holidays, making it the perfect place to ring in the New Year. To celebrate with a French spin, see below for a few of our favorite ways to take in Parisian culture on New Year's Eve.

Celebrate With Cabarets, Concerts, and Shows

Song, dance, food, wine—this mix sounds like the perfect recipe for a memorable New Year's Eve. Whether you snag tickets for a special Crazy Horse or Paradis Latin cabaret, or book a city tour that ends at the Moulin Rouge or a jazz club, Paris has plenty of options for a showstopping holiday.

Toast to the New Year on the Seine and Beyond

France is home to many of the world's finest vineyards, so why not indulge in some top-notch French wine in Paris on New Year's Eve? Board a boat on the Seine River to taste champagne—or even splurge on a four-course dinner cruise. Alternatively, pair art and drinks with VIP skip-the-line entry to the Louvre followed by wine tastings in an 18th-century wine cellar.

A bohemian hub during the Belle Epoque era, Paris' Montmartre neighborhood is crowned by the Basilica du Sacre-Coeur. A walking tour introduces travelers to the main attractions so you can then explore more on your own. Here's what you should know.

Highlights

• Explore one of Paris' most historic districts with an expert tour guide who provides commentary.

• Enjoy one of the best views of Paris from the Basilica du Sacre-Coeur.

• Most tours include a stop at Place du Tertre, where artists sketch visitors' portraits.

• Tours typically last 1.5 to 2.5 hours, leaving you with plenty of time to continue exploring.

• Morning and afternoon options are available to suit your schedule.

• Private tours are available if you prefer a more personalized experience.

Things to Know

• Montmartre is perched on a hill in Paris' 18th arrondissement with many stairs and cobblestone streets, so make sure to wear comfortable walking shoes.

• If you're visiting in summer and plan to walk uphill, bring water to stay hydrated.

Paris is home to some of Europe’s finest and most famous galleries and museums, with artistic treasures from all corners of the globe adorning their numerous walls and corridors. See below for some can’t-miss sites for art lovers visiting Paris.

Musée du Louvre —for the first-timer

The world's most-visited museum, the Louvre showcases timeless masterpieces from Da Vinci, Michelangelo, and Rembrandt alongside treasures from Mesopotamian, Egyptian, and Greek antiquity.

How to Visit: Beat the queues with skip-the-line entry and follow a guide through centuries of rich art history.

Musée d'Orsay — for the impressionist fan

The Musée d’Orsay is a specialty gallery housing artworks from the impressionist, post-impressionist, and art nouveau movements. It's perhaps most famous for its collection of Monet works, but this really is just the tip of the iceberg.

How to Visit: Book a VIP tour to discover works by Manet, Monet, Renoir, and Van Gogh, and enjoy lunch at the d'Orsay Museum restaurant after your visit.

Centre Pompidou — for the modern art buff

The Centre Pompidou ranks among Paris' most striking buildings, with stairways, air ducts, and heating pipes decorating the exterior. The gallery houses France's national modern art collection, with contemporary works dating back to 1905.

How to Visit: With vibrant works and colorful surroundings, the Centre Pompidou is a great family-friendly gallery. Book a private family tour and show the kids the best of France's exciting modern art scene.

Musée de l'Orangerie — for the Water Lilies lover

The Musée de l'Orangerie takes pride of place in the Tuileries Gardens. The space houses 20th-century impressionist and post-impressionist paintings by Claude Monet alongside famous works by Cézanne, Matisse, Picasso, Renoir, and Sisley.

How to Visit: Combine your Musée de l'Orangerie visit with a cruise along the Seine River, and enjoy sweeping views over the city's UNESCO–listed riverbanks.

Musée Rodin — for the sculpture enthusiast

Dedicated to the works of French sculptor Auguste Rodin, the Musée Rodin houses works such as The Thinker, The Kiss, and The Gates of Hell. Don't miss the gardens, where more impressive pieces are displayed.

How to Visit: Delve into French military and art history on a private tour of Les Invalides and the Musée Rodin to cover two important aspects of French culture in one day.

Auvers-sur-Oise & Giverny — for the Monet and van Gogh fan

Claude Monet and Vincent van Gogh—two of France's most famous 19th-century painters—lived in Auvers-sur-Oise and Giverny, respectively. Visitors can follow in the masters' footsteps and admire the very scenes that made their way onto canvas.

How to Visit: Both Auvers-sur-Oise and Giverny lie within easy reach of Paris, with day trips leaving the French capital and including hotel pickup and drop-off.

For every architectural wonder and stroll along the Seine, there's something delicious to eat in Paris — and plenty of ways to do so. Cooking classes, walking tours, tastings, and dinner experiences ensure you won’t go hungry. Here are your options.

