Paris Debrief

The City of Light Has Never Been More Worth the Trip

Why Visit Now

Paris is perennially one of the most visited cities in the world — and 2026 is shaping up to be an exceptional year to go. American bookings to France are surging, and the reasons are easy to understand: the city is riding a wave of post-Olympics energy, Notre-Dame has reopened after its remarkable five-year restoration, and a new generation of world-class hotels has reshaped what a luxury stay in Paris looks like.

Notre-Dame Cathedral — closed since the devastating 2019 fire — is now fully open to visitors, and the restoration is being called one of the great architectural achievements of the modern era. Seeing it in 2026, freshly restored and newly equipped with timed entry and improved visitor access, is a genuinely once-in-a-generation experience.

On top of that, France just expanded its prestigious Palace Hotel designation — the highest distinction in French hospitality, above five stars — for the first time in years, welcoming newly elevated properties including the Bvlgari Hotel Paris and Cheval Blanc Paris. The city's culinary scene, art world, and fashion calendar continue to set the global standard. Paris is always worth the trip. In 2026, it's particularly hard to resist. 

Where to Stay

Paris offers some of the finest hotels on earth, with legitimate options across every category:

  • Palace-Level Luxury (the very best): Cheval Blanc Paris (newly elevated to Palace status in 2026, Three MICHELIN Keys) sits on the Seine near the Pont Neuf with an extraordinary spa. Four Seasons Hotel George V near the Champs-Elysees holds Three MICHELIN Keys and remains one of the most celebrated hotels in Europe. Hotel de Crillon (Rosewood) on Place de la Concorde is a monument to French grandeur, recently reimagined.
  • Luxury Boutique: The newly opened Bvlgari Hotel Paris brings the Italian jeweler's signature aesthetic to the 8th arrondissement (Two MICHELIN Keys). Le Meurice, beloved by artists and royalty for generations, continues to set the standard on Rue de Rivoli. For something more intimate, HOY is generating serious buzz in 2026 as one of the coolest eco-luxury hotels in the city, anchored by a fully plant-based restaurant.
  • Mid-Range / Value: La Fondation (17th arrondissement) is a newly opened five-star with a rooftop Eiffel Tower view, two restaurants, and a semi-Olympic pool at prices well below the Palace tier. Villa SoPi in South Pigalle puts you steps from Montmartre in one of Paris's most charming neighborhoods.

Neighborhood matters enormously in Paris. The Marais suits culture lovers; Saint-Germain-des-Pres is the classic Left Bank literary district; the 8th is grand and central; Montmartre is romantic and residential. A good advisor helps you match the right arrondissement to your travel style — it changes the entire feel of the trip.

Getting There

Paris is served by two main airports for transatlantic travelers:

  • Charles de Gaulle (CDG): Paris's primary international hub and the gateway for most Americans flying to France. Air France, Delta, United, and American all operate nonstop service to CDG from major U.S. cities including New York (JFK), Miami (MIA), Orlando (MCO), Atlanta (ATL), Chicago (ORD), Los Angeles (LAX), and more. From Florida specifically, Air France operates nonstop service from Miami and Orlando year-round — a major convenience. CDG is large and can feel overwhelming; once you land, the RER B train connects you to central Paris in about 35 minutes for a modest fare.
  • Orly (ORY): Closer to the city center and significantly easier to navigate than CDG. Budget carrier French Bee operates nonstop flights to Orly from Newark, Miami, and San Francisco — often at a fraction of the legacy carrier price. The new Metro Line 14 connects Orly directly to central Paris in roughly 25 minutes.

Flight times from the U.S. East Coast average 7.5 to 8.5 hours nonstop. Overnight flights are the norm, and booking a premium economy or business class seat is one of the most worthwhile travel investments you can make — arriving rested means your first Paris day is actually enjoyable.

A Word From Your Travel Advisor

"Paris rewards the traveler who goes beyond the checklist. Yes, you should see the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre — but the Paris people fall in love with is the one they discover on a slow morning in a neighborhood bistro, or wandering a market street they weren't expecting to find. My job is to help you build a trip that has both: the iconic moments and the unexpected ones."

As your Jaunt Around advisor, I can help you choose the right neighborhood and hotel for your travel style, navigate the Notre-Dame timed entry system, and design an itinerary that goes deeper than the top ten. I can also help you combine Paris with other French destinations — the Loire Valley, Provence, the Dordogne — or build a broader Europe trip around it.

Paris is always a good idea. Let's make yours perfect.