The most visited city in the world, the atmosphere of which is saturated with sentiment and the spirit of love stories, the capital of France, Paris, is located in the north of the country on both banks of the Seine River. Read our article on the Tour-Calendar and you will find out why the most favorable time to visit this unique place is mid-spring - early summer, as well as the first two months of autumn.

Tourist season in Paris

“A holiday that is always with you...” - this is how Ernest Hemingway once used to say about Paris. To the charm of this city, which harmoniously combines the spirit of antiquity and the fresh brilliance of modernity, no one remains indifferent. Great writers immortalized it in the lines of their works, and talented artists captured Parisian landscapes in their paintings, this process does not stop to this day. The French capital, the season in which lasts all year round, is the leader in terms of the number of tourists coming here: about 30 million people visit it annually (of which about 500,000 are Russians). This is several times more than the tourist flow to Rome, London or Athens, which is explained by the presence of a large concentration of world-class attractions, as well as the status of a major financial and cultural center of Europe. It is here that the headquarters of UNESCO and the International Chamber of Commerce are based.

High season

Paris is one of the most densely populated capitals in Europe, so it seems that the city is teeming with tourists at any time of the year. However, this is not quite true. It is very seriously “heated” by visitors on Easter, May holidays, from mid-June to mid-September, on Christmas and New Year’s Eve (New Year’s illumination is solemnly lit in November), as well as during the period of big sales. Prices for almost all services skyrocket at this time. Therefore, budget tourists planning to stay in the city during the high season should take care of air tickets and accommodation long before the date of their trip, since hot tours to Paris are a big profanation of travel agencies, because trips to the capital of world fashion and art are never delayed. Separately, I would like to dwell on the summer months. Many sources indicate that July and August are the low season, when locals try to leave the city and go to French beaches or abroad. This opinion is correct only from the point of view of the number of citizens in the general flow of people who are in Paris during this period. However, this fact is not the slightest reflection in the asking prices. Unless renting a house in the private sector is more likely.

low season

Low season? This is not about Paris! Its streets are always full of tourists insatiable for romance and attractions. But still there are months when their number is slightly reduced, and a calmer and more contemplative atmosphere reigns in the city. After a lively summer season, the first recession is noted in October: the last schoolchildren and students returned to their desks, and the bulk of the older generation, having spent their vacation, went to work. It cannot be said that at this moment there is a significant decrease in prices, but by 10% -20% they definitely become less, and this is real savings. November is a “relaxed” month at all, but we note that only in comparison with the summer months: a multilingual dialect is heard from everywhere, but the chances of being trampled in line at the Eiffel Tower or walking along Montmartre are reduced to zero. Another of the periods of the so-called off-season is the end of winter sales in February. But the lull does not last long, as in March-April people come to Paris in large numbers to celebrate Easter, and this holiday is followed by a series of other, no less striking events.

The best time for excursions

In Paris, there are the most popular attractions not only throughout France, but throughout the world, which have long become places of real tourist pilgrimage. Judge for yourself: every year almost 7 million people climb the Eiffel Tower, about 8 million visit the masterpiece Louvre, and about 10 million people “celebrate” in Versailles! Every day in the high season, each of the famous tourist sites in France is lined up with 30,000 people. Now imagine how long you need to stand in it to get to the desired place. For many, after this question, the imagination plays out in earnest, especially if these “many” are with children. As you can see, summer is not the best time to get acquainted with the cultural and historical wealth of Paris, it is best to come here from April to early June (with the exception of the May holidays), and also in September - October.

Season of discounts and sales

The largest sales shops in Paris arrange in the first week of January and in July. They last a little over a month, the biggest discounts are observed in recent weeks. Sometimes shops organize attractions of unprecedented generosity on the eve of the New Year holidays. There is also the concept of closed sales of luxury brands, but you can get to them only by personal invitation.

haute couture week

The capital of France, which is a trendsetter in world fashion, is part of the so-called "Big Four" along with New York, London and Milan. It is in Paris that the final fourth fashion week takes place, which traditionally ends the season. Ready-to-wear shows take place twice a year. For Parisians, for all French fashionistas and for many foreigners, this is a grand event, so the demonstration of literally every collection is a real show. In addition, in honor of fashion week, big parties are always held, which attract royals, millionaires, and, of course, the heroes of the occasion themselves - eminent fashion designers and designers. The demonstration of the autumn-winter collection takes place approximately at the end of February - at the beginning of March; and the spring-summer collections - at the end of June - at the beginning of July. The venue for the Fashion Week is the exhibition hall of the Carrousel de Louvre shopping center.

business season

Business tourism accounts for about 55% of the total tourist flow to the city. The high season within the year is the period from September to the end of May. During this period, almost 300 congresses and 400 international exhibitions take place in the capital. In the context of the week, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday are considered the busiest days, when the hotel is the busiest.

