Flight to Paris (PAR)

Flying to Paris: tips and information for your trip

Considered by many the most romantic city in the world, the capital of France boasts world-renowned art galleries and museums, picturesque arrondissements, and majestic architecture, ranging from the Gothic Notre Dame to the gilt splendour of the Garnier Opera House. However, Paris is also a vibrant, cosmopolitan city with plenty of contemporary cultural events, exciting nightlife and some of the best restaurants in the world. What’s more, as home to YSL, Chanel and Dior, to name but a few, there’s nowhere better for fashion and shopping. Book your flights with Brussels Airline’s today for your next weekend break.

What to do in Paris?

1. Eiffel Tower: It has dominated the skyline since 1889. Admire the tower from Trocadéro, before heading up to the viewing platform for sights of the city’s other landmarks. Be sure to also catch the night time light show which happens for 5 minutes every hour.
   
   
2. The Louvre: A must-see attraction, the vast collection includes masterpieces like the Mona Lisa, as well as sculptures and artefacts spanning thousands of years of history.
   
   
3. Shopping: Paris is divided into 20 arrondissements or districts. The best shopping areas are in districts 1 and 2 (the Louvre and Tuileries area, home to YSL, Versace and Hermes), district 3 (the Grands Boulevard and Boulevard Haussman, for sumptuous Belle-Epoque department stores), and district 4 (the Marais, for boutiques and vintage shops).
   
   
4. Notre Dame and Île de la Cité: The picturesque island on the Seine river is home to Paris’s most famous Gothic building, Notre Dame Cathedral, which dates back to the mid-12^th
   
   
5. Disneyland Paris: Great for kids and adults alike, Europe’s only Disney-themed amusement park is 32 km east of Paris and makes a great day trip.
6. River Cruise: The Bateaux Mouche 1-hour cruise is a great way of taking in many of the city famous landmarks.
   
   
7. Catacombs: Paris’s Catacombs contain the remains of over six million people in an underground tunnel network dating from the 18^th
   
   
8. Museums and galleries: Paris has so much to offer, but sometimes the crowds at the Louvre can be overwhelming. Check out the Impressionists at the Musee D’Orsay, the Picasso Museum or the Centre George Pompidou.
   
   
9. Montmartre: Follow in the footsteps of famous artists like Renoir, Toulouse-Lautrec and Degas by strolling through the streets of Montmartre. Climb to the Basilica of Sacré Coeur, or head down to Boulevard de Clichy to see the famous Moulin Rouge.
   
   
10. Day trip to Versailles: Hop on the RER train and in 20 minutes you’ll find yourself in the leafy suburban town of Versailles. The Palace of Versailles was built by Louis XIV, but perhaps its most famous resident was Queen Marie-Antoinette.

Practical info

• Brussels Airlines flights land at Charles de Gaulle Airport, 25 km north-east of Paris. Transport options include the RER train, shuttle buses and taxis, with travel time ranging between 45-60 minutes.  
  
• Currency: Euro. Use of credit and visa cards is very common in Paris and they are readily accepted in bars, restaurants and taxis.
• Country dialling code and Wi-Fi access: The country code for France is +33. There are numerous bars, cafés, and restaurants that offer free Wi-Fi to customers.
• Electric sockets: Plug type C and type E (two round pins) are both in use. France uses a 220-240 volt and 50 Hz electrical system.
• Travel information: As part of the Schengen zone, most EU citizens are free to travel to Paris without a passport or visa. Non-EU citizens may require a Schengen visa to enter France, but a number of countries are exempt and can travel to France and stay for up to 90 days as a tourist.

Dos and Don’ts in Paris

• Say bonjour and au revoir when entering or leaving a shop, café or restaurant. Such greetings are considered good manners, as is making even a small effort to speak a few words of French.
  
  
• Use the metro: It’s a tourist attraction in itself, it goes everywhere, and is a cost-effective way of negotiating the city; your feet will thank you for it at the end of a long day sightseeing.
  
  
• Get a Paris Pass: It includes access to the hop-on hop-off bus tour, which goes to Paris’s top landmarks. It also includes metro and public transport tickets and offers free or reduced fast-track entry to many attractions.
  
  
• Don’t be surprised by a relaxed pace of service or by having to ask for the bill in cafés or restaurants.
  
  
• Do try as much food as possible: Apart from the local favourites, there’s a great ethnic food culture, with delicious falafel, and amazing Asian restaurants to be found in the Sino-Vietnamese area in the 13^th arrondissement.
  
  
• Tipping: in cafés and bars it is not expected. Restaurant staff, taxi drivers and tour guides generally expect a small tip.

Local phrases & essential vocabulary

Essential phrases include:

• Hello: Bonjour (day) Bonsoir (evening)
• Goodbye: Au revoir
• Excuse me: Excusez-moi
• Please: S’il vous plaît
• Thank you: Merci
• Where is… (the station): où est (la gare)? or
• Where are… (the toilets): où sont (les toilettes)?
• Yes/No: Oui/non
• The bill please: L’addition s’il vous plaît
• Do you speak English: Parlez-vous anglais?

Cultural events

• Paris Air Show: one of the largest of its kind in the world and held in mid-June, this has been an aeronautic extravaganza for over 50 years.
  
  
• Paris Fashion week: Taking place from January to March, it’s the ideal time to visit for fashion lovers, and a great opportunity to see the latest catwalk looks.
  
  
• Bastille day: 14^th July is a public holiday and city-wide celebrations take place, including a military parade, free concerts and a spectacular fireworks display.
  
  
• Roland-Garros: The French Open tennis tournament, late-May to June.
  
  
• Paris Jazz Festival: Mid-June to mid-July, get the best of Jazz from musicians from all around the world.

When to go to Paris?

Paris is a fantastic city to explore all year round. Be aware that in August there is a mass exodus of Parisians, who take their holidays, and temperatures can rise to over 30°C. Many small family-run shops and restaurants are closed during this time.  Shoulder season is best for those who like to avoid crowds, so visit from April to June and September to October when temperatures average 16°C and the weather is mild, although it can be wet, so bring an umbrella.

What to eat in Paris?

• Crêpes: In restaurants try a Crêpe Suzette with Grand Marnier or pick up a great sweet or savoury snack from a crêperie.
  
  
• Bread and pastries: Go into any boulangerie or patisserie and you’ll be in carb heaven. For a decadent experience, try the macarons at Paul or Ladurée.
  
  
• Try the local delicacies: Frog legs or snails may not be everyone’s idea of dinner, but the French know how to make them taste delicious.
  
  
• Confit or Magret du canard: Duck: succulent, rich and melt-in-the-mouth.
  
  
• Cheese: Visit a fromagerie and you’ll be in cheese lovers’ heaven. In winter, try raclette or fondue to warm you up.
  
  
• Croque-monsieur: More than just a toasted sandwich, this is a lunchtime classic.