Everything You Need to Know for Your First Time in Paris

Are you anticipating your first time in Paris? Yay! We are so excited for you and want to share our tips to make your first time in Paris the most magical it can possibly be. Paris is my favorite city in the whole world and I always feel so sad when people visit and don’t like it. Paris can be magical, Paris can be romantic, it can be passionate, beautiful, historical, and so many other wondrous things. Every single one of my Paris trips has been a completely different experience and every single one wonderful in its own way. Paris requires a certain “attitude” to experience well. It’s a city of so many expectations, assumptions, and contradictions. Just as you can have the most magical experience, you can also have the worst time, which is why we wanted to write this post. Before we begin with our tips for your first time in Paris, I want to share this quote from one of my favorite books on Paris, A Paris All Your Own, as I feel it sums up the experience of Paris perfectly:

“What is it about Paris? No other city’s name conjures the same weight and cachet. To invoke Paris means something, makes whatever it touches more beautiful, more elegant, more…well, Parisian. Paris is berets and cafes, is romance and lights on the Eiffel Tower, is wide boulevards and window boxes bright with flowers, is Les Miserables and Picasso and Chanel. Paris is so many things, all of them wonderful…All that weight it carries, all the associates, can actually be a good thing- if you come at it with the right attitude… When you go, you are in Hemingway’s Paris and Victor Hugo’s Paris…and yet you are in a Paris all your own.”

We hope our first time in Paris guide helps you create a Paris all your own. Enjoy this magical city. There’s no where quite like it.

Everything You Need to Know for Your First Time in Paris

Best time of year for your first time in Paris

First things first, deciding when to go. While I agree with the famous Audrey Hepburn quote, “Paris is always a good idea”, I do also think there is a better time for a first time in Paris. Overall I would recommend early June, followed by April/May and September/October. Here are some more detailed pros and cons for when to choose for your first time in Paris:

First Time in Paris in the Winter:

While December is a busy time in Paris for Christmas and New Year’s Eve festivities, January – March is the low season and an amazing time to find travel deals. We once found a $200 RT flight Los Angeles – Paris in February! Paris is Paris and beautiful anytime of the year, but my personal opinion is that winter is not the best time for a first time visit to Paris. You won’t be able to get the full experience of outdoor cafe dining, wandering the streets, and the beautiful sunsets. That being said, it is a great time for snuggling in warm cafes, exploring museums, and shopping the giant winter sales. If you choose to have your first time in Paris be in winter, just be aware of the cons and plan to also visit another time of year!

First Time in Paris in the Spring:

This is one of my favorite times of year to visit! The city is reawakening from the dreary winter and the city seems to be slowly coming to life! The locals are out and ready for outdoor dining and picnic again, the gardens are beginning to bloom, and the city is framed by cherry blossoms. There aren’t really any cons but some bursts of colder weather and rain. Make sure to pack layers and a travel umbrella. Spring is one of my favorites for a first time in Paris!

First Time in Paris in the Summer:

One of the most popular times of the year to visit Paris and for good reason! Paris comes to life during the summer! There is so much going on all season long and everyone is outside enjoying the beautiful weather. The days are long, with gorgeous cotton candy sunsets around 9/10 PM, which means you can fit as much as possible into your first time in Paris. All that being said, it’s also insanely crowded and pretty touristy. If you are planning to stick to the tourist hotspots {Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame} for your first Paris trip, you might find it a little less enjoyable. We wouldn’t recommend August as most Parisians take the month off and you’ll find mainly tourists on the streets and mainly tourist establishments still open. Make sure to book in advance if you are planning to visit in the summer and make dining reservations. If you want to experience the pros of the summer season without the cons, aim for early June.

First Time in Paris in the Fall:

Another one of my favorite times to travel to Paris! Parisians are starting to slowly transition from the lazy days of summer to a regular work schedule. You’ll still find many people out enjoying the mild weather and longer days before winter. The French even have a word for this transition from summer to fall: “À la rentrée”, loosely translated to “See you in the fall!” The changing leaves are so beautiful and the crisp air is perfect for long walks exploring the city. Just like with spring, you’ll need to pack layers and a travel umbrella to prepare for potentially cooler weather and rainy days. Fall is a fantastic time for a first time in Paris!

