17 Essential Things To Know Before Visiting Paris, France
Paris is a dream destination for many travellers of all ages and is the most visited city in the world. If you want to plan a great trip to Paris, you need to know some tips and tricks about Paris. More specifically, you want to know those 17 things to know before visiting Paris.
When you travel to a city for the first time, it is almost certain that you will have a hiccup and go against the current. You could stand on the wrong side of the escalator, buy the wrong ticket or fail at something cultural; the possibilities are numerous. Of course, nobody can be perfect, even by doing the proper research before a trip, and that’s okay; we’re only human.
Many of those mistakes can be avoided by doing a bit of research on the things to know before visiting Paris! When it comes to travel, there are some general travel mistakes you don’t want to commit to ensuring yourself the best trip possible, and they apply to Paris as well, but there is much more to know. Because you know, like any vacation, travelling to Paris should be fun!
For example, if you come from the UK, you don’t want to forget that you have to look on the right side before you cross the road, or you might get into a lot of trouble…accidents can unfold much faster than we think.
So, here are all the things to know and Paris travel tips you need to know!
17 Essential Things To Know Before Visiting Paris For The First Time
Paris isn’t a city; it’s a world
KING FRANcois the i
Do you like Paris AND quotes? Then make sure to check out those 25 quotes about Paris!
Oui, oui, Paris!
This travel guide is curated to help you navigate the city of love, especially if it is your first time visiting Paris. From quick tips to more detailed information, you’ll know everything you need not to be overwhelmed by your first time in Paris.
There are a few things to know about Paris before visiting to experience the capital to the fullest!
It’s time to jump into it and give you the best tips for travelling to Paris for the first time so you know what not to do and what you can do when you visit the French Capital!
1. Stay on the right side of the escalator
You will use public transportation in Paris when you visit the city as it is the most efficient way to get from point A to point B (see #9).
And for that, you need to know some etiquette on how to use the Metro properly; I promise you it’s not complicated, and the main thing you need to know is that you must always stay on the right side of the escalator and line up!
Otherwise, you’re risking the wrath of some annoyed Parisian trying to get up the escalator as fast as possible because you’re in their path!
2. Assume Paris is a romantic “safe” city – Pay attention
If you’d like to read more about that, I have a post about 6 common scams you need to be aware of when you visit Paris, which I highly recommend you read before visiting Paris!
I don’t want to scare you; Paris isn’t a terrible place, that’s for sure. However, like in every major city and tourist spot (think Eiffel Tower, Le Louvres, Montmartre, etc.), you might encounter dishonest people who try to exploit tourists.
Unfortunately, it also happens that there might be some pickpockets in the Metro as well, so make sure to constantly watch your belongings and your phone at all times, just like the announcement in the Metro said.
Better be safe than sorry!
3. Never throw away your metro ticket
Alright, staying on the metro topic is a common mistake many people make when they use the Metro in Paris. Not only foreign, French people sometimes make this mistake when travelling to Paris.
Never throw away your metro ticket until the very end of your journey. Otherwise, you’re risking a fine! Also, never buy your ticket from a random seller; always use the machine.
Another good reason not to throw your metro ticket is that if you need to take the bus + the tramway within 1h30, you can use it for both!
4. Don’t expect everyone to speak English – learn a few French words
This one is a no-brainer for me, and it applies to every country where English is the primary language. You can’t expect people to speak English just because, for you, it’s normal.
Sure, some people might not make any effort to understand you, which is annoying when you’re trying; it happened to me, too, but some people just genuinely do not speak English, and there is nothing wrong with that if it’s not the primary language of their country.
It’s always good to know some essential French words and sentences when you visit, and seeing people make some effort is always pleasant! However, in most tourist areas, you should be fine!
5. Forgetting your travel plug
Paris and throughout the country use circular indent type E outlets primarily.
If you’re from a country with a type B or C plug, you won’t charge your appliances, making your arrival a little annoying, primarily as we rely a lot on our devices nowadays when we travel.
And, by the way, here are the best apps you must use in Paris!
You can always buy one in electronic stores when you arrive in Paris or at the airport, but it’d be cheaper if you got it beforehand!
6. Parisians are snobby – it’s not against you
This one might be a bit controversial; while Paris is one of the top world destinations, Parisians are judged to be some of the least friendly people.
Parisians have a terrible reputation around the world. Is it a fact?
