Are you visiting Paris soon? Have you read our 25 Essential tips to Paris, and want even more? In this blog, you’ll find a range of little known tips and tricks for your visit to the City of Light. What to do you before you leave, while you’re here, and how to best enjoy this amazing place.
Don’t forget, you can access all the great haunts, craft beer, specialty coffee, Parisian parks, picnic places, and much more in our guide to Paris. You’ll get access to our map feature so you’re never left without the best choices for things to do… and the best part? It’s access for life.
Tip #1: Don’t fall for Tiktok trend recommendations!!!
So you’ve found a cool place you want to check out in Paris. Great! Before you go, ask yourself: Does it feel like a hodgepodge of Pinterest posts? Or are there wall to wall fake flowers literally everywhere? If so, you just might not be in the best place for quality food and drink. But you’ll certain get a good insta pick out of it!
PARIS PACKING AND BOOKING TIPS
Tip #2: Do book your monument entry tickets ahead of time
Each year more and more people flock to the City of Light for vacation, whether it’s spring break, or the entirety of the summer months, and even into early autumn. It’s such a popular city, and rightly so, that now we recommend pre-purchasing your tickets for any time of year, and any time of day. It’ll cut your wait time in half, and you know you’ll get to see what’s at the top of your list.
Tip #3: Do pack light layers and an umbrella!
Again, in Paris, you never know! Perhaps you’ve seen the fact that it can hail in Paris in the spring and summer, and regularly rains throughout the year. What starts out as a bright and sunny day could flash into a storm mid-afternoon. If you’re prepared for anything, it’ll make your time here that much more enjoyable.
Tip #4: Do buy yourself some classy luggage
Our new current obsession - Carl Friedrik luggage. We have been hesitant about which luggage we promote, and can say with confidence that this is a classy brand. They also emphasize longevity and sustainability, which is more and more important in a world of growing travel.
Tip #5: Do walk a lot!
If you’re willing and able, some of our best advice is to get out there and get those steps in prior to your trip. Paris is a very foot-heavy city, and even though the metro is fantastic, you’ll want to wander the streets as much as possible to truly find the hidden gems. Walk a few miles a day, and you’ll be ready to go. And be sure to pack those walking shoes!
Tip #6: Book your tours in advance!
Similar to booking your monument entry tickets in advance, this one is arguably even more important, as tour companies will book out in the high season! We have several amazing tour recommendations, including motorcycle and sidecar tours with Simon at Txango Tours, bike tours with Mark at Badass Tours, and Vintage Solex bike tours with Le French Way.
Tip #7: Do plan your itineraries
Or have us plan them for you. Grab our Guide+ for a full day itinerary of Montmartre, a full day itinerary of the Latin Quarter, and a full day Book Lover Paris itinerary. First time in Paris and want to stick to the big sights? Check out our free 48 itinerary.
PARIS SAFETY TIPS
Tip #8: Don’t walk in the bike lane
This one doesn’t need much more explanation. A bike lane is the road. Most of the time, it’s literally part of the road. Sometimes, it can be on a raise sidewalk, but still - treat it ilke a road and you’ll be good to go.
Tip #9: Do call an ambulance in case of emergency
Ambulances here are free. Or rather, our taxpayer euros go towards making things like ambulances free for who might need them. This means in case of an emergency you don’t need to worry about calling them - better to be safe than sorry. The number to call in case of accident or fire? 18.
BONUS TIP!
If you ever have minor worries about your health, try talking to any pharmacist first, and they’ll guide you on the right meds to buy or to contact a doctor or go to the ER.
Tip #10: Do read up on the pickpocket scams so you can avoid them!
We don’t post about pickpockets and scams to scare you away from travelling to Paris. But we also aren’t going to pretend they don’t exist, and more heavily in some parts of the city than in others. We go over them more in depth in our video on Paris scams.
Tip #11: Don’t put your phone in your back pocket. Ever.
There’s not much else to say about this one. If your phone is sticking out of your back pocket, someone might grab it - it’s too tempting! Don’t make yourself an easy target, keep your phone in a bum bag.
PARIS TRANSPORTATION TIPS
Tip #12: Do buy an airport ticket to and from CDG and ORLY
You’re probably wondering how to get from the airport into Paris. There are multiple ways, but if you’re taking the RER B to Charles de Gaulle or Metro line 14 to Orly, you’ll need a special airport ticket; your regular metro ticket won’t cut it. Buying the right one ahead of time saves you the awkward “uh-oh” moment at the turnstiles when you arrive or leave the airport. Trust us, it’s not fun hauling luggage back to a ticket machine.
