Paris
Paris
Everyone remembers the first time they visited Paris. The beautifully manicured and tree-lined boulevards, sharply dressed Parisians, the gorgeous smell of the of fresh baguettes in the morning from the local boulangerie, the brightly coloured macarons in the closest pâtiserrie shop…all of it is so very romantic!
I’m sure you have many questions:
- Where should I stay? (We’ll give you some suggestions)
- What should I eat? (So much good French food!)
- Should I wear stilettos so I can get great Instagram pics? (You can but they aren’t cobblestone friendly. Even Parisian women don’t walk around in them, so….)
- Will I get nasty looks if I wear sweatpants and running shoes? (maybe)
Paris can feel intimidating to new travelers, especially with the language barrier, but it is so worth it! With some good planning and a bit of effort to understand the culture, it is easier to visit Paris than you might think!
Things to See and Do in Paris
Notre Dame
The Louvre
The Eiffel Tower
Arc de Triomphe
Moulin Rouge
Palais Garnier
Musée D'Orsay
Sacré Coeur
Jardin des Plantes
Palace of Versailles
Le Village Royal
Place de la Concorde
Typical Costs When Travelling
Accommodation
This can be the most expensive part of staying in Paris if you are not careful. Hotels average between €100 / $110 USD (budget) to €450 / $500 USD (luxury). The average Airbnb will cost around €150 / $165 USD but can be considerably cheaper (e.g. €35 / $39 USD) if you are willing to either stay in a very small flat (e.g. 14m2) at the top of a building with lots of stairs or if you rent a room in someones home. Hostels will typically cost between €35 / $39 USD (single bed in a dorm) to €85 / $98 USD (private double room).
Food
This can be very expensive in Paris but there are ways to keep costs down. If you stay in a hotel, make sure they include at least a continental breakfast. For budget travelers, rent a flat so that you can cook most of your meals. The most expensive meal to eat in a restaurant is dinner. If you are a foodie and want to try French delicacies, eat out at lunch. The food is essentially the same, but they charge far less.
Cook your dinner at home, or pack a picnic with a baguette and some wine and do like the Parisians do…head down to the Seine river, sit on the banks and watch the sunset. Très Romantique!
Transportation
The easiest way to get from the airport to your accommodation is either a taxi or an Uber. If your taxi driver doesn’t speak English, write down your address and give it to the driver. You really won’t have any trouble.
Paris is very easy to get around especially if you stay in arrondissements 1st to 8th. If you don’t have any mobility issues, you’ll be able to walk anywhere you want to go without any issues.
There are also bikes (Vélib bike rentals) all over the city and they have an extensive network of bike lanes making it a very bike-friendly city. You will also find Lime scooters all over the city that are easy to rent using an app and they are a fun way to get around.
The public bus system is a bit slower but is easy to use if you want a view while getting around the city.
The metro (subway) is, by far, the fastest way to get around the city. Our first preference is to walk, our second is to use the metro. Tickets can be purchased at automated machines in each station. The best deal is to purchase a “carnet”. It’s a book of 10 tickets and you’ll get a discount when you purchase it. NOTE: The T+ tickets purchased in the Metro (as a single or in a “carnet”) can be used on buses, trams and the subway. However, tickets purchased on the bus are ONLY for the bus and will be a bit more expensive.
Suggested daily budget (per person) – 50-60 EUR / 55-65 USD (Note: This is a suggested budget assuming you’re staying in an Airbnb, eating out a little, cooking most of your meals, and using the metro as needed but still walking a fair amount.
Using the budget tips below, you can always lower this number. However, if you stay in fancier accommodation or eat out more often, expect this to be higher!)
Money Saving Tips
1. Get the ‘menu’ or ‘la formule’
In French ‘menu’ or ‘la formule’ is a fixed price meal consisting of two or more courses. At lunch, this will always be the best deal. Look for a ‘la formule’ on a chalkboard outside of a restaurant that is away from touristy areas and you’ll almost always be happy you did! TIP: If you want to try a Michelin starred restaurant, eat there at lunch. You’ll likely pay around €35 for a meal that would cost about €100 at supper time.
2. Walk
Bring comfortable shoes that you’ve broken in before you arrive and walk as much as you can. Not only is it free, but you’ll get to know the city and you’ll enjoy the sights. We’ve found some really beautiful spots that tourists don’t usually see…just because we walked. TIP: Wear light but comfortable shoes that aren’t a sneaker. Sneakers and basketball shoes are only worn by Parisians when they are at the gym. You’ll stand out as a tourist if you wear them around the city.
3. Get city passes
If you know you will be visiting a lot of attractions in the city, then the Paris Pass will save you a lot of money. It will seem expensive but keep in mind that some attractions cost €30 per adult. As well, it includes a pass you can use on public transit. TIP: If it is your first visit to the city, we recommend purchasing the 3-day pass. Go out and see everything you can during those 3 days and then explore all the free attractions afterward. We visited more attractions than we normally would have, just because we had the pass and entrance fees were covered.
4. Couchsurf
The one type of accommodation we didn’t mention is Couchsurfing. We’ve never done it so we can’t recommend it from experience. However, there does seem to be a large community that supports it and Paris is a location where this is available. Staying with a local can be a great experience. Just make sure you do your homework to make sure the place you stay will be safe!
Learning the language
Just as you would expect international travelers to speak at least a little bit of English if they come to Canada or the United States, the French will expect you to at least TRY to speak their language when you visit Paris.
A few key things you should learn how to say:
- Bonjour (hello)
- Au revoir (goodbye)
- S’il Vous plaît (please)
- Merci (thank you)
- Pardon (sorry)
- Excusez-Moi (excuse me -used when you want someone’s attention)
- Bon journée (have a good day)
- Monsieur (Sir)
- Madame (Ma’am)
Tip: When entering a shop or a restaurant ALWAYS say “Bonjour Monsieur/Madame” to the shopkeeper (depending on their gender) and ALWAYS say “Merci, au revoir” or “Merci, Bon Journée” when you leave. It is considered very bad manners to not acknowledge the shopkeeper/waiter/waitress/hostess when you arrive and leave.
In Summary there are so many great reasons to visit Paris! Try to learn about the culture before you go so that you understand the rules of politeness but don’t worry too much about it. Do your best and people will generally be very understanding. While Parisians have a reputation for being rude, our experience is that they are very nice. In other words, it’s not the end of the world if you make a mistake. Apologize and move on.
Make sure you try French cuisine but there are also plenty of international restaurants you should try as well. Don’t worry about only eating at Micheline starred restaurants. There are plenty of small bistros in the city that you’ll be very happy with.
Don’t dress like you are going to the gym (in sweats and tank tops). The city has come a long way, so you won’t be looked down on for wearing them. However, it will flag you as a tourist and make you more at risk for pickpockets and scammers.
If you would like more information, please check out our full Paris Travel Guide. It goes into far more depth with tips, tricks, and itineraries to help you plan!
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September 7, 2018
