Paris by chance
What do they smuggle into the air in Paris that makes every stranger more intriguing than the last?
Weekend breaks in Paris owe much of their magic to the effortless Parisian eccentricity. Oblivious of their starring roles, the city’s residents go about their lives providing elegant theatre for the intrigued onlooker.
The St Laurent-clad blonde walking her frou-frou puppy down the Rue de Rivoli – was she a 70s film starlet? Whether contemplating the cheerful barman with the eye patch in Pigalle, or stumbling around the Jardin des Tuileries in a caffeine haze, the city entertains every Amélie fantasy you can dream up.
Paris has the capacity to continually pique your interest – who’s doing what, where? Emerging from the Sacre Coeur, fuzzy from absorbing the vast view from its dome, you find a capoeira troupe practising excitedly in the yard below.
Later, stealing a glance at your waitress, you know she leads a double life, wiping glasses by day and exhaling curls of Gauloises by night in the moody company of poets.
Even tracing the tourist track, Paris delights. Following the Champs-Elysées all the way to the Arc de Triomphe is a long dalliance with art, elegance and the chicest of shopping. On an island in the Seine, La Saint-Chappelle’s concoction of stained glass works its magic with the Parisian light, while at dusk the lightshow from the Eiffel Tower is a magical complement to supper on the terrace of Le Totem.
Weekend breaks in Paris are best spent without a plan – something always happens.
Splurge
at Alain Ducasse’s Plaza Athénée restaurant, which is sumptuous to the hilt. A grand dining room, flawless service, exquisite food and three Michelin stars add up to the ultimate wallet-emptying gastronomic experience in Paris. Try not to choke on the digestif when the bill comes.
Gape
up at the intricate detail of Galeries Lafayette’s illuminated glass-and-steel domed ceiling, crowning ten storeys of lavish shopping. Try what they may, Selfridges and Bloomingdale’s will never be able to match the incredible overhead view (and snooty service) at Paris’s flagship store.
Sprawl
with a picnic of brie, baguette and bubbly in the ravishing Versailles Gardens, a quick journey by train from central Paris. Drift among the fountains, walkways and trees before spreading your provisions – and yourselves – out in a quiet grassy hideaway amid the flowers.
Kate, actress, BrightonWe stopped for a quick bite in a bistro in Montmartre. Over three hours later, we were still there – the rain falling, the waitress still chuckling at our terrible French, and the wine flowing from our fourth carafe. So much for sightseeing! But that’s what weekend breaks in Paris are made for
Quick search
Weekend breaks in Paris
Hotels in Paris
Paris life
Single métro ticket
€1.40
Good bottle of wine from a supermarket
€7
Day pass at the Pompidou centre
€10
Tourist visas to France
No - Nationals of UK, EU, Australia, New Zealand, USA, Canada, Japan
Yes - Nationals of India, South Africa
Guide only – always check with embassies before travel
Travel to Paris
Direct flights
| from | duration |
|---|---|
| London | 1h10 |
| Manchester | 1h30 |
| Edinburgh | 2h00 |
Eurostar to Paris
| from | duration |
|---|---|
| London | 2h45 |
Airports/Stations
Charles de Gaulle (CDG)
23km to Paris
Paris Orly (ORY)
16km to Paris
Gare de Nord
(city centre)
All figures approximate
Average daily highs °C