What is it about the charm that Paris has even for those who have never visited it? „City of Lights”?
The glamor, history, exquisite gastronomy and mix of different art movements that this city embraces create an inner longing to be part of this mystical and bohemian atmosphere that we have only seen in films or read in novels.
So yes, Paris for beginners is all about the materialization of this imaginary world!
The menu includes Edith Piaf’s La Vie en Rose, small cafés, palaces, opera and croissants au chocolat.
So Paris is first and foremost a city for walking and walking and walking.
So pack your comfortable shoes (no bulky tennis shoes screaming „I’m a tourist”) and casual / formal / chic clothes!
Let the journey begin from the moment you arrange your trip. Buy a travel guide to Paris and download it to your phone or small tablet for less weight (you should carry it around during your trip). Knowing the story behind the beauty you are watching will make a world of difference and result in a memorable experience.
A beginner’s guide to Paris
Booking for your trip: I really recommend at least 5 days in Paris … no less, but a lot more if you can!
Choose a hotel – where to stay?
Paris is divided into twenty Districts or districts. Remember, Paris is there for walking, but you still have to take this metro more than once, as long as you’re near a subway station in any of these districts, you’ll be close to most destinations: 1, 2, 3, 7, 8 and 9. ARR.
Read our guide to the Arrondissements of Paris.
Arrival in Paris
Before leaving the airport, find a city m, if you can’t find one, ask your hotel about it.
You have the option to take that RER Paris city train and connect to the METROPOLITAIN (subway, subway, etc.) or take a taxi. If you’ve just landed from a transatlantic flight and can afford a € 40 fair, I would definitely recommend the taxi over the train, otherwise the train is fine. Keep this in mind when packing your bags as you will have to pull up a few flights of stairs and walk with it for a while.
Lots Applications for your phone Help set up train and metro routes and estimate the length of the trip specifically for Paris, a dollar well invested, or take advantage of it Release one to the RATP (Traffic authority) offers.
Read our guide to using the Paris Metro.
How to plan your Paris sightseeing route for beginners
How much time you spend in each location depends on you, your style of travel, and the amount of time you count on. Museums take a long time to really enjoy, but no matter what, be sure to visit them Orsay Museum and the Louvre Museum is a must!
My recommendation for Paris for beginners
Follow a route around a Arrondissement Make a list of for each day Something to see and Buy tickets in advance Avoid lines. Try not to be too strict with your time because you won’t be enjoying the real Paris if you have to keep up with it. Enjoy an extra glass of wine when you’re having a good time, sit on the green chairs Tuileries garden and live the Parisian experience.
Places not to be missed in Paris
There are so many things to do in Paris for beginners, here are a few places not to be missed!
The Louvre Museum, the Tuileries Garden, the Place Vendôme, the Palais Royal, the Arc de Triomphe du Carrousel, Notre-Dame de Paris, the Sainte-Chelle, the Hôtel de Ville (Paris City Hall), the Center Georges Pompidou, the Saint-Jacques tower, Jardin du Luxembourg, Saint-Sulpice church, Saint-Germain des Prés abbey, Eiffel Tower and Parc du Champ de Mars, Les Invalides, Musée d’Orsay, Ecole Militaire, Champs-Elysées, Arc de Triomphe, Place de la Concorde, Church of the Madeleine, Grand Palais and Petit Palais, Opéra Garnier, Montmartre, Basilica of the Sacré Coeur, Church of Saint-Jean-de-Montmartre, Rodin Museum.
If you have the time that Palace of Versailles is only an hour by train from Paris but you should spend at least 4 hours there. So reserve at least half a day, you won’t regret it! If you don’t have time, check out Noleon the 3rd Artment Get a glimpse of Versailles at the Musée du Louvre, which was the royal palace a long time ago.
This all seems like too much to see and do, but in fact, you will find that most of them are close together.
Time and budget for shopping?
As you would expect, Paris has one of the trendiest streets in the world. Rue Faubourg Saint-Honoré where every major fashion house can be found. But Paris has options for all budgets and styles. Galleries Lafayette and Champs-Elysees offer a great variety.
Related reading: Wine, dining and shopping tips for the Paris Opera
Must eat in Paris
While the plates are numerous in Paris, you will likely eat some of them more than once … just because they’re too good not to be.
I’ll make a list of the ones that I consider must-have, and since I’ve tried a few of these in different places, I’ll suggest where I liked them the most:
– Croque Monsieur (Sandwich) – Le Café de la Paix, famous restaurant across the street Garnier Opera, the most amazing building of the Noleonic era.
– Foie gras – We ordered this at every place where we had lunch, dinner or a snack. They were all good, but I can’t remember if I liked it the most.
– Fried foie gras (Seared fois gras) – L’Ilot Vache
– Lamb chops – L’Ilot Vache
– Entrecumbrellaalso – The Relais de l’Entrecote
– Cheese – In France there are 56 types of cheese that are classified and regulated by a Protected Designation of Origin (AOC). So your options are wide. I would recommend that you try: Brie and Neufchâtel. We ordered cheese at every cafe we went to and we did great every time. French will have cheese as an entrance or as a dessert with fruit and sweet wine.
– Berthillon ice cream – Everywhere on the Île Saint-Louis
– Buckwheat pancakes or sweetened with butter (Buckwheat flour crepe with sugar and butter) – La Crêperie des Canettes, a cozy little place in Saint-Germain
– Nutella pancakes and Sugar-lemon crepe (with sugar and lime) – Everywhere on the street
– Hot chocolate – Café Angelina in the Louvre Museum
Even if you don’t have a sweet tooth, The duration is an emblematic French luxury bakery that serves the Double decker macaronyou have to visit and try.
You will get along fine with any French wine, but I recommend the ones from the Bordeaux Region and Sauternes for dessert.
For good food and a great atmosphere, I also recommend the following: The Mini Palais, the 7th wine. every cafe in Le Tuileries, and at The garden from Luxembourg.
Communication in Paris
Learn some useful phrases and words for exploring Paris for beginners: hello thank you, do you speak english ?, yes please ?, goodbye. Here are some more useful European phrases to learn.
But do not worry; Nowadays, many Parisians speak English, or at least those that tourists usually interact with.
Learn a few basic French phrases in Chat.
Go back
You will want to return to Paris time and time again, and each time you will embrace its charm in a different way.
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