Introducing Paris
Paris has all but exhausted the superlatives that can reasonably be applied to any city. Notre Dame and the Eiffel Tower have been described countless times, as have the Seine and the subtle (and not-so-subtle) differences between the Left and Right Banks. Yet, what writers have never been able to even slightly reflect is the grandness and magic.
Advertisement
Paris probably has more familiar landmarks than any other city in the world. As a result, first-time visitors often arrive in the French capital with all sorts of expectations: of grand vistas, of intellectuals discussing weighty matters in cafés, of romance along the Seine, of naughty nightclub revues, of rude people who won’t speak English. If you look hard enough, you can probably find all of those. But another approach is to set aside the preconceptions of Paris and to explore the city’s avenues and backstreets as if the tip of the Eiffel Tower or the spire of Notre Dame wasn’t about to pop into view at any moment.
You’ll soon discover (as so many others before you have) that Paris is enchanting almost everywhere, at any time, even ‘in the summer, when it sizzles’ and ‘in the winter, when it drizzles’, as Cole Porter put it. You’ll be back. Trust us.
Ready to go?
- Download our new French Offline Translator app. Simply talk or type, and it translates. Available for iPhone, iPad and Android.
- Check out the Lonely Planet Paris City Guide app and our new Paris Walking Tours with Audio available via iTunes.
- Combine your love for chocolates and cakes with your passion for Paris
- Where better to taste French wines than in Paris?
Last updated: Apr 19, 2012
Tips & articles
-
The perfect romantic riverside walk in Paris
11 May 2012
The world’s most romantic city has no shortage of beguiling spots, but the Seine and its surrounds are Paris at...
-
Paris highlights
18 April 2012
1 Eiffel TowerThe view of the ‘city of light’ by night is mesmerizing from the tip of the city’s iconic...
-
A perfect day in Paris
18 April 2012
Paris has more recognisable monuments than any other city in the world, but its tree-shaded boulevards, romantic bridges illuminated by...
Thorn Tree forum discussion
Recent posts
-
Re: Paris to Barcelona Road Trip
by hitchhikershandbook 27 May 2012
Hello Payal, Bordeaux is nice but not as nice as Toulouse, so if you have a choice, I'd recommend choosing the latter as the base. The…
-
RE: Paris, Italy, Switzerland and London in August
by clementis_fur_cap 27 May 2012
Sushi, you've expressed my feelings far more reasonably and diplomatically than I could have managed. Thank you.
-
RE: Paris, Italy, Switzerland and London in August
by sushi75 27 May 2012
+I think 2 nights in Florence is fine. It's amazing and I love it, but can be seen in a day or so for your first visit.+ Remarks like…
Paris
Things to do
- All things to do (1,502)
- Activities (252)
- Entertainment (242)
- Restaurants (476)
- Shopping (268)
- Sights (250)
- Tours (14)
Make it happen
Our Top Picks For Paris
-
1 Paris' highlights
What not to miss in the quintessentially romantic city.
-
2 Paris in the springtime
Whether you’re a first-timer or are back for more, these suggestions will make you fall in love with Paris this spring.
-
3 A perfect day in Paris
Got 24 hours in the perfect city? Here's how to make the most of it.
-
4 Hidden flavours of Paris
Our food experts lead you to the French capital’s best steaks, freshest baguettes, its most welcoming bars and secret street markets.
-
5 Shopping à la Parisienne
Paris’s reputation as a shopper’s paradise is not exaggerated. Its endless and endlessly diverse retail opportunities live up to the hype.
Our favourite Paris Blogs (beta)
-
Parisian Dessert of the Month: Honey & Lavender Ganache, Sichuan Ganache, and Orange Peel Ganache from Michel Cluizel
Blog: I Prefer Paris - 24 May 2012
I was walking on the rue Saint Honoré the other day and contemplating my Dessert of the Month. I was in that late afternoon craving chocolate mood and needed quick relief before my craving would get the best of me....
-
Meredith Mullins: Grand Prix de Découverte
Blog: I Prefer Paris - 23 May 2012
Get your photos ready! The International Fine Art Photography Competition is now open for submissions. The first year of this annual competition is gaining momentum—with the express purpose of celebrating fine art photography and discovering new talent. Promising emerging and...
-
7th Paris Safety Tip
Blog: I Prefer Paris - 22 May 2012
Last week I updated my list of 6 Paris Safety Tips and I was prompted by an incident by one of my tour clients to add one more important tip. I had a very sweet couple from San Francisco last...
