Tips for Paris mini-bus and coach tourism

Useful tips for Paris bus groups with ‘what to see’ and ‘what to do’ items and  ‘bus- friendly’ or must see tourist sites in Paris. Check our list of attractions before planning your bus tour with a stop or departure in Paris. Let us know if your favourite attraction or ‘bus-stop’ is not there and you think we should add it to our list of Paris highlights.

Video tour the touristic sights of Paris

So that"s how this video starts, with an in-love couple lounging on the grass in Champ de Mars beside the Eiffel Tower. From this serenity comes the bizarre Arc de Triumphe. Yes, it"s an impressive landmark. However, most people come here to check out the insane roundabout where innumerable lanes of traffic somehow don"t crash into each other. Perhaps the French aren"t the best at driving, yet they know how to do art. Inside The Louvre you"ll find, amongst thousands of other greats, the world"s most famous painting – the Mona Lisa. Stunning architecture completes your tour of Paris with private transport, including Les Invalides, home of Napoleon"s Tomb, and the National Music Academy. Just remember to tell your minibus driver to get back to the Eiffel Tower after dark for a bit more romance.

Paris covers only 20% of the whole Ile de France region, and more than 90% of the total population in this region is living in Paris. Although the city seems to be over crowded it is still worth it to visit this beautiful city. France is known for various reasons, though Paris is still taking the lead. Every year this city is attracting a numerous amount of tourists.

Due to the location of the city combined with its beauty and art, is it often considered the most beautiful city in the world and is also called the city of love . The reason that it is the most visited city is a combination of the most visited attractions of France, which are also located in Paris. These attractions include Disneyland Paris (12 million), Eiffel Tower (6000000), Louvre (6miljoen) and the Centre Pompidou (5000000) These attractions are certainly a must for every visitor. Furthermore, the city is divided into 20 districts and each is having their own characteristics.

Transportation to and from the airport

Paris has three airports called Aéroport Charles de Gaulle (CDG) Aéroport d"Orly (ORY) and Aéroport de Beauvais (BVA). Aéroport Charles de Gaulle is the largest of the three and about 23 km away from the city centre of Paris. Aéroport d"Orly lies closer to the city with an distance of 14 km and Aéroport de Beauvais is the furthest away from Paris with 84 km. At all airports taxi are available who would like to bring you to your destination. On both airports, Aeroport Charles de Gaulle and Aéroport d"Orly a train or bus can be taken. If you do not want to wait and want to travel directly to your destination, than a taxi can be arranged beforehand. Next to that, at each airport, cars and minibuses can be rented for transport to and from the city. A few taxi companies are : Taxi cab Paris, 49, rue Pierre Brossolette 92300 Levallois-Perret Nanterre in the north western part of Paris is this company situated, Paris Navettes, situated at 91 r du Faubourg Saint Honoré 75008 in Paris, and Taxis Pas Cher, located at the 4 Avenue Laurent Cely 92600 Asnieres what lies north of Paris. These companies can also be hired for private tours, whereby all sightseeing places in the city of Paris will be visited.

Terminal 2E - CDG credit: Cha già José CC BY-SA 2.0

Are you during your tour passing by or visiting Paris?

Plan just a certain amount of time to at least visit the following mentioned attractions:

 Louvre

•  Louvre is one of the largest museums in the world and it is receiving around 8 million visitors a year. Furthermore are there approximately 300,000 works of which only a small 10% is exhibited. Where the Louvre is primarily known of is the "Mona Lisa" painted by Da Vinci around 1504 and Venus of Milo. It is a statue created about the end of the second century, which was found on the Greek island Milo. King Philippe Auguste ever built Louvre as a fort with the main purpose to protect the Vikings. Over the years, the fort was rebuilt and expanded, resulting in the Louvre. As cherish on top of the cake is the glass pyramid added as the entrance of the museum. At he inside it looks like an inverted pyramid. The use of glass made it happen that daylight arrived in all the underground complexes. Moreover Louvre is situated at the Palais Royal, in the heart of Paris, which is at the 1st arrondissement along Place du Carrousel. Do you want your coach parking near the museum make sure you got in advance a parking lot.

