If you are thinking of traveling to Paris, France, you are in the right place. Paris has always been considered one of the most romantic cities in the world. The population of Paris, including its suburbs, is around 12 million. The population of the city center is around 2.3 million. The city, built around the Seine River, is one of the most popular destinations in Europe. Many famous buildings in Paris are on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Some of the best medieval and Roman artifacts can be seen in the city’s long walks from Montmartre to the Quartier Latin.
Paris, which is likened to an open-air museum, is one of the most visited cities in the world. Although the Celtic traces are not very visible in the capital, the magnificent architectural structures date back to the 13th century, when Notre Dame Cathedral was completed. In the 19th century, with Napoleon appointed Baron Hausmann to develop modern Paris, long boulevards, beautiful buildings and large parks formed the basis of today’s city.
Where is Paris?
Paris is the capital of France and the center of the Île-de-France region. It was founded on the Seine in the middle of the Paris basin. It is located 375 km inland from the mouth of the Seine River, which empties into the English Channel.
When to go to Paris
Let us share with you some of the things you need to know when traveling to Paris. Paris is beautiful in every season. Therefore, its doors are open to visitors twelve months of the year. It usually attracts more attention than usual in the summer and at Christmas time. The climate of Paris is between semi-oceanic and semi-rural climate. Warm and humid wind gusts from the Atlantic Ocean make winters short, warm and rainy. Rainfall in Paris is evenly distributed throughout the year. Dry weather prevails from February to April. It rains 111 days a year.
The temperature is between 7°C and 8°C in winter, and between 25°C and 30°C in summer. Generally, the weather is cool in spring and autumn, and warm and humid in summer. August and July are the hottest months in the city, while the period between December and February is the coldest. The weather in Paris is very changeable. The months when Paris looks the most beautiful are spring, when everything is green, and autumn, when tourists are less. The best months can be said to be between April-June and September-November.
Where to Stay in Paris
Paris is one of the cities that attract the most tourists in the world, and accordingly, hotels in many concepts serve. Tourists, who come to stroll the streets of Paris, shop and undoubtedly see the most popular historical sites, usually want their accommodation in the city center. For this reason, although there are many hotels in the city, you may find it difficult to choose Paris hotels that vary according to their features and budget.
However, in general, you can easily stay in these clean and safe hotels. In addition, since Paris is an expensive city in terms of hotels compared to other European cities, it takes care to provide the necessary comfort for the comfort of tourists.
Places to Visit in Paris
Our first recommendation in our article on places to visit in Paris: If your plan is to wander around and see many touristic places without rushing, the Seine River will be the perfect address with its romantic and peaceful location. As one of the most visited cities in the world, more than 30 million tourists visit Paris every year to see its mouth-watering cuisine and, of course, its exciting fashion. Apart from this, there are many options in Paris with its historical buildings, especially museums and impressive squares.
Eiffel Tower
The second place in our list of places to visit in Paris: This iron tower, which is the symbol of Paris, is visited by approximately 6 million tourists every year. The tower was built to commemorate the centennial of the French Revolution in 1889 Paris III. It was built by Gustave Eiffel for the Universal Exhibition. 7,800 tons of iron and 18 thousand tons of steel were used in its construction. The construction of the tower took 2 years and 2 months, and the painting took about 4 years.
Although the building was not approved by the public and many famous names during the period when the tower was built, it was thought that it was built temporarily for the 1898 Universal Exhibition, and it did not cause great reactions. However, the building has survived until today without being demolished, as it attracted the attention of tourists after the exhibition.
The most interesting event that took place in the tower was the death of a Parisian tailor by jumping from here with his own production cloak. Apart from this, there were also paratroopers jumping from the tower and mountaineers climbing the tower. The tower consists of 3 different parts. All sections can be reached by elevator or on foot. In the first section, there is a museum where the tower is introduced, in the second section there is Le Jules Verne Restaurant and in the last section there is a viewing terrace.
Some technical information about the Eiffel Tower;
- Height: more than 300 meters
- Weight: 10,100 tons
- Elements: 12,000 iron beams and 2.5 million rivets.
- Digits: 1,665 digits
- Address: La Tour Eiffel, Paris
- Ticket: It varies between 13.5 and 15 EUR with 2017 prices.
Louvre Museum
Another must-see in Paris is the Louvre, one of the largest museums in the world. It houses famous works of art such as the Mona Lisa, Venus de Milo, and works by famous artists such as Rembrandt, Vermeer, Caravaggio. In its garden, there is a monument that looks like a glass pyramid with a height of 21 meters. The French government has collected 35,000 paintings, sculptures and works of art over the past five centuries. It boasts laudable works in Syriac, Etruscan, Greek, Coptic, and Islamic art, and has an extensive collection spanning chronologically from prehistory to the 19th century.
There are 3 wings in the Louvre Museum. These are the Richelieu Wing, Sully Wing and Denon Wing. In these wings, each floor is divided by numbered areas and is color-coded in the plans of the floors. There are collections such as French Paintings, French Sculptures, Ancient Egypt, Ancient Greece, Oriental Art, Italian Paintings, Italian Sculptures, Dutch Paintings, Objects d’Art and Islamic Art in the museum.
