View the VIBE Toronto
  • Cool Vibes
    • Cool Vibes
    • Gift Guides
    • Eats+Drinks
    • Travel+Hotels
    • Health+Fitness
    • Style+Beauty
    • Life+Culture
    • Dating+Relationships
    • Events+Nightlife
    • Cannabis
  • Best in The 6ix
    • Best in The 6ix
    • Restaurants
    • Hotels
    • Things to do
    • Coffee Shops
    • Spas + Beauty
    • Barbershops
    • Retail
  • City Life
    • City Life
    • Pride
    • #TTCLife
    • #BossLife
    • #DatingLife
    • Seen+Heard
    • COVID-19
    • Quarantine Chronicles
    • Submit a Q.C. Post
  • Going Down
    • Today
    • This Week
    • This Month
    • Submit an Event
SPACES Yorkville
Join In
6K Likes
12K Followers
22K Followers
150 Followers
  • Masthead
  • Send Us A Tip
  • Advertise
Subscribe
View the VIBE Toronto
View the VIBE Toronto
  • Cool Vibes
    • Cool Vibes
    • Gift Guides
    • Eats+Drinks
    • Travel+Hotels
    • Health+Fitness
    • Style+Beauty
    • Life+Culture
    • Dating+Relationships
    • Events+Nightlife
    • Cannabis
  • Best in The 6ix
    • Best in The 6ix
    • Restaurants
    • Hotels
    • Things to do
    • Coffee Shops
    • Spas + Beauty
    • Barbershops
    • Retail
  • City Life
    • City Life
    • Pride
    • #TTCLife
    • #BossLife
    • #DatingLife
    • Seen+Heard
    • COVID-19
    • Quarantine Chronicles
    • Submit a Q.C. Post
  • Going Down
    • Today
    • This Week
    • This Month
    • Submit an Event
  • Travel+Hotels

Planning A Trip to Paris? Here’s 15 Tips for Visiting Paris

  • April 9, 2019
  • VIBE Team
tips for visiting paris
Total
0
Shares
0
0
0
0
0
0

Ah, Paris! The city of love. It’s no surprise that over 18 million tourists visited the city in 2018 alone. With so much to see, do, EAT, and experience, planning a trip to Paris may seem overwhelming.

Not to worry! Here are 15 tips for visiting Paris that are sure to make planning your trip a pleasure, and help ensure you have the time of your life while there.

15 Tips for Visiting Paris

Unfortunately, the 2015 terrorist attacks in Paris did put a damper on tourism–but only slightly…

The reason? People simply can’t seem tog et enough of this stunning city. Following these simple tips can keep you safe, and help you have the best experience possible.

1. Flaunt Your Student Status

One of the best perks of still being in school– you can visit just about any museum or exhibit in Paris for greatly reduced prices.

It’s true, all you need to do is bring your current student ID and show it when purchasing tickets.

Of course, if you aren’t lucky enough to still carry a student ID you’re not completely out of luck. You can get in free to museums like the Louvre, Centre Pompidou, and Musee d’Orsay if you plan to visit on the first Sunday of the month between October and March.

2. Tipping isn’t Mandatory

Just as the French value excellent food, they value excellent service. Waiters and waitresses in Paris are fortunate enough to make enough to qualify as a living wage.

Not to mention, the service charge is already included in your bill. However, if you are simply stunned by excellent service, you can include a tip when paying.

Unlike American restaurants, in Paris, 5-10% is considered a generous tip.

3. Pack Comfortable Shoes

We know, we know, Paris is famous for its unmatched fashion. Still, opting for fashionable shoes over comfort when it comes to your shoes is never going to make for a pleasant trip.

With all the sight-seeing and walking you’ll be sure to put in, packing at least one pair of sensible, comfortable, walking shoes is a MUST.

4. Keep Away From Protests

For better or worse, the French are passionate people. Large protests can be common in Paris, especially during election seasons or right after large sporting events.

If you happen to hear of or come near a protest, it might be wise to turn the other way for safety’s sake. While they are not always violent, anti-police protests, taxi-unions, and others have been known to get slightly out of hand when expressing their dissatisfaction with the system.

5. Learn Some French Language Basics

If you plan on visiting France, especially the capital city, it’s considered poor manners to resist at least attempting to learn some French language basics.

