Paris City Guide – Paris Travel Tips

Paris – mon amour! The capital of romance, history, beauty, fashion, the perfect escape for couples

Reasons to visit

Everybody knows something about Paris. The capital of France, the city of love, beautiful metropole of art, architecture, history, culture and fashion.

You can fall in love here, the architecture of buildings is the most beautiful in this country and you can spend a long time here and you feel it’s not enough.

Paris Weather

Perfect time to visit is between June and October. It’s “parfait” in summer, warm and sunny but you can’t miss autumn, her colour and romance feeling.

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Paris Local Transport

Paris is a friendly capital, so it’s pretty easy to get around. For fast transport, you can take the metro but also, you can use buses, or rent a bike/scooter. You have plenty of choices, all of them are attractive.

As a tourist you can buy Paris Visite travel pass, a daily metro pass which cost 25.25€ which can only be used on metro but you can buy 1 metro/bus/rer ticket for 1.9€ or bundle of 10 tickets for 14.9€, we suggest buying the 10 bundle.

If you plan to go outside the city, we recommend using FlixBus or BlaBlaCar, also the BlaBlaCar will be the cheapest option to get from Beauvais Airport to Paris while a bus ticket is 17€/Pers a a BlaBlaCar can cost from 5-8€/Pers.

Local Transport Website

Language

The main language spoken is French, for Parisians, English is something they had to study in school, so if you don’t speak French, it is not a problem.

Electric

In France the power sockets are of type E. This socket also works with plug C and with plug E if it has an additional pinhole, we suggest having a travel adapter, if you are not from Europe.

Currency

Main currency is Euro (€) with ATMs available almost every street corner. The franc, the former official currency of France, is no longer accepted. Cash is preferred and tipping is customary with 10-15% off the bill.

Must Try Food

Everybody knows France is famous for cheese and wine but you must try more than that. Soupe à l’oignon, Coq au vin, Cassoulet, Chocolat souffle and Ratatouille are dishes you must try. If you are interested in more exotic food you can find some small Asian restaurants full of delicacies for a cheap price.

Must Try Drinks

In France, wine is very cheap and you can try many types, but must not miss other alcoholic beverages like absinthe, pastis, chartreuse, Grand Marnier, kir and others.
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How to get there

From Europe is pretty easy to fly here. Plenty of low-cost airlines have flights here, so if you catch a promotion, a discount, just take it! A plane ticket with carry-on baggage could be really cheap, like 10 euro.

So, in our opinion it’s perfect for a city break here, perfect escape. You don’t need to carry too many things, just enjoy your time here. If you want to check the best fly tickets you can trust kiwi.com. Kiwi can help to find also best fly on your way home.

If you have more time to spend you can also take an international bus like Flixbus. Prices are pretty good and you don’t have limits on your baggage.

Of course, take more time to get here but is perfect if you want to visit different cities around like Venice, Rome, Florence and so on. You can also use ride-share apps like BlaBlaCar for a cheaper ride.

You can spend good time in cars with locals and they can suggest you different places to visit which could be more useful then guides.

Where to stay

Paris has multiple options of finding a cheap or expensive place to stay. As I said, could be expensive but you can fit also on a budget.

If you are looking for a cheap hostel we can suggest hotelF1 Paris Porte de Châtillon for as low as 40€ per night or ibis budget Paris Porte De Montmartre for 50€ per night.

For a 3 star hotel adventure you can pick Hotel Paris Villette for only 75€ per night or Résidence du Pré for only 90€ per night.

If you feel like staying in a more fancy hotel 4 or 5 stars prices will skyrocket and we suggest the following hotels La Maison Gobert B&B with awesome grade of 9/10 but with a price tag of 200€ per night.

We highly recommend the following hotels for honeymoon or business trips:
Fauchon l’Hotel – 350€ per night with 9.6/10 score
Hotel The Peninsula Paris – 950€ per night with 9.5/10 score
Ritz Paris – 1200€ per night with 9.9/10 score this is the perfect location to stay while in Paris.

If you don’t have worry about your budget can book plenty of hotels rooms and pensions where you like on www.booking.com or www.agoda.com.

It’s a huge city and must consider how much you will to walk, how close to the city center it is your place. If you like to hang out with a local you can book a room on www.airbnb.com and you can find a good price for your accommodation.

Also if you can stay with them for free using Couchsurfing app. You can use it also only if you want to meet with them.

Booking.com

Getting around

Around Paris are four airports: Charles de Gaulle, Le Bourget, Orly and Beauvais.

Charles de Gaulle Airport is one of the most important near Paris and from here you can get easy to the city with RER commuter train for a price of 10€, by car with taxi would cost around 55€ but with uber could be less than with a taxi.

From Orly Airport to Paris centre you can take RER Line B which interconnect with the Paris Metro. Orlyval it’s is an automatic light metro and it’s the fastest way to connect with the city.

Between Beauvais and Paris are plenty of airline shuttles and cost around 17 euros.

