Paris is a meeting with secrets of beautifully written rambles, stories, and discoveries. In a writing about Paris, I noted: ‘… Somehow, I was drawn in the middle of Parisian stories before I even began befriending its sprawling map. There was a charm, overflowing with culture, art and above all, love, that bewitched me in a glimpse of time I hardly could fix …’
The French capital is linked to varied combos. Some people seek for romance and others for fashion. Some wander through the lights and some others long to meet the home ground of the writers behind the first literary academy, ‘The Académie Française’.
Like thousands before me, and probably millions after me, Paris seemed like a fairy-tale. It is undeniable, Paris can be discovered and rediscovered endlessly, and perhaps that’s its biggest charm. So, if you are looking for a stroll ‘sous le ciel de Paris ‘, then this guide will help you plan your travel to the city of love.
I. WHEN TO VISIT?
As in most of my previous blogs, I always like to start with specifying the best time for people to schedule their travels. Luckily for this particular one, all periods match the enchantment of Paris. So instead of listing one as the best, I will briefly guide you through the pros and cons of each:
1. JUNE – OCTOBER.
June-August, the high season:
Summertime rhymes with the high tourist season, soaring rooms and flight fares, crowds and waiting lines. But summertime also beats through sunbathing along the Seine, free outdoor movie experiences & concerts. Without forgetting the Bastille day’s parade and fireworks.
September-October, the pre-fall season:
Moving to fall season raises the bet with less crowds and good weathers. Seasonal foliage promises more enchanting strolls through the neighborhoods. And before the fashion week, moderate tariffs take place the last week of September.
2. NOVEMBER – MAY.
November-February, the low season:
As most European countries, this is Paris cold weather period. December is one of the rainiest months of the year and has the lowest temperatures rates. During this period, Paris travel expenses can be easy on the pocketbook. Christmas markets and new year’s preps give warmth to the chilly weather. As a bonus, the second least rainy month comes right on time for the lovers to celebrate in February.
March-May, the spring break:
Succeeding winter and preceding summer, the weather starts to warm up. Parks begins to bloom again, and after the grey months Paris invites outdoor. Time to enjoy the café terraces and the boulevard walks again. As the afternoon rains frequently turn up around May, supplemental rate-cuts on accommodation come along the colourful spring palette.
II. WHERE TO STAY?
Paris is gigantic. With 20 neighborhoods, exhaustive architectural heritage spread throughout the city and several touristic attractions inside-out the urban limits, deciding where to stay in Paris can be a real challenge. Good news, Paris has a large well-connected Metro system and each of the 20 ‘arrondissements’ offer budget, mid-range and of course luxury accommodation options, it all depends on your needs.
Although it is hard to assemble all of Paris neighborhood in one guide, these are some tips on how to pick your accommodation based on the neighborhood’s hip.
For budget travellers Montmartre; it is a cheap and has a cozy bohemian ambiance. As for families Montparnasse; if offers a quiet environment and average prices. If you are a first-time visitor; I would recommend Le Marais, a stylish centered gem. Or else, The Latin quarter, the students’ neighborhood and a bustling Parisian area. A third option would be The Bastille, a centered classical cobblestone Parisian vibe. However, if you are a luxurious traveller; Les Champs-Elysées are the place for you. It is the urban landmark of Paris. Another neighborhood you might consider is the Eiffel tower/Champs de Mars area, a busy yet impressive district. Last, Ile Saint-Louis for a fancy quiet stay or Saint-Germain-des-Prés for a trendy expensive experience. Paris is as wide as rich and diversified, which means there is a room for every wander’s demands; after all it is Paris we are talking about.
III. HOW MUCH?
Again, money-wise it is difficult to set an exact rate to the travel budget. The daily expenses may vary as many travelers go around places differently and the high-low season prices’ change periodically depending on the overall situation (The pandemic for instance). On the grounds that our travel spending can slightly go above or below the daily set budget, these prices‘ tag intend to give you an idea about what to consider in the process of making your budget for the peak season.
– For accommodations, hostel beds are more likely to be around 35 euros, affordable hotels can start from 120 euros while Airbnb offers fall within the scale of 30-110 euros, counting for shared rooms, private rooms, or full apartment properties. Keep in mind that during the low-season, some prices might get up to 50% reduction.
– To move around, taking public services might cost up to 50 euros a day if using taxis and private car services, a lower rate could reach up to 18 euros if considering combining walking and using the public transports.
– For the attractions, the highest would probably fall around 70 euros a day, again depending on your plans and your interests.
– When it comes to food, the fourchette is even more complex, packing snacks including a lunch might cost you around 20-50 euros. And of course, fancy food hunting could go up to 100 euros a day.
To sum-up, the daily average to expect for Paris is 65 euros for a budget-friendly rate, 200 euros for a more flexible allocation and up to 400 euros, if not more, for a fancy spending plan.
I wanted this 101 travel guide to engage with the most relevant questions related to Paris travel planning and tips. If it was up to me, I wouldn’t be drafting Paris guide in one or several pairs of months, simply because it unfits the grace of Paris. Paris is particularly charming in Winter, but if it is your first time visiting I would go for early June, September, or October. Just be sure to book your accommodation and activities in advance. Not only to find the best deals but also to schedule your stay accordingly to avoid been overwhelmed. As for the places to visit and recommended itineraries, even a book wouldn’t seize the beauties of this land, let alone a travel guide.
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