- Best time
- April to June and September to October
- Ideal trip
- 5 days / 4 nights
- Fly or arrive at
- Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG) or Orly (ORY)
Paris is best on foot and best slowly. Group the sights by area so you are not crossing the city three times a day, book the big museums and the Eiffel Tower ahead, and leave room for the cafes and walks that people remember most.
The essential Paris
The Eiffel Tower is worth going up, ideally near sunset; summit tickets sell out, so book early. The Louvre needs a timed entry and a plan, since it is too big to see in one visit. The Musée d'Orsay, in a former railway station, is smaller and loved for its Impressionist paintings.
Walk Montmartre up to Sacré-Cœur for the view, stroll the Marais, and see Notre-Dame on the Île de la Cité, reopened after the 2019 fire. An evening river cruise on the Seine is the easiest way to see the lit-up city.
Day trips
The Palace of Versailles is about an hour away by train; the gardens alone take half a day. Disneyland Paris is reached by the RER train and is a full day with children. Note that many museums close one day a week, the Louvre on Tuesdays and Orsay and Versailles on Mondays, so we plan days around those closures.
Schengen visa
Indian passport holders need a Schengen visa for France, applied for with flight and hotel bookings, travel insurance and financial documents. One Schengen visa covers Paris together with Switzerland, Italy or the Netherlands, which is why many guests combine two or three countries. We prepare bookings and the document checklist.
Where to stay and what to eat
Stay near the centre, in areas such as Saint-Germain, the Latin Quarter, the Marais or near the Eiffel Tower, to save time on the metro. Try croissants and pain au chocolat at a local bakery, crêpes, steak frites and macarons. Vegetarian options are growing, and Indian restaurants are found around Gare du Nord.
Best time to visit Paris
April to June and September to October bring mild weather and fewer crowds than July and August, when it can be hot and some small shops close for holidays. Winter is cold and grey but cheaper, and December has Christmas markets and lights.
Sample itinerary (5 days / 4 nights)
Day 1
Arrive in Paris
Check in, evening Seine cruise.
Day 2
Eiffel Tower and Louvre
Tower in the morning, Louvre in the afternoon.
Day 3
Montmartre and the Marais
Sacré-Cœur, Notre-Dame, Latin Quarter.
Day 4
Versailles or Disneyland
Full-day trip outside the city.
Day 5
Departure
Last cafe stop, transfer to the airport.
Good to know before you go
- Watch your bag on the metro and around big sights; pickpockets target tourists.
- A museum pass can save queueing time if you plan several museums.
- Many restaurants serve lunch and dinner at fixed hours, so eat by 2 p.m. or after 7 p.m.
Paris trip questions
How many days are enough for Paris?
Four nights covers the main sights plus one day trip. Three nights is enough if you skip Versailles or Disneyland.
Can I combine Paris and Switzerland?
Yes, it is our most asked Europe combination. Fast trains connect them in about three to four hours, on one Schengen visa.
Is Paris good for families?
Yes, especially with Disneyland, the river cruise and parks such as the Jardin du Luxembourg.
