Paris City Breaks

Paris is celebrated for its grandiose urban planning, architecture, fine art museums, cathedrals, parks, markets, pavement cafés, superb cuisine, shopping, wide tree-lined boulevards and its river. It’s also a perennial city; be it spring, summer, autumn or winter, Paris retains its ability to charm and captivate in equal measure. Its priceless museum collections, rich architectural style and soaring monuments never fail to delight, but it's in the details of the streetscape in which Paris city-breaks exceed all expectations.

In this patchwork collection of eclectic villages, quartiers and arrondissements, there are local cafes, bars, restaurants and shops which allow you to discover hidden corners of this city at every turn. Paris' majesty and splendour inspire, but its casual intimacy makes it truly memorable.

Travelling around the city

Paris is undoubtedly a city which is best discovered on foot. But the city also boasts a fine public transport system. Local city buses are frequent and busy. The distinctive, rubber-tyred Metro trains have only short distances to cover between plentiful stops, so progress is quick. With so much to see and do on city breaks to Paris the excellent transport systems will allow you to make the most of your stay. To cover longer distances RER underground trains dissect the city quickly and efficiently, and give frequent access to the region surrounding the capital. Alternatively, hire a bicycle. Velib is the world’s largest city bike-sharing scheme, with bikes dotted every 300 metres or so around the city’s compact interior.

Food & Drink

Few countries in the world boast a reputation for food and wine as rich as France’s, and as the capital, Paris has much to offer diners of all budgets. Sometimes a cosy neighbourhood bistro, or a family run ethnic restaurant can deliver pleasures equal to those of Paris' many Michelin-starred temples of gastronomy. Meanwhile you’ll find the streetscape draped with mouth-watering patisseries, enticing boulangeries, hard-to-resist fromageries and superb wine shops: perfect for packing a picnic to enjoy in one of the city’s many parks and formal gardens. If dining out is an important part of your Paris city-break enjoyment please contact Classic concierge (0800 008 7289) to make a reservation, as some restaurants can be fully booked for many weeks or months in advance.

When to go

Paris and the spring seem to go hand in hand, but it really is a city for all seasons. From Christmas lights, gourmet shopping and handfuls of warm chestnuts in the mid-winter to the mid-summer celebrations of fireworks and military parades for Bastille Day and the climax of the Tour de France, Paris is the City of Light all year round.

Paris attractions

To avoid the queues pre-book your museum tickets on your city-break to Paris and take advantage of the Paris Pass which gives you free entry to over 55 museums and monuments in and around the city. With the Paris Pass you also get to skip the queue which is a fantastic privilege, especially in the busy summer months and there’s also a one day Metro travelcard. To book visit www.parispass.com or via Classic concierge (freephone 0800 008 7289). Also via Classic concierge book a French class with Sabrina and let her show you how and where to buy the best wine, chocolate and perfume.

Must do Paris

Museums

The Louvre and Orsay museums are the most popular, but don’t miss out on the beautifully elegant L’Orangerie, the Grand and Petit Palais and the delightful Rodin museum.

Attractions

Sip champagne on the third floor of the Eiffel Tower, marvel at the Champs-Elysees from the top of the Arc du Triomphe and enjoy an atmospheric organ recital inside Notre Dame cathedral.

Views

Eiffel Tower aside, the best views of Paris are to be had from the steps of Sacre Coeur, the tower of Notre Dame, and the viewing platform on the 59th floor of the Tour Montparnasse.

Shop

Shop or window shop in the glass-covered, mosaic-floored Belle Epoque shopping arcades, the department stores that line Boulevard Haussmann, the streets of the Marais, the art galleries of Place des Vosges and the weekend flea markets.

Park life

There are the formal gardens of the Tuileries and Jardin du Luxembourg, but don’t overlook the gem-like Parc des Buttes- Chaumont. Further afield, see the Versailles gardens on bicycle and explore the Bois de Boulogne.

Paris in 3 days

To help you get the most out of your city break to Paris we have put together a 'Paris in 3 days' itinerary.

Day 1

Start the day in the very centre of Paris with a visit to Notre Dame cathedral and take in the view from the top. After wandering around the Ile de la Cite, walk alongside the Seine towards the Tuileries gardens, see the Louvre and the Pyramid but visit L’Orangerie art gallery and the Musee d’Orsay, where you might also like to take a delightful lunch. Visit the Eiffel Tower in time for dusk when the city lights up, and then take an evening boat trip with dinner to see the sights of Paris from the Seine.

Day 2

From the Arc de Triomphe walk the length of the Champs Elysees to the Place de la Concorde. Cross the river to Saint Germain and Saint Michel for plenty of choices for lunch, and then spend the afternoon wandering the tiny streets of the Marais, including the wonderful Place des Vosges. Head north on the metro to enjoy a spectacular panorama of Paris at dusk from the steps of the Sacre Coeur Basilica and enjoy an evening stroll around the artists’ area of Montmartre and neighbouring Pigalle.

Day 3

Make a start at La Villette by exploring the Cité des Sciences, its exhibitions and interactive centres. Then take a walk along the Canal Saint-Martin and appreciate the opportunity to catch up on a former working-class area now newly fashionable. The banks of the canal are lined with cheerful bistros where you can stop for lunch. Set off from the Place de la République and in a handful of metro stops you’ll be at Pompidou Centre for a look at the latest must-see exhibition. Then drink in the special charm of the banks of the Seine with a stroll as far as the Institut du Monde Arabe.