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Paris City Breaks

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Paris City Breaks & Holidays

Choose any of our Paris City breaks and visit the capital of France which is located in the north of the country on the river Seine.

Paris has the reputation of being the most beautiful and romantic of all cities, brimming with historic associations and remaining vastly influential in the realms of culture, art, fashion, food and design. Dubbed the City of Light (la Ville Lumière) and Capital of Fashion, it is home to the world's finest and most luxurious fashion designers and cosmetics, such as Chanel, Dior, Yves Saint-Laurent, Guerlain, Lancôme, L'Oréal, Clarins, etc. A large part of the city, including the River Seine, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Our Top Paris City Breaks

Price is based on 2 adults sharing one room for 3 nights. The prices shown below are guide prices only. Refine your results using your preferred departure airports and travel dates below.

Top 5 Things To Do
Louvre Museum - The world's largest art museum and historic monument in Paris.
Eiffel Tower - One of the most famous landmarks in the world. The Eiffel Tower is synonymous with Paris and France.
Arc de Triomphe - Another of Paris' famous landmarks. The Arc de Triomphe stands at the western end of the Champs-Elysees at the centre of Place Charles de Gaulle.
Sacré-Cœur - A Roman Catholic church and minor basilica, dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
Palace of Versailles - Formally the home of the royal family of France, it is a resplendent landmark based in the suburbs of Paris.
Location
What to expect when visiting Paris
Endless attraction

It is true that Paris is perhaps the wealthiest city on the earth when it comes to the array of attractions and sites to explore. The Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, Notre Dame, Arc de Triomphe… the list is endless, but it means the city is a capsule of timeless treasures.

Sights by moonlight

Even if it’s dark, there’s still plenty of time to fit in more sightseeing – view the Eiffel Tower lit up in all its splendour, then head to the nearby Champs-Élysées. One of the world’s most iconic shopping streets, it’s lined with authentic bakeries, master chocolatiers and designer boutiques that stay open into the night.

History & heritage

Paris has a district designed for every need. Le Marais is thriving with vibrant clubs and bars, while Montparnasse has a Bohemian vibe made famous by the impressionists. For dining delights, the Latin Quarter houses informal bistros. Try snails doused in garlic butter and chicken in red wine for a true taste of Paris.

It is impossible not to fall in love with Paris. The city is a unique blend of iconic architecture, stylish fashion, hedonistic cuisine and illustrious art, all beautifully laid out on the banks of the River Seine.

Paris has nurtured the artistic talents of Monet, Van Gogh and Picasso. Victor Hugo's inspired the renovation of the famous Gothic cathedral after which the tale was named. The concert halls have hosted the premiere of Bizet's opera, and the impressionist melodies of Claude Debussy. Cabaret found its home in the bohemian neighbourhood of Montmartre, where the notorious Moulin Rouge saw the invention of the Cancan dance.

Paris owes much of its beauty and elegance to the vision of Baron Haussmann, who renovated and modernised the city in the late 19th century. The city has contrived to remain untouched by conflict or catastrophe over the years, so all of its history is preserved in the new layout. Wide boulevards lead to squares lined with facades built from the distinctive pale cream 'Paris stone'. Haussman even designed new parks for the city. The Bois de Bologne was inspired by Hyde Park in London.

Paris is a city for all seasons. Summer sees visitors and locals alike relaxing on the banks of the Seine and sipping coffee on sidewalk cafes. On autumn afternoons the brisk walk from the Eiffel Tower through the Parc du Champ de Mars and up the glittering Champs Elysees is carpeted with colourful fallen leaves. Visitors in winter can take to the ice rink outside the Hotel de Ville, while spring sees the city gardens burst into colour and the street performers emerge to practice their trade.

Paris has an excellent public transport system, divided into five zones radiating out from the centre; ticket prices vary according to the number of zones required. Public transport consists of buses, an underground metro, and express trains (RER). Taxis are also available. The easiest way to get around is on the metro and the subways are generally safe at all times. It is possible to transfer between the metro and the RER trains at no extra cost. The bus system is also extensive, but is slower, less frequent and best used for getting to destinations the metro does not cover. A night bus service, Noctilien, covers the city between 1am and 5.30am. Taxis are readily available and can be hailed or caught at taxi ranks. Vélib' bicycle rentals are also popular for getting around town: pick up a bike at one of over 1,200 stations and return it at any other.

