Is Paris worth visiting?
Yes, there are many reasons to visit Paris. Everyone should experience this amazing city, and we loved our stay here. During our first trip to Paris in the spring of 2009, we fell in love with the beautiful neighborhoods, incredible museums, and iconic atmosphere. We've been back several times since then to experience it even more.
Whether you're a traveling as a family, a couple, or a backpacker, this city has a lot to offer. Any local will tell you what makes it special is the amazing museums and attractions and fantastic theatre productions.
Paris is loved by visitors for many reasons, and is routinely on national "best of" lists, including Lonely Planet's Best Places to Travel in 2024.
Paris is not only the capital city of France, but it is one of Europe's most iconic cities. For many visitors, its a dream destination that is filled with wide boulevards, charming cafes, and world class landmarks. The food is widely recognized as some of the best in the world. The city sits along the River Seine, and a stroll down the river at night is a quintessential Parisian experience.
The Louvre, Paris
6 Reasons to Visit Paris
1. Museums and Attractions
One of the most world famous landmarks is the Eiffel Tower. The city is also home to the world renowned Louvre, Notre-Dame, and Palais Garnier Opera House. In addition to the many iconic sights, there are beautiful buildings and hidden gems throughout the city.
2. Theatre Productions
There are world class theaters as well as smaller local venues where you can enjoy a show.
3. Food
There are countless local restaurants, markets, and patisseries to explore. Make sure you try the steak tartare, pate, and macarons.
4. Nightlife
Head to Pigalle or the Latin Quarter for some of the city's best nightlife. There are all-night parties, cabarets, and exclusive night clubs that you can experience.
5. Music
Some of the most famous music venues include Le Pop In, La Mécanique Ondulatoire, and Les Disquaires. You'll also find many small bars where you can enjoy live music in a quaint setting.
6. Shopping
Some of the best areas for shopping are Boulevard Haussmann and the Grands Boulevards, the Marais, and Avenue Montaigne and the Champs-Elysées. The city is iconic for its fashion scene and world class shopping venues.
Is Paris worth visiting in the Summer?
The high season for travel in Paris is the summer, so expect to see more tourists than usual. This is an extremely popular destination, and in the high season it's busier than usual as this is when most people are able to travel. Expect large crowds of tourists, longer lines, and higher prices for hotels. On the other hand, you'll find that everything is open and you'll have a wide array of activities, things to do, and places to eat.
The warm weather in summer is one of the reasons people visit at this time of year. Temperatures average around 20°C (68°F) with daily high temperatures often more than 24°C (76°F).
The activities of the city are numerous, and this is a great time of year to explore all of them. From family-friendly attractions to romantic getaways, as well as budget-friendly things to do, there's something for everyone. Famous landmarks, museums, tours, and more are all available. You'll also find it quite easy to get around on foot, because this is a very walkable city, especially in the nice weather. During this season it's fun to experience the museums and landmarks, the big city activities, and the nightlife.
Summer Weather in Paris
| Avg Temp (°C/°F) |
Avg Rain (mm/inches) |
|
| July | 20°C (68°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) |
| August | 20°C (67°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) |
| September | 17°C (63°F) | 53 mm (2.1 in) |
Is Paris worth visiting in the Autumn?
You'll find the weather to be very nice here during autumn with average temperatures around 13°C (56°F).
Autumn is the shoulder season for travel in Paris, which means slightly less visitors than in the peak season. As a very touristy destination, even in the shoulder season you'll see plenty of tourists when you visit. However, good prices and deals are to be found at this time of year.
Autumn is a great time of year to explore the numerous museums and landmarks around town. They are fun for the whole family as well great for couples. This is a great time of year to take in the beautiful scenery, wander through the museums, and enjoy the city's energy. Also, you can listen to some live music.
Autumn Weather in Paris
| Avg Temp (°C/°F) |
Avg Rain (mm/inches) |
|
| October | 13°C (56°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) |
| November | 8°C (47°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) |
| December | 5°C (42°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) |
Is Paris worth visiting in the Winter?
Winter is the low season for travel in Paris. This is an extremely touristy destination, so in the low season you'll still see plenty of other travelers when you visit, but less than other times of the year. Good deals are to be found on hotels and tours because it's not the best time of year to visit.
The weather in Paris can be quite cold during winter, and averages around 5°C (40°F). But be prepared for much lower temperatures, too.
