Paris is one of the most visited cities in the world for good reason — and a sightseeing package is one of the most satisfying ways to experience it. Our Paris with sightseeing packages from Canada include return flights, hotel accommodation, daily breakfast, private airport transfers and a selection of pre-arranged experiences, so the highlights of the trip are already sorted before you leave home. You still have the freedom to explore Paris on your own terms — but the Seine cruise, the museum visits, the restaurant dinners and the day trips are built in and paid for.

Options range from a five-night city break to a full week in Paris with excursions into the French countryside. Shorter packages focus on the city itself — the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, the Marais and Montmartre. Longer itineraries add full-day trips out to some of the most remarkable destinations in France, including the Palace of Versailles, the Loire Valley, Mont St. Michel and the Normandy beaches.

Departure airports: nonstop service to Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG) operates year-round from Toronto Pearson (YYZ) with Air Canada, Air France and Air Transat, with a flight time of approximately 7 to 7.5 hours. Travellers from other Canadian cities connect through Toronto or other North American hubs. If you do not see your departure city listed, please call us — we can price options not shown on our website.

Paris

No amount of familiarity dulls Paris. The city has an extraordinary concentration of world-class experiences within a compact and highly walkable area: the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, the Musée d'Orsay and a recently restored Notre-Dame Cathedral within a few kilometres of each other. Beyond the landmarks, Paris rewards time spent simply walking — through the medieval streets of the Marais, along the Canal Saint-Martin, up through the hilltop neighbourhood of Montmartre, or into the covered passages of the 2nd arrondissement that feel entirely unchanged from the nineteenth century.

Food and drink are woven into every part of the day. Breakfast at a neighbourhood café, a long lunch at a classic Parisian brasserie, an evening at a cabaret — Paris has a specific version of each of these experiences that is different from anywhere else in the world, and the sightseeing packages are designed to make sure you have access to the best of them.

Beyond Paris: day trips and regional excursions

Some of the most remarkable destinations in France are within a day's reach of Paris, and the longer sightseeing packages include one or two full-day excursions as part of the programme.

• Palace of Versailles: Louis XIV's vast royal palace and gardens, 20 kilometres southwest of Paris. One of the most visited sites in France and best experienced with a skip-the-line ticket, which is included in select packages. Not offered on Mondays.
• Loire Valley: the château country of the French Renaissance, roughly two hours southwest of Paris. The Loire Valley is a UNESCO World Heritage region of extraordinary beauty, with dozens of royal and aristocratic castles set along the river and its tributaries, surrounded by vineyards and market towns.
• Mont St. Michel: the medieval tidal island abbey off the Normandy coast, one of the most dramatic and iconic sights in all of France. A long but deeply rewarding full-day excursion from Paris, best suited to travellers with a strong interest in history and landscape.
• Normandy beaches: the D-Day landing beaches of June 1944 and the American Cemetery at Colleville-sur-Mer are among the most moving and historically significant sites in Europe. The full-day excursion from Paris covers the key memorial sites along the Normandy coast.

Packages that include regional excursions allow you to choose which destinations suit your interests, giving you the structure of a guided day out without locking you into a fixed circuit. The rest of your time in Paris is entirely your own.

Best time to visit and typical weather

Paris is a year-round destination, but the most popular windows from Canada are April through June and September through October. Spring brings mild temperatures of 14 to 22°C, the city in bloom and outdoor terraces in full swing — the best all-round conditions for a first visit. Fall is slightly cooler (13 to 19°C) and often the better choice for avoiding crowds at the major museums and at Versailles, with soft golden light that shows the city at its most photogenic.

July and August are the busiest months, with temperatures regularly reaching 28 to 32°C and the main sites at their most crowded. The pre-arranged inclusions in these packages help significantly in summer — skip-the-line access and pre-booked restaurant reservations are a real advantage during peak season. December is quieter and more affordable, with temperatures of 4 to 9°C, and the city's Christmas markets and festive window displays are a genuine draw.

Typical temperatures:

• Spring (April to May): 14 to 22°C. Ideal for sightseeing and walking. Outdoor terraces open, city in bloom.
• Summer (June to August): 22 to 32°C. Long days, lively atmosphere, peak crowds. Pre-booked inclusions are a real advantage.
• Fall (September to October): 13 to 19°C. Smaller crowds, beautiful light, very comfortable temperatures.
• Winter (November to March): 4 to 9°C. Quiet and affordable. December adds festive atmosphere; museums are at their most accessible.

Not sure which package best suits your travel style and the time you have? Speak with one of our agents who has been to Paris and can help you choose between itineraries, hotel neighbourhoods and the right time of year. Call us at 1-800-665-4981.