Flights and hotels
Paris city break: flights, hotels and where to stay
From Charles de Gaulle or Orly to a café in the Marais in just over an hour. How to get into Paris, when a package makes sense, and four hotels we love.
The smell of fresh bread from the corner bakery, coffee cups on zinc counters and a bicycle leaning against a green door. Paris is a short hop from the UK by plane or train, and a weekend there is plenty of time to fall in love with it all over again.
Here is what you need to book flights and a hotel in Paris: which airport you land at, how to get into town, when a package makes sense, and four hotels in four neighbourhoods.
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Flight and hotel together, or separately?
A package with flights and hotel in one booking keeps a weekend simple and sometimes costs less in total. Booking separately lets you choose freely between airlines and departure times.
Book flight and hotel together: See Paris city break packages
Flights only: Search flights to Paris
Charles de Gaulle, Orly or the Eurostar?
Most flights from the UK land at Charles de Gaulle, north east of the city. Some routes use Orly, south of Paris. From London, the Eurostar from St Pancras arrives at Gare du Nord in the centre.
Charles de Gaulle: the RER B runs to Gare du Nord, Châtelet and Saint-Michel. Allow just over half an hour into the centre.
Orly: metro line 14 now runs all the way to the airport and gets you quickly to Châtelet and Gare de Lyon.
Taxi: Paris has fixed fares between the airports and the centre. Check the current rate before you get in.
Staying on the Left Bank? The RER B to Saint-Michel is handy. Staying in the Marais or by the boulevards, get off at Châtelet or change to the metro.
Where to stay in Paris
The Marais for small shops and nightlife, Saint-Germain for bookshops and cafés, and the boulevards of the 2nd arrondissement for a lively, central neighbourhood. All four hotels below are within walking distance of the Seine.
Hôtel des Grands Boulevards
The rooftop bar above the 2nd arrondissement.
Hôtel des Grands Boulevards: Paris as Parisians use it
The hotel sits on the grand boulevards in the 2nd arrondissement, in a quarter full of glass roofed passages, theatres and small wine bars. In the evening the courtyard and rooftop bar fill with people from the neighbourhood, not just hotel guests.
The Louvre is about a quarter of an hour on foot, and several metro lines stop right outside.
Book your stay: See rooms at Hôtel des Grands Boulevards
Pavillon de la Reine
The ivy on the facade by Place des Vosges.
Pavillon de la Reine: tucked away by Place des Vosges
Step through the arcade at Place des Vosges and you find an ivy covered facade in a quiet courtyard. Pavillon de la Reine is a small, romantic hotel in the middle of the Marais, with cafés, galleries and the falafel stands of Rue des Rosiers close by.
Perfect for a long weekend where the plan is to walk a lot and decide little in advance.
Book your stay: See rooms at Pavillon de la Reine
Hotel Montalembert
Rooftop views in Saint-Germain.
Hotel Montalembert: the Left Bank and its bookshops
Montalembert is in Saint-Germain-des-Prés, a couple of blocks from the Seine and the Musée d’Orsay. This is Paris of antiquarian bookshops, cafés where you linger, and streets made for getting lost in.
The hotel is smaller and calmer than the grand palaces, and the top floor rooms look out over the zinc rooftops.
Book your stay: See rooms at Hotel Montalembert
Mandarin Oriental Lutetia
The Eiffel Tower from one of the balconies.
Mandarin Oriental Lutetia: grand on Boulevard Raspail
The Lutetia has been a Left Bank landmark since the early 1900s, with art deco details and a facade that fills a whole block on Boulevard Raspail. Le Bon Marché, the city’s oldest department store, is right across the road.
Choose the Lutetia when the weekend is a celebration, and ask for a room high up for the view.
Book your stay: See rooms at Mandarin Oriental Lutetia
When should you book a Paris city break?
Spring and autumn: book two to three months ahead. This is when Paris is at its best, and the hotels know it.
Trade fairs and fashion weeks: check the dates before choosing a weekend. Hotel prices rise sharply.
Winter: good deals are common, especially from January to March.
Frequently asked questions about Paris city breaks
How do I get from Charles de Gaulle to central Paris?
The quickest option is the RER B train, which runs from Charles de Gaulle to Gare du Nord, Châtelet and Saint-Michel in just over half an hour. Taxis charge a fixed fare to the centre.
Is the Eurostar or a flight better for Paris?
From London, the Eurostar is often the easiest choice because it runs from St Pancras to Gare du Nord in the city centre. From elsewhere in the UK, a direct flight to Charles de Gaulle or Orly is usually quicker.
Is it cheaper to book a Paris flight and hotel together?
Often, especially for long weekends. A package gives you one booking and can lower the total price. If you want a particular hotel or airline, compare it with booking separately.
Where should I stay in Paris for the first time?
For a first visit, the Marais, Saint-Germain and the area around the Louvre are good choices. You are central, can walk along the Seine and are never far from the metro.
How many nights do I need in Paris?
Three nights is a good starting point for a first trip to Paris. It gives you time for a couple of museums, a few neighbourhoods and long dinners without rushing.