Well, yes and no. I can understand where this is coming from. As a Parisian myself who has to deal with other Parisians, things can get quickly stressful, and you might get easily annoyed at people.
But it’s not a generality; some people are awful, but many are willing to make an effort and help you out!
7. Ask for tap water – no bottle
If you’re in a restaurant and especially as a tourist and on a budget, if you do order some water, make sure to ask for tap water( or a “carafe d’eau” as we say in France); if you don’t, they’re most likely going to bring some brand bottled water and charge you for it!
Tap water is drinkable in Paris, so you don’t have to pay for water wherever you eat. Fun fact: there are no less than 1,200 fountains in Paris with drinkable water where you can refill your water bottle and even a few sparkling water fountains! Those fountains are historical monuments and part of my 50 free things to do on the Paris list!
8. Tipping too much
If you’re from the U.S., this might sound odd to you as tipping is a huge part of your culture, as that’s where servers get most of their income. Well, that’s not the case in France.
Tips are more of a nice bonus as waiters get paid a wage.
Of course, if you think your waiter did a great job, you can leave them a tip; it’s always appreciated, but it’s not mandatory. Usually, people tip between 1 and 5€ in Paris and France when they tip; if you feel more generous, it’s up to you!
9. Don’t rent a car – use public transportation
Renting can be expensive, and so is parking if you ever find a place that is. This one is a given for any big city, but unless you want to rent a car to go outside of Paris for a day trip, you’re thinking of renting a car to travel around Paris to save time and money. Don’t you’ll waste even more time and money by doing so.
Also, driving in Paris is pretty nerve-wracking, and the last thing you want on vacation is to inflict some unnecessary stress during your trip. Paris has a pretty good transportation system with the Metro, trams, and bus stops scattered throughout the city.
Another solution to travel to Paris will be to rent a bike or a scooter if you don’t want to use public transportation; be careful if you do!
Of course, you can always take an Uber if you feel like it. I 100% recommend it over our regular taxi, which is crazy expensive.
You can check the RATP website.
10. Don’t overpack your schedule
Sure, we have all been there; we only have a few days in a city and want to see as much as possible. But let me stop you here; you shouldn’t overplan your schedule and to-do list when visiting Paris.
Discovering quirky spots in Montmartre would be fun while checking out the Louvres, La Tour Eiffel, and climbing up L’Arc de Triomphe.
Eat some macarons at Ladurée, take a cooking class with a Parisian chef, and so on. If you only have a few days, you shouldn’t do it: you’ll burn out before you notice it. And if you think you can visit Paris in two days, you can’t.
Paris is a fast, busy city; you will walk a lot; many people are crossing the city every day, and things may not go according to plan (i.e. it might rain, disruptions, strike), which may be upsetting for some, things can quickly add up. Plus, if you’re tired, you won’t enjoy what you’re doing because you’ll be just thinking of the following spots to check off your bucket list, so take it easy!
11. Plan to visit during the off-peak season.
One of the best things to know before visiting Paris and one question people often ask is, “When is the best time to visit Paris?”
There is no perfect answer to that, as it depends on what you want to do, what experience, and many other variables. So, there is no tailored, ideal answer to that question.
However, I highly recommend visiting Paris during the off-peak or shoulder seasons. It won’t be as pricey, and you can still enjoy the best of the weather, for example, by the end of summer with a more minimal crowd. You can often score some much better deals this way, as well.
12. Make Use Of Free Walking Tours or follow a self-guided tour.
Paris is a city that is best explored on foot, so you can appreciate the beauty of the town and soak in every little corner and quaint street.
Booking a free (or not) walking tour is a great way to discover the city with locals to learn more about the city’s history while getting good recommendations and what to do next.
And if you don’t want to participate in a group tour, you can always find a private guide. If you don’t have the budget, a free version for that would be to build your self-guided tour; there is plenty of excellent travel content online to help you do that.
13. Don’t Only Stick to Touristy Locations – Explore off-beaten path locations in Paris
It’s tempting to want to check out all the famous Paris locations off your bucket list, but make sure to visit touristy areas and experience a more authentic side of the city.
There is no shortage of unique and quirky things to do in Paris, from old railways converted into promenades or a Pagoda in the 8th to the five Statues of the Liberty. There’s more to the Eiffel Tower and the Louvres to experience in Paris.
