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Paris: The heart of the Grande Nation
With its leafy boulevards, quaint cafés, cobbled lanes and bell-tinkling cyclists, Paris succeeds at the impossible: making a major European capital feel like a cosy provincial town. How does it do it despite being graced by more famous landmarks than any other city and despite the legions of tourists who visit? Perhaps the secret lies in its reverence of tradition,
its love of the past and the unerring rhythms of its less showy backstreets where local cafés, new wave bistros and markets still serve their local neighbourhoods. Whatever it is you’ll soon be seduced, even ‘in the summer, when it sizzles’ and ‘in the winter, when it drizzles’, as Cole Porter famously put it.
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Top 10 sights in Paris

Musée de Louvre
75001 Paris
France
Tel: 01 4020 5317
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Opening times:
Sat-Mon and Thurs 0900-1800
Wed and Fri 0900-2145
The vast Palais du Louvre is the world’s most visited museum with over 35,000 artworks, including the world’s most famous – Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa.
Notre Dame
75004 Paris
France
Tel: 01 4234 5610
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Opening times:
Mon-Fri 0800-1845
Sat-Sun 0800-1915
This masterpiece of French Gothic architecture is the spiritual hub of Paris and the literal hub of the country (all French roads are measured from here). Come for its sublime soaring buttresses, glittering rose window and a rooftop tour of its gruesome gargoyles.
As the result of a fire in April, 2019, part of the building was destroyed. Until further notice, visitors are not permitted inside the cathedral. For detailed information, see the cathedral website (notredameparis.fr).
Sainte Chapelle
75001 Paris
France
Tel: 01 5340 6080
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Opening times:
Daily 0930-1700
Built by Louis IX for his personal collection of holy relics. More beautiful by far are the ‘walls’ of richly coloured stained glass which bathe the interior in an unearthly glow.
Centre Pompidou
75004 Paris
France
Tel: 01 4478 1233
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Opening times:
Wed-Mon 1100-2100
When it was inaugurated in 1977, the ‘inside-out’ Pompidou Centre revolutionised the idea of museums transforming them into popular places of cultural exchange. It still delights visitors with its modernist art collection and forecourt filled with buskers and mime artists.
Montmartre
Paris
France
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Topped by the iconic Sacré Coeur and home to a roll call of famous artists and writers (many of them buried in the cemetery here), this boho neighbourhood retains an irrepressibly vivacious atmosphere.
Musée d’Orsay
75007 Paris
France
Tel: 01 4049 4814
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Opening times:
Tue-Sun 0930-1800
Sky lit from above the upper floors of this museum are a glimpse of Impressionist heaven, lined as they are by all the great pieces from Monet, Renoir, Degas, Cézanne, Van Gogh and Matisse.
Jardin du Luxembourg
75006 Paris
France
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Opening times:
Daily 0815-2200 (summer)
0815-1700 (winter)
This park is Paris’ top spot for sunbathing on a sunny day, with chairs lined up on the sunny side of the palace’s citrus-filled Orangery.
Musée Rodin
75007 Paris
France
Tel: 01 4418 6110
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Opening times:
Tue-Sun 1000-1745
This sublime sculpture park and museum – filled with the bronze and marble sculptures of Rodin and his mistress Camille Claudel – is one of the city’s most tranquil and romantic spots.
Cité de l’Architecture et du Patrimoine
75016 Paris
France
Tel: 01 5851 5200
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Opening times:
Wed-Mon 1100-1900
Dry as it might sound, this museum of architecture offers a superb view of cathedral architecture. The spectacular views of the Eiffel tower are just a nice bonus.
Maison Européenne de la Photographie
75004 Paris
France
Tel: 01 4478 7500
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Opening times:
Wed-Sun 1100-2000
The home of modern photography features cutting-edge temporary exhibitions and blockbuster retrospectives from big names such as Henri Cartier-Bresson, David Hockney, Annie Leibovitz and Andy Warhol.
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Country information
Country overview
France is one of the world’s most popular travel destinations. This is partly due to the rich diversity that France offers visitors: Beaches, palaces, the boulevards of Paris, the natural beauty of the Loire Valley and the Alps, the lavender fields of Provence, and of course, the gourmet restaurants and world-class wines.
Since time immemorial, the city of Paris has been a draw for travelers from around the world, and yet, the city is just one of the many wonderful destinations that France has to offer.