Getting Around Your First Time in Paris

Walking:

My personal opinion is that the best way to get around Paris is by walking, especially for your first time in Paris! You’ll get to know the city in a unique and intimate way! It’s an extremely walkable city, full of pedestrians, wide sidewalks, and is mostly flat. I found almost all of my favorite spots in Paris and had almost all of my favorite experiences by walking. While you don’t have to go as crazy as me, I make my mission to almost exclusively walk in Paris, do try to walk as much as possible.

Metro:

The metro system is very easy to use and figure out, even your first time in Paris. They are located all throughout the city and marked with an “M”. I remember learning easily how to use it as a child, even though I had never been on public transportation before in my life {we don’t have great public transportation in Southern California} and without speaking a word of French.

Each Metro line is labeled by a number {they are also color-coded but most people refer to the line by its number} and the direction of each line corresponds to its station. Don’t worry if you get accidentally go the wrong direction, you can get off at the next stop and get on the right one without having to exit or purchase another ticket.

Calculate how much you will use the metro before buying a ticket. You can buy a day pass, single use ticket, or book of single use tickets. It can often be cheaper to buy single use tickets, especially if you aren’t going to be using the metro multiple times that day.

Only buy your ticket from the ticket machine or the ticket window {see the safety tips section for more information} and be sure not to throw away your metro ticket as random inspections do happen.

Taxis:

There are plenty of taxis all over the city and they are easy to obtain. You can try hailing one you see driving by, but that often leads to frustrating results. If you find you aren’t able to obtain a taxi, look for a taxi stand. They are plentiful around the city and it’s much easier to get a taxi that way. Taxis are not allowed to stop for you if there is a taxi stand within 50 meters, so if you’re noticing none of the taxis will stop for you, look for a taxi stand.

A few tips to avoid getting ripped off:

• Taxi colors are not uniform, but an official taxi must have all of the following: a sign on top that says “Taxi Parisien”, a working meter on display, a plate on the outside of the vehicle showing the taxi license number, and a display on the rear of the car used to monitor daily use of the taxi
• Some basic charges as as follows:
  • Starting charge – €2.20
  • Minimum charge – €6.10
  • Extra charge for every passenger beyond first three – €2.95
  • Extra charge for luggage or bulky items – €1.00 per item
  • If you have a taxi called for you, they will often start charging you as they drive to you, not when you get in the car
• You’ll most often need to pay in cash, especially for shorter trips around the city

Train:

The RER is the train system that takes you outside of the city. You’ll need to take the RER if you are planning on taking any trips outside of the city. Make sure you don’t use the RER for any trips within Paris.

Mindset tips for your first time in Paris

Wander

I know with it being your first time in Paris you may feel like you need to see everything and don’t have time for wandering, but the beauty of Paris is all found IN the wandering. Whenever I find someone who didn’t like Paris, I usually learn they spent their trip sticking to a strict itinerary and checking off sight after sight. That’s just not the way to see Paris. The French even have a word for one who wanders: un flaneur. It directly translates to someone who strolls and wanders aimlessly.

One of the biggest reasons I never published a Paris blog post was because I didn’t feel I could provide a Paris itinerary. For me, the only way to see Paris is by wandering. On each trip, I set out of the hotel with a destination in mind but then took my time exploring all the streets and getting lost.  One trip when I had more time, I made it a goal to walk every single street. I took a paper map from the hotel and crossed off each street as I walked it. By the end of the trip I had walked the whole city. The majority of my trips are usually much shorter than that one and I can’t walk the whole city, but my priority for each day is still simply just to wander. I’ve found so many wonderful and amazing gems this way and really encourage everyone I know to explore the city in this way as well.

If you’re a Type A planner type, I totally get it. I tend to get major FOMO when traveling and feel I have to see everything, but Paris is one of those cities that if you wander you are guaranteed to run into something amazing. It’s also not a city where you can plan to see everything in one trip; you must plan to come again. There is just something so magical about letting Paris reveal herself to you and I hope you will give yourself that gift at least one day of your first time in Paris.

Linger

Similarly as above, don’t be afraid to linger. This really is the French way. Paris is more fast paced than any other part of France, but the art of savoring and lingering is still strong here. Slow down. Sit down at a cafe and spend an hour people watching and sipping a single cup of coffee. Let the city and all her secrets swirl around you, as you fully enjoy and immerse yourself in the experience.

Don’t over plan or over schedule your day

It can be tempting to jam pack your day with tourist attractions, but that’s just not where the magic of Paris lies. It will stress you out, which also not what a trip to Paris is all about. Plus, the French are a slow paced bunch. They will not help speed things along for you, which may leave you more stressed. Instead, take their lead and slow down.

