How to get there

Click here to read about the availability of flights and rail travel to Paris this weekend, plus the latest on hotels that are still taking bookings.

Where to watch the match

If you haven’t got tickets for the England/South Africa final in Paris, but are heading to the city to soak up the atmosphere, the best place to watch the game is at one of the outdoor screens.

The main screen is in the square outside the Hotel de Ville, which has been covered in grass and has information desks, food and drink.

There are also 15 screens opposite the Eiffel Tower at the official Rugby Town in Trocadero. The site includes stalls selling food and drink, and street entertainment.

If you want to get even closer to the action, the Rugbycolour village is next to the Stade de France in St Denis and has a giant screen, plus stalls, cafes and bars.

The city’s business district, La Defense is also hoping to attract visitors to watch the game on its giant screen, which has a backdrop of illuminations.

Where to drink

The Paris tourist board lists 13 “rugby bars” on its website. One that is likely to be popular with English fans is The Frog and Rosbif, one of a chain of six English pubs in France. The pub serves English ales and is also a microbrewery, producing its own range of beers. Expect big screens, face paint and a lot of singing. The Times Paris correspondent, Adam Sage warns though that the bar will get packed, so if you don't get there early enough, he recommends heading to the rugby bars and pubs around the Pantheon (Place de l'Abbe Basset, rue de la Montagne), which should be less busy.

According to the Times chief correspondent in France, Charles Bremner, rugby fans hang out mainly in the so-called Vallee de la Soif (Thirst Valley), which takes in the streets around Saint German des Pres on the Left Bank. He's also suggested his local brasserie, which will screen the match. It's called the Royal Pereire on the Place du Marechal Juin in the 17th arrondissement, not far from the Arc de Triomphe and walking distance from the Champs Elysees for a victory parade.

Another venue that is popular with French rugby fans is Eden Park on Rue Princesse, which is owned by the former French rugby players Franck Mesnel and Eric Blanc.

English fans are probably best avoiding La Pomme d'Eve on rue Laplace. It used to be a South African theme bar, and although it has since changed hands, it may attract its former clientele to watch the game on its big screens.

Where to eat

According to Rough Guides, for the ultimate, deluxe dining in Paris, only Lasserre, at 17 Av Franklin Roosevelt (0143 590213), will do. It’s at least €120 per head for dinner, and €75 for the lunchtime set menu; or there’s a seven-course menu dégustation at €185 excluding wine if you want a real blow-out. Don’t forget the jacket and tie.

If getting a table at Lasserre proves too tricky, fine dining expert Rosa Jackson has ten other restaurants up her sleeve across the French capital.

Meanwhile, author Kate Muir, whose novel, Left Bank, was set in Paris, has a couple of recommendations – one affordable and one more extravagant, and both overseen by female chefs.

What to do

There is of course the Eiffel Tower, a good place to start for first-time visitors to the city because of its panoramic views.

A more fashionable area, where the tourists to locals ratio is a little more favourable is the Marais, where cafes, shops and bars will keep you entertained all day. Bars worth a visit include Andy Wahloo, 69 rue des Gravilliers; Lizard Lounge, 81 rue du Bourg-Tibourg; Guillame, 32 rue de Picardie; Les Bains, 7 rue du Bourg L’Abbél; and Chez Richard, 37 rue Vieille du Temple.

If you want to tag some culture onto your sporty break, Charles Bremner recommends Canal St Martin for its historic waterways and café culture.

As for getting around the city, a cycle scheme, offers free use of bicycles from 750 stations around Paris, for up to half an hour, or at a cost of €1 (70p) for an hour, €3 for 90 minutes and €7 for two hours. The cycles are expected to be in particular demand on Thursday, when a strike by transport workers will bring the Paris Metro to a halt.

For those on a budget in Paris, a Kieran Falconer has advice on hotels, museums, walks and restaurants that won’t break the bank.

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