Planning and getting around
Visas, money, weather, the airports and the metro.
The New Must-See in Paris
If you're heading to Paris in the next couple months, you may want to set some time aside to visit Beaugrenelle , a recently renovated area perfect for those who love shopping.
A Five-Step Guide to Surviving Paris's January Sales
Paris's winter sales are nearly upon us, so get ready for huge discounts on everything la belle France does best, from clothes to cookware.
Context Travel Walking Tours in Paris
Anyone who has wandered aimlessly in Paris will tell you it's totally possible to appreciate the city without understanding much about it.
5 Favorite Kid-Friendly Attractions in Paris
Paris is undeniably a city that adults love to visit. But the Parisians themselves have children, right? And countless travelers with kids visit every year.
How Paris Builds a Beach in the City [Video]
It's summer in Paris , and that means it's time once again for the Paris Plages ! Every year the city of Paris turns a portion of the road alongside the Seine River into a beach and pedestrian-only…
There's No Place Like Paris on Bastille Day
They're sweeping away the remnants of another July 4th in communities around the United States this week, but in the French capital they're still planning the show.
What to Pack for Paris
Packing can be a troublesome chore no matter where you're going, but when you're visiting a city like Paris - where people are known for their fashion sense - it takes on all sorts of different…
Finding France Travel Deals This Year Isn't Easy
Travel enthusiasts everywhere are asking one another the same question lately - where are you going this summer?
Train Tickets & Rail Passes in Paris: What to Know
Train travel is so common throughout Europe, and the term "Eurail Pass" is so familiar to most people, that you may not realize exactly what such a pass is - or understand that you can't get just buy…
City Break in Paris this Spring
Spring is here. At least we are all used to call March the first month of spring, although the weather isn’t always that nice.
Culture and Romance in Paris
Paris is one of those cities which should be visited at least once in a lifetime. On the same list I’d definitely put London, Athens, Berlin, New York, Sydney, Johannesburg and Tokyo. Why?
Valentine's Day in Paris
Ask 10 people for suggestions of romantic cities in which to spend Valentine's Day and you're likely to hear Paris several times.
How to Use Paris Night Buses (Noctilien)
I've always been a fan of the Paris Metro - it's the first public transportation system I figured out by myself, and it remains my favorite subway system.
Paris Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tours
Sometimes when you first arrive in a new city, it helps to get an overview of it from the comfort of a tour bus. I know what you're thinking - a tour bus? Really?
How to Use Public Transportation in Paris
You'll read over and over again on this and other travel guides to Paris that the easiest, cheapest, and most efficient way to get around in Paris is by using public transportation.
How to Use the Paris Bus System
When the Paris Metro is such a handy way to get around the city center, it's not surprising that so many people don't even notice buses in Paris let alone ever bother to take one.
Weekend Getaway in Amsterdam
So you’ve decided to spend your next weekend somewhere abroad…but where? Oh, wait! Amsterdam seems like a great away.
Guide to Taking Taxis in Paris
While most people in Paris - locals and visitors alike - seem to favor taking public transportation like the cheap and efficient Paris Metro for getting around in Paris , for some trips taking a taxi…
Getting to Paris from Orly Airport (or vice versa)
Although Paris' Charles de Gaulle Airport has usurped the top spot in Paris (as well as France) in terms of giant international airports, Orly Airport (ORY) is still a popular international gateway…
Tour France by Bus This Summer
A road trip in any country is a fantastic idea. A road trip in France is a ticket to see beautiful scenery, indulge in awesome cuisine and learn even more about the French culture.
Getting to Paris from Beauvais Airport (or vice versa)
Beauvais Airport is sometimes called Paris' third airport, even though it lies quite some distance away from the city itself.
Summer in Paris
No matter how many times travel experts tell people to try to avoid visiting popular cities like Paris during the high summer travel season, there will still be gazillions of people for whom there…
Getting to Paris from Charles de Gaulle Airport (or vice versa)
You may feel a sense of relief when you arrive at Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) . You might think that you've arrived in Paris now, and you can start your vacation.
Taking the Chunnel between London and Paris
You probably know that there are several ways to get from England to France - and specifically to get from London to Paris (or vice versa).
Summer Travel Guide to Paris: 2010
We're a few short weeks away from the official start of summer, but many people have already got their summer travel plans well underway.