Paris' nightlife has a reputation extending back for hundreds of years. While most tourists won't venture beyond the crowded and overpriced bars of the Champs Elysées, there are many bustling nightlife districts in Paris worth exploring.

Bastille has a mixture of noisy nightclubs and bars best suited to twenty-somethings. Oberkampf was the place to be in the 1990s and still buzzes with hipster-filled cafes. The area around the Louvre is home to some of the most upmarket, and expensive bars in Paris, including the Ritz's Hemingway Bar in Place Vendome, a piano bar frequented by the writer in the 1940s.

Montmartre is the home of the famous Moulin Rouge cabaret, which still presents glittering extravaganzas on a nightly basis, though the price tag is a bit higher than when it started in 1889. Nearby Pigalle offers some good rock music venues. Marais also boasts a good selection of bars and cafes, with a thriving gay and lesbian scene.

There is no end to the live music possibilities in Paris. Nouveau Casino hosts a variety of bands on most nights, and La Flèche d'Or is known as an indie-rock venue. Belleville's La Java hosts an eclectic mix of artists in the venue where Edith Piaf debuted.

For a more sedate music experience, the Cité de la Musique hosts classical, jazz and traditional concerts in a network of concert halls. And, of course, Paris is an opera paradise. Travellers will find symphonies and operas at the Opéra Bastille, lighter operas at the Opéra Comique, and they might even spot the phantom of the opera at the Grand Opéra Garnier, the home of the Ballet de l'Opera National de Paris.

Cafes and bars are generally open from late afternoon to 1am with some variation, and clubs don't open until 11pm on the weekends, staying open until 5 or 6am. It's not fashionable to arrive at a Paris club until well after midnight.

Paris is a shopper's paradise. Jet-setters will feel at home with the famous names of the haute couture boutiques found on Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré, such as Dior, Chanel, Givenchy and Jean-Paul Gaultier. Trend-setting fashions can be found in Rue Etienne Marcel shops. Sadly, the Champs-Elysées is not what it used to be, with banks, fast-food chains and malls strategically placed to trap tourists. However, some good stores remain, and perfume from Guerlain Parfumerie is a classic Paris souvenir.

Galeries Lafayette is a famous French department store. The flagship store is located on Boulevard Haussmann and has been a Paris icon since its creation in 1894. Beneath the decorative Art Nouveau dome lies 65,000 square metres of floor space hosting more than 3,500 brands from around the world. The energy, architecture, layout, restaurants and views over the city have turned Galeries Lafayette into a prime tourist attraction for shoppers and browsers alike.

Les Halles is a subterranean shopping mall with more than 150 stores where bargain hunters will be able to find cheap knock-offs and other trendy clothes. Just outside the city, La Vallée Village offers designer goods at great discounts.

Bargains closer to town can be sniffed out in abundance at the three main flea-markets situated around the old gates of the city. They are, however, teeming with pickpockets and shoppers should be on their guard. Les Bouquinistes, which consists of rows of bookstalls perched against the walls of the Seine River, is a great place for bookworms to browse and barter.

Those determined to buy a plastic Eiffel Tower or other kitschy souvenirs will find tourist tat plentiful along rue de Rivoli. Those looking for something a bit different to take home should visit the La Plaque Emaillées in Filles-du-Calvaire for a taste of turn-of-the-century Parisian Art Nouveau.

Parisians buy most of their food from speciality stores such as bakeries and butcheries, which stock pastries, cheeses or pâtés to die for. The open-air markets are a fantastic place to find flowers, produce and clothing. These are frequented by most of the locals. Paris also offers a wealth of window-shopping opportunities, making it the ultimate destination for the discerning consumer.

Most shops open between 9 and 10am, and close at 7 or 8pm. France levies a sales tax of between 5.5% and 33%, depending on the merchandise. There is a VAT refund scheme for non-EU visitors, but conditions apply.

