Important Travel Guide for First Time in Paris

Paris! It’s one of my favorite cities in the world and a place that I instantly fell in love with. My husband and I visited Paris this summer and I feel like it’ll take me a lifetime to see it completely. I am a city girl so naturally I love all the crowd, chaos, buzz and liveliness. And if that’s what you like too, you’re going to love Paris. I’ve heard many unpopular opinions about this city being a dirty place, people being rude, scams with tourists etc. Honestly, none of this bothered me because there’s just so much more to love about this city. And if you follow all the tips that this Paris travel guide mentions, none of that should bother you as well. Besides, after seeing all its glitz and glam in the Netflix show – Emily in Paris, I sure didn’t want to miss a chance to witness all that myself.

Understandably, planning a trip to this beautiful city is hard. There’s a lot to prepare in terms of getting a travel visa, booking the best hotel and flight, planning the best itinerary, making all bookings in advance, researching the best cafes and so on. I had so many questions on all of these and did a lot of research. I mostly started planning by reading through some amazing travel blogs where I found not just the itineraries but also a lot of helpful tips. Some of the these Paris travel guides are what helped me plan effortlessly.

So, I wanted to share an important travel guide for Paris here for you all to plan your perfect itinerary. Below is the list of all questions that could come to you as you plan and I have tried my best to answer them based on my experience.

Do you need a travel visa? If yes, what does the process look like?

My husband and I live in the US and we’re currently on the H-1B work visa. So, we needed a Schengen visa to travel to Paris. This visa allows you to enter the Schengen area, which includes 27 European countries. So, ideally you can apply for a visa through the consulate of any one of these 27 countries and as long as you get your Schengen visa approved you can travel to any of these countries.

We decided to apply for our visa through the French consulate on the VFS global website. From what I have heard, the French consulate is the easiest to go through and you may even end up getting the visa for a longer duration than usual (3-6 months) if you’re lucky. The visa type we applied for is called the short stay visa which is typically for anyone that will be staying in France for 3 months or less. The process entails completing and submitting a brief form with all your details on the website and then booking a biometric appointment at your nearest VFS center. After your appointment, it shouldn’t take more than 3 weeks for you to get your passport back.

Keep in mind that you need a valid proof of your travel reservations (flights, hotels, advance bookings, modes of payment etc.) when filling up the application as you won’t be able to book your visa appointment without that. So plan everything accordingly and make sure that you have all the bookings in place when applying for the visa. Upon our research, we learnt that many people make dummy bookings for the application process, which they then cancel once their visa is approved. You could try that option if you’re not sure of your travel plans and need more time but we didn’t go through that. Since we were sure of our trip and we planned ahead of time, we knew we’d get the visa in time to keep our reservations. Also, we made refundable bookings wherever possible so that we could cancel or postpone in case our visa got delayed. 

But if you’re booking last minute and are not sure if your visa will come through in time, dummy reservations might be a good idea.

Another important tip – Be sure to plan your travel such that you end up spending more nights in the country that you’re applying through. This is relevant if you’re visiting multiple countries in the same trip. We had plans to visit France and Switzerland and our itinerary was 10 days (and 9 nights) long. Since we were applying through the French embassy, we booked 5 nights in France and 4 nights in Switzerland. It’s important to book more nights and not confuse that with days as the consulate counts by the total number of nights you spend and not the number of days.

How many days is sufficient in Paris?

I don’t think there’s a right answer to this question. I had the same question on my mind because it was my first time in Paris and I didn’t want to miss a thing. But this city is massive and it has so much to offer that even a week may not be sufficient. However, if you don’t have that kind of time, then 4-5 days should be enough to cover all the tourist spots and soak in the vibe of the city. We planned for 5 days and were able to cover pretty much all the big spots. 

What is the best time to visit?

Undoubtedly, Spring and Summer are the best time to visit. The winter season has its own charm but you’re going to have more fun and will be able to enjoy more attractions if you plan in summer. We went in July and the weather was perfect. It wasn’t uncomfortably hot and was pleasant enough for us to be out all day. Also, if you have Palace of Versailles on your list, then I suggest going in summer because the Palace hosts multiple shows such as the musical fountain show that are open in the summer months. Also, the gardens in the palace are in full bloom in summer. Read my blog here on an important guide for visiting the Palace of Versailles. You’d also have more fun doing the river cruise on the Seine river if you plan in the summertime.