Time for holidays and festivals

You can find out about national holidays in France here. In this section, we will only talk about the largest events that take place annually in the capital. From December 1st to 31st, Notre Dame Cathedral hosts a spectacular light and sound show every half an hour, illustrating the story of Christmas. Approximately on November 23, the Christmas Market opens in the Défense district, almost with it, the Champs-Elysées fair begins to work. On December 25, Parisians gather with their families to celebrate Catholic Christmas, and spend New Year's Eve with friends - in some bar or restaurant. In February, another large-scale event takes place on the Parisian streets - a colorful carnival called “Fatted Bull Walk”, the main characters of which are the cow Pimprinel and the clown Pete. An obligatory attribute of the costume of each guest is cow horns. It is also the time of another Carnival de Paris and the Retromobile exhibition. In March, the Irish community celebrates St. Patrick: at this time, beer and wine are consumed in unlimited quantities. In the first month of spring, the cultural life of the city is enriched by the Paris Film Festival, art fair, poetry festival and cultural events in honor of the Day of the Paris Commune, which falls on March 18th. April is notable for the Culinary Festival, Short Film Festival, the Paris Marathon, and the Banlieue Bleues, a series of music concerts that feature nothing but the blues. In May, the following events may be of interest to tourists: Horse racing, a solemn parade on the Champs Elysees in honor of Victory Day over fascism, which takes place on May 8, and Museum Night - a few hours when some museums and exhibition complexes can be visited absolutely free of charge. In June, fans of the aristocratic golf game will enjoy the Alston French Open, held on the outskirts of Paris. The first month of summer is also marked by the open tennis championship, the Rose Festival and the Paris Pride Parade. The main event of July is Bastille Day, which falls on July 14th. It is celebrated with a magnificent parade on the Champs Elysees and a series of balls in the parks of the city. In addition, the Paris Rolledrome show and the Paris Quarter d’Et art festival are notable. In August, costume balls are held in Versailles. Autumn is a series of cultural events. The third weekend of September is National Heritage Days. Something like the May Night of Museums, only stretching for two whole days. October is the time of the grape harvest, so mass festivities are organized on occasion in Montmartre. The first Saturday of October is dedicated to visiting museums and galleries as part of the White Nights program. This month there are several gastronomic festivities in honor of chocolate.

Vacation season at Disneyland

Disneyland, which operates year-round, welcomes its guests throughout the year, with the only difference being that in the summer (from the end of June) the amusement park operates daily until 23.00, and the rest of the time - until 19.00 on weekdays and until 22.00 on weekends . In winter, prices are slightly lower, but only "closed" rides are available. It is best to go to Disneyland before or after the May holidays, in the first days of June or early September. There will still be queues, so make sure to buy tickets in advance. This can be done on the official website of the company, while choosing French as the main language, their cost will be slightly less.

Climate in Paris

Paris is under the influence of a temperate climate type, which is characterized by warm winters with little snow and cool, humid summers. Precipitation is equally characteristic of each season. A striking feature of the capital's weather conditions is sudden showers.

Paris in spring

Every season of the year, Paris is charming in its own way, but in spring it is especially beautiful. And few people want to argue with this. The weather in March is still unstable, so it tends to bring surprises - both in the form of unexpected thaws and in the form of severe frosts. However, in general, a slight warming is observed in the first spring month: the average daily air temperature ranges from +12 °C to +13 °C, at night it cools down to approximately +3 °C..+4 °C. It rains quite often, but at the same time, the number of hours of sunshine increases, so after another rainy day the city dries out pretty quickly. In the middle of the season, the weather brings more warm days: the average daily air temperature hovering around +16 ° C, the evenings are still cold, so adopt the Parisian habit of dressing “layered” if you plan to be away from the hotel for a long time. In April, Paris literally blooms - marvelous aromas of flowers and fresh greenery soar in the air. Even rainfall is not able to spoil the high spirits that covers almost everyone who comes to the capital at this time. Although May is not marked, as we would like, with a reduction in the number of rainy days, this month is one of the best of the year. Daylight is significantly increased, so it gets dark quite late, and the bright sun shines for about 7 hours. During the day, many citizens and tourists go to the parks, where they have picnics or simply wallow in pleasure, sunbathing.

Temperature and weather in Paris in spring

Paris in summer

Summer Paris is a noisy, restless city, a real flood of foreigners. And all because in the summer in the French capital, unlike the Italian or Spanish, it is very warm, but most importantly - cool weather, which is characterized by refreshing westerly winds. Therefore, sightseeing can be hindered only by a huge crowd of people. The average daily temperature in June is about +22 °C, July and August are the “hottest” months of the year, when the thermometer reaches +25 °C, less often +26 °C. Although some days can be extremely cold - from +16 °C to +18 °C. In the evening, the air cools down quite quickly, which should definitely be taken into account when packing your suitcase for a summer vacation in the city. As for precipitation, its volume in this season slightly increases compared to spring indicators. Rains are periodically accompanied by thunderstorms. If you do not want to bring an umbrella with you, set aside an additional amount of money to purchase it immediately upon arrival, since you will definitely have to use it at least a couple of times during your entire stay.

Temperature and weather in Paris in summer

Paris in autumn

The beginning of autumn promises pleasant warm weather. Daytime thermometer marks, of course, are no longer as high as in summer, but still in the first half of the month it is still too early to change your outfits for more “serious” ones. In general, an improved variant of May weather is observed in September. This also applies to nights that this month are only a couple of degrees colder than summer ones. In recent days, the weather begins to gradually deteriorate, but not in terms of precipitation, which, in principle, is evenly distributed almost throughout the year, but in terms of temperature. There is, although not critical, but still a noticeable cooling - in the mornings there is a slight frost, and closer to noon the thermometer freezes at +15 ° C. In mid-autumn, the foliage begins to gradually turn yellow, acquiring all shades of golden and crimson, and by the beginning of November, the city is already “drowning” in it. But the situation is saved by hardworking janitors, every morning scrupulously sweeping the streets of the capital. The last month is quite damp and dank: the maximum air temperature is about +10 °C, and the minimum is around +4 °C.

