Paris is the city the entire world has fallen in love with — and visiting it in person, you quickly understand why. The French capital's combination of grand boulevards, world-class art, impossibly chic cafés, and that indefinable joie de vivre makes it one of the few cities that actually exceeds its reputation. Paris works beautifully as a standalone trip or as part of a wider European adventure.
Top highlights
✓Eiffel Tower at night — truly magical
✓Louvre Museum — Mona Lisa, Venus de Milo, 35,000 works
✓Montmartre and Sacré-Cœur
✓Versailles Palace day trip
✓Seine River dinner cruise
✓Père Lachaise Cemetery — Jim Morrison, Oscar Wilde, Édith Piaf
Best time to visit
Spring — best season
Apr–Jun
Blooming parks, mild weather, fashion weeks, fewer tourists than summer
Autumn — excellent
Sep–Oct
Golden light, harvest season, comfortable temperatures, harvest festivals
Peak summer
Jul–Aug
Hot, crowded, but long days — many Parisians leave so city feels different
Sample flight routes
Prices last checked: July 2026 — see live prices in the planner below for current rates
Qantas
Melbourne via Dubai · ~23h
from AUD $1,500 return
Emirates
Melbourne via Dubai · ~22h
from AUD $1,400 return
Air France
Melbourne via Singapore/Dubai · ~24h
from AUD $1,600 return
💡 Prices are indicative and vary by season and booking time. Use our planner to find live prices for your specific dates.
Where to stay
Marais (3rd/4th)
Hip, Jewish quarter, gay village, galleries, fashion — most vibrant neighbourhood
Saint-Germain (6th)
Literary cafés, Luxembourg Gardens, elegant — most authentically Parisian
Montmartre (18th)
Artists, views, Sacré-Cœur, authentic local life — charming but hilly
Opera (9th)
Good transport hub, central, mix of tourist and local
Visa requirements
Last checked: July 2026 — always verify current requirements with the official portal before booking
Example shown for Australian passport holders — Wanderior's planner checks the exact requirements for your own passport automatically.
Type
Visa-Free (Schengen Zone)
Cost
Free (until ETIAS launches 2025)
Duration
90 days within 180-day period
ℹ️ Australians enter France and the Schengen Area visa-free. ETIAS (€7) required once launched — check before travel.
Local tips for travellers
💡Buy a carnet (10 metro tickets) at any station — cheaper than single tickets
💡Museum Pass worth it if visiting Louvre, Orsay, Versailles in 2–3 days
💡Eat at brasseries not restaurants near tourist sites — same food, lower prices
💡Learn basic French phrases — merci, s'il vous plaît, pardon — Parisians appreciate the effort
💡Pre-book Eiffel Tower summit tickets weeks ahead — queues otherwise are 3+ hours
💱 Money & currency
Euro (EUR). Cards accepted everywhere. ATMs use Cirrus/Maestro network. Avoid airport exchange counters.
🚆 Getting around
Paris Métro is excellent and covers the whole city. Vélib bikes great for flat central areas. Uber and G7 taxis available.
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