Oh, la la, you’re planning a trip to Paris, and I couldn’t be happier for you! This was the first major European city I ever visited, and it stole my heart. I truly love visiting this city! With such a rich history, amazing food, and iconic landmarks, how can anyone not love Paris?! Plus, Paris is also a great jumping point to other places in France! In this Paris travel guide, I will be teaching you practical information, travel tips, and detailed itineraries for more in-depth help when planning a trip.
Geography: Paris is located in central France, which is, of course, in Europe (I’m looking at you, my fellow Americans). Bordering countries include Italy, Switzerland, Germany, Spain, Luxemburg, and Belgium. Other nearby countries include The Netherlands, Portugal, Ireland, and Great Britain.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
- What to Expect in Paris
- Weather in Paris
- Popular Things to Do in Paris
- Best Time to Visit Paris
- Is Paris Budget-Friendly?
- Where to Stay in Paris
- French Words to Help You in Paris
- Paris Travel Guides and Itineraries
- Awesome Eiffel Tower Photo Spots (Plus A Map)
- Famous Landmarks in Paris
- 17 Easy Paris Day Trips That Are Worth the Visit
- 18 Best Things to Do on a Rainy Day in Paris (Museums to Attractions)
- 20 Incredible Things to Do in Paris at Night (Worth Staying Awake For)
- 33 Best Free Things to Do in Paris: Perfect For Budget Travel
- 40+ Paris Travel Tips to Know for Visiting: Especially First-Timers
- 12 Bucket List Cities You Need to Visit
- The Best Paris Photo Worthy Spots: Paris Instagrammable Places
- EPIC 5 Days in Paris Itinerary – Perfect Paris Travel Guide
- Top 10 Paris Must-See Attractions – Especially for First-Timers!
- Brief Paris History
- Paris Travel Guide Wrap-up
Psst… You can use the TOC to jump around the guide.
What to Expect in Paris
Before diving in, I will go over some useful information, such as the best places to visit, safety precautions, currency to use, best restaurants, and more!
Paris Population
The population in Paris is 2.161 million people.
Language
French is the national language. I would recommend downloading Google Translate. While English is widely understood, it is always appreciated to try to speak basic French. You will find people are much more welcoming!
Currency
The Euro is used in all of France.
Cards/ATMs
Credit Cards are widely accepted in Paris, and ATMs can be found everywhere. It is always good to have a couple of extra Euros on you for tipping.
Tipping in Paris
Tipping is not necessary, however, it is usually expected and appreciated. Rounding up to the nearest Euro is generally acceptable.
Paris Safety
In general, it is relatively safe to travel in Paris for Solo Female Travelers. Use regular caution and beware of pickpocketers. Never put your belongings down or carry lots of bags (making you look like an easy target).
Paris Airports
There are three airports in Paris: the Charles de Gaulle (CDG), Paris-Orly Airport (ORY), and Paris Beauvais Airport (BVA). CDG is situated towards the northeast, Orly in the south, and Beauvais is the furthest north. To find the best ticket prices, check Skyscanner here.
Getting Around Paris
It’s very easy to get around Paris by using public transportation and traveling around on foot. Check out the app “Citymapper” (which was recommended to us by a local) to help navigate Public transportation and a general Map of Paris. During my last visit, I used Google Maps, which also worked great.
When taking the Metro, I recommend getting a Navigo Card that is reloadable and makes it easier than buying individual tickets each time.
Aside from the Metro, you can also order a Uber, or Bolt car service here.
Power Outlets
France sockets are type E sockets. The standard voltage is 230 V, and the standard frequency is 50 Hz. I recommend using a universal adaptor.
Popular Neighborhoods in Paris
Some of the best neighborhoods to visit in Paris include Montmartre, the Latin Quarter, Le Marais, and Saint-Germain (where I usually stay).
Popular Paris Dishes
While in Paris, make sure to try some popular Paris dishes.
- Croissants – A perfect flaky pastry that is usually served at breakfast!
- Escargots – Otherwise known as snails, these are served still in their shells with herbs and butter.
- Macarons – These are French sweets that are filled with a variety of different flavor fillings.
- Steak Tartare – This is a classic in Paris, this is a raw steak that you can sometimes find served with a raw egg yolk on top.
- Onion Soup – This is a famous comforting food in Paris, perfect for cooler days.
- Baguettes & Cheese
- Crepes
Cell Phone Service
Paris is a very populated city, therefore, you should expect the cell service to be extremely good. You can get a sim card in Paris or use an Esim. Always check with your cellphone provider that your cellphone is unlocked.
Check Holafly for an e-sim and use FINDLOVEANDTRAVEL for 5% OFF.
Travel Visa For Visiting Paris
This year, most passport holders, including US Citizens, can visit France for 90 days within a 180-day period and obtain a visa on arrival. You will require a Schengen visa if your stay is more than 90 days.
Additionally, make sure your passport will not expire in the next six months. They might not let you travel.
Most travelers, including US citizens, will need to apply for ETIAS starting in 2024 when they travel to 30 different European countries. Visit ETIAS to learn more about the application. It costs 7 euros to accomplish this and needs to be done before your travel.
Weather in Paris
Paris experiences all four seasons, and thankfully, none of the seasons are too extreme.
During the Spring in Paris, the weather is fairly warm during the day. However, Paris experiences cooler evenings and sometimes rainfall. I’ve been to Paris twice in the Spring, and I recommend bringing a jacket. But also know you can also wear summer clothes at times, too. You can expect temperatures to range from 40°F to 66°F. Early spring is a great time to visit due to there being fewer crowds, longer days, and flower blooms.