Paris is the world capital of fashion and romance. The city is located in the northern part of central France. The main religion (about 70% of citizens profess it) here is Catholicism and many attractions are associated with this faith.

If you love warmth and dream of soaking up the sun near the Eiffel Tower, then it makes sense to go to Paris from April to mid-September. In addition, various festivals and other interesting events take place in the city at this time. If you have the opportunity to escape to Paris in the winter, then do not think - go. This city is capable of falling in love in any weather. Regarding the duration of the trip - for a cursory inspection of Paris, you will need 4 days.

Festivals in Paris

In general, there are a lot of different events in Paris, the main ones are:

1. Fashion Week (2 times a year: end of January, September) - http://www.parisfashionweek.buzz/.

1. FoireDuTrone (end of March - mid-May) is an atmospheric festival of colorful old rides that tourists almost don't know about. This is where the French mostly gather. Website: http://www.foiredutrone.com/.

1. RolandGarros (early-mid-June) is an event that is significant for the whole country. This is a tennis match, accompanied by various activities in the city. They even put a big spinning ball on top of the Eiffel Tower, and several screens are installed throughout the city, on which the match itself is broadcast. Website: http://www.rolandgarros.com/.

1. FeteDeLaMusique (21 June) - VERY interesting event. This is a festival of music of different directions. On this day, transport works until the morning, because the city does not sleep all night. Any busy street turns into a musical arena.

1. ParisJazzFestival (weekends June and July) - takes place in the park in the fresh air. Website: http://www.parisjazzfestival.fr/.

1. Bastille Day or France Day (July 14) is the most important holiday for Parisians. They begin to celebrate it on the night of July 13th. Various dancers and jugglers perform on this day. A parade is held during the day, and in the evening everything ends with a huge fireworks display. Website: https://ru.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/14july .

1. ParisPlages (mid-July - mid-August) - on this day, a 3 km long beach is poured on the banks of the Seine, sunbeds and palm trees are placed. This is done so that Parisians and guests of the city can enjoy the sun right in the city. Website: http://fr.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paris_Plages.

1. TourDeFrance (end of July) is a notorious event among cyclists. Website: http://www.letour.fr/us/.

1. FestivalD "Automne (mid-September - mid-December) is a festival that brings together artists, musicians, dancers and other creative personalities. Website: http://www.festival-automne.com/.

1. Christmas (December 25) - at this time, Paris is completely transformed, everything is illuminated and the streets are lit with colorful lights. In many churches, a festive mass is held. After Christmas, discounts begin in local shops, so there are a lot of visitors to the city. True, tickets and hotels at this time are more expensive.

1. New Year (December 31 - January 1) is a more youthful holiday (compared to Christmas) with beautiful fireworks.

Currency

The euro is in Paris. Of course, it makes sense to change part of the cash at home and go to France with the euro. As for the exchange on the spot, the most convenient and cheapest way is DABs ATMs. In them, the course is always more profitable than in banks or exchangers. ATMs accept all types of cards. Exchange offices and banks most often work only on weekdays from 9 am to 4 pm. Round-the-clock exchangers are available only in upscale hotels, but the exchange rate here is not the most profitable.

Visa

France is part of the Schengen area, so you need a Schengen visa to enter the country. How to apply for a Schengen visa, read in a separate series of articles. In this case, we denote only the websites of embassies and visa centers in Paris:

• in Russia: http://www.francevac-ru.com/ and http://www.ambafrance-ru.org/ ;
• in Ukraine: http://www.francevac-ua.com/ and http://www.ambafrance-ua.org/ ;
• in Belarus: http://www.ambafrance-by.org/ ;
• in Kazakhstan: http://www.ambafrance-kz.org/ .

Visa to France is done within 10 days.

Connection

Paris code: +33. If you leave for Paris for a short time, then it does not make sense to buy a local SIM card, since the connection here is quite expensive. It would be better to use roaming from your operator. Another option is to buy a special tourist SIM card, which are sold at airports. Read about this option in a separate article on communications abroad.

Wi-Fi can be found in almost every cafe in Paris. Find out the password from the waiters and use it calmly. In addition, free Wi-Fi is available in some parks. In general, the French are not very friendly with the Internet and English. In many cafes, even in McDonalds you will not be answered in English - be prepared for this.

Free public toilets

In Paris, there are many public toilets on busy streets. After each person, they are automatically cleaned and disinfected, which lasts about 2 minutes. If the green light is on, it means the toilet is free, the red one is busy, and the orange one means cleaning is in progress. On no account enter the booth immediately after someone, because the automatic wash will start and you will get wet. Toilets are open from 6 am to 10 pm. The cabins are large enough to be used even by wheelchair users. You can use this toilet absolutely free of charge.

The following articles will talk about accommodation, food, transport and attractions in Paris. You can also learn a lot of information for yourself on how to get to this city and how to get from the airport to your hotel.

Paris is beautiful at any time of the year. But in different seasons, it opens from different sides, and weather conditions can affect your tourist program. Therefore, it is better to imagine in advance how Paris will appear to you in a given season.

Winters in Paris are good because there are fewer tourists in the city. But from the point of view of the weather, this is not the most comfortable time, as winds often blow from the Atlantic, and troubles from melting snow are possible. In the summer, Paris is beautiful, but the city is very hot. And in August, the Parisians completely give the city to tourists. Spring (except for European Easter, when it is very crowded here) and the first half of autumn is perhaps the most comfortable time to visit the French capital. The weather is mild and pleasant, and the city is not so crowded with tourists.