14. Paris Is More Empty In August
You wouldn’t think so, but Paris gets pretty empty during August as locals flee the capital to enjoy the beach or go abroad and while it’s a great way to explore more freely.
However, there is a downside to this: many shops and restaurants will be closed as they often take their annual leaves in August. So, it’s not that ideal. But don’t worry, there is still plenty to do and see.
2024 Note: This won’t be the case this year; Paris will be extremely busy throughout the summer of 2024 as the Olympic Games are hosted in the capital. So, if you’re not fond of crowds, make sure to avoid coming around this time. Plus, prices for transportation are also rising for the game; not the best time to visit!
15. You Can’t Smoke Inside Public Places
Smoking was first prohibited in Paris’ public transportation in 1976 under the Veil Law, but it wasn’t until the 1st of February 2007 that the French government introduced a stronger smoking ban.
Since then, smoking inside restaurants or any indoor places in Paris has been prohibited.
In my opinion, it is excellent; there’s nothing more unpleasant than having a meal or a drink and smelling cigarettes.
Of course, if you’re a smoker, you can always sit on terraces and smoke outside.
16. Paris Is Divided Into “Arrondissements” (districts)
Paris is divided into 20 Arrondissements (districts); some neighbourhoods are more popular than others due to specific areas that are famous among locals and tourists, such as Saint-Michel (5th and 6th) and the Latin Quarter (5th) or the very popular Montmartre (18th).
Knowing more about each arrangement is good for deciding where you want to stay in Paris during your vacation.
And if it’s too pricey for you to stay inside Paris, consider the outskirts, especially the 92 and 94 wards.
17. There Are Plenty Of Free Events Throughout The Year
Whenever you plan on visiting Paris, you need to check out what events will happen to get the most out of them. Knowing events is one of the best things to know before visiting Paris.
Many are free if you plan to visit Paris on a budget. Attending events in the city you visit is always a great way to experience the city’s culture and country first-hand by mingling with locals and learning about the culture.
For example, you’ll have “La journée du Patrimoine” in September; during this day, you can visit most of Paris’ landmarks, museums and more for free.
Some places in Paris and France are only open during this specific day, so if you’re a history buff or culture lover and have one place you want to check out, it’s worth visiting.
Or, “La Nuit Blanche” (white night) on the first June of June this year (2024), which is a night-time arts festival in the city. During that time, museums and other exhibits are also free to visit.
That’s a wrap on my 17 things to know before visiting Paris; although it could also be titled ” 10 common mistakes to avoid when you visit Paris”, it depends on how you want to look at it!
I hope you feel more ready to tackle this bustling city when you visit and enjoy it fully! If you have any more tips or mishaps that happened to you in Paris, let me know in the comments!
Make sure to check out more of my Paris travel content to plan the perfect trip to the French capital:
- Best Things To Do In Paris In Winter
- Paris Travel Apps You Need For The Perfect Trip
- Where To See The Best Christmas Lights in Paris
- Best Places To Take Photos Of The Eiffel Tower In Paris
- 16 Beautiful Parks To Visit In Paris
- 12 Secret Covered Passages To Explore in Paris
- 30+ Famous Landmarks In Paris
- 25 Easy Train Day Trip To Take From Paris
- 18+ Churches & Cathedrals To Visit in Paris, including hidden gems!
- Magical Places To See Cherry Blossoms In Paris
17 Things To Know Before Visiting Paris, France
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✈ Best Travel Ressources To Plan Your Next Trip
✈ How To Find Flights?
– Skyscanner; it is a good comparator for finding the cheapest flights.
– Google Flights is also a good help when comparing flights.
✈ Where To Book Accommodations?
– Booking.com: plenty of options and ways to get discounts the more you book.
✈ Best Sites To Book Activities
– GetYourGuide when I can’t get a ticket directly on the website or if it’s easier to go through them.
– Klook if you need to book more than just activities and would like to get everything from the same website or different day trips—(i.e. transport cards, car rental, hotel…).
✈ Other helpful travel resources
– Radical Storage: If you need a place to keep your luggage for an extended period when you travel, I recommend using them.
– TheTrainline: If you love to travel by train like me, then TheTrainline needs to be your go-to website for train travel in Europe.
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Disclaimer: This resources box contains affiliate links, which means I earn a small commission if you book anything through my links at no additional cost. These links help me support the blog and generate more content. Happy travels!