Museo du Louvre credit: Miguel CC BY 2.0

Champs Elysees

• This 1.9 km long and 71 meter wide road is probably one of the most famous avenues in the world. Its expensive shops characterize this street, however these shops made nowadays more space for less expensive stores. Furthermore plays the Champs Elysees a role in major French events, the last tour of Le Tour de France for instance. If you are visiting Paris in the winter months, the trees at the Champs Elysees on both sides of the street will be beautifully decorated with lights.

champs-elysees credit: Reglissou CC BY-SA 2.0

Paris a revêtu ses habits de fêtes. Illuminations sur les Champs Elysées

Arc de Triomphe

• Arc de Triomphe is also one of the most famous arches in the world and a magnificent landmark of Paris. It is built by Napoleon in 1806 but completed under the direction of Louis Philippe in 1836. In 1919, the Arc de Triomphe was used for which it was really built: a victory parade of the allied under the Arc de Triomphe by. Besides, the Triomphe is richly decorated with past events. Nowadays the Arc de Triomphe is often visited by tourists and can be climbed on to the top that gives a great sight on a height of 50 meters over the Champs Elysees, the Louvre Museum and La Defense. Thereby you will see all the 12 roads converge on one of the busiest roundabouts of Paris. This monument is located at Place Charles de Gaulle.

Arc de Triomphe du Carrousel credit: David McSpadden CC BY 2.0

The Eiffel Tower

• This beautiful landmark of Paris is about 300 meters high and is having three floors, which all can be visited. Meanwhile, the Eiffel Tower is already 123 years old.  Mr. Eiffel built the Eiffel tower in the year 1889 for the world fair that was held that year. The Eiffel tower receives every year about 6 million tourists and is the most visited monument in the world. If you guide a group of active tourists than you can place a bet to climb the Eiffel Tower. All the waiting will be rewarded with a spectacular view over the city and you and your fellow travellers put down a real performance. The tower stands on the left bank of the Seine and is situated in the 7th arrondisement of the city.

Eiffel Tower in the rain credit: McPig CC BY 2.0

The Notre Dame

• Not only interesting for the religious tourists but for everyone who wants to see a beautiful piece of Paris. This cathedral was completed in 1345, built on the foundations of a Roman temple. The Notre Dame has a length of 130 meters, a width of 48 meter and a height of 35 meters. The spire has a height of 90 meters and the two towers at the front of the church can be climbed. Despite the important events that played at Notre Dame as the coronation of Emperor Napoleon, the Notre Dame only became world famous after the book The Hunchback of Notre-Dame was written. In the Notre Dame you can enjoy a sumptuous piece of history, beautiful rose windows, sculptures, and a beautiful organ. The island in the Seine where Notre Dame is located, is centrally located within all arrondissements. Further is it located on the Île de la Cité and the address is 6, Place du Parvis-Notre-Dame.

Notre Dame credit: Fernando Jiménez CC BY-ND 2.0

Sacre-Coeur

• The second most famous church of Paris, is worth to pay a visit. Above the choir in this basilica is a beautiful Jesus made of mosaic. From the steps of the Sacre Coeur do you have magnificent view over the city. For the more adventurous and active tourists is it possible to climb the dome, however you have to defy first 300 steps. Unfortunately is it not allowed to take photo’s in the Sacre Coeur. The Sacre Couer is situated in the 18th arrondissement on the hill of Montmartre in Paris.

