Your Paris Travel Guide
Ah, Paris! City of Romance. City of Lovers. City of traffic that never sleeps, and may be actively trying to kill you! We could fill a whole travel site on the wonders of Paris alone. Today, however, we take a quick dive into the need-to-know travel tips for Paris, and some of what you can expect to see in this thriving, ancient city.
So Paris, France- right? | Paris Travel Guide
There can only be one Paris! Well, that’s not actually all that true. There’s at least 23 cities in America named after Paris, and even one in South Africa. But none of them match up to the dazzling jewel that is the French Capital.
Here you will find everything from the ultimate designer fashion and shopping experiences, to ancient history waiting to dazzle you. Spring from your ultra-modern hotel to take in a service at a church that has stood for millennia. Drink in the art of modern and ancient masters, and then drink up some of the world’s best vintages. Add fantastic food to the mix, too!
Paris is a tourist-friendly city, too. While the locals are notorious for wanting you to try to speak a little French, it’s only because they have a beautiful city with a magnificent history, and who wouldn’t want to celebrate that? You’ll still find plenty of people willing to crack a little English as long as you try hard with your French, and amenities will look familiar to home. But in an ambiance and rich history that’s matched nowhere else in the world. Welcome to Paris, indeed!
Getting to Paris, and finding places to stay
Getting to Paris will be supremely easy, no matter where in the world you start. Charles de Gaulle airport is up there with the busiest in the world. It’s a hub for most international airlines. Paris-le Bourget, the original international airport, and Paris-Orly are your other two potential international airports. If you’re hoping to experience Paris on a tighter budget, some flights into Beauvais-Tille Airport and Châlons Vatry airport do have some cheap continental flights landing, too, although Châlons Vatry mostly services cargo.
Where to stay in Paris is a very open-ended question. There’s no downtown, and most of the must-see sights are scattered evenly through the city. Budget is also going to impact this heavily. Our top tip is simply to pick a hotel in your price range that’s near a city metro- ten you’ll be able to get everywhere easily.
Paris is divided into 20 arrondissements, or districts. There’s also the Right (North) Bank and Left (South) Bank of the Seine to explore. Roughly speaking, the right side is hip and trendy, and the left is classic and steeped in history. Most tour guides suggest staying within the first 7 arrondissements, as they are numbered from the center of the city outward, and get more residential the higher the number. In a city this old, street names are a mess, so expect people to give you directions based on nearby metro stations. All of the center of Paris is walkable, safe for tourists, and well provisioned with restaurants and activities.
Still not sure? We love Marais and Saint-German for first-time travelers. All of the 7th arrondissement, near the Eiffel Tower, is good for tourists wanting to taste Paris’ charm.
Things to Do in Paris
Now it’s time to have fun! The city has one of the most reliable metros in the world and is relatively easy to walk. The metros have English language functions, and work on a system similar to the UKs Oyster card. The taxis are good, and there’s public bikes to use, too.
There’s so much to see and do in Paris that it’s near impossible to pack into one list. We’re also sure you know many of the most famous landmarks! So rather than tell you what to do, let’s look at the ‘flavors’ of the best tourist arrondissements, instead.
1st Arrondissement
This is an excellent area for sightseeing. It’s packed with many famous landmarks. Here you’ll find the Louvre, the remarkable stained glass of Sainte-Chapelle, Tuileries Garden, and the Palais Royale. Notre Dame Cathedral can be walked too, as can the Centre Pompidou and Champs-Elysées, and the Musee D’Orsay and Saint Germain lie over the bank. You can even catch a train to Disneyland.
11th Arrondissement
Foodies, unite! Here’s where you can truly experience local cuisine at its best- and most affordable. Away from the tourist food crowd, here lies relaxed eateries and great food. Experience everything from hip wine bars to Michelin stars. This is also the right place for local vibes, so digital nomads, take note. Free of the glamour of the tourist areas, instead there’s informal bistros, galleries, cafes, and boutiques. You’ll find young natives as well as French speakers from the diaspora, and it has a lovely vibe.
13th Arrondissement and Marais
Nightlife that’s pumping is everywhere in Paris. However, if you’re up for the trek to the 13th, you’ll find an utterly unique set of options. There’s even little docked boats serving as dance spaces. Marais is excellent for bar hopping, however. Visit a speakeasy hidden from the eye, or sip cocktails among Paris’ most chic. Marias is also where you want to head for the best shopping experience. Chic boutiques and designers abound. Pigalle, on the other hand, is the home of the Moulin Rouge, and you can drink in similar lively shows, find bands, or enjoy dive bars.
7th Arrondissement and Saint Germain
Newcomer to Paris? Start here. The Eiffel Tower is right there to woo you. Notable museums abound. The architecture is amazing. And you’ll experience what most of us think of when we hear ‘Paris’. Plus the Rue Cler street market is amazing. It’s a little calmer than Saint Germain, but close enough you can still have fun. Saint Germain is well set up for families, though, and a little more child-friendly than other areas.
Montmartre
Ah, love! Here’s where all the visiting romantics should visit. The views are breathtaking, and it has a village-like, quaint charm, with cobblestone streets, ivy-covered houses, and rolling staircases. Don’t forget to picnic at the Sacre Coeur.
Psst…Want to Know a Parisian Secret?
Looking for something off the beaten tourist track? Parc de la Villette lies in the 19th arrondissement. It’s the largest ‘urban cultural park’ in the city, at 55 hectares. Here you’ll find a little of everything. Cultural spaces and theaters, open-air films, playgrounds, architecture, and so much more. There’s even a boat cruise to get there that will give you a view of Paris few ever see.
We could write pages more on Paris, but why not go see it instead! Every traveler should experience the luxury, love, and magic of Paris at least once in their life, so why not start your journey today?