The history of the museum dates back to ancient times. The building, which has survived from the Middle Ages to the present day and is now used as a museum, was built as a defensive fortress against attacks at that time and was later turned into a museum under the influence of Napoleon.
- Address: Place du Louvre 1er, Paris
- Public Transportation: Transportation is provided by the Palais Royal-Musée du Louvre metro stops.
- Opening hours: Closed on Tuesdays. It is open Monday, Thursday, Saturday, Sunday from 09:00 to 18:00, the rest of the days between 09:00 and 21:45.
- Phone: +33 1 40 20 53 17
Sacré-Cœur Basilica
Sacré-Cœur is a Roman Catholic basilica located on the hill of Montmartre. The church was opened in 1914 and then it was decided to be named the Sacred Heart of Jesus. It is one of the most famous churches in Paris. The church contains more than 500 statues and is often the scene of his films. It is possible to watch Paris city view by climbing the dome. Since it is the second highest place in the city, it is one of the most visited points by landscape lovers. It is one of the most touristic places in Paris. The white travertine church can be seen from many points of the city.
The history of the church is quite old, dating back to the Franco-Prussian War. After Prussia, which seized Germany in 1870, began to threaten France, two businessmen in Paris promised to build a church if France could survive the Prussian attacks. Despite the long war and siege, businessmen see the city’s liberation from invasion and the start of the construction of the Sacre Coeur Basilica. The church, which commemorates the 58,000 soldiers who died during the war, was completed in 1914, and the priests have been praying for the souls of the deceased 24 hours a day since 1885.
Important points in the Sacre Coeur Basilica, designed by Paul Abadie; The Magnificent Jesus Mosaic, Vaults of the Crypt, Bronze Doors, Dome, Equestrian Statues, Christ Statue and the Bell Tower, one of the heaviest bells in the world, weighing 19 tons.
- Address: Basilique du Sacré-Coeur, after getting off at the Paris/ Abbesses metro stop, you can take the funicular transfer.
Arc de Triomphe
The Triumphal Arch was erected by Emperor Napoleon in 1806. This 50 meters long arch is the most famous monument in Paris. It is located in the center of Charles de Gaulle square, on the western part of Şenzelize (Champs-Élysées) Street. The monument was erected in memory of the French revolutionaries who resisted and lost their lives and the Napoleonic Wars. Tak is located at one of the largest roundabouts in the world. The front of the Jewelry overlooks the Champs Elysées, the most important street of the city. The height of the Triumphal Arch is 50 meters, its length is 45 meters, and its width is 22 meters.
Just below Tak is the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. The funeral of one of the soldiers who lost their lives in the First World War was buried in this section. In the area where the tomb is located, “Here lie the French soldiers who died for their father’s land between 1914-1918.” is writing. The most important feature of the tomb is the unquenchable fire in this area. After the burial of the unknown soldier, the fire burned constantly. The fire is symbolically animated every evening at 18.30. It also has a section called the Observation Terrace. The view of Paris can be seen by climbing the top floor of the Arc de Triomphe. It is possible to reach the terrace by stairs or elevator consisting of 284 steps.
- Address: l’Arc de Triomphe, Paris. You can reach the building by getting off at the “Charles de Gaulle Etoile” metro stop.
La Seine
The Seine River, one of the most well-known rivers in the world, is 776 km. is long. The Seine offers a great opportunity to travel around France and Paris by boat. The Seine River, which divides the city into two, is the second longest river in France. It is one of the important waterways of France.
The river is connected to some important rivers of European countries by canals. It is possible to make an unforgettable trip with the unique long boats that go slowly along the Seine Beteaux Mouches. There are many operators to choose from, the boat routes are all the same and there are boats equipped with announcement systems in many languages to interpret the works.
The river originates in Burgundy and empties into the English Channel. There are 37 bridges over the river. The oldest of these bridges is the New Bridge (Pont Neuf). There are many tourism agencies that organize Seine River boat tours around.
During the tour on the Seine, many important buildings in Paris are passed in front of them. Seine River boat tours are organized in two ways, with and without meals. Many tourists who visit the city participate in this tour. There are walking trails, benches, boat cafes and restaurants along the banks of the Seine.
Château de Versailles
20 km from Paris. The town of Versailles, located outside of it, is its wealthy suburb and municipality. The Palace of Versailles is also located in this town. In the 11th century Versailles was a village with a castle and the church of Saint-Julien. Today it is mostly known for its Roman Catholic cathedral. French King XIV. Louis and Napoleon spent most of their summers here. The Historical Treaty of Versailles was signed here in 1919.
The most interesting feature of the Palace of Versailles is that there was no toilet and bathroom in its construction before the French Revolution. The reason was that the needs were met in the desired place with the understanding of rebellion at that time. After the Revolution, the situation returned to normal, and toilets and bathrooms were started to be built, which could be used by the kings at first and then by the employees.
Versailles, which still maintains the title of the largest palace in Europe, has 2,300 rooms with its size exceeding 6 hectares. The Palace of Versailles is closed on January 1, May 1, May 15, and December 25, and can be visited every day except Monday. In addition, the palace can be visited free of charge on the first Sunday of November, December, January, February and March.