 Moulin Rouge

• This cabaret theatre is famous for its red windmill (Moulin Rouge) and the loose dance moves of the dancers, which is called the can-can dance. Courtesans who pleased the male clientele performed the dance in that time. Over the years, the Moulin Rouge became more dignified, whereby it lost its reputation as "a house of ill repute". Nowadays there are still shows to visit with more than 100 costumed, extravagantly dressed ladies. If you would like it to visit the Moulin Rouge, it is situated in the 18th arrondissement, the street of the Moulin Rouge is 82 Boulevard de Clichy.

Moulin Rouge 1 credit: Son of Groucho CC BY 2.0

Tours of Paris

Do you want to explore the city of Paris by bus? Try it out with a hop on, hop off system. Buy a ticket drive around the city and get on and off wherever and whenever you want. This means you do not have the walk through the whole city and you still see all the sights that deserve to be visited. However, it is a must to buy a ticket for several days, since buses run slowly and have different routes through the city with a total of around 40 stated sites. Even a combination ticket with a boat is an option, just like a Paris by night tour. While doing the Paris by night tour, you will find all of the wonderful sites of Paris in the evening and one of them to be admired is the beautiful light show of the Eiffel Tower.

Luxembourg Palace, Paris France credit: Joe deSousa Dominio público

Tickets can be purchased at the day of the tour at Foxity, L"Open Bus Tour

What to see and visit in the region Ile de France Paris? 

Ile de france is divided into seven different departments of which one in particular is extremely popular, namely the city of Paris. Despite the fact that Paris attracts most of the tourists, other cities such as Seine-et-Marne Yvelines and Seine-Saint-Denis must certainly not be forgotten. The region is dividing cities by rivers, and has a varying landscape. Moreover each city has its own characteristics. Unfortunately, were these cities in the early years only seen as hideaway for the Parisians who had just enough of the city. Since these places were only hideaways in the earlier years and the majority of the population (90% of the total population of 12 million) still lives in Paris, are these cities rich in art treasures and other cultural historic property.

Zodiac Watch - Airport Paris Orly credit: Peter Drach (aka PeteDragomir) CC BY 2.0

Fontainebleau

The varying landscape that characterizes the region makes it an ideal place for hiking and mountain sports. Seine et Marne is also known for its forests and mountains. Fontainebleau has around 250 climbing routes and is therefore extremely interesting for mountaineering and nature lovers. Therewithal can this region be admired on foot, on horseback, by bike or via water. Considering that this region is having also many rivers and canals where water sports can be exercised like canoeing, jet skiing and sailing.

Fontainebleau bd Foch credit: David Fleg CC BY 2.0

Versailles

The Department Yvelines is known for the city Versailles. Like said before has Ile de France a rich history and so has the city Versailles. In this city many things remain preserved. In Versailles the castle of the Sun King Louis XIV situated. In this castle, the bedroom, the chapel and the hall of mirrors can be admired. Also, the park with its beautiful fountains filled with koi carpers and romantic farm of Queen Marie-Antoinette must not be forgotten.More history can be found in Saine-Saint-Denis, where a cathedral with many tombs of French kings and the St. Denis.

Fountain in the Parc de Versailles credit: edwin.11 CC BY 2.0

Disneyland Paris

Are you more in for some fun or just want to be away with the family. In less than 45 minutes from Paris, you can find Disneyland Paris. Going on the picture with Donald Duck and Mickey Mouse and imagine yourself back your younger years. Fun for all ages guaranteed

Disney Parade, Paris credit: Stéfan CC BY-SA 2.0

Business Tourism

Apart from the cultural beauty, Ile de France has to offer, is this region also the leader in corporate events and meetings. Paris comes at first place in Europe when talking about fairs. The total of 100,000 exhibiting companies, for the annually 400 fairs attracts around 10.5 million visitors. For business tourists offer Paris Ile de France Regional Tourism Committee a welcome package. The welcome pack includes many benefits such as free services immediately upon arrival at the Paris airport, and a calendar with list of fairs, exhibitions and cultural events.

Paris credit: Cristian Bortes CC BY 2.0

Click here to read more about trips and routes in the city of Paris and in the province of Ile de France