Come to terms with not being able to do it all

Let’s get something clear. No matter how long you’re planning to stay in Paris, you won’t be able to do it all. It’s just not possible. I was once here for 10 days and still didn’t do it all. So get that out of your head and focus on living in the moment and enjoying what you can. When you approach the trip from the angle that you’ll come back again, it helps reduce some of the anxiety and urgency about having to do it all.

Safety tips for your first time in Paris

Paris is a fairly safe city, but like with any big city, you do need to be aware of pickpockets. Our best tip is just to say continuously aware of who and what is around you. Here are some safety tips for your first time in Paris.

• Keep your belongings secure at all times. Accomplish this by wearing a cross body bag or zipped bag and holding it close to you. When dining, don’t leave your cell phone on the table or hang your purse on your chair if you’re dining outdoors or near a door. When taking money out of your wallet, be sure not to show how much you have in there.

• Notice who is around you. If you see someone continuously around you, be cautious. We would suggest first making sure you’re in a safe location and then make eye contact with them so they know you noticed them. This happened to us when we were on the Champs Elysee. I noticed a man, talking on a cell phone, constantly around us. We were in a crowded space and somehow he kept ending up right next to us. I pointed him out to Bassam and we both made sure to stare at him. Once he noticed us noticing him, he quickly walked away. It may have been a coincidence, but I truly think we avoided a pickpocket incidence.
• Don’t feel like you need to be friendly to everyone. This one is tough for us as American culture, and especially California culture, is very friendly, but there’s no reason to walk around smiling at strangers. That will get you marked as an easy target or get you followed by a creeper because it looks like “interest”. You also don’t need to talk to everyone who walks up to you either. If you have a weird feeling, walk away. Don’t sign anything people on the street ask you to and make sure to buy tickets and metro passes from verified vendors and not anyone on the street. There are a lot of scams involving people giving you something for “free” or asking you to sign a petition and then demanding payment.
• Be especially cautious in tourist hotspots. While pickpocket incidents can and do happen anywhere, they are especially common in tourist hotspots like the Champs Elysee, near the Lourve, etc. Be cautious always, but exercise extra caution when in crowded or touristic areas.
• Only take what you need. There’s no need to take everything with you when you’re out exploring. Make sure wherever you’re staying has a safe and keep your passport, extra money, extra cards, and electronics you don’t need for the day in there. This way if you do get pickpocketed, you won’t lose everything. Tip: when booking a hotel, make sure they have a standard size safe, otherwise it won’t fit most laptops. Not all French hotels have a standard size safe.
• Exercise caution at the ATM. If you are alone, use ones inside the bank. If you are not alone, have the second person stand facing out and watching around you.

Etiquette for your first time in Paris

The French get a bad rap for being rude, but really it’s the tourists who are sometimes the rude ones by not following the right etiquette. Try these etiquette tips to have a better experience with the locals. I know a few of these items may seem frustrating or out of your comfort zone, but we feel it’s important to try to assimilate to the culture when traveling as it can enhance the experience and teach you more about yourself and the world. Try to your best to keep an open mind and try these etiquette trips during your first time in Paris.