Geography
France is the largest country in the EU by surface area. It borders the English Channel (La Manche) to the north, Belgium and Luxembourg to the northeast, and Germany, Switzerland and Italy to the east. France’s southern border is formed by the Mediterranean (and Monaco), its western border by the Atlantic Ocean, and it borders Spain and Andorra to the southwest. The island of Corsica is located in the Mediterranean, north of the Italian island of Sardinia.
The overseas départements Guadeloupe, Martinique, French Guyana, Réunion, and Mayotte also belong to France.
The diversity of landscapes ranges from the massifs of the Alps and Pyrenees to the river valleys of the Loire, the Saône-Rhône and the Garonne, and to the Côte d’Azur and the flatter regions of Normandy and the Atlantic coast.
General knowledge
Key facts
Population: 66,6 millions (2016)
Capital: Paris.
Language
French is the official language. There are many regional dialects, but these are rapidly declining, with the exception of Basque, which is spoken as a first language by some people in the southwest, and Breton, which is spoken by some in Brittany.
Currency
Euro (EUR; symbol €) = 100 cents. Notes are in denominations of €500, 200, 100, 50, 20, 10 and 5. Coins are in denominations of €2 and 1, and 50, 20, 10, 5, 2 and 1 cents.
Electricity
220 volts AC, 50Hz. Two-pin plugs are widely used.
Public Holidays
Below are listed Public Holidays for the January 2019 – December 2020 period.
Note
Not all Public Holidays are observed throughout France.
2019
Jour de l’An (New Year’s Day): 1 January 2019
Vendredi Saint (Good Friday): 19 April 2019
Pâques (Easter Sunday): 21 April 2019
Lundi de Pâques (Easter Monday): 22 April 2019
Fête du Travail (Labour Day): 1 May 2019
Fête de la Victoire (Victory Day 1945): 8 May 2019
Ascension (Ascension Day): 30 May 2019
Pentecôte: (Whitsunday): 9 June 2019
Lundi de Pentecôte (Whitmonday): 10 June 2019
Fête Nationale de la France (Republic Day): 14 July 2019
Assomption (Assumption Day): 15 August 2019
Toussaint (All Saints’ Day): 1 November 2019
Armistice 1918 (Armistice Day 1918):
11 November 2019
Noël (Christmas Day): 25 December 2019
2020
Jour de l’An (New Year’s Day): 1 January 2020
Vendredi Saint (Good Friday): 10 April 2020
Pâques (Easter Sunday): 12 April 2020
Lundi de Pâques (Easter Monday): 13 April 2020
Fête du Travail (Labour Day): 1 May 2020
Fête de la Victoire (Victory Day 1945): 8 May 2020
Ascension (Ascension Day): 21 May 2020
Pentecôte: (Whitsunday): 31 May 2020
Lundi de Pentecôte (Whitmonday): 1 June 2020
Fête Nationale de la France (Republic Day): 14 July 2020
Assomption (Assumption Day): 15 August 2020
Toussaint (All Saints’ Day): 1 November 2020
Armistice 1918 (Armistice Day 1918):
11 November 2020
Noël (Christmas Day): 25 December 2020
All information subject to change.
Flight and accommodation
Getting around
Public Transport
Paris public transport system is operated by RATP (tel: 3246; www.ratp.fr). The 16-line metro covers the centre and is complemented by an extensive bus network. A weekly travel pass for zones 1 and 2 is usually the most cost-effective option. The Vélib’ bike system is another good option with over 1,500 stations across the city. To use a bike you need to open a Vélib’ account, which can be done at any station.
Taxis
Taxis can be hailed although it may prove hard and there’s an automatic surcharge. Otherwise pick one up outside one of the major hotels. To order, call Paris’ central taxi switchboard (tel: 01 4530 3030).
Flight and accommodation
Nightlife in Paris
Cosmopolitan Paris has an eclectic and fun nightlife scene ranging from Champagne swilling on the Champs-Élysées to basement jazz clubs, kicking cabaret halls, secret supper clubs
and sweaty DJ dens. With a diverse immigrant population and lots of vibrant subcultures, the music scene is particularly rich.
Le Batofar
75013 Paris
France
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Quirky clubbing on a bright red tugboat in the Seine.
Le Lido de Paris
75008 Paris
France
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The Lido’s Bluebell Girls and extravagant cabaret easily rival the Moulin Rouge.
Le Divan du Monde
75018 Paris
France
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Cross-cultural venue featuring rock parties and French chansons in Pigalle.
Le Fumoir
75001 Paris
France
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Top-notch cocktails and a vintage mahogany bar opposite the Louvre.
