How to Plan an Unforgettable Trip to Paris
Paris is a stunning city that has so much to see, do, and enjoy. With incredible food, beautiful architecture, and world-famous museums, you won’t be disappointed – unless, of course, you fall into tourist trap after tourist trap. Paris is a big city, and it can be unfriendly and even pricey. If you want to skip the bad parts and get straight to an unforgettable, amazing experience, use these tips:
Skip the Lines and Book a Tour
When it comes to Paris’ most famous destinations, know that you can often skip those long lines by simply booking a tour. Instead of waiting possibly hours to get up to the top of the Eiffel Tower, for example, you can take a tour to skip the line. Not only is this the fastest way to see the Eiffel Tower, but it’s also the best way to learn about its history so that you can gain a real appreciation for it.
This same tip applies to other destinations like Versailles. Whenever it seems like the place you are going to is popular, see if you can skip general admission with a tour. Another benefit is that the tour operators will take the lead and speak in English, so you won’t feel like you are floundering with your poor French.
Walk and Take Taxis
While Paris does have a subway system, this system is notoriously dirty, busy, and can feel unnerving for tourists. You miss all the amazing, beautiful city streets as well, and once it gets late, you may feel unsafe. It is far better to walk during the day so that you can soak in the stunning architecture (and find many empty streets for photos) and then take taxis at night to get you where you need to go.
Don’t Overplan Each Day
A huge part of what makes Paris so magical is that there is something around every corner. From beautiful buildings to stores to galleries and restaurants. You do not want to plan out every second of your day. Not only does this put pressure on your trip, but it also takes the magic out of it. Choose two or three big things per day and save the rest for exploring the top neighborhoods.
Explore These Neighborhoods
These neighborhoods each have their own flair, with some rich in greenery and others rich in opulence. Diversifying the neighborhoods you explore is a great way to enjoy a Parisian trip that doesn’t send you straight to tourist trap after tourist trap.
- Latin Quarter
- Le Marais
- Monmartre
- South Pigalle
- Belleville-Menilmontant
- Oberkampf
- Montorgueil
Brush Up on Your French
The French are very protective of their language, with many refusing to use English. Brush up on your conversational French so that you can buy items, ask for directions, and ask for help.
Download the Tools for Offline Use
You can download the map of Paris on your phone so that you have it, no matter what. This way, you can always find where you are and where you are going. You can also download the French language translation dictionary so that you can ask rudimentary questions in French, even if you don’t know the language itself.