ibis Paris Gare Montparnasse Catalogne

The best time is May through June, or September, when days are mild and dry. July and August are the hottest, but still comfortable at around 25°C, though more crowded. Rain is common year-round, with the wettest months being April, May, October, and November, each seeing about 13 rain days. For pleasant sightseeing, aim for late spring or early autumn.

The Marais, around the 3rd and 4th arrondissements, suits first-timers with its cafes, shops, and central sights; La Chambre du Marais and Hotel du Petit Moulin are here. Near the Opera district, you are steps from Palais Garnier and grand boulevards, with Chouchou Hotel and Hotel de Nell as options. Around the Champs-Élysées and Arc de Triomphe, you get wide avenues and easy transit, where citizenM Paris Champs-Élysées and Hotel Napoleon Paris are located. Bastille offers nightlife and a local feel, with Oh la la ! Hotel Bar Paris Bastille in the area.

Start with the Eiffel Tower for the city view, then the Louvre to see its vast art collection. Climb the Arc de Triomphe for the Champs-Élysées perspective. Montmartre's Sacré-Cœur offers a peaceful hilltop panorama. Relax in the Jardin du Luxembourg or Tuileries Garden for a classic Parisian pause, and don't miss the impressionist masterpieces at the Musée d'Orsay.

Full-day tours from Paris go to Normandy's D-Day beaches and cemetery, Mont Saint-Michel's tidal abbey and village, the Loire Valley's châteaux with wine tasting, and Versailles with its palace and gardens. Each is a full day out. For shorter options, a well-known day trip is to Disneyland Paris, or to the Champagne region for a cellar visit, though these are not among the tours listed. These are all easy to do as day trips from Paris.

Plan for 3 days to see the Eiffel Tower, Louvre, Arc de Triomphe, Sacré-Cœur, Notre-Dame, and the Luxembourg or Tuileries gardens. Add a fourth day for a Versailles day trip, which takes a full day from the city center. If you want to include Musée d'Orsay or Panthéon, a fifth day would let you move at a relaxed pace.