Ahhh! Paris is called the city of lights and love for good reason. Visitors from around the world pour into this city every year because it offers a rich history, amazing art and architecture, great food, and that joie de vivre that only the Parisians seem to embrace so well.
I have been lucky enough to experience this city four times in my life, so far anyway. And most recently, my husband and I enjoyed it sans enfants.
But although my fellow travelers have varied through the years–with friends in college, as a family with young kids, and now, as a couple– there are certain things that remain the same in my trip planning process and tips that I follow.
So, if you’re planning a visit to this amazing city and want to get the most out of it, follow my top tips for a perfect Paris visit
Let’s get started!
PARIS TIP #1
Research and create a daily itinerary.
Unless you are booking a package tour that does all the planning for you and includes all hotels, attractions, transportation, and food, this is a must for any independent traveler.
I advise people to first make a list of all attractions they want to see. This helps with planning for the following reasons: (1) You can “cluster the sites so you’re not bouncing around as much from place to place, (2) you can take note of hours of operation and entry requirements (i.e, required timed reservations) and it avoids any disappointment of visiting the site on a day it is closed and (3) it helps you budget for your trip. Perhaps one site is just too much money and not worth the cost to you.
Learn how to be the best travel architect by reading my post on this by clicking here.
PARIS TIP #2
Make advance reservations, where ever possible.
Before you left for Paris, you reserved your Paris accommodations and your transportation to get there and home.
Please make reservations for popular museums and attractions before you leave. Many now require timed reservations.
This new process started during COVID and seems like it might be here to stay. Trust me. You do not want to be disappointed when you travel all that way and can’t get in.
Reservations are also a good idea for eating out as well. In today’s connected world, restaurants can be reserved online with a quick click of your phone or desktop.
PARIS TIP #3
Don’t plan too much for each day.
One major attraction in the morning and one in the afternoon is more than enough to cover each day. And sometimes, this can even be too much depending on what you’re doing and your stamina. Don’t overdo it. Walking and exploring the streets of this beautiful city is in itself an attraction in my opinion.
Remember: Your trip should be more like a marathon vs a sprint.
PARIS TIP #4
Learn some basic French.
Learning some basic words in the language of the country you are visiting is always important. For example, learn how to say hello, please, goodbye, and thank you. These are basic words in any language and will be greatly appreciated by the locals. Don’t expect everyone to speak your language.
PARIS TIP #5
Bring comfortable walking shoes.
This is no joke and you’ve probably heard this advice before. But if you love to walk and explore, shoes that are well broken in and can withstand the cobblestone streets and steps are a must. Parisians do wear sneakers but try and bring a good pair of comfortable shoes.
PARIS TIP #6
Use the Metro.
Paris’ subway system is clean, extensive, and inexpensive. Use it. If you plan on taking a lot of trips, buy a book of 10 “carnets.” It saves a little money.
Metro tip. Once you insert your ticket to get through the metro entrance, keep it! You will need it to get out of the station. If you try to cheat the system, you may be one of the unlucky ones who gets checked by an official and ticketed. Ouch!
PARIS TIP #7
Understand army time and metric system.
If you are coming from America, this is especially important. In all of Europe, time is on a 24-hour clock. For example, 2 pm is 14:00.
Weight and all measurements are also in metric numbers. Understand conversions if you plan on buying food or even driving and need to gas up.
PARIS TIP #8
Eat like a Parisian.
The Parisians eat well and enjoy their meals in a leisurely manner. Breakfasts usually consist of a coffee of your choice and a delicious croissant. Fruit and yogurt are also popular.
For lunch and dinner, a several-course meal is common. But take note. Their “entree” is what many equate to as an appetizer. The “plat” is the main meal.
Also, your table is yours until you’re done eating. You will not find a server rushing you out the door so they can seat someone else.
Tipping is not a thing in Europe. It is already included in your bill. You can, of course, round up your bill if you’d like.
Also, you may need to adjust your meal schedule. Cafes and bistros are typically open all day. but restaurants for lunch and dinner typically serve from 12-2 and 7-10 pm.
PARIS TIP #9
Use toilets at attractions and restaurants when you can.
There are few “free” public toilets. Most public toilets charge a fee to use, approximately .50 to one euro. And they are unisex. This is especially a surprise for Americans. But overall, public toilets are usually much cleaner than at home because of this.
PARIS TIP #10
Visit local markets.
This includes local indoor supermarkets as well as outdoor street markets. These places offer snacks, fruit, water, and more for fuel for your trip.
The Marche Bastille operates mostly on the weekend and is a huge market. From vendors selling trinkets to fishmongers, there is something for everyone.
PARIS TIP #11
Pack a collapsible bag.
On our most recent trip, this bag was indispensable. We used it to carry water, snacks, maps and other miscellaneous items while touring. It is also perfect to pack food for picnics. And it becomes an extra bag to bring home all your souvenirs.
PARIS TIP #12
Take a side trip.
France has an amazing train system that is fast, extensive, and relatively inexpensive. For example, Versailles is half an hour’s train ride outside the city center.
On our most recent trip, we took a bus tour to Giverny, Monet’s home and gardens. Driving there took a little over an hour. If you choose to go independently, the train and shuttle will probably add another hour each way to your journey.
But whatever your choice, try at least one day trip outside the city.
PARIS TIP #13
Have a drink or two at a cafe.
There is nothing more Parisian than sitting at an outdoor cafe, ordering a drink or coffee, and watching the world go by. Do this any time of the day.