% Paris Travel Guide

How to have the best experience in the city of love & light ✨

Hey… we’ll always have Paris, right? This city is often perceived in all its dreamy glory and let me tell you… it will live up to your expectations! Paris is exhausting but more importantly, worth all the exhaustion. Besides all the exhaustion, though, you’ll find the lovely flâneur vibe of the Parisians who just like to enjoy life with a relaxed style. It’s a city of controversy, but one you will quickly fall in love with. We’ll tell you just what to keep in mind when planning your travels to Paris!

How to get around?

It’s not a visit to Paris without experiencing the Paris metro. The metro network in Paris is ancient but will bring you to wherever you need to go. It’s a good idea to buy a day pass (€13.20) or a ‘carnet’ of 10 tickets (€14.50) instead of buying tickets individually at €1.90. The metro stations in themselves are a sight to see. Visit Bastille, one of the first original stations, or Louvre Rivoli, where the metro station is basically a part of the museum. If you’re not taking the metro, the best way to see Paris is by foot- you will run into endless hidden wonders! You also want to always keep your purse at the front, because unfortunately, tourists are often a target of pickpocketing in the city.

Metro on a bridge with Parisian buildings in the background

Insider Tip! Spot the Eiffel Tower from the metro by riding line 6

Where you should visit?

Paris never gets boring. There’s always something more to see. Some of the most beautiful areas where you can experience the true Parisian vibe are at:

Montmartre: this village on a hill has housed artists including Vincent Van Gogh over the years, and is the ultimate spot for all art lovers. The laid-back area is also home to many lovely restaurants and museums, and the crown of the village is the massive church Sacre Coeur. From the platform, you’ll also get a nice view of the city from above.
Jardin du Luxembourg: If you’ve always wanted to go for an authentic Parisian picnic, Jardin du Luxembourg is your spot to go. Visit the nearest pâtisserie to make sure you have all the French pastries with you, and take a spot in the massive park with the many other visitors enjoying the beautiful area. This park is considered one of the most beautiful city parks in the world- see what other parks made it on the list!
Saint-Germain-des-Prés: Once the hub of literary life in Paris, this area is naturally home to cafes that were once visited by literary geniuses. In the area, you’ll find Café de Flore and Les Deux Magots, which were once visited by Picasso and Hemingway, amongst many other notable individuals.
Île de la Cité: This historic center of Paris is also where you’ll find the famous Notre Dame. This romantic area with beautiful buildings and stunning gardens is definitely one to pay a visit to. Join Parisians sitting by the River Seine for an afternoon coffee or evening drink.
The Marais: Home to Paris’ Jewish and gay community, this ‘city within a city’ is filled with endless charm. Designer shops and wrought-iron balconies line the winding streets of the Marais, a gem of Paris.

The hill of Montmartre is full of secrets to be discovered!

Where to stay?

If you want to stay relatively close to the city for cheap, be expecting to pay around €30/night for a hostel bed. If staying in a budget hotel, the cheapest options start from around €120/night. Private rooms in Airbnb’s start from around €50/night. The best option is probably to travel in a group, so you can get a full Airbnb apartment (Parisian-style) while sharing costs with TripMates. Here’s how you can have the best group travel experience!

What to experience in Paris?

Of course, Paris is full of experiences to be had! And hey… what happens in Paris, stays in Paris. Right? 😉 Anyways, here are some experiences to get you into the Paris spirit (to add to all the areas you should discover when in Paris):

Experience sunrise at Trocadero: sunrise with an Eiffel Tower backdrop? Yes, please!
Go to the historic Moulin Rouge for a cabaret show
Window shop (or actually shop) on the Avenue des Champs-Élysées
Go to Ladurée to taste macarons
See the insane traffic around the Arc de Triomphe

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Tune in to see what foods you should give a try in France…

When to visit?

During the tourist season, Paris gets really busy. So, if possible, avoid summertime for visits. It can also get really hot in the city, so it might not be the comfiest time for visiting. Generally, off-shoulder seasons, from April to May or from September to October, are the best time for visiting- the weather is still ideal, but you’ll find that the city is much less crowded.

Visit Paris off-season to beat the crowds

Tips & tricks for visiting Paris

There are always some things to keep in mind when visiting this grandiose city! Keep these things in mind while you stroll the streets of Paris:

Beware of pickpockets!: This was already mentioned previously, but do carry your bag at the front and preferably, have a bag with a zipper
Learn some French: it’s good to know a few words in French before your visit, just in case. Bonjour/Bonsoir (good day/good evening), Pardon (sorry/excuse me), s’il vous plaît (please), and merci (thank you) are all good words to have in your vocab before visiting
Bring your student ID: If you’re a student, don’t forget this! Many museums and attractions are free for students, so you want to take advantage of that!
Don’t throw out your metro ticket before the journey is complete: You’ll need it to get out of the train station, too!
Travel slow: Seriously, it’s not worth it to experience Paris in a rush! There’s so much to see and do, but don’t try to get all of it done at once. Take your time and adapt some of that flâneur into your walk
Dinner… served late!: Parisians eat dinner late, usually around 9 PM. So, if you’re making dinner reservations- keep this in mind!
Embrace your inner Parisian: dress like a Parisian, neutral and chic. When visiting coffee shops, don’t rush your visit- people watch and take time to enjoy your cup of espresso. After all, Paris is one of the best coffee cities in the world!

Do you have more questions about travel or are you in need of some more travel tips? Ask all your burning questions on our Travel Forum!

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