Located in the north of France, the city of Paris is located on the Seine river. All over the travel circles, this icon enjoys the stature of being one of the most beautiful and romantic cities. It is aptly dubbed the city of lights as well as the city of fashion, owing to being one of the fashion hubs of the entire world. It has several iconic landmarks like the Notre Dame cathedral, Eiffel tower etcetera. With so much on offer, it is one of the hottest travel destinations on the entire planet. It is little surprise then about 45 million tourists visit Paris annually. With so much on offer, it is easy to get overwhelmed by all that this magical city has to offer.
So, here is a list of the 10 best places to visit on your Paris holidays:
The Eiffel tower is one of the world’s most visited monuments. All Paris travel packages include the Eiffel tower. Having humble origins back in the year 1889, this iconic marvel has come a long way. It was designed by Alexandre Gustave Eiffel for being displayed in the Paris exhibition. It was considered the tallest building until the Empire state building was erected. Many a first-timer would swear on being awe-stricken upon first looking at this iconic tower. Visitors can enjoy the views from multiple levels on the tower along with the various amenities available. The first level ( 57 metres ) has a gift shop, cafeteria, and even a brasserie restaurant in addition to outdoor spaces for admiring the views. The second level ( 115 metres ) features more of the same amenities except for a significant step up in the views. Visitors can gaze upon other iconic monuments from here, like - Notre Dame, the Louvre etc. This level also has - “ Le Jules Verne ” which offers a Michelin star gastronomic experience. The views from this restaurant are phenomenal as one can view the city of Paris from its expansive windows. Going to the top level at Eiffel tower is definitely not for the faint-hearted. At a height of an astounding 276 metres, the experience of simply being here is one of the most thrilling things to do in Paris. The best photo-ops places for clicking this icon are - Jardins du Trocadéro or Parc du Champ de Mars. This marvellous monument is a no-brainer on your Paris vacation package.
The louvre is undoubtedly one of Paris’s most important museums. No Paris vacation can be called complete without a visit to the Louvre. It has over 35,000 artworks on display. These range from - antiquities to European paintings dating as far back as the 15th century. With so much to take in, it is hard for any visiting tourist to cover it all in one day. So, it is advisable to focus on a certain category to best enjoy the museum in your limited time on your trip. Of course, many tourists disregard this time crunch and spend hours on end admiring the various artworks. The most famous among all of the pieces here is the Mona Lisa. Other important works of art include - Venus de Milo, Victory of Samothrace, Young Lady with Venus and the Graces among others. The best way to make the most of the Louvre is to join a guided tour. The option to choose here is the Louvre museum’s skip the line tour. This tour is guided by an art historian and tours through the best artworks available here. Outside the Louvre, visitors can visit the Jardin des Tuileries. This is one of the most beautiful parks in all of Paris. Created by the celebrated landscape artist André Le Nôtre, it is sure to keep your eyes peeled for hours. With formal French style influence apparent to be seen, it is a mandatory addition to your trip to the museum.
The Notre Dame is located in the heart of Paris. It is on the Île-de-la-Cité to be specific, this island is the historical and geographical centre of Paris. This island has had a rich history as it was known as Lutetia following which it was the residence of the kings of France. The Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Paris was built in the year 1163 by King Louis IX and Bishop Maurice de Sully. Its construction took over 150 years in total. Its styling has evolved over time as it was initially built according to early Gothic style and its newer touches show High Gothic style influences. It truly is a one-of-a-kind example of gothic architecture. Elements like - sculptures, gargoyles, and the elaborate flying buttresses all add to the grandiose of this structure. The Gallery of kings is not to be missed here, which houses carvings of important French rulers. After being thoroughly wonderstruck by the exteriors, it is hard to imagine anything that would top that grandeur. And this is where the interiors truly knock it out of the park with their stained glass windows which feature important religious texts. Notre Dame is simply a must-have on your Paris France tour package.
