a citizen's guide to Paris

Bienvenue à Paris, citizens– the iconic City of Love. A blend of historical elegance and chic modernity that more than 2 million Parisians call home. It's a city where art dances with fashion and gourmet cuisine mingles with stunning landmarks. Stroll along the Seine, revel in the glitters of the Eiffel Tower and dine in cosy bistros. Ever feared getting lost in a city so large that you might bump into yourself coming the other way? Worry not, because we've whipped up a guide so nifty, it's like having a local Parisian in your pocket – only without the fabulous accent. We’ll guide you through the charming streets, the romantic cafes and all the must-see spots in Paris.

getting around in Paris

Flying into Charles de Gaulle Airport? Catch the RER B train to the heart of the city. Arriving by train? Take the bus from Gare du Nord station straight into the city centre. Once there, zip around on the world-famous metro system or grab a Vélib bike for a true Parisian experience. Don't fancy the metro? Paris is a walker's paradise with its delightful streets just begging to be explored.

Easy commuting without breaking the bank? Meet the Paris Visite Travel Pass. For just 13.55 EUR a day or 43.30 EUR for 5 days, you can zip around Paris on pretty much anything that moves – metro, RER, bus, tramway, transilien suburban railway or even those fancy airport connections like RER B to CDG airport, Montmartre funicular, Roissybus, Orlybus, Orlyval. How cool is that?

Need to get one? Just hop over to the nearest automatic vending machine or ticket counter and snag a pass. You can even get discounts on things like 25% off at the Tour Montparnasse Observation Platform. Unlimited travel and endless fun, all wrapped up in a handy pass that loves to travel as much as you do. Get ready to conquer Paris, citizens.

Eiffel Tower Escapades Let's face it, the Eiffel Tower is a bit of a show-off. So why not capture this beauty from a different angle? Ditch the standard selfie and stroll to one of the many streets with the best views of the Eiffel Tower we’ve listed below.

Louvre Late Nights Why rub shoulders with the crowd? Visit the Louvre after hours, and let Mona Lisa's smile become your little secret. Midnight in Paris, anyone?

Montmartre Mischief and Sacré-Cœur sunsets Grab your paintbrush and canvas and channel your inner Picasso at Montmartre. It's artsy, it's cheeky and it's so citizenM. Catch the sun saying 'au revoir' over the city of love from Montmartre's dazzling gem – Sacré-Cœur.

Seine Serenades Forget that touristy boat tour on the Seine. How about a moonlit stroll along the Seine with a baguette, some cheese and a bottle of wine like the locals do? That's Parisian living with a twist!

Champs-Élysées Shenanigans Why walk when you can dance? Shimmy down the Champs-Élysées during the early morning with a street musician's tune and capture the best sunrise snaps of Arc de Triomphe. And while you're at it, swing by our Champs-Elysees hotel for a barista-made coffee and a scrummy croissant to kick off the day!

Notre Dame Nights Why not sketch the Notre Dame? Capture her beauty with pencil and paper from Petit Pont bridge or Square René Viviani – it's old school with a citizenM flair.

Versailles Vignettes Pose as a royal in the gardens of Versailles. Trust us, playing king or queen for a day is a right royal giggle.

Moulin Rouge Rendezvous Why just watch the show when you can dance the can-can? Join the Moulin Rouge dancers for a cabaret lesson. It's feathers and fun.

Latin Quarter Larks Discover hidden jazz bars in the Latin Quarter. It's toe-tapping, finger-snapping goodness. You in?

typical Parisian food

French cuisine, citizens? Croissants for breakfast, snails for lunch (they're faster on the plate!) and a coq au vin for the grand finale? Brilliant. But wait, what's that on your fork? Let's make sure you're not dining on culinary surprises or accidentally offending the chef. Who's up for a gastronomic adventure without embarrassment? Here's a cheeky spin on some iconic French dishes:

Boeuf Bourguignon Beef slow-danced in red wine. Need we say more?

Coq Au Vin It's chicken with a wine problem. In a good way!

Onion Soup A classic beauty. Melted cheese-topped, dark and deep.

Steak Frites The ‘meat and potatoes’ of French cuisine. Literally.

Croque Monsieur & Madame His 'n' hers sandwiches. Hot and cheesy with a slice of ham in between. ‘Madame’ has got an egg on top, because even sandwiches deserve fancy hats in France.

Steak Tartar Like a beefy ballet dancer, this dish is raw and elegant. No cooking allowed – it's cool like that.

Escargot Fancy a garden party in your mouth? Snails are your invite to a chic, garlic-buttered feast.

