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Travel tips for first-timers to Paris will guide you to avoid the mistakes many travelers have made in the past. These travel tips will allow you to enjoy your time in Paris from when you land and hopefully decrease your stress level.

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Best Time to Visit Paris

Paris, the City of Lights, is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world. It’s known for its romantic atmosphere, world-class cuisine, and iconic landmarks such as the Eiffel Tower and Notre Dame Cathedral. But with so many things to see and do, when is the best time to visit this beautiful city?

While Paris is beautiful and a popular destination year round, there are times that are ideal for visiting Paris. The shoulder months, which are primarily in the Spring and Fall are the optimal times to visit Paris. During these times you will likely have mild and enjoyable temperatures to explore the city. Plus, you will avoid the large crowds that the Summer high season can bring. Which in turn also means you may be able to take advantage of better pricing on flights, hotels and tours.

Another key point is that there will still be plenty of events and festivals during the shoulder months as well.

Tips for Your First Trip to Paris

Without further delay, let’s get into the tips you need to know for your first trip to Paris.

Travel Tips for Paris – Take the Metro

It’s easy and relatively reasonable price-wise. They have Uber in Paris, but unless you use Uber Pool, you’re looking at a minimum of 12€ to 15€ for a one-way trip. That price increases during rush hour.  Tickets for Zone 1, 2, & 3 will get you to everything in the city center. The one-day pass is 12€ per person. 19.50€ will get you a two-day pass. Of course, there are other options for more extended stays.  These passes can be used on metros, subways, and buses.  Therefore, it’s a great way to see all the top attractions in Paris’s city center and feel like a local. 

Purchase Tickets in Advance

Another of the best travel tips for first-timers in Paris is to Purchase Tickets for Top sites in Advance and Skip the Line. The Eiffel Tower, Catacombs, and The Louvre are very popular, and the lines can be long. The Paris Pass option gives you access to over 60 attractions in Paris. This is an excellent option if you will be staying between two to six days. The Paris Pass also includes a Hop On Hop Off bus ride. One other neat site to see in Paris is The Pantheon. I recommend adding the roof tour to your visit because the panoramic views of the city are amazing. 

One of the Most Important Travel Tips for Ladies!

Carry change for the Toilette – One of the things we take for granted in the States is that finding an accessible public bathroom is relatively easy.  This is not necessarily true in Paris or all of Europe, for that matter.  I did find more free toilets in Paris on my last visit than I have in the past. Of course, it is a very good idea to have 50 cents to 1€ handy just in case. Another of the convenient travel tips is to always carry some tissues with you just in case.

Be Aware – Travel Tips for Paris

Watch for Pick Pockets – This is, hands down, one of the most essential travel tips for first-timers to Paris. It is unfortunate, but it happens. I have personally witnessed it on more than one occasion. The key is to be mindful and keep your valuables hidden.  Over-the-shoulder bags are best, and keep them zipped.  If you need assistance at the metro station when purchasing tickets, go to the ticket booth to be sure you are working with an actual employee.

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When in Paris, Indulge!

Try anything with bread, cheese or chocolate – I don’t care if you’re on a diet, you can not visit Paris and not eat French bread of any shape or form. It’s all wonderful, from sandwiches, croissants, pastries, and crepes. I even had a hot dog that was just ridiculously fantastic! You can easily find patisseries,  creperies, and chocolate stores all over. Just looking in the window will make your mouth water. Splurging is just a must in Paris!

Enjoy a glass of wine or beer at a local cafe at Happy Hour – Around 5:30 p.m., you will see many cafes, restaurants, and bars fill up with Parisians enjoying a cocktail with friends.  It’s a great way to immerse yourself with the locals. They gather, laugh, and unwind from the day before going home or enjoying a meal together a little later.  I always enjoy the places I visit more when I feel connected to the people and their culture, and they really don’t mind sharing the space with you.

Knowing a few French Phrases is helpful when in Paris – 

Many travel guides for first-timers to Paris do not include a few useful French phrases. But it means a lot when visitors at least try.

Merci – thank you, and S’il vous plait – please.

Politeness goes a long way in France, especially if you don’t know the language.  If you can’t remember any other French phrases, remember these two.

“Parlez-vous Anglais?”, or do you speak English?- This phrase will help you immensely as many people in Paris at the hotels, restaurants, bars, attractions and metro stations speak English. The difference is that asking this question in French instead of just speaking in English shows you at least tried to learn some of the language before your visit and are not just assuming everyone speaks English. The other benefit is that if the person does not speak English, they will know what you are asking and still appreciate that you tried.

Ou es les toilettes? – Yes, this says just what you think, “Where is the bathroom?” when you are touring a large city like Paris, you will likely need one eventually.

Combien, s’il vous plaît? –  “How much, please”?  You will likely want to purchase souvenirs while in Paris, and asking how much something costs will come in handy.  Adding please is just the right thing to do.

Bonus Tip!

Bonus Tip – Order Euros from your local bank before leaving the US. It usually just takes a day or two, and the exchange rate is usually fair. This way, you will have Euros handy when you arrive, just in case you need them.

I hope you find these travel tips for first-timers to Paris helpful for planning your visit to Paris. If you enjoyed this post, you may also like my post Fun Tips to Stay in Shape on Vacation as well.

Interesting Facts About Paris

Before you go, I’ll leave you with a few fun facts you may not know about Paris.

• Paris is often referred to as “The City of Light” because it was one of the first cities in the world to have street lighting.
• Paris has 5 Statues of Liberty. Even though the one in New York is the most famous, the French actually gifted that to the U.S.
• Paris has an Underground City called The Catacombs. The Catacombs are home to the remains of over 6 million Parisians.
• The city boasts more than 1,200 bakeries, so you’re never more than a few steps away from a fresh baguette.
• The Louvre in Paris is the world’s largest art museum and a historic monument. It holds thousands of works of art, including the world-famous Mona Lisa.
• The Eiffel Tower was built as a temporary structiure. It was orginally only meant to stand for 20 years, but it was so popular and loved that the city decided to keep it.
• The city has a ‘love locks’ bridge. Couples would attach a padlock to the bridge and throw the key into the Seine River as a symbol of their love. However, this practice has been discouraged due to structural concerns.

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