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A favourite stopover city for many travellers, here are some Singapore sights and delights you don't want to miss.
Fancy a flight to France? Pack your bags and berets for an exploration of culture, architecture, food, and of course, fine wine.
Don’t get your pastries in a knot trying to figure out what to add to your first-timer’s sightseeing schedule – from the Eiffel Tower to wine wandering, read on for our travel tips to perfect your Paris début.
Bon voyage!
The Eiffel Tower from all angles
Wearing the title of the world’s most visited monument (7 million visitors make the trip each year!), a trip up the Eiffel Tower likely headlines your itinerary. While the view from the top is awe-striking, one thing you won’t see from up there is the Tower itself. Ah non!
Expand your horizons beyond the summit and take a leisurely stroll along Rue de l’Université. Just a baguette’s throw from the star-attraction, you’ll spot the Eiffel Tower amidst charming architecture – creating the perfect photo op sans the “I Heart Paris” tee-clad tourists in the background.
Craving another iconic vista? Ascend the historic Arc de Triomphe for a panoramic Paris perspective with the Eiffel Tower standing tall amidst the city scape.
Elevate your experience further at Les Ombres, a chic rooftop restaurant atop Musée du Quai Branly. Enjoy the Eiffel Tower view with a French Martini in hand and tapas on the table.
For the pièce de resistance of Eiffel scenery, secure a balcony room at Pullman Paris Tour Eiffel or Hotel La Comtesse to wake up each morning with a backdrop of the Tower’s silhouette.
The early bird gets the best tourist experiences
Rise and shine, Parisian-pro. Beat the crowds by booking early slots for any popular tourist attraction, food venue, or experience.
Reserve an opening spot at the Louvre for almost empty rooms with space to wander and ponder the artworks, without craning to see the Mona Lisa or bumping into other art fans as you go.
Need some fuel before starting your day? Enter the infamous Café de Flore when it opens (7:30am) to snag a seat without the wait. The Insta-worthy hot chocolate and whipped cream duo will make the early rise worth it.
Make the most of the weekdays to check out all the popular visitor spots without the weekender crowds. Leave Saturday and Sunday to discover niche markets like Marché Monge, local shopping streets such as Rue du Commerce, and funky local pastry shops such as Odette in the Latin Quart or Bo&Mie, across multiple locations for mouthwatering traditional pastries.
Touring the town
Short on time for your tour de France? Tag along with a tour to tick off multiple bucket list items in one trip and learn about Parisian culture with a local expert.
Sightsee from the Seine to view multiple of the city’s most popular buildings and monuments all from a comfortable seat accompanied by a glass of champagne.
Explore neighbourhoods with walking tours to discover the streets like a local would – on foot. A stroll along the cobblestone streets may have you stumbling upon hidden stores and elegant laneways that would be left undiscovered when touring via transport.
We recommend food and drink walking tours to get a real taste of the local area. With everything from chocolate and pastry to cheese and wine tours, you can put down Duo Lingo because there’s only two phrases you need to know off by heart; bon appetit and santé!
Making the most of museums
It would be almost criminal to visit Paris without going to at least one museum during your stay. But which one? And how many?
Paris has over 130 museums, so there’s no expectation to visit all of them on your first trip (phew!). However, if you are wanting to embark on a museum crawl while you’re in town, get your hands on a Paris Museum Pass for discounted prices and opportunity to skip the usual entry lines.
A great way to decide which museums to visit is to check out what artworks they house and what limited-time expeditions are being hosted. For those looking to stare into the eyes of the famous Mona Lisa head to the Louvre, if you admire the expanse of Monet’s Water Lilies make your way to Musée de l’Orangerie, and if Van Gogh’s Starry Night is your must-see masterpiece book a visit to Musée d’Orsay.
Feasting like the French
Pack your appetite and leave your calorie counter at home – Paris is easy on the tastebuds.
Treat your sweet cravings to exquisite macarons from Ladurée and choose from a selection of gourmet flavours intertwining with delicate meringue texture for a traditional French treat.
If you are planning on ordering snails with your next meal, you may as well have them served with a Michelin Star. For a taste of luxury, sample escargots at Benoit Paris, a Michelin Star-rated restaurant known for its classic French cuisine in a bistro-style restaurant.
Grab genuine French crepes on-the-go from local street vendors for easy and affordable eats that won’t interrupt your city exploring.
Feeling hungry for something a little more filling? Nothing hits quite like traditional steak frites from Le Relais de l’Entrecote. This Parisian restaurant only has one thing on the menu – steak and fries – so it’s safe to say they’ve perfected this classic, complete with their secret-recipe steak sauce.
Get started on the French fry action before take-off with our guide to the best fries in Brisbane Airport.
Paris past the metro line
Explore off the beaten train tracks and head out of the city if you have a day to spare on your stay.
Discover the Palace and Gardens of Versailles, only a 40-minute drive or 1 hour 30-minute train journey West from the Paris city centre. Wander through the Hall of Mirrors and Grand Trianon where history has come alive for almost 400 years.
Alternatively, hop in a 40-minute car ride or on a 1 hour 30-minute train in the other direction to marvel at the magic of Disney. With the Sleeping Beauty Castle on entrance, themed cuisine, enchanting shows, thrilling rides, parades, and nightly fireworks, Disneyland Paris promises to be a memorable daytrip for the whole family. For a Disneyland experience captivating beyond compare, time your visit with New Years, Halloween, or Christmas to see the park transformed into a seasonal wonderland.
Wanting to take the train a little further? Bookmark our top 10 offbeat destinations to visit this Euro-summer.
Top tips for first time visitors
- Find your feet and master the metro, your walking shoes will be your best friend, but when you need to travel a little further - metro is the way to go.
- There's an extensive metro and regional rail system with daily, weekend, and monthly travel passes available.
- Download the Bonjour RATP app for easy navigation and to keep your metro pass on your phone.
- Book to stay longer than you think to experience everything, Paris is a large city to wander and many must-do visitor experiences may take up large portions of each day.
- Always have physical euros on hand as many businesses and markets for handmade souvenirs don't take card.
- Check out our top 24 travel destinations for 2024 to find more hot spots to add to the bucket list.
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