To learn more about the peculiarities of the seasons in Paris, read the article:

Visa to France

A Schengen visa is required to travel to Paris and other cities in France. It is quite possible to apply for it yourself: on the official website of the France Visa Application Center you will find detailed information about a French visa, the necessary steps to obtain it, as well as fill out an application for a visa, make an appointment and track the status of visa readiness.

How to get to Paris

By plane

A direct flight from Moscow to Paris lasts about four hours. Of course, this is the fastest and most convenient way to get to the French capital. There are also many options for flights with transfers - the travel time will be longer, plus the inconvenience associated with transfers will be added, but you can save a lot.

Check right now which flight options to Paris are available for the dates you are interested in:

By train

Lovers of measured travel, who are not in a hurry and love trains, can get from Moscow to Paris by rail. True, pleasure is by no means cheap. The Parisian train runs 3-4 times a week and delivers passengers from the Russian capital to the French one in 38 hours. Moreover, on the way you can see Belarus, Poland and Germany from the window. The miracle train departs from the Belorussky Station, and in Paris the train arrives at the East Station (Gare de L’Est).

Check the timetable and prices for the train to Paris:

By car

A relatively economical way to get to Paris, especially if you travel with a group. But it is worth considering the features of this type of transportation: independent passage of the Belarusian-Polish border, toll roads, additional worries about overnight stays on the road, parking, etc. This option is suitable for experienced motorists who are not alien to the spirit of adventurism. And knowledge of foreign languages ​​will be very helpful.

Where to stay in Paris

For tourists who come to Paris for a short time and are in a hurry to see as much as possible, it is most convenient to stay in the center, not far from. But, of course, these areas are the most expensive.

One of the most “luxurious” options is the area of ​​the Louvre and the Champs Elysees. Cheaper, but quite comfortable, you can stay in the Latin Quarter or the Saint-Germain area, and on the right bank - in the Marais area. Budget options can be found in Montmartre, but keep in mind that the red light district, which is located there, is not the quietest and safest place in Paris.

If you are choosing accommodation options in Paris and want to learn more about the areas of the city and the features of Parisian hotels, read the article:

Transport in Paris

How to get to Paris on your own from the airport

There are three airports close to Paris: Charles de Gaulle (CDG), where, as a rule, passengers of direct flights from Moscow get; Orly (Orly - ORY) where planes from Europe usually land, and Beauvais-Tillé, a remote airport where some low-cost airlines fly.

To Paris from Charles de Gaulle Airport

RER train

The price of an adult ticket is 10 euros, for children (from 4 to 9 years old) - 4 euros, up to 4 years old travel is free.

Opening hours - from 04.56 to 23.50.

With Navigo or Paris Visite travel cards (zones 1 to 5) - travel is free.

Shuttle Buses

Daily routes No. 350, No. 351, and No. 140, No. 143 run from the airport - adapted for people with disabilities. Walk at night Noctilien buses.

Travel time is about an hour. Price - 6 euros, at night - 7.5 euros. Navigo and Mobilis travel cards are accepted (if they are valid from zones 1 to 5).

Le Bus Direct buses

Roissybus buses

They go to the Paris Opera (Opéra stop) every 15-20 minutes. Ticket price - 11 euros. Travel time is approximately 50 minutes. Navigo and Paris Visite passes are accepted. You can book your trip online.

bus shuttle

If you do not want to deal with the peculiarities of local transport immediately after arrival, you can pre-order a transfer. The shuttle bus will take you from the airport directly to the hotel. This may take some time as the bus also carries other tourists, but it costs much less than a taxi - 18 euros. .

Taxi

The standard price from the airport to the center of Paris is an average of 60 euros. Although, for especially enterprising taxi drivers, prices can be much higher, so be careful and do not let yourself be deceived. If you do not want to communicate with Parisian taxi drivers directly, you can (booking is available in Russian).

To Paris from Orly Airport

metro lineOrlyval +RER B

On the Orlyval line from the airport, you can get to the Antony metro station in 6 minutes, where you can then transfer to the RER train line B. It operates from 6 am to 11.35 pm, intervals are 4-7 minutes. The fare is 9.30 euros, together with RER B - 12.05 euros. They accept Paris Visite passes (zones 1 to 5).

BusGO C Paris + RER C

In 10 minutes and for €6.35, the GO C Paris shuttle will take you to the Pont de Rungis station, where you can transfer to the RER train line C and continue to your destination. Navigo travel cards are valid.

Orly bus

It runs to the Denfert-Rochereau metro station every 15-20 minutes, the journey time is an average of 30 minutes. Ticket price - 8.30 euros, for owners of Paris Visite - free of charge.

Le Bus Direct bus

Runs every half an hour, costs 12 euros. From Orly Airport, it follows to Place des Stars (stop Étoile/Champs-Élysées), stopping along the way at Montparnasse, the Eiffel Tower and the Trocadero. The trip takes about an hour.

Another route connects Orly and CDG airports.

bus shuttle

There is also a shuttle bus from Orly airport that will take you from the airport directly to the hotel. Such a trip costs 18 euros. .

Taxi

The most comfortable, but also the most expensive way to get from the airport to Paris. If you do not want to communicate with Parisian taxi drivers directly, you can (booking is available in Russian).