Must-Try Dishes

Start the day with a simple breakfast of baked goods from a local boulangerie, where you can grab a croissant, which should be flaky and buttery; pain au chocolate, similar to a croissant but with chocolate in the middle; or a baguette, a thin loaf of crusty bread. Pop into a patisserie for an afternoon pick-me-up of colorful macarons, a delicate sandwich cookie made from meringue, and end your day with a French classic like bœuf bourguignon (a beef stew prepared in red wine) or coq a vin (braised chicken with mushrooms and onions) — two dishes made famous outside France in Julia Child’s cookbook Mastering the Art of French Cooking.

Must-Do Experiences

• Go behind the scenes of a boulangerie to learn the art of making baguettes and croissants.

• Dine at a restaurant by Alain Ducasse, a Michelin-star chef, restaurateur, and culinary national treasure.

• Take a walking tour to find Parisian delights, from chocolate to cheese to charcuterie.

• Discover the secrets behind French sweets such as macarons and crème brûlée with a pastry and dessert cooking class.

Home to many of the world’s top fashion houses, including Chanel, Givenchy, and Yves Saint-Laurent, Paris is a city that takes style seriously. But that doesn’t mean your only options are high-end boutiques. From famed department stores to charming thrift shops and everything in between, Paris offers a wide range of shopping spots. Here are some of the best. 

Le Marais

Begin your shopping tour in the neighborhood of Le Marais. As well as being a historic Jewish Quarter, the area is also home to an eclectic mix of art galleries, concept stores, independent boutiques, and quirky thrift shops. It’s a perfect destination for window shopping and bargain scoring.

Galeries Lafayette

Paris’ single most famous place to shop is doubtless the Galeries Lafayette. A storied department store, the Galeries Lafayette—whose elegant Haussmann flagship is located near Opéra and spans 10 floors—is a place where you can shop for hours, break for refreshments on the terrace, and then continue browsing the racks.

Rue de Rivoli

Paris’ answer to 5th Avenue in New York or Regent’s Street in London is Rue de Rivoli, one of the city’s busiest thoroughfares. Running parallel to the Seine between the 1st and 3rd arrondissements, it contains a wide variety of international brands and other popular, ready-to-wear clothes.

Saint-Germain-des-Prés

One of Paris chicest neighborhoods, Saint-Germain-des-Prés in the 6th arrondissement is home to an eclectic range of shopping stops. From designer boutiques to independent brands, this neighborhood is best explored with a shopping bag or two draped over your arm.

The Louvre and the Musée d'Orsay are home to some of the world's most famous art masterpieces, but Paris also boasts a vibrant street art scene, with thought-provoking murals all around the city. Here's where to find Paris' best street art.

Le Marais

The winding medieval lanes and bright storefronts of Paris' Le Marais district offer an atmospheric backdrop for a walking or cycling tour. The neighborhood is popular among street artists, with bold artworks and creations by YOSH, Space Invader, CLET, SOBR, GZUP, and COST, among others.

Belleville

Belleville has a long been the stomping grounds of artists and musicians, so there's plenty to admire on a street art tour. Under the guidance of an expert tour guide, see legendary Paris street art such as Jérome Ménager's wall fresco and Space Invader's mosaic tiles.

Montmartre

Join a photography tour and explore the colorful backstreets of Montmartre, where local artists sell their works at the street markets and the cobblestone lanes harbor plenty of hidden gems, including graffiti art by Gregos and Combo.

St. Ouen

The buzzing flea market of St. Ouen is more than just a shopping venue—join a walking tour and venture off the beaten track to admire the street art creations of Mesnager, Monsieur Chat, and others.

Canal de L'Ourcq

Seine Saint Denis is a street art hot spot, but the best time to visit is during the street art festival, held along the Canal de L'Ourcq each summer. This unique festival devotes some 6.4 miles (10 kilometers) of its riverbanks to innovative, large-scale artworks, featuring urban artists such as JR, LeModuleDeZeer, Le Cyklop, Jace, and Artof Popof.

Paris is known for its romance but there's also a rich history of music here, and you can head to the streets on a tour of the best live music neighborhoods and venues to hear world-class jazz paying homage to the city’s roots. Here's where to go.

Latin Quarter

The crowded streets of Paris' Latin Quarter lend this popular neighborhood an unmistakable party vibe. Dozens of restaurant, pastry shops, cafes, and public theaters line the alleyways, but visitors agree it's the late-night jazz clubs, such as the iconic Le Caveau de la Huchette, that make this spot a true live music mecca.

Saint-Germain-des-Pres

This neighborhood was a center for jazz in the 1920s, when famous musicians made frequent stops in this part of the city to play in underground clubs and bars. Today, you can hear live jazz at Swan Bar, Le Bar Hotel Villa, and the Paris-Prague Jazz Club. Les Deux Magots, made famous by Ernest Hemingway, is also in Saint-Germain-des-Pres, as is the equally iconic Café de Flore.

