With elegant architecture, oo-la-la culture and fine dining for days, it’s hard to believe that Paris holidays are just a 1.5-hour flight (or 2.5-hour train journey) from the UK. So say oui to a memorable city break in the city of love.
Paris enchants. It’s just what it does. Its infectious energy dazzles visitors, from the famous Moulin Rouge cabaret to the cobblestones and quaint courtyards of Le Marais.
Over in historic Montmartre, you’ll find uber-hip bars and a teeny-tiny vineyard. And the twinkling banks of the Seine are made for a romantic wander. Swoon.
Paris invented glitz and glamour. Its achingly chic boutiques on the Champs-Élysées dress the world’s foremost fashionistas. You can totter alongside them in St-Germain-des-Prés — a fancy South Bank district full of bougie hotels, suave cocktail bars and old-school café bistros.
Or stay north of the river for a show at the gilded Palais Garnier opera house. And to catch the theatre of life, a swanky rooftop bar is a win. Serious va va voom!
There’s a good line of world-famous attractions in Paris. Get your camera ready to take in the gloriously Gothic Notre Dame cathedral, the bridges crisscrossing the Seine, Place des Vosges square (old, pretty, Parisian, tick!), the Sacré-Coeur basilica in Montmartre and the famous glass pyramids of the Louvre art museum – they’re next level after dusk. Oh, and the Eiffel Tower too. Get your ticket online in advance to skip the queues then start the climb to the second floor … although you’ll need to get in a lift if you want to go all the way to the top.
When it comes to swanky food, Paris is more than its Michelin-star restaurants. It has serious panache in the flavour department, with outstanding cuisine stretching from the creative bistros of Canal Saint-Martin to the exciting international restaurants in boho Belleville. Its gazillion boulangeries, patisseries, fromageries, cute cafés and local restaurants serve top-notch grub. And people watching from a street café with a café noir is an art form in itself.
Best for... Romantics, sightseers and foodies🌹
Go... During spring and autumn for walkable warmth and stunning colour palettes 🍂
You have to... Head to the iconic Sacré-Coeur to explore Montmartre’s magical charm ⛪️
Splendid Etoile
4.6
Excellent
Prices from
Timhotel Montmartre
4.2
Very Good
Prices from
The Five Hotel
4.2
Very Good
Prices from
Currency
Euro
Language
French
Time difference
GMT +1
Cost of a beer
€7
3-course meal
Around €27
Flight time
Manchester: 1 hr 30 mins
Paris is the eternal muse, inspiring artists and writers down the centuries, so there’s heaps of history and culture to get your head around. At the Paris Catacombs, 20 metres underground, you’ll find the remains of several million Parisians. Or, if that’s a little eerie for your tastes, opt for a French Revolution walking tour.
The white domes of the vast Basilica de Sacré-Coeur in Montmartre, the ornate Arc de Triomphe, the Mona Lisa, Notre Dame: if you run out of history in Paris, that’s on you. Throw in a cruise on the Seine for a different view of this iconic city.
Snails? Frog legs? Not your thing? Don’t worry — Paris’ thriving foodie scene is world renowned. Start with a café and croissant. Take brunch in a pavement cafe in Montparnasse to watch the world go by and hit Bastille Sunday market for fabulous tartiflette and rotisserie chicken. Alternatively, treat yourself to steak-frites in the old-world charm of Montmartre or cheese-encrusted onion soup in Place du Tertre, where you’ll be surrounded by local artists.
In Le Marais you’ll discover a historic party district with long-standing, much-loved nightclubs and a super-strong LGBTQ+ community, while St-Germain-des-Prés is home to a selection of sophisticated live jazz clubs. Pigalle is a late-night fave burlesque shows and cocktails at buzzy dive bars. And Belleville is your best bet for a cheaper tipple, giving the boho energy that once encompassed the entire city.
Paris is generally at its busiest from April to October, while December to January is the best time for cheap Paris holidays and festive magic.
In summer, people flock to the banks of the shimmering Seine to enjoy the heat. Winter’s all twinkling lights, hearty candlelit dinners, impressive art houses and world-famous museums.
The in-between seasons are also top-notch. In spring, the city blossoms, and tennis fans flock here for the French Open. Autumn is perfect for warm, walkable weather and slightly thinner crowds — there tends to be plenty of festivals and cultural events at this time of the year too.