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France — From Paris to the South of France
A France travel guide for UK working holidaymakers. Just 2 hours 15 minutes from London to Paris on the Eurostar. Must-see spots, hidden gems, food, transport, and budget tips — all the practical info you need.
Published: 9 March 2026
KRW amounts shown next to GBP prices use the ECB reference rate £1 = ₩2,003 as of 2 Apr 2026. They are reference figures only and may differ from your actual bank, card, or remittance rate.
The closest major European city to London. Hop on the Eurostar and you're in central Paris in 2 hours 15 minutes. A weekend trip works perfectly, and if you tack on some annual leave, you can even venture down to the South of France.
London to Paris
| Mode | Travel Time | Price Range | Pros |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eurostar | 2h 15min | £40~80 (approx. ₩80,132~₩160,264) (booked early) | City centre to city centre, free luggage, most convenient |
| Budget airline | 1h 15min (flight only) | £20~60 (approx. ₩40,066~₩120,198) | Cheapest option possible |
| FlixBus | 7~9 hours | £15~30 (approx. ₩30,050~₩60,099) | Rock bottom price, but exhausting |
| Ferry + train | 5~7 hours | £30~60 (approx. ₩60,099~₩120,198) | A unique experience |
💡 Eurostar tips
- Book 2–3 months ahead to snag tickets around £40 (approx. ₩80,132). Last-minute fares can hit £200+ (approx. ₩400,660+)
- London St Pancras to Paris Gare du Nord — you arrive right in the heart of Paris
- Check-in required 30 minutes before departure (passport control applies)
- 2 bags free, no liquid restrictions (unlike flights)
- Snap fares (cheapest tier) are non-refundable/non-changeable — only book these when your plans are locked in
Budget airlines — things to watch out for
- Ryanair/easyJet run London–Paris routes, but always check which airport you're landing at
- Paris CDG (Charles de Gaulle) — 35 minutes to central Paris via RER B (around $13)
- Paris Beauvais — a 1 hour 20 minute bus ride from Paris (around $19). Barely Paris at all
- Once you factor in airport transfers and costs, the Eurostar often works out better value
Paris must-sees
The classics
| Sight | Entry Fee | Tips |
|---|---|---|
| Eiffel Tower | around $20~32 (varies by level) | Book online — essential. Taking the stairs is cheaper |
| Louvre Museum | around $24 | Free on the first Friday of each month after 6pm (under 26 only) |
| Musee d'Orsay | around $18 | The Impressionist masterpiece collection. Late opening on Thursdays |
| Notre-Dame Cathedral | Free (exterior) | Reopened in 2024. Check booking requirements for interior visits |
| Arc de Triomphe | around $18 | Rooftop views over the Champs-Elysees and the Eiffel Tower |
| Montmartre (Sacre-Coeur) | Free | Panoramic city views from the hilltop. Watch for pickpockets |
| Champs-Elysees | Free | The iconic shopping avenue. Great just for a stroll |
⚠️ Pickpocket hotspots
Around the Eiffel Tower, on the Metro, the Montmartre steps, the Champs-Elysees. Paris is one of Europe's worst cities for pickpockets. Wear your backpack on your front, don't keep your phone in your pocket. Anyone approaching you with a "petition to sign" is 100% a scam.
Hidden gems & local vibes
- Le Marais — Paris's hippest neighbourhood. Vintage shops, galleries, cafes, and incredible falafel (L'As du Fallafel)
- Canal Saint-Martin — A canal where locals picnic. Filming location from the movie "Amelie"
- Rue Cremieux — A colourful, Instagram-worthy street near Gare de Lyon station
- Pere Lachaise Cemetery — Final resting place of Jim Morrison, Chopin, and Oscar Wilde. Surprisingly lovely for a walk
- Quartier Latin — Near the Sorbonne. Bookshops, cafes, and student-town energy
- Luxembourg Gardens — On a nice day, just sit on a bench and relax like a local
Paris food
Things you absolutely must try
| Food | Price Range | Where |
|---|---|---|
| Croissant | around $1.30~2.20 | Any boulangerie (bakery) |
| Baguette sandwich | around $4.50~6.50 | Boulangeries, street stalls |
| Crepe | around $3.30~7.70 | Montparnasse crepe street |
| Escargot (snails) | around $13~20 | Traditional bistros |
| Steak tartare | around $16.50~22 | Le Bouillon Chartier (great value restaurant) |
| Wine + cheese | around $5.50~11 | Grab from a supermarket and picnic by the Seine |
| Macarons | around $2.20~3.30 each | Laduree, Pierre Herme |
| French onion soup | around $8.80~13 | Traditional bistros |
💡 Saving money on food in Paris
- Hit the supermarkets — Monoprix or Carrefour City for wine (from around $4.40), a baguette (around $1.10), cheese (from around $3.30), then picnic along the Seine or in a park. This is the real Parisian romance
