Hotels in Paris

Best time to visit Paris

Paris comes alive from March – May when average temperatures range from 12 – 20 degrees Celsius and colourful spring blooms dominate the parks and gardens in the city. This is a good time for outdoor activities like cycling, walking and picnics. Peak tourist season is during the warmer months of June – August when the city receives more than 8 hours of sunshine daily. However, there can be unexpected showers during this time so remember to keep an umbrella handy. From September – November the average temperatures are approximately 10 – 15 degrees Celsius and the nights are cooler. Autumn is also a good time to visit Paris as the crowds are smaller and accommodation rates are relatively cheaper. The peak winter months are from December – February the temperature can sometimes drop to 1 degree Celsius. If you do plan to visit during this time be sure to pack enough warm clothing.

Getting around Paris

Many of the popular attractions in Paris are located in a compact area and you may quite enjoy walking around the city for a first-hand Parisian experience. Paris is however, a large city and the Seine river divides it into the Right Bank and Left Bank. Paris is further divided into 20 municipal districts called arrondissements and all the districts are well-connected by the large public transport network. Use the RATP-operated metro or bus and pay €1.90 EUR for a single ride. A 1-day Mobilis Pass which allows unlimited journeys within select zones on all modes of transport starts at €7.50 EUR. For visiting the Palace of Versailles or Disneyland you may have to use the RER-operated trains. Taxis are easily available at any time of the day and you can identify the official taxis by the ‘Taxi Parisien’ sign on the roof of the vehicle.

Best places to stay in Paris

Paris, sometimes called the ‘City of Lights’ and ‘City of Love’, exudes luxury and romance. As you move from one neighbourhood to another, you will notice a change in ambience and landscape and a distinct mood that each area offers, while still retaining its Parisian ethos.

Champs-Élysées – luxury

Champs-Élysées is one of the most expensive neighborhoods of Paris and is home to a multitude of luxury hotels and high-fashion shops. Some of the most famous Paris landmarks such as Arc de Triomphe de l’Étoile, Tuileries Garden, and the Place de la Concorde are in this area. For excellent views of the Eiffel Tower, stay at the upscale Hotel De Sers which boasts a sleek cum quirky décor and panoramic terraces on its top floor suites. For luxury accommodation, stay at the iconic hotel Le Bristol, which promises historic grandeur and gastronomic excellence.

Le Marais – Parisian glamour

Dotted with narrow lanes, old mansions, and vibrant cafés, bars and restaurants, Le Marais is quintessential Paris, charming and glamorous. This chic area is home to a range of art galleries, museums, the old Jewish quarter near Rue de Rosiers and the splendid Musée Picasso. Enjoy boutique accommodation amid art galleries and fashion shops when you stay at the Hôtel du Petit Moulin. The rooms here are a rich blend of Parisian history with design flair of the legendary fashion designer, Christian Lacroix. Also check out the decadent Hôtel Bourg-Tibourg for its neo-gothic décor and rooms furnished with rich velvets, silks, and antiques.

Saint-Germaine-des-Prés – history

This is a fashionable, chic neighbourhood in the westernmost section of Paris’ Left Bank. Popular attractions such as the Odeon and Luxembourg Gardens are in this neighbourhood. The picturesque Saint Germaine-des-Prés is dotted with trendy bars and movie houses, expensive art galleries, and some of the best cafés in Paris. Enjoy a luxury stay at Le Saint Hotel Paris or opt for a mid-range budget stay at the upscale literary-themed Le Relais Saint Germain hotel. You also have the Renaissance-inspired Hotel Da Vinci on Rue des Saints-Pères, a short walk from the Louvre Museum.

Montmartre – romance

One of the most romantic neighbourhoods of Paris, Montmartre was originally a hill-top village just outside the city walls. Great artists like Degais, Renoir and Picasso called Montmartre their artistic home. Even today, the area has retained its village-like atmosphere and charm. For a comfortable and cozy stay, checkout the Hotel des Arts which celebrates the artistic heritage of Paris with the artwork of local painters on its exposed brick walls. A block away from the Moulin Rouge cabaret, you have the Hotel La Squara with stylish rooms and modern amenities. La Squara’s hillside restaurants attract hordes of Parisians who come here to enjoy excellent French cuisine. Another option in the heart of Montmartre is the romantic Hotel Montmartre Mon Amour which has rooms decorated around the theme of love.

The Latin Quarter – hip and relaxed

One of the oldest neighbourhoods of Paris this area plays host to several universities and colleges, including the ancient Sorbonne University. Catering to a huge student population the Latin Quarter offers scores of affordable options for food, drink, and entertainment and exudes a hip, laidback vibe. In the heart of the Latin Quarter, near the Contrescarpe you can enjoy country cottage-type accommodation at the Hôtel des Grandes Écoles. Across the street from the Pantheon you have the Hôtel des Grand Hommes which offers refined rooms decorated in 19th-century Empire style paying homage to famous French men buried at the Pantheon. The adjacent Hôtel Les Dammes du Pantheon also has elegant rooms with themed décor paying homage to iconic French women buried at the Pantheon.

Cheap hotels in Paris

Checkout the Hôtel Jeanne d’Arc for a homely budget accommodation in the heart of Le Marais. In the Latin Quarter, you have the Hotel Marignan on Rue de Sommerard, catering to rucksack-toting foreigners and young travelers. Just off Saint Germaine Boulevard and very close to the Notre Dame de Paris, the Welcome Hôtel Paris Saint-Germaine-des-Prés offers budget accommodation in classic rooms with colourful accents. Consider the lively budget hostel, Le Montclair Montmartre for dormitory-style accommodation as well as private rooms. You can also check out Hotel Audran Paris which features clean and comfortable guestrooms located above a lively café, and is a short walk from the Sacré-Coeur Basilica and Moulin Rouge cabaret.

Paris is not just about its globally recognizable sites and monuments. While the icons are indeed a must-see in your itinerary, a visit to Paris is truly complete only when you have soaked in the Parisian culture, appreciated Parisian street art, tasted authentic French food, and admired trendy French fashion at close quarters.

• Climb to the top of the Eiffel Tower and enjoy the fantastic panoramic views of the city of Paris.
• Visit the popular attractions of Arc de Triomphe, Champs-Élysées, Notre-Dame de Paris basilica, Sacré-Coeur basilica, and the Pantheon.
• Take a leisurely stroll at the Tuileries Garden and Jardin du Luxembourg. Walk across the Pont Alexandre III, the Beaux-Arts styled arch bridge that spans the Seine river.
• Spend at least half a day at the world’s largest museum, the Louvre Museum. Also gaze at over 5,000 artworks of the great artist Picasso at the Musée Picasso, and the medieval art and artifacts displayed in the Gothic mansion of Musée de Cluny.
• Visit the Belleville area spread between the 10th, 11th, 19th, and 20th arrondissement, to enjoy the best of street art that Paris has to offer. As you stroll through this area you will also see several hip cafés and pubs, vibrant nightlife. The Belleville Market is also on the way, which is open 2 times a week, and is known for the local fresh produce, fabric and flowers.
• Spend a few hours at a charming Parisian café, reading or gazing by the window as you sip your coffee.
• Catch a show at the Moulin Rouge cabaret and go pub-hopping in the lively Latin Quarter neighbourhood.
• Taste some delectable French cuisine at an authentic French restaurant or pick up some fresh pastries and muffins at a local Parisian bakery.
• Enjoy a crêpe of your choice from one of the street-side stalls, then sit by a bench and watch Parisians walk by, strutting their fashionable best. Wherever you sit, a glimpse of the Eiffel Tower is almost a certainty!