• Speak in French as much as you can. We noticed the French really appreciated us trying, even if we didn’t get it quite right. If you need to speak in English, first ask IN FRENCH if the person speaks English, before jumping straight into speaking in English. “Parlez vous anglais” {do you speak English} is a great phrase to memorize or at least save on Google Translate
• Always always always greet shopkeepers when you walk in. Not doing so is the equivalent of going into someone’s home and sitting on their couch without greeting them first. Say “bonjour madame or monsieur” {hello ms or sir} when entering and “au revior, merci” {goodbye, thank you} when leaving
• Be cognizant of your speaking volume. The French tend to speak softly and consider it rude when others speak too loudly. It wasn’t until I went on a trip to Paris with my college history class that I realized just how loud Americans are! My group was so loud everywhere we went, as least compared to the French, and I was mortified
• It’s socially acceptable to stare at others; people watching is basically considered a sport in France. You don’t have anything in your teeth if you see people staring at you, so don’t worry! Also, don’t feel the need to smile if no one is smiling at you; you will look out of place
• When eating bread at a restaurant, be sure to break it, not cut it. Bread goes directly on the table, not on your dinner plate. Some Parisian restaurants will offer bread plates, even though it’s not customary in France. Salad leaves are folded with a fork and knife, never cut. Always place your napkin on your lap as soon as you’re seated and avoid resting your elbows on the table
• Is it considered GOOD service for the waiter not to bother you during your meal, not bring you the check, and give you time between courses. If you need something from the waiter or want the check, flag them down. Try your best not to rush the waiter or chef and never ask for them to bring your food quickly. They will not accommodate your timing and will most likely not be very nice to you. Dining is meant to be slow and savored
• When dining at a restaurant, do your best not to request any changes to the way a dish is prepared. It’s considered rude to the chef who has taken time to curate the flavors of the dish and generally not accommodated
• Eating on the street or metro is generally frowned upon, so do your best to sit down to a meal, snack, or beverage
• The French feel very strongly about their opinions and recommendations. If they are an expert in the matter, try to take them seriously. For example, when I visited a fromagerie {cheese shop}, the shopkeeper insisted I couldn’t buy a particular jam because it didn’t match the cheese I was buying. Seeing how agitated he was, I asked for his recommendation, and he instantly became the nicest, most helpful person. I bought the jam he recommended and it actually went amazingly with my cheese. I know this may sound a bit frustrating and you may think, “but I want what I want!”, but just try to play it their way. They are the expert in that matter and you may be surprised by how right they are!

What to wear:

Try your best to look presentable. You don’t need to get dressed up on the daily, but put a little bit of effort in your appearance. The French consider it rude to go out in public in grungy clothing or workout clothing and without being well-groomed. Swap your athletic shoes for a comfy pair of sandals, flats, or boots {check out this guide to comfortable but cute shoes}. COMFORTABLE really is the key word here as you’ll be doing a lot of walking. Don’t worry about wearing too much makeup, French women typically go for minimal makeup, such as some mascara and lipstick. They don’t stress about a few flyaway hairs either; I once had a French friend tell me that the French always know who is an American tourist because their hair is PERFECT 😆

Winter Outfit Ideas for your First Time in Paris:

Dress warmly and make sure to layer! You’ll be inside frequently and it can get toasty. For ladies, I like a chic pair of jeans, nice sweater, waterproof boots, coat, scarf, gloves, and hat. You can also do a warm sweater dress and thick tights. For men, a nice pair of jeans or slacks, a cashmere sweater layered over a button down shirt, and a coat.

Spring Outfit Ideas for your First Time in Paris:

Wear layers as the weather can be unpredictable! For ladies, I love a dress that can be layered with a nice cardigan and waterproof booties, with a classic trench coat on top. If you can fit a second pair of shoes, comfortable ballet flats are also great. For men, a nice pair of jeans or slacks, button down shirt, and blazer or trench coat.

Summer Outfit Ideas for your First Time in Paris :

You can have a little more fun with your summer outfit! This is when you see all kinds of cute dresses and sandals, as well as fun prints and colors. For ladies, a nice sundress and comfortable sandals or ballet flats. For men, lightweight jeans and a short sleeve button down or polo shirts. You don’t tend to see a lot of shorts, although on my last trip I did see some dress shorts during the day, dressed up with a nice and covered blouse and nice sandals.

Fall Outfit Ideas for your First time in Paris:

Similar outfit to spring. Wear layers and be prepared for rain. I like a dress, tights, cardigan, waterproof boots and trench coat for women, but you can also do jeans. For men, nice jeans or slacks, sweater or button down, and trench coat or blazer.

Breakdown of types of dining for your First Time in Paris

There are several different types of dining establishments you’ll encounter during your first time in Paris. Here’s what to expect from each type:

• Restaurant- the classic term for a place to dine out. They are typically only open at meal times and often have a set menu. They can be causal or fancy. This is not the place to come just for an appetizer and drinks, it is generally expected you will have a full meal
• Cafe- not the typical definition of an American cafe, an American cafe is more similar to a Salon de The. A French cafe serves coffee, alcohol, and simple meals. They tend to be open late. It’s fine to sit here for hours over a single drink. Cafes are typically open all day
• Bistro- smaller and more informal than restaurants. They tend to have inexpensive daily specials written on the chalkboard. It’s fine to come here for a drink and/or light bite. Bistros are typically open around mealtimes
• Brasserie- this is the French version of a pub. It’s typically a bit more lively than other dining establishments and open later. They serve the same menu all day and typically offer daily specials
• Salon de The- a style of eatery that serves coffee, tea, desserts, and sometimes light meals. Although it directly translates to a tearoom, they do not all resemble what I expect from a tearoom {a place dedicated to tea} and so I was disappointed a few times
• Boulangerie- a bakery that specializes in bread. They do not typically offer desserts and if they do, you can expect them to not be very good. Definitely pick up a baguette from a boulangerie at some point during your trip, especially if you are planning a Parisian picnic {which I think is a must!}
• Patisserie- a bakery that specializes in pastries. Here is where you can buy macarons, eclairs, and other French treats. Most patisseries do not sell bread and if they do, I wouldn’t recommend it

