Paris is truly an amazing city to visit but it's not a location that you want to jump into ill-informed. There is so much to see and experience that it's almost overwhelming. From the famous tourist sites to a peaceful stroll along the river, your'e bound to fall for The City of Love. For our first visit, I gathered information for a year! So many people run to Paris without the faintest plan that their experience in the end is less than fantastic. This how-to list was complied from practical info, our visits and friend's tips to help you get the absolute best experience possible.
Enjoy!
Check out much more at Paris's Official Website: Parisinfo.com
The Eiffel Tower view from Palais de Chaillot.
Metro: Trocadero. The absolute best metro stop for the Eiffel Tower view!!
More practical info at: Parisinfo.com~ Eiffel Tower
There is never a bad time to visit the tower. Under almost any weather condition during any time of the year, it stands beautifully magnificent.
Open Monday-Sunday
Basic visit pricing:
2nd platform by elevator -8.20 Euro.
2nd Platform by stairs- 4.70 Euro.
Entrance & elevator to the very top floor-13.40 Euro. 12-24yrs- 11.80 Euro.
4-11 yrs. & disabled- 9.30 Euro.
Children under 4 are free.
More practical info at: Parisinfo.com~ Eiffel Tower
and Eiffel-tower.com
View of Palais de Chaillot/ Trocadero from Champ de Mars.
Food tip :
Never dine near a tourist attraction especially the Eiffel Tower! The prices are higher for food that is much less than favorable. Tell tale signs of a not so great eatery- waiters outside rushingly waving you in or menus placed in front written in at least five other languages.
View from Trocadero.
More info at: Eiffel-tower.com
Don't miss the tower's light show as it sparkles in the dark!
Conserving energy, the tower sparkles for 5 minutes every hour on the hour until 1am.
Sunset on the Seine.
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| Cite. My favorite metro station!!! Cathedral Notre Dame. St. Michel/ Sainte Chapelle Metro: Cite Gothic masterpiece with 15 stained glass windows and star covered vaulted ceiling. Very beautiful and the lines prove to be worth the wait. Open Monday-Sunday. Paid entry. Adult 8 Euro. Reduced: 18025 & teachers 5 Euro. Under 18 years old- Free More info at: Parisinfo.com~ Sainte Chapelle Eglise Saint Sulpice Metro: Saint- Sulpice or Cite 17th Century Church with one of the largest organs in the world with over 6,500 pipes. Open Monday-Sunday. 7:30am -7:30 pm More info at: Parisinfo.com~ Saint Sulpice |
Notre Dame
The famous 11th century Gothic Cathedral.
Metro: Cite
Free entrance. Tourists start arriving around 9am and can form lines that actually wrap around the building for entrance. Early morning and late evening are gorgeous times to visit.
Open 7:45-6:45pm
More info at Paris' official website: Parisinfo.com~ Notre Dame
Climb the 402 steps of the tower for a city view. 8.50 Euro. Reduced 5.50 Euro.
Last admission 45 minutes before closing.
More info at: Parisinfo.com~ Notre Dame
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| One of the many stained glass windows. This cathedral is one of our absolute favorites among many we've visited throughout Europe. |
Notre Dame is a must visit at night!!! With the sunset on the cathedral and dim glow of lamp post's, this area becomes a classic romantic spot. Street performers fill the area for fun entertainment.
Love Locks line the bridge behind the Notre Dame.
Father & Son sandwich shop
A great pit stop in front of St. Chapelle church and around the corner from Notre Dame. Friendly service, cheap and tasty sandwiches, panini, pizza, baked goods and drinks.
Public restrooms. Unisex clean and free toilettes located along the boardwalk in Paris's hot tourist spots. You'll push the button to enter then push the close door button similar to an elevator's. Once you are completely finished, step out and stand guard as the door will take a minute to close behind you. The toilet does not flush until the door shuts!!! I didn't understand this on our first visit and a guy waiting next just walked in. Needless to say, it's pretty embarrassing! LoL Once closed, it will proceed with a cleaning cycle for the next use.