Cuisses de grenouille Leap into something wild. Yep, frog legs – they might just make you jump for joy

Saumon Steamed, braised, grilled or smoked salmon. This fishy favourite is a real catch. Fancy it French-style? Grab it on a baguette with a zesty lemon and cream cheese twist.

Canard Quack up your meal with a quacking-good duck dish. It's like chicken but with a PhD in Delicious. Orange, confit, caramelized or a dash of truffle sauce. What will it be?

Fromage Forget perfume, this is France's real signature scent. Tuck into a wheel of Camembert, Roquefort or Comte and let it melt your heart. An entire cheeseboard, served? No worries, citizens. You're not meant to scoff it all down. Just grab a small slice and savour the sensation.

Foie Gras Give your taste buds a cheeky high-five with this rich treat. It's decadence on a plate and struts its stuff as a mousse, parfait, or pâté or even as a snazzy sidekick.

Profiteroles Little choux pastries filled with cream. Like edible clouds that have descended to your plate!

Crepes Thin, flirty and they'll wrap around your favourite fillings. Ooh la la!

Macarons Little bursts of joy with a crunchy exterior and soft heart. Tastes even better with a glass of champagne!

Baguette As French as saying ‘Oh là là!’ Break a piece off – it's your edible French wand.

Pain Au Chocolat Chocolate for breakfast? Only if it's hugged by buttery, crispy pastry.

Croissants France's natural beauty and flaky good morning gifts. A stroll around Paris will lead you to mouth-watering crepes, perfectly baked baguettes and the finest salmon and foie gras in town. Now, isn't that a culinary adventure you'd hate to miss?

Khayma Rooftop A spot to revel in the Paris skyline. Kick back with a cocktail and feast your eyes on a magical cityscape. Laho Rooftop For those who dare to be different, this bar brings a refreshing vibe and panoramic views. Perfect for the urban explorer. Mademoiselle Mouche A tropical oasis in the heart of Paris, blending sass with class and straight up Eiffel Tower views.

Café Oz A taste of Australia in Paris, mate! An energetic atmosphere with sports screenings and DJs, it's a party up above.

Ilvolo Bar Rooftop A classy affair with a touch of elegance. Relax, sip some fine wine and let Paris romance you.

cloudM Champs Elysees Oh, look, that's us! Très chic with comfy seats and romantic Eiffel Tower views. Come as a citizen, leave as a friend.

ROOF Paris Urban and chic, just like you. Toast to the night as the Eiffel Tower sparkles in the background. Galeries Lafayette Rooftop Shop till you drop, then hop up to this rooftop. A view that money can't buy, but your cocktail will! The best views of Paris? Well, that's like picking a favourite child, isn't it? But these rooftop bars give you a glimpse of everything from the Eiffel Tower to Sacré-Cœur. Salute, citizens.

best bakeries in Paris

Ever bitten into a buttery croissant that melts in your mouth? Welcome to Paris, where boulangeries are more than just a place to grab a baguette. They're the soul of the city, filled with delectable delights like pain au chocolat, profiteroles, and those dainty macarons. Let's take a cheeky stroll through the best bakeries in Paris. We've rounded up the crème de la crème of pastry shops and boulangeries. Hold tight to those taste buds; it's a delicious adventure waiting to happen.

For the crepe connoisseurs among you, head over to 'La Petite Bretonne.' Thin, delicate, and stuffed with goodness, their crepes will make you say "Ooh la la!" For an elegant selection of madeleines and other sweet treats, 'Boulangerie Pâtisserie des Rêves' is a dream come true.

Craving that perfect baguette? Make a beeline for 'Le Grenier à Pain.' Awarded for having the best baguettes in town, it's a must-visit spot for bread lovers.

Macarons, anyone? Look no further, citizens – 'Ladurée' in Champs-Élysées is the place to be. With a history dating back to the mid-19th century, 'Ladurée' knows a thing or two about macarons. Their charming tea rooms are dotted across Paris, and stepping inside feels like a chic little escape into a world of pure indulgence.

Craving more? Check out our guide to the best bakeries in Paris. Bon appétit!

where to stay in Paris

Planning a trip to Paris? Say 'au revoir' to ordinary hotels and embrace a chic stay with us at citizenM! For a glitzy city trip, strut over to citizenM Champs-Elysees hotel or take a whirl at citizenM Paris Opera. But, oh la la, business on the agenda? citizenM Gare de Lyon and La Defense hotels have got you covered, making your work trip feel like a breeze. Now that's what we call living la belle vie in Paris, wouldn't you agree, citizens?