Les Halles

Originally a banking center in medieval Paris, Les Halles’ Rue des Lombards is now home to three of the main French jazz clubs in Paris: Le Baiser Salé, Le Duc des Lombards, and the Sunset Sunside Jazz Club, which is a quintessential stop for travelers looking to experience old-school charm, smoky nights, and smooth jazz.

Montparnasse

At Montparnasse's Le Petit Journal, you can hear orchestral sounds, soul music, the iconic brass bands of New Orleans, and singers who resurrect the great divas. Café Universel and Dame Rose are other excellent venues for live jazz.

An enticing city near the France–Belgium border, Bruges makes for a convenient day trip from Paris. It's sometimes called Little Venice of the North and is best known for its canals and historic center. Here's how to visit from the French capital.

Highlights

• Once you've seen the top sights in Paris, such as the Louvre, Eiffel Tower, and Notre Dame Cathedral, take a day trip into Belgium to explore Bruges.

• Choose an independent tour with transportation and an audio guide for a stress-free experience on your own, or opt for a guided day trip for undivided attention from a tour guide.

• Take a guided walking tour of Bruges' medieval town center, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. See historic Bruges landmarks such as the Saint-Sang Basilica, the Beguine Convent (Le Beguinage), the Gothic City Hall and the 12th-century Markt Square with its iconic bell tower.

• Those visiting on an independent tour can spend their time as they please, whether it's taking a canal cruise; visiting the Church of Our Lady to see Michelangelo's "Madonna and Child;" getting acquainted with Flemish art at the Groeningemuseum; or enjoying free time sampling Belgian chocolates at a Bruges cafe.

Things to Know

• Bruges is located 185 miles (300 kilometers) north of Paris, about 3.5 hours away by road.

• Prepare for a full day—day trips from Paris typically run between 12 and 14 hours long.

• Most tours include hotel pickup in Paris and roundtrip transport to Bruges.

Treat yourself to a luxurious twist on a classic Paris experience: private balcony seating at the Moulin Rouge. Pair your exclusive seats with champagne and sweets or a 4-course meal—either way, you'll feel like a VIP. See below for more details.

Centered on the historic Grand Place, Brussels boasts beautiful architecture, traditional café culture, and colorful European history. See below to learn how to make the most of your time in the Belgian capital on a convenient tour from Paris.

Highlights

• Once you've seen the Palace of Versailles, the Louvre, and the Eiffel Tower on a Paris tour, take a day trip to explore Brussels.

• Choose a group tour to meet other travelers in Europe or a private tour for undivided attention from your tour guide.

• Stroll through the Grand Place (Grote Markt) and admire the impressive baroque architecture for which Brussels is famous, then visit the gardens of the Royal Palace (Palais Royal).

• Enjoy roundtrip transportation from Paris to Belgium.

• Hear the hidden stories behind the 17th-century Manneken Pis, Brussels' cheekiest and best-known statue.

• Spend free time checking out the bold facade and stained-glass windows of the 15th-century Saint-Michel Cathedral and the church of Notre-Dame du Sablon.

Things to Know

• Brussels lies 190 miles (307 kilometers) north of Paris, the capital of France. The journey takes about four hours by road and two hours by train.

• Brussels is a small city made up of 19 municipalities, and there’s plenty to discover away from the historic Grand Place

• The weather in Belgium can vary, so pack layers.

• Brussels features a walkable city center and a number of parks and gardens, plus the Sonian Forest, so pack good walking shoes.

Paris is ripe with iconic art, architecture and historic landmarks, including the impressive Notre Dame Cathedral. Its French Gothic details, stunning rose windows and 7,800-pipe organ attract visitors from around the globe each year. And while it’s definitely worth the wait, skip-the- line options ensure travelers who are tight on time can make the most of their visit. Here are a few ways you can skip the line and mosey right on into the Notre Dame Cathedral.

Guided Walking Tours

Opt for a memorable tour that highlights the best of Paris, and skip to the front of the line at the Notre Dame, too. Follow a local guide through the picturesque Paris streets, climb to the top of the cathedral’s famous bell towers and check out other top landmarks like the Seine River and St Paul’s Cathedral as you make your way around the city

After-Hours Experiences

Although Notre Dame’s stunning architecture is worth checking out any time of day, travelers who choose an after-hours tour can skip the line and avoid crowds all together. Check out stunning views of the Paris skyline without having to maneuver through throngs of people.

Sightseeing Bus Tours

For travelers who want to see it all, many city tours and bus passes include a stop at the Notre Dame Cathedral — in addition to visits to Paris’ other top attractions — and offer a skip-the- line option to maximize time.