Paris Travel Guide (2026): What to Expect

If you are planning on traveling to the city of light in 2026, this Paris travel guide is meant to help you understand a few things you should know and what to expect on your trip. As the city continues to navigate major changes in the metro system, and a shifting art scene, including long-term renovations at the Pompidou Museum, many things are happening that may impact your trip.

I have been to Paris more than 50 times. During every month and every season. We often stay 1-2 weeks and move around the city to live like a local in different arrondissements. All that to say I have some experience.

Also, I love all my expat friends who live in Paris, living the day-to-day in the city of light, but there is a different experience when you are visiting as a tourist and not living as an expat or a local. Every time I return it is as a visitor, with fresh eyes, new experiences, and lots of snags.

Sure. Paris is always a good idea. But maybe some times are better than others!

If Paris is where you want to go, I say go for it. BUT I do want to provide information so that this guide serves you and helps set expectations as to what it will be like to visit Paris in 2026.

The good news: there are a lot of new things to visit and see, and a number of significant re-openings of old favorites and loger term projects.

Hopefully, you will avoid some disappointment by reading this post.

My intent isn't to discourage you from visiting Paris. I just want you to take off the rose-colored glasses for a moment, reset your expectations, then you can quickly shove them back on! I am providing an overview of what to expect in Paris in 2026 (not an update to the usual information about Paris). I hope this information helps make your trip planning easier!

D'accord? Bon ! On y va ! (Okay? Good! Let's go!) with this year's Paris travel guide!

Here is what you need to know about visiting Paris in 2026!

When to Visit Paris

Paris is a year-round destination, and each season offers a unique experience. Spring (March to May) brings blooming gardens and mild temperatures, making it perfect for strolling along the Seine. Summer (June to August) is bustling with tourists, but it's also the time for open-air festivals and longer daylight hours.

Fall (September to November) showcases beautiful autumn foliage, while winter (December to February) offers a quieter atmosphere, with the city adorned with holiday lights. Choose the time that suits your preferences and interests.

Notre‑Dame Cathedral reopened to the public in late 2024 and is now a restored landmark visitors can step inside. Expect steady crowds through 2026 — it remains a major draw. Entry is free, but expect waits; reserve free timed slots online where possible or aim for early mornings and weekdays to reduce queuing. After years of restoration, visitors can now step inside this iconic site and witness its remarkable revival, a true highlight of any trip to the city.

That said, planning ahead is essential.

To make your visit smoother, the cathedral offers an option to book free access online a few hours in advance. While entirely optional, this can help streamline your entrance and reduce wait times. Just keep in mind that even reserved-entry lines can have short delays, so timing is everything.

If possible, aim for less busy hours (early mornings or weekdays) to get the most out of your visit. With a bit of planning, seeing Notre Dame can be a memorable and stress-free part of your Paris itinerary.

If you want to learn more about the individual month you are planning to visit Paris in, check out my monthly guides:

PARIS IN:  Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | June | July | Aug | Sept | Oct | Nov | Dec

Paying for Things

The best way to pay for anything in Paris is with a chipped credit card. It is fast, contactless (under 50 Euro) and above all, preferred. If you want to use cash (that is my preference honestly) then have smaller denominations of bills with you. You will have a tough time getting people to break a 50 or 100-Euro note. Heck if you are buying something under 5 Euros, with a 20 most vendors won't be happy!

I mention this in my packing posts on bags, but bring a double-sided coin purse, you will thank me!

Strikes

Okay. This is not unusual in France, especially in May and October. But this year, there is an extra round of strikes around France's retirement pension reform that began in February and will continue throughout the spring, which will impact your trip to Paris.

Here are a few things to keep in mind:

