NewsBite

Paris
Destination guide

Paris

Your guide to where to stay, eat and the must-see highlights. With its ornate Haussmann flats-lined boulevards, world-class galleries, Michelin-star restaurants and stylish inhabitants, this European capital oozes elegance and sets a high bar for dining and culture.

Grandstand with a view ... Eiffel Tower Stadium.

Paris is (still) the world’s best playground for travellers

Few countries can offer such a stunning, historical and cultural backdrop to sporting greatness. And the winners will be visitors to the City of Light for years to come.

    The mosque’s internal courtyard is an oasis of serenity.

    10 underrated highlights most visitors miss

    Already had an eyeful of the Eiffel? There are a few hidden gems in the City of Lights that some of the locals don’t even know about.

      Dirty Lemon: This trendy cocktail bar serves fresh-pressed juice cocktails with a Mediterranean twist.

      Where to eat and drink

      From where to get the city’s best croissant, to cold-pressed juice cocktails and an unparalleled coq au vin, discover the new Paris by mouth.

        Visit Arc de Triomphe during rare free windows.

        Ten of the best free things to do

        You don’t have to empty your wallet to absorb culture or relax in Paris. Some of the city’s most enjoyable experiences won’t cost a cent.

          Paris’ first and only officially designated château hotel lives up to its castle-like moniker.

          The best places to stay

          From luxurious boutique hotels once inhabited by the Hermès family to more humble hidden gems, Paris offers a plethora of choices for the discerning traveller.

            20 things that will surprise first-time visitors

            From hidden green spaces to supermarket wine, it’s the unexpected aspects of this very particular culture that truly captivate.

              Paris Plages: no need to miss out on the beach while visiting the City of Lights in summer.

              The best times to visit

              From scorching sundowners on the banks of the Seine to snow-covered strolls in the Bois de Vincennes, Paris has a temperature to suit all tastes.

                Saint Germain’s Cafe de Flore is perfect for a blow-out lunch.

                The must-do highlights in three days

                The following itinerary is not a race against the clock, but rather a celebration of the art of wandering à la Français, inspired by the French term, ‘flàner’.

                  Ten of the most unexpected things you’ll find in Paris

                  Ten of the most unexpected things you’ll find in Paris

                  The city’s own version of the Statue of Liberty and a grave with a risqué appeal are among the most surprising attractions.

                    The art of picnicking in Paris.

                    No chips: How to picnic the Parisian way

                    Produce a bag of chips or can of soft drink and you’ll be guillotined by public opinion.

                      Manhattan vibes in La Defense.

                      Why you should visit this unknown, Manhattan-esque district

                      You’ll find quirky art, architecture and urban design in this pocket of the French capital.

                        Arcade life, Paris.

                        Move over, Melbourne: Here’s how Paris does laneway culture

                        Hidden in plain sight, the covered arcades of the French capital are full of old-world charm, intrigue, restaurants and art.

                          Bouillon Julien – a grand experience without the price tag.

                          The lost-in-time Paris restaurants where you can eat for less than €10

                          Paris’ Bouillons are reopening, serving a winning formula of cheap, decent food served at breakneck speed in a beautiful setting.

                            Advertisement

                            Original URL: https://www.smh.com.au/link/follow-20170101-p5dwqf