Eurolines Bus Travel from Paris
Many people who plan a trip to Paris also intend to visit other cities in France during their trip - and a good percentage of those people then go beyond the French border to visit other countries in…
Paris iPhone Apps for Travel, Language Learning, & Fun
With the proliferation of internet cafes in even some of the most remote places in the world and things like the iPhone making it possible for people to take the internet with them wherever they go,…
High-Resolution Paris Panorama: Paris 26 Gigapixels
For some people, a trip to Paris this summer is in the cards - you might have already booked your air ticket to Paris and be sifting through your options for cheap hotels near the Eiffel Tower .
Visiting the Saint-Germain-des-Prés Neighborhood
Some neighborhoods in Paris evoke certain images based on their name alone - the Latin Quarter, Montmartre - and the Saint-Germain-des-Prés neighborhood in Paris is no exception.
Spring in Paris
Paris is one of those cities that's popular year-round, and arguably most popular during the summer (despite the fact that it can get roastingly hot and it feels like every other tourist on the…
Top 10 Paris Travel Articles in 2009
We like to think that pretty much everything we write about on Paris Blog is interesting, but sometimes it's kind of fun to look at what you actually think is interesting.
Airfare Deals to Paris for January 2010
My holidays are always spent in the same way, and in the same places - but that doesn't stop me from dreaming about being in a foreign land at least once during those holiday trips.
Paris Travel Tips
When you're looking at a site that's described as a "Paris travel guide" then you might think the whole thing is basically a set of Paris travel tips. And in many ways, you'd be right.
Dreams of Christmas in Paris
Just the other day I saw a news story on TV about the Christmas lights coming on in Paris - and it was truly a sight to see.
Handy Tips: How to Use the French Train Website
There isn't much that frustrates me more quickly than not being able to find something I think I should be able to locate. And nowhere does that happen more often than online.
Airports In & Near Paris: Alternates to Charles de Gaulle
Generally speaking, when you're planning a trip to Paris you start by doing research on flights to Paris , and that's for a very simple reason.
Save Money on Budget Airlines that Fly to Paris
Anytime you're planning a trip to Paris - unless you're traveling on someone else's trust fund or you just really like the idea of going deep into debt - you'll want to pay close attention to your…
YourTour.com: Easy Trip Planning for Paris & France
Although you'll hear over and over again (on the pages of this site as well as others) that you should try to avoid driving in Paris if you can, sometimes hopping in a car and getting out of the city…
Airfare Deals to Paris for October 2009
Even if you're not following the in and outs of the travel news on a daily basis, chances are good that you've heard that things like airfare and hotel prices tend to drop after the peak European…
Want to go running in Paris? Then you need this article.
I'm not a runner. I don't like to run, whether I'm on vacation or not, but I also feel like when I'm traveling I'm way more active than I am when I'm at home - walking from museum to restaurant to…
Winter in Paris
While summer in Paris is certainly when you will see the hoards of tourists descending upon the city, there are songs written about springtime in Paris and autumn in Paris has long been one of my…
Autumn in Paris
Although my family took several trips back to France when I was growing up, we always went during the summer time.
Why I love Paris: Jennifer Greco gives you 10 ways to fall in love with the city in photos
My love affair with Paris began when I was 15 years old. I had an unforgettable high school French teacher who rounded out her lessons of the complexities of the French language by seducing us with…
Cheap Paris Guide - Tips for Conquering Paris on a Small Budget
It is certainly no secret that Paris is not a cheap city. In fact, it’s quite the opposite.
Getting Around Paris
Much like New York and London, Paris is dense city that is best explored and conquered by Public Transportation.
Paris Discount Cards: Passes & Benefits
Most big tourist destinations that have more than a couple attractions offer some kind of discount card tourists can buy - and Paris is no exception.
Summer Travel to Paris is Pretty Cheap This Year
For many years, the only season when I thought of traveling was during the summer.
Metro ticket tip
You've just bought a ten-pack of Paris Metro tickets (a carnet) and none of them work! When you try to go through the turnstile, the red light flashes.
Getting the Bum's Rush? Not only tourists get it in Paris
Perhaps you may be one of the unfortunate visitors who have been snubbed at some of Paris's famous right bank cafes? Never fear. You aren't alone.
The Most Beautiful Metro Stations in Paris
Paris is an art lover's city. But I'm talking here about more than just the impressive collections of art found in the city's famous museums and galleries.
Les Invalides: Napoleon's Tomb & Military Museums
It's not unheard of when you find an historic building being used for something other than its original purpose.