• Most of the time strikes = public transportation issues.
  • That means the metro (RER), trains (SNCF and RER), buses (RER), and sometimes taxis too.
  • Make sure your airport transfer is secured well in advance of any possible transit strikes. By pre-booking an airport transfer, you won't be left without transport, and the hotel will provide updates on any delays or disruptions.
  • One thing I do is head to the CDG area the night before my flight so that any delays will not force me to miss it. I love the Sheraton Paris Airport Hotel, but have also stayed at the Paris Marriott Charles de Gaulle Airport Hotel and citizenM Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport.
  • For air travel, international flights are not affected 95% of the time. However, as soon as you arrive in France, you may have issues if you have connections to other French airports in the inner-France.
  • BUT you may have trouble getting to the airport on the day of a strike. Taxis will not be able to get through demonstrations at the airport and will drop you off in inconvenient locations, and you will have to walk! My best advice is to ask the taxi driver to drop you off at Ibis Paris CDG Airport it is a 5-minute covered walk to Terminal 3. Or the citizenM Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport.
• You can check when and where major strikes and demonstrations are taking place with this site: C'est la Grève. It is in French, but you can use an online translator. It is pretty self-explanatory.
• Before heading out of your hotel, check in with the front desk or concierge. They usually know where and when protests are planned. You do not want to be inadvertently swept up into a demonstration. 
• Avoid the large public areas called “Places”, especially around Place de la Republique, Place de la Bastille, Place d'Italie, and Place de la Concorde.  
• Tune into France24 online. It is in English and can help you keep track of what is going on in real-time. Also, try Gov.uk.
• Download the Citymapper app for the latest transportation updates. This savvy app will keep you up-to-date on train and transit info, providing alternative routes when necessary.

This Paris travel guide is about preparing you for the current situation so you will not be surprised! The bright side? There are thousands of places to visit in Paris. There is no shortage of awesome things to see.

And if you want to see some of the major sites, you just need to get a little creative and maybe brush up on your yoga, as you may have to twist your body in some unnatural ways to get that shot!

If you decide to go the Airbnb route, ask if there is any major construction on the street. Ask about nearby construction or closures before booking — you don’t want to pay for an Eiffel Tower view that’s temporarily blocked. Read all the reviews for the apartment!

If you are staying in a hotel, call or email them to ask the same question about construction. The last thing you want is to spend money on a nice hotel and then not get the view you want (or worse). Mr. Misadventures and I splurged on a hotel for 24 hours so we could get their rooftop terrace view of the Eiffel Tower only to arrive at the hotel and learn it was closed for construction…le sigh…

Getting Around

Taxis at CDG Airport

Depending on the time of day I saw taxi drivers at the airport rejecting people going to the city (mind blown) because there is a set fare from CDG to Paris and depending on traffic taxi drivers lose money. Official taxis have a set flat fare to Paris: to the left bank the fare is €62 and to the right bank €55 (confirm current posted rates at the time of travel). Always join the official taxi queue outside arrivals, get into licensed taxis only (illuminated rooftop sign), and confirm the meter/tariff before you go.

• Flat rate to the left bank: €62. The left bank is these arrondissements: 5th, 6th, 7th, 13th, 14th, and 15th.
• Flat rate to the right bank: €55. The right bank is these arrondissements: 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th, 16th, 17th, 18th, 19th, and 20th.

Also when you do get in the cab, confirm the tariff, don’t get scammed!

Start by making sure to get in an official taxi queue/line. (NOTE: licensed “Taxis Parisiens” (Parisian taxis) park outside the baggage claim areas in each terminal). Look for the blue “Taxi” bubbles on the floor at CDG to guide your path to the official taxi line.

Only get into a taxi that has an illuminated rooftop sign (it's a green light). And make sure it has a meter!

Bikes

Bicycles and micromobility have grown rapidly; new bike lanes are everywhere. If it is the first time you are visiting Paris or if it has been a while you need to be aware that there are a lot more bikes than there used to be. More bike lanes too. They can be a real hazard in overcrowded areas, so please be aware of them.

Be aware of separated cycle lanes and shared spaces — watch where you step so you don’t wander onto a bike lane. You may not realize you are walking on a bike path which could potentially cause an accident. Be on the lookout for them at all times!

Changes in Metro Ticket Pricing

If you’ve visited Paris before, you probably remember how confusing it could be to figure out which tickets you needed for the metro, RER, buses, trams, or trains to places like Versailles or Parc de Sceaux. Different zones, prices, and rules often made navigating public transport a bit of a puzzle, especially for first-time visitors.

The major fare simplification that launched January 1, 2025, remains in place for 2026. Highlights useful for visitors:

• Unified Navigo fares: simplified options for travel across Île‑de‑France.
• T+ ticket standardization: metro/RER rides and buses/trams have simplified prices (check the current T+ price in the Ile‑de‑France Mobilités app or station kiosks).
• The classic paper “carnet” of ten discounted tickets has been phased out; plan to use contactless, Navigo Easy, or mobile ticketing.

