Car Hire CDG - Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport

Charles de Gaulle Airport sits to the north-east of the city, just 35km from Paris’s stunning attractions. Head out of the airport on the A3 or A1 and you’ll soon be exploring one of Europe’s most famous, exciting and legendary cities.

Driving is on the right-hand side of the road, with overtaking on the left. Use of seatbelts is compulsory, while it’s illegal to use mobile phones while driving in France, something that also extends to hands-free sets.

In the city itself there’s typically a top speed limit of 50km/h, although occasionally this may be lower if you’re in a school zone or other particularly busy area. Outside of the centre, and especially when travelling between cities, you may use French motorways called autoroutes. These have a maximum speed of 130km/h and many of them are tolled. Limits can vary according to location and driving conditions (lowering to 110km/h on autoroutes in rain, for example), so always ensure you check signs for the route that you are on.

A giant ring road encircles Paris, known as the Boulevard Périphérique. Using this road means you don’t need to cross the busiest areas of the city to get from A to B. Be prepared for congestion though, as more than 30 junctions lead from it to various parts of the centre and outskirts.

Some of the most stunning and iconic sights in Paris can be reached by car. You can drive on the Champs-Élysées, lined with shops, until you reach the Arc de Triomphe. There are also roads along both banks of the Seine, making it easy to navigate to the major attractions. There isn’t much free parking in Paris – but you can make use of meters or, for longer and cheaper stays, underground car parks.

The treasure trove of Paris is brimming with both well-known jewels and hidden gems to discover.

Make it a culinary adventure if you choose, whether your appetite is for three-Michelin-star temples or laid-back cafes and brasseries. Focus on art, meanwhile, and you can wind your way through some of the world’s greatest galleries. Alternatively, reach for the stars atop the Eiffel Tower and find new depths when you explore the ghostly catacombs.

Of course, there’s an even better idea for sight-seeing in Paris: try to do it all.

Grand attractions

If there’s one thing you need to do in Paris, perhaps above everything else, it’s ascend the Eiffel Tower. Paris’s most popular attraction has the queues to match, so a handy tip is to book a timed ticket ahead of arrival. That way you can saunter to the front and catch your lift to the top. Those with vertigo needn’t worry however – the view of Gustave Eiffel’s masterpiece from the Jardins du Trocadero, near the base, is just as impressive.

Notre-Dame Cathedral is another iconic structure that doesn’t disappoint. In holiday season, the medieval marvel that inspired the likes of Victor Hugo sees lines snaking out of the front, so arrive early in the morning or late afternoon. If you grab a Paris Pass (which gives you access or discounts for many of the major sights, plus queue-skipping privileges at others), both crypt and tower are included.

Parisian cuisine

Despite the rumours, it is possible to eat bad food when in Paris. But find the right venues, and you’ll rarely have tasted better.

Avoid the tourist traps and head into the neighbourhoods and backstreets of the city for a real authentic taste of France. If you’re dining next to locals, it’s usually a sign of quality.

Parisians adore Le Bistrot Paul Bert, which ticks every box for what a classic bistro should be. It’s simple but delicious – try a thick slab of steak, proper frites and a Paris-Brest dessert to finish. If you really want to push the boat out, then reserve well in advance for the grand Michelin restaurants. The French take their fine dining very seriously, so expect several waiting staff for your table alone, and a reverential atmosphere at the likes of Guy Savoy and Pierre Gagnaire. Rest assured, the French invented haute cuisine – they know what they are doing.

A world of art

It would take weeks to see every piece of art in the famous Louvre alone, so full of masterpieces is Paris’s creative scene.

Getting a view of the Mona Lisa is undoubtedly one to tick off your bucket list (strangely, very few people even stopped to see it until it was stolen in 1911 – the first time it became truly famous), but if you’re not a fan of that enigmatic smile, worry not. You can admire the Venus de Milo or masterpieces by Veronese, Michelangelo, Delacroix and Vermeer.

The Louvre building is also beautiful, although maybe not as captivating as the former train station that houses the must-see Musee d’Orsay. This is the place of Rodin and Renoir, not to mention Van Gogh – and a sense of peace pervades in a gallery that’s far easier to navigate than the Louvre.

Best of all, with car hire at Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport, you’ve got time to visit them both.