Paris Travel Tips & Tricks: 2026 Guide for First-Time Visitors

Paris travel tips and useful information for first time visitors

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Visiting Paris for the first time and wondering what you should know before you go? After multiple visits to Paris, I’ve put together this practical guide with the most useful Paris travel tips for first-time visitors.

It covers everything that actually matters when planning a trip to Paris: how to plan your itinerary, which tickets to book in advance, where to stay, how to get around, and how to avoid common mistakes. If you want to make the most of your time in Paris, this guide will help you plan smarter.

TIP: If you’re deciding where to stay in Paris, the area around the Opera is one of the most convenient choices. It’s very central, easy for sightseeing, and packed with restaurants and cafés. On one of our recent visits, we stayed at the highly rated  Leonardo Boutique Hotel Paris Opera, a great option in terms of price, location, and overall value.

Visiting Paris, France - travel tips and useful information for first time travelers

These are our top travel tips and tricks for visiting Paris:

1. Prepare your itinerary & book timed-entry tickets in advance

One of the most important tips I can give you when planning a visit to Paris is to prepare an approximate itinerary and book top activities and tickets in advance. This helps you see everything you want to, avoid unnecessary stress and queuing, and make the most of your time in Paris.

For example, while many landmarks are open daily, some close one day per week. In addition, many sights work with timed-entry or skip-the-line tickets, which always get priority over regular queues. Other places limit daily visitor numbers or sell out weeks ahead, so showing up without a reservation can mean missing out altogether. So do your research early and secure tickets for the sights and activities you don’t want to miss.

Top 5 Paris experiences to book in advance:

Good to know: You can visit Notre-Dame Cathedral without a reservation, but booking a free time slot in advance can save you a lot of waiting time.

Our experience: When possible, we always book tickets and tours in Paris via GetYourGuide. It’s an easy one-stop platform, avoids juggling multiple accounts (some Paris landmarks really make it unnecessarily complicated), and most tickets come with free cancellation. We also love insider tours by TakeWalks, which explore deeper and offer a more unique perspective. We’ve done dozens of their tours worldwide (including Paris), and they’ve always been excellent.

TIP: Mark the places you want to visit on a map and group nearby sights on the same day. It saves time and cuts down on unnecessary travel across the city. Take a look at our recommended itineraries below for some ideas on how to plan your time.

READ ALSO: Paris in 4 Days & Paris in 1 Day

Get Your Guide tour flag in Versailles Palace, Paris, France
We bought most tickets and tours for Paris via GetYourGuide.

2. Consider the Paris Museum Pass

A good way to save money when visiting some of the best-known museums and landmarks in Paris is by getting a Paris Museum Pass. It includes free entry to many of the most popular tourist attractions in Paris and grants skip-the-line entrance to most of them.

Just as with all city passes, the Paris Museum Pass makes the most sense if you get it for a longer duration. If you are staying in Paris for 6 days, it’s a great investment. But even if you get it for 2-4 days, it can really pay off, depending on how you plan your itinerary.

A few things to keep in mind: First, you’ll have to pick up your pass in person (the pick-up location is very convenient – close to the Louvre). Second, it’s valid for a chosen number of calendar days and starts to count on the day you first use it. Third, even with the pass, you will need to reserve timed entry at some places, like the Louvre, the Orangerie Museum, etc.

Good to know: Public museums in Paris offer FREE entrance for kids under 18 years old, and for EU citizens under 26 years old. For attractions that work with timed entry, you will still have to book a (free) timed ticket.

READ ALSO: Top Museums to Visit in Paris

Tips for visiting Paris, France - Sainte Chapelle
Sainte-Chapelle is not to be missed in Paris!

3. Avoid weekends and school holidays

Paris is one of the most-visited cities in Europe, so there will always be tourists around. However, there is a huge difference between visiting Paris on a weekend in June or on a weekday in February…

Of course, it’s not always possible to adjust your travel itinerary completely. But if you can plan your trip outside the school holidays and long weekends, you will have a much better experience. As a minimum, try to avoid the weekends around the most popular holidays.

The summer months are very busy in Paris, and it’s also hot – not ideal for sightseeing. In the spring, the end of April, and particularly May-June, can be very busy. Many European countries have school holidays, and city trips like Paris are very popular at this time of the year. Some of the busiest times in the spring are the long weekends around Easter, Labor Day (May 1), Ascension Day, and Whit Sunday (Pentecost).

