Paris is more than just a romantic city and certainly a dream destination for many. It’s the home of architecture carved with history and glamour, unconventional fashion and art, and of course the gastronomic cuisine. It is often an overwhelming outing to plan and execute. However, with numerous experiences that you can have, comes numerous suggestions. And you would be a fool to overlook it.
For starters, navigating the European metropolis can be quite a task, especially when language is a barrier. Therefore, you must be aware of certain things before travelling to Paris. We have listed down some of the best Paris travel tips that will help you throughout the trip.
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Tip 1: It is better to plan your visit during the off-season.
The best time to travel to Paris is just before or after peak season (i.e. Summer). This way, you can get both good weather and a chance to travel to Paris without feeling suffocated in the crowd. Additionally, the off-season provides invariably lower prices of plane fares and accommodations.
We recommend planning a trip during Spring and autumn seasons. With the cherry blossom season in April and fall foliage spotting in October and November, it offers perfect inInstagramicture opportunities.
Tip 2: Use Public Transport
This is one of the Paris travel Tips that will surely come in handy while exploring the city. Instead of traveling in taxis and spending hours in traffic queues, hop onto the metro. It is not only fast and efficient but also very affordable. However, make sure to keep a close eye on your belongings at all times.
If you are planning on taking the metro several times or traveling as a group, make sure to get yourself a ‘carnet’. It is a pack of ten metro tickets that is comparatively cheaper than an individual metro ticket.
Tip 3: Buy Paris Pass
Looking forward to visiting multiple attractions in the city or simply want to skip the long queues? We highly recommend getting your hands on Paris Pass. The pass includes numerous benefits, including eliminating waiting for hours in a queue. Additionally, you also get free transportation on the metro and buses.
However, always make sure to add up the cost of all the attractions you are planning to visit and check whether it is cheaper to buy the pass or pay for individual tickets. In both cases, make sure to purchase the entrance tickets in advance to ditch the busy crowd.
Tip 4: Be aware of pickpockets and scammers
Pickpocketing is fairly common in Paris and certainly something you should be aware of. When traveling in the metro avoid hanging it on the crook of your arm or the back. Instead, always hold your bag or tucked init o your body. We recommend not carrying backpacks in your bag and always using a bag with a zip. Additionally, make sure to not keep your valuables or wallet on the top of your bag or front zipper.
Throughout Paris, you are likely to come across numerous scams. Especially if you are strolling around frequent touristic areas like Le Marais, Hotel de Ville, and Montmartre. Here you need to be careful of one popular ‘scam’ near tourist attractions. That is when someone asks you to sign a petition and then demands money.
Tip 5: Make an effort to learn the language
Before exploring the city of love, make sure to make an effort to learn French. You don’t have to master the language but knowing the absolute basics like bonjour, s’il voVouslaît, and merci will help you at least ingratiate with the locals. And if your French isn’t even up to scratch, the best way to add formality is by adding monsieur or madame to the above-mentioned phrases.
Tip 6: Bring student ID
This Paris travel Tip isn’t for everyone but students. If you’re lucky enough to still be a student while traveling to Paris, make sure to carry your student ID. It will guarantee you minimum to free entry into most attractions. It is also applicable if you are under the age of 26 and have a different form of ID.
And if you don’t fit in both cases, consider visiting the priciest museums like Musée d’Orsay, Centre Pompidou, and Louvre during the first Sunday of the month between October and March.
Alternatively, you can visit places that go easy on a budget like one of the City of Paris museums. They are just as good as any expensive museums and always free.
Tip 7: Be careful around protests
The French never hold back when it comes to expressing political dissatisfaction. You can often spot burning vehicles just around the corner. And the chances of demonstrations comparatively increase with the approaching presidential elections.
There have been large-scale demonstrations by trade unionists, anti-police protestors, and even taxi drivers in the past two years itself. However, none of these compares to the intensity of riots in 2005. The streets might also become a little overwhelming after major events like Fête de la Musique and Bastille Day.
Tip 8: Expect places to remain closed on Sundays
Like many predominantly Catholic countries, many places remain closed on Sundays or operate under limited hours. So, if you need to purchase supplies from the supermarket, make sure to get them in advance.
Especially in the countryside, you can expect to find that even several bars and restaurants are closed on Sundays. However, many major museums as well as tourist places like the Eiffel tower and Arc de Triomphe remain open even on Sundays. And Museums such as Musée d’Orsay and Louvre are closed on Mondays or Tuesdays instead.