To Paris from Beauvais Airport

The farthest airport in the French capital. There are several ways to get out of it, the most budgetary - Navette Beauvais bus. Goes to Porte Maillot metro station, its schedule is adapted to the schedule of incoming flights. Tickets for an adult - 17 euros, and if you buy a ticket in advance, on the airport website, it is even cheaper - 15.9 euros, besides, you do not need to queue at the box office.

In addition, you can always get to the city by taxi.

Public transport in Paris

Transport in Paris may seem confusing only at first glance. In fact, everything here is quite simple.

Tickets

Ticket t+- a standard ticket for one trip in public transport. It can be bought as a single piece (price 1.9 euros at the box office or 2 euros from the bus driver), or a pack of ten, called a carnet in Paris (a carnet costs 14.9 euros). There are discounts for children from 4 to 10 years old, kids under 4 years old travel free of charge in any transport.

The ticket is valid for 90 minutes for any type of transport. But during these 90 minutes, not all modes of transport can be combined. With one ticket, you can change from the metro to the RER, as well as from the bus to the tram and vice versa. But from the metro to the bus - it will no longer work.

The t+ ticket can also be used on Noctilien night buses, but if the journey exceeds a certain distance, several such tickets may be required. The standard ticket is NOT valid on buses from/to Orlybus and Roissybus airports.

Travel cards

Ticket Jeune– weekend pass for youth up to 26 years old. Valid for 24 hours, depending on the cost, includes all five travel zones. The minimum price is 4 euros for zones 1-3, the maximum price is 8.7 euros for zones 1-5.

Mobilis– personal travel card, which is valid for one day. The price varies depending on how many zones the card covers (recall that Paris is divided into five transport zones). Within 1-2 zones, the card is 7.5 euros; with maximum coverage (1-5 zones), the cost is 17.8 euros. Can be used almost everywhere. But with the Mobilis card, you will not take the RER train from / to the airport. In addition, it does not operate on the Noctilien night bus and suburban trains.

Navigo Decouverte- personalized travel card (you need to enter your first and last name, as well as paste a photo that can be taken in the booths next to the ticket offices). Covers all five zones, which means that you can get on it from / to the airport of Orly and Charles de Gaulle. Valid for a calendar week (from Monday to Sunday) or a month. You can replenish it for a week only on Thursday inclusive. Unlike the regular Navigo card (which is only available to locals, so we don't write about it here), the Navigo Découverte costs money (€5 for the card itself). Plus the cost for a week is 22.8 euros. There are no child discounts for this card.

Paris Visite. A personalized card designed specifically for guests of Paris. It is activated at the time of the first use and is valid for one to five days. The price depends on the number of days, zones, as well as the age of the card user. The minimum price for 1 day within 1-3 zones for an adult is 13.2 euros, for a child - 6.6 euros. Maximum (for five days and five zones) - 65.8 euros for adults and 32.9 for children. To understand whether you need this card, try to predict the number of expected trips in advance and compare them with the cost of the card. If you really plan to actively use public transport in Paris, then the card will help you save money. If there are few trips planned, then there will be no savings. After all, you may not need the bonuses promised when buying it (for example, discounts on visiting some museums, as well as on buying goods at Galeries Lafayette). Online Booking Paris Visite Card.

paris metro

The metro in Paris is about 300 stations, 16 lines, from 1 to 14, as well as branches No. 3 and 7. The most modern branch is No. 14. One of the oldest subways in Europe can be found by the sign "M" or the inscription "Metropolitain". Hours of operation are from 6 am to midnight. The Paris metro has five tariff zones.

There are ticket offices at all stations, it is best to keep the ticket firmly with you until the end of the trip - a fine for not having it is 80 euros. The fare for the Paris Metro depends on the number of zones. For example, Paris itself is zones 1-2, Charles de Gaulle airport is zone 5.

Good to know:

Not all wagons open automatically - in some it is required to make an effort - to press the button and turn the lever (both inside and outside).

RER train

A network of electric trains that connects not only the suburbs with Paris, but also allows you to move within the city. RER stations conveniently intersect with metro lines. There are 33 RER stations in the city itself. She has five lines in total, from A to E.

Another convenience is that a single ticket is valid for the metro and RER.

Prices depend on distance. A ticket from Charles de Gaulle Airport to the city costs about 10 euros.

Buses in Paris

58 city routes have designations from 20 to 96. Lines operate from 6 am to 8.30 pm. All information about their movement is displayed at stops, as well as on the scoreboard in the buses themselves.

Night buses

If you need to leave at night, there are 18 Noctilien bus lines (formerly Noctambus) available from 1 am to 5.30 am. They stop at stops with the image of an owl against the background of the moon and only at the request of the passenger. Travel cards do not work in them - tickets are sold by the driver.

Paris trams

Trams in Paris run on four lines that cover not only the city itself, but also the suburbs of Paris. The lines do not intersect with each other, but they have stops next to the metro lines.

Funicular in Montmartre

It helps to climb the 130-meter hall topped by the Sacré-Coeur Basilica. It runs seven days a week from 6 am to 0.45 am every five minutes. Fare is paid with t+ tickets, as well as all travel cards.

How else to get around Paris

It is recommended to explore the central districts of Paris on foot, enjoying the very walks along the Parisian streets, boulevards and squares. But if you need to cover long distances or want to see the city from new angles, here are a few more transportation options.

Bicycles

A great way to recharge your batteries, save on transport, and at the same time avoid traffic jams. The Parisian bicycle network Velib offers a large network of rental stations. The deposit is 150 euros, which is blocked on your credit card when you take the bike.

