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Are you vacationing in Paris soon? Is it your first time and you’re not quite sure what to expect? If so, then read on to find out our top tips for a holiday to Paris in our mini Paris travel guide.
Food
Paris is a city serious about its food; if you’re a lover of culinary delights, then you’ll be in your element in this city. Paris offers a range of dining options from top end, chic restaurants to places where you can get a quick bite to eat while you’re on the go.
You can check out websites such as Timeout for reviews and recommendations of places to eat. Some phrases that may come in useful are à emporter, which means that you want your food ‘to go’ and sur place, which means you want to ‘eat in’.
Weather
Paris has wonderful weather in the summer, so feel free to wear that summer dress or shorts for you guys, however winter is a different case. The temperature in winter months can approach freezing and though not particularly common, it can snow a few times a year in Paris. Spring and autumn are cooler than summer and can be quite wet, so be sure to have an umbrella to hand if you’re travelling at these times.
Getting Around
Paris is a capital city and as such you can expect numerous options for getting around the city. The usual modes of transport are there such as taxis and buses, plus Paris has an excellent underground train system known as the Metro. During rush hours expect the Metro to be very busy. It is also worth checking each station’s facilities beforehand if you’re travelling with heavy luggage; many stations don’t have elevators and outlying stations often only have escalators from exiting to street level.
Whilst walking around, make sure that you take care; Paris is an old city and many of the surfaces are uneven. You’ll also find that many of the pavements are quite narrow so be aware of anybody that may be walking behind you.
Where to stay
As with any capital city, there a number of different options for anyone looking to stay in Paris; the city boasts an array of hotels and hostels. Or you can always try an Air bnb. You can find some excellent hotels using our map below.
Booking.comWhat to do in Paris
Paris has so much to do from amazing landmarks to world class museums. Here are some of the must see things to do in Paris.
Eiffel Tower
The Eiffel Tower is the icon of Paris and a must see when you visit. Enjoy a picnic in the park overlooking the tower, which is particularly lovely at sunset when it lights up. If you want to climb the tower (or take the lift), book a skip-the-line ticket to avoid the long queues.
The Louvre
One of the most important art galleries in the world, the Louvre is housed within a spectacular palace and features an incredible selection of some of the most famous artworks in the world, including the Mona Lisa. Book your Louvre tickets in advance to get in early.
Arc de Triomph
Another of Paris’ iconic landmarks, the Arc de Triomph is situated at the end of the famous Champs Elysées. It was commissioned by Napoleon in the early 19th century to honour his victories. Climbing to the top of the Arc de Triomph will provide you with exceptional views of Paris. Get your advance ticket here.
Notre Dame Cathedral
Notre Dame Cathedral is one of the oldest buildings in Paris and one of the most important cathedrals in the world. It is a stunning example of gothic architecture and is stunning both inside and out. Entry to the cathedral is free (the line moves quickly), however you have to pay to climb the bell towers (highly recommended). Buy your tickets in advance to skip the lines.
*Note – in 2019 a devastating fire broke out in the cathedral, destroying and collapsing the entire roof. It will be many years before Notre Dame will be repaired and ready again for visitors.
These are just a couple of Paris’ best attractions.
We hope that this mini Paris travel guide will help you get started with your tour of the city. It’s a beautiful city and somewhere everyone should visit at least once.
