Paris is the city of love, light, fashion and finance. The city is home to over 2 million people but attracts millions more visitors for business and leisure every year. Key industries include banking, fashion, cosmetics, manufacturing, telecommunications and tourism.
From Oct. 1-4, Paris will host IFTM Top Resa at Paris Porte de Versailles. The trade show encompasses business, leisure, group and meetings, incentives and events (MICE) travel.
Know before you go
Time Zone: Central European Summer Time (CEST)
Currency: Euro (€) (US$1=€0.91)
Languages spoken: French
Airports
Paris has two main airports, Charles de Gaulle (CDG) and Paris Orly (ORY). Most international flights arrive and depart from CDG, which is located about 25 kilometers (15 miles) outside of Paris. Domestic flights and some international flights fly into ORY, located approximately 13 kilometers (8 miles) outside of the city.
Getting around
A taxi ride from CDG to the city center will take about 45 minutes. Rides start at €50. From Paris Orly, you can get into the city in about 30 minutes; a taxi ride starts at €30.
Take the RER B train from either CDG or ORY into the city. You can purchase a one-way ticket from Charles de Gaulle for €10.30. Trains run every 10-20 minutes. A one-way journey from Orly will cost €12.05. Buy your ticket at one of the airport kiosks before boarding.
Ride-sharing is also an option. A ride from CDG will cost €40-54. You’ll spend about €25-34 to get from ORY to the city.
Once you’re settled, explore the city on foot, by Paris metro or by car.
Accommodations
Pullman Paris Tour Eiffel
22 Rue Jean Rey; Ph: +33 1 44 38 56 00
The Pullman Paris Tour Eiffel offers comfort, simplicity and elegance right next to the Eiffel Tower.
Sofitel Paris Le Faubourg
15 Rue Boissy d’Anglas; Ph: +33 1 44 94 14 14
The location between the elegant Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré and the legendary Avenue des Champs-Elysées puts you near Paris’ famous shops, museums and gardens.
Workspaces
The laid-back vibe of Le 10h10 will make it feel like your work home away from home. Rates start at €4.50 per hour or €22.50 for a day pass.
Hubsy is a coworking space with the cozy atmosphere of a favorite coffee shop. Enjoy all-you-can-consume snacks and coffee. No reservation required. Cost starts at €5 for the first hour and €2.50 for every additional hour.
At Café Craft, you pay €3 per hour for consumption and connection. So, you might as well cozy up with a cup of coffee while you work through your inbox.
Top things to see
The Eiffel Tower, L’Arc de Triomphe and Sacré-Cœur are must-see icons.
Visit the “Mona Lisa” at the Louvre. Entry is free on the first Saturday of every month from 6-9:45 p.m. Otherwise, a ticket is €17. The Centre Pompidou is the first collection of contemporary art in Europe. Admission is €11-14. The light-filled Musée D’Orsay is housed in a former train station; it’s a top destination for lovers of and now holds a large collection of impressionist art. Tickets start at €12.40; admission is free the first Sunday of the month.
Take a trip to Galerie Vivienne, a covered shopping gallery featuring intricate mosaic floors and a glass roof to let the light in. Or get your steps in as you explore Buttes-Chaumont Park, one of the biggest green spaces in the city. It features an artificial lake, bridges, grottos and cascades.
Food & Drink
Du Pain et des Idées is frequently listed as one of the best bakeries in Paris. They’re famous for pistachio chocolate escargot, a flaky pastry swirled to resemble a snail shell. Don’t be deterred if there’s a line; it moves quickly.
Although it’s a bit on the pricey side, a perfect view of the Eiffel Tower is reason enough to visit Les Ombres. Trying to stretch that per diem? Go just for a drink or for the reasonable fixed-price lunch.
Bouillon Chartier has offered traditional French food at reasonable prices for over 100 years. The restaurant doesn’t take reservations, but the host quickly ushers in people waiting in line. Entering the large, traditional dining room is like stepping back into old Paris. Don’t be surprised if you’re seated with other diners to make use of the limited space.
