Where to actually go in Paris

L'As du Fallafel

Restaurant · Le Marais

The famous falafel pita on Rue des Rosiers. Take-away line moves fast.

Best for: a cheap, filling lunch in the Marais

Price: $ — roughly $10

Best time: lunch

Bouillon Chartier

Restaurant · 9th arrondissement

A huge 1896 dining hall serving classic French dishes at very low prices. Loud, fast, shared tables.

Best for: a cheap French dinner, a group

Price: $ — roughly $23 for three courses

Booking: No reservations; expect a queue at peak times.

Best time: dinner

Breizh Café

Restaurant · Le Marais

Some of the best crêpes and buckwheat galettes in Paris, with Breton cider.

Best for: a crêpe lunch

Booking: Reserve or expect a wait.

Best time: lunch

Bouillon Pigalle

Restaurant · Pigalle

A big modern bouillon serving French classics at very low prices.

Best for: a cheap French dinner near Montmartre

Best time: dinner

Marché des Enfants Rouges

Market · Le Marais

The oldest covered market in Paris, now mostly food stalls to eat at.

Best for: a market lunch

Best time: lunch

Du Pain et des Idées

Cafe · Canal Saint-Martin

A famous old bakery known for its pistachio escargot pastries.

Best for: the best pastry breakfast

Best time: morning (weekdays)

Berthillon

Dessert · Île Saint-Louis

The classic Paris ice-cream maker on the island behind Notre-Dame.

Best for: ice cream on a walk

Best time: afternoon

Musée du Louvre

Museum · 1st arrondissement

The biggest museum in the world. Pick a wing; the Mona Lisa room is a crowd, the rest is calmer.

Best for: the famous museum, art lovers

Price: $$ — roughly $37 for non-EU visitors; free for EU/EEA residents under 26

Booking: A timed slot is required for everyone, including free entry. Book online.

Best time: opening time

Musée d'Orsay

Museum · 7th arrondissement

Impressionists in a converted railway station, with the giant clock window. More manageable than the Louvre.

Best for: Monet, Van Gogh, Renoir in two hours

Price: $ — roughly $18–20; free for EU/EEA residents under 26 and on the first Sunday of the month

Booking: Book a timed ticket online.

Best time: morning or Thursday evening

Eiffel Tower and the Champ de Mars

Sight · 7th arrondissement

Going up is optional; a picnic on the Champ de Mars or the view from Trocadéro is free and arguably better.

Best for: the iconic photo, a free night picnic

Booking: To go up, book on the official site well ahead; summit slots sell out.

Best time: after dark, when it sparkles on the hour

Montmartre and Sacré-Cœur

Walk · 18th arrondissement

The hilltop village of steep streets, painters' square and the white basilica with a free view over Paris.

Best for: a free afternoon, city view

Best time: morning before the crowds, or sunset

Heads up: Ignore anyone trying to tie a 'free' bracelet on your wrist at the bottom of the steps.

Canal Saint-Martin

Area · 10th arrondissement

Where young Parisians sit on the canal edge with a bottle of wine from the corner shop.

Best for: a free, local evening, a cheap pregame

Best time: early evening

Palace of Versailles

Activity · Versailles (outside Paris)

The palace of Louis XIV, the Hall of Mirrors and enormous gardens, about 40 minutes by RER C.

Best for: a day out of the city

Booking: Book a timed palace ticket online; Tuesdays–Sundays only.

Best time: full day, arrive at opening

Sainte-Chapelle

Sight · Île de la Cité

A 13th-century chapel that is almost entirely stained glass.

Best for: the most beautiful room in Paris

Booking: Book a timed ticket online.

Best time: sunny morning

Shakespeare and Company

Sight · Latin Quarter

The famous English-language bookshop facing Notre-Dame.

Best for: a browse and a photo

Best time: afternoon

Rue Oberkampf

Area · 11th arrondissement

The student bar strip of the 11th: cheap pints, packed bars and a crowd that drifts from bar to bar.

Best for: a cheap bar night, students

Best time: from about 10 PM

Le Perchoir

Rooftop · 11th arrondissement (Ménilmontant)

A rooftop bar over east Paris with cocktails and a young crowd.

Best for: a sunset drink with a view

Booking: Queues form at sunset; go early.

Best time: sunset

Little Red Door

Cocktail bar · Le Marais

One of Paris's most celebrated cocktail bars, behind a small red door.

Best for: a world-class cocktail

Best time: late evening

Candelaria

Cocktail bar · Le Marais

A tiny taqueria at the front, a hidden mezcal and tequila bar at the back.

Best for: tacos then a secret bar

Best time: evening

Harry's New York Bar

Bar · Opéra

The historic 1911 bar said to have created the Bloody Mary.

Best for: a classic drink with history

Best time: evening

Rex Club

Club · 2nd arrondissement (Bonne Nouvelle)

The long-running basement techno and house club under the Grand Rex cinema.

Best for: a serious club night

Best time: after 1 AM

Rue de Lappe (Bastille)

Area · Bastille

A short street packed with bars and small clubs, popular with students.

Best for: a cheap student night

Best time: from about 10 PM