Jorge Royan / CC BY-SA 3.0 — Wikimedia CommonsThe City of Light, where art, history and cafe life meet
Paris is France's capital and one of the world's most visited cities, a place of grand boulevards, riverside monuments and small neighbourhood cafes. Within a compact centre you can climb the Eiffel Tower, wander the vast halls of the Louvre, cross the Seine to Notre-Dame and end the day watching the sunset from the steps of Sacre-Coeur in Montmartre. The city is best explored on foot and by its dense metro network, moving between distinct quarters like the Marais, Saint-Germain and the Latin Quarter, each with its own character. Paris rewards a slower pace, with time for a long lunch, a bakery stop and an evening stroll along the river. It is also a busy capital where crowded tourist spots attract pickpockets and touts, so a little awareness goes a long way. Eat where locals do, one street back from the monuments, and let the city unfold between its famous sights.
De bezienswaardigheden en ervaringen die je tijd waard zijn — met eerlijke prijzen.
Paris's iconic iron tower, with ticket options for the stairs or the lift to the top. Book a timed slot online in advance to avoid long queues, and watch your belongings in the busy plaza below.
The world's largest art museum, home to the Mona Lisa and thousands of masterpieces. Book a timed entry ahead, wear comfortable shoes and pick a few wings rather than trying to see everything.
A former railway station housing a superb collection of Impressionist and Post-Impressionist art. Less overwhelming than the Louvre and a favourite for many visitors. Book ahead in high season.
The famous Gothic cathedral on the Ile de la Cite, restored after the 2019 fire. The exterior and square are free to admire; check current access arrangements for the interior locally.
The grand triumphal arch at the top of the Champs-Elysees, with a rooftop viewpoint reached by stairs. Use the underground passage to reach it rather than crossing the busy roundabout.
A hilltop neighbourhood of steep lanes, artists' squares and the white basilica of Sacre-Coeur, free to enter, with sweeping views over the city. Be firm with bracelet sellers on the steps.
A relaxed boat trip past the city's riverside landmarks, especially lovely at dusk. Standard sightseeing cruises are good value; dinner cruises cost considerably more.
Wat locals betalen — controleer een offerte voordat je contant betaalt.
Official taxis charge a set flat fare between Charles de Gaulle and each half of the city, split by the river. Use only the marked taxi rank, confirm the fixed rate, and refuse touts offering a ride inside the terminal.
The RER B train links Charles de Gaulle with central stations and is far cheaper than a taxi. Keep your ticket until you exit and watch your bags, as this line is a known pickpocket spot.
Buy a rechargeable pass or a carnet-style bundle rather than single paper tickets to save money. One validation covers a metro journey with connections inside the network.
Look for a set lunch menu (formule) for the best value, and eat a street or two away from the main monuments. Tap water and bread are free on request.
A coffee taken standing at the counter is cheaper than one at a table, and a table on a famous square costs the most. All three are normal, not a scam.
A neighbourhood boulangerie offers excellent pastries at low prices. Look for a queue of locals and buy a croissant or baguette for a cheap, high-quality snack.
If you plan to see several museums and monuments, a multi-day pass can save money and time. Add the mandatory timed reservation for busy sites like the Louvre separately.
Hoe het werkt: Someone bends down near you, picks up a 'gold' ring and asks if it is yours, then offers it to you and later demands money or uses the moment to distract you.
Hoe het te vermijden: The ring is worthless brass. Do not take it or engage, keep walking, and be aware the ploy is often cover for a pickpocket working nearby.
Hoe het werkt: On the steps up to Sacre-Coeur, men try to tie a string bracelet on your wrist or finger as a 'gift', then aggressively demand payment and block your way.
Hoe het te vermijden: Keep your hands in your pockets, do not let anyone touch your wrist, and walk on with a firm no. Use the funicular or side streets if the main steps are crowded with sellers.
Hoe het werkt: A person, often claiming to collect for a charity for the deaf, asks you to sign a petition and donate. While you focus on the clipboard, an accomplice may pick your pocket.
Hoe het te vermijden: Decline politely and keep moving. Do not sign anything or open your bag, and keep valuables secured while groups approach you near major sights.
Hoe het werkt: Thieves work crowded trains and platforms, especially on lines serving major sights and airports, jostling you as doors close or crowding you at the turnstile.
Hoe het te vermijden: Keep bags zipped and in front of you, hold phones firmly, and be extra alert at busy stations and as train doors open and close. Avoid flashing valuables.
Hoe het werkt: Unofficial drivers approach arrivals at airports and stations offering a 'taxi', then charge far above the regulated fare or refuse the meter.
Hoe het te vermijden: Use only the official taxi rank or a licensed ride-hailing app. Know the fixed airport fare in advance, and never accept a ride from someone approaching you inside the terminal.
Echte tarieven, geen toeristenprijzen.
The suburban train links Charles de Gaulle with central Paris in around 45 minutes and connects to the metro. The cheapest airport link, but keep your ticket and watch your bags.
Dedicated coaches run from the airports to central hubs. A comfortable middle option between the cheap train and an expensive taxi, though slower in traffic.
Licensed taxis charge a flat fare between the airport and each side of the river. Best for groups or heavy luggage. Use only the official rank and confirm the set rate.
A dense, frequent network that reaches almost every corner of the city. The fastest way to cross Paris. Buy a rechargeable pass and mind pickpockets at busy stations.
Surface routes are slower but scenic and useful where the metro does not reach. The same ticket and passes apply. Validate on boarding.
Paris is compact and beautiful on foot, with the river, bridges and quarters best seen at a slow pace. Comfortable shoes make all the difference.
Spring (April to June) and early autumn (September to October) bring mild weather, blossom or golden light and slightly thinner crowds. July and August are hot and busy, with some local businesses closed in August, while winter is cool, grey and quieter but atmospheric.
Three to four days lets you cover the main sights, one or two big museums and a couple of neighbourhoods at a reasonable pace, with time for cafes and an evening river walk.
Yes for the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre and the Musee d'Orsay, which use timed entry and sell out or mean long queues. Booking ahead also helps you avoid touts selling overpriced tickets.
The RER B train from Charles de Gaulle is the cheapest option and reaches central stations in around 45 minutes. An airport bus is a comfortable middle choice, and official fixed-fare taxis suit groups with luggage.
Paris is generally safe, but pickpocketing and street scams are common around major sights and on the metro. Keep valuables secure, decline bracelet sellers and petitions, and stay aware in crowds and at night near stations.
You can manage with English in tourist areas, but a simple bonjour and merci go a long way and are appreciated. Greeting staff before asking a question is considered basic politeness.