Paris has only recently been experiencing very hot summers, but for the most part, Summers in Paris are comfortable and easy to walk around in. During this time, Paris has various festivals you can visit. This is the busiest time to visit, and it also has the highest prices. You should also take into consideration that a lot of Paris is not air-conditioned, so booking a hotel with air conditioning is vital. You can expect the temperatures to be around 70°F to 80°F.
Fall in Paris is when the heat tends to decrease, and so do the crowds. I compare the Fall and Spring in Paris to be similar with crowds and lower prices. So again, it’s an excellent time to visit, especially if you enjoy fall foliage. The weather is much cooler, but if you pack an extra jacket or two, you will still be comfortable. Temperatures often range from 41°F to 70°F.
Winter in Paris is when the temperatures plummet to around 36°F to 47°F. This is the cheapest time to visit Paris (aside from Christmas time). If you’re looking for a place to celebrate the holidays, Paris does an incredible job with decorations and holiday markets. Plus, you will be just a stone’s throw away from the Alsace region (known for Christmas Markets). However, you should expect rain and snow during this time. Oh, and daylight is also much shorter, which means there is less time to explore the city.
Popular Things to Do in Paris
Paris is a popular vacation destination for a reason. There are so many famous attractions and tours that you can enjoy while here.
Some of the most popular things to do in Paris include:
- Visit the Eiffel Tower
- Tour inside Sacré Coeur Basilica
- Take a hop-on hop-off guided tour
- Take a tour of the Louvre Museum
- See Versailles Palace
- See the Arc de Triomphe
- Take a cruise down the Seine River
- Visit Disneyland Paris
- Stop by the Notre Dame Cathedral
- Tour the Paris Catacombs
Best Time to Visit Paris
Paris is great all year round, particularly during the Spring (68°/46°F) and Fall(78°/55°F). We visited during the Spring and can attest to how lovely Paris is at this time of year. Besides the weather, there are many reasons to visit Paris in the Fall or Spring, including fewer crowds!
I would avoid summer in Paris if you can. The prices are extremely high, and it has been very hot these past few years, making touring around the city less ideal. If you don’t mind the cold or crowds, consider taking a visit during the holidays. The city is absolutely magical at this time of year, including the rest of France! After the holidays, you will find much more reasonable prices as well!
Is Paris Budget-Friendly?
While Paris is no New York City in terms of price, Paris can still be pretty pricey to visit. That being said, with planning ahead and flexibility, you can visit Paris on a budget.
Hotels
Hotel prices will vary depending on the season that you visit. During the fall, you can find hotels for around $100 – $125 per night. However, these prices increase to $150-$200+ per night if you visit in the early spring. As I’ve mentioned before, you can expect summer to have the highest prices. There are a handful of hostels around the city that can make your stay more affordable as well.
Food
Street food is cheaper than eating at a restaurant at around $5-$10 USD. For a meal out, you can expect to be $25 to $45 per person. Crepes and baguettes with cheese are great grab-and-go street food.
Attractions
Depending on the attraction, admission prices are approximately $10 – $30 USD per person. There are also a ton of free things to do in Paris. Moreover, for those on a budget, try to take advantage of Free Sunday. It happens once a month on the first Sunday. Attractions will be more crowded, but you can save a ton of money. Additionally, you can get a Paris Pass that will allow you to save money on tons of attractions!
Where to Stay in Paris
Paris is divided into 20 arrondissements. My favorite neighborhood to stay in is Saint-Germain-des-Prés, but I may be swayed to stay in Montmartre, as I also love that area. Other great neighborhoods to stay in are Le Marais, Eiffel Tower/Champs de Mars, and Champs-Élysées.
It is always best to book hotels well in advance in Paris, as rooms go quickly.
- Le Metropolitan a Tribute Portfolio Hotel
- Hyatt Regency Paris Etoile
- Hôtel Sèvres Saint Germain
- Hôtel Crayon Rouge
- Le Bristol Paris – an Oetker Collection Hotel
French Words to Help You in Paris
As mentioned in the practical information area, knowing some French will do wonders in Paris. The locals tend to be much more welcoming when you try. You’re in their country, after all! So here are some common French phrases. For more learning, you can download Duolingo before your trip to practice!
- Oui (Wee) – Yes
- Non – No
- Merci or Merci beaucoup – Thank you
- Vous êtes les bienvenus – You’re welcome
- Excusez-moi – Excuse me
- Combien? – How Much?
- Bonjour – Hello
- Au revoir – Goodbye
- Sortie – Exit
- Entrée – Entrance
- Billet – Ticket
- Parles-tu anglais? – Do you speak English?
- Où se trouvent les toilettes? – Where is the bathroom?
Paris Travel Guides and Itineraries
Below, find detailed Paris travel guides to help you plan the perfect itinerary for your visit! These Paris travel guides include tips and tricks for traveling in Paris, must-see areas in Paris you will not want to miss.
Brief Paris History
Now that you have a pretty decent grasp on planning your Paris trip, I want to leave you with just a bit of history. This barely scratches the surface, but if you want more, you might want to check out a tour that focuses on the history.
Paris’ history can be traced back to around 8000 BCE. This city is probably most known for its extensive religious history, art, and the French Revolution. During the Middle Ages, Paris was considered the largest city in Europe and the birthplace of Gothic-style architecture.
In the 19th century, Napoleon governed the city. Around this time, Paris also became the European capital of fashion. In the 20th century, Paris suffered many attacks during World War. After both world wars, Paris rebuilt the city with additional museums and concert halls, along with much of what you see in Paris today.
Paris Additional Guide Books:
Paris Travel Guide Wrap-up
There you have it! I hope this Paris Guide has been your one-stop shop for everything you need to plan your trip to Paris, the city of love! If you have additional questions, feel free to reach out to me via email or DMs on Instagram, and I’d be happy to help! I am always open to suggestions to help you plan a better trip.
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