The Conciergerie
Prison from the 14th century until 1914 which held the famous Marie Antoinette
Metro: Cite. You'll see it on your left side while walking to the Notre Dame from the metro station.
More info at: Parisinfo.com~Conciergerie
Take your time and stroll through the city or along the beautiful Seine River. Anywhere you go it will be breathtaking and the Parisian feeling will take you over.
The Marais District
Hotel de Ville. Office of the mayor of Paris.
Metro: Hotel de Ville
More info at: Parisinfo.com~ Hotel de Ville
Village Saint-Paul in The Marais district.
A little more info at: Parisinfo.com~ Village St-Paul
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| Picturesque Village Saint-Paul |
Chez Marianne Restaurant. Along Rue des Hospitalieres-Saint-Gervais
Metro: St-Paul
Great recommendation to pick up the best falafel ever!
Important tip: A purchase receipt is required so buy inside before you get to the take-out window! Everything is written only in French and I learned this fact the hard way after standing in line for 30 minutes! They thankfully let me pay at the window after another friendly customer helped explain the situation.
Practical restaurant info at: Fodors.com
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| I savored every bite of this delicious vegetarian falafel!!! |
Kosher bakery along Rue des Rosiers in the Marais district.
The Catacombs
Metro: Denfert-Rochereau
An 18th century catacomb of piled bones.
Excavated and moved cemeteries into this passageway that later became a tourist attraction.
Open Tuesday-Sunday 10-5pm. Last admission at 4pm.
Tour: 8 Euro. Reduced 6 Euro. 14-26 yrs. 4 Euro. Under 14 Free.
Tour lasts 45 min. There is a small souvenir shop at the exit of the catacombs.
More info at: Parisinfo.com~ Catacombes
Hotel des national Invalides
Metro: La Tour- Maubourg Varenne Invalides
Housed wounded soldiers of the late 17th century and is now a museum and the resting place of Napoleon.
More detailed info at: Parisinfo.com~ National des Invalides & Invalides.org
Invalides Museum info at: Parisinfo.com~ Invalides Museum
Pont Alexandre III Bridge
Metro: Invalides
Highly decorative bridge from the 1900 Universal Exhibition.
More info at: Parisinfo.com~ Pont Alexandre III
The Latin Quarter
A taste of old Paris Bohemia. This trendy tourist filled area is a must visit.
St-Michel. Forefront to the Latin Quarter.
Metro: Cluny on Boulevard St-Michel
A short walk across the Seine River from the Notre Dame.
Read up a little on the Latin Quarter at: Aparisguide.com-latin-quarter
Avoid the fast food and Greek-style restaurants on Rue de la Huchette.
The pantheon
Metro: Cardinal-Lemoine
Built originally as a church which later became the burial place for famous French personalities.
Monday-Sunday 10-6pm
Independent tour 8 Euro. Reduced 6 Euro. Under 18 Free.
More info at: Parisinfo.com~ Pantheon
St-Etienne-du-Mont Church.
Latin Quarter. Behind the Pantheon.
Latin Quarter. Behind the Pantheon.
Metro: Cardinal-Lemoine.
In the movie "Midnight in Paris", Owen Wilson gets picked up at the stairs on the church's side. I absolutely loved the street in the background and had to visit it myself! Pictured below.
More info at: Sacred-destinations.com
A great restaurant we ate at off the tourist path in the Latin Quarter.
Le Village Ronsard. 47 Ter Blvd. St. Germain. Reasonable prices, great food and drinks with exceptional service.
Musee des Orsay
Metro: Solferino
Art museum 1848- 1914 period across from the Louvre entrance. Set in a converted railway station. Love locks line the bridge over the Seine connecting the two buildings.
The Louvre
Metro: Palais Royal -Musee de Louvre
More practical info at: Parisinfo.com~ Louvre
Open 9-6pm. Mon. Wed. Thurs. Fri. Sat. Sun. Closed Tuesday.