When to visit? Paris is always a good idea, and each season has something special to offer. That being said, for milder temperatures and fewer crowds, visit Paris in October or in March-beginning of April (just not at Easter). October is particularly nice with autumn foliage and not too many people around.

TIP: If you can’t change your plans, see if you can adjust your schedule. For example, visit quieter places and local neighborhoods on the busiest days/times, and visit the most popular sights when it’s quieter.

READ ALSO: What It’s Like to Visit Paris in October

Visiting Paris in the fall
Paris is beautiful in the fall (and much less busy than in the summer).

4. Stay in a very central neighborhood

Paris has lots of landmarks, and they are located all over the city. So there is no one perfect place to stay for sightseeing. No matter where you stay, you’ll always have to use the metro, and you will be walking a lot.

Still, if you want to experience Paris to the fullest, try to stay in a neighborhood that is somewhat more centrally located so that you can walk to some of the most popular sights in 15-20 minutes. That way, you won’t have to take the metro every time and will discover some hidden gems in your area. Also, make sure that there is a metro station nearby.

Where exactly to stay when visiting Paris? Depending on personal experiences and expectations, everyone might have a different opinion about this. Each neighborhood has some advantages and disadvantages. After many trips to Paris and having stayed in very different areas on each of them, my personal favorite is the (wide) area around the Opera.

Many of the ‘must-sees’ are located within a short walking distance from here (15-20 minutes to many sights), metro connections are good, the main railway stations are not too far away, and there are lots of restaurants for all budgets. The most famous department stores of Paris are also located here, and the area also boasts many entertainment venues.

We recently stayed at Leonardo Boutique Hotel Paris Opera, a very nice and recently renovated 4* hotel. If you are looking for good-value accommodation in a central area that is perfect for sightseeing, shopping, and dining, it’s a great choice.

My second choice for a nice neighborhood to stay in Paris would be the Latin Quarter, the area between the Ile de La Cité and Luxembourg Gardens. Hotel Odeon is a nice mid-budget option here.

We also really enjoyed our stay close to the Champs-Elysées on an earlier trip, but hotels and restaurants in this part of Paris are a lot more expensive. Plus, it’s a bit outside the main central area, so you’ll have to take the metro much more often. But if you are looking for a more exclusive or romantic place to stay in Paris, this is the place to be. In that case, check out the elegant Parisian hotel Lord Byron, just off Champs-Elysées (a lot quieter than on the main boulevard).

Passage Verdeau in Paris
This is just one of the many covered passages in the area east of the Opera. We discovered them when walking from our hotel to the nearby attractions. We loved staying in this area!

5. Use the metro

Paris is a very large city that supposedly has the largest number of landmarks compared to any other city in the world. All these landmarks are spread out across dozens of different neighborhoods, and the distances between them can add up quickly.

Walking is a great way to see the city and get a feel for local life, so it’s worth doing when sights are close together. But for longer distances, the metro is hard to beat. It’s fast, affordable, and usually the most efficient way to get around Paris.

Taxis, Uber, and Bolt are also available and can make sense, especially if you’re traveling with 2–4 people. That said, during rush hour or when you need to cover a longer distance quickly, the metro is usually the best option.

Good to know: Some metro stations in Paris are very small, and you can be in and out in a few minutes. But many others are huge, with kilometers of underground tunnels connecting the various lines. If your destination is fewer than three metro stops away, walking is often faster than taking the metro.

TIP: Paris has several metro ticket options. We found multi-day passes not worth it for our itinerary. Buying a carnet (a bundle of 10 tickets) is cheaper than purchasing single rides one by one. That’s what we used.

Our experience: During a 5-day stay in Paris for two people, we used just 16 metro tickets (8 rides). Buying individual tickets worked out much cheaper than a 5-day pass. Grouping sights by area really helps minimize travel time, saves money, and see more of the city in a short time.

Paris metro tickets
We always buy single-ride metro tickets when visiting Paris.

6. Prepare for airport-style security checks everywhere

Nowadays, pretty much every popular landmark in Paris has an airport-style security check at the entrance. Some of them are stricter than others, but it’s best to be prepared for it everywhere you go.

