Paris
Capital Of France; Its Riverbanks, Paris, Banks Of The Seine, Are A UNESCO World Heritage Site Inscribed 1991 · Paris, Ile-de-France
Paris is the capital of France and one of the most visited cities on earth, and it rewards walking more than almost anywhere. Its historic heart runs along the Seine, where the quays, bridges and islands were listed by UNESCO in 1991. This row is the city itself rather than its monuments: the old lanes of the Marais, the hill of Montmartre under the white domes of Sacré-Coeur, the cafés and bookshops of Saint-Germain and the Latin Quarter, the Musée d'Orsay in its old railway station, the Centre Pompidou, the stained glass of Sainte-Chapelle, and the long line of the Champs-Elysées up to the Arc de Triomphe. The Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, Notre-Dame and Versailles each have their own rows. Daily life is as much the draw as the sights: bakeries, street markets, bistros and evening walks along the river. The downsides are real too: heavy crowds, high prices, pickpockets on the metro and at the big sights, and strikes that can stop trains for a day. Allow at least four days.
Ile de la Cite and the banks of the Seine, Paris, Paris, Ile-de-France, France
A city, so the streets, quays, bridges and squares are open at all hours, but the sights inside it keep their own schedules and weekly closing days. Many national museums close one day a week, and the day differs: the Louvre traditionally closes on Tuesday, while the Musée d'Orsay and several others traditionally close on Monday, so a mixed plan avoids two locked doors in one day. Several big museums stay open late on one or two evenings a week, which is the quietest time to go. Sainte-Chapelle and the Arc de Triomphe roof sell timed entry slots, and popular slots sell out in summer. Many small shops, bakeries and family restaurants close on Sunday or Monday, and a good number close for two to four weeks in August, when the city empties of residents. Restaurants serve lunch and dinner at set times and often stop in the afternoon; cafés run all day. The metro runs from early morning until around midnight or later on weekend nights. Strikes are announced a few days ahead and can cut metro, RER and train services, and public holidays close most shops. Confirm hours and booking rules for anything specific before you cross the city.