However, this does come with the disadvantage that it’s very crowded in summer . So you may end up waiting in long lines to access the museums and other tourist spots. It might be a good idea to hit these spots early in the morning if you want to beat the crowd. But just something worth considering!

Where to stay in Paris?

The hotel we stayed in was a 7-8 minute walk and a 3-4 minute drive from the Eiffel Tower. This is because we knew that we’d be spending more of our time doing things around that area. Our hotel was also just 3-4 minutes walk from the Paris Metro. So if your itinerary includes attractions like the Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe, River cruise, Riverwalk etc. it’s advisable to stay within a central neighborhood that’s walkable from most of these places. Also, if you will be using the Paris Metro more often, then definitely look for a place that’s at a walking distance to at least one of the stations.

Heads up, though, that most of the hotel rooms in Paris are tiny. Even if you pay more to get a better hotel, chances are that your room is still going to be smaller than usual. So be prepared for that and plan your luggage accordingly so that you don’t run out of space to store it.

Here’s where we stayed and while it was a small hotel like many others, it was pretty affordable considering the central location it was in. You can find many other good hotel options in other travel guides for Paris on the internet.

What to pack?

Depending on the season you go in, you can check the weather and plan your outfits. We went in the summer so I packed mostly summer dresses, coord sets, blazer sets and skirts. I tried to carry more neutral tones as I wanted to dress like the Parisians do. And you can read my blog here on all the outfits I took on this trip with me. However, there are a few things that you should definitely pack no matter what time of the year you go. First on that list are a few comfortable pairs of shoes and sandals. No matter how you decide to commute, you will still be walking a lot in and around so make sure you always have comfortable shoes on. 

Second, pack umbrellas and rain jackets (or trench coats if you’d prefer that). The rain in Paris is quite unpredictable and we got a rainy evening too when we were here in the summer. And believe me, having an umbrella and a raincoat was a life saver for us. Next, carry some local currency, printouts of all your museum tickets and your ID proof. Other than that, carry a power bank as you’ll be out all day long so you’ll need it. A good tripod stand and camera if you need. And definitely, a power adapter because Paris uses plug types C and E so if you’re going from US, Canada or UK then you’ll need an adapter.

What advance bookings to make?

Given that all major attractions in Paris are busy all through the year, it’s highly recommended to make advance bookings way ahead of your trip. And that’s especially important if you’re going to go in the peak summer or spring months. So below are a few of my recommendations for making advance bookings, 

• Buy the Paris Museum Pass here well ahead of time if you’re going to visit many of the main attractions like the Louvre museum, Notre Dam, Arc de Triomphe, Sainte Chapelle Cathedral, and more. This pass covers almost all of the locations, so it could be much more cost-effective. You can calculate the total entry fees for all the attractions you plan to visit and see if the pass is a cheaper option. If it is, go ahead and purchase it. I booked this pass through the GetYourGuide website. Additionally, this pass includes an optional river cruise, which is highly recommended.
• Book your place for the Louvre Museum here and Sainte Chapelle Cathedral here after purchasing the entry tickets. Although these attractions are included in the museum pass if you choose to get one, the pass does not guarantee entry. Depending on how crowded these places are when you visit, they may not allow you to enter. Therefore, it is important to reserve a time slot for both of these places after you have bought your entry tickets or pass. While it is not necessary to reserve a slot for other attractions, it is specifically required for these two sites.
• Book your access to the Eiffel Tower here well in advance of your trip. You have two ticket options – one for access to the second floor only and another for access to the summit. According to some blogs I read, the views are much better from the second floor and visibility becomes limited as you go up to the summit. Therefore, we opted for the second floor access and it was definitely worth it. We booked our tickets from GetYourGuide.
• Get your tickets for the Paris Opera House here early because this museum can get very busy. The Paris museum pass does not include entry to this museum, so you’ll need to book separately. I recommend booking well in advance, as it’s a popular tourist spot and tickets sell out quickly. We made our reservation through their official website.
• Book a table ahead of time if you plan to visit popular restaurants. We made a reservation in advance for a busy place called Cafe De Flore because we know it’s always crowded.
• Book your photoshoot and prepare in advance if you want to have one.