A few tips to make it go smoothly:

  • Carry as little as possible.
  • Leave sharp items in your hotel room (no pocket knives or small nail scissors).
  • Empty your pockets before your turn so you don’t slow down the line.
Musee d'Orsay entrance and security lines in Paris
The entrance of Musee d’Orsay. Security checks is one of the reasons why the lines are so long at most attractions.

7. Beware of scams and pickpockets

As in any major city, pickpocketing is something to watch out for in Paris. In addition, the city is known for several common tourist scams, especially around busy landmarks and public transport.

Be extra cautious if someone tries to distract you or start an unexpected interaction. Always keep your belongings on you, so not on the ground, not on your chair, and not on a café table. Phones, wallets, and bags unattached to you are easy targets. Carry as little as possible and wear your bag in a way that you never have to put it down.

A backpack may seem convenient, but for several reasons, it’s not always the best choice in Paris – see below.

Paris travel tips and tricks for first time visitors
The area around the Eiffel Tower is very popular with tourists, but also with scammers. Nothing to worry about, but be alert.

8. Don’t take a (big) backpack

A backpack may seem practical, but it’s often not the best choice for sightseeing in Paris.

First, many museums and landmarks don’t allow larger backpacks inside. Even smaller ones are more likely to be flagged and sent to a locker than a purse or cross-body bag.

Second, backpacks are an easy target for pickpockets, especially in crowded areas. And finally, some sights – such as towers with narrow or spiral staircases – are simply less comfortable to visit with a backpack.

TIP: If you do bring a backpack, make sure it’s very small, or get a sling bag like this. In busy places, carry it on your front rather than on your back. I always wear a small (anti-theft) cross-body bag.

Good to know: It’s not just backpacks that can cause issues. Large umbrellas and other bulky items are also restricted at some attractions.

Lockers at the Louvre Museum in Paris
Lockers in the Louvre Museum are free to use (if you find one that’s empty and actually works), so you can leave your big bags and coats, etc. But this is not the case everywhere in Paris.

9. Stay longer

There is SO MUCH to see and do in Paris! So when planning your Paris itinerary, foresee some extra time if you can!

Of course, you can just visit Paris for 1-2 days, but you will only have time for the most famous places that everyone goes to. Even if you just add a day or two extra, you will be able to explore somewhat deeper (and it’s totally worth it!).

To cover all the musts and get just a tiny bit off the beaten path, you really need at least 4 full days in Paris (and you’ll have to plan well!).

With that time, in addition to main sights like the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, or Champs-Elysées, try to visit at least a few of the following landmarks: Paris Pantheon, Palais Garnier (Paris Opera), Paris Catacombs, or Les Invalides. All of these, except for the Catacombs, are included with the Paris Museum Pass.

While not unknown, these places are much quieter than the main sights, and each is special in its own way. A visit here will give you a better appreciation of how diverse Paris is and how much it has to offer. If anything, it will inspire you to stay even longer and explore further.

And if you do indeed stay longer and have more time to explore deeper, we have some more recommendations for you further below!

Paris Opera - Palais Garnier
Grand Foyer of the Paris Opera. I can’t believe that it took us years and many trips to Paris to finally visit inside. It’s mind-blowingly beautiful!

10. Take a walking tour of some local neighborhoods

While Paris has countless interesting landmarks, the best way to get the feeling of what makes this fascinating city tick is to get a bit off the beaten path and explore deeper. And there is no better way to do this than taking a tour with a local guide.

Where to go and what kind of tour to choose, depends highly on your preferences, your budget, and mostly on how much time you have. There are so many amazing tours through some of the nicest neighborhoods of Paris, of all durations, and for all budgets, so you should always be able to find something that suits you.

TIP: If you are short on time, check out bike tours (e-bike tours are ideal). They cover a lot of ground in just a few hours.

If you are on a lower budget or have just an hour or two, check out these highly-rated Paris iconic neighborhoods tours with local guides.

Alternatively, there are lots of really nice self-guided audio tours which are a great way to explore on your own. For example, we did this self-guided tour of the Montmartre area. Despite having been to the neighborhood many times before, we discovered quite a few interesting places and learned the stories behind them.

TIP: If you have more time and are looking for a more in-depth experience, then consider food tours (e.g. food tours in the Montmartre area, the Latin Quarter, Saint-Germain-de-Prés, or Le Marais). Not only do they take you to some local neighborhoods that most tourists never see, but you also get to know the city through its food. We did this amazing food tour in Le Marais and it was the best tour we did in Paris recently (and we did quite a few :)).