Download a podcast for the flight, check out a book, heck, rent Amelie. Whatever you do to practice some basics, it’s better to know a few things than none at all.

6. View the Eiffel Tower

What we mean is to view the Eiffel Tower, not necessarily the view from the Eiffel Tower.

Many tourists assume the romantic experience and panoramic view from the top of the tower will be the high point of their Parisian experience. On the contrary, many visitors are left disaffected after their visit due to large crowds, long lines, and expensive rates to reach the top.

Instead, view the entire tower, and amazing views of the whole city from the top of L’Arc de Triomphe, or the Notre Dame towers.

7. Ride Public Transport

Basically, it’s just a lot less expensive. You’ll save pockets full of cash by opting for a public transport pass instead of hailing taxis everywhere you go.

8. Lookout for Pickpockets

If you’re going to Paris, you will be approached by homeless or others demanding money.

Just be sure to keep your bags, purses, and wallets close. Don’t store anything hanging over your arm or in your pants pockets. Doing so is practically asking for something to be stolen.

9. Mind Your Manners

The French people are more formal than Americans so when in doubt, always use your s’il vous plaits and mercis.

Remember that you are a visitor in their country and as such, many French citizens expect you to be aware of customs and cultural norms. Try not to offend with a lack of cultural awareness.

10. Choose Your Stay Wisely

If your visit to Paris will be a short one, don’t stay in a neighborhood at the edge of the city.

This will mean your precious time and money commuting in to see the major attractions and sites.

11. Tour Smart

The number of stunning attractions in Paris is almost endless. So, when your time is limited and you want to see it all, tour smart by planning ahead.

This site and others can help you find the best times and deals for planning museum and exhibit tours to save you some dough.

12. Dine Late

Some of the tastiest French restaurants don’t serve dinner or even open until 7:30. This is because most Parisians don’t eat dinner until 8:30 or 9 pm!

Many restaurants in Paris, like the famous Polidor, have maintained their classic interior dating back to the 1800s. They are sure to make for a fun and tasty late-night dining experience.

13. Don’t Visit in August

Unfortunately for many Americans, summer vacation is also time-off for many Parisians. Small local businesses (the kind you definitely want to visit), like local boulangeries or bakeries, are often closed for the whole month of August.

Parisians take their summer vacation time seriously and you’re sure to miss out on some of the best Paris shops and restaurants if you go during this month.

14. Take Your Time

One of the biggest mistakes tourists make is trying to cram everything into a weekend.

To really get a feel of the city and it’s charm, taking your time and not rushing about from major attraction to major attraction is vital.

15. Download City Apps

Make your travel easier by finding and downloading local apps to see how to navigate the city.

Many apps can also be found that tell you deals on attractions or wait times for lines.

More Helpful Travel Tips

Make your next French trip a delightful memory to last a lifetime with these 15 tips for visiting Paris.

For those travelers looking to save a bit on budget-friendly locations, review our post on 6 awesome places to visit that won’t break the bank.

Total
0
Shares
Like 0
Tweet 0
Pin it 0
Like 0
Share 0
Share 0
Related Topics
  • Paris
  • Sponsored
  • Tips
  • Travel
Avatar
VIBE Team

We strive to bring edgy content from different perceptions, opinions and viewpoints while covering the latest trends in food, travel, style, beauty, life, culture, events and more. Based in Toronto, we show you the best that this beautiful city has to offer.

Previous Article
scuba diving
  • Life Tips

Below the Surface: How to Learn Scuba Diving

  • April 9, 2019
  • VIBE Team
View Post
Next Article
Women's Shoe Trends
  • Style+Beauty

Step into Spring: 5 Spring Women’s Shoe Trends to Follow in 2019

  • April 10, 2019
  • VIBE Team
View Post
You May Also Like
M8 Series 2020 M850i xDrive Gran Coupe Silver Side Exterior Shot
View Post
  • Automotive
  • VIBE Reviews

2020 BMW M850i xDrive Gran Coupè: Tranquility, Speed and Luxury

  • Arbi Seyranian
  • April 9, 2021
Walt Disney World vacation
View Post
  • Travel+Hotels

