Welcome to Paris

We provide essential information for newcomers to Paris from around the globe to ease their transition.

a very tall monument with a sky background

brown and blue concrete castle under blue sky during daytime

Paris, the capital city of France, is one of the most iconic and visited cities in the world. Often referred to as the “City of Light” (La Ville Lumière), it is renowned for its rich history, world-class art, fashion, architecture, and cuisine. Located along the Seine River, Paris is home to famous landmarks such as the Eiffel Tower, Louvre Museum, Notre-Dame Cathedral, and Champs-Élysées.

Paris is also a global hub for culture, education, and politics, and is the center of French administration. Its neighborhoods, or arrondissements, each have their own unique charm, from the artistic Montmartre to the elegant Marais. Known for its cafés, bakeries, and fine dining, Paris offers culinary delights like croissants, baguettes, escargots, and macarons. Whether admired for its romance, history, or sophistication, Paris holds a unique place in both French and global culture.

Places to visit

Transport

Food and restaurants

Accommodation and stay

City administration

Emergency services: Medical and others

Paris is the capital of France and the Île-de-France region. It functions as both a department and a commune, making it unique among French cities. It is also the Préfecture of the Île-de-France region and the central administrative authority for the surrounding departments.

Paris is divided into 20 arrondissements municipaux (municipal districts), each with its own Mairie d’arrondissement (district town hall) under the supervision of the Mairie de Paris (City Hall).

A commune is the smallest administrative unit in France, similar to a town or municipality.

1. Mairie (Town Hall / City Hall)

Each arrondissement in Paris has its own local Mairie.
Overseen by the Mayor of Paris (Maire de Paris) and the City Council.
Responsibilities: civil registration, permits, local transport, public services, schools, cultural and community programs.
🔗 For information about your arrondissement’s mairie: click here.

2. Police Municipale

Maintains public order, traffic enforcement, and local regulations.
Works alongside the Police Nationale, which handles major crimes, immigration, and national security.

3. Other Local Services

Public libraries, youth and community centers, sport facilities.
Social services, childcare support, urban planning.

Administrative Structure of Paris & Île-de-France

Prefecture & Subprefectures

Préfecture de Police de Paris: Handles law enforcement and civil security.
Préfecture de la Région Île-de-France: Regional authority located in Paris, coordinating State actions across the region.

Departments in Île-de-France (8)

Paris (75)
Seine-et-Marne (77)
Yvelines (78)
Essonne (91)
Hauts-de-Seine (92)
Seine-Saint-Denis (93)
Val-de-Marne (94)
Val-d’Oise (95)

Each department has its own Prefecture and Subprefectures, managing local implementation of national policies.

Judicial & Tax Offices

Judicial Courts: Paris hosts multiple courts, including the Tribunal judiciaire de Paris and Administrative Courts.
Tax Offices (SIP, SIE, CDIF): Located across arrondissements and departments for personal and business taxation, property tax, and treasury services.

Paris Arrondissements

Paris is divided into 20 arrondissements (1st to 20th), spiraling out from the center.
Each has its own identity, local services, and cultural significance.

🚇🚌🚊 Public Transport in Paris & Île-de-France – RATP, SNCF & Regional Connections

Getting around Paris and its surrounding Île-de-France region is convenient and well-connected thanks to one of the most comprehensive transport networks in the world.

🌐 RATP & Île-de-France Mobilités

RATP operates most of the metro, bus, tram, and some RER services within Paris, while SNCF manages suburban trains (Transilien) and part of the RER network. All are coordinated under Île-de-France Mobilités.

🚉 Services Operated in Paris & Île-de-France

🚇 Metro – 16 lines covering Paris and near suburbs with frequent service.
🚆 RER (A–E) – High-speed suburban trains connecting central Paris to outer suburbs and regional towns.
🚋 Trams – 12 lines running mostly around the outskirts of Paris.
🚌 Buses – Extensive day and night services connecting neighborhoods, suburbs, and rural areas.
🚲 Vélib’ Métropole – Self-service bicycles available throughout Paris and nearby communes.
🚕 Paratransit – Special transport services for people with reduced mobility.

people walking down the stairs on subway

💳 Ticketing & Pass Options

🎫 Single Tickets & Carnets – Valid across metro, RER (zones 1), bus, and tram.
🎓 Imagine R Pass – Discounted annual travel for students.
👩‍💼 Navigo Monthly/Annual Pass – Unlimited travel within selected zones (up to 50% reimbursed by employers).
👶 Free for children under 4 (and reduced fares for ages 4–10).

Tickets and passes can be purchased at all metro/RER stations, via Île-de-France Mobilités App, RATP App, or ticket vending machines. Apps also provide route planning, real-time schedules, service updates, and digital ticketing.

🗺️ Regional Transport Outside Paris

🚆 Transilien & RER – Operated by SNCF and RATP, linking Paris to destinations like Versailles, Fontainebleau, Disneyland Paris, Chantilly, and Provins.
🚌 Regional Coaches – Affordable buses connecting towns and villages beyond train coverage.

