Traveling to Paris for the first time and hoping to see many of the landmark sites that make Paris so iconic? There are a few basic things you should know to help you enjoy your visit to this dream destination. Here are my tips and advice for your first visit to Paris.
Learn French!
No, just kidding! But learn these few words. It’s courteous to use French as you interact with locals in restaurants and shops. Try these-
BONJOUR (hello), AU REVOIR (goodbye), S’IL VOUS PLAÎT (please), and of course say MERCI (thank you). While you’re in France, maybe you’ll learn some more. VOILA!!
Transportation in Paris
How will you get around the city to visit the sites? Getting around Paris efficiently is one of the ways you can maximize your time in the city. The Métro system (subway) is well organized, and there are stops near most of the main sites that you would want to see on your first visit to Paris. It’s an easy way to get around the city and with a Métro map (or Paris Métro app), you should be able to navigate easily.
Métro tickets can be purchased at the vending machines near the turnstiles in the stations. Buy a single Métro ticket or a pack of 10 (carnet). The carnet may be the best value for your visit, depending on your transportation needs. (Note: additional fare is required to ride the Métro or buses from the airports to the city and back to the airports. Ticket vending machines are available in the airports.)
Instead of buying tickets, you can purchase a Visite Paris travel pass for unlimited transit access (Métro, bus, trams, and RER trains) for 1, 2, 3, or 5 consecutive days. A pass for Zones 1-3 covers all of the central Paris area, but not the airports. The Visite pass can be purchased online before you arrive or at Paris tourist information centers, airports, and train stations.
A practical and fun option for getting around is to ride a Hop-On-Hop-Off bus for a day. The routes go near many of the famous sites. You can get on and off at scheduled stops and stay as long as you like at each stop. Tickets can be purchased from the bus drivers or online. Getting around on the bus is very efficient, and you get to view the city as you travel around.
First visit to Paris | What to see!
As you plan your itinerary, use a Paris map that highlights the main attractions, Métro stops, and the Hop-On-Hop-Off bus routes. Lay out a plan based on the places that you want to visit, considering the locations and transportation options of each site. As you identify the museums, monuments, and places of interest, check their websites for the latest information on their hours of operation, days they are closed, and special instructions for admittance. Keep in mind that there will be crowds!
-Have we connected on Instagram? Here’s my post from Musée d’Orsay. The big clocks are amazing!-
What about tickets?
Most museums and monuments require an admission ticket. An option to consider is the Paris Museum Pass for admission to about 60 museums and monuments. Based on your itinerary, you may find that the Museum Pass is a good value vs. buying individual admission tickets. It’s also a time saver because you don’t have to stand in line to purchase tickets at each attraction. In some cases, the Museum Pass may also give you fast-track entry as a Skip the Line pass so you can head to the front of the line (security checks are still required). The Museum Pass is a 2, 4, or 6-day pass and is available for purchase at airports, train stations, museums, retail shops, and online.
The Paris Pass is another option to consider. It is a convenient bundle offer for a Visite travel card, Museum Pass, and the Big Bus Hop-On-Hop-Off bus. The Paris Pass is available at Paris airports, bus stations, tourist information locations, and online.
Here’s a list of some of the most popular sites in Paris. Decide what’s important to you and include as many of these as possible on your first visit to Paris.
- Eiffel Tower | Enjoy a ride to the top for great views and memories of your trip to Paris. Lines can be extremely long so book online tickets ahead of time. Levels 1 and 2 also require tickets. Plan ahead and reserve lift tickets!
- Arc de Triomphe | Visit this iconic monument by taking an underground passageway to get to the Arc (it stands in the middle of an intersection of 12 streets). Climb to the observation area on top for views of the city including the grand boulevard, the avenue des Champs-Élysées, and see the crazy traffic on the roundabout below!
- Cathédrale Notre-Dame | Don’t miss this majestic Gothic cathedral on the Île de la Cité. A steep climb to the towers offers a close-up view of the gargoyles and great views of the city.
- Museé du Louvre | Allow as much time as possible to enjoy this enormous and incredible museum that’s housed in a former palace. When you enter, you will receive a map with the most popular exhibits shown to help you navigate through all of the art!
- Sainte-Chapelle | See this Gothic-style chapel near Notre-Dame, famed for its beautiful stained-glass windows. Take the circular stairs to the upper level for the best view of the windows.
- Musée d’Orsay | Spend time enjoying the notable impressionist art at this beautifully converted train station that now houses the museum.
- Sacré Cœur | Sit on the steps leading up to this beautiful white basilica overlooking Paris in the Montmartre area.
- Museé Rodin | Stroll through the museum and gardens to see famous sculptures by Auguste Rodin, including The Thinker and The Kiss.
- Panthéon | Visit this stunning domed (former) church where famous men and women of France are buried. See the replica of Foucault’s Pendulum hanging from the dome.
- Palais Garnier | Take a tour of the ornate Paris opera house with its grand marble staircase, lobbies, foyer, and impressive chandelier.
- Versailles | Take the train to the nearby town of Versailles and visit this luxurious former residence of kings. Explore the palace including historical Hall of Mirrors, and visit the landscaped grounds and gardens.
Take a stroll and wander!
Paris is a city that’s best enjoyed on foot. So in addition to using transit for seeing the most popular sites in the city, you should definitely set aside some time to stroll the streets and parks of Paris. Walk through the beautiful Luxembourg Gardens or the Tuileries Gardens for a break from the museums and crowds. Or take a break at Square du Vert-Galant, a favorite green space located on Île de la Cité for waterfront views of the Seine River.
Wander the city and take in the interesting buildings, gardens, fountains, churches, monuments, and neighborhoods. Step inside some smaller museums, galleries, cafes, markets, boutiques, and local shops (cheese, bread, wine, chocolates!). Enjoy a stroll along pedestrian streets such as Rue Cler and or the narrow backstreets of the Montmartre neighborhood where you forget you’re in a big city. Rent a bike or find a shady park bench. Enjoy a crepe or some gelato or BOTH! Slow down the pace and experience Paris!
Here are some pictures from my first trip to Paris. It was amazing!
I hope this information and tips for your first visit to Paris is helpful as you plan your trip! Be sure to comment with more suggestions below.
Geaux travel!