France Travel Guide

Like much of Europe, Paris experiences temperate climate and moderate temperatures across the year – it also rains at any time during the year. The winter months of January and February are particularly cold and not preferred by tourists, also making it the cheapest time to visit this city. March is bearable if spring season arrives early; otherwise it is the last leg of winter that makes it a tad unpleasant. This brings us to April – the best time to plan your visit to Paris before the crowds begin to throng in to France’s capital. The weather is warm and dry and the city shuns dark hues to embrace more vibrant colors of spring. May and June are fairly crowded with tourists on vacation mode thriving in the city. July is extremely hot and crowded and there’s still time for locals to go on holidays, which is usually in August. Thus September and October, even early November is the better time to visit Paris. It’s the beginning of fall and there’s still time for winter to kick in – in any case December, despite being cold and wet, is a wonderful time to visit Paris with festive season lifting the spirits and all kinds of markets are at their peak.  

Paris’ history dates back to the 3rd century when a Celtic tribe Parisii set base and fought with the Romans before succumbing. Known as Lutetia then, Paris flourished under the Roman rule and was followed by the rule of Franks, Vikings, Capetians, and a hundred year war between France and England. Some notable events in history include the French Revolution and the Great Depression. Paris boasts of not only a rich history but also rich cultural heritage. The arts and architecture adorn every corner of the city in the form of museums, monuments, libraries and galleries. From historical structures like Arc de Triomphe to wonder of the world Eiffel Tower, from Le Louvre museum to palaces like Le Palais du Luxembourg – there’s plenty to see, soak and savor. The iconic landmarks take you back in time, while the more modern museums, galleries and theatres look ahead of our times; take for instance the egg-shaped concert venue La Seine Musicale or Paris’ Museum of Modern Art. In terms of food, the whole world hails the glory of French bakeries and cheese shops. Wine bars, bistros, cafes and fine dine havens – Paris offers a stunning range of gastronomical delights for the tourists to indulge in. Shoppers take a peek into the world of haute couture while art enthusiasts step into the worlds of painters like Monet and Van Gogh who lived and worked in Paris. And for everyone else there’s street graffiti and goofy installations as you walk in and out of Paris’ many enclosed spaces, getting lost in its grandeur and livin’ the good life. 

Paris lies on the bank of the river Seine, tucked into an arc-like shape. The city also includes two islands - the Île Saint-Louis and the Île de la Cité. The city built itself in the centre of the Seine’s river basin, downstream of the Seine-Marne confluence and upstream of the confluence with Oise River. Actually, the city formed around the Île de la Cité, the historic core of Paris, at the junction of the two waterways. Île de la Cité was the earliest settlement in Paris and houses the famous cathedral of Notre Dame. Topographically, the city is relatively low-lying, with the exception of some picturesque hills like Montmarte. On the left bank of the river Seine stands the tall Eiffel Tower, important government offices and landmarks such as the Panthéon. On the right bank is Avenue des Champs Ely-sees, one of the most happening shopping streets in all of Paris.