Destinations

For many visitors to Paris a visit to the Louvre Museum is a must do. The Museum itself is enormous to the point of being overwhelming for many visitors, so choosing to take a guided tour can be a good investment of both your time and money. But with so many options, how do you decide on the best Louvre tours? In this post I’m covering the best Louvre tours for all visitors, regardless of your interests and budget. Traveling with children? I’ve got the best Louvre tours for families too. And remember, your tour will likely end inside the… Read more: Best Louvre tours: options for all visitors

A rental apartment in Paris is a popular choice for visitors to Paris. They are often good value for larger families and those on a budget – an apartment in Paris can be cheaper than multiple hotel rooms for families and groups of friends, and the opportunity to cook for yourself is tempting to those travelling to Paris on a budget. But with issues with Airbnb and a few unscrupulous operators lurking on some booking platforms, how do you choose the best apartment rental sites for Paris visitors? What the things you need to consider when looking for a Paris… Read more: 12 best apartment rental sites for Paris visitors

Looking for one of the best day trips from Paris? Just 70mins by the regional TER train, Chartres is an easy day trip from Paris, or an easy stop if you are driving from Paris to the Loire Valley. In addition to its famous Gothic cathedral, it offers a window into small town French life that you don’t have to travel for hours to find. You can read my other recommended Paris day trips here. Why Chartres is one of the best day trips from Paris – a visit to the Chartres Cathedral Chartres is deservedly famous for its Gothic… Read more: Best day trips from Paris: day trip to Chartres

For many first time visitors to France eating traditional dishes such as snails is one of the great bucket list experiences in France. This post includes ten amazing places to eat snails in Paris, as well as how to order and eat snails. My options here all have English language menus and booking engines to make life easy for you. So let’s learn about how and where to eat snails in Paris. How are snails served in France? Snails are usually served in the shell with a sauce. The most common sauce is a simple butter sauce with plenty of… Read more: How and where to eat snails in Paris – 10 amazing places

I’ve been to afternoon tea in many 5 star Paris hotels – some more than once (all in the name of research of course) but had never even ventured inside the ultra luxe Plaza Athenée Hotel let alone eaten there. On our last trip to Paris Mr Francetravelplanning and I decided it was time, not just to enter, but to book the Plaza Athenée Paris afternoon tea, and experience a different Paris afternoon tea. Booking the Plaza Athenée Paris afternoon tea Like its fellow Dorchester Group property, Le Meurice, booking the Plaza Athenée afternoon tea was straightforward, with clear, easy… Read more: Plaza Athenée Paris afternoon tea – when it was good it was great, but…..

A guided tour of the Eiffel Tower is on the agenda for many visitors to Paris. I had done an escorted visit to the Eiffel Tower where we were left to our own devices at the elevator, but had never done a guided tour up the tower itself, so when the team at Take Walks asked if Mr Francetravelplanning and I would like to join them for their new Eiffel Tower and Trocadero Gardens tour it seemed like a good opportunity to tour the Trocadero and Eiffel Tower with Take Walks to see for myself whether it was a recommended… Read more: Tour the Trocadero and Eiffel Tower with Take Walks

I must admit I’m not usually a fan of bucket lists, but I know it is for many readers. So what are the Paris must dos now, and what should be on your list of Paris bucket list ideas? The purpose of this post is not to list off a whole lot of obvious options you can find in any similar blog post or guidebook but to suggest different choices you may not have considered to create your own personalised Paris bucket list. Notre Dame Cathedral Buy a book at Shakespeare & Co Meet the most famous woman in Paris… Read more: Paris bucket list ideas: over 50 ultimate experiences in Paris

This is a total reworking of an older post I originally published on my frugal first class travel blog a number of years ago. That post did not cover every one of the twenty Paris arrondissements, and like most vibrant international cities, Paris has changed somewhat in the time since I wrote the post. In this France Travel Planning Guide I have focussed not just on popular arrondissements for Paris visitors but on all twenty arrondissements, but then followed it up with my guide to the best neighborhoods to stay in Paris to suit most visitors. About the Paris arrondissements… Read more: France Travel Planning: guide to the best neighborhoods to stay in Paris