💡 Tip: Combine Navigo + TER or Intercity Passes
If you live in Paris but work or study in outer Île-de-France towns, combining a Navigo Pass with SNCF regional subscriptions can save money on long-distance travel.

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📍 Places to Visit in Paris

🏛 Iconic Landmarks

1. Eiffel Tower

About: Paris’s most famous landmark, with 3 viewing levels and a sweeping Champ de Mars park.
From Centre: ~4.5 km west of Notre-Dame.
How to Reach: Metro Line 6 (Bir-Hakeim) or RER C (Champ de Mars–Tour Eiffel).

2. Louvre Museum

About: World’s largest art museum, home to the Mona Lisa and 35,000 other works.
From Centre: ~1.5 km west.
How to Reach: Metro Line 1 or 7 (Palais Royal–Musée du Louvre).

3. Notre-Dame Cathedral

About: Gothic masterpiece on Île de la Cité; currently under restoration after the 2019 fire.
From Centre: 0 km (it’s the reference point).
How to Reach: Metro Line 4 (Cité) or RER B/C (Saint-Michel–Notre-Dame).

4. Arc de Triomphe & Champs-Élysées

About: Monument honoring French armies, with rooftop views; linked to the grand shopping avenue.
From Centre: ~5 km northwest.
How to Reach: Metro Line 1, 2, or 6 (Charles de Gaulle–Étoile).

🎨 Art & Culture

5. Musée d’Orsay

About: Former railway station turned Impressionist art heaven.
From Centre: ~2 km west.
How to Reach: RER C (Musée d’Orsay) or Metro Line 12 (Solférino).

6. Centre Pompidou

About: Inside-out modern art museum with bold architecture and rooftop views.
From Centre: ~1 km northwest.
How to Reach: Metro Line 11 or 1 (Hôtel de Ville or Rambuteau).

7. Palais Garnier

About: Opulent opera house with chandeliers and marble staircases.
From Centre: ~2.5 km northwest.
How to Reach: Metro Line 3, 7, or 8 (Opéra).

🌳 Parks & Gardens

8. Luxembourg Gardens

About: Elegant formal gardens with fountains and statues; popular with locals.
From Centre: ~1.2 km southwest.
How to Reach: RER B (Luxembourg) or Metro Line 4 (Odéon).

9. Tuileries Garden

About: French formal garden linking the Louvre and Place de la Concorde.
From Centre: ~1.5 km west.
How to Reach: Metro Line 1 (Tuileries).

10. Parc des Buttes-Chaumont

About: Quirky park with hills, grotto, and suspension bridge.
From Centre: ~4 km northeast.
How to Reach: Metro Line 7bis (Buttes-Chaumont).

🍷 Food & Market Streets

11. Rue Cler

About: Charming pedestrian street with market stalls, cafés, and wine shops.
From Centre: ~3.5 km west.
How to Reach: Metro Line 8 (École Militaire).

12. Marché d’Aligre

About: Colorful market with fresh produce and flea market section.
From Centre: ~3 km east-southeast.
How to Reach: Metro Line 8 (Ledru-Rollin).

🪞 Unique Spots

13. Sainte-Chapelle

About: 13th-century chapel with extraordinary stained glass.
From Centre: ~0.3 km west.
How to Reach: Metro Line 4 (Cité).

14. Père Lachaise Cemetery

About: Famous cemetery with celebrity graves and peaceful paths.
From Centre: ~5 km east.
How to Reach: Metro Line 2 or 3 (Père Lachaise).

15. Montmartre & Sacré-Cœur

About: Bohemian hilltop district with the white-domed basilica and artist square.
From Centre: ~4 km north.
How to Reach: Metro Line 2 (Anvers) + short uphill walk or funicular.

16. Canal Saint-Martin

About: Picturesque canal with locks, tree-lined paths, and cafés.
From Centre: ~2.5 km northeast.
How to Reach: Metro Line 5 (Jacques Bonsergent) or Line 3 (République).

🚆 Day Trips & Nearby Places from Lyon

🏰 Castles & Palaces

1. Palace of Versailles

About: Lavish royal residence of Louis XIV, with Hall of Mirrors and sprawling gardens.
Distance: ~20 km southwest of Paris.
How to Reach: RER C to Versailles Château–Rive Gauche (~45 min).

2. Château de Fontainebleau

About: Former royal palace surrounded by forest; less crowded than Versailles.
Distance: ~70 km southeast.
How to Reach: Train from Gare de Lyon to Fontainebleau–Avon (~40 min) + bus/shuttle.

3. Château de Chantilly

About: Elegant castle with art museum, gardens, and famous Chantilly cream.
Distance: ~50 km north.
How to Reach: Train from Gare du Nord to Chantilly–Gouvieux (~25 min).

