Whether you’re an art enthusiast, a connoisseur of cuisine or a lover of history, Paris is the perfect holiday destination. But with so much to see and do, travelling to this big city for the first time can feel a little overwhelming. Not to worry, we have rounded up our top tips for making this experience one to remember.
To make the most of your trip, here are 5 top tips for travelling to Paris for the first time:
- Plan, plan, plan
- Stay in a central location
- Visit iconic landmarks
- Book a private tour
- Learn basic French phrases
1. Plan, Plan, Plan
Before travelling to Paris for the first time, or anywhere for that matter, it’s wise to plan ahead to ensure your experience is as smooth and stress-free as possible! By this we mean:
- Book Your Accommodation
Secure your accommodation as early as possible. Look for hotels, hostels, or Airbnb’s online and make sure to check out reviews and ratings before choosing somewhere, to ensure the accommodation meets your expectations. If you leave accommodation too long, prices might go up and you might not find an available room in your desired location or that suits your desired budget.
- Pre-Book Attractions or Tickets
The last thing you want is to miss out on something because you didn’t book in advance. So, research where you want to go and if you can, pre-book tickets. Many popular Paris attractions offer skip-the-line or timed-entry tickets to save time waiting in queues, so it’s worth looking into these.
- Sort Out a Rough Itinerary
Make a list of the various attractions, landmarks, museums, and neighbourhoods you want to visit and create a rough plan of which places you’ll visit each day.
2. Stay in a Central Location if You Can
When planning a trip to Paris, choosing the right area to stay in can make a huge difference to your experience, especially when you are only visiting for a few days. Paris is a big city, so if you’re pretty limited on time or have lots to see, we recommend staying as central as possible so that you’re not spending too much time travelling around.
Some of the best central areas include Le Marais, Saint-Germain-des-Prés, or the Latin Quarter, which all have easy access to major sights.
That said, Paris has an extensive public transportation system, including buses, trams, trains, and the metro. So if you struggle to find a central accommodation within your budget and style, don’t worry too much.
3. Visit Iconic Landmarks
It goes without saying that if you’re visiting Paris for the first time, visiting some of the famous landmarks is a must.
The Top Iconic Paris Landmarks You Should Consider Visiting:
- Eiffel Tower
The Eiffel Tower is one of the most recognisable landmarks in the world due to its unique design and cultural significance.
If you like your views, the Eiffel Tower offers breathtaking panoramic views of the city from its high observation decks. From these viewpoints, you’ll be able to see the beautiful city and its other famous landmarks like the Sacré-Cœur, Notre-Dame Cathedral, the Seine River, and more.
What’s more, the Eiffel Tower sparkles every evening with a mesmerising light show. This incredible display occurs every hour on the hour after sunset and lasts for about 5 minutes.
- Louvre Museum
Featuring over 380,000 objects, including paintings, sculptures, decorative arts, and artefacts, the Louvre is home to one of the most extensive and renowned art collections in the world. The perfect place for art, historic and cultural enthusiasts!
- Sacré-Cœur
Known for its stunning architecture, the church of Sacré-Cœur, stands atop the Butte Montmartre, one of the highest points in Paris.
From the steps and terraces around the basilica, you can enjoy breathtaking panoramic views of the city. The Sacré-Cœur holds historical and cultural importance in Parisian history, so is a great attraction for history enthusiasts.
- DisneyLand Paris
While it’s not a landmark, DisneyLand is a fantastic place to visit if you’re with the kids or simply a huge Disney fan!
The park features a variety of iconic attractions, including classic rides, thrilling roller coasters, and family-friendly adventures. From Pirates of the Caribbean to Thunder Mountain, there’s truly something for everyone of all ages!
4. Book a Private Tour
If you’re not too sure what to see or do in Paris, there’s no better way to take the stress away than by booking a private tour.
A private tour offers the perfect opportunity to visit all of the top sightseeing spots in the city in one go whilst educating you about the interesting facts and information about Paris that you likely wouldn’t otherwise learn.
At Yellow Moon Tours, we are able to curate an entirely bespoke private tour of Paris for you and your loved ones. From the Eiffel Tower to Sacré Coeur to Notre-Dame, our fun and informative private tours help you to tick off some of the most iconic sights in all of Paris.
If you’re interested in booking a private tour with us, get in touch with a member of our friendly team today.
5. Learn Basic French Phrases
As a tourist in Paris, it’s a good idea to learn some basic French phrases to make your trip more enjoyable and easier to navigate, for example learning greetings, how to order food or asking for directions. What’s more, it shows locals that you appreciate French culture and language.
The most important and common French phrases you should use wherever you go are “merci” when someone helps you out and “bonjour” when you’re greeting someone, perhaps when you’re entering a shop or cafe.
I hope this article has provided you with some guidance prior to your first trip to Paris.
For inquiries or questions, contact us today at info@yellowmoontours.com or on 02032903665 to book your private tour today or check out our Instagram page.
Written by Kate Jones for Yellow Moon Tours, the private tours specialist covering private tours of London, private city tours of Paris, New York private tours and Ireland private tours from Dublin.