What are the best hotels at Charles de Gaulle airport is a question that comes up often in the France Travel Planning Facebook group (you can join here if you are not a member). Whether it’s a late arrival or an early departure, hotels near Roissy Charles de Gaulle Airport can be a good option for tired or busy travellers. While there are almost as many hotels at Charles de Gaulle Airport as there are hotels in central Paris, I have selected a range of well regarded options, which I believe represent good value for money combined with good amenities… Read more: Best hotels at Charles de Gaulle airport – 16 Paris airport hotels

I love walking in Paris. Like many visitors to Paris, a Paris city walk on my list of favorite Paris things to do. So, when the great team at Take Walks suggested Mr FranceTravelPlanning and I join their Skip-the-Line Sainte-Chapelle, Seine Cruise & Medieval Quarter Tour walk, we both immediately said “sign us up!” Our Paris City Walk As always, Take Walks were very professional and gave us detailed instructions for joining the tour, complete with a photo of the location we needed to look for. Our Skip-the-Line Sainte-Chapelle, Seine Cruise & Medieval Quarter Tour started at 3pm, so if… Read more: An excellent Paris City Walk – Take Walks tour review

Are you struggling to make decisions regarding your perfect Paris itinerary, or maybe not sure what to leave in and what to leave out? Confused about where to stay in Paris or looking for that perfect restaurant recommendation for a special celebration? Help is at hand with our exclusive France Travel Planning itinerary planning service with a Paris local Regardless of your Paris trip planning dilemma, our favorite Paris travel planner, Karina Clarke at Travel Light Paris offers a range of itinerary planning and concierge services for visitors to Paris. Because Karina and I know some people are happy to… Read more: France Travel Planning exclusive itinerary service with a Paris local

Apéritifs in France are an important part of French culture. What is apéro? Apéritifs (or apero as they are usually referred to) are the pre dinner drinks and snacks generally taken after work and before dinner. When you visit France you will see locals everywhere in the later afternoon/early evening (often when we Anglophones are heading off for dinner) sitting in cafés enjoying their French apéritif. On our recent trip to France Mr FranceTravelPlanning and I were fortunate to enjoy French apéro on a Paris Latin Quarter walking tour with Take Walks. Combining an iconic part of French food culture… Read more: Apero time: Paris Latin Quarter walking tour with Take Walks

Finding the best tours for the family in Paris is something most parents spend so much time researching. Whether it’s Paris with a baby, things to do in Paris with teenagers or the best Paris museums for kids, I’ve done all the hard work and come up with an extensive selection of free activities and the best family tours in Paris for your family holidays in Paris. Best tours for the family in Paris: what to do in Paris with toddlers and babies Just because you are travelling to Paris with a toddler or baby doesn’t mean you can’t get… Read more: Best Tours for the Family in Paris

Finding the best places to stay in Paris with family can be tricky. Because rooms are generally on the small size genuine family friendly hotels in Paris can be thin on the ground. But never fear – I’ve done all the hard work for you and found seventeen of the best options to stay with family in Paris as well as three different Disneyland Paris hotel options. These Paris accommodation options will also work well for friends traveling to Paris. Not sure where the best area to stay in Paris with family is? Not a problem – I’ve only chosen… Read more: Best places to stay in Paris with family

There are many France cultural gifts to the world. French art, French food and French architecture are aspects of French culture many visitors seek out on a trip to Paris. On my recent Paris visit I had the opportunity to experience some of the best famous paintings, food and architecture in Paris with Take Walks and Devour Tours. Incredible Devour Tours food tour While Take Walks offer a range of food tours via their partner organisation, Devour tours, I was excited to be invited on their highly desirable Paris Pastry and Chocolate Tour. This tour runs in the morning which… Read more: Famous paintings, food and architecture in Paris with Take Walks

Every year there are a total of eleven public holidays in Paris (including four alone in May), so having a plan for things to do on public holidays in Paris is important. Similarly, many shops and restaurants in Paris are closed on Sundays, so a plan for Sundays in Paris also makes sense. Many Parisians are also out and about on public holidays and Sundays in Paris so popular museums, gardens and other activities can be quite busy, so what to do in Paris on Sunday and public holidays can be a bit tricky. I’ve therefore come up with a… Read more: Best things to do on public holidays & Sundays in Paris