The first 30 minutes you ride for free, the next half an hour - 1 euro, then an hour - already 2. Some enterprising tourists take a bike for half an hour, give it back at the next station, and then take a new one for another half an hour. And in the end they ride for free. Velib mobile apps are available on the App Store and Google Play.

Automobile

Not the most original, but one of the most convenient modes of transport. True, during peak hours there is a chance to get stuck in traffic jams. Confident and experienced motorists can (however, in this case, problems are possible not only with traffic jams, but also with parking!) And if there is no desire or opportunity to contact the rental, Parisian taxis are at your service. In Paris, you can use the Uber app, among others.

excursion transport

In Paris, it is well developed, as in other European capitals. Several popular routes operate here, which, of course, pass by the most iconic places in Paris. The most popular and famous tourist buses L'Open Tour, Les Cars Rouges (Big Bus Paris), Balabus. Buses run around Montmartre Montmartrobus. This is a short circular route that allows you to explore the area.

river walks

Boating on the Seine is one of the favorite entertainments of tourists, because river buses allow you to see the center of Paris from unusual angles and feel the romance of the French capital. There are many options for such trips, including those with an audio guide and with lunch (dinner) on board.

Sightseeing in Paris on your own

You can write more than one encyclopedia about the sights of Paris. Undoubtedly, the majestic Louvre, the Arc de Triomphe, Les Invalides, the Sainte-Chapelle chapel are on the must-see list of most tourists. There is also a bright, picturesque Saint-Germain quarter, the ancient Marais district, colorful, as well as the Latin Quarter with the most interesting Museum of the Middle Ages, the oldest university in France - the Sorbonne, and the Pantheon, where many prominent figures of France rested. Getting acquainted with Paris, pay special attention to those places and.

Just listing the famous places in Paris will take up a lot of space - there are a lot of sights in the city! Therefore, when planning an independent trip, try to think over the routes of your walks in Paris in advance. Ours, which can be downloaded on iPhone or iPad, will be a good helper in this (the Android version of the application is not yet available, but is under development). In the mobile guide you will find information about the most interesting places in Paris, an offline map of the city with GPS navigation, as well as exciting audio tours.

Well, in this article we want to dwell on those ways that will help you better plan your visit to the sights of Paris on your own, save money and time.

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Tourist cards

If you plan to actively visit museums and other paid attractions in Paris, a tourist card will allow you to save a lot and in some cases even avoid queues. But taking it makes sense only if you are planning to visit not one or two, but at least several paid places.

Paris Museum Pass

Issued for 2, 4, 6 days. The price, respectively, is 48, 62 and 74 euros.

Gives access (no queues at the box office) to more than 50 museums in Paris. In particular, lucky cardholders get free access to the Arc de Triomphe, the Sainte-Chapelle, the Pantheon, the Louvre, the Musée Rodin, the Musée d'Orsay, the Concierge, the Pompidou Center, the Museum of the Middle Ages and the Baths of Cluny and many other places. The suburbs include Versailles, Fontainebleau, Villa Savoie and about 20 other sights.

ParisPass

Combines the Paris Visite transport pass (between zones 1-3) and the Paris Museum Pass. Valid for 2, 3, 4 or 6 days. Prices for an adult: from 131 euros for 2 days to 224 euros for 6 days. For teenagers and children, the cost is lower.

Paris Passlib

This card allows you to get a certain set of services for free or at a discount. Issued for 1, 2, 3 and 5 days. It also includes the Paris Visite Pass - you can ride public transport for free within zones 1-3 (depending on the package chosen). Children and youth from 18 to 25 years old (if they are members of the EU) use the card for free (subject to certain restrictions, which are specified when purchasing the card). Prices range from €40 for a Paris Passlib ‘Mini (includes a Seine cruise, 1-day tour bus tour and the Eiffel Tower with a €20 surcharge) to €155 for 5 days.

Free Paris

Among the abundance of museums in Paris are public museums (such as the Louvre), private and city. So, access to permanent collections city ​​museums in Paris- completely free, and all year round. Among the city's museums are the Museum of Modern Art of the city of Paris (Musée d'Art Moderne de la Ville de Paris), the House of Victor Hugo (Maison de Victor Hugo), the Museum of Romantic Life (Musée de La Vie Romantique) and others.

In addition to museums in Paris, there are many more attractions available for free. Almost all Parisians churches and cathedrals can be visited freely. Moreover, in some of them you can even listen to the organ for free, during mass or during organ concerts. For example, in the ancient church of Saint-Eustache there is the largest organ in France, and every Sunday from 17.30 to 18.00 organ concerts are held.

Access to most parks and public gardens Paris is also free.

As you can see, this magical city can be enjoyed without even visiting paid places. But paid places are sometimes free ...

Days of free admission to the sights of Paris

Even if the attraction you are interested in can only be visited with a ticket, it is likely that there are days of free admission in its schedule. True, on such days it is most often especially crowded. Here are some of the "free" days of sightseeing in Paris:

First Sunday of every month(on this day you can get free access, for example, to the Pompidou Center and the Musee d'Orsay)

First Sunday of the month from 1 November to 31 March(available free of charge, in particular, the Arc de Triomphe, Concierge, Pantheon, Sainte-Chapelle, Saint-Denis Basilica, Versailles)

In addition, many paid museums can be visited for free at Night of Museums(held on one of the May nights) or in Bastille Day(the 14 th of July).