Le Balajo
75011 Paris
France
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Come for salsa classes, tea dances and weekend DJs at this 1930s ballroom.
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Restaurants in Paris
Foodies hot-foot it to Paris for good reason. This gourmet capital has everything you could want from chandelier-lit
palaces to historic bistros and immigrant-driven world cuisine. Make sure to book ahead for weekend dining.
Le Dôme
75014 Paris
France
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Price: Expensive
Beautiful art deco bistro with bow-tied waiters and impressive seafood platters.
Le Comptoir du Relais
75006 Paris
France
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Price: Expensive
Gourmet bistro fair with a creative twist from chef Yves Camdeborde.
Chez Janou
75003 Paris
France
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Price: Moderate
Earthy Provençal dishes on pretty Place des Vosges.
Bistroy Les Papilles
75005 Paris
France
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Price: Moderate
Market-driven dishes accompanied by fabulous wines from its own cellar.
La Cabane à Huîtres
75015 Paris
France
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Price: Cheap
Oysters, foie gras and smoked duck in a wooden-style oyster cabin.
Flight and accommodation
Calendar of events
Marathon de Paris
14 April 2019
Website
Venue: Streets of Paris
How many marathons provide a cheese and wine break in the last five miles? This playful event is loved by marathon runners for its, well, Frenchness. It takes in some of the finest cityscape of Paris and is a fun event to watch, if you have already hung up your sneakers. The marathon starts approximately at 0900 on avenue des Champs-Elysées and finishes on avenue Foch.
French Open Tennis (Roland Garros)
20 May – 9 June 2019
Website
Venue: Roland Garros Stadium
France’s first national men’s competition was held in 1891 with the ladies’ following in 1897 and international players in 1925. Since then, the French Open or Roland Garros Tournament (named after a French engineer and fighter pilot shot down during WWI) has developed into a major tennis event. It is one of the four tournaments that make up the Grand Slam championships (together with the Australian Open, Wimbledon and the US Open.)
Fête de la Musique (Musical Fair)
June 2019
Website
Venue: Various venues
This fabulous event has free concerts throughout Paris (and the rest of France), in the streets and various venues, such as Sainte-Chapelle, the Musée d’Orsay and Palais de Justice. It is open to any performer, amateur or professional. All the events are free and can take place in museums, train stations or just on a street. Whether it’s an orchestra, choir, opera or rock band, there’s always something going on.
Bastille Day
14 July 2019
Venue: Various locations and Champs-Élysées
France’s principal national holiday is held every 14 July with festivities and fireworks to commemorate the storming of the Bastille in 1789. It is officially called the Fête Nationale (The National Celebration). The best places to catch the fireworks is the Eiffel Tower and there are parades up the Champs-Élysées.
Le Cinéma en Plein Air (Open Air Cinema)
July – August 2019
Website
Venue: Parc de la Villette, 19th
An outdoor film festival held in Parc de la Villette offers a series of well-curated art house flicks and classics. Don’t expect Toy story 3, instead François Truffaut, Jean-Luc Godard or Woody Allen.
Remembrance Day
11 November 2019
Venue: Place Charles-de-Gaulle, 8th
National holiday on 11 November with laying of wreaths, military parade and review of troops by the French President of the Republic.
Réveillon (New Year's Eve)
31 December 2019
Venue: Along the Champs-Elysées
Every city has a central place to celebrate the coming of the new year. In Paris it’s the Champs-Elysées. Its crowded, drunken and great fun. Fireworks on the Eiffel Tower.
All information subject to change. Please check the dates on the relevant event organizer’s website.
Flight and accommodation
Hotels in Paris
As one of the most visited cities in the world, Paris has an excellent range of accommodation with budget and mid-range hotels concentrating in the Marais and around Bastille.
At the top end expect anything from exquisitely designed boutique hotels to 100-room palaces.
Le Relais des Halles
75001 Paris
France
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Category: Expensive
A romantic boutique hotel furnished with luxe fabrics, art and Bose stereos.
Residence Foch
75016 Paris
France
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Category: Expensive
Beautiful Haussman property where traditional décor is given a humorous modern twist.
Les Trois Poussins
75009 Paris
France
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Category: Moderate
A small, quiet, artful 19th-century hotel well located for Montmartre.
Le Vingt Prieuré
75011 Paris
France
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Category: Moderate
Minimally styled contemporary digs on the Right Bank of the Seine.
Jack’s Hotel
75013 Paris
France
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Category: Cheap
Charming small hotel with a friendly front desk on the Left Bank.