Must see

Now we are getting to our top. Like all in Europe, you must be prepared for the long line of waiting on major places to visit. My advice is to book your ticket online or from the previous day to avoid the queue at ticketing.
In other words, let’s start!

Musee des Arts et Metiers

Musee des Arts et Metiers, close to Pompidou centre, is considered as one of the oldest technical and industrial museums in the world, “a store of new and useful inventions” and is located in an old monastery.

Plus, it’s free on the 1st Sunday of the month and on Thursday evenings from 18 h to 21 h 30, also has the original model statue of Liberty.

The access to this museum is pretty easy, by the Paris Métro station Arts et Métiers, the entrance fee cost 8€ for the permanent collection and for temporary collection 6€. for both the price is 9€.

Eiffel Tower

Eiffel Tower is the most famous tower and an important symbol of Paris, It’s made of iron and it’s situated on Champ of Mars. It was designed by Gustave Eiffel and named after his name.

It was built for 1889 World’s Fair. In the beginning, it was criticized by some intellectuals and artist but in the end, it became the most visited paid monument from the world.

The height is 324 metres and has engraved 72 French scientists, engineers and mathematicians in recognition of their contributions to the building of the tower.

If you want to climb on it you have plenty of option, on stairs, with elevator on a different floor. For more information about tickets please check the table from below

If you are a romantic kind you can have a dinner here, Eiffel Tower has two restaurants, on the first floor Le 58 Tour Eiffel and on the second floor one star Michelin Le Jules Verne.

Catacombes de Paris

Catacombes de Paris are underground ossuaries of Paris in the late 18th century which hold over six million people and it was created to eliminate the city’s overflowing cemeteries.

The best piece of advice is to buy your ticket online. Also, it says that you needed printed tickets but there was plenty of people who had the tickets on their phone and it was not a problem getting in.

Another piece of advice would be to take along a set of headphones with you as you can plug these into your audio guide rather than having to hold it up to your ear the whole way around.

Entrance fee costs around 13€ but could cost more if you want to skip the queue or you want an audio guide.

Louvre Museum

Louvre Museum is one of the most important histories and art museum from Paris, France and the world.

It contains over 380,000 objects and its displays around 35,000 of Greek antiquities, Etruscan and Roman antiquities, Egyptian antiquities, Islamic art, sculptures, paintings, icons and Christian paintings.

The most famous painting from the Louvre is Leonardo da Vinci’s, Mona Lisa, It’s perfect for art lovers who what to see their collection from Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, Raphael and so on. Entrance fee cost 17 euros.

From the Louvre Museum, you can have a nice walk until Arc de Triomphe through the Jardin des Tuileries. This garden is the oldest and the most important French garden which extends to Place de la Concorde.

It was created by Catherine de Medici and became a park after the French Revolution, from here you can continue your walk to Arc de Triomphe on Champs-Élysées avenue.

Champs-Élysées

Champs-Élysées avenue is the most known avenue from Paris, famous for luxury shops, theaters, cafes and also known the annual Bastille Day military parade and Tour de France cycle race.

Arc de Triomphe

Arc de Triomphe is situated at the end of Champs-Élysées avenue and is the most famous monument from Paris and honors those who fought and died in France Revolutionary Wars and Napoleonic Wars.

Beneath this arch is the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier from First World War.

Musee d’Orsay

Musee d’Orsay used to be a train station, it is along the Seine river opposite the Louvre. The museum holds paintings, sculptures, photography and furniture.

It has the largest collection of impressionist painting including Monet, Cezanne, Van Gogh, Manet, Renoir.

Entrance fee cost 12 euro and if you want also to visit Musée de l’Orangerie (art gallery of impressionist paintings) cost 16 euros.

Jardin des Plantes

Jardin des Plantes is the main botanical garden from Paris. Since 1993 includes many museums, wallabies, alpine plants, archives, libraries, greenhouses, a zoo (ménagerie) and it’s great for a promenade.

The entrance is for free for École de Botanique, Jardin Alpin, Jardin des Iris et des Plantes vivaces, Jardin de roses et de Roches but you can book some tours that would cost you around 7€.

Le Marais

Le Marais, it’s a historic district, used to be aristocratic and has many important architectural and historical buildings.

After the French Revolution, this district wasn’t any more an aristocratic neighbourhood and became a popular commercial area which attracts Jewish communities.

This area is famous also because it became a centre of the LGBT community since the 1980s.

It also is known as a fashionable district, fashion houses, fancy restaurants, here you can find a Chinese community which started to appear during World War I.

Basilica Sacre-Coeur

Montmartre it’s a famous hill in Paris also known for Basilica Sacre-Coeur. People are coming here for a great view of Paris, it’s a perfect place to hang out, to see the sunset. Looks like a village and during Belle Epoque many artists like Van Gogh, Renoir, Picasso, Monet works and had their studios.

