Why visit
Paris needs no introduction. The Louvre, Musée d'Orsay, Notre-Dame (rebuilt 2024), Marais boulevards, and a café scene still worth the cliché. Expand to the banlieue for a more layered trip.
How to use this result
Use it as a capital-city prompt
Paris is useful when you want a city-level starting point in France. Check whether the capital is the best arrival city, a practical transfer point, or mainly a geography and planning reference.
Check practical trip fit
Before planning around Paris, compare airport access, local transport, time zone, neighborhood choices, weather, safety guidance, and whether another city in France better matches the trip style.
Paris at a glance
City population
2.1 million
Metro: 12.3 million
Elevation
35 m
115 ft
Time zone
UTC+1 (UTC+2 DST)
Europe/Paris
Airport
CDG
Charles de Gaulle International
Founded
c. 250 BCE (Parisii)
Getting around
Metro (16 lines) + RER + buses + Vélib bikeshare
Signature dish
Steak-frites, croque-monsieur, pain au chocolat
Neighborhoods for travelers
Le MaraisSaint-GermainMontmartreCanal Saint-Martin
France at a glance
Country center
46.0°, 2.0°
Coast
Has coastline
Country area
551,695 km²
213,011 mi²
Country population
64.8 million
117/km²
Subregion
Western Europe
Currency
Euro (€)
EUR
Dial
+33
Language
French
Demonym
French
Internet
.fr
UN
Member state
ISO code
FR / FRA
Where in the world
46.0° - 2.0°
France
Open in Google Maps
Click the map to open in Google Maps. Outline via svg-maps/world - CC BY 4.0
Did you know
- The Louvre is the most-visited museum in the world with over 8.7 million annual visitors before 2020.
- The Eiffel Tower grows about 15 cm taller in summer because heat expands the iron.
- Paris has only one stop sign in the entire city. Priority to the right handles the rest.
- France is the most-visited country in the world: around 90 million tourists annually.
- The Eiffel Tower was meant to be temporary: built for the 1889 World's Fair and only kept because it made a good radio antenna.
Bordering France
Traveler notes
- Métro pass (Navigo Easy) saves hassle
- Louvre is free on the first Friday evening of each month, except July and August
- Pastries deserve a tour of their own
Plan checks
- Choose a neighborhood first: many capitals have tourist centers that are not the best places to stay.
- Public transport passes usually beat taxis and rideshares for multi-day visits.
- Reserve top restaurants 2–4 weeks out and plan two standout meals per city.
- Check opening days. Major sites close on Mondays or Tuesdays in many countries.
Explore more
Facts last reviewed June 2026 against GeoNames and national statistics sources. See the editorial policy for how destination data is maintained.
Frequently asked about Paris
What currency is used in Paris?
Paris uses the Euro (€), ISO code EUR.
What languages are spoken in France?
The primary language is French.
What is the international calling code for France?
The calling code is +33.
What airport serves Paris?
Charles de Gaulle International (IATA: CDG).
Other Europe destinations
San Marino
San Marino is a hilltop microstate wrapped around Mount Titano, with medieval towers, steep lanes, and views across Emilia-Romagna to the Adriatic. It is easy to pair with Bologna, Rimini, or Ravenna.
Serbia
Serbia mixes Belgrade nightlife, Novi Sad and Petrovaradin Fortress, Orthodox monasteries, Danube gorges, and national parks such as Tara and Đerdap. It is strongest for travelers who like cities, music, food, and road trips.
Slovakia
Slovakia is a mountain-and-castle country: Bratislava on the Danube, High Tatras trails, Spiš Castle, limestone caves, and wooden churches in the northeast. It gives a lighter, easier alternative to bigger Central European itineraries.
Slovenia
Slovenia is Lake Bled, Ljubljana's car-free center, Postojna caves, the Soča Valley, and Alpine hiking at Triglav. Small enough to see end-to-end in a week.
Spain
Spain offers Madrid's museums, Barcelona's Modernisme, Seville's flamenco, San Sebastián's pintxos, Granada's Alhambra, and Balearic and Canary islands. Nights start late; dinner at 9pm.
Sweden
Sweden runs from Stockholm's archipelago and design, through Gothenburg's food scene, to Lapland's ice hotels and sled-dog country.