Flight and accommodation
Endless opportunities for lovers’ trysts

Paris, the capital of romance. Sure, it’s a cliché. But it’s also a legend lovers from all around the world have been keeping
alive for centuries. We show you the best spots for holding hands in Paris.
Parc de Bagatelle
75016 Paris
France
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This park is anything but a bagatelle; in fact, Louis XVI’s brother laid down this lovely green area in 1775, and it is absolutely huge. Later owners added to it continuously until 1905, when the city of Paris acquired the park and planted an extensive rose garden. It’s a wonderful place, especially in good weather, where peacocks stroll and strut and rain tumbles from grottoes. But be sure to allow plenty of time for your visit because the park is a little way out of town.
Le 1728
75008 Paris
France
Tel. +33-1/40 17 04 77
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Just a stone’s throw from the Madeleine church, you will find the Le 1728 restaurant. The name denotes the year in which Antoine Mazin, Louis XV’s court architect, erected this Classicist villa with opulent salons in which Madame de Pompadour felt right at home. Here, dinner soon becomes a journey back in time to the 18th century, as head chef Géraldine Rumeau serves her tuna tartare and rack of lamb on seasonal vegetables beneath chandeliers, frescos and golden stucco. Le 1728 even has discreet separés tucked away for lovers.
Musée de la vie romantique
75009 Paris
France
Tel. +33-1/55 31 95 67
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The name says it all: The “museum of romantic life” is a truly sentimental place and a genuine insider tip for visitors to Paris – not just for its famous artworks, but also for some superb fruit tarts. A tea room has moved into the conservatory beside the rose-covered villa and offers delicious treats beneath shady trees. Visitors communicate in whispers here so that no one out on the street will discover the existence of this wonderful place.
Hotel Particulier Montmartre
23 Avenue Junot
75018 Paris
France
Tel. +33-1/53418140
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Avenue Junot has to be one of the most charming streets in the city. But at house number 23, there’s a large gap. The Hotel Particulier Montmartre has done a good job of concealing itself – at the end of a narrow street, behind a black gate. You have to ring the bell to gain admittance to this gem of an old mansion set in its own garden. Back in the day, it was the home of the Hermès family, then a banker lived here, and today guests can choose from five exquisite suites, all done out by artists.
Hotel Thoumieux
75007 Paris
France
Tel. +33-1/47 05 49 75
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At Hôtel Thoumieux, reincarnation really is the operative word: A trio of experts, Michelin star cook Jean- François Piège, star architect India Mahdavi and cult hotelier Thierry Costes, took on the old building and transformed it into an hôtel de charme. With its colorful, patterned wallpapers, leopard skins on the beds, four-star service and excellent gourmet restaurant, this hotel places the emphasis on exquisitely styled comfort, and with just 15 rooms, the atmosphere is still intimate.
Les Ombres
75007 Paris
France
Tel. +33-1/47 53 68 00
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“Les Ombres” means “the shadows,” and here it refers to those of the Eiffel Tower. Located on the roof of the museum of world cultures at Quai Branly, Les Ombres is certainly not the best eatery in town, but it definitely does offer the best view of the city’s iconic landmark. Designed by star architect and Pritzker Prize winner Jean Nouvel, Les Ombres is encased entirely in glass, so when you look up as you tuck into your salmon carpaccio, you see the sky. As the waiters at Les Ombres often like to take their time, guests can admire at their leisure the spectacle that occurs on the hour, every hour, when the Eiffel Tower illuminations turn it into a thousand twinkling stars.
St. Martin Canal
75010 Paris
France
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The neighborhood around St. Martin canal has shed its down-at-heel image to become a cool place for insiders. But the 19th century metal bridges, which either curve high above canal and locks or are raised and lowered to let ships pass, remain as popular as ever with romantics. In the summer, they come here to picnic, in winter, the place provides the perfect background for black-and-white pictures – to say nothing of autumn. Nowhere in Paris could the light be more beautiful than by this canal leading down to the Seine.
La Conserverie
75002 Paris
France
Tel. +33-1/40 26 14 94
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The Yves Klein Blue walls set the tone, and heavy drapes, velvet furnishings in dark red and dark green along with flea market finds complete the picture, creating a dimly lit, plushy atmosphere. This bar hidden away in a quiet street in the wholesale textile district Sentier is well worth a visit, not just for the decor, but also for the superb cocktails and excellent wines it serves.