This, which currently is one of Paris’s most monumental boulevard didn’t always enjoy the attention it gets now. It was a desolate marshland until the 17th century until the city planner Baron Haussman’s vision renovated this place. The Champs-Elysées is divided into two distinct parts with the Rond-Point des Champs-Elysées serving as its intersection. The lower part includes a very spacious park - Jardin des Champs-Élysées and the Jardin des Champs-Élysées. The Jardin des Champs-Élysées is famous for its fine arts. The upper part on the other hand extends to the Arc de Triomphe is a shopper’s paradise. It is home to several luxury outlets, upmarket eateries, and so on. The Champs-Elysées is famous for its distinguished establishments like the Maison Ladurée. This pâtisserie shop is well known for its 18th-century tea salon and macarons. Among other shopping hubs include outlets for famous upmarket luxury brands like - Louis Vuitton, Cartier etcetera. Fine dining enthusiasts can choose from Le Fouquet's and L'Atelier Étoile de Joël Robuchon. The former has one Michelin star to its name.
The Musée d'Orsay has some impressive artworks on display. The pieces here date back from the 19th to 20th century. This museum is one of the best places in Paris to get a good overview of Impressionist art history. One can appreciate the gentle brushwork of Monet to the wild, vivid and colourful scenes of Gauguin here. The artists whose artworks are featured here are some of the famous names in the field of art. What’s unique here is that these works can't be grouped in one category and range from - impressionist to Bohemian and many others. Some of the most noteworthy pieces here include - Claude Monet's The Magpie, Vincent van Gogh's Starry Night, and Renoir's Dance at Moulin de la Galette among others. Visiting tourists can also enjoy visiting the gift shops and cafes here. In addition, the Hôtel d'Orsay makes for a fantastic place to stop for dinner after a day full of admiring brilliant artworks.
The Palais Garnier Opera house is an opulent symbol of Napoleon’s Imperial regime. The exuberant Baroque styling influence is evident in this monument. It was worked upon for a decade by Charles Garnier, and the painful attention to detail is evident to this date. The facade features classical columns and eight structures representing allegorical figures. The allegorical figures represent - Dance, Poetry, Music, Idyll, Recitation, Song, and Drama. There are 2 main points of interest for visitors are - the Grand Escalier and the auditorium. The entrance leaves visitors in awe with 11,000 square metres of lavishness at its best. The Grand Escalier is located at the grand foyer and like we mentioned earlier, should not be missed. Moving on to the auditorium, one gets a distinct feel of intimacy despite its large seating capacity of 2,105 members. An expansive chandelier along with a Chagall ceiling painting only adds to the theatre’s wow factor. The opera offers plenty of engaging activities for visiting tourists to take part in like opera, ballet performances and concerts. However, if you can’t find the time for such events then you can go to the Library museum or the boutique. The Bibliotèchque-Musée de l'Opera is a library comprising of archives and exhibits. The boutique sells Opera related souvenirs along with books. There is also a provision for fine ding at CoCo, a chic restaurant.
This impressive octagonal square was created from 1755 to 1775 under King Louis XV. This important landmark has been at the heart of the 18th century. It is one of the most attractive squares in all of Paris and has significant historical importance too. Important events like the execution of King Louis XVI took place here. In addition to that, it was also a part of Napoleon’s route of triumph. One can enjoy views of several important landmarks of Spain here, like - Arc de Triomphe, Louvre and the Palais Bourbon. One noteworthy and eye-catching attraction here is the Egyptian Obelisk. It was presented to Charles X by the viceroy of the Egyptian kingdom. If your travels are scheduled during the summer season, then you can also ride a Ferris wheel here! This hub is a worthwhile addition to your Paris tour package from Dubai.
