Destination Paris
As Audrey Hepburn so aptly put it in the film Sabrina, “Paris is always a good idea – Paris est toujours une bonne idée” .
Indeed, Paris, the capital of France and préfecture of the Île-de-France region since 1975, is a city that attracts visitors from all over the world. It stands out as a leading tourist destination, renowned for its breathtaking architecture, rich culture, and history.
The city is divided into 20 arrondissements, each with its own distinct character, which are further subdivided into 80 neighbourhoods.
Paris is home to iconic landmarks such as the majestic Eiffel Tower, the timeless Notre-Dame Cathedral, the world-famous Louvre Museum and Palace, the artistic enclave of Montmartre, and the vibrant Latin Quarter district. But beyond these renowned sites, Paris also boasts a wealth of museums, monuments, and public gardens.
Travelling to Paris from the UK is incredibly easy and quick, and the links below will help you find official information and resources.
Traveling to Paris from the UK – Air travel and car rental information
Both of Paris’s nternational airports are managed by Aéroports de Paris (AP). Roissy-Charles de Gaulle Airport is 35 km northeast of the city and has three terminals: CDG 1, CDG 2, and CDG 3. Orly Airport is located 24 km south of Paris and has two terminals: Orly South and Orly West. You will find all the useful links regarding public transportation, car rental services, and other resources on their websites.
Traveling to Paris from the UK – Ferry travel information
Travelling by ferry from the UK might not be the most practical option, as it usually involves a crossing to Calais, Normandy, or Brittany, followed by a long 5- to 6-hour drive (outside of peak hours) to reach Paris, however, it can be a nice way of discovering more of France on the way!
Brittany Ferries operates from:
– Portsmouth to Caen-Ouistreham, Cherbourg, Le Havre and St Malo
– Poole to Cherbourg
– Plymouth to Roscoff
– Cork to Roscoff
Condor Ferries operates a weekly ferry service between Portsmouth and Cherbourg from late May to early September, as well as catamaran crossings from Poole and Weymouth to Saint-Malo via the Channel Islands.
DFDS Seaways offers services between Newhaven and Dieppe , and between Dover and Calais or Dunkirk.
P&O operates the service between Dover and Calais.
Traveling to Paris from the UK – Car travel information
Here are the distances using motorways (toll roads) and/or two-lane roads from:
- Calais to Paris (293km)
- Caen-Ouistreham to Paris (244km)
- Cherbourg to Paris (356km)
- Le Havre to Paris (197km)
- Roscoff to Paris (561km)
- Saint-Malo to Paris (418km)
Traveling to Paris from the UK – Rail travel information
Eurotunnel-LeShuttle connects Folkestone to Calais in 35 minutes.
Eurostar onnects London St Pancras to Paris Gare du Nord in 2 hours 20 minutes or 2 hours 30 minutes, with an average of 15 trains per weekday.
Here’s a list of tourist sites and museums to visit in Paris
