Flights from San Francisco (SFO) 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 refined and welcoming. From the Seine and its bridges to leafy squares and café terraces, you can explore at your own pace and quickly find areas that match your style.

What to expect
Centred around the Seine, Paris is a collection of characterful districts, from the historic Île de la Cité to creative enclaves like Montmartre and the Marais. You will find world-class museums, landmark avenues, and quieter residential streets that reveal everyday Parisian life just a few minutes from major sights.

Plan your trip
Paris works equally well for a short city break or a longer journey through France and Europe. Efficient rail connections make it a natural starting point for exploring other regions, while its compact centre allows you to see key highlights even on a tight schedule.

Top sights in Paris

Eiffel Tower

Ride up the famous iron landmark for sweeping views of the Seine, the Champs de Mars, and the Paris skyline.

Louvre Museum

Explore vast galleries filled with masterpieces, from iconic paintings to ancient sculptures, in a former royal palace.

Seine River banks

Stroll along the quays and bookstalls, or take a river cruise to see Parisian landmarks from the water.

Montmartre

Wander hilly streets, lookout points, and artists’ squares in this village-like district above the city.

Champs-Élysées and Arc de Triomphe

Walk this grand avenue towards the Arc de Triomphe, then climb to the top for a classic view over Parisian boulevards.

Musée d’Orsay

Discover Impressionist and modern works inside an impressive former railway station on the Left Bank.

Le Marais

Browse independent boutiques, small galleries, and handsome townhouses in one of Paris’s most atmospheric quarters.

Experience Paris’s everyday rhythm

Getting around
Paris is easy to explore using the Métro and RER trains for longer hops across the city. For a different perspective, take a leisurely bus ride or a boat along the Seine. Many central areas are walkable, so you can combine public transport with short walks between nearby sights.

Local life & culture
You will notice a relaxed but purposeful rhythm, with mornings at local bakeries and afternoons in museums, studios, and parks. Distinct neighbourhoods keep their own character, from the grand Right Bank avenues to the more bohemian Left Bank streets, each offering a different side of daily Parisian life.

Where to unwind
Green spaces such as the Jardin du Luxembourg and the Tuileries Garden provide calm corners to pause between museums and shopping. Along the Seine, redesigned riverside paths invite you to sit by the water, especially in the late afternoon and early evening when the city’s lights begin to glow.

A taste of Paris

Street food & local specialties
You can sample local classics in casual bistros, neighbourhood bakeries, and cafés on almost every corner. Areas around the Latin Quarter and Canal Saint-Martin are good for grabbing simple, satisfying bites between museums and river walks.

Casual & modern dining hubs
Mixed-use districts and shopping streets offer an easy way to try a range of cuisines in one place. Food courts, brasseries, and contemporary eateries cluster around spots like Saint-Lazare, Opéra, and Bastille, where the variety encourages you to share plates and taste a bit of everything.

Signature & scenic dining
For something memorable, choose a restaurant with views over the Seine or major landmarks, or dine on a river cruise as the city passes by. Rooftop terraces and upper-floor dining rooms around central Paris are especially atmospheric at sunset and into the evening.

Retail therapy in Paris

Malls & lifestyle hubs
Large department stores and shopping centres, especially around Boulevard Haussmann and the Opéra district, gather international brands, local designers, and cafés under one roof. They are convenient if you want shopping, dining, and occasional cultural spaces in the same place.

Markets & local crafts
For more individual finds, explore neighbourhood streets and markets in areas such as Le Marais, Saint-Germain-des-Prés, and the Canal Saint-Martin district. Here you will come across smaller boutiques, design stores, and stalls with locally made goods.

Evening retail scene
After dark, major shopping streets remain lively, with illuminated façades and late-opening stores in central districts. Some neighbourhood markets and concept stores also open into the evening, and reliable public transport makes it easy to return to your hotel after a night of browsing.

Best time to visit Paris

Springtime in Paris (Printemps, March to May, 10–18°C / 50–64°F, shoulder season) brings milder days, longer light, and blooming parks, ideal for walking between sights and riverbanks. Occasional showers keep the city fresh, and outdoor terraces begin to fill as temperatures rise.

Summer in the city (Été, June to August, 18–25°C / 64–77°F, peak season) offers warm days, lively evenings, and extended daylight for exploring. The city hosts many open-air events and riverside activities, and you can enjoy late-night walks as landmarks remain beautifully lit.

Golden autumn and calm winter (Automne and Hiver, September to February, 3–15°C / 37–59°F, low season) create quieter streets, crisp air, and soft light that suits museums and café stops. Seasonal displays and indoor exhibitions make this a comfortable time for slower-paced city breaks.

Frequently Asked Questions