Flight and accommodation
Best time to visit
Today: Friday, 06.12.2019 07:00 UTC

light rain
temperature
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wind direction
northwind speed
1.875 mphhumidity
0%7 days forecast
Saturday
07.12.2019
52°F / 46°F
Sunday
08.12.2019
55°F / 48°F
Monday
09.12.2019
48°F / 43°F
Tuesday
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43°F / 34°F
Wednesday
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Climate and best time to visit Paris
Music ushers in the summer with the Fête de la Musique in June and the city starts to show off its legendary beauty beneath sunny skies. By July, a one-kilometre stretch of the Seine has been transformed into a sandy beach complete with sunbeds and parasols. Even better city residents pack their bags for the coast so the city is yours for the taking. Balmy days linger on into September and October, when the city revives with a full calendar of exhibitions, concerts and cultural events.
Climate & best time to visit France
France has a temperate climate in the north; northeastern areas have a more continental climate with warm summers and colder winters. Rainfall is distributed throughout the year with some snow likely in winter. The Jura Mountains have an alpine climate. Lorraine, sheltered by bordering hills, has a relatively mild climate. There’s a Mediterranean climate in the south; mountainous areas are cooler with heavy snow in winter.
The Atlantic influences the climate of the western coastal areas from the Loire to the Basque region where the weather is temperate and relatively mild with rainfall throughout the year. Summers can be very hot and sunny – sunburn can be a risk if you’re unprepared. Inland areas are mild and the French slopes of the Pyrenees are renowned for their sunshine record. A Mediterranean climate exists on the Riviera, and in Provence and Roussillon. Weather in the French Alps is variable. Continental weather is present in Auvergne, Burgundy and the Rhône Valley. Very strong winds (such as the Mistral) can occur throughout the entire region.
Climatic variations – and in particular the long summer holiday period – mean that mainstream tourism in France peaks in July and August. If you’re visiting the country at this time, prepare to face higher-than-usual demand at major sights, attractions and coastal resorts. There’s likely to be plenty of queuing involved – some roads may even get clogged at particularly busy times.
By contrast, visiting during the low season – from October through to February or March – is not only far quieter, it also sees a drop in costs. This doesn’t apply to ski resorts, of course, which see peak demand over the winter months.
Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
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Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
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Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
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Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
absolute max | absolute min | Ø absolute max | Ø absolute min | relative humidity | Ø precipitation | days with deposit > 1mm | sunshine duration | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Jan | 59 °F | 6.8 °F | 42.8 °F | 32 °F | 86 % | 56 mm | 11 | 1.9 h |
Feb | 69.8 °F | 6.8 °F | 44.6 °F | 33.8 °F | 81 % | 46 mm | 10 | 2.9 h |
Mar | 77 °F | 23 °F | 53.6 °F | 37.4 °F | 76 % | 35 mm | 11 | 5.1 h |
Apr | 86 °F | 32 °F | 59 °F | 42.8 °F | 69 % | 42 mm | 9 | 6.0 h |
May | 93.2 °F | 32 °F | 66.2 °F | 48.2 °F | 71 % | 57 mm | 11 | 7.5 h |
Jun | 98.6 °F | 39.2 °F | 71.6 °F | 53.6 °F | 73 % | 54 mm | 9 | 8.1 h |
Jul | 104 °F | 46.4 °F | 75.2 °F | 57.2 °F | 73 % | 59 mm | 8 | 7.8 h |
Aug | 95 °F | 44.6 °F | 75.2 °F | 57.2 °F | 74 % | 64 mm | 7 | 7.1 h |
Sep | 91.4 °F | 35.6 °F | 69.8 °F | 51.8 °F | 79 % | 55 mm | 8 | 6.0 h |
Oct | 82.4 °F | 26.6 °F | 59 °F | 44.6 °F | 85 % | 50 mm | 9 | 4.1 h |
Nov | 68 °F | 24.8 °F | 50 °F | 39.2 °F | 87 % | 51 mm | 9 | 2.0 h |
Dec | 60.8 °F | 10.4 °F | 42.8 °F | 35.6 °F | 88 % | 50 mm | 9 | 1.5 h |
year | 104 °F | 6.8 °F | 59 °F | 44.6 °F | 79 % | 619 mm | 111 | 5.0 h |
Flight and accommodation
Phone calls & Internet
Telephone
Country code: +33
Mobile telephony and Internet
Since June 2017, EU citizens traveling within the EU, and also in Iceland, Norway and Liechtenstein have been able to use their cell phones and surf the Net without incurring any extra charges: In other words, customers pay the same price for phone calls, text messages and data volume as they do at home. Restrictions do apply to the constant use of SIM cards abroad, however, and caps may be set on data packages. For full details, contact your mobile telephony provider in your country. Travelers using a SIM card from a non-EU state do not benefit from the new arrangement.