Permanent collection: 11 Euro. Under 18 free.
Great tip: Purchase your ticket(s) ahead of time and beat the lines at Louvre.fr
If you didn't purchase ahead the lines can be terribly long but do move somewhat quickly. Once inside buy your tickets at the automated kiosk for a much quicker start. Grab a map and start on the 2nd floor. This museum can be quite confusing so keep tabs on where you are. The souvenirs and food cost much more inside than at an outside location. Backpacks must be checked in before you start.
Part of the Tuileries gardens connected to the Louvre Museum grounds with a view of the Arc de Triomphe in the distance.
Metro: Tuileries Concorde
Check out more at: Parisinfo.com~ Tuileries
Arc de Triomphe
Metro: Charles de Gaulle- Etoile
Began as a homage to French military victories by Napoleon in 1806.
Open Monday-Sunday
Under 18 free.
The famous Avenue des Champs- Elysees known as "the World's most beautiful avenue" lies before the monument. You can easily walk along this avenue to the Louvre museum and Tuileries gardens.
More info at: Parisinfo.com~ Arc de Triomphe, Monuments-nationaux.fr & Parisinfo.com~ Champs-Elysees
Montmartre District
Above: Metro Abbesses located right next to the Sacre-Coeur Basilica.
Below: Metro Anvers at the base of the hill to the Sacre-Coeur Basilica. A steep hill awaits you to get to the basilica. You can also take the funicular for a fee.
Basilica Sacre-Coeur
"Sacred Heart"
Bleach white basilica built in the shape of a Greek cross set on a steep hill with one of the best views over the city of Paris.
Open access to the basilica everyday from 6am-11pm.
Dome & Crypt visits possible for a fee.
More info at: Parisinfo.com~ Basilica Sacre Coeur
View over the white city of Paris from atop the stairs in front of the Basilica.
One of the many picturesque restaurants along the winding streets in the Abbesses district.
One of the many artists in Place de Tertre.
Portrait artists fill the square and nearby streets.
Restaurant in the Abbesses district.
The Moulin Rouge
Original home of the Can-Can show since 1889.
Metro: Blanche
More info at: Parisinfo.com~ Moulin Rouge & Moulinrouge.fr
I know that this a ridiculous food recommendation while in Paris but the best burger we've ever had in our life was in the Montmartre district! Our kids get tired of trying new foods and this happened to be one of their finds =) Up the street from Anvers Metro.
Le Panorama. 20 Rue Gerando. Fantastic service, cool atmosphere, good prices and scrumptious cuisine.
The Escargot are tasty as well. Try the frog legs, one of the steaks or scallop dishes on the menu. They're all made with love ;)
Dining tips:
Menus with Prix Fixe or Plat du Jour are the specialties of the day. They are normally cheaper and are made with ingredients purchased the same day rather than the typical about- to- spoil items.
To lower your drink cost, order a liter of water, mineral or with gas. A single drink will cost much more than a shared bottle. Beer seems to be on the high side as well compared to many other cities where beer is cheaper than water.
The city is full of quick eats, panini shops, patisseries, bakeries and butcher and cheese shops. Stop in any of them for an easy and cheap picnic style lunch. The Patisseries/ bakeries have a wide variety of tantalizing treats made with fresh fruit and rich chocolates. A chocolate eclair is a must try on your visit! And don't forget the fresh baguette ;)
If saving money is your thing, stop in a grocery store to grab easy items such as lunch meat, cheese, breads, salad, fruit and anything else that catches your eye. Deliciousness on a budget while still trying the local food fare! We love to to grab a local beer or wine to enjoy at the hotel in the evening.
Driving to Paris?
Expect to come across toll roads since the autobahn is not free to drive on in France. For anyone stationed at Germany's Spangdahlem Air Base, the drive to Paris will cost you about 24 Euro one way. You will acquire a ticket at your first station which you will pay at the next toll station. For easy payment, drive to the lane with the attendant pictured above. Cash and credit card are both payment options. With a credit card, you will add on an international exchange fee along with the toll charge.