READ ALSO: Best Things to Do in Montmartre

Colorful stairs in Montmartre neighborhood in Paris
Montmartre neighborhood.

11. Book accommodations and restaurants in advance

There are thousands of accommodation options in Paris, so no matter when you visit, you should always be able to find something suitable. Still, if you are looking for the best value/location, then it’s best to book in advance.

If you take a refundable rate, you can always check if there is something better available last minute right before your trip, but you really can’t count on that. On the other hand, quite often, non-refundable rates will give you a big discount which can be hard to beat.

The same counts for restaurants in Paris (only here you can – usually – book a day or two before). Some places are so trendy and popular with the locals that the queues are really long. Whereas many other restaurants are quite empty and walk-ins are possible.

Good to know: Sometimes if you are trying to reserve last minute, a popular restaurant might not take reservations anymore. But that doesn’t mean you can’t dine there. Usually, it just means that you will have to wait longer to be seated. Every restaurant where we booked also allowed walk-ins, but it sure felt good to skip the line.

As a general rule, I’d say that if you want to be sure to dine at a specific restaurant without wasting an hour in line, then reserve in advance. You’ll have plenty of better things to do with your time in Paris, so do some research in advance and save yourself the wait!

The lobby of Hotel Prelude Opera in Paris
The lobby of our hotel in Paris.

12. Visit top sights early in the morning or before closing time

As you probably already know, the main landmarks in cities like Paris are always at their busiest during the day (+- 10 am to 3-4 pm).

So if you can, try to visit the most popular landmarks first thing in the morning or just before they close. Depending on the place, it can be half an hour before the closing time or 2-3 hours to allow you plenty of time to see everything you want to see.

Of course, you can’t be everywhere at the quietest time (unless you have a few weeks). But try to plan your itinerary in such a way that you make the most of your time.

For example, we visited the Louvre Museum on a ‘closing-time’ tour, and it was indeed quieter (just adjust your expectations because the Louvre is never empty). The same with Versailles Palace, which we visited in the afternoon. We went to the Musée d’Orsay first thing in the morning, and it was incomparably quieter during the first hour. Some museums in Paris have one night per week when they stay open late; it’s usually much less busy at that time.

READ ALSO: Tips & Tricks for Visiting the Louvre Museum

Museum d'Orsay in Paris early in the morning
d’Orsay Museum was quite empty first thing in the morning. An hour later, it was quite busy, even on a weekday in the shoulder season.

13. Visit the best viewpoints around sunset

It’s not just the crowds (or lack thereof) that can contribute to the overall experience, but also the light. I don’t need to explain that everything looks so much prettier in the perfect light.

And while you can’t influence nature and you can never know in advance what you get, you can increase your chances for some spectacular views by being at the right places at the most optimal times.

So if you are planning on visiting some of the nicest viewpoints in Paris, see if you can time your visit and be there about 30-45 minutes before sunset. If you are lucky and the sky is beautiful, it will make your visit so much more special. And if it turns out that there isn’t much of a nice sunset after all, you still didn’t lose anything.

READ ALSO: Travel Photography: Our Top Tips for Better Travel Photos

Paris sunset view with the Eiffel Tower as seen from Arc de Triomphe
We got really lucky with the sunset when visiting the panoramic terrace of Arc de Triomphe recently.

14. Dress in layers

Paris is not just the City of Light, but it’s also a very windy city. There are lots of open spaces and wide boulevards, and also many towers to climb and viewpoints that you’ll want to see.

So prepare for it to be windy and dress accordingly. Depending on the season, a (light) scarf can be a good idea.

Also, wear several layers so that you can enjoy the experience without having to worry about feeling too cold or too warm.

Even in the summer, you may want to take a light sweater with you since it can be much colder inside the museums (A/C) and in the crypts of the Pantheon or underground tunnels in Paris Catacombs, etc. It is often quite windy on top of the Eiffel Tower and sometimes also on the Seine river cruises.

Paris Catacombs - skulls and bones in the shape of a heart
The Paris Catacombs are a series of underground tunnels. You’ll need a sweater here at any time of the year.

15. See a cabaret show

If there is one typically Parisian experience that you really should consider, it’s a cabaret show. Just like a gondola ride in Venice or a flamenco show in Seville, a cabaret show is something that you really have to experience when visiting Paris.

