PARIS
THE CAN’T MISS LIST
FRANCE
LANGUAGE | FRENCH
CURRENCY | EUROS
EMERGENCY PHONE NUMBER | 112
Your passport is to be on you at all times,
by law.
THINGS TO KNOW, BEFORE YOU GO
Paris is like the NYC of Europe. It’s a big city and people don’t really smile, unless they’re tourists. Want to fit in? Don’t grin like a dummy all day. Don’t care? That’s great too, grin away! But, do a little test, and see how differently you get treated. RBF works!
What are Arrisondements? Neighborhoods.
Is it safe? Safer than most major cities. We would be especially conscious of pick-pockets, and walking around alone at night.
GETTING THERE
PARIS AIRPORTS
There are two airports on the outskirts of Paris. Paris’ main airport is Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) and sits north east of the city. While Paris-Orly, the smaller of the two, is located south of the city.
WHICH AIRPORT DO I WANT TO FLY INTO?
The airport we recommend flying in and out of is CDG. If you want to save money on transportation, there is a train that runs directly from the airport to Paris. Otherwise, you get a cab or Uber.
GETTING AROUND
WALKING
The best way to take in all the beautiful sights and architecture of the city.
METRO
Get The Metro Pass, plan a couple of minutes of extra time to get to the stations, than google says.
THE CARTE ORANGE
If you’re getting a Metro card for over 3 days, we suggest The Carte Orange Pass. For your first Metro trip, set aside an extra 5-10 minutes to get your Metro Card set up. You will need to take a picture at the photo booth for the card, so prepare enough time for that.
The photo on the card is somewhere between the size of a passport photo and ID photo. If you’d rather skip the photo booth. You can bring your own printed out picture of your face with a white background.
TAXI/UBER
Always plentiful options
TRAINS
Inexpensive and great for day trips
SCOOTER AND BIKE RENTALS
Great for parks and less crowded, paved areas. We do not recommend trying to use on large, unlined, cobblestone streets. There are at few deaths, and hundreds of accidents every year; and it was almost outlawed for this reason.
SIDE NOTE
One great thing (for Americans) who get injured in Europe, is that it is SO MUCH CHEAPER to get healthcare! Like, mind-blowingly cheaper. We both knew this after living in Europe. But, let me tell you about my most recent trip to the Dr. in Europe, later.
WHERE TO STAY IN PARIS
Marseilles for the vibe
Montmatre for a sprawling view of the city
The Golden Triangle for the walking location
A view of the Eiffel Tower, usually = $$$
THE CAN’T MISS LIST: FRENCH FOODS
Beef Bourguignon
Beignets
Bouillabaisse
Charcuterie
Cheeses (…so many cheeses)
Chicken Cordon Bleu
Chocolate
Crème Brûlée
Crepes
Croissants
Croque Monsieur and Madame
Coq au Vin
Duck Confit
Eclairs
Escargot
Foil Gras
French 75
French Baguettes
French Onion Soup
Frog’s Legs
Macaron
Macron
Madeleine
Omelette
Pain au Chocolate
Quiche
Ratatouille
Soufflé
Tarte Tatin
Truffles
Wine
RESTAURANTS
Restaurants we have been to and thoroughly enjoyed in Paris.
LA CABANON DE LA BUTTE
LA CREPERIE DU CLOWN
LE CALIFE
LE PAIN ET NATUREL
LES IMPRESSIONISTES
VIENNOISE D’ALIGRE
CULTURAL DIFFERENCES | RESTAURANTS
For the most part, French restaurant servers are not here to “wait” on you. You wait to get seated, your server comes over when you lift your hand casually to get their attention, they serve you, and they bring the bill when you ask for it.
Tipping 15% is not customary in France. To leave a tip, simply, leave a couple euros of change on the table when you leave.
Your steak will be cooked rare, and that’s the way you’ll eat it. Know this. Even if you ask for it well done, it will most likely be very rare.
Do not attempt to send food back or complain at a restaurant. Unless, you would like a personal visit to your table by a loud, angry, French chef. You will not get your way, and will get shamed.