The Eurostar connection from London has made Paris more popular than ever as a convenient weekend destination. Paris is fairly compact and easy to navigate and many tourists opt to walk or bicycle around to soak up the flavour of the city and take in the numerous iconic landmarks and parks or to stop at one of the many pavement cafes. A cruise down the Seine is also a popular option as many of the city's greatest sights are on the river, including Notre-Dame, the Louvre, the Place de la Concorde and the Eiffel Tower.

Other things to see in Paris include the Basilique du Sacre-Cœur, which offers great views over Paris. The Pompidou Centre houses the Musée National d'Art Moderne, while the square to the west of the building attracts a varied assortment of street performers. Visitors can stroll around the cobblestone streets of the Marais district with its mansions and museums, or visit the courtyards and antique shops of Ile St-Louis, which also boasts the former homes of Marie Curie, Baudelaire and Voltaire.

South of the river, the Musée d'Orsay, the Rodin Museum and the Hotel des Invalides (the burial place of many great French soldiers, including Napoleon Bonaparte) can be found. When they've finished sightseeing, visitors can while away an afternoon in the Jardin du Luxembourg. Further along, visitors can stroll through the Jardin des Plantes, Paris' first public garden, or visit the National History Museum. The St-Germain-des-Pres neighbourhood, the former residence of existentialists Sartre and Camus, has retained much of its bohemian atmosphere with bookshops, art galleries and coffeehouses.

For free or discounted admission to many attractions in Paris, and the chance to bypass the queues, visitors can buy the Paris Museum Pass at many tourist offices, museums or metro stations.

Paris might be the most romantic city in the world but it's also well geared towards children. Parents will find there are endless activities and attractions to enjoy with their little ones.

Families can marvel at the glorious city views from the top of the Eiffel Tower, or head down the Champs Elysées for a spot of shopping, though they should beware of the tourist traps. Kids will love the miles of beach along the shores of the Seine River. Playing in the sun and splashing in the river has become a popular activity for families and children during the summer months. The Jardin des Tuileries is a great place to take the kids for a stroll and to let out some of their pent-up energy.

Paris is a haven for carousels, which can be found in various parks around the city, including the Parc du Champ de Mars, the Jardin Des Tuileries and Luxembourg Gardens.

When the weather turns bad and outdoor activities are not an option, families can visit some of the exciting museums and indoor playgrounds dotted throughout this exciting city, such as the Ludimax, a giant indoor playground situated near St Germain-en Laye and Versailles, and the Aquaboulevard indoor waterpark.

Of course, kids won't let their parents forget the proximity of the magical Disneyland Paris and there are other famous amusement parks to visit, such as the Parc Asterix and France Miniature.

For many travellers, Paris is synonymous with gastronomy. The French, always appreciative of the finer things in life, have a unique tradition of famous restaurants and great chefs. Anyone with a love of good food and deep pockets will find true happiness in this city. The style of cooking known as 'la Grande Cuisine' comes from Paris and it's hard to walk the streets without being tempted into every restaurant by its delectable aroma.

Paris is home to thousands of restaurants, with traditional French bistros being the best value for money for those on a budget. Cafes and dive bars are an almost obligatory stop on the way to or from work for most Parisians, where an ordinary lunch can be enjoyed at a reasonable price. Travellers can grab a newspaper, order a glass of fine French wine and observe the city passing by while soaking up the picturesque surroundings.

From classic French cooking to Nouvelle Cuisine and French regional styles (as well as many other international cuisines), there is something to satisfy every palate in Paris.

So what's the weather link in Paris?

Paris has a temperate oceanic climate, but the city is known for its unexpected rain showers which can occur at any time of year. Spring, from March to May, is the driest season in Paris but rainfall is distributed fairly evenly throughout the other seasons. It is best to have an umbrella with you in Paris no matter what the season, but the rain showers are usually as brief as they are sudden. Snow is rare but the city does usually get a smattering in the winter months (December to February). Summer (June to August) temperatures are mild to warm, with average highs of 77°F (25°C) and occasional heatwaves, while winters are very chilly with temperatures hovering around freezing point.

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