There are also several types of coffee you can order. If you simply order a coffee, you will most likely be given a espresso. Here are the most popular types:

• Cafe – Typically a shot of expresso
• Noisette – Cafe with a drop of milk. Turns into a hazelnut color, hence the name
• Allonge – Espresso with extra hot water
• Cafe Americain OR Filtre – Filtered coffee or as close to a cup of American coffee. This type of coffee is not offered at all cafes, if not, order an allonge
• Cafe Creme – Espresso with warm milk. This most resembles an American latte. Cafe cremes are typically not ordered after 12pm, so ordering one after this time will get you labeled as a tourist. That doesn’t mean you can’t order it, I just wanted you to know! For what it’s worth, we still order it because enjoying our coffee is more important to us than being judged by the waiter

Feel free to sit and enjoy your coffee for as long as you like! The sitting time is factored into the price of the coffee and it is generally expected that you will be staying awhile. Lingering and people watching is one of our favorite things to do in Paris! Cafe culture is really big here

Don’t Miss:

We have a three day Paris itinerary, a full list of all of our Paris favorites {coming soon}, and a list of day trips from Paris. These are just a few highlights:

• The Eiffel Tower {duh}
• Arc de Triomphe {go up to the top here, instead of the Eiffel Tower so the tower will be IN your view}
• Rue Cler {read more here}
• Walks along the Seine
• Île de la Cité
• Latin Quarter
• Saint Germain des Pres
• Montmartre
• Le Marais

For more details on anything listed above, check out our three day Paris itinerary

Which area to stay in during your first time in Paris

My personal preference is Le Marais, followed by Saint Germain. I love those neighborhoods the most and always have the best experiences there. They are also easily walkable to most of the areas you’ll want to visit and Le Marais feels less touristy. I know many people prefer to stay closer to the Eiffel Tower or near the Champs Elysee their first time in Paris, and while that’s not my preference {just too touristy for me and I don’t find the area as charming}, I do have a great hotel recommendation there {read a review here}.

Near the Champs Elysee, easy walking distance to the Eiffel Tower – Hotel Balmoral , Search all hotels

Le Marais – Splurge option ,  Save option , Search all hotels 

Saint Germain – Splurge option , Save option , Search all hotels 

French words/phrases to master for your first time in Paris:

It can be helpful to try to learn a few words in French. While most people in Paris speak English, they find it very polite and much appreciate it when you try to speak French. They will correct you if you mess it up, but it’s meant to be nice because they are trying to help you learn. Don’t be shy and give it your best attempt! It can also be helpful to download Google Translate and look up words/phrases you need to say. If you do need to speak English, just ask first in French if the person speaks English.

• Bonjour – Hello {Greeting people is very important in France! Always say “bonjour” when walking into a shop}
• Au revoir – Goodbye {Say this when leaving a shop}
• Parlez vous anglais  – Do you speak English? {Ask this before speaking English}
• S’il vous plait {pronounced: see-voo-play) – Please
• Merci  – Thank you
• Une table pour deux – Table for two
• Un carafe d’eau, s’il vou plait – A carafe of water please {to ask for free water, rather than purchase a bottle}
• L’addition s’il vous plait – The check/bill please

Recommended Day Trips

There are so many wonderful day trips you can take from Paris! Here are some of our favorites:

• Giverny – Visit Monet’s home and garden
• Versailles – The famous palace!
• Loire Valley – Over 42 amazing castles!
• Reims – Taste champagne in the region where it’s made!

Read our Paris day trips guide for more information on these towns and a few others!

Books to prep for your first time in Paris

I love reading books about Paris to get excited for my trip, learn more about the culture, and to add places to my Paris bucket list. Here are a few books I recommend you read before your first time in Paris:

We hope this guide helps you as you plan or embark on your first time in Paris.

We’d love to hear how your trip went and if you have any additional tips for us.

Bon Voyage!

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