It’s important to note that connections between different transport types still require separate tickets. So if you switch, say, from a metro to a tram, you’ll still need to use two T+ tickets, just as before.

How to Buy T+ Tickets

Via Smartphone:
The easiest option is to download the Ile-de-France Mobilités app (available on both iPhone and Android). Once installed, the app will tell you if your phone is compatible with contactless ticketing. This method lets you skip the lines at station ticket counters, especially helpful at busy spots like airports and major train stations. Just be sure your phone has enough battery, as you’ll need it to tap through turnstiles (no internet connection required once tickets are loaded).

With a Navigo Easy Card:
Another convenient option is the Navigo Easy card, which you can buy for €2 at larger metro stations. These cards are anonymous (no name or ID required), reusable, and don’t expire. You can lend them to someone else when you're not using them, just not on the same trip. Once you have a card, you can load it with as many T+ tickets as you need for buses or metros, either at a ticket counter, vending machine, or using the smartphone app (though that part can be a bit fiddly). You can also load unlimited day passes or airport bus fares onto the card.

Restaurant closures

Some restaurants never reopened after the pandemic and hospitality turnover continues. Summer closures are always an issue as well. Double-check opening status and hours online and read recent reviews before reserving.

Crowd control

Major sites like the Louvre control daily visitor numbers (caps on day visitors). Buy tickets ahead for popular museums and time your visits to avoid peak crowds.

What about that ETIAS Visa for Americans?

ETIAS, the travel authorization covering most short-term visitors to Schengen countries, is scheduled to begin in Q4 2026. If you’re an American (or other visa-exempt nationality), check official EU sources in 2026 for the exact rollout date and apply before travel once the system opens.

The Good News: What to Do in Paris in 2026

This Paris travel guide is not all doom and gloom! Here are just some of the things you can look forward to.

Museums: Many institutions continue rotating major exhibitions and special loans. Check museum websites for 2026 exhibitions and book timed-entry tickets in advance.

• Museums you can visit for FREE on the 1st Sunday of the month:
  • Cité de l'Architecture et du Patrimoine
  • La Cité de la Céramique de Sèvres
  • Musée de Cluny
  • Musée d'Archéologie National
  • Musée de la chasse et de la nature
  • Musée de la Grande Guerre
  • Musée de l'Air et de l'Espace
  • Musée de l'Histoire de l'Immigration
  • Musée de l'Orangerie
  • Musée d'Orsay
  • Musée des Arts et Métiers
  • Musée du Quai Branly
  • Musée Français de la Carte à Jouer
  • Musée Guimet
  • Musée Gustave Moreau
  • Musée National d'Art Moderne
  • Musée National Picasso
  • Musée Rodin
• Pompidou Museum Large-scale renovation work continues with long-term closures of certain spaces through the decade; satellite and touring programs remain active across the city. The planned reopening is 2030.
• Special nights and cultural events: Annual events return each year — Nuit des Musées (free museum nights, usually in May), Nuit Blanche (contemporary art night, usually in October), and Journées du Patrimoine/Heritage Days (typically the third weekend in September). Dates change yearly — consult official event calendars.
• Disneyland Paris and seasonal shows: Annual seasonal programming runs from spring through late summer; check Disney’s official calendar for 2026 events.

Check out more events and exhibitions in my monthly guides:

PARIS IN:  Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | June | July | Aug | Sept | Oct | Nov | Dec

Don’t miss the opportunity to explore Paris in 2026! To ensure a smooth trip, be sure you know where construction is happening and plan accordingly. Hopefully, this travel guide to Paris updated for this year will help you have the trip of a lifetime!

Once you decide when you are visiting, here are guides to the individual Paris Arrondissements so you can decide where:

Paris Arrondissement Guide | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | 5th | 6th | 7th | 8th | 9th | 10th | 11th | 12th | 13th | 14th | 15th | 16th | 17th | 18th | 19th | 20th 

And if you are looking for packing advice, I've got you covered!

If you're planning a visit to Paris in 2026, you're in for a treat! The City of Light continues to enchant travelers with its timeless charm, world-class cuisine, and iconic landmarks. As someone who has visited Paris more than 50 times throughout the year, I'm here to provide you with the best Paris travel guide that I can that covers everything you need to know about your upcoming trip to this magical destination.

With a little planning, your trip to Paris is sure to be a success!

How about you? Are you planning to travel to Paris in 2026? How can I help?