Paris holidays take you to the heart of this captivating capital. Here, every symbol is instantly recognisable – from the wrought-iron elegance of the Eiffel Tower to Sacré Coeur’s glistening white domes.
There’s an ambience in Paris that you just don’t find anywhere else. The perfect location for a romantic break or honeymoon, this is a city that offers something for every kind of visitor.
History lovers will relish learning more about its colourful, occasionally tumultuous, past. For others, the boutiques of the Champs-Elysées and department stores of Boulevard Haussmann beckon
Celebrated works of art fill the Louvre, Musée d’Orsay and the Centre Pompidou, while there are more than 100 Michelin-starred restaurants dotted around the city.
Experience the best of this incredible city with a holiday to Paris with Etihad.
With its endless culture, iconic landmarks and gastronomic glories, the French capital is a special place to visit. Here are a few ideas for your Paris holiday.
You only need to look at the lovers’ locks along the Pont des Arts and watch the countless couples wandering hand in hand around the city to understand Paris's romantic appeal.
To really ramp up the romance, head to the Versailles Palace and seek out the Temple of Love. Commissioned by Marie Antoinette, the neo-classical design stands on its own small island with a statue of Cupid at its centre.
There are plenty of cosy neighbourhood bistros across the city where you can enjoy classic French cuisine in an intimate, candlelit setting. But if you’re looking for a truly special dining experience, book an outside table at Girafe on the Place du Trocadéro.
Here, delicious contemporary dishes are served up alongside stunning views of the Eiffel Tower. Time it right and you’ll be in prime position for the evening light show.
A great city for young travellers, the Jardin d’Acclimatation in the Bois de Boulogne is particularly aimed at younger visitors, with a farm, rollercoasters, children’s workshops and lots more.
The Parc de la Villette is well kitted out for youngsters, with several themed gardens designed with children in mind. With its many trails, the pretty, ancient forest of the Bois de Vincennes is also the perfect place for adventure.
Then there are the boat trips down the Seine, bustling markets, glittering carousels, and the thrilling ascent up the Eiffel Tower that culminates in stunning views from the observation deck.
An hour’s drive outside the city is Disneyland Paris. A magical experience for all ages, there are more than 50 attractions here, along with spectacular parades and shows for the whole family to enjoy.
The largest art museum in the world, the Louvre is one of the city’s must-sees.
It’s home to some of the most celebrated works of art on the planet, including Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa, the Venus de Milo and Eugène Delacroix's Liberty Leading the People, immortalising the July Revolution of 1830.
If you can, set aside a day to tour the many galleries, though even then you’ll struggle to see everything. Plan ahead to ensure you manage to see the key pieces.
Of course, it’s just one of the city’s selection of dazzling galleries that includes the Musée d’Orsay, Palais de Tokyo, Musée Rodin and Musée d’Art Moderne. And don’t forget the charming smaller museums, such as the intimate Musée Moreau.
Getting up above street level will give you wonderful views over Paris’s graceful rooftops and there are several great viewpoints to check out across the city.
Climb the 270 steps to reach Sacré Coeur on its Montmartre hilltop, then pay a small extra fee to climb another 240 or so steps to the top of its dome.
Your reward will be a breathtaking panorama that takes in the Eiffel Tower, La Défense, the Panthéon and many other city landmarks. On a clear day you can see for nearly 20 miles (32 kilometres).
The observation deck of the Montparnasse Tower puts you 650 feet (nearly 200 metres) above Paris, with the Eiffel Tower right in front of you and 360-degree views across the city.
If you want to tackle the Eiffel Tower on foot, it will take about 30 to 45 minutes to climb the stairs to the second floor, then it’s a lift to the top.
Paris is the perfect place for some retail therapy, with each neighbourhood having its own specialist shops. Start with the Galeries Lafayette and Printemps department stores. Found near the Opéra Garnier, they offer floor after floor of chic goods.
You’ll find a comprehensive collection of luxury brands along the glamorous Champs-Élysées, but for something a little different, seek out the many independent fashion boutiques of Le Marais.
Paris has a number of charming covered shopping arcades – the oldest being the Passage des Panoramas on Boulevard Montmartre that dates back to 1799.
Lovers of literature can lose themselves in the quirky Shakespeare and Company on the Left Bank, as well as the many book stalls lining the Seine. For antiques and quirky souvenirs, take a wander down the lanes of the Saint-Ouen market, known by the locals as Les Puces.
If you’re planning a romantic holiday in Paris, then basing yourself in Montmartre is a good start.
Within its winding streets you’ll find a mix of charming neighbourhood restaurants, cosy cafés and independent boutiques.
The art deco Terrass Hotel Montmartre is a short walk from the Moulin Rouge and Sacré Coeur with a rooftop terrace that’s a perfect place to relax after a day's sightseeing and soak up the views.
The historic quarter of Le Marais has a lot to offer, so it’s always bustling with shoppers, diners and tourists.
If you like the idea of exploring its charming nooks and crannies and enjoy a bit of buzz, this could be the spot for you.
The four-star 1K Paris is a short walk from the pretty Place des Vosges, as well as local museums including the Musée Picasso, and has a highly rated Peruvian restaurant.
If you’re looking to splash out in the city’s boutiques, then the area around the Champs-Elysées is a great option.
You’ll find some of the most luxurious hotels in Paris here – take your pick from the likes of the Four Seasons Hotel George V, Le Bristol and the Plaza Athénée.
Nearby are the Grand Palais and Petit Palais museums, the Place de la Concorde (where King Louis XVI was executed during the revolution) and the Arc de Triomphe with its poignant Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
The local currency in Paris is the euro. There are plenty of ATMs all over the city and you can pay by card in most places.
Buses and taxis are available but hopping on the Métro or exploring on foot are the most common ways to get around Paris’s 20 arrondissements.
French is the language you’ll hear all around you, but you’ll also encounter plenty of others in this cosmopolitan city. Many people will understand English.
Like most Christian nations, France observes public holidays around the Easter and Christmas period. You’ll also find many businesses close for Labour Day (May 1) and Bastille Day (July 14).
Parisian cuisine remains an experience in its own right, with a wealth of Michelin-starred restaurants to choose from, as well as a fantastic international dining scene.
There are some sumptuous venues to seek out, including those with a difference. The famous Le Train Bleu restaurant is located in one of its train stations, the Gare de Lyon.
For a more laid-back meal, you can walk into pretty much any local bistro and expect a good menu featuring hearty French staples, such as steak frites and moules marinière.
Many places offer a fixed-rate lunchtime menu (formule) where you can get two courses for a decent price.
If you’re a first-time visitor, it’s worth adding a tour or two to your Paris holiday package.
A guided tour can make navigating the huge array of museums, galleries and monuments more manageable, and you’ll also get a great insight into the history of the city.
There’s a lot to pack in, such as Paris’s many art museums, a visit to the Place de la Bastille (a key location in the story of the French Revolution) and the city’s graceful churches.
The historic cemetery of Père-Lachaise, which dates back to the 1800s, is another famous site, and well worth the trip to the east of the city.
Cafe and restaurant terraces in Paris range from glamorous rooftop spots to more modest neighbourhood favourites.
For a quiet coffee in a sunny corner of Montmartre, try Au Petit Montmartre. To sit by the Seine with views of the Pont Neuf, there’s Maison Maison. In trendy Belleville, squeeze into a space at Café Chérie if you can.
Georges, on top of the Pompidou Centre, is a perennial favourite for people-watching with city views.
Hotel Bienvenue’s restaurant has a gorgeous little patio with a secret garden feel to it, as does the compact courtyard at Hotel Amour.
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