The city's traffic is extremely busy and follows a seeming set of no-rules that you've probably never experienced before! Underground parking garages are within the city, have limited space, charge large fees and don't have as much vehicle clearance that Americans are used to. Many SUV's will not fit into some of the garages either by width or height. For a day visit I recommend parking on the outskirts of the city at one of the many Park and Ride facilities. More info at: Parkopedia.fr .
Grab a city/ metro map at any metro station or duck into any hotel to ask for one.
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| Libre in green letters is open and available . Firme in red letters is closed or full. |
Stay:
Read hotel reviews instead of looking at the star rating, a 7 or up review is usually a very recommendable stay. I use booking.com for nearly all of our trips. I use preferences of within 10 km, parking, and free cancellation just in case. The price will be lower for a non-cancellable booking. Look for apartments with a kitchenette to save you money on dining out or a room with a minibar to store your sandwich supplies, snacks and drinks. Don't pay so much attention to the "small room or shower" reviews. Many European hotels have one-person showers and limited walking space. All of our hotels and apartments in Paris have been comfortably spacious.
Many hotels offer a buffet breakfast, some are free with booking and others charge a fee. We have never stayed at a hotel that charged a reasonable amount for breakfast. Hit up a nearby bakery or grocery store for breakfast items that shouldn't cost more than a few Euro.
Grab a city/ transportation map from either your hotel or metro station. Circle every sight that you want to visit.
Paris city maps and Transportation maps: http://parismap.metro-passes.com/
The metro is the easiest and fastest way to get around Paris.
I know for beginners that this metro map looks extremely intimidating. I'll do my best to help you understand and navigate this. Once you conquer Paris's metro, you can conquer any city in the world!
Sorry, to get this out sooner, I'll have to come back & revise.
Sorry, to get this out sooner, I'll have to come back & revise.
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| Metro ticket automat. Also good for RER and bus transportation. |
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| Touchscreen. Touch the UK flag for English and "buy tickets". |
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| Ticket t +. Good for Metro, tram, bus & RER within Paris. Paris Visite- Passes for unlimited uses on so many days. Ticket Jeune- Under age 26 on Sat, Sun & public holidays. |
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| Full fare- adults Reduced fare- children 10 years & younger |
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| Choose the quantity needed. We prefer books of 10 at the same price. |
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| If you need to purchase different types of tickets, use the next purchase button. Once finished. Hit Validate. |
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| These machines usually accept cash and change only and have a limited amount of change available. Usually less than 10 Euro so be prepared with smaller bills. |
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| Metro tickets. Standard and reduced. |
The Simplified Metro List:
Eiffel Tower~ Tour Eiffel (up the street and to the side of the tower) or
Trocadero (highly recommended!)
Louvre Museum~ Palais Royal Musee du Louvre
Notre Dame~ Cite
St.Michel/ Saint Chapelle~ Cite
Arc de Triomphe~ Charles de Gaulle Etoile
Moulin Rouge~ Blanche
Sacre Coeur~ Anvers(bottom of the steep hill in front of the Basilica) or
Abbesses (next to the Basilica)
Catacombs~ Denfert-Rochereau
Pantheon~ Cardinal-Lemoine
Hotel des Invalides~ Invalides
Conciergerie~ Cite
Musee des Orsay~ Solferino
St. Sulpice~ Cite
The best Hop-on-Hop-off bus tours in Paris: Carsrouges.com. Fantastic for who just want to be bussed to each location without the hassle of a thought.
Buy your tickets ahead of time online or at the bus, either way you'll have a great experience.
Don't waste your time with the competition. These red buses pull up the tourist site for the best possible view and ease of access. I made the mistake of booking with another company, used it for a couple hours and ended up hopping on the metro!
Any more awesome advice or tips? Please comment =)
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