There are many different cabarets in Paris, each unique in its own way. No matter which one you choose, it’s an experience that I highly recommend. After all, how often are you going to be in Paris? Give it a try.

  • The most famous of them all is the iconic Moulin Rouge, located at the foot of Montmartre hill. It’s also the most expensive of all cabaret shows in Paris. But it’s totally worth the money! (And if you compare it with the best shows in New York or the best shows in Las Vegas, it’s actually an amazing value for the money.)
  • Crazy Horse is another popular option, although a bit more ‘daring’ and there’s a bit more nudity. This is something you’ll see in all the shows to a certain extent, but it’s not vulgar in any way. We even saw teenagers at the Moulin Rouge.
  • Paradis Latin is another great cancan show and the tickets here are quite a bit cheaper. This is the oldest cabaret in Paris and their shows are excellent.

Good to know: For all the cabaret shows in Paris, a few simple rules apply. For example, they do not allow you to take pictures of the show and they also recommend smart dress (so no shorts, sandals, sporty sneakers, etc.). Also, almost all shows have a possibility to book a show + dinner; the food is usually prepared by the best chefs and is excellent. Dinner is served before the show, and some cabarets also foresee a small pre-program.

PRO TIP: No matter which cabaret show you choose (or a few of them), book in advance! Often, the tickets sell out a few weeks in advance, especially for the early evening shows (around 9 pm). This is especially the case at the Moulin Rouge, which is by far the best-known and most popular not just among international tourists, but also locals, business travelers, etc.

Moulin Rouge - the most famous cabaret show in Paris
Moulin Rouge is the most famous cabaret show in Paris. Totally worth every cent!

16. Wear comfortable shoes

No matter how well you plan your visit and sightseeing itinerary, you will be walking a lot in Paris. And I really mean a lot.

The city is spread out, and the distances are big. On the other hand, there is so much to see that there are often many landmarks located 10-20 minutes’ walk from each other. This usually means that it doesn’t make sense to look for a metro or a taxi, and it’s simpler to walk…

But before you know it, you walk 10 minutes here and 15 minutes there, and by the end of the day, you realize you did 25,000 steps.

So be sure to wear comfortable shoes!!!

Sneakers are perfectly normal in Paris these days, especially among younger people, so you don’t have to worry you’ll “look like a tourist” if you choose comfort. That said, if you want to blend in a bit more, you’ll notice locals often wear stylish, fashion-forward sneakers rather than athletic ones. But honestly, comfort matters far more, so pack the shoes that feel best on your feet and enjoy your days without sore legs.

Shoes on mosaic floor of Sainte Chapelle in Paris France
My foot selfie with the beautiful mosaic floor at Sainte-Chapelle in Paris. 😉 On this trip to Paris, I mostly wore slip-on sneakers.

17. Wait before buying souvenirs

Paris is full of souvenir shops and street stalls, and many of them sell the exact same items at very different prices. If you plan to buy souvenirs, it’s worth waiting and comparing a few places instead of purchasing the first thing you see.

A simple example: those “Parisian” berets you see everywhere. Some shops sell four for €10, while others charge €10 for a single one.

Whether you should buy a beret at all is a different question. It does instantly mark you as a tourist 😊. But it can be fun for photos, and if it makes your trip more enjoyable, that’s what matters. You’re on vacation – buy what makes you happy and don’t worry too much about what others think.

Red beret hat for sale at a souvenir shop in Paris
Parisian beret hats are for sale all over the city. But the prices differ a lot!

18. Try local food

Food is a big part of any trip, and Paris is no exception. When planning your itinerary, it’s worth doing at least some research on where to eat.

Unless you’re willing to cross the city for a specific restaurant, it usually works best to look for good options near the places you’ll be sightseeing. That’s what we normally do: plan the day first, then check Google Maps for well-rated restaurants nearby. It helps avoid tourist traps and lets you compare menus, prices, and reviews. For dinner, especially, reserving ahead is often a good idea.

Planning a bit also makes it easier to mix things up. You might stop at a classic tearoom one day, grab crêpes or quiche another time, and have dinner at a traditional Parisian brasserie to try dishes like escargots (snails) or cuisses de grenouille (frog legs). Paris also has excellent Italian, Korean, and other international restaurants with a local twist.