- Address: Versailles, Paris
- Phone: +33 1 30 83 78 00
Paris City Transportation
When you travel to Paris, you should also know how to get there. RATP provides the public transport network of Paris. This institution, which has a cheap and efficient service approach; bus, underground (metro) and rail system (RER) consists of three units. Tickets are valid for all and can be purchased at stations and booths. Travel cards are sold for one to five days; available from airports, metro stations and tourist information offices.
You can experience an original journey from Paris to the Seine with the Bateau Bus for transportation in the city. The website is accessible. Another means of transportation in Paris is the taxi. Taxis can be found on the streets and avenues, but on weekend evenings it can be a little difficult to find an empty taxi. Pirate taxis should be avoided at airports. Some taxi stands include Abeille Radio Taxi +33 1 45 83 59 33, Taxi Bleus +33 1 49 36 10 10 and Alpha Taxis +33 1 45 85 85 85.
Parisian Cuisine
Your trip to Paris continues, if you can’t decide what to eat, then it’s time to talk about what to eat in Paris. Paris has an international reputation as the capital of gastronomy. Every place has its own unique atmosphere and style. Here you have the chance to taste delicacies from international or local cuisines. In Paris, it is necessary to distinguish restaurants from bistros and pubs. Bistros are usually small venues that serve simple meals and sometimes have a fun time. Breweries serve beer and wine with hearty meals and often have a coffee and liquor bar. These places will be the right addresses for you to test traditional French tastes.
Parisian restaurants represent good taste, the best quality ingredients are always used, including wine and cheese, and offer an experience that will enrich your palate. There are venues for every budget. The most consumed flavor of the French is croissant and besides coffee, snail dish, baguette bread, foie gras and crème brûlée (creme brulee). In addition, French wines, Brie and camembert cheese are also famous.
- Le Meurice – 3 Michelin star restaurant.
- Hôtel du Nord – Foie gras served with mango pickle and French toast prepared with traditional cooking methods, or eggplant and caviar cooked in a light scallop shell are among the delicacies you can eat at this bistro.
- Carré des Feuillants – It is one of the best places for French Nouvella cuisine with its 17th century building located near the Eiffel Tower and the Tilemakers Park (Jardin des Tuileries).
- Le Kong – Over the past few years, Le Kong has become one of the legends of Paris. A nice dinner under the glass roof, followed by a drink and dancing all night long, plus the most romantic view of the Seine River will be waiting for you.
- Pierre Gagnaire – Pierre Gagnaire is the most strict and attractive restaurant in the city with its location close to Şenzelize street. It is among the 50 best restaurants in the world. Reservation is required as the prices are quite high.
- Goumard – Goumard will be the right address for seafood lovers. This prestigious restaurant has been serving since 1872 with the slogan “Everything comes from the sea”. Although they actually buy everything directly from local fishermen, what makes them special is the ingenuity of the chefs.
Shopping in Paris
Wouldn’t you like to beautify your Paris trip with shopping? Famous designers and luxury brands such as Louis Vuitton and Christian Dior are the first to come to mind when it comes to shopping in Paris. However, it has an important place in Paris in many big stores that sell products suitable for your budget, which are not inferior to these brands in terms of quality.
It is possible to find the stores of all famous brands such as Chanel, Calvin Klein, Christian Dior, Versace Christian Lacroix, Hermes, Yves Saint Laurent in Paris. There are more affordable stores as well as these expensive brands. Even though clothing comes first in Paris shopping, gifts and cosmetic products such as mugs, t-shirts, magnets, key chains, Paris’ famous delicacies and stationery products are among the other alternatives.
The Champs Elysées (Champs Elysées), the most famous street of Paris, with a length of 2 km, is also the heart of world fashion. It is possible to find world-famous brands and shopping centers here. The department store Galeries Lafayette is world famous. The rue d’Alésia is also very popular. Prices are quite high in this center where brands such as Versace and Gucci coexist. Au Bon Marché is another center where all kinds of products can be found. For souvenirs, it is possible to find the most options on Montmartre hill.
Paris Nightlife
In every corner of Paris, you can find a place to have fun no matter what time it is. In the evening, you can walk the sparkling streets from the Champ-Elysees to the Arc de Triomphe. You can also go to Montmartre (Painters’ Hill) and watch the magnificent view of Paris from the beer houses or restaurants here.
Montmarte’s night is just as enjoyable as its day. In the late hours, you can walk the streets of Montmarte or Marais, where the city’s hit jazz clubs are located. Quartier Latin and St.Germain des Pres are the most crowded and lively regions during university opening periods.
Except this; You can visit the most prominent cabarets of the city. However, when going to these cabarets, be careful not to wear clothes such as shorts and slippers and to be stylish. If you are going to the Moulin Rouge, the most famous cabaret in Paris, or Le Lido, the biggest cabaret, you should make a reservation in advance. Other prominent cabarets of the city are; Crazy Horse Salon and Les Folies Bergere. These cabarets make a name for themselves with the magnificent shows they organize. When you travel to Paris, do not leave without explore the nightlife!