BEST VIEWS OF THE EIFFEL TOWER
From Underneath
From the Carousel
From Across the Seine
From Trocadero
From The Sacre Coeur/Montmatre
From The Arc de Triomphe
OUR FAVORITE PICNIC SPOTS IN PARIS
Luxembourg Garden
Sacre Coeur Lawn and Steps
Trocadero Hillside Lawn
THINGS TO DO AND SEE, IN PARI’
ARC DE TRIOMPHE
CATACOMBS
DAY TRIPS
DINNER CRIUSE
THE EIFFEL TOWER
THE EIFFEL TOWER SPARKLING AT NIGHT
it sparkles on the hours
EVENTS & EXPERIENCES
FOOD MAKING CLASSES
MARKET SHOPPING
MARSEILLES
MONTMATRE – PAINTER’S ROW
THE MOULIN ROUGE
NOTRE DAMME
PICNIC IN PARIS
THE SACRE COUER
SHOPPING
TOURS
WALK ALONG THE SEINE
SPOTLIGHT
PARIS MUSEUM PASS
This is our #1 recommendation when traveling to Paris. We have had the chance to use it on two trips to Paris, so far; and will continue to use it on future trips. There is NO WAY to see everything on the pass in one trip. I doubt I could get through it all in a month!
DAYTRIPS
GIVERNY
DON’T MISS THIS!
Take a peaceful ride through the French countryside to visit the home, and inspiration, of Claude Monet. Monet painted many of his most famous works at his home and garden in Giverny, including Bridge over a Pond of Waterlilies. This hidden gem should be on everyone’s Paris Bucket List. Even my husband said it was one of his favorite things!
Pair your trip to Giverny with a trip to Musee de l’orangerie. Where many of Monet’s paintings from his Water Lilies series are displayed.
VERSAILLES
The magnificent palace sitting outside the city of Paris, whose reputation is as gargantuan and notorious as its walls.
Check out more day trip options on the Paris Museum Pass locations page!
TRAVEL TREATS
DINNER CRUISE ON THE SEINE
EXPERIENCES AND TOURS
ROOM WITH A VIEW
A COMMON MISTAKE TO AVOID IN PARIS
Want to avoid a common mistake made by many first-time international travelers?
Why do so many people say Parisians are rude? Well, many people don’t realize that they’re actually the ones being rude. It’s a simple difference in cultures, that proper travel preparation can help mitigate.
NEED ASSISTANCE IN FRANCE?
The residents of Paris are used to the millions of visitors their city takes in every year. So, how do you go about asking for help when you need it, without being offensive?
While, the majority of people in Paris, do speak English. If you’re in Paris, and you just walk up to someone, and start asking them for directions in English: that is rude. Period. You will most likely receive a rude response in return. Or they’ll just keep walking.
WHAT TO DO
First, try to speak to the person in French. If you don’t know French, learn a few phrases. You can literally do it on the plane if you feel you don’t have time. Say “Pardon, parlez vous anglais?” Meaning, “Excuse me, do you speak English?”
Too much effort? At least learn, “Perdon,” (excuse me). Then just ask if they speak English, in English.
If they say yes, proceed to ask your question in English. If they say no, and you can’t communicate with them in French, say “Merci Beaucoup,” (mare-sea b-oh-coo). Meaning, “Thank you.” So, they know they can move on, and you can try someone else. Theyre probably already 10 paces away.
Easy!
HOSPITALS IN PARIS
Last time in Paris, I got in a scooter accident… and realized overnight, I was in need of medical care.
So, I called the Hotel Concierge and they directed me to the nearest hospital. I took a taxi to the hospital first thing in the morning. Saw two different doctors and got x-rays on both my knee and shoulder.
I was finished in 2.5 hours with prescriptions for the pharmacy, and a 100 euro Hospital Bill in hand. The prescriptions and bandages were about 10 euros each, additionally.
The same products and care would have cost thousands of dollars in the United States.
So, if you end up taking a tumble like me, or just need a little medical care. Have no fear for you pocketbook! You can literally get x-rays in Europe, for less than the average monthly insurance payment in the USA.
PARIS LIKE A PARISIAN
Especially in Paris, knowing a bit of the language, or at least attempting to learn a few phrases, goes a long way with how you’re treated. If you know a few simple phrases, you’re almost guaranteed to have a better time in Paris.
We have tried all the major language-learning apps over the years, and found Babbel to be the easiest to learn with the most relevant teachings. We, personally, have used Babbel for years, already. Learning and freshening up on Spanish, Italian, and French (so far)! In a short amount of time, Babbel will have you ordering wine, and conversating in French, with impeccable pronunciation!
I have to say, as a world-traveler, my Babbel subscription was one of the most thoughtful gifts I’ve ever received. I have found it to be incredibly useful; and still cherish it, years later. When I, inevitably, fall off the language-learning wagon? My lifetime subscription makes it easy to refresh my memory before each trip!
For a gift you can share that lasts a lifetime, get all your travel buddies a subscription! Whether you’re traveling solo, with a partner, or friends. Babbel makes for a fun activity to share with your travel buddies!
The Babbel link above is an affiliate link. Meaning, if you click the link, and make a purchase, we may receive a small commission from the company, at no additional cost to you.
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