While in the past, locals could be quite snobbish about French haute cuisine, Parisian food today reflects influences from all over the world. While you should definitely try some traditional French dishes, it’s just as interesting to include other cuisines along the way.

TIP: Besides choosing restaurants on your own, consider adding a food tour to your itinerary. It’s a simple way to taste a variety of local dishes in a few hours while seeing parts of the city you might never visit otherwise.

If you’re only in Paris for 1–2 days, fitting in a food tour can be tough. With 3–4 days or more, it’s much easier. We now try to book at least one food tour in every city we visit, and it’s always a highlight. On our most recent trip to Paris, we did this highly-rated food tour in the Le Marais neighborhood, and it was a great addition to our stay.

READ ALSO: Best Traditional French Dishes to Try in France

French cheese and cured meat plate on a Paris food tour
This was one of over 11 tastings during our food tour in Paris. It’s the best way to try a big variety of local foods in a short time.

19. Use eSIM & Wi-Fi

There will be countless situations when you will need your smartphone when visiting Paris. So be sure that you have access to the mobile network (and that it won’t cost you a fortune). If you are visiting from outside of the EU, an eSIM is the best solution. We personally use and recommend eSIMFox when we travel overseas, but there are many other options too.

A few examples. As already mentioned before, it’s best to pre-book tickets for most attractions when visiting Paris. If you don’t want to or can’t print those tickets, you will need to quickly access them on the go.

Also, many restaurants in Paris now have a system where you scan a QR code on your table, not just for the menu, but also to pay your bill. Often, waiters won’t even come to your table anymore, and you can just leave whenever you are ready.

Good to know: Most museums and restaurants in Paris offer free Wi-Fi, but it’s not always the case. So plan in advance! For example, take screenshots of your itinerary, the tickets you booked, etc.

Walker Through Walls in Montmartre Paris
The Walker-through-Walls (Passe-Muraille) in Montmartre. We used a self-guided audio tour on our smartphones to explore Montmartre.

20. Pay in Euros & be sure that your credit card has a PIN

If you travel internationally, you probably already know the most common legal scam there is – banks/ATMs charging you ridiculous exchange rates.

It usually works like this. You use an ATM to take some cash or use your credit card to pay for a product or service. To ‘make things easier’ for you, they present you with the choice to do the transaction in your own currency. Never do this! Be sure that you always do all your credit card transactions in the currency of the country where you travel – in the case of Paris, in euros.

When you choose to pay in euros, the exchange rate will be calculated by your bank. It will always be much better than the exchange rate that you are given by the ‘helpful’ ATMs abroad. I once lost about 18% in the exchange rate in London, so I learned the hard way (luckily, the amounts were small).

Also, try to avoid using ATMs with the ‘Euronet’ sign on them – their fees are absolutely outrageous. The best ATMs are the ones attached to local bank offices.

Good to know: Most European countries only use credit cards with a PIN, but most places also accept contactless payments.

Paris metro ticket machine
Paris metro ticket machine. Unless you can find a ticket desk, you will need a card with a pin here.

21. Know that tips are not expected (but appreciated)

To tip or not to tip, that’s the question…

In general, we do not tip in Europe, and in the past, it was common to just round up the bill. But I notice that tipping is becoming more and more common (and expected) in many European countries. Still, it’s not comparable to the U.S. in terms of who and how much you tip.

At the restaurants in Paris, we usually tip 5-10%. The same for taxi drivers. Or just round up the bill if paying cash. Anything above 10% is considered very generous and is really not expected. But if the service is exceptional, people will definitely appreciate it.

We also tip tour guides, but only the ones who do an exceptional job. If we tip, it’s usually 5-10 euros per person, depending on the duration of the tour.

Drinking Aperol Spritz in front of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
Don’t forget to just sit down and enjoy the experience once in a while! 😉

22. Learn a few words in French

A smile goes a long way, so don’t worry if you don’t speak French – you will be able to get along in Paris just fine. In fact, I was surprised on our recent trip by how much has changed in Paris in terms of people speaking English (and the attitude towards tourists)! The city has become so much friendlier, too!

While 5-10 years ago, English-speaking staff were more of an exception than a rule, nowadays, most people working in the hospitality sector in Paris speak (at least some) English. This is especially the case among the younger generations, but the change is really noticeable.