🌳 Nature & Scenic Areas

4. Giverny (Monet’s Garden)

About: Claude Monet’s home and gardens, inspiration for his water lilies paintings.
Distance: ~75 km northwest.
How to Reach: Train from Gare Saint-Lazare to Vernon–Giverny (~45 min) + shuttle/bike.

5. Vaux-le-Vicomte

About: 17th-century château that inspired Versailles, with candlelit summer evenings.
Distance: ~55 km southeast.
How to Reach: Train from Gare de l’Est to Verneuil-l’Étang (~35 min) + shuttle.

6. Forêt de Fontainebleau

About: Huge forest with hiking, rock climbing, and bouldering spots.
Distance: ~65 km southeast.
How to Reach: Same train as Fontainebleau château.

🏙 Historic Towns

7. Provins

About: UNESCO medieval town with fortified walls and historic shows.
Distance: ~90 km southeast.
How to Reach: Train from Gare de l’Est (~1h 20m).

8. Auvers-sur-Oise

About: Final home of Vincent van Gogh, with his grave, museum, and painting sites.
Distance: ~35 km northwest.
How to Reach: Train from Gare du Nord (~40 min).

🎢 Theme Parks & Family

9. Disneyland Paris

About: Magical theme park with rides, parades, and Disney characters.
Distance: ~40 km east.
How to Reach: RER A to Marne-la-Vallée–Chessy (~40 min).

10. Parc Astérix

About: Amusement park themed around the Astérix comic books, with roller coasters.
Distance: ~35 km north.
How to Reach: Shuttle from Paris (Porte Maillot) or Charles de Gaulle Airport.

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Accommodation in Paris ranges from world-famous luxury hotels to charming budget stays, making it suitable for all types of travelers.

The city boasts iconic five-star hotels—particularly in areas like the Champs-Élysées, Place Vendôme, and near the Eiffel Tower—offering exceptional service, gourmet dining, and breathtaking views of landmarks. Boutique hotels in neighborhoods such as Le Marais, Saint-Germain-des-Prés, and Montmartre combine Parisian elegance with intimate charm.

For mid-range budgets, chain hotels, guesthouses, and B&Bs are widely available, often within walking distance of metro stations for quick access to the city’s attractions. Hostels in areas like the Latin Quarter or Canal Saint-Martin provide affordable options, with both private and shared rooms.

Families and longer-term visitors often opt for aparthotels or Airbnb rentals, which allow for self-catering and a more homely stay. Staying in residential districts such as the 15th or 16th arrondissements offers a quieter atmosphere while still being well-connected by public transport.

No matter where you choose to stay, Paris’s extensive metro, bus, and RER train networks make it easy to reach highlights like the Louvre, Eiffel Tower, Notre-Dame, and the Seine riverbanks from virtually anywhere in the city.

🍽 A Taste of Paris: Food & Restaurants

Paris is a global dining capital—home to world-class gastronomy, cozy bistros, vibrant international cuisine, and an ever-growing vegan and vegetarian scene. Whether you’re after a Michelin-starred experience, a simple café lunch, or flavors from around the world, the City of Light has it all.

🌍 International Flavors
Paris offers an incredible diversity of cuisines. Indian restaurants serve fragrant curries, dosas, and biryanis, while Asian eateries range from Japanese ramen shops and sushi counters to Thai, Vietnamese, and Korean restaurants. Turkish kitchens serve juicy kebabs, pide, and mezze, while Afghani restaurants offer mantu, qabuli pulao, and spiced grilled meats. Arabic cuisine delights with falafel, shawarma, and mezze platters, and African eateries—from North African tagines and couscous to West African peanut stews—bring vibrant flavors to the table.

⭐ Fine Dining
Paris boasts some of the world’s most acclaimed Michelin-starred restaurants, such as Guy Savoy, Le Meurice, and Arpège. Expect refined tasting menus, seasonal produce, and masterful wine pairings.

🍷 Bistronomy & Creative Cuisine
The bistronomy movement thrives here, with spots like Septime, Frenchie, and Le Chateaubriand offering inventive dishes in relaxed settings.

💰 Budget-Friendly Gems
From street crêpes to cozy bistros like Bouillon Pigalle or Chartier, you can dine well without overspending.

🥩 Local Classics
Parisian dining isn’t complete without trying steak frites, duck confit, onion soup, escargots, and fresh pastries from artisanal bakeries.

🥬 Vegan & Vegetarian
The plant-based scene is booming, with favorites such as:

Le Potager du Marais – Traditional French dishes in vegan form.
Wild & The Moon – Organic bowls, smoothies, and juices.
Hank Vegan Burger – Tasty plant-based burgers and sides.
Cloud Cakes – Vegan café with pastries and light bites.

🛍 Eat & Explore
Food lovers should visit Marché d’Aligre, Rue Cler, and Marché des Enfants Rouges for fresh produce, cheeses, street food, and international specialties. Paris also offers countless pâtisseries, chocolate shops, and fromageries to indulge in.