Guide to RER Trains in Paris
Anyone who's heading for Paris with an ounce of preparation (or, at the very least, a good guidebook for in-flight reading) will know that this city has one of the best underground transportation…
Many Museums in Paris Will Soon be Free if You're Under 25
The French government has just given young people one more reason to visit Paris - starting April 4, 2009, all of the French national museums and monuments will stop charging admission fees to anyone…
Paris in July
Paris in July is one of the busiest times of year in this always-busy city. In addition to the major influx of tourists that descend on Paris in the height of summer, July also sees two of the…
Getting to CDG Airport on Time
When mass transport works in Paris, it works like a dream. It's reasonably priced, safe, comfortable, and relatively user friendly.
What kind of clothes should I pack for my winter trip to Paris?
Boots. It doesn't matter that you may never see a snowflake in Paris, from December to April, a good pair of stylish boots will make you feel very much at home on Paris streets.
Paris in December
The month of December might find you taking refuge under a down blanket in front of a fireplace and clutching a cup of hot cocoa, dreaming of a time when the sun might come out again.
Google Street View Offers Closeup Look at Paris
Ever since I first played around with Google's Street View feature and saw the front of the building I work in, I've had kind of a weird fascination with it.
Galeries Lafayette: Paris' Most Famous Department Store
I think it's safe to say that we'd all love the idea of a shopping trip to Paris - but unfortunately, the kind of shopping most of us will be able to do isn't the high-end or flagship designer…
Visiting Saint-Sulpice Church in Paris
There are so many churches in Paris, many of which are well worth a visit even if you're not a parishioner, that it's easy to overlook any churches that aren't called Notre Dame .
Da Vinci Code Tours in Paris
You don't have to be a bibliophile to have heard of Dan Brown's international bestseller, "The Da Vinci Code" - and you don't even have to have read it to be interested in taking one of the popular…
Bastille Opera in Paris
While many of us might hear the word "Bastille" and immediately think of the storming of the Bastille, the old prison in the center of Paris, nowadays the Bastille square where that infamous prison…
Paris Cemeteries Worth Visiting
We all do lots of things when we're on vacation that we don't normally do at home - that's part of the fun of being away from your ordinary routine.
November in Paris
Gone are the days when the off-season in Paris ran from October through April. These days, both of those months formerly known as "shoulder months" are often considered part of the high season - at…
Weird & Wonderful Paris
Paris is one of those cities that's brimming with classic tourist sights and activities - from the Eiffel Tower to the Cathedral of Notre Dame , from a Seine boat tour to a walking tour of the…
The Paris Dog Cemetery: World's First Pet Cemetery
Those of you who have been paying attention know that both the famous Pere Lachaise Cemetery and the Montparnasse Cemetery have been covered here at the Paris Blog in the past.
Paris Erotic Museum: 7 Floors of Erotic Art
Visitors to Paris have way more choices when it comes to museums than just the standard fare - sure, there are classics like the Louvre and Musee d'Orsay that pretty much everyone has to see or…
Hey, kids, how about a visit to the Paris sewers?
How many times have you thought, "Wow, I really wish I could visit the city sewers while I'm there" when you're planning a vacation? I'll bet you've never thought that.
Paris in October
While many people focus on summertime travel when they're planning their vacations in Paris, it can be tough to find cheap flights to Paris in the summer.
Paris Daily Budget: How Much Money do I Bring?
Parisgirl suggests $100-$125 per day per person (not including your hotel/hostel charges).
How to Use the Paris Metro
Paris is a fantastic city for walkers, but if you're in a hurry or the weather's turned foul or you just want to give your tired feet a break, the city is also blessed with one of the best subway…
September in Paris
There might be songs written about other months of the year, but September in Paris is an excellent time of year to be in the city.
Super Chic Paris Souvenirs for 20 Euros or Less!
Can I really afford to be shopping for souvenirs? Of course you can't. But, on the other hand, how can you go back home, stare your friends in the face, and say, "Yeah, I was in Paris, I had a really…
Paris Greeters: Hang Out With Real Parisians
How many times have you arrived in a new city, guidebook in hand and all pre-trip research done, and yet you've still felt kind of lost and out of place?
France in Euro 2008 Soccer Tournament
Even if you're not a sports fan, there's something fun about events when the national team is playing - it's something anyone can get behind, whether they really love the sport or not.