That being said, locals will certainly appreciate it if you do your best to speak at least a few words in French. Even if you can learn just a few basic words, it will be appreciated. Here are a couple of useful words and phrases in French:

  • Bonjour = hello (good day).
  • Bonsoir = good evening.
  • Merci = thank you.
  • Au revoir = good-bye.
  • Oui/ non – yes/no.
  • Femme/homme = woman/man.
  • Excusez-moi = excuse me.
  • Parlez-vous Anglais? = Do you speak English?
  • Je ne comprends pas = I do not understand.
Paris I love you sign on the rooftop terrace of Galeries Lafayette in Paris
“Paris, I Love You” sign on the rooftop terrace of Galeries Lafayette.

23. Get outside the city (center)

Paris has more than enough to fill several days, but if you have the time, it’s worth exploring beyond the city center. There are many interesting places just outside Paris, as well as excellent day trips a bit farther away.

The most popular half-day trip is Versailles Palace and its extensive gardens. Most people only spend a few hours there, but you could easily fill an entire day. We visited by train and booked a guided tour of the palace and gardens. There’s so much history and context that you’d miss on your own, so visiting with a guide is well worth it.

Another classic option is Giverny, best known for Monet’s house and gardens. You can get there by train from Paris and explore on your own (renting a bike at the station is a nice option), or join a guided tour.

TIP: Some tours combine Versailles and Giverny in one day, which can be a good solution if you’re short on time.

If you’re willing to travel a bit farther, popular full-day trips include Mont Saint-Michel and the D-Day Beaches in Normandy. From Paris, these are best done as organized day tours rather than by car or public transport.

Day trips to the castles of the Loire Valley are also possible. Visiting on a day tour is the best option if you don’t have time to plan a longer road trip.

Even within Paris, it’s worth stepping slightly outside the usual tourist routes. Places like the La Défense business district or Père Lachaise Cemetery offer a different perspective on the city.

Traveling with kids? Disneyland Paris is the most popular day trip. With teenagers, however, Parc Astérix can be a better fit thanks to its faster and more intense rides. Our kids prefer the latter.

Even if you just get a bit outside of the city center or take one or two day trips, it will make your visit to Paris so much more memorable!

Disneyland Paris Castle
Disneyland Paris is one of the most popular day trips from Paris.

So, these are some of the most useful tips and tricks for Paris that you may want to know when traveling to the city for the first time.

Have a great trip to Paris!

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Everything that you should know before traveling to Paris for the first time

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23 Comments

  1. I’m planning on going in October 2026 so beginning to research & save since Paris is EXPENSIVE compared to Spain & Italy which we’ve been able to visit. My question is on a day trip to Champagne, I’m curious that you did not include in your blog. What about wine tours? Cheers and thank you for your insights, I used them during my other trips.

    1. Hi Patricia, sure, you can take a day trip to the Champagne region from Paris if you have an extra day. But if you think the city is expensive, just check the prices of these day tours… But they look great and you get to taste lots of champagne and most tours also include lunch. Just keep in mind that it’s not exactly next door so it will be a very long day.
      As for wine tours, I am sure there are some as well, but I have no personal experience since we always prefer food tours with wine and not just wine tasting. Recently, I did this amazing food + wine tour in Paris and it included quite some wine. The same company that runs this tour also has a few other food/wine tours in Paris – see here for the complete selection. They are not cheap but always excellent.
      Hope this helps.
      PS If your trip is in 2 years from now, I can guarantee that today’s prices will look low compared to what you’ll have to pay by then. It’s everywhere like that, not just in Paris.

    2. @Jurga, WOW you are not kidding, that is a lot of money for a day trip, we are planning for 10 days so unless we go by train and then just book the Champagne tours on our own may not happen. Thank you so much for the information.

  2. Thank you for such an amazing article. I am just starting to plan our trip to Paris,,, a dream of mine,, so want to plan it well. I will definately be coming back to this site often during my planning.
    Are there photographers near the Eifel Tower, for professional pics. someone I was talking to, mentioned something like that. Not sure if that is something you have to book head of time, do you have any info on that, and good places to get for amazing views of the Eifel tower? The Eifel Tower has been on my bucket list for many years,,, so I want to make the best of it while we are there, with good photos and exceptional views of it.. Thank you so much.

