17 Essential Paris Travel Tips
It was an overcast day in Paris in the fall of 2016 when I first set foot in Paris. I remember being in awe of the city’s iconic landmarks, cafes, haussmannian buildings, and cultural diversity. Coming from a smaller city, it took me a while to figure things out, but I think I finally got a hang of it.
Of course, there is more than one way to do Paris. With that said, being a budget traveler, I always keep that in mind when planning my trips. Read on for a list of things you will want to be aware of before visiting the City of Lights.
1. Neighborhood
The city of Paris is divided into 20 arrondissements. If you are visiting Paris for the first time, the best arrondissement to stay in is the 3rd or 4th in my opinion. This area is known as Le Marais neighborhood. It is near many major attractions, and it offers unlimited options for dining and shopping. One thing to note is that the Eiffel Tower is in the 7th arrondissement, which is far from Paris’ other major attractions. So, aim to stay in a central location.
Cigarette break © Paris Any Day 2023
2. Accommodation
I generally prefer Airbnbs over hotels because as much as I like dining out, it is nice to have a kitchenette to make breakfast and light snacks. There is usually a Franprix or Carrefour grocery store—and if I am lucky a Monoprix—nearby where I’d buy a small loaf of bread, french butter, snacks, salad bowls, and some seasonal fruits.
One important thing to note is that most buildings in Paris do not have elevators. If your Airbnb is on a higher floor, be prepared to climb a few flights of stairs, which can be narrow and steep in some buildings. Although some hotels have an elevator, it will most likely fit two people at most. It is quite comical trying to squeeze in two people plus suitcases in such a tiny elevator and figuring out how it works.
Paris apartment
3. Getting Around
From Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG), I normally take RER train line B, which is a direct rail link from CDG to these stations: Gare du Nord, Châtelet-Les-Halles, Denfert-Rochereau, and Saint-Michel-Notre-Dame. From CDG to Gare du Nord, the journey time is approximately 25 minutes.
Once in the city center, I would take the metro as needed to get around as it is affordable and convenient. The Paris metro is an underground train system that serves central Paris. There are some important things to note when taking the metro:
Carry your bag cross body and keep it towards the front.
It is not customary to smile at or start a small talk with strangers in France. So, it is best to avoid eye contact with strangers on the train.
If you get a foldable seat near the exit, you are expected to stand when the train is packed with people.
Wearing too much expensive jewelry will make you a target for pickpockets especially on public transportations and in tourist hot spots.
It is easy for me to spot American tourists when traveling as we tend to speak fairly loudly, which is contrary to French people in general. So, keep your speaking volume down.
Use a navigation app to help with metro routes.
Not all metro trains are created equal. Some trains are older and some are newer. On some trains, the doors won’t open automatically so you will need to open the door with a lever or a button to exit or enter the train.
Most train stations have lots of stairs. With that said, wear comfortable shoes and travel light. On my first trip to Paris, I brought an oversized luggage which was a nightmare to carry up and down the stairs at the metro stations and hotels or Airbnbs.
Paris metro
4. Strolling
The best way to see Paris is unequivocally by foot. You are bound to find cafes, bakeries (boulangeries), shops, bridges, parks, museums, and so much more. I saw Tilda Swinton once in the 6th arrondissement and was completely starstruck. Bring a pair of comfortable sneakers, transform yourself into a flâneur or flâneuse, and wander the streets of Paris.
5. Say Bonjour
Nothing rubs Parisians the wrong way more than not saying bonjour (good day or good morning) or bonsoir (good evening) when entering a shop or restaurant or when approaching a stranger. Failing to do so is a big French etiquette faux pas and is perceived as being impolite. Whether you are asking a stranger for directions, paying at the register or ordering a pain au chocolat (chocolate croissant) at a French bakery, make sure to greet that person first by saying bonjour or bonsoir. I like to think of it as the French equivalent of “Hi!”
6. Restaurants
When it comes to restaurants, your options are limitless in Paris. For this reason, I like to try something new whenever I visit. What is even more special is when I find a place that is near my Airbnb, affordable, and popular among locals. Here are some useful French phrases that you will want to know:
Une carafe d’eau s’il vous plaît
A carafe of tap water, please
Un verre de vin rouge, s’il vous plaît
A glass of red house wine, please
Un verre de vin blanc, s’il vous plaît
A glass of white house wine please
Being a social drinker, I find the bottom two phrases particularly useful since one whole bottle of wine is too much alcohol for me when traveling solo.
