18 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE YOU TRAVEL TO PARIS – PARIS TRAVEL GUIDE 2020

France is a dream destination for many tourists.

From the stunning Calanques bordering the Mediterranean to the ochre canyons of Roussillon and Rustrel, the iconic monumental towns, fairy-tale villages of Provence and Colmart, the romantic spells of the city of Paris, or the uncountable mouth savoring cuisines that the country offers – each landscape is unique and needs to be explored.

But a country offering such a vast diversity of cultures, cuisines, art, natural views is essentially luring enough to make travel mistakes unavoidable for tourists. In this Paris travel guide, I’ll tell you the don’ts and the top mistakes that travelers do and break down the rules to make your Paris travel easy.

The do’s and the can’t -miss of a Paris trip are for another day and I promise those are much more exciting.

1. WHEN TO TRAVEL?

Definitely not in August. The myth that whole of Europe shuts down in this month is not a total myth – as this is the vacation time for countrymen to travel. Consequently France (specifically Paris trips), one of the busiest cities on the globe remains utterly crowded, sometimes with many small businesses and shops closed for a week or two.

So, this won’t be a recommended month for a Paris trip unlike spring (April to June) or fall (September to November) when there are fewer tourists, lower prices, and moderate temperatures. The summer months can be hot, crowded, and expensive.

However, you may choose August if you want to experience large crowds of Parisians or during Christmas when Paris is just like a fairytale.

2. ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

To enter France, you’ll need a valid passport. A visa won’t be necessary unless you plan to stay longer than 90 days. The French government requires that everyone carry identification at all times, so keep your passport and driver’s license handy.

3. EMERGENCY SITUATION

In case of a medical emergency, dial 15 for the SAMU. For a police emergency dial 17, and for fire dial 18. The American Embassy is located in Paris at 2nd avenue Gabriel where you can get a range of services from emergency services due to arrest or death to passport services and notarial services. Make sure to check the embassy’s website for a full range of services. You can also find consultants in Bordeaux, Lille, Lyon, Marseille, Rennes, Strasbourg, and Toulouse.

4. CASH IS SAVIOUR

Not every shop will accept card as a means of payment or may require you to spend atleast €10 to use your card. So keeping cash at hand at all times is as necessary as keeping two cards with you. Ofcourse, you don’t want to land in trouble if one card is swallowed up!

Also, avoid unnecessary exchange fees by withdrawing cash from any bank ATM and at airports where exchange rates are extraordinarily high. And before you set foot in Paris, make sure with your bank that your card will work in Paris.

5. FRENCH SIM CARD

Pick up a local SIM card for your smartphone to cut on roaming charges and stay connected. The most popular prepaid ones among others are – Orange, SFR, LeFrenchMobile, etc. You will find a detailed list of all user- friendly French SIM cards here.

6. ALWAYS CARRY YOUR ID.

Not carrying your ID is legally felonious in France and technically, ID has to be in the form of a national identity card or passport and a driver’s license won’t suffice but keep it handy too.

7. THE ‘RATP’ AND ‘VELIB’ MOBILE APP

The ‘RATP’ app provides public transport information in Paris and surrounding regions. It is basically like a Paris tourist app or a Paris travel guide.

You can find maps, create a journey, find out when the next bus arrives, find nearby stations, which stations are currently unavailable, get traffic information (including strikes and demonstrations), and read timetables.

The ‘VELIB’ app is another famous Paris tourist app or Paris bike app for renting bicycles around the city and the app guides you where to find a bike, number of bikes available at a station, nearby Velib points, and time left to return it. These two apps are the most useful while visiting any tourist attractions in Paris.

8. TRANSPORTATION TIPS

Try to walk your way through the city that besides being cheapest will feed your eyes of the various neighborhoods. Having said that, Paris would be the most difficult place to get lost while navigating. Also, the Paris metro is the safest and not to mention quickest and a cheap way to tour Paris. Prominent Paris metro map apps include RATP app among others.

The Paris Train (RER) is not good if you are travelling solo but is the cheapest public transportation. Services run until very late in the evenings, and are often manned by security guards.

TIP: The Paris RER though fast and cheap is a site for train crimes like pick pocketing. Keep an eye out!

Avoid taking cabs everywhere unless you have just arrived at Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport, as they are not only expensive but also comes with an added risk of getting fooled by cabmen as communication may be difficult for the language.

Avoid taking cabs to airport that costs 50 euros instead you may take the airport bus from Denfert – Rochereau which is free with weekly metro pass.

You may choose a Hop – on – Hop – off bus service for visiting the top tourist attraction in Paris from our list of available service providers. You will find a detailed analysis of the various transport facilities here.

Best of all, buy a weekly Paris metro pass (Navigo) or Paris Visite card (For details, visit here). Paris Metro closes at 12.40 AM Sundays – Thursday and on 1.40 AM on Fridays and Saturdays.

Rental cars are available for Paris tour that costs about $43 a day (INR 3290) on an average.

Plenty of rental bicycle services are also available around the city to check out the famous tourist attractions in Paris.

To know about all transport options in Paris, visit our blog on navigating through Paris.

9. MEDICAL FACILITIES

In Paris, you can only buy common OTC medications in pharmacies. Fortunately, pharmacies are plentiful and are trained to diagnose minor illnesses, so you may approach a pharmacist for minor illnesses. Physicians are easy to find, and they routinely make house calls.

