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Your Essential Paris Travel Guide: Top Tips for Every Traveler

Published 25 November 2023 by Leyla Alyanak — Parisian by birth, Lyonnaise by adoption, historian by passion

I was born in Paris but live near Lyon, so I only visit the capital a few times a year. Still, I am anything but blasé − on the contrary, I'm still starry-eyed and in discovery mode in Paris, and armed with map and notebook, I become an inveterate explorer. 

What do you think of when Paris is mentioned? Culture, history, romance, food? All of the above?

What follows is a look at Paris from a variety of angles, some of the more famous attractions and some lesser-known ones, along with practical advice to make your Paris visit better and smoother.

Given my mission to guide you around the offbeat, I'll also be adding those people, places and things that don't often get a mention!

Cool Paris attractions

Here are some of my favorite things to do or see in Paris, from major attractions to those that are a little more hidden away.

23 Offbeat Paris Sights You May Not Have Visited Yet
7 Non-Touristy Things to Do in Paris
Untold Secrets of the Eiffel Tower
Etoile thumbnail15 Quirky Facts About Etoile, The Most Famous Roundabout In Paris
The Counterfeit Museum of Paris, Where Fakes Look Real
Free things in Paris thumbnail8 Free Things To Do In Paris You Won't Find On Every List
french revolution tour thumbnailBest French Revolution Tours in Paris
French food tours thumbnail7 Food Tours In Paris That Will Teach You French Culture
Cluny museum thumbnail11 Masterpieces Of The Cluny Museum in Paris (Including Lady And The Unicorn)

Best time to visit Paris

Paris may always be a good idea, but some seasons are better ideas than others!

Things to do in Lyon thumbnailWhen Is The Best Time Of Year To Visit France?
7 Tempting Things to Do in Paris in Autumn
Paris in winter thumbnailCould Winter Be the Best Time to Visit Paris?
Paris in December thumbnailParis In December: Top Activities And Weather
Paris in spring thumbnail6 Magical Ways To Experience Paris In Spring

Haunted Paris

Discover the haunted side of Paris, from burial places to eerie underground venues, where you're bound to run into legends of ghosts and spirits.

Haunted Paris thumbnail9 Haunted Places in Paris that Will Give You Shivers
The Haunted Catacombs of Paris
Catacombs tours thumbnail5 Best Paris Catacombs Tours To Give You Goosebumps
Dark tourism Paris thumbnailDark Tourism In Paris: 6 Sites That May Unnerve You
Paris ghost tours thumbnail5 Best Paris Ghost Tours To Give You Chills

Where to stay in Paris

If you're looking for something different...

Spa hotels in Paris thumbnail8 Best Spa Hotels In Paris With Perfect Location And Luxury
cool hotels in paris thumbnailThe 10 Zaniest and Coolest Hotels in Paris
Hotels near Versailles10 Most Charming Hotels Near Versailles Palace
Hotels with balcony thumbnail10 Best Hotels With Balcony: Paris With A Glorious View

Safety in Paris

Pickpockets in Paris thumbnailPickpockets in Paris: How bad are they and how to avoid them
Paris safe thumbnailIs Paris Safe? 4 Myths That Need Debunking
Dangerous areas thumbnail3 Dangerous Areas In Paris You Should Avoid

Beyond Paris?

Day trips from Paris by train thumbnail22 Fabulous Day Trips from Paris by Train
Thumbnail - Unexpected places in France, the Camargue12 Unexpected Places You Might Not Know In France
Lyon guide thumbnailYour Comprehensive Lyon Travel Guide
Southern France cities thumbnailSouth of France Travel Guide