Flights from Colombo (CMB) to Paris (CDG)

About Paris

Discover Paris

Why visit Paris?
Paris blends grand boulevards, elegant architecture, and intimate neighbourhoods into a city that feels both iconic and personal. From the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre to the banks of the Seine, you can explore world-famous sights and quieter corners on the same gentle walk.

What to expect
You will find a compact, walkable centre linked by an efficient metro, leafy avenues, and lively café terraces. Each district has its own character, from the historic Latin Quarter and artistic Montmartre to the refined Right Bank and emerging creative neighbourhoods along the canal.

Plan your trip
Paris works well for a short city break or as the start of a longer journey across France and Europe. With high-speed rail connections and regional flights, it is a practical base for visiting wine regions, coastal towns, and nearby capitals, while still giving you time to enjoy its museums and riverfront promenades.

Top sights in Paris

Eiffel Tower

See Paris from above on the Eiffel Tower, with layered views of the city’s boulevards, parks, and the winding Seine.

Louvre Museum

Explore the Louvre’s vast collection of art and artefacts, from famous masterpieces to lesser-known treasures in quieter wings.

Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Paris

Admire the detailed façade and riverside setting of Notre-Dame, a landmark of Gothic architecture on the Île de la Cité.

Montmartre and Sacré-Coeur

Stroll Montmartre’s sloping streets to reach the Sacré-Coeur basilica and its sweeping views across the Paris skyline.

Champs-Élysées and Arc de Triomphe

Walk the Champs-Élysées to the Arc de Triomphe, where a climb to the top rewards you with a striking view along the grand avenues.

Musée d’Orsay

Visit the Musée d’Orsay in a former railway station, home to an impressive collection of Impressionist and Post-Impressionist works.

Seine riverbanks and cruises

Follow the cobbled paths along the Seine or join a river cruise to see the city’s bridges and monuments from the water.

Palace of Versailles

Take a day trip to the Palace of Versailles to wander through richly decorated rooms and landscaped gardens dotted with fountains.

Experience Paris’s everyday rhythm

Getting around
The Paris Metro and RER trains are the quickest way to cross the city and reach outlying areas, with dense coverage and clear signage. Buses and public bicycles let you travel above ground at a slower pace, while walking is ideal for the final stretch between stations and your hotel.

Local life & culture
Café terraces line many streets, where you can pause with a drink and watch daily life unfold. Independent bookshops, galleries, and corner bakeries give neighbourhoods a village-like feel, while cultural venues host a steady calendar of exhibitions, performances, and design events throughout the year.

Where to unwind
Parks such as the Jardin du Luxembourg and Parc des Buttes-Chaumont offer shaded paths, lawns, and lakeside viewpoints. You can relax on the riverside quays in the late afternoon, when the light softens and the city slows, or enjoy peaceful morning walks before the main attractions become busy.

A taste of Paris

Street food & local specialties
Classic bakeries, crêpe stands, and neighbourhood bistros introduce you to pastries, light snacks, and comforting dishes. Lively areas such as the Latin Quarter, the Marais, and around canal districts offer plenty of casual counters and take-away options when you want a quick bite between sights.

Casual & modern dining hubs
Modern brasseries and relaxed restaurants are easy to find along main boulevards and in regenerated districts. Food halls and dining clusters inside shopping centres or converted industrial spaces bring together global influences, with small plates and set menus that make it simple to share and sample different flavours.

Signature & scenic dining
For a memorable evening, consider restaurants with rooftop terraces, river views, or settings in historic buildings. Some venues overlook major landmarks or quiet inner courtyards, pairing refined menus with carefully designed interiors to create an atmosphere suited to special occasions or unhurried meals.

Retail therapy in Paris

Malls & lifestyle hubs
Paris offers well-known department stores and modern malls where international brands sit alongside local labels. These centres often combine fashion, homeware, cinemas, and casual dining, making them convenient places to spend a few hours, especially when the weather is changeable.

Markets & local crafts
Smaller markets and independent boutiques are spread across districts such as the Marais, Saint-Germain-des-Prés, and Canal Saint-Martin. Here you can browse design objects, vintage finds, and carefully curated collections from emerging creators, often in walkable streets with plenty of cafés and galleries.

Evening retail scene
In the evening, some shopping streets stay lively with illuminated façades and late-opening stores, especially around central boulevards and major department stores. Occasional night markets and seasonal events add to the atmosphere, and public transport makes it straightforward to reach these areas and return to your accommodation.

Best time to visit Paris

Spring (printemps), March to May, is shoulder season with mild temperatures around 10–18°C (50–64°F). Trees and gardens come into bloom, pavements feel livelier, and outdoor seating reappears, making this a pleasant time for walking tours and riverfront strolls.

Summer (été), June to August, is peak season with warmer days typically between 18–26°C (64–79°F). Long daylight hours allow you to explore parks, neighbourhoods, and open-air events well into the evening, and riverside areas become popular for relaxed gatherings.

Autumn and winter (automne and hiver), September to February, form low season with temperatures roughly 3–15°C (37–59°F). Museum visits, cosy cafés, and covered passages feel especially inviting, while festive lights and indoor cultural events bring a distinctive charm to the cooler months.

Frequently Asked Questions