It is better to check the exact list of days of free admission on the websites of museums when planning a visit. And the official sites of most attractions are listed in.

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Consider the opening hours of attractions

Many museums and places of interest in Paris are closed on Monday or Tuesday, as well as January 1, May 1 and 8, and December 25.

Attractions in Paris: how to avoid queues

The universal advice is to book tickets in advance, on the official sites of attractions. This will help save a lot of time that is lost in line at the box office. True, during the tourist season there can be a queue not only at the box office, but also at the museum building itself. But in any case, having a ticket in hand, you will get to the museum earlier than without a ticket.

Online booking of tickets to the Louvre

If you have a pre-purchased ticket, you can get into the Pyramid with virtually no queues or with minimal waiting (with a ticket they are allowed within half an hour from the time indicated on the ticket).

Eiffel Tower tickets online

You can also get to the Eiffel Tower without a queue by purchasing a ticket in advance on the official website (you should book in advance). At the same time, you should know that you still cannot avoid the queue on the second floor - it will be to the elevators that deliver to the third floor of the tower.

Those who experience difficulties with booking in foreign languages ​​can use the services of intermediaries and.

In addition, you can get inside without a queue by having lunch in one of the restaurants located in the tower ("58" on the first level and "Jules Verne" on the second).

Notre Dame skip the line

Booking a ticket to Notre Dame Cathedral will not work, since admission to it is free. A huge line is lined up not at the ticket office, but at the cathedral building itself. But now this is no longer such a big problem, because. since recently, you can choose the exact time to visit using special devices installed near the cathedral, or using a mobile application Jefile(in the Russian version - " Out of turn"). At the end of this article, we provide links to this and other useful applications.

Download the application to your mobile device, enter the number of people who want to visit the cathedral and select the time of visit. Thus, you will "take" the queue in advance and will be able to approach the cathedral at the right time. If there is no mobile application, then the same actions can be performed using devices installed near the entrance to the cathedral.

Almost all tourists and travelers use it, renting a car in this city will not bring a noticeable gain in time when moving, because. narrow streets provoke big traffic jams, which take not only time, but also precious nerves. In addition, in Paris you can easily purchase a suitable type of travel card (there are for several trips, for using transport within one day, for a long stay), which will save a decent amount of money. If you are going to spend a week or more in Paris, it makes sense to buy a Navigo Decouverte pass. You can find out more by clicking on the link above.

shopping

Many travelers define shopping as one of the goals of a trip to Paris (a detailed article on shopping is available), along with a cultural program. And this is absolutely the right decision, because here you can buy excellent fashion items of the current season. A huge number of shops throughout the city are aimed at tourists, attracting attention with discounts and catchy advertising. But you don’t need to focus only on the numbers that are indicated as discounts at street boutiques. Some stores first overprice their goods, and then make discounts, as a result, buyers purchase things at the usual cost. Therefore, it is better to shop at.

Because prices in Paris are very high, then to save money it is better to go on vacation to. Discounts on goods reach 80-90%, for the same money you can buy several times more things without losing quality. Also, for the safety of your money, it is desirable to return VAT. This service is available for tourists, thanks to Tax Free (that's what the VAT refund is called) you can save up to 33% of the budget for purchases (the percentage is different for different categories of goods). It is written in detail about Tax Free in Paris.

Regardless of the budget for shopping, it is advisable for everyone to read an article about whether the list contains original products that you, as well as your family and friends, will definitely like.

• If you want to visit the main attractions without queues, then come either to the opening itself or to the closing. Already an hour after the opening, huge queues are formed. Immediately after lunch, the queues decrease, so this can also be used to save time.
• Print (or buy) detailed and overview maps. Paris is large and it is not difficult to get lost in it, and with a map you can navigate and go to the right place. Do not rely only on electronic cards, because. Batteries in electronic devices run out at the most inopportune moment.
• The Latin Quarter in Paris is cheap area with cheap shops, restaurants and souvenir shops. Want to save? Go there.
• The tourist season is divided into high and low. One is suitable for active shopping and visiting museums, and the other for an inexpensive holiday. Find out for yourself.

• The best view of Paris from above- This is the hill of Montmartre (the highest point in Paris). If you don't want to stand in a huge line at the Eiffel Tower, then Montmartre is a great place.
• Take advantage of Free Attraction Days. Some attractions are free on some days (or some hours). For example, entrance to the Louvre is cheaper after 6:00 pm on Fridays and completely free on the first Sunday of every month. You can find out about such discounts on the official sites of attractions.
• Buy a subway card. There are a lot of metro stations in Paris, the map will help you orient yourself and quickly get to the right place.
• Use a local SIM card. So you will significantly save on mobile communications and the Internet. Read more.
• Buy a Paris Pass. This way you will save a lot of money on visiting attractions, using public transport and much more.

Travel cost

Here everyone is free to determine for himself how much an independent trip to Paris will cost. Different travelers have different travel styles, all have different vacation requirements. If you use it, the trip will not be expensive. On average, a two-week trip to Paris requires 90,000 rubles per person (including a round-trip flight from Moscow to Paris). A trip to Paris cost me 86,000 rubles. You can find out about budgeting for holidays in this city at.

For reference, see what expenses an independent trip to Paris for 10 days for 2 people consists of.