How to Get the Most Out of Your Walt Disney World Vacation

  • VIBE Team
  • March 25, 2021
View Post
  • Cool Vibes
  • Travel+Hotels

Escape to Paradise with Ottawa’s New Tiki Tours

  • Sydnee Condon
  • March 22, 2021
travel tips
View Post
  • Travel+Hotels

Travel Planning Tips And Tricks

  • VIBE Team
  • March 15, 2021
islands in europe
View Post
  • Travel+Hotels

8 European Islands That Are Paradise on Earth

  • VIBE Team
  • March 7, 2021
plan a trip
View Post
  • Travel+Hotels

How to Plan a Trip to Greece

  • VIBE Team
  • February 14, 2021
View Post
  • Travel+Hotels

The 8 hidden (But not so hidden) gems in Oakland, California

  • Joel Levy
  • February 14, 2021
fort wayne
View Post
  • Travel+Hotels

Memorable Things You Can Do as Soon as You Get to Fort Wayne, Indiana

  • VIBE Team
  • February 8, 2021
APRIL FEATURE

Justin Wu: Making His Mark in the Film Industry—One Scene at a Time. #VIBEfeatures

about
READ NOW
Trending Posts
  • Toronto Pho Restaurant Uber Eats Scam Refund Requests 1
    • Cool Vibes
    • Eats+Drinks
    Local Restaurant Calls Out Rising Uber Eats Refund Requests Scam
    • VIBE Team
  • 2
    • Eats+Drinks
    Check Out Toronto’s New Year-Round Street Eats Market
    • Sydnee Condon
  • Toronto's Justin Wu Director and International Photographer View the VIBE 3
    • #BossLife
    • People
    Justin Wu: Making His Mark in the Film Industry—One Scene at a Time
    • Steven Branco
  • Seven Points Cannabis Toronto 4
    • Cannabis
    Bloor West’s Newest Upscale Cannabis Shop–Now Delivering Legal Bud to Mississauga
    • Merrill Flynn
SPACES Yorkville
ADVERTISE WITH US
Learn about our
partnership opportunities.

Inquire Now

 

LATEST NEWS
SPACES Yorkville
GOING DOWN:
« April 2021 » loading...
M T W T F S S
29
30
31
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
1
2
Tue 20

Gaming conference by Aristocrat-slots.com

March 30 @ 8:00 am - June 1 @ 5:00 pm
Tue 20

Scotiabank Contact Photography Exhibition: “ALTERITY” BRENDAN MEADOWS

April 15 @ 12:00 pm - May 15 @ 6:00 pm
Fri 23

Learn Digital Painting and Color Workshop

April 23 @ 10:00 am - 11:00 am

Subscribe to The Weekly VIBE Newsletter

View the VIBE
View the VIBE, partially owned, and operated by STAMINA Group Inc., launched in 2010 as a video restaurant and spa guide, later evolving into a recognized digital Toronto-lifestyle authority, producing fun, edgy and informational editorial content. Establishing itself as a voice for restaurant reviews, trending stories, and excellent vibe videos.
Learn More
Partner Network

Divine.ca, Canada’s Bilingual Online

Women’s Lifestyle Magazine.

WanderEater.com, leading those wandering aimlessly for food.

@ImagesofCanada, showcasing the beauty that Canada has to offer.

Part of the STAMINA Group
of brands.

Learn More

Navigation
  • Cool Vibes
    • Cool Vibes
    • Gift Guides
    • Eats+Drinks
    • Travel+Hotels
    • Health+Fitness
    • Style+Beauty
    • Life+Culture
    • Dating+Relationships
    • Events+Nightlife
    • Cannabis
  • Best in The 6ix
    • Best in The 6ix
    • Restaurants
    • Hotels
    • Things to do
    • Coffee Shops
    • Spas + Beauty
    • Barbershops
    • Retail
  • City Life
    • City Life
    • Pride
    • #TTCLife
    • #BossLife
    • #DatingLife
    • Seen+Heard
    • COVID-19
    • Quarantine Chronicles
    • Submit a Q.C. Post
  • Going Down
    • Today
    • This Week
    • This Month
    • Submit an Event
View the VIBE Toronto
  • Contact
  • Masthead
  • Subscribe
  • Send us a Tip
  • Legal
  • © 2020, STAMINA Group
The leading VIBE authority of The 6ix - Online Lifestyle Magazine

Input your search keywords and press Enter.