For whatever reason, many first-time visitors to the French capital find themselves feeling a bit nervous during the planning stage. Paris has certainly gained a […]
Planning Your Trip
Is the Paris Pass Worth the Money?
Some Pros & Cons to Consider Before Buying When budgeting for a trip to Paris, many travelers opt to buy passes that allow for “free” […]
Where to Stay in Paris: A Few Things to Consider
When planning a trip to the French capital or elsewhere in France, figuring out where to stay can be one of the hardest decisions you’ll […]
Paris in the Summer: What to Do When the City is (Almost) All Yours
There’s something slightly surreal about Paris in the summer months. It’s not only that the days feel impossibly long, then almost seamlessly stretch into (often […]
Paris in the Fall: Invigorating, Poetic and Dynamic
I’ll be up-front about something: Paris in the fall is my preferred time of year. There’s something about sparkling autumnal light hitting the Seine as […]
4 Paris Jazz Festivals to Mark in Your Calendar Now
Paris is legendary for its longstanding jazz scene, rivaling New Orleans’ and New York’s at certains points in history. While the golden era of Dizzy […]
The Louvre/Tuileries District in Paris: What to Do Around the Museum?
If you only have a few days to explore Paris or it’s your first trip to the capital, you may want to spend a few […]
Paris Boat Tours & Cruises: Are They Worth Your Time?
Most “top attractions” lists for the French capital, including our own, suggest a Paris boat tour of the Seine or other waterways in the capital. […]
Paris Airport Taxis: How to Use Them (& Avoid the Bad Ones)
I still remember my first bad taxi ride from Charles de Gaulle Airport. I was returning home from a visit with family in California, lugging […]
6 Tips for Avoiding Tourist Traps & Scams in Paris
As one of the world’s most-visited cities, Paris relies on tourism to thrive economically. While that’s generally a mutually beneficial thing, it has its downsides. […]
Travel Insurance for France: What You Need to Know
For this first article in a series of practical tips I’ll refer to as “Paris Trip Planning Q&A“, let’s tackle a boring, but entirely necessary, […]
The 10 Best Things to Do in Paris (Especially on a First Trip)
Here at Paris Unlocked, we tend to focus on lesser-known corners of the French capital, and encourage readers to stretch well beyond the tried-and-true. But […]
Paris in November: Why to Embrace the Short, Cozy Days
Many tourists don’t even consider visiting Paris in November, fearing they’ll be “regaled” with icy rain, miserably dark days and grumpy, sleepy locals. But while […]
Paris in October: Crisp, Contemplative & Stimulating
Autumn in the French capital has always been one of my favorite times of year– especially at the beginning of the season, before the days […]
Visiting Paris in September: A Welcome Return After the Lull
Most locals recognize Paris in September as the true new year. Following a long summer hiatus, residents return home from vacation and get back to […]
Paris in August: How to Enjoy the “High-Low” Season in the Capital
Paris in August presents travelers with an odd and interesting scenario. Following July’s mass exodus of local residents to beaches in the south of France, it’s […]
Visiting Paris in July: Festivals, Shows and Balmy Nights
Quick quiz: what do the terms “July”, “Paris”, and “mass exodus” have to do with each other? Well, if you’ve ever spent any time in […]
Visiting Paris in June: How to Tap Its Early-Summer Magic
Thinking of visiting Paris in June? Good idea. Of all the summer months, this may just be the most pleasant. The temperatures generally remain on […]
Paris in May: How to Enjoy the Mid-Spring Glory
Falling during the glorious apex of springtime in the French capital, Paris in May is a wildly popular time to visit. Millions of people throng on […]
Is Paris Safe to Visit in 2023 (And Can You Travel to France Again?)
In the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic– and following isolated terrorist attacks and occasionally-violent street demonstrations in recent years– many people are wondering whether Paris […]