The Arc de Triomphe was built in remembrance of the soldiers who fought in the Revolution and the Napoleonic wars. It was commissioned by Napoleon himself in the year 1806 and completed by 1836. The architect - Jean François Chalgrin was inspired by the Arch of Titus in Rome. The arch stands at a height of 50 metres and is truly a spectacle to behold. It features bas reliefs with the depiction of various key moments in the French army’s actions. Notable among all these reliefs is the Departure of the Volunteers which illustrates the troops being led by the winged spirit of Liberty. The inner surface of the arc has inscriptions of more than 660 generals and over a hundred battles that were fought. The viewing platform at the top of the arc offers panoramic views as far as the Eiffel tower. Tourists should not miss out on paying their respects to the - “ Tomb of the unknown soldier”. Essentially, this memorial is dedicated to the unknown soldiers who valiantly died on the battlefields without ever receiving recognition. The fame of remembrance was ignited at this tomb here in the year of 1923. Ever since then, this flame has never been put out.
One of the best ways to soak up all of the biggest hits that Paris has to offer is on a boat cruise. A lazy cruise on the waters of the Seine river allows for the tourists to see these alluring sceneries from an entirely different perspective. This makes it a must-have experience on your Paris tour package from UAE. The bridges, Eiffel tower, Notre Dame Cathedral all look stunning in their own right from the viewpoint aboard a riverboat. A big upside to travelling and soaking in the sights that the city has to offer on a cruise is the contrasting views during the days and the nights. While days illuminate the marvels and bring out the glory of these masterpieces, the nights offer an entirely different experience. After sundown, these landmarks are illuminated by artificial light and that creates an even more magical ambience. If you are considering a riverboat cruise, then you can’t go wrong with the Bateaux Parisiens Seine River Gourmet Dinner & Sightseeing cruise.
Saint Chapelle has become the venue of choice for musical concerts in recent times. A performance by the choir or a classical music piece makes for an inspiring spiritual experience. It is undoubtedly one of the most exquisite churches in the city. It was built from 1242 to 1248 and is an excellent example of Rayonnant Gothic architecture. It was built for the purpose of housing relics of the Byzantine Emperor by King Louis IX. Visitors here will appreciate the stained glass windows here which leads to a serene aura, especially on sunny days. These windows depict scenes from the Bible, the Old Testament and the New Testament. Saint Chapelle is the place to go to if you are a classical music enthusiast as it is the perfect venue for concerts. Another attraction that the tourists can visit is the La Conciergerie situated nearby. Sainte Chapelle is a great addition to your Paris holiday packages.
The Peak season to visit Paris is during the seasons of Spring and Summer. This implies that one should travel during the months of March to August. The temperature during the spring season ranges from 04 degrees Celsius to 19 degrees Celsius. While the temperature can range from 13 degrees to 24 degrees Celsius during the months of Summer. It is advisable to carry some protective outerwear in the spring season as there are chances of frequent showers. This period is perfect for travel as there are plenty of festivals which are held in the city. It is worth noting that Paris vacation package rates tend to be on the higher side during these seasons.
The Shoulder season for tourism in Paris is considered to be from the months of September to November. The rain showers increase during this period but they don’t get intrusive and take away much from the Parisian experience. The temperature during this period ranges from 5 degrees Celsius to 21 degrees Celsius. This is also a period when rates dip slightly which makes it the perfect time to plan your travels if you are looking to save some money. Even so, one will have to look around a fair bit for the best deals.
The low season in Paris is during the months of December to February. The temperatures during this period can dip to 2 degrees Celsius and the average stands at 8 degrees Celsius. It is imperative to keep good insulative clothing as the days and nights are equally cold. There are plenty of activities to enjoy in Paris during the winter season - like skating in ice rinks to Christmas shopping. In addition, the Paris fashion week is held in January which makes it the perfect time to plan your travels.
The distance between Dubai to Paris is 5259 Kilometres. The cheapest and least time-consuming way to cover this journey is via air. The average duration of a flight is 10 hours and 59 minutes including transfers. There are plenty of options that one can choose from as there are 204 weekly planes that one can look at. If you choose air travel as your means of travel then you will most likely board your flight in Dubai and land in Paris directly. Most packages that claim to be all-inclusive Paris vacations have good deals on air travel.
Other options include taking a flight from Dubai to Brussels, followed by a train to Paris. In doing so your travel time increases to 12 hours and 26 minutes.
Travelling by road and seas are not viable options currently. Driving takes a total of 8 days and more which is simply not feasible.