Paris Overview

A Day in the Life: Hillary in Paris

From students who obsess over Derrida’s Of Grammatology to tourists who wonder why the French don’t pronounce half the consonants in each word, everyone enjoys the city where, by decree of law, buildings don’t exceed six stories, pour que tout le monde ait du soleil (so that all have sunshine). Though Parisians may English you (speak in English when you speak in French), this city pulls through for those who let themselves indulge in the sensory snapshots around every corner—the aroma of a boulangerie, the gleam of bronze balconies, the buzz of a good €2 bottle of red, the jolt of the new fave metro line 14. For all its hyped-up snobbery (and yes, the waiters are judging you), Paris is open to those willing to wander. The truth is, this city will charm and bitchslap you with equal gusto, but don’t get too le tired—by your third or fourth sincere attempt at s’il vous plaît, even the waiters soften up. Stick around long enough, and you’ll be able to tell the foux from the foux de fa fa, the Lavazza from the Illy, and the meta hipster bars from the wanna-be meta hipster bars. Et puis, we’ll see who’s judging whom.

Planning Your Trip

All consulates will provide information on obtaining visas and travel to France in general. The hours listed below are for visa concerns unless otherwise stated. Most consulates will receive inquiries ...more

When To Go

Spring weather in Paris is fickle and punctuated by unexpected rain. Of the summer months, June is notoriously rainy, while high temperatures tend to hit in July and August. Occasional heat waves can be ...more

What To Do

Crème brulee. Merlot. Chocolate crepes. Escargot. France's famed kitchens should be named World Heritage Sites, and we cannot think of a better place to gain weight than Paris, which hosts some of the ...more

Basics

As pleasantly romantic as it is to think of Springtime in Paris, le printemps doesn't last forever. Paris has a temperate climate, with four seasons. The Northern Atlantic current keeps weather from approaching ...more

Practical Information

See also Accommodations and Study Abroad . Allô Logement Temporaire, 64 rue du Temple, 3 ème (☎ 01 42 72 00 06; www.allo-logement-temporaire.asso.fr). Hôtel-de-Ville. Open M-F noon-8pm. ...more

Cultural Essentials
Orientation

The Seine River—one of the favorite spots of young romantics—flows through Paris, dividing the city between the Rive Gauche (Left Bank) on the south and the Rive Droite (Right Bank) to the ...more

Neighborhoods

Paris videos powered by Tripfilms Paris: 18th Arrondissement Other Paris Videos Paris: 5th Arrondissement Paris: 3rd Arrondissement Belleville: 20th Arrondissement SEE ALL PARIS VIDEOS ...more

Suggested Itineraries

1. Notre Dame: Joan of Arc was tried for heresy here. Quasimodo tried to rescue Esmeralda here. Thousands of Parisians prayed for deliverance from the invading Germans here—twice. Does God just like ...more