It is absolutely normal to feel stressed while planning or prior to a trip. More so, if your chosen destination is a city like Paris: rich in entertainment, dining, and other options. Not only that but vacations, in general, raise a number of more practical questions as well. Daily expenses, accessibility of sights, weather temperatures, and more, can not but constantly cross the mind of an approaching traveler. However, we have got you covered. In this article, we have summarized the answers to your possible inquiries about your stay in Paris!
Table of Contents:
1. How to get around in Paris?
2. What are the must-see attractions of the city?
3. Is the city safe? What are some tips?
4. How is the weather in Paris?
5. Can you eat on a budget in Paris?
6. Is Paris expensive overall?
7. What to bring as a souvenir from Paris?
Q1: How to get around in Paris?
Although Paris is not an incredibly big city, it is important to identify the most efficient transportation method to maximize your time spent enjoying its beauties. For this purpose, my recommendation is to take advantage of its massive underground-metro system. Not only will you get to your destination cheaper and quicker than you would by car (owing to excessive traffic), but also you will get the chance to come in contact with the locals--most of which exploit the metro every day. Imagine that more than 3.9M passengers ride the railway on a daily basis!
The ordinary price of a T-ticket is 2.10 euros, but a bundle of ten tickets bought together comes at a discount rate. Such a ticket can also be utilized in buses and trams. On weekdays, the metro operates from 5:30 to 12:30 am, while on weekends and holidays, the final ride takes place at 1:30 am. If you miss that, no worries. You can always get a taxi/uber.
Q2: What are the must-see attractions of the city?
It is understandable that Paris can sometimes feel overwhelming due to the plethora of activities it offers. Nevertheless, here are some attractions you should certainly not miss:
The Louvre Museum
Arc de Triomphe
Palais Garnier
The Eiffel Tower
Sacré-Cœur Basilica and Montmartre
Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Paris, Sainte-Chapelle, and Île de la Cité
Pombidou Centre and the Marais
If you only have one or two days to spend in the city, here is a detailed itinerary to ensure you won't miss anything!
Q3: Is the city safe? What are some tips?
Overall, primarily owing to how busy the city is, Paris is not considered to be a dangerous city. That being said, similar to any city center, there are areas where you have to be more alert and careful. Although, in most places, there will be locals and tourists alike walking around, it is important to take some precautionary measures to ensure the smooth progress of your trip.
The top safety tips to keep in mind:
Stay in well-lit and crowded areas. Avoid walking alone in secluded and sketchy places.
Always carry your phone with you in case of an emergency. Do not hesitate to dial the Parisian emergency number (17), in case you feel threatened or need support.
Refrain from displaying wealth through clothing or jewelry items. Ideally, conceal valuable belongings in public.
Keep a close eye on your personal belongings in public spaces. Pickpocketing is a common issue in the city of Paris, so I would recommend paying attention to your environment and placing any carry-ons on the front side of your body where you can see them.
In general, at night, avoid visiting places like Pigalle, Gare du Nord, the Barbès district, Place Stalingrad, Porte de Clignancourt, Boulevard de Clichy, Porte de la Chapelle, the Bois de Boulogne, and the Bois de Vincennes.
Q4: How is the weather in Paris?
The weather in Paris is primarily mild. In the summer the temperature usually fluctuates between 14-25 degrees Celsius (57-77F), while in the winter it gets slightly colder with an average temperature of 3-10 degrees Celsius (37-50F). If you are planning on visiting during the winter time or late fall/early spring, I prompt you to bring a raincoat due to the concurrent rainfalls.
The best time to visit the city is undoubtedly late spring or early fall, as throughout these months it's neither too warm nor too cold. Nevertheless, it is significant to note that during this period everything is moderately more expensive owing to increased demand.
Q5: Can you eat on a budget in Paris?
A common mistaken belief is that dining in Paris should be expensive. Although the city is known for its beyond-top-quality cuisine, where food is more than a necessity-an expressive art-it would be erroneous to think that luxurious eating is what Parisians experience daily. Apart from the Michelin-awarded restaurants, Paris offers a plethora of local cafes and eateries where one can enjoy local flavors for human prices (always considering that Paris is a busy capital).
Tip: for lunch, most Parisian restaurants offer what is known as a "formule". That is, they offer a main course, a dessert, and a drink for a discounted price. If you are on a budget, you do not want to miss such opportunities!
Read more: here are some cute and affordable local restaurants in the city.
Q6: Is Paris expensive overall?
Even though Paris is one of the most expensive European cities, if you are not looking for the uttermost luxurious experience, there exist affordable options. In general, you should expect that attractions and necessities will cost you on average 50-80 euros daily, in addition to the cost of your chosen stay.
Q7: What to bring as a souvenir from Paris?
There's a plethora of things that you can bring as a souvenir from Paris. From pastries to designer products, and from postcards to locally drawn portraits sold in Place du Tertre (Montmartre), the Parisian ambiance is portrayed on numerous items, the same way it is for all cities around the globe.
Nevertheless, if you are looking for something more unique, after doing some research, I have the remedy for you. Toit de Paris is a company that designs personalized objects made from actual Parisian roofs! Offering from decorative items to keychains, the enterprise tailors products to the needs of the customer. Its products date back to the 19th century (great historical value), and, thus, each piece will never exist again. And, aside from that, by purchasing it, you will support global sustainability efforts, as it is entirely recycled.