These are some great tips! I’ve definitely been caught out by a few of these when I’ve visited! I was surprised by how wary I was walking around Paris. There were definitely a lot of dishonest people trying to take advantage of tourists! That’s not to say I didn’t feel safe, just cautious! I always struggle with the lack of English spoken too. Wherever I go I honestly try really hard to learn enough of the language to get by but I really don;t have a natural flair for languages! Everywhere else I’ve visited people normally take pity on me and will help me out but not in France! Sometimes I think they speak so fast with a strong accent just to confuse me more! That being said, I REALLY wish my French was a lot better than it is!
great article! super helpful and really good to know:)
These are great tips! I especially like the last one- leaving time to walk around Paris with nothing on the schedule is the best part of the trip usually!
Hi,
Paris is such an awesome city, but you are right, beware of pickpockets and scammers! Although, the same can be said for any city. If there are lots of tourists there will always be someone opportunistic. We drove through Paris. I don’t recommend it to anyone!!
Thanks for sharing!
These are really good to know before visiting Paris
As a Parisian myself I can tell those tips are on point Lyne! Well done for collecting them altogether in this great guide!
I actually threw away my metro ticket and was fined €50 because of that, so it’s a really helpful thing to remind people of!
It’s so easy to get carried away by the city’s charm but it’s really important to stay alert! you’re right to remind people of just how unsafe Paris can be;
These are EXCELLENT tips! I’ve been to Paris 3 times and it is simply my favorite. So many people think that French people hate Americans and they are rude to them but I tell them that has never been my experience. I explain to them that people hate ALL rude people and some Americans can come off as being rude because they don’t take the time to research the culture before they travel. For example, Americans freely touch everything when they walk into a store and the French do not like that! Paris is my favorite place to visit and I hardly speak much French. Thanks so much for sharing!
~ Andrea | acaponeconnection.com
When we do citybreaks we tend to do a LOT of walking and don’t use public transport all that much. So for us, Paris’ Metro Carnet (book of 10 tickets) is perfect. Two great things about them:
1: They don’t expire so any leftover tickets can be kept & used for the next time you visit Paris.
2: They’re 10 individual tickets so you can hand tickets to friends who’re travelling with you and you both benefit from the cheaper price per ticket.
I especially love Don’t throw away your metro ticket (every time!) and drink tap water – cheaper and better for the environment.
Great tips! I have totally thrown away my metro ticket too early before! It’s a mistake you only make once!!
Lots of great tips here! I wish I had known some of these before my first trip to Paris – always do some research beforehand!
Very helpful suggestions! i agree about tipping. American always seem to overtip when we travel.
These are great things to know and be able to get around a little more comfortably and with ease. And while pickpocketing may be a simple crime, it is so inconvenient to have happen, so great tip! Doesn’t matter if it’s the City of Light, Love, or wherever, it happens!
Some interesting tips here, especially for those going for the first time. I found Parisian’s particularly unfriendly and it was a shock so knowing that beforehand would have been useful haha.
Paris is one of those cities where you can make a ton of mistakes. This is a great guide, thanks!
A wonderful list. I appreciate the tip about asking for water, and that fact that there are so many fountains for replenishing a refillable water bottle. I also like getting the heads up in advance about the tipping culture.
These tips are great! I wish I had seen this post back in 2019 before I visited Paris, haha. Super helpful!
Such a great post!! Very informative ❤️
Great tips!!! I have encountered the Metro ticket issue in other big cities as well, like Athens and Budapest. Lesson learned, always keep your metro ticket!
These are some great tips! Thabk you. I will keep these in mind next time I visit
I totally agree on not over packing a schedule! Just walking the streets of Paris is the best!
Great Paris tips that will help me to “live like a local” better the next time I petsit in Paris. Some are common sense, but as the saying goes… just because it makes “sense,” doesn’t mean that it’s “common.” Thanks for a helpful article!
Great tips! I’ve messed up the water and the metro ticket in the past!
You have some really good tips. I showed up in Paris with a car and parking was always a problem, not to mention the traffic. Driving around the Arc de Triomphe was an experience.
These are great tips, thank you! I’m considering a solo trip to Paris so this was super helpful! It makes me nervous to travel somewhere I don’t know the language but Paris just looks so special!
Great tips for Paris, thank you 🙂
What a super helpful post! I’ll pin it for when I visit Paris again!