Paris — the City of Light — needs no introduction. For Indian travellers, Paris is the dream European destination: the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, Montmartre, and the world's finest cuisine all in one compact, walkable city. Here is how to plan a Paris trip from India without overspending or over-stressing about the Schengen visa.
Schengen Visa for Indians
For a Paris-only trip, apply for a French Schengen visa at the VFS Global France centre in your city. Key points:
- Fee: €80 (approx. ₹7,200) + VFS service charge ₹2,200
- Processing: 15 working days; apply 4–6 weeks before travel
- Documents: 3 months bank statement (min. ₹2 lakh balance recommended), 3 years ITR, employer letter, hotel bookings, flight tickets, travel insurance
- Validity: typically 30 days for your trip duration, but you can get multi-year visas on repeat applications
Top Things to Do in Paris
Eiffel Tower
Book tickets at least 2–3 weeks ahead on the official Toureiffel.paris website (€11–29 depending on level). Avoid resellers charging 3× the price. The second floor gives the best combination of views and value. The summit (3rd floor) is worth it on a clear day. Go at night — the tower sparkles every hour after dark.
The Louvre
Home to the Mona Lisa, Venus de Milo, and 380,000 other artworks. Buy tickets online (€17) to skip the queue — walk-in waits can be 2+ hours. Go straight to the Denon wing (room 711) for the Mona Lisa, then explore at leisure. Plan at least 3–4 hours.
Montmartre & Sacré-Cœur
The bohemian hilltop neighbourhood of Montmartre is one of Paris's most charming areas. Walk up the steep stairs to the white-domed Sacré-Cœur basilica for panoramic city views. The Place du Tertre square is touristy but charming; explore the side streets for better cafes and local life.
Musée d'Orsay
The former railway station turned art museum houses the world's finest collection of Impressionist paintings — Monet, Renoir, Degas, Van Gogh's bedroom. Buy tickets online (€16); close at 9 pm on Thursdays.
Day Trip: Versailles
The Palace of Versailles is 35 minutes by RER C train from central Paris. The Hall of Mirrors alone justifies the journey. Buy a Palace + Gardens pass (€27) online. Go Tuesday–Thursday to avoid weekend crowds.
5-Day Paris Itinerary
| Day | Area | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive | Eiffel Tower (evening, sparkle show), Seine river walk |
| Day 2 | Louvre & Rive Droite | Louvre, Tuileries Garden, Champs-Élysées, Arc de Triomphe |
| Day 3 | Montmartre & Marais | Sacré-Cœur, Musée Picasso, falafel at L'As du Fallafel |
| Day 4 | Versailles day trip | Palace, Hall of Mirrors, Gardens |
| Day 5 | Musée d'Orsay & Saint-Germain | Impressionist art, café culture, last shopping |
Budget for Paris (per couple, 5 nights)
| Item | Budget | Mid-Range | Luxury |
|---|---|---|---|
| Return flights from India | ₹55,000 | ₹80,000 | ₹1,80,000 |
| 5 nights hotel | ₹40,000 | ₹90,000 | ₹2,50,000 |
| Food (boulangerie vs brasserie) | ₹20,000 | ₹40,000 | ₹80,000 |
| Attractions & transport | ₹18,000 | ₹28,000 | ₹50,000 |
| Total per couple | ₹1,33,000 | ₹2,38,000 | ₹5,60,000 |
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