If a trip to Paris isn’t on your bucket list, it should be! The City of Love is full of sights and activities that will keep you busy.

Travel Tips for Paris, France

I want to start off with some travel tips, because you should always be aware of what to expect with your destination before you go.

Transportation Tips

First of all, you arrive and should have a plan on how you will get around the city. The city is massive, so I wouldn’t plan on walking around everywhere. The public transportation is pretty easy to figure out. I would suggest getting around by metro, because there are train stations all over the city.

If you plan on being in Paris for a couple of days, I recommend getting a Paris Navigo Decouverte pass. You can purchase a Navigo pass at the airport for 35 euros. This card allows you to travel via the metros and buses as much as you want from Monday at 00:00 to Sunday at 23:59:59. To learn all of the specific information about the card, read this article on the Navigo pass. In order to get this pass, the office requires a small photo of you. You can bring a passport photo from home, or you can wait in line to take pictures at the airport. There is a photobooth near the office where you can pay 8 euros to get a page with a couple of small photos. I used my Navigo pass for four days while in Paris and definitely got my money’s worth.

Safety Tips

Another travel tip is just a warning to be mindful of the people around you in the city. There is a lot of pickpocketing and scams in Paris (especially in the train stations). Keep your items near you at all times. If you are wearing a purse, wear it across your body. Don’t just leave it on one shoulder. When I was in a train, there was a guy searching for a phone in my back pocket at one point. I knew not to leave my phone in my back pocket in Paris, so I did not get any items stolen. If you are hyperaware of what is around you, there shouldn’t be a problem.

Language Tips

There is a stereotype that French people are rude and that they do not like when Americans only know English. I am sure many of you have heard this. To be honest, this was not my experience when traveling in Paris. My friend and I had friendly interactions with locals. Of course, be polite when visiting a new place and try to learn a bit of the language before going. You can travel in Paris just fine if you only speak English as many of the employees speak the language, but the locals appreciate when you know some basic words in French.

What to Do in Paris

Now, we can get to the fun part! I have so many suggestions on what to do during your stay in Paris. Let’s get started!

Picnic by the Eiffel Tower

Of course, at the top of the list is seeing the Eiffel Tower. No matter how many times you have seen pictures and videos on Instagram, it is still so amazing to actually see it in person! You should plan on finding the perfect picnic spot near the Eiffel Tower during the day.

See the Eiffel Tower Sparkle

You need to see the Eiffel Tower sparkle at night too! The Eiffel Tower sparkles for five minutes at the top of each hour after sunset. It really is magical! People will gather around the Eiffel Tower and wait for the special moment, and when it finally starts to sparkle, you can hear people gasping and cheering all around.

Visit the Louvre

Take a couple of hours to walk through the incredible Louvre art museum. Of course, you have to see the Mona Lisa, Liberty Leading the People, and Venus de Milo, but there are so many more incredible pieces of art and significant art exhibits that you should explore. The architecture of the museum itself is a masterpiece. There are some days and times where the museum offers free admission. Usually, the tickets cost 15 euros though. The tickets are cheaper than I expected, and it is definitely worth the money!

Enjoy a slow morning at a Parisian Cafe

There are numerous cute cafes that line the streets in Paris. You should plan on getting coffee or creamy hot chocolate with a croissant at least once. The picture above was taken at my favorite cafe – Les Deux Magots. I got hot chocolate, a croissant, and a baguette for 14 euros. You will quickly learn that some of the popular cafes are not cheap, but the experience is worth the money.

Another Instagram-famous cafe is called Carette. Maybe you have seen the videos of the fancy hot chocolate and whipped cream. There are a couple Carette locations around Paris. I recommend going to the one nearest to the Eiffel Tower by Trocadero Gardens, because it is nicely decorated and has plenty of outdoor seating. Of course, there are hundreds of other quaint cafes that you can find while exploring Paris as well.

Visit the Palais Royal

The Palais Royal is a popular historical and cultural monument. Lots of people take pictures in the plaza that you can see in my picture posted above, but there is also a charming garden, some luxury shops, a theatre and a restaurant. You can get a glimpse of the architecture in my picture. Clearly, this location is worth visiting just to see the buildings.

See the Arc de Triomphe

The Arc de Triomphe is a popular monument that stands at the western end of the Champs-Élysées, at the centre of Place Charles de Gaulle. This monument honors the people who fought and died for France during the French Revolution and the Napoleonic Wars. I recommend adding this sight to your Paris itinerary.

Walk to the Notre Dame

The Notre-Dame de Paris is a medieval Catholic cathedral that was once dedicated to Virgin Mary. About two thirds of the roof was destroyed after a tragic fire in 2019, but the reconstruction is in progress. You can see the Notre Dame from the outside like I did recently (picture above), but visitors will be welcomed after the reconstruction at the end of 2024.

Explore Montmartre

Montmartre is a quaint neighborhood to visit with fancy restaurants, friendly markets, small cafes, and historical sights. Be prepared to do some walking, because this neighborhood is located at the top of a hill. I recommend visiting the Basilica Du Sacre-Coeur De Montmartre (pictured above). There really is something special about the architecture in Europe.

Go to a Speakeasy Bar

Speakeasy bars are pretty common in Europe, so I was excited to go to one for the first time. The first speakeasy I went to in Paris was Candelaria. They have a small restaurant with delicious Mexican food and a door in the back that leads to the speakeasy. As far as food goes, I would recommend getting quesadillas, tacos, or guacamole and chips. For 8 euros, you can get three quesadillas or 2 tacos. The amazing guacamole with chips was 7 euros. The drinks in the speakeasy were unique and pretty expensive (around 14 euros).

The second speakeasy bar I went to in Paris was L’Epicier. When you show up to the address, it will appear as though you are entering into a market. When inside the initial room, search around to find the secret passage door that will lead you into the speakeasy. The bar (which can be seen in the picture above) serves great drinks and small Mediterranean and Middle Eastern dishes. My drink at L’Epicier cost 12 euros.

See the City from Above

To get this view above the city, head to the Le Fayette/ Galeries Lafayette rooftop. It is free to enter, so this is a must! You will enter the mall and ride the escalator to the top floor. You can see the Eiffel Tower from here as well.

Visit the Instagram-Famous Starbucks

If you have seen the Instagram reels of a fancy Starbucks in Paris, you know how magnificent this shop is. If you are Starbucks fan, find the Starbucks location by Opera Garnier. You won’t regret it!

Conclusion

This list of activities is just a glimpse into what can keep you entertained in the City of Love. I am a fan of leaving room for some spontaneity when traveling, so allow yourself to roam and find new and unexpected sights, cafes, and activities to make your trip even more memorable. I hope you are able to make it to Paris and that you have safe travels and a great experience!

---

For more travel inspiration for your future trips, check out my destinations tab on my website. Cheers to new experiences and making connections around the world!