Know Your Euros
If you take a look at these pictures of 5 Euro and 20 Euro banknotes, it's pretty easy to see which is the imposter in this line-up, but you'd be surprised when you're getting change at the market,…
May Holidays in France
Fondation Cartier in 'Spring' (Actually I took this photo in February 2008 during our 'faux spring') Hello May, good riddance April.
Paris Without a Guidebook
So you've landed in Paris without a guidebook and without a clue. If you're like me, you probably figured: a) the guidebook was too expensive b) too much excess weight for your backpack c) you…
Metro Sense
Using public transport makes good sense - especially in Paris. Recently BootsnAll travel experts Roger & Jessica came up with 11 tips for stretching a weak dollar in Europe . Guess what?
The Paris Syndrome
Last week, Francois Hauter reported on ‘the Paris Syndrome ’ (le Bloc-notes Parisien “Ces Parisiens auxquels la Ville Lumiere tourne le dos” Le Figaro March 1 ‘08) This is the term coined by Japanese…
Paris Deals from Multiple Travel Sites
If you are looking for a way to combine cheap airfare to Paris with a hotel special during your stay you normally have to check quite a few different websites in order to know you are getting the…
Deciphering French Train Travel
Figuring out the SNCF's train website - is baffling to say the least. If you haven't already done it the easy way i.e.
Packing for your Paris Honeymoon
Sandals found at My Dream Wedding Travel light - and you'll be glad you did. What to bring with you: Cool shades. Your best-fitting jeans. An impeccably cut black or navy blazer.
Book a Flight to Paris for the Early Spring
Paris in the spring is something quite special. This time of year in the city has been sung about and sighed about, so the only thing left for you to do is get there and sing and/or sigh about it in…
Footwear for Paris
So you’re coming to France this summer – and you want to do a lot of walking – but you don’t want to look like a tourist in clunky running shoes. The solution is simple.
Museum Night in May
If you're planning a spring trip for Paris, make sure to be in town on Saturday, May 17 (2008).(I've seen different dates posted, and because the official site isn't set yet for 2008, be sure to…
French Sim Cards for your US Cellphone in Paris
Where is Jason Bourne when you need him? I’m catching a train at the Gare St. Lazare station – and, as usual, have postponed switching my American sim card to a French one for the last possible…
Best train ticket prices
Trying to make sense of SNCF train ticket fares is daunting. I'll be the first to admit - I've barely touched the tip of the iceberg.
Metro Talk
In the Metro Photo by Chris Card Fuller ©2008 For a mode of transportation that began in 1900, one has to admit that the Paris Metro system is amazing.
Flying to Paris? Pack your Neti Pot and Face Mask
My doctor said recently she doesn't go on vacation without her face mask handy for long flights. She is a very cool doctor - and she would still look very cool even with a face mask.
Euro Sense: When and Where to Buy Euros?
How low can the dollar go? I wish I could bling my magic wand and tell you that by summertime the dollar will soar like an eagle, but sadly, I have no such promises for you.
Paris Walks: Offering Walking Tours of Paris
You can wander aimlessly, but taking a Paris walking tour is a good way to get to know the city's neighborhoods.
Galeries Lafayette's Free Bus Ride Around Paris
What could be better, Christmas shopping at one of Paris's biggest department stores followed by a free shuttle bus that will take you all around the City of Lights?
Cheap Winter Airfare to Paris from the US
Travel to Paris from the United States is usually on the more expensive end of things, especially these days with the pathetic exchange rate.
Paris - think circles: Montparnasse train station
Photo by Chris Card Fuller ©2007 Photo by Chris Card Fuller 2007 Montparnasse train station caught in its no man's land time warp. A good place to catch a circle in a square.
Air New Zealand in Paris - Where did you go? And Why?
Oh why and where did the Air New Zealand office in Paris go? According to a note I just received from Air New Zealand - their Paris office was 'disestablished' in 2006.
Free Paris Audio Tours- Before you Go!
The Marais neighborhood - the way it used to be! Photo by Chris Card Fuller ©2007 Paris's official Office of Tourism site ( www.parisinfo.com ) is always coming up with new ideas to help you prepare…
Packing for Paris and Beyond: RTW
Here is a short update on packing for a round-the-world trip starting and finishing in Paris.
Train Schedules to Rugby Games in France
Gare de Lyon Metro: Gare de Lyon You can check the Rugby World Cup Calendar to see which French cities will be holding events.
Buying Euros Before You Go
As of today, September 4, 2007, the current exchange rate for buying Euros with US Dollars is 1.426 which means in real terms if you're walking into your local bank and wanting to exchange 500 US…