- Le Bouillon Chartier — Open since 1896, 3 courses for around $16.50~22. Touristy? Yes. Great value? Absolutely
- Boulangerie lunch — Croissant + quiche + drink = around $5.50~8.80. No need for a restaurant when bakeries are this good
- Formule/Menu du jour — Lunch set menus. Starter + main or main + dessert for around $13~20
Getting around Paris
Metro
- 16 lines covering every corner of central Paris
- Single ticket (Ticket t+) — around $2.40 (app/card payment), paper tickets cost more
- Navigo Easy — Rechargeable travel card. A carnet of 10 rides costs around $18.60 (about $1.85 each)
Navigo Decouverte weekly pass
| Zone | Price | Coverage |
|---|---|---|
| Zone 1~5 | around $34/week | Central Paris + Versailles + CDG Airport |
- Runs Monday to Sunday — If you buy it on Wednesday, it's only valid until Sunday. Buying on Monday gives you the best value
- Photo required (you can take one at the machine or bring your own)
- If you're staying 2–3+ days, it almost always pays for itself
ℹ️ Paris transport tips
- Unlimited transfers within Zone 1 on the Metro
- Google Maps works for route planning, but Citymapper is more accurate
- Metro doors don't always open automatically — you may need to lift a lever or press a button
Beyond Paris
Palace of Versailles (day trip)
- 40 minutes from Paris on the RER C (included in the Navigo weekly pass)
- Entry: around $23
- Closed on Tuesdays. Monday and Wednesday are relatively quieter
- The gardens are free (except during fountain show dates)
- Allow at least half a day; a full day is better
Mont Saint-Michel
- Paris Gare Montparnasse to Rennes/Dol-de-Bretagne (TGV, 2–3 hours) + shuttle bus
- A day trip is doable but tight. An overnight stay is recommended
- Seeing it surrounded by the sea at high tide is absolutely stunning
- Entry: around $12 (the abbey)
Nice & the South of France
- Paris to Nice: TGV around 5.5 hours, or Ryanair/easyJet 1.5 hours (£30~60 (approx. ₩60,099~₩120,198))
- Nice — Promenade des Anglais, Old Town (Vieux Nice), beaches
- Cannes — 30 minutes by train from Nice. Beaches, the film festival boulevard
- Monaco — 20 minutes by train from Nice. Casinos, the palace, F1 circuit
- Eze — A medieval village perched on a cliff, 30 minutes by bus from Nice
- The South of France is best in April–June and September–October — great weather, fewer crowds
Lyon
- Paris to Lyon: 2 hours on the TGV
- The culinary capital of France. Eat at a traditional Bouchon (mains around $13~22)
- Old Town (Vieux Lyon), Place Bellecour, the famous mural walking tour
Suggested 3-day Paris itinerary
Day 1: Classic Paris
- Morning: Eiffel Tower (timed entry) then photos from Trocadero
- Lunch: Baguette + cheese picnic at Champ de Mars park
- Afternoon: Musee d'Orsay then a stroll through Luxembourg Gardens
- Dinner: French bistro in the Quartier Latin (Menu du jour around $16.50~22)
Day 2: Montmartre + Le Marais
- Morning: Wander Montmartre, Sacre-Coeur, Place du Tertre (artists' square)
- Lunch: L'As du Fallafel in Le Marais (falafel around $8.80)
- Afternoon: Vintage shops, galleries, and cafes around Le Marais
- Evening: Wine + picnic along Canal Saint-Martin
Day 3: Louvre + departure
- Morning: Louvre Museum (allow at least 3 hours)
- Lunch: Boulangerie near the Louvre
- Afternoon: Notre-Dame, stroll around Ile de la Cite, Champs-Elysees, Arc de Triomphe
- Evening: Eurostar from Gare du Nord
Budget breakdown
Estimated costs for 3 days in Paris (per person)
| Category | Budget | Mid-range | Comfortable |
|---|---|---|---|
| Transport (Eurostar return) | £80 (approx. ₩160,264) | £100 (approx. ₩200,330) | £150 (approx. ₩300,495) |
| Accommodation (2 nights) | £40 (approx. ₩80,132) (hostel) | £80 (approx. ₩160,264) (hotel) | £150 (approx. ₩300,495) (Airbnb) |
| Food (3 days) | £30 (approx. ₩60,099) | £60 (approx. ₩120,198) | £100 (approx. ₩200,330) |
| Sightseeing (entry fees) | £20 (approx. ₩40,066) | £40 (approx. ₩80,132) | £60 (approx. ₩120,198) |
| Paris transport | £10 (approx. ₩20,033) | £15 (approx. ₩30,050) | £15 (approx. ₩30,050) |
| Total | £180 (approx. ₩360,594) | £295 (approx. ₩590,974) | £475 (approx. ₩951,568) |
💡 Money-saving tips
- Book the Eurostar early for a return of £80~100 (approx. ₩160,264~₩200,330)
- The Louvre is free for under-26 EU residents (not applicable for non-EU passport holders, but the first Friday evening of each month is free for everyone)
- Eiffel Tower stairs ticket is around $13 (vs around $20~32 for the lift)
- A Seine-side picnic costs nothing and the atmosphere is unbeatable
0/8 완료
Paris is a must-visit at least once during your working holiday. Thanks to the Eurostar, a weekend is all you need, and if you book 2–3 months ahead, it's surprisingly affordable. There's no better first European trip from the UK.