Prices in Paris

Housing prices

Food prices in the supermarket

Transport prices

Attraction prices

So I have listed the main features of an independent trip to Paris. Now you can better organize and reduce the cost of your trip. Paris is a really wonderful city, after visiting which, I have only positive emotions :) . Travel, read my blog and enjoy life! All the best!

If you dream of Paris, the obsessive thought of visiting the city of love can take possession of you before you have time to get to know her properly. Jokes aside, but if a strict boss has signed a long-awaited vacation, don't miss the chance and start collecting documents for a French visa to fly to the capital of fashion, love and romance! Do you really not want to talk excitedly later that from the very top platform of the Eiffel Tower, Paris seems like a huge cake, divided into segments by streets, that from one metro station you can see another through a tunnel, or that the most delicious Mont Blanc cake is sold only in a pastry shop "Angelina"?

When is the best time to go to Paris - hot summer or chilly winter? It would be best to correctly draw up a route and go on an independent trip - it will be cheaper. Local sightseeing buses take you to must-see sights. You will be surprised at the skill of drivers who inexplicably "catch" microns in order to squeeze a clumsy bus between tight walls or to fit its thick side as safely as possible into the turn of a narrow Parisian roadway, managing not to hurt either the ubiquitous motorcyclists, or the small "smart", or thin gaping pedestrian.

Climate

When thinking about Paris, the peculiarities of the local climate rarely come to mind. Meanwhile, when planning a trip, it is important to know which month to come is not only more profitable, but also what kind of weather the city will give to a traveler in a given season. The local climate is temperate and rather mild, winters are damp and warm, temperatures rarely drop below zero, and snow falls infrequently. And summer in Paris is a hot season not only for tourists, but also in terms of weather - August temperatures can rise above 35 ° C.

Spring, spring, time for love!

Paris in April and May is already warmed by the sun, the weather is warm, not hot, the city is clean and fresh after waking up from winter, and it stands as if washed with dew. At this time in Paris, it is best to walk around the city holding hands, especially in parks and gardens. Street cafes are slowly waking up after hibernation. Many want to witness the awakening of the city, respectively, at this time there may be crowds of tourists both on the streets and in lines to view Parisian sights. Nevertheless, the weather is more comfortable at this time, and those who, having gone on an independent trip, want to walk and ride a river bus, should go here in the spring.

Summer, oh summer...!

The hottest season will do a disservice to all museum visitors due to stuffiness and a huge number of people, it will be especially difficult for children and the elderly. In the summer, locals prefer to leave the city and go on vacation. The summer months in Paris are characterized by outdoor events and festivals, and you can be a part of them! For example, on July 14, the French celebrate Bastille Day. Don't forget that summer airfare can run into a hefty sum due to higher high season fares, so book early. The huge influx of tourists is the reason for long queues at museums, so it is preferable to leave the cultural program until the off-season or winter. If on a summer day Paris sometimes resembles hellish hell, when it is both humid and stuffy, then evening and night walks along the boulevards and streets of the city, the Cité Island and past the wonderful fountains will bring real pleasure. Or coffee in the early morning on the embankment - beauty and romance!

autumn kiss

From the end of August to October - the same optimal time in terms of weather as spring, the beginning of autumn in Paris is a fairy tale! Yellowing foliage frames the city like golden curls on the face of a fairy princess. In autumn, the influx of tourists decreases, hotel prices decrease, and the cost of air tickets becomes lower, so coming to Paris in autumn is cheaper than in summer. October and November can bring rains, there is not much pleasure from hiking, but you will get real pleasure from visiting museums, because there are already few tourists at this time and there are practically no queues! In any weather, you can sit in one of the closed restaurants or cafes and, absently drinking coffee or enjoying a hearty lunch, admire the views from the window.

If you arrive in November, then keep in mind that a walk along the river and in an open sightseeing bus, or a visit to the Eiffel Tower can turn into torture of the Middle Ages - the wind and cold penetrate to the bone.

The pluses of this time of year are no crowds of tourists on the streets and sales, sales, sales!

Winter sleep at Christmas

Winter Paris is a heavenly time for a relaxed and leisurely visit to all the city's museums and indoor attractions. The streets are spacious, the view is caressed by the picturesque bas-reliefs of buildings. Get to the city before the end of January, and then the sale season starts here, and there is a high risk of being knocked down by crowds of shopaholic tourists from all over the world!

In the New Year itself, there are many foreigners here, and few native Parisians. You can come here for Christmas, from the beginning of December the whole city is decorated with illuminations, Christmas trees, and fun fairs will give you delicacies, toys, souvenirs, and fun, especially the largest one, which is held on the Champs Elysees. In December, Notre Dame Cathedral hosts a light show that tells the story of Christmas. It should not be forgotten that during the holidays the main attractions rest, with the exception of the Eiffel Tower and Notre Dame Cathedral.

The conclusion is clear

One thing arises - no matter what time of the year you decide to travel, Paris will never be gray and boring. It's chilly - yes, but dress warmly and more comfortably! Rain in Paris is another of its charms, how difficult it is to guess with a gift for a changeable madam, it is just as difficult to guess with the Parisian weather, but in every season the city is good and convenient in its own way. Who depends on the budget - think about a trip in early spring, late autumn and in winter. It is then that air carriers provide the biggest discounts on tickets, hotel prices are lower than usual, and there are practically no queues at popular museums. If you are planning long walks and weather conditions are more important to you, come to the French capital in April, May, August and September. It is worth remembering one thing - if there is a mood and a great company, any season in Paris will seem fabulous, and the trip will be remembered for a lifetime!