How to get around the city?

Paris is a city that is best to explore by walking. So, it is important to choose a hotel that is close to all the main attractions. This way, you will get a real experience and also see the city from a local point of view. However, if you need to go to places that are not reachable by foot, the second best option is the Paris metro. It’s a good idea to purchase a metro card well in advance. The metro is the quickest, most affordable, and convenient way to travel around the city.

What are some must-sees to not miss?

• Eiffel Tower
• Arc de Triomphe
• Notre Dam
• Sainte-Chapelle 
• Sacre Coeur
• Montmartre
• Covered passages
• Paris Opera
• Galeries Lafayette mall and its  rooftop
• Palace of Versailles
• Pont Alexandre III bridge
• Louvre museum

What are some must try cafes and restaurants?

While there’s no dearth of great cafes and restaurants in Paris, there’s some that topped my list based on their experience and food. So here’s my top 4 recommendations,

• Cafe de Flore – This café is one of the most well-known and oldest cafes in Paris, and is visited by many people every day. Without a doubt, their food and coffee are worth trying. And if you’re visiting Paris, you should definitely go there. Because it is so famous, it is recommended to make a reservation in advance, as they usually have long waiting times for walk-ins.

• Kimochi is a Japanese restaurant that serves both burgers and sushi. It is located in a historic area of Paris known for its covered passageways. The restaurant is highly recommended and worth a visit. During our first visit, we tried a sushi burger and it was delicious. They also offer a wide selection of sushi dishes. If you are a sushi lover like me, you should definitely give this place a try.

• Pierre Sang Express – This is in the Galeries Lafayette mall and has a very unique menu and packaging. We tried their veggie curry bowl and it was so good. It’s made of healthy ingredients so if you’re bored of eating French food, this will be a breath of fresh air and will also be easy on your tummy.

• Pierre Herme at Champs-Elysees – This place is known for its macarons and we tried four different flavors – Chocolate, Vanilla, Pistachio Strawberry and Rose. These are some of their best selling flavors. It has a few other locations as well and is a must try.

Is there a tip culture in Paris?

Yes, you can tip at the restaurants, but it’s usually not expected. Typically a standard rate is 5-10% at all cafes and restaurants. But if the service is exceptional and you’re feeling generous, you can tip more. You can also tip your taxi drivers around the same range. So, it’s much less than what you’d do in the US but the tip culture does exist. 

How to avoid being scammed?

This is from our personal experience which was very unpleasant. There was a group of about 8-10 locals that tried to scam us and they forcefully wrapped some kind of string around our wrists. They said it was a sign of respect to their culture and that we shouldn’t resist. And once they were done, they asked for money! This trick is also what they use to rob you of your personal belongings by distracting you. So be very careful to not entertain any such thing and try to avoid the paths where you sense something like this happening. This happens in mostly the major tourist attractions like the Eiffel Tower so be very careful when in these places.

Also, if someone asks you to sign some kind of a petition, just refuse politely. Other than that, be careful to always put your belongings in a tightly locked bag and don’t carry your wallet and phone in your hands when visiting largely frequented tourist spots. Upon my research, I did come across a few other Paris travel guides that highlighted similar experiences.

Is there more to explore in France beyond Paris?

There absolutely is! There are countless chateaus, beautiful old towns, and a wealth of countryside beauty that you shouldn’t miss if you have more time. We spent one day in a small and beautiful city called Annecy. This was recommended by many of our friends so we decided to take some time out. And we’re so glad we did. With gorgeous turquoise blue water, lush green parks, tall and stunning mountains, a cute town vibe, and a variety of water activities to choose from, this city has something for everyone and you could easily spend a day here.

And that’s a wrap! I hope this Paris travel guide will be helpful to you in planning your next trip to Paris. Let me know your thoughts in the comments below!