One of the things we talk about in the France Travel Planning Facebook group (you can join here if you aren’t a member) is shopping for souvenirs of France. Group members have plenty of great ideas for the best things to buy in Paris – and beyond. Based on ideas from the generous members of the group I’ve created this post on the best Parisian souvenirs and the best gifts from France. For more information on how to shop successfully in France, I recommend my how to shop in France and French shopping etiquette post. Best things to buy in… Read more: Fantastic souvenirs of France: things to buy in Paris and beyond

When you travel to France you will no doubt want to spend time in Paris. Whether it is your first trip to Paris or you’ve visited Paris many times, you will no doubt want to do some Paris day trips. But with so many options, what are the best day trips from Paris? Whether you are looking for group tours, or prefer to go it alone I’ve broken down the options for the best day tours from Paris.  It is important you check the terms and conditions of your tour, including cancellation prior to booking. Paris day trip:  Day trip… Read more: Paris day trips: the best day trips from Paris

In this post I’m talking Paris food tours.  Obviously when you visit you will want to try the best food in Paris.  After all that’s one of reasons many of us visit Paris.  But with so many options, how do you find the best food tours in Paris?  In this post, I’ve done all the hard work for you and found all the best Paris tours, regardless of your budget. If you prefer a Paris cooking class, you can check my choices for the best Paris cooking classes here. This post is current as at January 2026. Best food in… Read more: Experience the best food in Paris: best food tours in Paris

Are you enthusiastic about planning a trip to France?  While France travel planning can be done online, and there’s always great advice in my France Travel Planning Facebook group, I must admit I do like a hard copy guidebook, both to plan and to travel with.  So I’ve gathered together the best guidebooks about France and the best books on Paris and beyond, regardless of your interests and budget.  A note:  for obvious reasons not all guidebooks have been updated as often as they normally would, so you should check the availability and opening hours of sites and services online for the… Read more: Guidebooks about France: best books on Paris & France

Looking for how to travel from Charles de Gaulle airport to Paris? You have many options. The best way to get from CDG to Paris will depend on the number of people in your group as well as your budget. Because I know it’s a popular Paris activity for many, I’m also including the best ways to get from Charles de Gaulle to Disneyland Paris.

If you’re planning a trip to Paris, you won’t want to miss out on the opportunity to take the best cooking classes in Paris. Cooking classes Paris, France, come in a huge range of options that are suitable whatever your tastes or whoever you’re travelling with – from taking a specialist macaron making class, Paris, to a couple’s baking class. There are plenty of cooking classes in Paris in English and kids cooking class Paris options as well, or you can even join a Paris baking school. If you prefer a Paris food tour to cooking classes in Paris for… Read more: Best Cooking Classes in Paris

I hope you are enjoying my Paris itinerary series, whether you are planning a trip to Paris, or just like reading about Paris.  Following from my one and two day Paris itineraries, I’m now considering what to do on a three day trip to Paris.  Paris in three days definitely gives you far more options for what to do in Paris.  If it is your first trip to Paris I think three days is a good length of time to spend – plenty of time to see all the “must sees” but not so much time as to be overwhelming if it is your first stay.

If you love Paris (and I know you do), this is the series of posts you’ve been waiting for.  The best Paris itineraries regardless of how long you are staying in Paris.  Unlike most Paris itineraries, my Paris itinerary planner includes alternatives to consider, and how to plan a trip to Paris with children or if you have special interests.  Over future posts, I’ll be covering the best Paris itineraries for one, two, three, five or seven days.  Regardless of your budget and how long you are spending in Paris, my Paris itinerary series will help you plan your trip… Read more: Your Paris itinerary: plan your one day trip to Paris

In my France Travel Planning Facebook group there are always questions about whether to buy the Paris Pass or the Paris Museum Pass. Or whether buying any Paris attractions ticket was worth it. While there are many Paris city passes available, such as the Paris Passlib and the Paris Visite Pass, I’m sticking with a comparison of the Paris Pass vs Paris Museum Pass. Which is the best Paris attractions pass, and should you buy a Paris tourist pass at all?