Visiting Paris for the first time? We’ve got you covered with these practical tips!
Paris is a dream destination for many, and for good reason. It’s the home of avant-garde fashion and art, gastronomic cuisine, and architecture packed with history and glamour. Now that France is open for tourism, you can now visit the City of Lights this year!
But there’s more to Paris than romance, good wine, and artistic pursuits. And for first-timers, navigating the European metropolis might be a tall order, especially with the language barrier. So we listed down the best tips when traveling to Paris – from the best times to visit, to avoiding scams. Happy reading!
1. Paris is more than just a romantic city
Most first-time visitors have an idealized version of Paris – romantic candlelit dinners in an art nouveau cafe, the sun setting behind the Eiffel Tower , and French people waxing poetry about life and love. That’s not to say that these aren’t true of Paris! But if you’re a foodie, focus your itinerary on Michelin-starred restaurants and beloved local cafes, or if you're a history buff then our Klook guide on historical places in Paris will definitely satisfy your curiosity. So whatever you may be into, trust that you'll find exciting things to do in Paris on Klook.
2. Visit during off-peak season
The best time to visit Paris is undoubtedly during the off-peak season in April and October. Lesser crowds, cheaper tourist rates, and a stunning display of nature in the city. Fans of spring will love the pink hues of cherry blossoms, while pumpkin spice latte lovers will enjoy walks along foliage-covered parks and streets. Both are perfect backdrops for professional photoshoots, like weddings, family portraits, and engagements.
3. Book a hotel near the center
There are 20 arrondissements, or districts, in Paris that you can choose a hotel from. These neighborhoods have their own set of museums and attractions that may help you decide. The 18th has Montmartre, the 3rd and 4th share Le Marais, while the 5th is considered the Latin Quarter of the city. Accommodations here may be on the pricier side, so plan accordingly!
4. Buy the Paris Pass
Now that you know when to visit and where to stay, the next step is to figure out what to do. Good thing the Paris Pass exists, a cost-efficient multipass perfect for the absolute first-timer. Visit more than 75 attractions and museums all over the city for up to 4 days, and enjoy skip-the-line access for the entire validity of your pass. You’ll also get a guidebook and a free metro pass to help you navigate Paris a little bit better.
But if you’re more interested in art and culture, then you should check out the Paris Museum Pass. Get access to the Versailles Palace, The Louvre Museum, Musee d'Orsay, Pompidou Center Museum, and many more renowned museums, galleries, and cultural centers.
5. Wear comfortable shoes
The cobblestone streets of Paris may be pretty to look at, but they’re certainly killer for first-time visitors. The city is best explored on foot, so ditch the heels and wear your most comfortable pair of sneakers or sandals for the time being. You also need to take into account the considerable distance of some attractions, such as the Eiffel Tower being on the opposite side of Notre Dame. Going back and forth between destinations is bound to give you body aches even days after the trip.
6. Use public transportation
Besides walking, taking the metro and renting a Velib are also great ways to explore Paris. But how exactly does one use them? For the metro, all you need to do is buy either a Paris Pass or a Paris Metro Pass. Both passes give unlimited access to the Paris Metro network, helping Paris newbies check out every nook and cranny of the city. Meanwhile, the Velib is a public bike-sharing system with more than 1,800 stations all over the city. You can either rent an e-bike or a standard bike for a definite amount of time, then return it to a nearby station before your validity is over. You can also take the train so you can experience a hassle-free and comfortable way of going around France!
If you're planning to take the train or bus but you're not sure of the route, here's a train route in Europe that you can use as a guide and a bus route too that you can refer to!
7. Watch out for pickpockets and scams
Since you’ll be taking the metro, it’s important to stay vigilant for pickpockets and scammers. Tourists are walking targets, so make sure to leave large amounts of money and important documents like your passport at your hotel. You will also meet a lot of these people in tourist attractions, with some innocently asking people to sign environmental petitions or wear “friendship” bracelets with them. Try to avoid these situations as best as you can, and if you ever find yourself in one, leave right away.
8. Practice basic French phrases
French is a beautiful language – albeit very difficult to learn. It’s customary to greet service people and shop staff ‘Bonjour’ before ordering or buying, so you might as well learn a few more phrases while you’re at it. Here are some you might find useful: Merci (Thank you), Pardon (Sorry), Comment allez-vous? (What’s your name?), D’accord (Okay), Excusez-moi (Excuse me), and Où se trouve la station de métro la plus proche? (Where is the closest metro station?).
9. Don't forget to bring a travel adaptor
It may sound obvious, but not a lot of people know that power plugs in Paris look different from the rest of the world. European power plugs are two-pronged, while the sockets are circular and deep. Fancy hotels may have alternative power plugs in their rooms, but budget stays and bed-and-breakfasts probably won’t be able to offer this luxury. Add a travel adaptor to your travel shopping list now before you forget it again!
10. Make restaurant reservations in advance
Fine dining is a must-try experience wherever you go in France. But the situation in Paris may be a bit challenging since it’s home to many Michelin-starred restaurants. Once you figure out where you want to eat, make sure you book a reservation in advance if you don’t want to stand in line waiting for food. Some of our favorites that you can’t miss are the chef’s table at Marsan par Hélène Darroze, the Comté cheese soufflé at PavYllon, and choux pastry Paris Brest at Le Servan.
11. Always check opening times
Just like most European cities, Parisians take their time and value their rest. There’s a service break during afternoons, dinner doesn’t start until 7:30pm, most shops and restaurants close on Sundays, and businesses take summer breaks in August. Opening times may also vary throughout the year, mainly because of the changes in season and daylight savings time. These schedule changes might not make sense to busybodies like you, but when in Paris do as the Parisians do. Make it a habit to check the opening times of the places at least 2 days in advance.
Không có nhận xét nào:
Đăng nhận xét