    1. Hi Jen, yes, a photo shoot is something that you definitely need to book before you go. See here for some options. If I were you, I would look for a photo shoot that you can book as early in the morning as possible (better light and less people), e.g. this one is possible from 8AM.
      Just a note – book EVERYTHING in Paris well in advance. Many tickets for the most popular attractions in Paris are sold out several months in advance nowadays.
      Have a great trip!

  3. Regarding the Museum Pass – since I also want to get timed entry tickets, do I buy the pass first and then when I go to get the timed entry tickets, indicate that I have a museum pass. Is the pass good for more then 1 person? Since I am traveling with my friend, do we each need to buy one??

    1. Hi Kathy, yes, of course, every person needs to get their own pass. And yes, for some attractions, you will need to reserve timed entry. Get the pass first and then follow the instructions after you purchase the pass. Because if you wait until you pick it up at the time of your visit, by then, it will be too late to reserve timed entry to e.g. the Louvre.
      As I said in the article, it’s a bit of an extra hassle compared to simply getting tickets to each attraction separately, but if you visit many museums over the course of a few days, it can be a lot cheaper with the pass.
      Have a great time in Paris!

  4. Thank you for all the information. I read your comment regarding use of tickets purchased through Viator. My wife bought tickets from Viator ahead of our trip coming up on 09/21/23 for the Louvre, Seine River tour and Musee Orsay. Are these three in the group of attractions that will not accept Viator-purchased tickets?

    1. Hi Tom, I suggest that you read recent reviews on Viator for the experiences that you booked. If there is nobody complaining about it, I guess it’s not a problem (anymore). I am not sure which attractions exactly were impacted or how long the issues lasted and if it’s still a problem today. We saw signs at Sainte-Chapelle when we visited recently and I also heard from friends about a few other attractions, but hopefully it’s sorted now. I’ll have to double-check it again when doing the next big update to the article.
      Once again, read the reviews and if in doubt, you can always cancel the tickets and get them with GetYourGuide or Tiqets.
      Enjoy Paris!

  5. Thanks for the wonderful article–lots of useful information. Just a question- if it’s not advisable to carry backpacks (large or small), how to carry some important things like camera (cell phones can’t capture the beautiful architecture), compact umbrella (to prepare for sudden rain) etc. if traveling in Fall or Winter in a small or medium sized purse. Please advise!

    1. Hi Sree, just to be clear – you can carry whatever you want, but if you take a backpack, you’ll have to leave it inside the lockers pretty much everywhere. Plus, the more stuff you carry around, the longer it takes to get through security at all the attractions.
      I personally use a crossbody bag. They come in all different sizes so you can always find something that fits your needs.

  6. Thank you for this information. Any advice on getting tickets to both the Louvre as well as the top of the Eiffel Tower? We are in Paris from 11/4-11/12 but apparently you cannot book tickets this far in advance. Do you think booking via a “tour’ company is worth it or should I wait until the venue releases tickets for our timeframe?

    Thanks so much,
    Serina

    1. Hi Serina, you don’t absolutely need a tour, but I highly recommend a guided tour for the Louvre if you have never been before and want to learn more about the most important artworks. Take a look at our article with tips for visiting Louvre for more information.
      For the Eiffel Tower, you can book tickets on the official site or at any of the resellers. If you absolutely want to go all the way to the top, be sure to book as soon as they become available. In the summer, you really had to be ready to book the moment they got released. It should be a bit better in November, but still. The 2nd floor tickets are easier to get.
      Have a great trip!

  7. Hi, really great information and many thanks. I am planning to visit in November 2023 and wondering how to plan the itiniary in advance without knowing how much time to keep aside for any particular attraction. Any tips? TIA

  8. Many thanks for all these good tips for those who visit Paris for the first time.
    Another nice suggestion is the obervation deck at Tour Montparnasse. It will give you a superb view over Paris.

  9. Awesome. Thorough info. Easy to peruse and f a b phoyos..esp. Arc at sunset..WOW. love how you travel and enjoyed you sharing yr travel insight. Myb1stvtrip is in Sept. And the opera house was tops on my.list. we have tkts to a performance..they have an immersive Chagall exhibit thfu Jan??. 2024 we plan to exp. Can’t wait to see the Chagall ceiling in opera house and tour the entire masterpiece. Thanks for your articles.. I’ll be chg them out..

    Merci beaucoup