Paris is the city that has defined romance, culture, and civilization for centuries — and yet it still manages to exceed expectations. The Eiffel Tower at midnight, the masterworks of the Louvre, a perfect café crème at a zinc-topped bar, the Seine at dawn, the exquisite patisseries of the Marais — every hour in Paris adds another layer to one of the most layered cities on earth. This is not just a destination; it is an education in how to live.
Western Europe
Culture, Art & Romance
April–June & September–October
$200–$500/day
Jay & Elizabeth Nichols
France
Euro (EUR)
French (English spoken in tourist areas)
The world's most recognizable structure is most magical at night when it sparkles on the hour.
Home to the Mona Lisa, Winged Victory, and 35,000 other artworks in the world's largest museum.
The finest collection of Impressionist art on earth, housed in a stunning Beaux-Arts railway station.
Now beautifully restored after the 2019 fire, reopening in December 2024.
The bohemian hilltop village with Sacré-Cœur, artists' studios, and the best view of Paris.
Croissants, baguettes, wine, cheese, and bistro cuisine that defines the world's greatest food culture.
Paris in bloom — cherry blossoms, café terrasses full of life, and perfect sightseeing temperatures 15–22°C.
Hot, crowded, and expensive but vibrant. Bastille Day (July 14) fireworks under the Eiffel Tower are extraordinary.
The most beautiful season — golden light, harvest markets, and the crowds have thinned. Temperatures are perfect.
Christmas lights make Paris magical in December. January–February is cold but museums are crowd-free and rates are lowest.
Settle into your suite overlooking the rooftops, then ease into the evening with Champagne and a quiet stroll along the Seine.
A private, before-hours tour of the Louvre, followed by lunch in the Tuileries and an afternoon among the boutiques of the Right Bank.
Wander the lanes of Montmartre with a local historian, then a Michelin-starred dinner crowning the hill at dusk.
A chauffeured day at Versailles, with privileged access to the Hall of Mirrors and a leisurely picnic in the gardens.
Journey to the vineyards for a private cellar tasting, returning to Paris in time for an intimate dinner cruise.
Explore antiquaires and galleries of Saint-Germain, then a guided perfume atelier to compose a signature scent.
A final morning at a Left Bank café before your departure, the city lingering long after you leave.
Eiffel Tower tickets sell out 60+ days in advance in peak season. Book the minute your dates are confirmed.
Skip the hotel breakfast — instead, stand at a zinc bar with an espresso and croissant at the neighborhood boulangerie for under €4.
Paris's Metro is cheap (€1.73 per ride with a carnet), fast, and covers every major attraction. Buy a 10-ride carnet on arrival.
The sparkle lighting display runs every hour on the hour after dark. Position yourself at Trocadero or Pont d'Iéna for the best angle.
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