Parc de Belleville

Parc de Belleville is a park with the best views of the city, it is the highest park in Paris and has a nice neighbourhood to explore. It’s multi-ethnic neighbourhood, many German Jews settled there in 30’s and later in 60’s Algerian and Tunisian jews came. Also here is one of the city’s two Chinatowns. It’s full of life, colour and you will enjoy being here.

Galeries Lafayette

If you are a fashion lover you must not miss Galeries Lafayette. A visit here is a “must” for those enjoying what makes Paris, well, “PARIS”. Be sure to tour all the Galleries not only to see the astounding variety of goods and foods but also to admire the architecture, including the stained-glass dome and to enjoy the spectacular views from the roof. And don’t forget to pick up a few goodies at their “Gourmet” store across the street.

Notre-Dame Cathedral

Notre-Dame Cathedral it’s a medieval Catholic cathedral also knows for his beautiful French Gothic architectures. It became famous after was published Victor Hugo’s novel called “The Hunchback of Notre Dame”.

Entrance is for free and for this reason the queue can be huge. The area around packed with tourists but plenty of opportunities for photos. It’s worth going in if you have time and queue isn’t too bad.

Jardin du Luxembourg

Jardin du Luxembourg is a “don’t miss” place to see Parisians relaxing and enjoying the outdoors. Some are reading around the fountains, some running the ‘track”, Children playing with boats at the lake, etc. Beautiful flowers, interesting and lovely classical statues of past queens of France, there is something for everyone here.

This wonderful walk to Coulee Verte Rene-Dumont provides a great change of pace from the busy streets of Paris. Perfect for walk, jogging and cycling. On a hot summer day, there was plenty of shade, drink stops, toilets and access back to the city along the way if you didn’t want to do the entire walk.

Petite Ceinture

Petite Ceinture is abandoned old train tracks around Paris. When you get there you see a fence and quite a few holes where you can crawl through, but we personally found it easiest to go through a large opening that had been cut out and was hidden behind a cardboard sign.

Parc de la Villette

Parc de la Villette it’s a nice park, here you can find a space to rest, play and attend auditions. It’s a very huge place and here you can find a big area with a theater, concert hall, exhibition centres and artist playing around.

From the Jaurès subway station to the park you will find lots of activities to do, like cinemas, pools and riverboats. Every year at the summer the City Mayor open there Paris Beach spaces like do at River Seine. Go ahead and find space for arts and the parc itself. It is a really good place to visit and stay.

Shakespeare & Company

Shakespeare & Company is an independent bookstore nestled in the 5th Arrondissement. Here you can find new and used (English) books of all kinds as well as a café. The store also hosts several events each month, inviting the public to meet authors to discuss their works and writing.

Shakespeare & Co is truly a treasure in the heart of the Latin Quarter. It’s a place steeped in history with unforgettable charm and character that has been years in the making.

The store is very popular, especially on Sundays. I recommend visiting on a weekday, (evenings are ideal!) to have the best experience possible.

Outside of city

Fontainebleau

Fontainebleau: forest, castle, climbing. Endless opportunities for biking, hiking, and rock climbing. Hundreds of trails, some still show pavements that are 200 years old.

The palace is located near to Paris at one hour drive. Entrance cost 12 euros for an adult without an audio guide.

The palace used to be home of kings of France and the Bonaparte family and has plenty of paintings.

Chateau de Versailles

Chateau de Versailles was the residence of former kings like Louis XIV. Versailles, the previous capital of France.

Versailles is not very far from Paris in mileage, but the normal RER C train you would take was under repair so we were told to take alternates.

If you want to make the most of your time you MUST book a tour through the Versailles website. It’s only 10 euro and it allows you to skip the line and enter through the right side entrance. It also gives you a tour of areas off-limits to the general public.

After the hour and a half tour, you are free to visit the rest of the palace. Do yourself a favour and avoid the lines and enjoy the small group tour.

Foundation Monet in Giverny

Foundation Monet in Giverny is one place you do not want to miss while visiting Paris. The gardens are absolutely beautiful and so well maintained. You can feel like you walked into one of Monet’s lily pond paintings. Monet worked tirelessly in his gardens for over 40 years.

Visiting his home can be a pure joy with his famous yellow kitchen. Many replicas of his painting are displayed in his artist studio and all around the home.

The home and gardens are about 90 minutes out of Paris. You can take a bus tour. The estate is scheduled for over a million visitors this year, so be prepared to bring along your patience.

Disneyland Park

Disneyland Park from Paris is out of this world, a wide sprawling attraction with something for everyone. The palace is beautiful especially during the late night display with fireworks and laser show are incredible.

Food is reasonable depending on what and where you eat. Lunch with the princesses is spectacular and a great time to meet the stars.

Parc Asterix

Parc Asterix it’s also a theme park as Disneyland a great place for families and kids, definitely French, with mythological characters.

La Defense

La Defense it’s a major business district near Paris famous for La Grande Arche inaugurated in 1989. Here “first generation” skyscrapers. Most popular skyscrapers are Tour Signal, Tour Phare, Hermitage Plaza, and Tour Generali.