Traveling for business can be a mixed bag at the best of times - sometimes you can have an amazing experience engaging in both work and leisure, while at other times you may be swamped and pressured for time throughout.
In the event that you are able to take a bit of time out of your trip to wind down and explore a bit, you may be curious to know what options you may have when it comes to taking a guided tour. The amount of time you’ll be able to actually spend on leisure activities will vary depending on circumstances. That’s why we’ll be providing hints for a series of schedules - for those who only have a few hours free, to those who opt to take a week or so off after they’ve conducted their business.
However, much time you have, our team of private guides are ready to help you out anytime.
Only a few hours
Okay, so you only have a few hours before you have to catch your flight back home. What can we realistically do in Paris with only a bit of time on our hands?
To make sure we make our flight, there’s probably only enough time to visit one major landmark. It may sound predictable, but if it’s your first time in Paris, we would urge you not to miss out on seeing the Eiffel Tower and its surroundings up close. The areas surrounding the tower are filled with beautiful parks and squares, each area playing host to additional attractions that you can pop into if time allows. This includes the Paris Aquarium as well as the fascinating Musée de l'Homme (Museum of Humankind), an anthropology museum that showcases the journey of our species through the ages.
If you’d rather enjoy a stroll outside or a quiet picnic, the Champ de Mars with its extensive lawns is also right next door. You can even take a walk (or ride) up to the Arc de Triomphe (around 30 minutes away on foot). If you are pressed for time but want to enjoy a bit of the quintessential Paris experience - this is probably the best way to do it. For those concerned about finding their way, one of our private guides can accompany you on your mini tour as well.
Your day off
With a full day off, we can expect to see a bit more of the city. In this case, we would recommend checking out at least two to three of the major attractions, with breaks sprinkled in for lunch, dinner, or just to unwind a bit.
For some tips, you can check out our write-up on our top 5 must-see Paris attractions. In addition to the Eiffel Tower and Arc de Triomphe, you can also consider visiting the famous art museum at the Louvre, or any of the city’s other myriad museums. There is also the Cathedral of Notre-Dame if you’re in the mood for a mixture of art and religious history, as well as the famous Latin Quarter.
Here you can enjoy a relaxing day visiting the area’s wide assortment of eclectic cafés and bookshops - including the historic Shakespeare & Company. If you feel like adding a bit of a natural twist to your trip, the Jardin des Plantes botanical gardens also makes for an idyllic experience right in the heart of Paris.
A week or more
Let’s say you’ve planned your trip well ahead of time, and decided to take about a week off after your business trip to really soak in the sights and sounds of Paris. In this case, we would highly recommend taking advantage of the amazing experiences that our team of private guides can offer you. These can range from leisurely day trips to the major attractions, or something a bit more off the beaten path.
You can easily make time in your journey to visit the famous Palais Garnier Opera House - a fabulous example of Napoleonic-era architecture. Inside, guests can marvel at the breathtaking grand staircase, the immaculate grand foyer with its high ceiling and glittering decorations, and of course the expansive auditorium itself. If you plan your trip ahead of time, you can also make a reservation to see some of the world’s most famous ballet performances from the same seats once occupied by Napoleon III and other European nobility. You can also enjoy some fine French cuisine at the attached restaurant, L'Opéra.
For an outdoor alternative, you cannot go wrong with a visit to the Tuileries Garden by the Place de la Concorde and the Arc de Triomphe. These sprawling public gardens were created by Catherine de' Medici all the way back in 1564 to serve as the Tuileries Palace garden. The park eventually opened to the public during the French Revolution. In a bit of a more sinister tone, the nearby Place de la Concorde also served as the execution site of King Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette during the revolution. Today, however, you can enjoy a relaxing stroll without fear of any guillotines.
Experienced business travelers
In the event that you travel to the City of Lights at least once a year, it’s safe to say that you are a veteran visitor to the city. So it stands to reason that you’ve seen all the major landmarks and attractions already - but there may be a few out of the way spots that you can still check out.
One of our favorites, and a spot not all travelers tend to visit, is the Paris catacombs. This labyrinthine series of tunnels are home to the remains of approximately six million people! Most of the remains were simply relocated from the city’s overflowing graveyards during the 18th century, but the tunnels are also home to macabre mysteries and incidents that occurred throughout the years. This includes the disappearance of Philibert Aspairt, several alleged murders during the city’s more politically turbulent years, and even its use as a hideout for the French Resistance during World War II.
Parts of the catacombs are open to the public, and alongside one of our private tour guides you can also gain access to some of the restricted areas! Here you will be treated to a fascinating dive into the city’s murkier history, uncovering the mysteries of the catacombs from its days as a limestone quarry all the way to its use as a grave site.
In the unlikely event that you feel you have truly experienced everything the city itself has to offer, we would recommend looking to the outskirts of the city for a more rustic experience. Contrary to popular belief, one can visit many amazing vineyards right outside Paris, and the surrounding countryside features various activities to partake in, from wine tasting to hiking to taking art lessons in one of the studios used by the masters of old.
Conclusion
Whether you’re a Paris veteran or a newcomer with just a little time to spare during a business trip, the City of Lights offers a wide range of activities and attractions to experience.
With one of our vetted Parisian tour guides, you are guaranteed to enjoy a spectacular visit to the city, whether it’s over a week or just a few hours.