You'll like that you can take public transit easily in the winter, too. You can get around quickly while avoiding bad weather if needed. You'll find plenty to do during winter, as you'll be able to browse through museums, spend an evening at the theatre, and taste delicious cuisine. Also, you can check out the nightlife, the live music scene, and the big city activities.
Winter Weather in Paris
| Avg Temp (°C/°F) |
Avg Rain (mm/inches) |
|
| January | 5°C (40°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) |
| February | 6°C (42°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
| March | 8°C (47°F) | 52 mm (2.1 in) |
Is Paris worth visiting in the Spring?
This is the shoulder season for travel in Paris. As a very touristy destination, even in the shoulder season you'll see plenty of tourists when you visit. However, good prices and deals are to be found at this time of year.
You'll find the weather to be very nice here during spring with average temperatures around 11°C (52°F).
The city this time of year is absolutely beautiful. Admire the gardens, parks, and fantastic architecture, too. During this season it's fun to experience shopping, the famous sights and museums, and the gorgeous scenery. Also, you'll be able to listen to some live music and enjoy the evening activities.
Spring Weather in Paris
| Avg Temp (°C/°F) |
Avg Rain (mm/inches) |
|
| April | 11°C (52°F) | 50 mm (1.9 in) |
| May | 15°C (59°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) |
| June | 18°C (64°F) | 53 mm (2.1 in) |
Things to Consider Before Visiting Paris
Lots of Tourists
Paris sees a high number of visitors every year, which means you might have to wait in line and deal with large crowds during your visit.
The Cost
Depending on your budget, schedule, and travel style, Paris might be an expensive destination for you. You can find out the travel costs for Paris here or see if Paris is expensive here.
Related
What is Paris most famous for?
Paris is most famous for its world-renowned cuisine, iconic landmarks, trendsetting fashion, and dynamic markets. People visit this impressive city for its great museums and attractions, theatre productions, food, nightlife, music, and shopping. It is often described as bustling, energetic, beautiful, and iconic.
What is the most famous sight in Paris?
The most popular sight in Paris is The Eiffel Tower. You can see prices and costs for this and other sights in Paris on our travel costs page.
Or, see tickets, activities, and tours for The Eiffel Tower and other attractions here.
How touristy is Paris? Is it a popular city to visit?
Paris is a very touristy city that attracts travelers from around the globe. Here are some of the most popular activities and tours. (Prices in US Dollars)
- Paris - Historic City Center Walking Tour: $135
- Unique Guided Walking Tour of Great Women in Parisian History: $47
- Orangerie Museum Tour Semi Private 5ppl Max With Reserved Entry: $125
- Experience Segway in Paris Small Group 2 Hours: $72
- Live the magical experience of your life, journey to the 19th century: $157
- Louvre Museum Private 2-h Tour on Italian Art and masterpieces: $99
- Montmartre Walking Guided Tour: $26
- Devour Paris Chocolate & Pastry Tasting Guided Tour: $74
How long should I spend in Paris?
The ideal length of time for a trip to Paris is at least three or as many as seven days. Since Paris has a variety of activities such as nightlife, music, shopping, and museums and attractions, most people need this much time to see and do everything here.
If you have a specific amount of time for your trip, see our advice about how much time to spend here: Should I spend 1, 2, or 3 days in Paris?, Should I spend 3, 4, or 5 days in Paris?, and Should I spend 1 or 2 weeks in Paris?.
More Things to Do in Paris
- Is The Eiffel Tower Worth Visiting?
- Is Notre-Dame Cathedral Worth Visiting?
- Is The Arc de Triomphe Worth Visiting?
- Is The Louvre Worth Visiting?
- Is Disneyland Paris Worth Visiting?
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.
Expert Advice from Local Travelers
We're asking our community members and registered users to contribute their experiences about Paris.
What makes Paris a budget-friendly destination? Or not?
Well it's not cheap, but you can find affordable restaurants away from the touristy areas. Head into the more residential neighborhoods and there are lots of really good local restaurants at some of the larger intersections. Victor Hugo Circle had a lot, not far from Arc de Triomphe
What was your favorite thing about Paris?
I love the neighborhoods around the Pantheon and the Sorbonne and the Luxembourg Gardens. I ate at some great restaurants through here. I also saw some charming little churches like the Saint-Étienne-du-Mont.
We pass through Paris all the time. While there are tons of major sights like the Eiffel Tower, to really experience Paris you have to get out of the touristy areas and explore the more local neighborhoods.
I love how I feel when I'm in Paris.