10. BEWARE OF SCAMS

People roaming around with petition papers trying to convince tourists to sign on them is not an uncommon scene in Paris and all of France. Beware of such people who may later threat you to take money out of your bank using signatures.

Also, do not ever pick up any unidentified object from the streets that do not belong to you, howsoever precious, as petty criminals track your whereabouts and may approach you for payments or slash cases of theft on you.

You will also find men roaming around trying to put rings on women’s fingers for friendship who later approach for payments. Avoid taking anything from anyone for free. And most importantly, never leave your valuables or cash or cards anywhere and keep an eye out all the time. Pick pocketing is one hell of a business there! These are Paris safety guidelines you should keep in mind while on a Paris trip.

11. NEVER LEAVE YOUR VALUABLES ANYWHERE

Being a popular tourist destination, pick pocketing and theft are not uncommon in Paris just like at any other place. So its always advised to keep a close eye on belongings be it at a pub, restaurant or even rental cars for that matter. Sadly, in Paris, rental cars are one of the easiest preys of thieves, specially at sight-seeing places. Its advised to leave all important belongings in the hotel preferably inside a safe if provided.

12. NEVER ASSUME CARS TO STOP AT PEDESTRIAN CROSSINGS

Although there are plenty of pedestrian crossings in France, but vehicles usually don’t slow down unless they see a crowd crossing or someone signaling to stop. So make sure the vehicle has received your signal and slowed down before you move forward.

13. LOOK OUT FOR STRIKES

The French are so involved in strike cultures with one popping up every now and then, they actually have a website to track the. Don’t forget to look up for any strikes at C’est la grѐve website (It’s the strikes) before planning anything to avoid any disturbance ahead. This is another important Paris trip safety guideline to keep in mind.

14. EXPLORE THE CITY

You can surf up the Paris Bouge that lists all special or important events occurring in the city on a particular day or even to know about live events, concerts, exhibitions, top rated restaurants, bars, club, art, nightlife – this way you won’t miss out on priceless experiences.

Besides doing a Paris city tour and visiting popular tourists attractions in Paris, do not forget to experience local culture and cuisines. What else can probably give you a better Paris trip experience than local Paris cuisines?!

Read about the 11 best local dishes you cannot miss in Paris.

15. TRY TO MAKE RESERVATIONS

If you have come across a popular dine – in restaurant in Paris, make sure you make a reservation before-hand rather than turning up suddenly. You might have to return because of limited slots available. The TheFork app deserves a special mention here. It provides a detailed information about top Paris restaurants and bars where the best French cuisines are served at their best! Find out the safe ways of choosing a restaurant in Paris without getting tricked (also the list of top eateries in Paris).

16. STICK TO MEAL TIMES RELIGIOUSLY

Strictly follow meal times or you might not get food at all. Breakfast is simple and eaten early – maybe croissants, pastries and brioche with coffee or hot chocolate or even egg and bacon. In Paris, lunch is from 12 pm – 2 pm served in popular Paris restaurants. Most shops get closed by 3pm and remains such till evening which means you might not get lunch anywhere if you don’t turn up on time. And dinner in Paris is between 7.30pm – 10.30pm although you might find no one too early. Don’t forget to turn to the farmer’s market for fresh and cheaper food items when travelling in Paris.

(Related: 11 FOODS YOU HAVE TO TRY IN PARIS: BEST PARIS FOODS TO EAT AND WHERE)

17. LEARN BASIC FRENCH WORDS

Learning the basic French words before going on a Paris trip will always be a saviour for you. Cabmen will think twice before fooling you, you will understand surrounding areas more easily, and seek help from locals when in need.

Always start a conversation with ‘bonjour’ or ‘bonsoir’ and remember to greet individually whenever entering a restaurant, cab, office, or meeting any Frenchmen. Starting a conversation right away with English can seem a bit weird where finding non- English speaking Frenchmen is not uncommon. But even when speaking in English take it slow lest that seems non- thoughtful of you. You may learn on your own using Duolingo or just any beginners level website on the web or pick up some from us. Some of the important words to know to get through common situations are given below.

Bonjour – hello

Bonsoir – good evening

Merci – Thank you

De rien – welcome

Sil vu plait – Please

Pardon – Sorry

Au revoir – Goodbye

Parlez vous anglais – Do you speak English?

Je ne parles pas le Français – I don’t speak French

Oui –Yes

Non – No

18. BASIC FRENCH ETIQUETTES

And lastly, some basic etiquette to follow once you are landing at top places to visit in Paris. Keep your tone low in public places. Never hug any Frenchmen unless they do so. However, an air kiss on both cheeks is a standard for both men and women.

While on the table, avoid buttering your bread (except breakfast) or cut it with a knife. Though there are no hard and fast rules for tourists, there’s no sin in being a Frenchman when in Paris. When in Rome, be like the Romans!

Also, pour wine on your own glass after sharing with your partner, especially because when dining with locals in Paris. Follow this even when refilling your glass but remember, only half the glass!

What advise do you have for first timers in Paris or France? Let us know in the comments below!

So, that’s all for today! Coming soon with more amazing blogs on how to plan a trip to France on a budget, what to pack, what to experience!

And don’t forget to carry an universal adaptor and a 4 – port adaptor when on board!

BON VOYAGE!

Related: PUBLIC TRANSPORT USER GUIDE FOR PARIS