Tip #13: Do get to the train early
French trains don’t mess around with schedules. As a general rule, they leave exactly on time (unless they’re actually seriously delayed!), sometimes even closing doors a minute before departure. Arriving early means you can find your carriage, stash your bags, and maybe grab a croissant for the ride instead of running down the platform in a panic.
Tip #14: Don’t hop the turnstiles
It’s not worth it. Paris has plainclothes inspectors who love catching fare-dodgers, and fines are steep (way more than the cost of a ticket).
Tip #15: Don’t expect to find electric scooters in the city!
Paris banned rental e-scooters in 2023, so you won’t see the rows of Lime or Dott scooters you might find in other cities. If you want to zip around, consider renting a bike instead. It’s a great way to take in the scenery without worrying about scooter bans. You can rent a bike at Le Peloton Café, and grab yourself a banging cup of coffee while you’re at it.
PARIS RESTAURANT TIPS
Tip #16: Do book lunch at a Michelin star restaurant
One of our favorite tips: A Michelin star restaurant will often have a lunch menu that's less expensive. So if you're looking for a Michelin star experience but not the full Michelin star price, check out their lunch menu, see what they have on offer and you might be able to get in. It’s a great way to experience top tier food for half the price.
Tip #17: Do ask for the bill. Chances are, it’s not coming to you.
In France, lingering at the table is a sign you’re enjoying yourself! Because of this, servers won’t rush you out by dropping the check. Embrace this; it can actually feel really nice not to be rushed. If you’re ready to pay, you’ll need to politely ask for l’addition, s’il vous plaît. Otherwise, you might be sitting there all night wondering why the bill hasn’t arrived.
BONUS TIP!
Observe the tables around you and see what they do. Many restaurants and cafés now have clients pay directly at the till. If you see other people doing it, you’re in the clear to leave whenever you’d like and pay on your way out.
Tip #18: Don’t call the server garçon
Garçon literally means “boy,” and calling a waiter that is considered outdated and terribly rude. Just say excusez-moi or pardon to get their attention, or make eye contact and smile. It goes a lot further than shouting across the café.
Tip #19: Do stop at quality coffee shops
If you want tips on sussing out good quality cafés just at a glance, here are three tips.
- Anyone can afford really high quality espresso machines. You can just buy these on the Internet if you want. What you should be looking for are other brewing systems, filtered coffee like a Chemex or a V60.
- Ask them who their roaster is. If they don't know, that's a bad sign. If they do know and they say Cafe Richards, that’s an even worse sign.
- Does it feel like there was intention in the design? (And we’re not talking about fake flowers) Intention in the design usually means intention in the coffee.
Tip #20: Do ask for a carafe d’eau
If you want free tap water at a restaurant, just ask for a carafe d’eau (pronounced “karaf doe”). You’ll get perfectly drinkable water without having to pay for bottled, and the waiter won’t think twice about it. If they do? Remind them you have a legal right to tap water in France (it’s true!)
Tip #21: Do make a reservation
Many Paris restaurants book up quickly these days! Walking in without a reservation can mean a long wait or no table at all. Even a quick online booking a day ahead will make your dining experience so much smoother.
HAVE THE BEST POSSIBLE TIME IN PARIS
Tip #22: Don’t stroll down the Champs-Elysées
It’s crowded, overpriced, and packed with chain stores you can find anywhere.
Tip #23: Do climb the Arc de Triomphe for the best view
Skip the street-level photo op and head to the top. The view over Paris and its Haussmannien avenues is stunning, and you’ll get a great view of the Eiffel Tower as well.
Tip #24: Do grab a ride on Vedettes de Pont Neuf
A boat ride down the Seine is one of the most relaxing ways to see Paris’s landmarks. The Vedettes de Pont Neuf will be a little bit less “I’m a sardine packed in here” than Bateaux Mouches. Our tip? Go at sunset - it’s beautiful, and you’ll hit the Eiffel tower just as it sparkles. Oh, and bring a bottle of bubbly, just don’t forget the glasses and the cork screw!
Tip #25: Do let yourself get carried away by side streets, boutiques, and little parks
Because... It’s Paris.
Enjoyed these tips? Watch them in video form here.
Otherwise, we’ve got plenty more Paris travel tips to share, so be sure to follow along for more Paris content! For an even deeper dive into the best things to do in Paris, check out our extensive online Paris guide, Paris in My Pocket. Constantly updated, it’s the perfect resource for foodies, off-the-beaten-path explorers, and anyone looking to experience Paris like a local.
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