#1 Paris, France

The soaring Eiffel Tower is one of the most visited landmarks in the world. 

Why Go To Paris

The City of Light draws millions of visitors every year with its unforgettable ambiance. Of course, the divine cuisine and vast art collections deserve some of the credit as well. The gentle River Seine rambles through the city, flanked by stately museums, centuries-old churches, and blocks of Rococo- and Neoclassic-design architecture, further enhanced by cascading trees and glowing streetlamps. Peppering the Seine's cobbled walks and graceful bridges are impossibly chic Parisians, probably on their way to the market, cafe or cinema.

Containing world-class museums, fashion, cuisine and an atmosphere all its own, Paris is also a city of "many splendors," as Ernest Hemingway recalled in his memoir, "A Moveable Feast." Visit the beloved Musée d'Orsay, shop the biggest designers on the Champs Élysées or hit the boutiques in Le Marais, take in the view atop the Eiffel Tower, or even plan a day trip to Versailles Palace. But don't miss out on the simple pleasure of meandering the marvelous arrondissements (districts), or snacking on street crepes either.

Paris' famous Pere-Lachaise Cemetery is huge. Unless you grab a map, you'll probably end up getting lost. 

Best Months to Visit

The best time to visit Paris is from June to August and September to October. Both summer and fall have its ups and downs. From June to August the weather in Paris is just about parfait (perfect). Average highs are in the high 70s and there are long days of sunshine. Unfortunately, summer is also the most crowded time – and the most expensive. For lower travel rates and significantly shorter lines at attractions, plan a visit in the fall. The seasonal foliage is known to stun, though the city's spring blooms are pretty famous too. If a travel deal is all that you're after, a visit during the winter will surely shave off travel expenses. Keep in mind though that Paris is one of the most visited cities in the world, seeing upward of 30 million travelers yearly. So no matter what time you visit, there will always be tourists and some crowds. 

Tour boats known as Bateaux-Mouches are a great way to see some of Paris' most famous attractions.

Weather in Paris

Average Temperature (°F)

44.4

36.5

46.8

37

53.2

41.2

58.5

44.2

66.2

50.9

71.2

55.9

75.9

59.9

76.3

59.7

69.4

54.5

60.4

48.6

50.7

41.5

46

38.5

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Average Precipitation (in)

2.11

1.72

1.91

2.09

2.56

2.15

2.48

1.69

2.15

2.35

2.04

2.31

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

The towering Arc de Triomphe can be found at the end of the famous Champs-Élysées.

How to Save Money in Paris

• Grab breakfast at the boulangerie Sitting down at restaurants in Paris (especially alfresco) will always be more pricey than getting things to go. Bakeries, or boulangeries, tend to sell quiche and oftentimes light sandwiches, perfect for a quick (and cheap) meal.
• Be here the first Sunday of the month May be tricky to plan, but you'll sidestep admission fees to the Louvre, Musee d'Orsay, parts of Centre Pompidou as well as Versailles and Musee Rodin during certain months.
• Walk Paris is big and shouldn't be traversed entirely on foot, however, a number of top attractions are within a mile of one another (such as the Musée d'Orsay, Louvre, Notre Dame, etc). If you map out ahead of time how far each attraction is from one another, you'll likely save some metro money. 

• 

  This museum features works from the greats including Monet, Van Gogh and Degas.

The Montparnasse Tower Observation Deck claims to have the best views in Paris – and once you reach the top, it's easy to see why. On a clear day, you can see as far as 25 miles in every direction.

Culture & Customs

There's this idea that Parisians stick up their noses to Americans – that they're notoriously unfriendly and even rude. This is a stereotype. Like anywhere you visit, there's a chance you may run into friendly and unfriendly locals during your journey. A great way to bridge the cultural divide is to learn a little bit of the language.