Free Internet access via Wi-Fi is possible in many busy tourist spots. When using public Wi-Fi networks, it is a wise precaution to ensure encryption of all passwords, credit card details and banking credentials entered. Use of a VPN app or security software to check the safety of a hotspot is recommended.
Flight and accommodation
Shopping in Paris
Key Areas
Shopping in Paris is a highlight whether you’re in the market for high-luxury fashion or flea-market bargains. The Right Bank is the epicentre of Parisian fashion, especially the Champs-Élysées, the Golden Triangle between Avenue Montaigne and Avenue George V, Rue du Faubourg St-Honoré, Place des Victoires and the Marais. The Marais is also good for street and vintage fashion along with Left Bank St-Germain des Prés.
Markets
Dive into Marché aux Puces de St-Ouen, Paris’ (and possibly Europe’s) largest flea market, or opt for the 500 stalls at the smaller Marché aux Puces de Montreuil. For food, you can’t beat the legendary Marché Bastille and the 19th-century, iron-and-glass Marché Couvert St Quentin. The former is open mornings only, the latter until 7.30pm.
Shopping Centres
Paris’ grands magasins (department stores) offer an excellent overview of the Parisian shopping scene. The best are Galeries Lafayette, Le Bon Marché and Le Printemps.
Flight and accommodation
My Paris
I love to stroll through Montmartre with its crowded streets, countless cafés, myriad shops, chalk drawings on the ground and artists selling pastel and charcoal portraits and paintings. Just around the corner from the hubbub of the busy squares, there are lots of narrow streets and squares that transport me back to the old Paris of bygone days.

Melanie Baumann (Purserette)
Flight and accommodation
Traveller etiquette
Social Conventions
Shaking hands and, more familiarly, kissing both cheeks, are the usual forms of greeting. The form of personal address is simply Monsieur or Madame without a surname and it may take time to get on first-name terms. At more formal dinners, it is the most important guest or host who gives the signal to start eating. Mealtimes are often a long, leisurely experience. Casual wear is common.
Social functions, some clubs, casinos and exclusive restaurants warrant more formal attire. Evening wear is normally specified where required. Topless sunbathing is tolerated on most beaches but naturism is restricted to certain beaches – local tourist offices will advise where these are. A smoking ban for workplaces and public spaces has been in place since February 2007.
Flight and accommodation
Health
Main emergency number: 112
Food & Drink
This being France, the only real problems posed by the local food and drink are mild stomach complaints resulting from overindulgence. Tap water is safe to drink (although you’ll find a huge amount of bottled water for sale too) and cooked food, assuming it’s come from a hygienic kitchen, is certainly no more risky to consume than that of any developed country. Some travellers steer clear of unpasteurised dairy products due to a perceived risk of disease, while others laud the same products for their perceived health benefits. If you’re at all unsure, it’s probably best to stick to what you’re used to.
Other Risks
Visitors to forested areas should consider vaccination for tick-borne encephalitis. There was an outbreak of canine rabies in 2008. For those at high risk, vaccination before arrival should be considered. If you are bitten, seek medical advice without delay.
In more universal terms, sunburn is perhaps the most common complaint among visitors to France, particularly over the summer months – temperatures are generally higher in the south but it’s wise to be cautious across the country. The usual precautions apply: use a generous amount of sunscreen and be sensible about how long you spend in direct sunlight. Be aware that a breezy day can sometimes mask high temperatures.
If walking over a long distance in warm weather, it’s advisable to drink – and carry – plenty of water and wear appropriate clothing, including a sun hat. Blisters can be another problem for hikers. These can often occur if new walking shoes are being worn across a long distance. Ideally footwear should be worn in before the trip.
Contractual physician of Lufthansa
Dr. Adler, Marion118 Avenue du Général-Leclerc
75014 Paris
France
Tel. +33-63232-9566
Please note that Lufthansa accepts no responsibility for the treatment nor will it bear the cost of any treatment.
Flight and accommodation
Visa & Immigration
IATA Travel Centre
The IATA Travel Centre delivers accurate passport, visa and health requirement information at a glance. It is a trusted, centralized source for the latest international travel requirements. The IATA Travel Centre is the most accurate source available because it is based on a comprehensive database used by virtually every airline, and information is gathered from official sources worldwide, such as immigration and police authorities.