Le Pré aux Clercs
7. Happy Hour
Happy hour in Paris tend to last a little longer than happy hour in the United States. Maybe it’s because French people eat dinner later than Americans? At any rate, after running around Paris all day, it is so nice to sit on a terrace enjoying a glass of wine or Aperol Spritz and some apéro watching Parisians walking by with a certain je ne sais quoi in their simple clothes but somehow looking effortlessly chic.
Happy Hour in Paris
8. Tipping
Tipping in France is not as common as it is in the United States. Although you are not required to tip at restaurants, feel free to round up the bill to the nearest euro if the service is great.
9. Sunday
Although many stores are not open for business on Sundays, bakeries and supermarkets typically open in the morning and shut down around midday. Department stores in touristy areas and most museums are also open on Sundays. Going to an open air street market, shopping, taking a stroll at a park, and visiting museums are a good way to spend your Sunday in Paris.
Restaurant
10. Public Holidays
When planning your trip, be mindful of French public holidays as many businesses in France close for national holidays such as Bastille Day and Labor Day. Further, trains and buses run at reduced frequency.
11. Day Trips
There is so much more to France than Paris. If you are visiting for a week and you feel like exploring outside of Paris, you have plenty of options. My personal favorite is Versailles where you can enjoy visiting the Palace of Versailles.
Another great option is the town of Chantilly, known for its Château de Chantilly and stables. It also houses Musee Conde that comes with art collections and a stunning library. Both Versailles and Chantilly are less than two hours away from Paris by train. Giverny and Frauntainebleau are other popular options.
The Great Stables
12. Travel Adapter
There are two types of plugs for France (type C and E) so you will need to bring an adapter to charge your gadgets. For appliances, I typically bring those that are dual-voltage, which work on both U.S. and European current. Because I rely on apps on my phone for navigating around Paris, carrying an adapter in my purse at all times has saved me from running out of battery and getting lost in the city.
13. Pick pockets
You will notice that Parisians wear purses crossbody, front facing instead of letting them hang on the side or back of their bodies where they make an easy target for pickpockets. Never set your cell phone on the table or leave your purse unzipped or unattended. Also, avoid chatting with street sellers.
14. Birds
If you are seated on the terrace or you are having a picnic at the park, do not leave your food or drink unattended. Otherwise, it is fair game to the pigeons without you even knowing it. Parisian pigeons are especially brave in that they will land their little feet on your table and snack on crumbs right in front of you. Feeding birds—I recently learned—is forbidden in Paris, and doing so you risk being fined up to 450 euros. I fed some bread crumbs to a couple of cute little sparrows at a cafe once, completely oblivious to this French law.
A cute little sparrow in front of Eric Kayser Bakery near Louvre Museum
15. Strikes
It is not uncommon for workers to go on strikes in France. Depending on the industry, companies may have limited staffing when that occurs. It is especially stressful when it involves the transportation industry. On one of my trips, CDG employees went on strikes causing utter chaos at the airport and flight delays. I read somewhere that unions are obligated to give advance notice of a strike so check the local news for any announcement.
16. Safety
Although Paris in general is safe for solo travelers, it is not recommended to stay out and about late at night especially since some streets and alleys are not well lit. This advice came from one of my Parisian Airbnb hosts. Personally, I aim to be back at my hotel or Airbnb around 8:30 or 9:00 pm.
Another thing I don’t do is striking up a conversation or making eye contact with strangers. Lastly, some metro stations are sketchier than others, Châtelet for example. So much so that one time my AirBnb host came to pick me up from the station and personally walked me to the flat.
17. Dog Poop & Cigarettes
It seems like people there are not keen on picking up after their pets. I almost stepped into a pile of poop more than once, barely missing the gift left by those well-behaved French dogs. As you are wandering the streets of Paris, don’t forget to look down often while strolling.
Cute dog in Paris
Another thing to know is that many French people smoke, and customers are allowed to smoke on the terrace. Naturally, that makes terraces a smoking zone. If cigarette smoke is bothersome to you, consider indoor-seating.
Of course, I have more travel tips for Paris, but these are the most important ones, some of which I learned the hard way. Thanks so much for stopping by. If you have enjoyed reading this post or found these helpful, head over to 17 Things to Know before Visiting Rome, Italy.
Bon Voyage!