Paris is routinely one of if not the most visited cities in the world. Every year many people are planning their first trip to Paris, dreaming of the Eiffel Tower, beautiful boulevards and exquisite food. The beauty also lies in the fact that Paris is such a unique city. Read on to find out some things to know before visiting Paris for the first time.
GET TO KNOW THE LANGUGAGE
Language is one of the primary fears of people making their first trip to Paris but it’s not as big an obstacle as you’d imagine it to be. Of course the official language spoken in Paris is French so be prepared to hear a lot of French.
However, for English speaking tourists you will find that there are a lot of people that can communicate in English. Many of the signs that you will rely on are also translated into English.
This is especially true if you’re spending a lot of time in tourist heavy areas. Whether it’s store workers or waiters in restaurants there’s almost always someone in the location that speaks English.
It’s good to remember that Paris is truly an international city, so expect there to be a bit of every nationality and language represented.
Even with English being spoken a bit more than anticipated, learning a few key French phrases goes a long way to gaining favor with Parisians. A simple hello, thank you, good bye or a few other phrases can make a big difference.
And now with Google Translate readily available, it’s easier than ever to use a few French phrases in your communications.
YOU CAN USE THE METRO TO GET AROUND PARIS
The metro system in Paris is very easy to use. When used alongside Google Maps, it’s nearly impossible to get lost even on your first trip to Paris. The stations are laid out in a very intuitive manner, fully equipped with maps and signs to lead you on your way.
Once on the metro, the stops are regularly called out over the speakers announcing the next stop. The maps inside the trains are easy to follow as well.
Perhaps my favorite part of using the Paris metro is that the trains come in such short intervals that missing a train is no problem at all. Our average wait time was just about 2 or 3 minutes for a train during our visit.
If we had to wait more than 5 minutes we felt that we were waiting too long! With such a quick arrival time, the trains are remarkably on time.
Since the metro system is so reliable, you’re open to more options for where to stay. You don’t have to stay in the center of Paris if you don’t want to. It allows for a greater variety of accommodations to choose from and cheaper options in other arrondisements when you can use the metro to make your way into the city center in a short amount of time.
The stations and trains are also very clean and well lit. For families and solo travelers the metro is the way to get around Paris.
PARIS IS A REALLY BEAUTIFUL CITY
Everything you’ve heard, read and seen about Paris is true. It is an undeniably beautiful city. If you are a fan of architecture, this is the place to be. The buildings are gorgeous and so are the tree lined boulevards.
The city also does not lack iconic sights to visit. This adds to the allure of such a stunning city. You’ll want to make sure that you schedule time into your itinerary for taking in the atmosphere and admiring the beauty.
Paris is not a city that you want to rush through or dash from one sight to the next. It’s a city to be admired at a nice leisurely pace.
Admittedly it is a lot to see in a finite amount of time. The itinerary that our family used allowed for a more relaxed trip so that we could enjoy the full experience that is Paris.
GET TO KNOW THE ARRONDISSEMENTS
The city of Paris is divided into 20 arrondisements or neighborhoods. Each area has its own style and atmosphere. Some of the more popular arrondisments are the 1st The Louvre, 4th Le Marais, 5th Latin Quarter, 6th Saint-Germain-des-Pres, 7th Eiffel Tower, 8th Champs-Elysees, 14th Montparnasse and the picturesque 18th, Montmartre.
Spend time in different areas to get a different feel for Paris. Each has its own things that people love about them. If you’re able to spread your time around, you’ll get a better feel for the city.
MAKE SURE THAT YOU ENJOY THE FOOD
World class cuisine is easy to find in Paris. But for families, sometimes simpler is better. Paris is well known for their bread and pastries and that reputation is well earned.
Find a boulangerie or patisserie and find out for yourself why Paris is so well known for its bread and pastries. You can also find crepes being sold in stands around the city. It’s another French specialty that lives up to the hype.
An overlooked aspect of Paris being such an international city is that there are a variety of foods available, so no matter what you like, you’ll likely find it well made in Paris.
THERE ARE SO MANY ICONIC SIGHTS TO SEE
The Eiffel Tower tops the list of sights people want to see when they visit Paris. In fact it’s one of the top sights in the world and one of the main reasons to visit Paris. But Paris is full of awesome things to see and experience.
The Louvre, Sacre Coeur, Versailles, Arc de Triomphe, Champs Elysses are all on the top the lists of places to visit. There aren’t many cities that boast such a list of amazing sights.
You can quickly fill up your itinerary with things to do. Of course there are many other lesser known sights that are worth your time as well.
PARIS IS A CITY OF PARKS
Paris is a city of culture, but it’s also a city of parks. Three of the better known parks in Paris are the Trocadero Gardens, Jardin des Tuileries and Luxembourg Gardens. Each park is well worth a visit especially if you’re traveling with your family.
The Trocadero Gardens provides an absolutely breath taking view of the Eiffel Tower as well as plenty of room to sit and enjoy the view. As the sun fell, we observed many people spread out sheets on the grass of the gardens in full view of the Eiffel Tower for one of the best picnics that you’ll ever have.
The large fountain that runs down the middle of the garden is striking. This is one of the best spots in Paris for photos.
The Jardin des Tuileries is great for families especially. It has a playground, carousel and a pond. The iconic rows of trees provide a stunning backdrop for a nice walk. It’s also close to the Louvre and in a central location in the city so it’s easy to get to by metro.
Luxembourg Gardens is also great for families because of the various activities that it offers. There are puppet shows, remote controlled boats to play with on the pond, carousel and a playground. The parks is perfect for a day of activity or just relaxing and enjoying a picnic.
CULTURAL AND DINING ETIQUETTE
Parisians appreciate politeness and good manners so it’s good to greet people with “bonjour” as well as “merci” or “au revoir” when leaving. This impacts how you approach dining.
In France, dining is a much more leisurely occasion than you may be used to. Meals at restaurants can last for hours with customers taking their time over coffee or dessert.
This means that the waitstaff won’t be around as often so don’t take it as them being rude.
Tipping is not required since a small service charge may be added to the bill automatically, but if you want to leave a small amount for excellent service it’ll be appreciated.
DRESS CODE
There is a certain style that Parisians have that will be evident pretty soon after you arrive. Even though there isn’t a particular dress code, going for more of a smart-casual style will help you blend in a bit.
No matter what you wear, you’ll likely always be identified as a tourist so don’t worry too much, but if you want to blend in you’ll avoid a lot of super casual, sporty type of clothing.
The most important thing is having comfortable shoes since you’ll probably be doing a lot of walking and/or using the metro.
THE BEST TIMES TO VISIT PARIS
While the thought of “Paris is always a good idea” does ring true, there are some times of year that are much better for a visit.
June is an excellent time for families to visit Paris. It’s the perfect combination of great weather, fewer crowds, and lower costs. For a city that has so many great green spaces, it’s a great time to enjoy them.
We visited Paris in June and we felt that it was the perfect time to go. The lines were short even at the most popular locations and we never felt overcrowded. We were able to completely enjoy the city with excellent weather.
September to October is also a great time to visit. The weather is still nice, the crowds have dissipated, and the prices are more budget-friendly than summer. You could also be fortunate enough to come during the changing of the leaves which adds beautiful color to the already beautiful city.
READY TO MAKE THAT TRIP TO PARIS?
Get your passport ready and join so many other people who made the great decision to visit the City of Lights. It’ll surely be a trip that you’ll never forget. While you’re preparing for your trip be sure to find out the best areas to stay in Paris, our comprehensive guide on how to save money while booking flights to Paris as well as our practical itinerary. Bon voyage!