🇫🇷 Paris: What to Know Before You Go
Skip the rookie mistakes — when to go, how to get around, where to base yourself, and what to know before you land.
The Paris most first-timers get wrong
Paris rewards travelers who slow down. The classic mistake is cramming the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, Versailles and Montmartre into two rushed days. Pick a few neighborhoods, walk them properly, and let the city happen between the landmarks — a corner bakery, a quiet square, a bench by the river. That is the Paris people fall in love with.
Best time to visit
Late spring (April–June) and early autumn (September–October) are the sweet spots: mild weather, long light, and gardens at their best without peak-summer crowds. July and August are warm but busy, and many small local restaurants close while Parisians take their own holidays. Winter is cold and grey but cheaper, with festive markets in December.
Getting around
The Métro is the fastest way across the city and runs until around 1am (later on weekends). Use contactless on your phone or a rechargeable Navigo Easy card. Central Paris is also wonderfully walkable — many "far" sights are a 20-minute stroll apart along the Seine. Skip renting a car; parking and traffic are a headache you do not need.
Where to base yourself
For a first trip, stay central. Le Marais (3rd/4th) is lively, historic and full of cafés. Saint-Germain (6th) is elegant and classic. The 7th puts you near the Eiffel Tower and Musée d'Orsay. Montmartre (18th) is charming and cheaper but hilly and a little removed. Wherever you choose, prioritize being a short walk from a Métro stop.
What to eat
Eat where the menu is short and seasonal. A proper morning is a croissant and coffee at a counter; lunch is the best-value hot meal of the day (look for the "formule"). Don't miss a neighborhood boulangerie, a fromagerie, and one long, unhurried dinner. Halal, kosher, vegetarian and vegan options are easy to find — BeforeDepart's food finders map them in any arrondissement.
Don't-miss experiences
- Walk the Seine at golden hour, from Notre-Dame toward the Eiffel Tower.
- Pick one big museum (the Louvre or the Musée d'Orsay) and arrive early.
- Get lost on foot in Le Marais and Montmartre.
- Visit Versailles first thing, before the tour buses arrive.
Safety & money
Paris is generally safe, but pickpocketing is the real risk — on the Métro, around the Eiffel Tower, and on crowded escalators. Keep your phone and wallet zipped and in front of you, and ignore the street "petition" and "gold ring" scams. The currency is the euro; cards work almost everywhere, but carry a little cash for bakeries and markets. The EU-wide emergency number is 112.
✈️ Before you go to Paris
Sort the practical stuff that saves money and stress:
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time to visit Paris?
Late spring (April–June) and early autumn (September–October) are the sweet spots: mild weather, long light, and gardens at their best without peak-summer crowds. July and August are warm but busy, and many small local restaurants close while Parisians take their own holidays. Winter is cold and grey but cheaper, with festive markets in December.
How do you get around Paris?
The Métro is the fastest way across the city and runs until around 1am (later on weekends). Use contactless on your phone or a rechargeable Navigo Easy card. Central Paris is also wonderfully walkable — many "far" sights are a 20-minute stroll apart along the Seine. Skip renting a car; parking and traffic are a headache you do not need.
What food should I try in Paris?
Eat where the menu is short and seasonal. A proper morning is a croissant and coffee at a counter; lunch is the best-value hot meal of the day (look for the "formule"). Don't miss a neighborhood boulangerie, a fromagerie, and one long, unhurried dinner. Halal, kosher, vegetarian and vegan options are easy to find — BeforeDepart's food finders map them in any arrondissement.
Is Paris safe for travelers?
Paris is generally safe, but pickpocketing is the real risk — on the Métro, around the Eiffel Tower, and on crowded escalators. Keep your phone and wallet zipped and in front of you, and ignore the street "petition" and "gold ring" scams. The currency is the euro; cards work almost everywhere, but carry a little cash for bakeries and markets. The EU-wide emergency number is 112.