Tip 9: Take advantage of the french coffee culture
Sipping on an espresso in a cafe and watching the world go by from the window is perhaps one of Paris’ cliches. But, in our opinion, you should make time to enjoy the cafe culture at least once when in Paris. In the last few years, coffee culture in Paris has grown significantly. Thus, leading to many new exciting openings and plenty of delicious caffeine stops across the city.
Some of the most aesthetically pleasing cafes in the city include Odette (the Latin Quarter), Café Oberkampf (the 11th arrondissement), and Le Consulat (Montmartre).
Tip 10: Always greet while you enter a shop
When entering a store in France, if you don’t make an effort to say “Bonjour” or “Hello”, it is considered rude. And you surely wouldn’t like to make such an impression in a foreign country.
Besides, you will also find that the shopkeepers are much friendlier and easier to talk to as long as you greet them while entering the shop/establishment.
Tip 11: Free bathrooms are rare
There is barely any possibility of crossing a public bathroom that is free of cost. Mostly all of the public bathroom facilities are to be paid for. Therefore, it is important to always keep some changes with you as you might need to use the WC. Public bathrooms in Paris can range from anything from 30 cents to €1,50 if you use one in the Jardin des Tuileries.
However, we recommend heading to a cafe and getting yourself an espresso as this will work out at around the same price and you will also get to use the washroom.
Tip 12: Make restaurant reservations in advance
This is one of the Paris travel Tips that will save you a lot of time. Usually, the most popular places in Paris tend to fill up fast. If you are planning to dine out during the weekend, we highly recommend booking your table in advance. For those who are looking for the best place to eat in Paris, there are plenty of options.
The Bouillon Chartier is known for its affordable and authentic French food, though you cannot book in advance. Le Bistrot d’Henri is a cozy place that is ideal for date nights. Here, reservations are accepted and we highly recommend considering the popularity of the place.
Tip 13: Note down your hotel name and number
It is one such Paris travel Tip that you must not take lightly unless you want to waste your time in the confusing city streets. It is no surprise that technology often fails you. Therefore, we recommend always carrying your hotel’s name and address written down on a piece of paper. Since it is very easy to get a little lost as many streets across the French capital look similar.
Tip 14: You can find authentic french goods at reasonable price
If you’re searching for authentic french food at a reasonable price, head to Bouillon Chartier. Located in the 9th arrondissement of the city, this place is not very far from many of the covered passages of Paris.
It is comparatively more touristy than some of the other destinations. And well known for its fast service. The restaurant is located against the backdrop of a Belle Époque dining room.
However, if you are looking for a less touristy food experience in the city, consider visiting Le Bistrot d’Henri in the 6th arrondissement of the city.
Tip 15: No hot drinks after a certain time
You will surely be pleased to discover the French capital’s coffee culture. Therefore you can spot numerous cafés, bars, and bistros spilling out onto the streets of the city. But one peculiarity is that many cafes stop serving hot drinks after a certain time. The time varies from one cafe to another. In some places, the serving time can be as early as 4 pm (or “16h” as a French person would say). So, make sure to check the serving time before visiting for an espresso shot.
And this wraps up our list of Paris tips and tricks that you should make sure of while travelling to Paris. The city is overflowing with beauty, culture, and history. While many people travel to Paris to climb the Eiffel Tower or see the Louvre and Notre Dame, the real magic is found in the streets. And as you explore the streets of Paris, we are sure that these Paris travel tips will come in handy.
FAQs
Does Paris have travel restrictions?
Currently, there are no Covid-related restrictions on international travel to France. It implies that travelers are no longer required to present proof of vaccination or show proof of a negative PCR.
Does Paris have a travel card?
Yes, Paris has a travel card called the Paris Visite pass, which allows travelers to use the city’s public transportation network, including the metro, bus, tram, and RER (regional express train) lines.
The Paris Visite pass is available in 1-3 day and 5-day versions and offers discounts on many attractions and activities in the city. It can be purchased at metro stations, RER stations, and authorised retailers, and can be loaded onto a Navigo smart card or a paper ticket.
It is important to note that the Paris Visite pass is not the only option for using public transportation in Paris but can also be used for getting Single-ride tickets, daily tickets, and multi-day tickets.
