Planning your first trip to Paris? From starting mornings off with some of the world’s most amazing freshly baked bread to cruising down the river Seine, there are so many things to do, see, and experience in the City of Light.
Paris Packing Tips
Pack light! Some hotels in Paris don’t have elevators, so you don’t want to be lugging your 20-pound (or 9 kg) suitcase up and down the stairs.
Some neighborhoods in Paris are lined with those picturesque cobblestone streets, so bring a pair of comfortable shoes along with your fancy footwear.
Adapter – bring a standard Continental adapter for Paris.
You can avoid acting like a typical tourist in Paris by leaving that beret at home.
Paris: Food & Drink
You might be surprised to find that in Paris, an entrée is an appetizer, and a plat is a main dish. “Menu” is not an actual menu, but rather a combo (usually food + drink + dessert) meal - keep this in mind when ordering a meal at your favorite Paris bistro!
Iconic Food Places in Paris
- Crepes - Breizh Cafe, 109 rue Vieille du Temple, 3rd arrondissement
- Macarons - Pierre Hermé, 18 Rue Sainte-Croix de la Bretonnerie, 4th arrondissemenet
- Croissants - Blé Sucre, 7 Rue Antoine Vollon, 11th arrondissement
- French Baguettes - Le Grenier à Pain, Le Grenier à Pain, 38 Rue des Abbesses, 18th arrondissement
- Ice cream - Berthillon, 29-31 Rue Saint-Louis en l'Île, 4th arrondissement
Tips for Planning Your Paris Itinerary
Avoid over planning – pick 1-2 major attractions per day, leave the rest of the time for dining in bistros, searching for Paris speakeasies, or strolling through the city’s picturesque gardens.
Top Paris Must-Sees
- The Louvre
- Eiffel Tower
- Notre Dame Cathedral
- Sacre Coeur
- Champs Elysees
- Arc de Triomph
- Luxembourg Gardens
- Latin Quarter
- River Seine
- Montmartre District
Bonus: A trip to Versailles is a must while in Paris! Leave a day free, hop on the RER train, and make your way to this charming town and its iconic palace and gardens.
How to Save Time on Major Attractions
Avoid peak times by checking the Internet for the attraction’s most popular visiting times and working around those.
Fast-track tickets – many attractions will offer a skip-the-line option so you can just show up and avoid the wait.
Out of the Line App- Some attractions have virtual queues. Download the “out of the line” app and pick the time for your visit.
Paris: Getting Around
You can walk or use a taxi if you wish, but Paris is extremely well connected via its metro system, which is the largest in Europe. Uber is also available in Paris.
Helpful Apps
Paris Metro
City Maps 2 Go (Offline maps app)
Useful French Phrases
- Hello - Bonjour
- Excuse Me - Excusez-moi
- Thank you - Merci
- Goodbye - Au revoir
- Where is the bathroom? - Où sont les toilettes?
- Yes - Oui
- No - Non
- Please - S'il vous plaît
- More wine, please - Plus de vin, s'il vous plaît
